| N3 FULL CLOSURE SATURDAY NIGHT, DOG-WALKING ON SUNDAY |
If you’re traveling on the N3 on Saturday night, plan for a detour on the R103. SANRAL has announced a full closure of the N3 in both directions between the Armitage Road (Midlands Mall) interchange and Cedara interchange for luminance testing of newly-installed lighting. The closure will run from 8 pm on Saturday night to 4.30 am on Sunday. Light vehicles will be diverted onto the R103 and trucks will be stacked for the duration of the closure.
The weather gods appear to have blessed Sunday’s 1 000 Paws SPCA fund-raiser with clear skies and mild temperature forecasted at the Highgate Wine Estate on the R103. Gates open at 8 am for a 4-km Adults and Athletes walk or a 2-km Puppies and Pensioners stroll, and an entertaining programme of arena events, including a Sniffer Dog Paper Plate Challenge with a luxury stay at Cleopatra’s Mountain Farmhouse at stake. For more information, contact Gaynor Lawson on 082 558 8928 or at glawson@global.co.za
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| WIN-A-CAR DRIVE TO HELP CHILDREN NAVIGATE FIRST 5 YEARS |
Community Chest interns Masabatha Maphela (left) and Nobuhle Mbanjwa at the recent Community Chest /Comrades Marathon activation.
The Community Chest is calling on members of the public to support the Comrades Marathon's Toyota Win-A-Car competition, which offers entrants the opportunity to win a brand new Toyota Corolla Cross while helping to raise funds for vulnerable children in local communities.
Through its involvement in Comrades Marathon 2026, Community Chest aims to strengthen support for NPO Impact Partners to help children navigate the first five years of their lives critical to long-term growth and development through nutrition and early childhood development services.
The winner will be drawn at 4.45 pm on Race Day. Tickets available at R50 each from Community Chest offices at 12 Strannack Street in Pietermaritzburg. For more information, contact Angie or Sma on 033 394 1031 or 072 791 0311. |
| READERS POLL: SOCIAL MEDIA ACCESS IN PARENTS' HANDS |
Yesterday’s poll on limiting children’s access to social media highlighted deep concern with most respondents stressing the importance of parental responsibility in guiding behaviour and content consumption. Many argue that children should be allowed to simply “be children,” with more emphasis on outdoor play, sport, and face-to-face interaction to build communication and social skills. Several comments call for stricter limits, including restricting social media access for under-13s and delaying account creation as long as possible. While some respondents acknowledge enforcement challenges, there’s broad agreement that parents, caregivers and platform providers must share responsibility in protecting children’s development and wellbeing. Thanks for voting!
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1974: The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan on account of its segregationist policies.
Elsewhere, in 1981, the first cases of AIDS were identified after a rare form of pneumonia was described.
It's all about where we live, on World Environment Day. |
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TREASURY BACKS ESKOM'S MUNICIPAL TAKE-OVER PLAN
National Treasury is pushing to expand Eskom’s role as an electricity service agent to as many as 30 municipalities, under an amended Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) framework. The move aims to address mounting municipal arrear debt of about R114 billion, which threatens Eskom’s financial stability.
Parliamentary committees were told that at least 13 municipalities are already under pressure to sign DAAs, with 10 adopting resolutions and others nearing compliance deadlines set for 1 September. Failure to comply could trigger credit control measures, including bank account attachment, higher interest charges and reduced national funding.
While Eskom says it has expanded staffing to manage the potential rollout, questions remain over capacity, funding and legal compliance. Municipalities and Salga argue the model risks undermining constitutional governance and fails to address structural revenue failures. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS JOBURG CRISIS UNDERMINES NATIONAL INVESTMENT OUTLOOK
South African business leaders are warning that the worsening fiscal and governance crisis in Johannesburg risks undermining the country’s improving economic outlook. Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) says the city, which generates about 16% of GDP, is facing severe financial strain, with capital expenditure reduced to 6% of its budget and maintenance spending at just 0.5% of asset value.
