| NO HONOUR AMONG THIEVES AS CORRUPTION LAYS BARE GREED |
 |
(ltr) Guest speaker Pieter-Louis Myburgh (centre) flanked by PMCB board members (ltr) Harry Shaw, Kervin Budram, CEO Melanie Veness and Janet Channing.
The slight figure of investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh belies the grit, determination and courage to shine a light on the national pastime of corruption. The focus of his talk yesterday was the much-publicised sting of now suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka and spokesman Phasha Makgolane, the reasoning behind the move, and the endless preparations to cover all contingencies. Speaking at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, Myburgh painted a sober picture of white-collar opportunists stopping at nothing, certainly not the plight of the poor, to steal all they can.
These brazen acts, he pointed out, happen in an enabling ecosystem of greed, graft and enrichment. Holding these crooks to acount task is an ongoing fight. Is the fight being won? The jury is out on this one. But there’s also no honour among alleged thieves as this delightful follow-up “cat on a hot tin roof” video shows. |
| WHY CAN'T CADRES RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF EASY PICKINGS? |
Ever wonder why big-wig politicians and government functionaries don’t lead marches and call for social justice? Readers may remember the days when people of self-importance basked in reflected glory from public platforms. Not so much now, because they’ll be vlogged and shamed for their hypocrisy.
The temptation of the low-hanging fruit of corruption, especially when sweetened by the candy of state tenders, is a different story. It’s if the rush of glitzy materialism flips a switch in their brains to concoct weird and wonderful schemes to stuff their pockets.
God forbid that their nefarious deeds attract attention, especially from the investigative media. Then full-blown panic sets in and they’re willing to break the law - again - to keep things under wraps. In other words, anything but the dreaded public taint of crookery..
That begs the R100 million question - why hasn’t the exposure dimmed the greed of these thieves? According to Google, the numbers “run into the hundreds for active cases and thousands of individuals” implicated, suggesting a pipeline of crooks primed to plunder. Could it be that the culture of entitlement, patronage and sanctioned loot over the past 30 years has created a generational school of irredeemably corrupt cadres? Derek Alberts (Editor)
|
| AVOIDING DREADED 'BLACK FRIDAY REMORSE' IS ALL IN THE PLANNING |
Black Friday is here, and impulse buys are everywhere. Research shows 60% of shoppers regret last year’s purchases, often regretting rushed decisions between brands like Sony and Samsung. Urgency-driven deals trigger pleasure centers in the brain, pushing consumers to act fast. Careful planning, budgeting, and resisting marketing tricks can help avoid overspending this shopping season.
|
1987: SAA Helderberg crashed into the Indian Ocean after a fire in the cargo area downed the 747 Boeing on a flight from Taiwan to Johannesburg.
Elsewhere, in 1943, the WWII allies decided to open up a second front against Germany in France.
On a planetary theme, its Red Planet Day, after Jupiter.
|
KZN CONSTRUCTION SHOWS SIGNS OF RECOVERY
KZN’s infrastructure pipeline is finally showing a measurable rebound after years of flood damage, weak disaster funding and a decade-long slump that pushed tender activity to less than a third of 2011 levels. In Q3 2025, tender values climbed to R16 billion, driven by a 133% surge in provincial spending and a 33% rise in municipal issuance, together making up nearly 70% of the market.
Development trends are uneven: KwaDukuza saw a 40% rise in building plan approvals in 2024, eThekwini South soared 357%, and eThekwini Central grew 26%. Supportive tailwinds include solid 2024 approvals and Transnet’s R90 billion logistics commitments, though early signs hint at a softer 2026 pipeline. Industrial and multi-unit housing remain the strongest private-sector performers, underscoring a province of high promise but significant execution risk. (SOURCE: L2B)
|
...AS R76 MILLION DURBAN PORT ROAD COMPLETED EARLY
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has finished the R76 million rehabilitation of Bayhead Road at Durban’s port a month ahead of schedule. The upgrade, supporting around 13 000 daily vehicles, improves access to terminals, warehouses and industrial sites, easing congestion and boosting trade efficiency. The project created 204 jobs and benefited five small enterprises. TNPA says the durable road will lower long-term maintenance costs, extend its lifespan, and enhance South Africa’s supply chains. Completed just before the festive season, the milestone reinforces TNPA’s commitment to operational efficiency, industrial growth, and the broader “Reinvent for Growth” strategy across KwaZulu-Natal. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
|
2.9% FACTORY-GATE INFLATION AT 14-MONTH HIGH
South Africa’s producer price index (PPI) reached a 14-month high, driven by rising input costs at the factory gate. The year-on-year increase of 2.9% in October marks the seventh consecutive month of PPI acceleration, reflecting sustained pressure on manufacturers. Key contributors include surging meat and petroleum prices, which are feeding through into production expenses across multiple sectors. Analysts warn that persistent cost inflation at the producer level could eventually translate into higher consumer prices, adding strain to households already coping with weak disposable income growth. The trend underscores the need for careful monitoring of input costs and potential policy measures to stabilise industrial inflation. (SOURCE: Engineeerring News)
|
SOLIDARITY WARNS OF REALITY GAP OVER SMELTER CLOSURES
Trade union Solidarity has criticised government for what it calls a “disconnect from reality” as South Africa’s smelter-closure crisis deepens. The union warns that ongoing shutdowns across energy-intensive metallurgical plants threaten up to 800 000 jobs in mining, manufacturing and downstream industries. Solidarity argues that rising electricity tariffs, unreliable supply and policy inertia are accelerating de-industrialisation, while government continues to downplay the severity of the crisis. The union says urgent interventions - including stabilising power supply, fast-tracking grid reforms and supporting strategic smelters - are essential to prevent irreversible economic damage.(SOURCE: News24)
|
BUMPER 16-TONNE MAIZE CROP DRIVEN BY ABUNDANT RAINS
