| MSUNDUZI MUNICIPALITY MESS ON COGTA MINISTER'S RADAR |
The dire state of municipal governance has reached the ears of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa who has promised to engage with metros and municipalities over the next two months.
Hlabisa’s undertaking to improve municipal performance follows a meeting with members of the Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and the Association of South African Chambers (ASAC). By virtue of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business’ affiliation with ASAC, the city is included on Hlabisa’s municipal and metro itinerary.
Discussions will set down interventions, deadlines, and monitoring systems to boost collaboration between government and business, wrote BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso in her weekly newsletter. Striking an upbeat tone, she said Hlabisa is keen to hear what organised business can offer, and that he understands the importance of an enabling environment all too well.
Alluding to the questionable calibre of municipal leadership, Hlabisa’s immediate challenge is persuading political parties that professionals, not pawns, should be appointed as mayors, city managers and CFOs. Time will tell how effective Hlabisa's interventions are. |
| 200 SANDWICHES HONOUR MANDELA LEGACY OF KINDNESS |
Varsity College staffers (ltr) Nosipho Zakwe (Senior Assessment Officer), Rita Govender (Academic Support Coordinator), Jackie Govender (Credit Controller), Campus Head Eve Reddy, Charmane Moodley (Results Administrator) and Sino Ntlokwana (Teaching Experience Coordinator).
Staff from Varsity College Pietermaritzburg prepared 200 sandwiches as part of their 67 Minutes for Mandela Day initiative. The sandwiches were delivered to Youth for Christ and Life Changer - two local non-profits supporting vulnerable communities. “Small acts of kindness can make a big difference,” said Teaching Experience Coordinator Sino Ntlokwana. “Even one sandwich could have been the only meal someone had that day,” she said. |
| PIONEERING SURVEY TO PROBE PRESSURES FACED BY ENTREPRENEURS |
| Entrepreneurs, despite their self-starter status, are not made from teflon and are as vulnerable to stress as other business people. To this end, Old Mutual SMEgo is pioneering South Africa’s first Entrepreneur Mental Wellness Survey to understand the real pressures facing founders and business owners. The initiative aims to spotlight burn-out, stress, and work-life balance in order to build a healthier, more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Take the Whatsapp-supported survey here. |
1870: British adventurer Stradford Parker declared the Klipheuwel settlement at Kimberley a republic and himself as president. His reign and the Digger’s Republic lasted a year before Britain annexed the area.
Elsewhere, in 1967, the balkan state of Albania declared itself an atheist state, the first to do so.
2003: The last model of the iconic VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line in Mexico.
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ESTATE AGENTS LAND MAJOR B-BBEE VICTORY IN CERTIFICATION BATTLE
Lobby group Sakeliga has scored a key victory in its legal battle against the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) over B-BEE-linked licensing conditions. The group challenged the PPRA’s 2024 decision to deny fidelity fund certificates - essential for estate agents - to businesses failing to meet minimum BEE scores.
Trade Minister Parks Tau has now withdrawn opposition to the case, following Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane's earlier decision not to contest it. Sakeliga argues the requirement unlawfully restricts non-compliant businesses and imposes steep annual costs. It also seeks to reverse the PPRA’s broadened definition of “property practitioner,” which now includes developers, landlords, and marketers. With 40 000 practitioners affected, the outcome could reshape regulatory reach in the property sector. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS PROPERTY MOGUL URGES MINIMUM 0.25% RATE CUT
Property mogul Samuel Seeff has urged the South African Reserve Bank to cut interest rates at tomorrow's Monterary Policy Committee meeting, warning that further delays risk stalling economic growth and worsening unemployment. Seeff, chairman of Seeff Property Group, called for at least a 25bps cut, arguing the current 7.25% repo rate remains 100bps above pre-pandemic levels. Despite positive fundamentals - including low inflation and a stable Rand - Seeff says the Bank’s cautious stance has stifled property transactions, which are down 16% year-on-year, and failed to stimulate GDP growth, currently at a sluggish 0.1%. A decisive rate cut, he insists, could inject vital momentum into the economy. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
ROBUST HOTEL OCCUPANCY LEADS 10.5% TOURISM INCOME RISE
South Africa’s tourist accommodation sector saw a 10.5% year-on-year income rise in May 2025, driven by robust hotel performance, according to Stats SA. Hotels recorded a standout 19.1% increase, contributing 10.6 percentage points to overall growth. ‘Other accommodation’ types, including lodges and B&Bs, grew 3.2%. The average income per night rose 1.9%, with more stay unit nights sold. Seasonally adjusted income rose 3.8% from April, signalling continued monthly momentum in travel demand. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
IDT CEO, 400 STAFF FACE PROBE OVER R836 MILLION TENDER SCANDAL
The CEO of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) is under scrutiny following a damning PwC forensic report revealing systemic procurement irregularities in an R836-million PSA oxygen plant tender. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said the probe uncovered fraud, misrepresentation, and governance failures, with service providers appointed despite lacking necessary health authority approvals. Approximately 400 IDT employees also face lifestyle audits. One firm illegally used another's licence. The report recommends disciplinary action against IDT executives. No links were found between contractors and officials, but flawed evaluations, missing records, and inflated contract awards were flagged. Macpherson has briefed the Hawks and vowed consequence management to restore accountability. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
