| MUNICIPAL STRIKE, KEEPING A LEVEL HEAD ON DAY OF PROTEST |
| SPCA FUNDRAISER A BARKING SUCCESS IN THE MIDLANDS |
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Tracy Freese with Sophie (front) and Storm, both rescues, during the recent 1 000 Paws Walk to raise funds for the three SPCA branches in Pietermarizburg and the Midlands.
The Midlands countryside came alive with wagging tails and smiling faces as 194 dogs, 339 adults and 71 children joined the 2026 Hill’s 1 000 Paws Walk at Highgate Wine Estate near Piggly Wiggly recently. The popular annual fundraiser attracted families and pet lovers from across the region, all supporting the Mooi River & District, uMngeni and Pietermaritzburg SPCAs.
Participants enjoyed scenic 2km and 4km walks, entertainment and prize giveaways in a relaxed, dog-friendly environment. Raffle winners were Natalie Marcovich, who won a two-night stay at Cathedral Peak Hotel; Lee Pope-Ellis, who won a getaway to The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa; and Tracey Marshall, who received a stay at Champagne Sports Resort. Pippa Rafferty won the Paper Plate Sniffer Dog Challenge and a getaway to Cleopatra’s Mountain Farmhouse.
Organisers credited strong support from sponsors Hill’s Pet Nutrition, N3TC and Safire Insurance, together with numerous local businesses, volunteers and donors whose contributions helped make the event a resounding success. Supporters acknowledged by organisers included: Cathedral Peak Hotel, The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa, Champagne Sports Resort and Cleopatra’s Mountain Farmhouse; Genrent and Sound Mechanix; photographers Jennifer Miller, Neville Collins of The Dragon Mill Studio and Mark Preston-Whyte; Kenneth Pillay of Unique Water; Amar Samayiyi of The Spice Box; Akash Ganess of Mobile Media Digital Screen; Ryan Kiepial of the RPK Group; the Clifton Prep marimba band, Hilton Lions, Howick Lions, and numerous volunteers.
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| BUSINESS PLAN REVIEW TO GET ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY GOING |
| Business owners are invited to a practical Business Plan Review Session at the PMCB Trade Hub on Friday, July 3, from 9am to 11am. Bring your existing business plan and learn how to update it to reflect current market conditions, identify gaps, align it with your growth goals and transform it into a practical business tool. The interactive workshop will be presented by Lucrisha Polton and is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking sustainable business growth. Free to PMCB members and R250 for non-members. Contact Thobeka on 033 345 2747 or at marketing@pmcb.org.za. |
1931: The South African Reserve Bank was established 1960.
Elsewhere, in 1934, on the Night of the Long Knives, Adolf Hitler’s purged of rivals in the Nazi Party.
Heavens above, it’s International Asteroids Day. And it’s also International Day of Parliamentarism! |
POLICE REASSURES PUBLIC AHEAD OF PROTESTS NATIONWIDE
National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says extensive security measures are in place ahead of planned anti-immigrant demonstrations, with reinforced police deployments across all nine provinces, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Authorities insist there will be "nothing to fear" and have contingency plans to prevent a repeat of the 2021 unrest, which caused an estimated R50 billion in damage.
Nearly 200 suspects have been arrested since March in incidents linked to anti-foreigner tensions. Sasria, the state-owned insurer that covers losses from riots, civil commotion, strikes, public disorder and terrorism, says it has significantly strengthened its financial reserves, reinsurance and claims-handling capacity since paying out about R32 billion after the July 2021 unrest. It urged businesses to review their insurance cover while hoping protests remain peaceful. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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'BROKEN SYSTEMS' BLAMED FOR XENOPHOBIC TENSIONS
Amnesty International South Africa has accused government of worsening tensions ahead of planned June 30 nationwide protests against illegal immigration. The organisation says South Africa’s broken asylum system leaves many migrants undocumented and in limbo for years, sometimes up to 19 years. It warns that blaming migrants for unemployment, inequality and strained services is dangerous and distracts from state responsibility. As fears rise of xenophobic violence similar to 2008 and 2021 unrest, thousands of African migrants are reportedly leaving the country ahead of protest actions linked to March and March. Amnesty urges peaceful protest and rejects vigilantism and unlawful enforcement actions. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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DIGITAL OVERHAUL URGED TO FIGHT MODERN CRIME EFFECTIVELY
South Africa’s criminal justice system must rapidly modernise to match increasingly sophisticated criminal syndicates, says Anton du Plessis, CEO of Business Against Crime South Africa and a former deputy national director of public prosecutions. Speaking after evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, he said organised crime has long exploited manual systems and that reform should be judged by prosecutions, recovered assets and protected witnesses rather than promises. Du Plessis called for greater use of digital evidence, forensic technology, cybercrime expertise and data analytics, alongside stronger vetting of senior police officials and legislative reforms empowering the National Prosecuting Authority. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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COURT BACKS INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