South Africa is set to deliver its second-largest maize crop on record, with the latest estimate pointing to 16.18 million tonnes. This includes 8.33 million tonnes of white maize and 7.85 million tonnes of yellow maize, supported by an average yield of 6.23 t/ha after widespread good rains. The harvest is nearly 26% larger than last season’s drought-hit output, easing food-price pressures and strengthening export prospects. Analysts say the bumper crop reflects strong seasonal recovery and improved growing conditions, though climate risk remains a persistent threat. Overall, the 2025 season represents a major boost for South Africa’s grain sector. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
|
... AS R684 MILLION LOSS SPARKS SUGAR-IMPORT FEARS
The South African Canegrowers Association has sounded the alarm over a surge in sugar imports, warning of severe industry fallout. The body reports that local producers have suffered losses of approximately R684 million this year as cheaper foreign sugar floods the domestic market. Rising imports are undermining farm profitability, threatening jobs in the sugar belt and placing additional strain on milling operations. Canegrowers are calling for urgent government intervention, including stricter import controls and support measures, to protect the sector. Without action, the association warns that continued pressure could destabilise South Africa’s sugar industry and its contribution to rural economies.(SOURCE: BDLive)
|
... AND TILE MAKER WARNS ANTI-DUMPING PROBE IS NOT ENOUGH
Italtile CEO Lance Foxcroft has welcomed South Africa’s investigation into alleged tile dumping, saying it’s a necessary step to protect local manufacturers from unfairly cheap imports. However, he warned that slow processes and weak policy responses risk undermining the industry’s competitiveness. Foxcroft argued that while the probe is positive, South Africa must become “far nimbler” in addressing trade distortions, enforcing duties and supporting domestic production. Faster decision-making, he said, is essential to safeguarding jobs and sustaining investment in a sector already pressured by rising costs, load-shedding impacts and subdued consumer demand. (SOURCE: News24)
|
CELL C MARKS MUTED ENTRY TO JSE
Cell C made its long-awaited debut on the JSE at R26.50 per share, raising approximately R2.7 billion from the sale of 102 million shares and giving the telecom a market capitalisation of around R9 billion. The listing caps a turbulent multi-year turnaround that included network upgrades, debt restructuring, and operational stabilisation. Revenue for the year ended May 2025 reached R11.1 billion, with EBITDA of R2.1 billion, highlighting improved financial health. While investor sentiment remains mixed on the company’s readiness, management says the IPO provides fresh capital to strengthen competitiveness, accelerate growth, and restore market confidence in a crowded South African telecoms sector. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
LIFE HEALTHCARE POSTS R25 BILLION REVENUE AHEAD OF 2026 GROWTH
Life Healthcare lifted underlying NEPS by 10.1% to 100.3 cents despite a R2.9 billion non-cash accounting hit linked to past divestitures. Revenue from continuing operations grew 6% to R25.1 billion, while the board approved a final cash dividend of 35 c per share, up 12.9%. Capital expenditure of R2.5 billion is planned for FY2026 to expand hospital and diagnostic capacity, including 140 new beds and three PET-CT sites. Operational performance remains strong, with occupancy near 72% and net debt at 0.01× EBITDA, positioning the group for continued growth despite accounting complexities.(SOURCE: SENS)
|
BOK POWER SEES SAMSUNG JOIN SPONSORSHIP SCRUM
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) has secured a major sponsorship from Samsung, strengthening its roster of blue-chip commercial partners. The deal comes as Saru reports a 74% surge in commercial revenue, building on a 2024 base where group commercial revenues reached R1.552 billion. The deal underscores the Springboks’ global pulling power following sustained on-field success. Samsung joins a growing list of premium brands investing in South African rugby, reflecting rising audience reach and strong international marketability. Saru says the partnership will enhance fan engagement and support high-performance programmes across all national teams. The union views the latest agreement as a key step in expanding its commercial platform and long-term financial stability. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
SOUTH AFRICA PORTS STRUGGLE WITH CLIMATE IMPACTS
South African ports are increasingly at the mercy of adverse weather, with high winds and rough seas disrupting operations and throughput. Cape Town ranks among the worst globally for vessel delays, while berth allocation and container-yard bottlenecks intensify congestion. Prolonged anchorage idling reduces effective fleet capacity, pushing shipping lines to absorb higher costs and pass them on via increased freight rates. Container yards operating above 75–80% utilisation experience sharp slowdowns, compounding schedule unreliability. Industry analysts warn that without adaptive infrastructure and operational strategies, climate-driven congestion will continue to threaten port efficiency, global trade flows, and the competitiveness of South Africa’s maritime supply chain. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
|
UAE EYES AFRICA FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT
The UAE, sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest trade partner after China, plans to expand commerce and investment across the continent, targeting food security and high-growth economies. Between 2020–2024, it invested nearly $119 billion (about R2.1 trillion) in sectors from farming to renewables and services. Two-way trade last year exceeded $75 billion, triple the level a decade ago. The UAE seeks new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, plans to boost investments in data centers and logistics, and aims to double global trade to $4 trillion by 2031, highlighting Africa as a priority over mature or declining markets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
|
|
|
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
John Keats |
|
|
|
| Dollar | R17.16 | - 0.09% | | Pound | R22.70
| - 0.05% | | Euro | R19.87
| + 0.03% | | Yen | 0.109747 |
| | Yuan | R2.43
| - 0.09% | | Bitcoin | $ 91 517.30
| + 0.12% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1637.30 | + 1.17% | | Gold | $ 4 184.49
| + 0.60% | | Oil | $ 63.10
| + 4.09% | | All Share | 110 568.57
| - 1.06% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
|
|
|
|
|
