| ELEVATING THE FINE ART OF PAIRING FOOD WITH WINE |
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(ltr) Ashley Dick (Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine), Nicola Caskey (Old Road Wines) trainee chef Natalie Takure, Jackie Cameron and Danielle de Jongh (Old Road Wines).
The Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine recently played host to Old Road Wines to offer guests a sample of the Franschoek-based estate and to further the knowledge of trainee chefs. A welcoming glass of Cap Classique set the tone on a chilly evening before Danielle de Jongh from Old Road Wines introduced the wines paired with a course prepared by the school’s students under the guidance of chef Jackie Cameron.
First up were two white wines - a Le Courier and Stone Trail Chenin Blanc - followed by The Fat Man Pinotage, 32 Mile Syrah and a limited release Pepperwind Syrah. Engaging and eloquent, De Jongh offered insight and knowledge and the estate’s wine-making philosophy. Consensus among guests was that the students excelled in pairing their respective courses to the qualities of the wine on show, very much a key outcome of the popular sundowner events hosted at the school in Old Howick Road. “We’re not only learning about matching food with the unique attributes of wine, but we’re having loads of fun in the process,” said Cameron.
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| AT CHAMBER: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADE, CUSTOMS COMPLIANCE |
Failing to comply with trade regulations is risky, not to mention the penalties as a presentation by Elwin Pitt, MD of Global Maritime Learning Solutions, at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business tomorrow, 15 July, will show. Pitt will also clarify the relationship between trade and customs compliance. A light breakfast will be served. No charge for the event from 10 am till noon. Contact Mvelo on (033) 3452747 or at marketing@pmcb.org.za
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| AT CHAMBER: LEGAL EXPERIENCE TO LIMIT LABOUR DISPUTE RISKS0 |
| With over 25 years of legal and dispute resolution experience, Patrick Deale – labour lawyer, mediator, and acting Labour Court judge – will share key insights on managing legal risks in business at the People Management Forum on Wednesday at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Drawing on his corporate legal executive background, Deale will unpack labour dispute trends, court backlogs, restraints of trade, and recent immigration updates. He will also explain alternative dispute resolution options under the Gauteng Mediation Protocol. Proceedings start at 3 pm, cost is free to PMCB members, R50 for non-members. Contact Mvelo on (033) 3452747 or at marketing@pmcb.org.za. See below in the events section for more about this presentation. |
1999: The location of the SS Waratah, missing since its 1909 voyage between Durban and Cape Town, was found.
Elsewhere, in 1789, The Storming of the Bastille, became the central event of the French Revolution.
It’s all about chaos and coping with the modern-day reality, on Pandemonium Day.
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ONUS ON BANKING CUSTOMERS TO CHECK DODGY DEBICHECK ACTIVITY
With unexplained debit orders on the rise, .bank clients are urged to check their accounts regularly and never share banking details unnecessarily. Recent cases involving Absa and FNB customers highlight incidents where mobile service providers initiated DebiCheck debit requests without clear authorisation. Though DebiCheck - introduced in 2017 to combat fraud - requires customer approval, fraudsters are exploiting questionable third-party sales tactics to gain access. Banks like Absa and FNB say they investigate each complaint and assist with dispute resolution. Still, compromised information often originates outside banking systems.
