| DATE CHANGES: OVER THE TOP RELAY, ROYAL SHOW |
The popular OTT (over the top) Enterprise Relay, the race where winning matters nix, and originally slated for 13 March, will be run on 19 June. The venue is still the fields of Maritzburg College. Contact Heidi for more information on 033 345 2747 or at pmcb@pmcb.org.za
The Royal Agricultural Show has been postponed to 8-11 October at its new Tweedie Hall venue. The move was prompted by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease and antecedent uncertainty about livestock movement and measures to combat the outbreak. See here for more information.
|
| N3 ALIGNMENT TO ELIMINATE TREACHEROUS KEY RIDGE |
 |
The viaducts under construction near Peacevale are pivotal to the realignment of the N3 that will ultimately smooth traffic flow between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
N3 users running the gauntlet of road construction between Pietermaritzburg and Durban are looking forward to the finished project sometime this decade, according to SANRAL. A key component is the realignment of the 6-km section from Hammarsdale to Key Ridge to smooth passage past the notoriously dangerous Peacevale interchange characterised by a steep gradient, tricky curves and a compulsory truck stop. It’s a complex engineering undertaking involving the phased construction of viaducts spanning 400 metres that will effectively eliminate Key Ridge.
The upgraded section between Ashburton and Cato Ridge offers a glimpse into what the future of traveling between Pietermaritzburg and Durban holds. But maintaining the road comes at a cost that motorists are asked to fund via tolls. In this respect, new toll fees for 2026 came into effect on 1 March with a below-inflation increase of 3.13%, or 50 cents, for light vehicles at the Marianhill Toll Plaza raising the cost to R16.50.
See below: SANRAL maps national EV charging network |
| POST-BUDGET TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MORE AFFORDABLE LIVING |
South Africa’s 2026 Budget Speech signals a shift from austerity to stability, prioritising savings and steady growth over tax shocks. With VAT hikes off the table, cautious optimism is emerging. In its latest commentary, Morar Inc unpacks practical ways households and SMEs can maximise savings potential and navigate a budget focused on resilience, opportunity and renewed economic momentum. Click here to download the document.
|
1955: The Inaugural conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) took place.
Elsewhere, in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd U.S. president.
Today is observed as International Obesity Day.
|
JSE SLUMPS, RAND TANKS, OIL RISES ON MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
The FTSE/JSE All Share Index plunged about 5% yesterday, wiping out gains made after last week’s Budget high, as intensifying conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran rattled investors. The FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index fell 5%, while the resource index slumped 8%. Financials dropped 4% and industrials 3%.
The Rand took a hefty hit against the Dollar and slid to R16.73/$ before recovering to currently trade at R16.50 as capital flowed to safer assets. Mining counters bore the brunt, with Impala Platinum down 15% and oher major platinum stocks shedding about 12%. Oil hovered near $83 a barrel on supply fears. London’s FTSE 100 and Japan’s Nikkei each lost roughly 3%, while US markets traded marginally higher in volatile conditions. (SOURCE: News24/BDLive)
See below: Global diesel prices soar, futures up 34% in 2 days |
FMD OUTBREAK SPREADS TO ALL 9 PROVINCES
South Africa’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis has reached all nine provinces, with 935 outbreaks reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen confirmed 2.5-million vaccine doses - sourced from Argentina and Turkey - are being deployed under a targeted national strategy. The Free State leads reported cases, followed by KZN and Gauteng. Authorities warn actual infections exceed official figures due to pending lab confirmations. A three-tier risk model guides vaccinations, with priority zones receiving most doses as containment, surveillance and regional co-ordination intensify. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
TOYOTA LEADS BEST FEBRUARY NEW-VEHICLE SALES SINCE 2013
South Africa’s new-vehicle market surged 11.4% year-on-year in February, with 53 455 units sold - the best February since 2013. Toyota led brand sales, while the Toyota Hilux remained the country’s top-selling vehicle. The Suzuki Swift was the most popular passenger car. Strong light commercial sales and easing interest rates boosted demand, though rising fuel levies and tariff uncertainty may temper momentum. Industry leaders say improving inflation and consumer confidence signal a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2026. (SOURCE: Egineering News)
|
TREASURY SEEKS PRIVATE SECTOR BOOST FOR RETAIL BONDS
South Africa’s National Treasury plans to appoint a private-sector partner to expand retail bond sales, aiming to widen its investor base and reduce borrowing costs. Director-general Duncan Pieterse said current retail issuance of about R3bn annually falls short of potential, with scope to raise as much as R30bn. Stronger retail uptake could ease reliance on institutional investors and trim weekly bond auctions, helping compress yields. Borrowing needs are set to decline in 2026-27, while improved fiscal credibility and a 3% inflation target have supported the rand and bond market rally. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
