| MSUNDUZI’S CLOWN SHOW A STUDY IN LAUGHABLE LEADERSHIP |
Msunduzi Municipality’s appearance before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts had all the hallmarks of a grim comedy, except residents are not laughing. Sixteen officials flew to Cape Town on a junket while presenting numbers that made auditors retch. The city reported R114 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure for the year, pushing the total to R248.6 million, while paying creditors an average of 191 days late and writing off 87% of receivables as hopeless.
The real spectacle was the tone-deaf leadership, calmly defending governance choices as if nothing was amiss, even as forensic oversight was shifted under the municipal manager, effectively placing the “chicken coop under the fox’s supervision”. MPs were unimpressed, questioning a system that seems to prioritise internal protection over accountability.
The Msunduzi Municiplaity is not alone. Similar patterns of bloated delegations, collapsing controls and confident explanations persist across several metros, where officials appear more fluent in travel allowances than turnaround plans. Residents, meanwhile, are left paying for governance that travels well but delivers poorly.
Msunduzi’s dysfunction contrasts sharply with the private sector’s ability to deliver excellence, discipline and imagination. Initiatives like Art in the Country (see the ad below), the Passport to Paradise campaign at Liberty Midlands Mall, Cars in the Park at Ashburton and the invigorating leadership at the Midlands Meander keep us going.
Keep an eye for the proposed disruption by truckers tomorrow along the N3 corridor and elsewhere in KZN. Be safe, till Monday. Derek Alberts (editor)
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| 1 000 PAWS WALK CELEBRATE OUR LOVE FOR DOGS |
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Burgen and Chantelle Thorn with their rescue GSDs Teddy, Lillian and Lacy at last year's 1 000 Paws Walk. Pic by Jennifer Mills
It may be a day to raise funds for the three SPCA branches in the KZN Midlands, but it is really a celebration of South Africa’s deep love for dogs, with an estimated 7.4 million kept as pets nationwide. The Hill’s 1000 Paws Walk for SPCAs takes place on Sunday, 7 June 2026 at Highgate Wine Estate on the R103 near Howick, offering a fun-filled programme that brings families, dogs and communities together in support of animal welfare.
Participants can enjoy a scenic choice between a 2km “Puppies and Pensioners” walk or a 4km “Adults and Athletes” route, while non-walkers can enjoy live music, food stalls, agility courses, and arena entertainment. Highlights include dog competitions across age groups, a K9 Academy demonstration, and the popular Sniffer Dog Paper Plate Challenge, alongside a fundraising raffle.
Funds raised will be shared among uMngeni, Pietermaritzburg and Mooi River SPCAs, supporting rescue, rehabilitation and care for vulnerable animals across the region. Contact Gaynor Lawson on 082 558 8928 at glawson@global.co.za. |
| THERE'S NO STOPPING SOUTH AFRICANS SHOPPING ONLINE |
Drawing on insights from more than five million shoppers and over one billion product searches, Takealot has released a snapshot of South African online shopping habits as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations. The platform says customer behaviour data from millions of interactions highlights changing consumer trends, delivery patterns and buying preferences, with more than 174 million km covered through deliveries in the past year alone. Here's the link to the full story.
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1953: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Mount Everest in the first successful ascent of the world's highest mountain.
Elsewhere, in 1982, British forces defeated Argentina in the battle of Goose Green in the Falklands.
Happy eating, on World Digestive Health Day. |
RATE HIKE UNDERSCORES CAUTIOUS WAY FORWARD
The South African Reserve Bank’s first interest-rate increase in three years signals growing concern over inflation risks linked to global instability and rising fuel costs. The 25 basis-point hike lifts the repo rate to 7% and prime lending to 10.5%, adding pressure to already stretched consumers facing higher electricity, water and municipal charges.
Analysts say the move reflects the Reserve Bank’s determination to anchor inflation expectations amid volatile oil prices and uncertainty surrounding the fragile US-Iran ceasefire. Property-sector leaders, however, believe the increase is unlikely to derail the residential market in the short term, with banks continuing to offer zero-deposit and cost-inclusive home loans.
