| ATTRACTING NEW TALENT AS IMPORTANT AS KEEPING THEM |
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Presenters Kate Watts (back, 4th left) and Laura Dodd (back, 5th left) with guests at the recruitment seminar.
In today’s volatile talent market, attracting skilled professionals is only part of the challenge; organisations must also retain, engage, and develop their workforce. So said presenters Kate Watts (iOCO OKS) and Laura Dodd (Accountancy Placements) who shared over 30 years of combined expertise to address “people turbulence” through practical strategies at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business recently.
Their workshop provided leaders with tools to strengthen employee value propositions, build resilient team cultures, and minimise people-related risks. Interactive scenarios helped participants navigate generational diversity, engagement challenges, and long-term workforce planning. Attendees left equipped to turn hiring and retention obstacles into growth opportunities, ensuring employees drive organisational success while reducing disruption and boosting morale. |
| SEASONED HAND TO FORGE COMRADES RUNNER EXPERIENCE |
| Sue Forge (pictured above) has been named the Comrades Marathon Association’s inaugural Race Director, a strategic new role created to sharpen focus on innovation, safety and runner experience. With over 20 years in mass participation sporting events - including the Two Oceans Marathon, SPAR Women’s Challenge, Cape Town Marathon and Absa Run Your City series - and international involvement with the Confederation of African Athletics, Forge brings deep operational expertise and a runner-first ethos. Selected from more than 100 applicants via a transparent process, she officially begins duties on 1 November, reporting to General Manager Alain Dalais and collaborating closely with the board. (SOURCE: CMA) |
| CALL FOR EXPORTERS TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS |
| The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) invites South African exporters to participate in the Exports Symposium and Expo in Midrand, from 14–16 October. Qualifying SMMEs and BOE companies can receive support under EMIA guidelines, including exhibition space, booth rental, freight forwarding, air travel assistance up to R5 000 (outside Gauteng), and a daily R2 000 subsistence allowance. The event features a conference and a platform for showcasing products to local and international buyers. Applicants must submit a valid B-BBEE certificate (Level 8 or below) or a sworn affidavit for entities with under R10 million turnover. Click here for the application form. |
1986: More than 170 mineworkers die at the Kinross gold mine in Mpumalanga.
Elsewhere, in 1620, the Mayflower set sail with the first boatload of settlers destined for Australia.
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A topic closely related to the heated climate change debate is in focus today, on International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
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INFLATION EXPECTATIONS HIT RECORD LOWS, BUT NO RATE CUT
South Africa’s longer-term inflation expectations fell to a record low of 4.2% over the next five years, down from 4.4%, according to a quarterly survey by the Bureau for Economic Research. Short-term forecasts for 2025 and 2026 were also revised downward to 3.8% and 4.2%.
The decline follows the South African Reserve Bank’s announcement to aim for a 3% inflation target, rather than the middle of its 3–6% band. Analysts and economists expect the central bank to maintain the repo rate in its Thursday announcement, despite slight inflation upticks, as the formal target adjustment awaits finance minister approval. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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... AS HOUSEHOLDS BATTLE RISING LIVING COSTS
South African inflation expectations have edged slightly lower, but households remain deeply pessimistic about the rising cost of living. Analysts note that while consumer price pressures are stabilising, households feel little relief as essential expenses like food, fuel, and electricity remain elevated. The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) survey shows many South Africans doubt inflation will return to within the Reserve Bank’s target range soon, with wage growth lagging behind price increases. Economists caution that subdued confidence could dampen consumer spending, undermining growth prospects. Despite the marginal dip in forecasts, persistent concerns about affordability highlight the disconnect between statistical improvements and lived realities, leaving households sceptical about meaningful relief in the near future. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
WOODCHIP FIRE DAMAGES 80-METRE RICHARDS BAY CONVEYORS
A fire at Richards Bay Bulk Terminal damaged 80 m of two conveyor belts on the woodchip route, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) confirmed. The terminal’s sprinkler system and emergency response limited further damage. Repair teams are on-site, aiming to resume normal operations by week’s end. Investigations into the fire’s cause are ongoing. Woodchip fires are highly flammable and challenging to extinguish, especially in windy conditions. A similar 2023 fire at the nearby NCT facility destroyed 200 000 t of woodchips and severely damaged infrastructure, taking over a year to restore normal production. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS PUSH BACK AGAINST VAT-SCRAPPING PLANS
The Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa) and private schools have strongly objected to proposed changes in the draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, which would force all VAT-registered schools to deregister. Currently, VAT applies only to commercial activities, allowing schools to claim input tax on capital assets. The amendment would eliminate these claims, forcing repayment and threatening financial stability for 900 schools serving 210 000 learners. Schools argue the measure will discourage infrastructure investment, undermine educational quality, and hinder expansion projects like CityKidz’s high school. Isasa urges government to reconsider, emphasising the mixed-funding model as essential for sustaining independent education and innovation in South Africa. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
FNB CLEANS UP AT LOYALTY AWARDS
The 2025 South African Loyalty Awards, hosted by Truth consultancy, showcased world-class innovation across 31 categories, reaffirming the country’s global standing in loyalty excellence. FNB eBucks emerged as the standout winner, taking flagship titles including Best Overall Long-term Loyalty Programme, Best Financial Services Programme, Best B2B Programme, and Best Partnership Programme. Other top winners included Shoprite Xtra Savings, vida e caffè, Emirates Skywards, Shell V+, Vodacom Vodabucks, Virgin Active Rewards, and newcomer TakealotMore. Clicks ClubCard earned Industry Team of the Year, while Brandon de Kock and the late Stuart Lowe were recognised for their lasting industry contributions. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
RAMAPHOSA WARNS ANC TO DELIVER OR FACE DEFEAT
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a blunt message to 4 600 ANC councillors in Johannesburg, warning that the party’s survival hinges on fixing failing municipalities. With elections looming in 2026, he cautioned that continued poor service delivery will accelerate voter disillusionment and erode the ANC’s support base. Ramaphosa’s stark “service delivery or death” warning underscores growing anxiety within the ruling party as it battles corruption scandals, governance failures, and opposition gains. The extraordinary roll-call meeting reflects internal pressure to restore credibility and rebuild trust with communities increasingly frustrated by broken infrastructure, unreliable services, and ineffective local leadership. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
... AS EFF PUSHES FOR BAN ON ALL ALCOHOL ADS
The EFF has tabled a Private Member’s Bill seeking a total ban on alcohol advertising across South Africa. Introduced by MP Veronica Mente, the Liquor Amendment Bill proposes prohibiting brand promotions, sponsorships, and product placements tied to alcohol, arguing that adverts glamorise drinking and target youth. The party cites alcohol’s role in broken families, gender-based violence, road fatalities, and public health burdens. Positioning the Bill as a public health measure over corporate profit, the EFF urged Parliament to fast-track it and called for broad civil society support. If passed, it would mirror tobacco advertising restrictions. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
LESOTHO COMMUNITIES CALL FOR HALT TO R53 BILLION WATER PROJECT
Civil society groups and affected communities are demanding an immediate halt to Phase II of the R53 billion Lesotho Highlands Water Project, citing displacement, environmental harm, and lack of consultation. The project, designed to supply water to South Africa’s Gauteng province while generating hydroelectricity for Lesotho, faces growing resistance from local residents who argue they have not benefited from previous phases. Activists claim promises of compensation, infrastructure, and jobs remain unfulfilled, while construction risks worsening poverty and damaging fragile ecosystems. They call for suspension until fair agreements are reached, warning that proceeding could deepen inequality and social unrest in the region. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
ALPHABET JOINS BIG TECH'S EXCLUSIVE $3 TRILLION CLUB
Google parent company Alphabet has become the latest tech giant to cross the $3 trillion (abiut R53 trillion) market valuation, with its stock climbing 32% so far in 2025. The surge makes it the best performer among the “Magnificent Seven” technology stocks, driven by robust growth in cloud services, AI integration, and digital advertising. Investors remain optimistic about Alphabet’s ability to capitalise on surging demand for generative AI and enterprise solutions, while maintaining dominance in search and YouTube. The milestone cements Alphabet’s place alongside Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia in the exclusive $3-trillion club, reinforcing investor appetite for mega-cap tech stocks amid global market uncertainty. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
Excuses, Excuses: Why People Don’t Make Wills, And Why You Must |
We all must die, no exceptions. So, it’s amazing that so few of us actually protect our loved ones with wills. Perhaps the problem is that the siren call of procrastination sounds so clearly and seductively when it comes to delaying that evil day when we have to actually sit down, consider our mortality, and make a will. But sit down we must.
If you need help stirring yourself (or someone else you care about) into action, have a look at our list of “I don’t have a will because…” excuses. And our thoughts on why none of them hold any water.
To read more click here.
For more information please contact: Austen Smith Inc T: +27 33 392 0500 E: mail@austensmith.co.za Website: www.austensmith.co.za |
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Across professions, consistency is a direct product of work ethic.
Harsha Bhogle |
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