|
ALL CRYPTO TRANSFERS TO COME UNDER FIC SCRUTINY
The Financial Intelligence Centre has ordered crypto asset service providers to monitor all domestic and cross-border transactions, aligning with Financial Action Task Force standards. Providers must collect and transmit originator and beneficiary details, automate screening and freeze suspicious assets where necessary. The move follows risk assessments flagging crypto’s use in sanctions evasion and illicit financing. Meanwhile, the South African Revenue Service is intensifying scrutiny, boosting enforcement capacity and mining blockchain data to identify noncompliance as crypto adoption grows locally. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
PIC MOVES TO SALVAGE R120 BILLION UNLISTED ASSETS
The Public Investment Corporation is appointing turnaround specialists to rescue its troubled R120 billion unlisted portfolio, including its embattled property division. More than 40% of assets are in distress, with the Government Employees Pension Fund previously withdrawing its mandate for new unlisted investments. CEO Patrick Dlamini has been tasked with restoring stability. The Isibaya fund holds R69bn in gross loans, with impairments exceeding 50%. The expert panel will assess failing investments, implement restructuring plans and seek to limit further losses across the portfolio’s 410 property assets. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
ESKOM PLUGS INTO 'SELF-HEALING' AI GRID FIX
Eskom says its generation recovery plan has stabilised the grid as it accelerates a major artificial intelligence drive aimed at building a “self-healing” power system. The utility is running about 200 AI pilot projects, spanning predictive maintenance, fault management and customer service improvements. Chief IT officer Len de Villiers told delegates at a Huawei summit in Barcelona that AI must become embedded in company culture. Eskom plans to invest R320 billion over five years to expand and maintain infrastructure, with significant funding earmarked for generation and transmission upgrades.About 40% of the planned investment is earmarked to support generation capacity and pipeline, with a further 40% allocated towards the transmission development plan and the balance meant to upgrade its remaining distribution network. (SOURCE: BDLive)
|
SANRAL TO MAP NATIONAL EV CHARGING NETWORK
South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) will consult stakeholders on draft policy changes to enable electric vehicle charging stations along key national highways. The proposal supports integrating new energy vehicle infrastructure at rest and service facilities, including fast level-3 chargers for long-distance travel. Sanral may structure projects through special purpose vehicles or public-private partnerships and has proposed a levy on charging stations, drawing criticism. The initiative aims to boost EV adoption and investor confidence despite high vehicle import costs. Currently, Zero Carbon Charge is expanding off-grid highway charging sites on the N3, at the Tugela Toll Plaza and near Reitz in the Free State. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
GLOBAL DIESEL PRICES SOAR, FUTURES UP 34% IN 2 DAYS
Diesel prices have surged worldwide as conflict involving Iran disrupts flows through the Strait of Hormuz. European benchmark futures soared 34% in two days to $1 009 a ton, while US futures jumped 16% to $3.37 a gallon - the highest since 2023. Freight rates from the Gulf to Europe also hit multi-year highs. According to Rystad Energy, Middle East supply risks threaten already tight inventories. Diesel’s premium over Brent crude widened sharply, intensifying inflation pressures and raising transport and heating costs globally. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
|
... AS IRAN OIL SHOCK CLOUDS AFRICA RATE CUTS
A widening Iran conflict and surging oil prices threaten to stall Africa’s interest-rate easing cycle. Brent crude jumped 9% on Monday and is up 28.5% this year as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falters. Analysts at Tellimer warn central banks may defer cuts amid inflation and currency risks. Derivatives show no chance of a March cut by the South African Reserve Bank. While producers like Nigeria may benefit, importers such as Egypt and Kenya face rising costs and bond market pressure. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
|
... AND SHIPPING COSTS SPIKE AS TANKER TRAFFIC SLOWS 81%
Shipping costs for very large crude carriers have spiked to a record $423 736 (overnight, more than doubling from Monday’s $205 600, as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed sharply. Data from S&P Global and Kpler show hundreds of vessels waiting near Bandar Abbas and Fujairah. Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, tanker transits plunged 81%, according to Lloyd's List. Iranian officials warned ships could be targeted, intensifying fears of supply disruption and pushing freight rates and oil market volatility sharply higher. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
|
|
|
Before we work on artificial intelligence why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?
Steve Polyak |
|
|
|
| Dollar | R16.51 | + 0.10% | | Pound | R22.01 | + 0.26% | | Euro | R19.17 | + 0.10% | | Yen | 0.104661 |
| | Yuan | R2.39 | + 0.15% | | Bitcoin | $ 68 494.10
| + 0.68% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 139.50
| + 2.52% | | Gold | $ 5 147.96
| + 1.18% | | Oil | $ 83.60
| + 2.15% | | All Share | 119 963.38
| - 5.53% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
|
|
|
|
|