Demand is increasingly shifting towards smaller, well-located homes as affordability pressures, transport costs and congestion reshape buyer preferences across South Africa’s major metros. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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... AS SHOCK PRODUCER INFLATION SIGNALS PRICE PRESSURES
South Africa’s factory-gate inflation surged sharply, rising from 1.1% in March to 3.3% in April, marking a significant acceleration in producer price pressures. The increase was driven by global supply chain disruptions linked to ongoing geopolitical conflict, which pushed up energy and imported input costs. Higher shipping expenses and currency volatility further amplified price pressures across manufacturing sectors. Economists warn the spike reflects worsening cost conditions for local producers already facing weak demand and tight margins. The rise in producer inflation raises the risk of higher consumer prices in coming months as costs filter through the economy. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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COURT RULING EMBOLDENS B-BBEE TARGET DRIVE
The Constitutional Court has dismissed an urgent application by the Solidarity trade union and business lobby group Sakeliga seeking to halt the implementation of new employment equity targets, clearing the way for government to proceed with its policy rollout. The ruling represents a legal setback for opponents who argued that the regulations should be suspended pending further review. Government has welcomed the outcome, saying it will continue with efforts to advance workplace transformation and address historical inequality through sector-specific targets. The decision strengthens the Department of Employment and Labour’s mandate to enforce compliance across industries, as stakeholders prepare for phased implementation of the revised equity framework in the coming period. (SOURCE: News24)
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LOWER-COST FOCUS IMPERILS HEALH CARE
Life Healthcare CEO Peter Wharton-Hood has warned that some companies are prioritising lower costs over quality healthcare services, raising concerns about declining occupational health standards. He said inexperienced new entrants in the sector were placing pressure on established operators and potentially compromising service quality. Wharton-Hood noted that healthcare providers continue to face a difficult operating environment marked by rising costs and constrained economic conditions. His comments come as competition intensifies across South Africa’s private healthcare sector. Life Healthcare also dismissed false WhatsApp claims that three of its hospitals had closed, describing the messages as misinformation. .(SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS COURT SLAMS STATE BODIES OVER LISTERIOSIS CONDUCT
The High Court has sharply criticised the National Health Laboratory Service and National Institute for Communicable Diseases for their handling of litigation linked to South Africa’s deadly listeriosis outbreak. In a punitive costs ruling, the court rebuked the state entities for what it described as “ineptitude” and obstructive legal tactics during proceedings. The judge said the institutions, as organs of state, had a constitutional duty to assist the courts and uphold justice rather than frustrate the process. The judgment is another blow for public health authorities already under scrutiny over accountability surrounding the outbreak, which claimed more than 200 lives and became the world’s largest recorded listeriosis epidemic. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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ESKOM'S 75 MW SOLAR PLANT POINTS TO BLENDED ENERGY FUTURE
Eskom has begun construction of a 75MW solar power plant at its Lethabo Power Station in the Free State, marking a major step in integrating renewable energy into its coal-fired fleet infrastructure. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate about 147GWh annually, enough to supply roughly 60,000 households. The project will also create jobs and support skills development during construction and operation phases. It forms part of Eskom’s wider plan to roll out 17 high-priority renewable and storage projects across existing stations, targeting about 6GW of new capacity by 2030. Funding is included in Eskom’s capital programme under Treasury conditions. (SOURCE: Leads2Business)
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... AS GAS LAG EXTENDS COAL LIFELINE
South Africa is set to keep coal-fired power stations running longer as planned gas projects fall behind schedule, forcing Eskom to rethink its energy transition timeline. The country had aimed to retire around 8GW of coal capacity by 2030, replacing it with 6GW of gas power, but delays in procurement, legal challenges and global turbine shortages have slowed progress significantly. Eskom generation head Bheki Nxumalo said long lead times for gas infrastructure mean coal plants may need extended lifespans. Officials warn the shift away from coal remains constrained by cost, supply risks and energy security concerns amid global instability. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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JETOUR CAR OF THE YEAR WIN MAKES AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY
The Jetour T2 has become the first Chinese vehicle brand to win South Africa’s Car of the Year title, underlining the growing influence of Chinese automakers in the local market. Announced at the 2026 South African Car of the Year awards in Johannesburg, the T2 also claimed victory in the Mild Adventure category. Chinese brands featured prominently, with seven manufacturers among the 18 finalists. The Omoda C7 won the Family category, while Chery secured the People’s Choice award with the Tiggo 7.
Judges assessed vehicles on innovation, safety, design, performance and suitability for South African driving conditions at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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... AS AA FLAGS CHINESE-VEHICLE SAFETY IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Automobile Association (AA) has raised concerns about safety standards in some Chinese vehicles sold in South Africa, warning that structural quality and materials may not meet acceptable benchmarks. AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede said tensile strength in key components such as pillars and door structures raised alarm during assessments abroad. He further claimed that some Chinese vehicles imported into the South African market are benchmarked against the cheapest vehicles available, rather than what is appropriate or safe. He also said many models use the 1.5 T engine, which he claims is unpopular in China and being “dumped” locally. Comment was requested from Chery, BAIC, GWM, Omoda and Jaecoo, with no responses received. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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PEPKOR SETS SIGHTS ON R1 BILLION BANKING VENTURE
Retail giant Pepkor is pushing ahead with plans to launch a banking operation expected to exceed R1-billion in scale within the next year, signalling an aggressive expansion into financial services. The group aims to leverage its vast customer base, national retail footprint and growing digital capabilities to deepen access to affordable banking products for lower- and middle-income consumers. Analysts say the move reflects intensifying competition between retailers, fintech firms and traditional banks for everyday transactional and lending services. Pepkor’s strategy could reshape consumer banking by integrating credit, payments, savings and retail purchasing more tightly under one ecosystem. (SOURCE: News24)
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SAPPI INKS R27 BILLION PAPER DEAL IN EUROPE
Sappi has signed binding agreements with UPM-Kymmene to merge their European graphic paper businesses into a 50/50 joint venture. The combined deal value is about €1.42 billion (about R27 billion) , based on Sappi assets of €320 million and UPM assets of €1.1 billion. The JV will also raise €600 million in bridge funding and secure a €100 million revolving credit facility. The transaction aims to consolidate declining graphic paper operations, improve efficiency and shift focus toward higher-margin packaging and pulp businesses. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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TENTATIVE IRAN TRUCE DEAL OFFERS FRAGILE HOPE
The United States and Iran have reportedly reached a tentative agreement to extend their ceasefire by 60 days as negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme continue. However, uncertainty remains, with neither Iran nor US President Donald Trump formally endorsing the proposal. The reported breakthrough follows renewed clashes near the Strait of Hormuz and escalating regional tensions as Israel intensified military operations in Lebanon. Previous claims of progress in negotiations have repeatedly unravelled amid conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran. Analysts say both sides face mounting pressure to avoid deeper conflict, with a new study warning US defence contractors may need three years to replenish weapons stocks depleted during the war. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blue print, and begin to build.
Robert Collier |
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