| STEPPING OUT IN RED FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT |
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A sea of red left no doubt about the power and purpose of the Dare to be Red Community Chest function. (Photos by Eric Cornhill)
Dare to be Red – Inspire as we rise! set the tone on 8 August 2025 as Community Chest marked Women’s Day and Month with over 200 women from all walks of life in attendance. Dressed proudly in red, guests enjoyed a hearty breakfast, inspiring talks, entertainment, and lively music and dance, all echoing the spirit of empowerment. Heartfelt thanks to Maritza Gouws, Linda Mtshali, Ashika Soorju, keynote speaker Primi Chetty, and Dr Liam Carey. Gratitude to Bhavna Nunthkumar, Sharon Howard, Valerie Bandu, and Rebecca Webster for dazzling performances, and to Vanessa Foxon for her stellar role as programme director and auctioneer. The Community Chest also thanked sponsors, partners, supporters, and volunteers for making the event a success towards its 2025/6 pledge to provide shelter and safe homes for abused women and children. For more information, contact Angie or Sma on 0727910311 or at chestpro@communitychest.org.za and rmo1@communitychest.org.za. |
| IN CELEBRATION OF A NIGHT OF AFRIKAANS CULTURE |
The All Saints United Church in Athlone is hosting an inspiring evening with well-known South African actor, presenter, and producer Hannes van Wyk on 30 August, presented in Afrikaans. Known for his role as Krynauw in Egoli, his performance in Susanna van Biljon, and many more, he is also a seasoned presenter who has interviewed world-renowned figures such as presidents Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Kate Moss, Jon Bon Jovi, Naomi Campbell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others. Since 2015, he has been the popular host of kykNET’s journal programme Kwêla. Book your spot now for an evening full of stories, insight, and inspiration - a chance to get to know Hannes van Wyk like you’ve never seen him before.
Proceedings start at 6 pm. Book via Di Milford on 082 784 3729. The cost is R200 per person and can be paid cash at the church office, through Yoco, or by EFT into its Nedbank account: Account Number: 1343010373, Branch Code: 134-325. Initials and surname as reference and POP to janine@allsaintschurch.co.za. Tickets can also be booked online via Quicket here.
Please note that this is an Afrikaans-language event which will be presented in Afrikaans. |
| SOPHISTICATED PHISHING SCAM TARGETS CORPORATE CREDENTIALS |
| A sophisticated phishing scam using fake HR policy update emails to steal corporate credentials is doing the rounds. The campaign customises both email images and attached “Employee Handbooks” with recipients’ names to build trust. Victims scanning a QR code are redirected to a fake login page. Experts urge vigilance, advanced security tools and regular staff training. Click here for recommended actions. |
2004: The 4 x 100 m men’s relay swimming team won the gold medal for SA at the Olympic Games in Athens.
Elsewhere, in 1973, official US involvement in Vietnam ended. This set the scene for the end of the Vietnam War when Vietcong forces overran South Vietnam capital Saigon 20 months later.
Back in 2015, on this day, North Korea Introduced Pyongyang Time to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Japanese occupation of Korea. PT is 30 minutes ahead of time elsewhere.
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LONG WAY AHEAD AS REFORM TRACKER SHOWS 10% PROGRESS IN 18 MONTHS
Only 10% of South Africa’s targeted reforms to boost economic growth have been fully implemented in the past 18 months, according to the new Reform Momentum Indicator by Krutham for Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA). Of 240 required deliverables, 26 are complete, with notable gains in easing energy and logistics constraints. BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso said the tracker aims to spur reform urgency, while Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen noted its role in embedding a delivery culture in government.
Despite private-sector appetite for renewable projects, grid capacity remains insufficient, requiring 14 000 km of new transmission lines and R112 billion investment over five years. Transport reforms are underway but hampered by operational failures. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s second phase of Operation Vulindlela targets municipal overhaul, digital adoption, and spatial planning reforms. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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… AS R10 BILLION CREDIT GUARANTEE SET TO BOOST INFRASTRUCTURE
South Africa will establish a R10 billion credit-guarantee vehicle in July 2026 to stimulate private-sector infrastructure investment, Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo announced. Government will provide R2 billion in equity, with the remainder sought from lenders. Initially focused on energy-transmission projects, the facility will later support water and other infrastructure. Plans include building 1 164 km of transmission lines, part of a decade-long R500 billion project to roll out 14 218 km of power lines, linking renewable projects to the grid. President Cyril Ramaphosa estimates R4.8 trillion in combined public and private infrastructure investment is needed by 2030 to reverse years of underinvestment. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
... AND CONTAINER PORTS INCREASE EFFICIENCY BY ALMOST 15%
South Africa’s container ports exceeded projections for August 4–10, averaging 13 121 TEUs daily, a 14.75% improvement for Transnet Port Terminals. Port Elizabeth led with a 118% week-on-week increase, averaging 692 daily moves. Durban Pier 2 rose 19% to 38 299 TEUs, while Pier 1 and Ngqura gained 20% and 12% respectively. Cape Town managed 13 656 TEUs, up just 0.2%. Despite strong performance, operations were hampered by bad weather, vacant berths, and equipment issues. Eastern Cape ports faced wind disruptions, while Cape Town saw swells and crane breakdowns. A port source defended CTCT’s 2025 performance, citing benefits from newly deployed rubber-tyred gantry cranes. (FreightNews) |
CANEGROWERS URGE CONSUMPTION OF LOCALLY-GROWN SUGAR