The warning follows Treasury concerns over R22.8 billion in wasteful spending as well as Eskom's threat to suspend supplies over rising debt. BLSA says investor confidence could weaken unless urgent governance and infrastructure reforms are implemented. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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RESURGENT RAND TOPS CARRY-TRADE RANKINGS
The Rand has rebounded strongly in global carry-trade rankings, returning about 5% since April, after earlier volatility linked to geopolitical tensions. According to Bloomberg data, the Rand now leads 22 emerging-market currencies in carry returns, ahead of Hungary’s Forint. Traders who previously suffered a 4.7% loss in March are returning as volatility eases, with implied Rand-Dollar swings falling to about 11% from 15.9%. Non-residents have since bought R37.29 billion in government bonds after a R56.19 bilion selloff, while the 10-year yield has dropped 67 basis points to 8.65%, attracting renewed inflows into South African debt markets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
PASSENGER SALES DRIVE MAY NEW-VEHICLE 12.8% GROWTH
South Africa’s new vehicle market continued its strong recovery in May, with sales rising 12.8% year-on-year to 51 071 units, the highest May performance since 2013, according to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council. Passenger cars led growth, up 16.3% to 36 871 units, while light commercial vehicles increased 2.5% to 11 251 units. Medium and heavy commercial segments also posted gains of 13.6% and 12.9% respectively. New energy vehicle sales surged 120% in the first four months of 2026 as consumers shift toward fuel-efficient options. However, analysts warn higher interest rates and rising fuel costs may moderate demand ahead. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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INVESTORS REBEL OVER ABSA CEO'S R148 MILLION PAY PACKAGE
Investor backlash is mounting over the remuneration structure at Absa Group, where CEO Kenny Fihla’s reported R148 million pay package has triggered concerns among shareholders. Investors have questioned the scale of executive compensation, raising issues around governance, performance alignment and fairness in a weak economic environment. While the board maintains the package is structured to retain top talent and reward long-term performance, dissenting shareholders argue it risks reputational damage and weakens accountability. The dispute is expected to feature prominently at upcoming shareholder meetings, reflecting broader tensions in South Africa’s banking sector over executive pay and stakeholder expectations. (SOURCE: News24)
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SPAZA SHOPS ACCOUNT FOR 14% GROCERY MARKET
Spaza shops are gaining ground on South Africa’s major retailers as consumers facing financial pressure increasingly opt for smaller, frequent purchases. According to industry research cited by Business Day, spaza shops now account for about 14% of South Africa’s grocery market, generating an estimated R197 billion in annual sales. Their success is driven by proximity to customers, lower transport costs and the ability to sell affordable quantities of everyday essentials. The township retail sector serves millions of shoppers who prefer buying daily rather than monthly. As household budgets remain under strain, informal traders continue to capture market share from larger supermarket groups through convenience and accessibility. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
SHOPRITE ADDS FREE PET COVER FOR LOYAL CUSTOMERS
Retail giant Shoprite has intensified competition in South Africa’s fast-growing pet care market by introducing free accident insurance for pets as a loyalty reward. The initiative adds an insurance component to customer rewards programmes, offering pet owners additional value beyond traditional discounts and promotions. The move comes as retailers increasingly target the resilient pet care sector, which continues to grow despite economic pressures. Industry players are expanding their offerings through veterinary services, pet products and related benefits to attract customers. By linking insurance cover to loyalty membership, Shoprite aims to strengthen customer retention while differentiating itself in an increasingly competitive pet care marketplace. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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FLYSAFAIR SLASHES TICKET SURCHARGES AS FUEL WOES EASE
FlySafair has reduced fuel-related surcharges across both domestic and regional routes after easing jet fuel prices and improved supply conditions lowered operating costs. Domestic surcharges have been cut from about R260 to around R180 per ticket, while regional route surcharges have dropped from roughly R380–R420 to R280–R310, depending on distance. The airline says the adjustment reflects recent declines in global oil prices that have stabilised input costs. Base fares remain unchanged, but passengers will see modest relief on total ticket prices. Analysts warn fuel costs remain volatile, but current trends offer short-term pricing stability for airlines. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