Experts warn consumers to stay vigilant, question unfamiliar charges, and avoid sharing PINs or swiping cards during sales pitches. Alertness, while exhausting, remains a crucial line of defence, said the banks. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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MCHUNU SUSPENDED, COMMISSION TO PROBE POLITICAL KILLINGS CLAIMS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, a key ally, following accusations of obstructing investigations into political killings. The move signals an attempt to restore public trust in law enforcement and fulfill Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption pledge. A new commission, led by acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will probe the infiltration of law enforcement by criminal syndicates. Mchunu denies wrongdoing but supports the inquiry. Critics, including the DA, say Ramaphosa is stalling accountability by outsourcing decisions. The suspension adds strain to South Africa’s fragile coalition government and underscores broader tensions over corruption within the ANC-led cabinet. (SOURCE:Bloomberg) |
FSCA UPS SOCIAL MEDIA SCRUTINY, ISSUES R120 MILLION FINES
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has intensified its compliance drive, issuing R120 million in fines and debarred 131 individuals in the year ending March 2025. The crackdown targets fraud, false policy submissions, and unregulated investment schemes. Social media scams have become a top enforcement priority, with 107 public warnings issued against impersonators and unlicensed entities offering unrealistic returns. Commissioner Unathi Kamlana stressed stricter enforcement following abuse of leniency, while courts upheld the FSCA’s authority in key legal challenges. The regulator is also collaborating with SAPS, the Hawks, and global watchdogs to bolster cross-border enforcement and protect consumers from rising digital fraud. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
… AND SCORES VICTORY IN CAPITEC SHORT-SELLING SAGA
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has secured a key court victory, allowing it to fine US-based Viceroy Research R50 million for a 2018 report that falsely accused Capitec of predatory lending. The High Court ruled the FSCA has jurisdiction over foreign entities that harm South African financial institutions. The report caused Capitec’s shares to plunge, briefly wiping R24 billion off its market value. Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen overturned a previous ruling that protected Viceroy’s partners from liability due to their offshore status. The case affirms the FSCA’s ability to regulate cross-border financial misconduct. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
SOLAR EYES 2 GW ANNUAL GROWTH ON UTILITY, COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONS
South Africa’s solar PV market is expected to bounce back in 2025, matching the record 2.4 GW installed in 2023 after falling over 50% last year. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) attributes the recovery to large commercial and utility-scale projects, lower equipment prices, and rising electricity tariffs. Residential uptake, which plummeted during reduced loadshedding, is also showing signs of revival. Project registrations hit nearly 15 GW by June, with solar accounting for 67%. Despite policy uncertainties, SAPVIA sees potential for sustainable annual growth of up to 2 GW and broader access in low-income households. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
GREEN LIGHT FOR SHELL TO DRILL 5 WELLS OFF CAPE COAST
Shell has secured environmental authorisation to drill up to five deep-water wells in South Africa’s Orange Basin, off the Northern Cape coast, at depths of 2 500–3 200 metres. The move marks renewed momentum in offshore oil exploration, with Shell and other majors like TotalEnergies eyeing potential discoveries similar to Namibia’s recent oil finds. While the company sees this as a possible boost for South Africa’s energy security, its east coast plans remain mired in legal battles over environmental concerns. South Africa’s declining refinery capacity heightens the urgency to explore domestic oil resources. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
AIRLINK TO FLY IN TANDEM WITH TURKISH AIRLINES
Turkish Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with South African regional carrier Airlink to strengthen its footprint across Africa. Effective August 1, the partnership will allow Turkish Airlines to place its “TK” code on Airlink-operated flights, enabling seamless connections from Istanbul to destinations across South Africa and neighboring countries via Cape Town and Johannesburg. The move enhances travel flexibility with single-ticket multi-sector journeys and supports cultural and tourism ties. Both airlines see commercial and strategic value in the deal, which integrates Turkish Airlines’ global reach with Airlink’s expansive regional network to better serve international and regional travelers. (SOURCE: FlighNews) |
MOZAMBIQUE R1 TRILLION GAS PROJECT OFF TO CAUTIOUS START