… AS STATE CAPTURE-TAINTED BAIN & CO CALLS IT QUITS
Bain & Co is shutting down its South African consulting arm after years of reputational damage linked to the state capture era. The firm, which was banned from government contracts in 2022 over its role in weakening the SA Revenue Service, will rebrand its Johannesburg office as a global services hub. Despite admitting to “serious mistakes,” Bain denies corruption and has faced mounting pressure from government and business leaders. The company retains most local staff but won’t disclose numbers or comment on the stalled legal challenge to overturn its ban. Bain joins other global firms tarnished by Zuma-era scandals, including McKinsey and KPMG. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
FNB EYES GROWTH IN GUERNSEY
First National Bank (FNB), a unit of FirstRand, plans to expand its operations in Guernsey by applying for a credit license by year-end, allowing it to offer lending services alongside deposits, transactions, and investments. With over £1 billion (about R18.8 billion) in deposits and 9 000 clients, FNB aims to tap into the high-net-worth market and nearly 3 000 South Africans living on the island. Its trust company already manages £1.7 billion in assets. The move responds to South Africans’ rising demand for international banking amid currency, tax, and geopolitical uncertainties. Full licensing is expected within 12 months, enabling FNB to offer integrated offshore financial solutions. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
TRUMP SET TO SKIP G20 MEETING IN 'PROBLEM' SOUTH AFRICA
US President Donald Trump has indicated he may not attend the G20 summit in South Africa this November, citing "a lot of problems with SA" and suggesting he may send a representative instead. Trump criticised South Africa’s policies, including land expropriation and black economic empowerment laws. His administration has been increasingly vocal about allegations regarding the treatment of white farmers and property rights. This follows earlier absences by top US officials at G20-related meetings in Durban and Johannesburg. South Africa maintains that land reforms will not involve arbitrary seizures and are constitutionally sound. Tensions between the two nations persist. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
US, CHINA SEEK TO EXTEND 90-DAY TARIFF TRUCE
US and Chinese officials agreed in Stockholm to seek a 90-day extension to their tariff truce, which is set to expire on August 12, as they work to resolve escalating trade tensions threatening global growth. While the talks were described as constructive, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed President Donald Trump will decide whether to prolong the pause or allow triple-digit tariffs to return. The discussions focused on restoring the flow of Chinese rare earth minerals and addressing structural trade issues. Failure to reach a deal could disrupt global supply chains and financial markets, with another round of talks expected. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
KARPOWERSHIP TO FLOAT 73 MW AI DATA CENTRE PILOT
Karpowership, known for its floating power plants, plans to launch floating data centers through its UK-based unit, Kinetics, to meet soaring AI-driven infrastructure demand. Floating hubs bypass onshore construction delays and use seawater cooling to enhance energy efficiency. A 73MW pilot project with Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines is set for 2027. While more costly upfront, operational savings make the concept competitive. Kinetics targets markets like the US, EU, and Australia, with future expansion into emerging economies. Power may come from grid connections or LNG, supported by Karpowership’s fleet of 11 LNG vessels and plans to expand its floating regasification infrastructure. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
BREAKAWAY NATION OFFERS PORT, MINERALS IN US LEGITIMACY BID
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is lobbying the US for recognition of the breakaway Horn of Africa region, offering a strategic military base near the Red Sea and access to critical minerals like lithium. Although the US currently supports Somalia’s territorial integrity, Abdullahi hopes to deepen economic, security, and counter-terrorism ties with Washington. Somaliland, peaceful compared to war-torn Somalia, is positioning itself amid US-China competition for African resources. Talks with US diplomats and defense officials have taken place, though no recognition deal is underway. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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TRAINING - THE HIGH PERFORMING TEAM
TRAINER: Dirk Calitz - Outdoor Educators
OVERVIEW
During this workshop, attendees will discover the key elements required for becoming an extraordinary team. The program will focus on the potential, requirements and building blocks that lead towards team effectiveness. Attendees will be engaged in an inter-active program and where the content will be complemented by some practical experiential learning initiatives.
Key outcomes:
· Discover and understand the potential of great team work in the organisation.
· Learn about key team values and principles required for team work.
· Create the right climate for teams to excel.
· Learn about being an inspired team leader.
· Discover the power of positive thinking.
· Igniting the fire within.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Everyone will benefit (managers, team leaders, HR, team members).
Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
Date: 6 August 2025
Time: 08:30 – 12:30
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (Excludes vat) PMCB Members: R682.60 p/p, R643.48 p/p for 3/more, R595.65 p/p for 5/more Non-members: R900 p/p, R882.60 p/p for 3/more, R852.17 p/p for 5/more
Please note: The company will be liable for payment unless CANCELLATION is received in writing 24 hours prior to the event. |
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Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Christopher Robin |
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