TRAXTION RAISES R1.4 BILLION FOR RAIL EXPANSION
Independent rail operator Traxtion has raised $86 million (about R1.4 billion) in new equity from investors including STANLIB Infrastructure Investments, Standard Bank and Harith-linked funds, positioning the company for further expansion in South Africa’s liberalising rail market. The capital injection supports its R3.4 billion rolling stock programme, which includes the acquisition and refurbishment of 46 locomotives for R1.8 billion and 920 wagons for R1.6 billion. CEO James Holley says the funding reflects confidence in both Traxtion’s strategy and rail sector reforms, including Transnet’s structural separation and the introduction of private train operating companies. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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FLOODS WASH OUT 5% CITRUS EXPORTS
South Africa’s citrus industry expects export volumes to fall by at least 5% following severe flooding in key growing regions, according to the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA). The worst-affected areas include Patensie in the Eastern Cape and Citrusdal and the Boland in the Western Cape. The CGA says damage assessments remain incomplete as some growers cannot yet access orchards, meaning losses may increase further. The mandarin crop has been most heavily impacted due to disrupted harvesting at a critical early stage of the season. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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US 65% TECH JOB ROUT BLAMED ON AI BOOM
US technology companies announced more than 38 000 job cuts in May, marking the highest monthly layoffs in nearly two years as firms accelerate spending on artificial intelligence. So far in 2026, the sector has disclosed over 123 000 layoffs, up more than 65% year-on-year, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. It noted that AI is now the leading reason cited for workforce reductions, with companies restructuring roles to align with automation and efficiency goals. Despite the cuts, tech firms are also signalling stronger hiring intentions, contributing to more than 80 000 planned US hires this year across sectors, though still below pre-2024 levels. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
BITCOIN ON THE ROPES AS VALUE PLUMMET 50% IN 8 MONTHS
Bitcoin fell more than 5% to below $62 000 (about R1 million), hitting its lowest level since February 2026 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on global risk sentiment. The decline extends a weekly drop of about 16%, adding to losses triggered after major corporate holder Strategy Inc. sold roughly $2.5 million worth of Bitcoin, shaking investor confidence in its “never sell” stance. The token has now lost over half its value since peaking above $126 000 in October, while about $1.5 billion in bullish leveraged positions were liquidated in 24 hours. Investors have also withdrawn nearly $4 billion from US Bitcoin ETFs, intensifying the crypto downturn. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
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BUSINESS OWNER WELLNESS PROGRAMME
Strong businesses start with strong business owners. Entrepreneurship comes with constant pressure, decision-making, and responsibility, which is why personal wellbeing is essential for sustainable business success.
Facilitated by Shari Cade, our upcoming Business Owner Wellness Programme is designed to support entrepreneurs in building resilience, improving emotional intelligence, managing stress, and strengthening self-leadership skills.
Through this practical and empowering 6-part programme, participants will gain tools to improve both personal wellbeing and professional performance.
Upcoming Workshop Topics and Dates:
📌 Building Personal Resilience – 12 June 2026
📌 Building Emotional Intelligence – 26 June 2026
📌 Leading Myself First – 10 July 2026
📌 Managing Stress – 24 July 2026
📌 Understanding Myself – 7 August 2026
📌 Using My Time Well – 21 August 2026
This programme is ideal for entrepreneurs, business owners, startups, and professionals looking to lead themselves more effectively while navigating the demands of business. Join us and invest in the well-being behind your business.
Workshop Details
Venue: PMCB Trade Hub, 51 Macleroy Road, Pietermaritzburg
Time: All sessions 8:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: R900 per session | 3+ sessions at R850 each | Full course R4800 |
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If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
Derek Bok |
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