The South African Cane Growers' Association (SA Canegrowers) is urging food and beverage manufacturers, millers, and retailers to commit to buying predominantly locally produced sugar. This appeal follows new regulations enabling industry-wide collective negotiations - temporarily exempting them from Competition Act restrictions for five years. The move aims to protect over one million livelihoods tied to the sugar sector from the threat posed by cheap, subsidized sugar imports. SA Canegrowers emphasizes that these imports harm rural economies in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal and enrich importers rather than consumers. The group also called for government to pursue a trade deal with the U.S. to reduce or remove sugar tariffs. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
DE LILLE WAVES BIG STICK AT 'INVALID' TOURISM BOARD
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has threatened to dissolve the SA Tourism board, claiming it acted unlawfully by appointing a member to manage board decisions after chair Gregory Davids resigned in July, without her approval. De Lille also disputes the board’s precautionary suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe over alleged governance failures at the May Africa Travel Indaba. Legal advice from her office deems both actions invalid, as the board lacks a chair and is “not properly constituted.” The board, citing its own legal opinion, insists it had authority and has urged De Lille to appoint a new chair promptly. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
PRIVATE CAPITAL KEY TO BRIDGE AFRICA’S R117 BILLION FUNDING GAP
Africa’s $100 billion (about R177 billion) annual infrastructure-financing gap hampers growth, productivity, and regional integration, says a Public Investment Corp (PIC) report. The continent needs $170 billion annually for power, water, transport, and digital networks, yet private capital contributed just $1.3 billion in 2024, with national governments remaining the most reliable funders. PIC CEO Patrick Dlamini urged collaboration with policymakers, multilaterals, and banks to create innovative instruments, align regulations with development goals, and improve governance. Despite perceptions of high risk, Africa’s infrastructure default rate is just 3%, among the world’s lowest. Funding shortfalls cut GDP potential by 2% and raise trade costs by up to 40%. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
… AS DATA-CENTRE BOOM SET TO CAPITALISE ON 40% MOBILE USE
Africa’s data centre boom is accelerating, with dozens of new facilities planned across Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Ethiopia, and South Africa. The continent holds less than 1% of global capacity despite mobile data use growing 40% annually — nearly double the world average. Global tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and AWS are expanding, while local players such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Africa Data Centres scale up. Projects include Morocco’s 386MW AI hub, Airtel Nigeria’s $120 million build, and Kenya’s Konza Technopolis site. Driven by digital transformation, data laws, and renewable energy, the market is forecast to grow over 12% annually to 2028. (SOURCE: Building & Construction News) |
STOCKS WORLDWIDE POST RECORD HIGH ON US RATE-CUT HOPES
Global equities surged to record highs on Wednesday, 13 August, buoyed by expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut next month. The MSCI All Country World Index hit 954.21 before closing up 0.60% at 952.83, while the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones all posted fresh highs. Gains followed softer US inflation data, boosting hopes for monetary easing, with traders pricing in a 94% chance of a September cut. European and Asian markets rallied, Japan’s Nikkei breaching 43 000 for the first time. US Treasury yields fell, the Dollar weakened, and gold rose, while oil prices dipped ahead of US-Russia talks. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
GLOBAL PLASTIC TREATY TALKS STALL ON PRODUCTION CURBS
Negotiations in Geneva for the world’s first binding plastics treaty remain deadlocked, with sharp divisions over curbing virgin plastic production and regulating hazardous chemicals. High-ambition nations, including Panama, Kenya, the UK, and EU, rejected Wednesday’s draft for omitting key life-cycle provisions. Oil-producing countries oppose production limits, while others demand strict controls. Advocacy groups warn a weak treaty risks failure, as the OECD projects plastic output could triple by 2060 without intervention. Over 1 000 delegates are seeking compromise before the deadline, but some, including Colombia, argue no deal is better than a diluted one. Businesses like Unilever support ambitious, globally harmonized rules. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
ROAMING GOATS GIVE SPAIN'S WILDFIRE-FIGHT HORNS
Spain is turning to an unexpected ally in the fight against wildfires: goats. In drought-stricken Catalonia, the city of Mataró launched an EU-funded pilot deploying 300 goats to clear dry shrubs and thorny vegetation along forest edges, creating natural firebreaks. Guided by farmers using whistles and working dogs, the animals graze where machinery would damage the land. The initiative also generates income through fire-prevention contracts and premium milk for cheesemakers. Local councillor Jose Antonio Ricis hailed the programme a success, noting fewer fires despite record drought. In Catalonia, four-legged grazers are proving an innovative, eco-friendly alternative to traditional wildfire prevention. (SOURCE: Roca News) |
YOUR HOUSE BURNS TO THE GROUND: CAN YOU HOLD THE SELLER LIABLE?
Time and again our courts are faced with property sellers who, when sued by buyers for hidden defects, try to hide behind a voetstoots clause in the sale agreement. They say, “The buyer bought the house ‘as is’ and can’t complain now”. But that can never protect a seller who has fraudulently concealed a defect. We illustrate this in the context of a devastating house fire caused by a dangerous and unlawful building practice. The High Court made short work of holding the seller/developer liable.
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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Energy is our true first language. The soul speaks this native tongue in every moment of every day.
Anthon St. Maarten |
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| Dollar | R17.58 | + 0.08% | | Pound | R23.80 | - 0.05% | | Euro | R20.48 | + 0.07% | | Yen | 0.119409 |
| | Yuan | R2.45 | + 0.26% | | Bitcoin | $ 119 230.20
| + 1.20% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 365.97 | + 1 08% | | Gold | $ 3 341.13
| + 0.17% | | Oil | $ 66.54
| - 0.39% | | All Share | 101 993.21
| - 0.28% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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