The Free State High Court has dismissed Mafube Local Municipality’s bid to cancel its 25-year electricity management contract with Rural Maintenance, a ruling with implications for local municipalities considering outsourced utility services. Mafube comprises the Free State towns of Cornelia, Villiers, Frankfort and Tweeling. The court cited an unexplained 13-year delay and ordered punitive legal costs. It found Rural Maintenance had invested about R120 million in electricity infrastructure, improved service delivery and generated nearly R2 billion in municipal revenue. National Energy Regulator of South Africa also praised the operation, citing a 100% customer revenue collection rate, low network losses and strong maintenance standards. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS ESKOM SOLAR REGISTRATION DRIVE LOSES STEAM
Eskom's campaign to register small-scale rooftop solar systems is progressing at an extremely slow pace, with only about one new installation being accredited each day. The sluggish uptake raises concerns over compliance with registration requirements and the utility's ability to accurately manage growing distributed electricity generation. Industry stakeholders have cited administrative delays, limited public awareness and the complexity of the accreditation process as factors discouraging homeowners and businesses from registering systems. Faster approvals and greater public engagement are seen as essential to improving grid visibility, supporting energy planning and encouraging further investment in rooftop solar across South Africa. (SOURCE: News24)
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STANDARD BANK BECOMES AFRICA RMB CLEARING BANK
Standard Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) ICBC have been authorised by the People's Bank of China to jointly operate Africa’s first renminbi clearing bank, covering 19 countries and enabling direct RMB settlement for trade. New infrastructure links Standard Bank’s African footprint with ICBC’s global RMB capabilities, reducing cross-border payment friction and integrating China’s onshore financial system with regional trade flows. Synchronized with rising African demand for Chinese imports, the platform is expected to streamline settlements, support investment flows, and strengthen Standard Bank’s role in Africa–China trade corridors, following prior integration into China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System also reinforcing digital RMB trade infrastructure across Africa. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SA REAFFIRMS SACU COMMITMENT, CALLS FOR BOLD ECONOMIC REFORM
South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) while calling for the world's oldest customs union to evolve to meet modern economic challenges. Speaking at a SACU engagement in Cape Town, government stressed that deeper regional integration, industrialisation and trade facilitation are essential to unlock growth, create jobs and strengthen competitiveness. South Africa urged member states to move beyond traditional customs arrangements by promoting value-added manufacturing, improving cross-border infrastructure and embracing innovation. The country said a reimagined SACU would better position the region to respond to global economic shifts and deliver shared prosperity. (SOURCE: SANews)
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AFRICA LEADS GLOBAL AIR CARGO DEMAND GROWTH
Africa recorded the world's strongest air cargo demand growth in May, with volumes rising 13.3% year-on-year, according to the International Air Transport Association. Global cargo demand increased 6%, supported by stronger trade and manufacturing activity, although higher fuel costs and conflict in the Middle East continued to weigh on the industry. Africa also posted a 14.1% increase in cargo traffic on Asia-bound routes, highlighting expanding trade links. IATA director-general Willie Walsh said airlines have adapted well to changing supply chains and demand patterns, with stronger yields and load factors providing cautious optimism for the remainder of 2026. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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BITCOIN ETF OUTFLOWS SIGNAL WEAKENING INVESTOR CONFIDENCE
US-listed Bitcoin exchange-traded funds are heading for their largest monthly withdrawals since launching in January 2024, with investors pulling more than $4.1 billion in June. The retreat coincides with Bitcoin's worst monthly performance in four years, as the cryptocurrency fell more than 18% to around $60,000. Analysts say investors are adopting a more cautious stance, unlike previous market corrections that attracted fresh ETF inflows. Concerns have also intensified around Michael Saylor's Strategy after its Bitcoin-related holdings and preferred shares came under pressure, adding to broader market uncertainty surrounding the world's largest cryptocurrency. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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EXTREME HEAT SHATTERS RECORDS ACROSS EASTERN EUROPE
A severe heatwave has shifted into Eastern Europe, pushing temperatures above 40°C and prompting red heat alerts across Poland, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovakia. Record highs have been recorded in Hungary, Germany and the Czech Republic, while extreme temperatures have disrupted transport, delayed school examinations and forced reduced output at Hungary's nuclear power plant because of overheating river water. Health authorities have linked the earlier Western European heatwave to more than 1,800 excess deaths in France and Spain. Scientists say the unusually early, intense heat reflects the growing impact of climate change, with another prolonged hot spell forecast for much of Europe in early July. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
Dalai Lama |
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