Mozambique’s stalled $57 billion (about R1 trillion) liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments are regaining traction, four years after Islamic State-linked attacks forced a halt. TotalEnergies and Eni are restarting work, with key contracts signed and US Export-Import Bank backing secured. President Daniel Chapo met Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne as the country eyes gas export revenue to boost its economy. Yet, risks remain high, with insurgent threats in Cabo Delgado ongoing. Eni’s offshore Coral projects, less exposed to violence, are expanding. While LNG promises transformation, Chapo stresses job creation and social impact must accompany growth to avoid further unrest and insurgent recruitment. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
UK REFORMS TO BOOST R77 TRILLION AFRICAN TRADE
The UK has revamped its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) to deepen trade ties with 65 developing nations, including key African partners. Key reforms include simplified rules of origin, enabling countries like Nigeria to source inputs across Africa while retaining zero-tariff access to the UK market. In 2024, African exports to the UK totaled £3.2 billion (about R77 trillion). The changes aim to foster regional trade, promote services such as digital and legal trade, and ease customs and compliance processes. These updates, part of the UK’s Trade for Development policy, align with its new global trade strategy focused on sustainable growth. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
30% TARIFF THREAT ON EU, MEXICO RAMPS UP TRADE TENSIONS US
President Donald Trump has reignited global trade tensions, threatening 30% tariffs on imports from the EU and Mexico starting 1 August. The move follows stalled negotiations on broader trade deals. Both Mexico and the EU denounced the tariffs as unfair and disruptive but pledged to keep negotiating. Trump also issued tariff warnings to 23 other nations, including Canada and Japan, with rates up to 50%. The EU warned of countermeasures, calling the tariffs a threat to critical supply chains. Mexico, heavily reliant on US trade, said sovereignty was non-negotiable. The escalating dispute risks disrupting markets and global diplomatic ties. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
BULLISH INVESTORS PUSH BITCOIN PAST R2.2 MILLION MARK
Bitcoin broke above $120 000 (about R2.2 million) for the first time, buoyed by renewed investor confidence and institutional demand. After months of hovering near $100 000, the world’s leading cryptocurrency has climbed 30% since December, driven by strong ETF inflows and a broader "risk-on" rally in global markets. The re-election of pro-crypto US President Donald Trump and anticipation of "Crypto Week" in Congress have further fueled momentum. Analysts see $125 000 as the next key resistance level. Ether, XRP, and Solana also gained. While some caution it’s not a macro-driven rally, others view Bitcoin as a maturing store of value and hedge. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
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PEOPLE MANAGEMENT FORUM
The forum for HR professionals to discuss and address current and difficult HR matters
Guest Speaker: Patrick Deale (BA LLB) Labour Lawyer & High Court Mediator - Deale Attorneys
Patrick has worked in Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution for 25 years in a wide range of industries and sectors. As a senior legal executive for a listed company, he gained first-hand experience of the issues business managers and employees deal with day-to-day. He also serves as Acting Judge of the Labour Court. Patrick is the co-author of the Labour Relations Handbook, published by Juta. He has been a regular host of the Labour Line on Talk Radio 702 and participates in numerous TV and radio interviews on current legal issues.
Mediation Experience: Patrick has conducted over 50 labour mediations and 16 commercial mediations. The issues in the commercial mediations have included disputes about a wide range of commercial contracts, such as distribution agreements, service level agreements, sale agreements and partnership agreements.
Topics for discussion: LEGAL DISPUTE RISKS: How can we decide on the least risky way to deal with legal disputes?
• Disputes & Procedures • Labour and High Court Case Loads • Fear & Risks • Limited Legal Solutions • Risk Matrix • Alternative Dispute Resolution Options • Gauteng Mediation Directive & Protocol • Conclusions • Questions & Discussion
Latest Immigration Changes and Updates Restraints of Trade in South Africa
Date: 16 July 2025
Time: 15:00 - 17:00
Venue: PMCB Offices - 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
Cost: Free - PMCB members, R50 (incl. vat) non PMCB members |
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Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.
William Penn |
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| Dollar | R17.96 | - 0.14% | | Pound | R24.17 | + 0.14% | | Euro | R20.94 | + 0.18% | | Yen | 0.121752 |
| | Yuan | R2.50 | - 0.15% | | Bitcoin | R122 335.98
| + 3.99% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 395.20
| - 4.08% | | Gold | $ 3 359.37
| + 0.14% | | Oil | $ 70.48
| - 0.30% | | All Share | 97 222.81
| - 0.15% | | Repo | 7.25 | | | Prime | 10.75 | |
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