| MIXED BAG OF AUGUST FUEL PRICES KEEPS MOTORISTS GUESSING |
South African motorists are holding thumbs for some relief at the fuel pumps in August, with petrol prices set to drop despite global oil volatility. Mid-month data shows that both grades of petrol are set for a decrease of between 20 cents and 24 cents a litre, but the wholesale price of diesel may rise around 63 cents per litre and illuminating paraffin by 26 c/l. A resilient Rand has helped ease pressure, but the notoriously fluid price-determing factors may change before August 6. |
| SUSTAINABILITY ANCHORS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA |
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The team from Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions in KZN offers a range of environmental services.
Meet Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions, a new member of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB). Headquartered in Ballito, with satellite offices in Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle, Triplo4 is a leading force in the sustainability and environmental sector.
Triplo4 offers a wide range of integrated environmental services including Environmental Impact Assessments, ESG strategies, energy, water and waste management, biodiversity services, circular economy planning, and municipal permitting compliance. The company is known for tackling complex environmental challenges and delivering sustainable, business-savvy solutions that balance environmental, social, and financial imperatives.
Triplo4 is 100% women-owned, a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor, and a multi-award-winning company that prides itself on its hands-on, expert-led approach. Its approach goes beyond compliance, helping organisations unlock business value through innovative sustainability practices. Their services are especially valuable to businesses navigating complex environmental regulations and aiming for long-term, positive environmental impact.
Clients are supported by a dedicated team, led by director Hantie Plomp, who can be reached at 083 308 8003 or hantie@triplo4.com. Also see the website here.
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| VOLUNTEERISM IS ALIVE AND WELL AHEAD OF MANDELA DAY |
| Several businesses in Pietermaritzburg and surrounds are gearing up for Mandela Day to mark the legacy and contribution of arguably South Africa’s greatest statesman. But there are also other ways to help make a difference to the needs of society’s less privileged, all it takes is a generosity of spirit to make a difference. Click here for some suggestions. |
1995: Amazon.com sold its first book, Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought by Douglas Hofstadter.
Elsewhere, in 1935, the world's first parking meters were installed in Oklahoma City, US.
Spare a thought for the unfairly maligned species of slithery creatures that suffer the venom of fear from their (very) few poisonous cousins, on World Snake Day. |
DECEMBER DATE FOR MUCH-DELAYED LICENCE DEMERIT ROLL-OUT
The long-delayed Aarto Act is now officially scheduled for implementation in December 2025. The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) will introduce a demerit-based system aimed at improving driver accountability and road safety. While uncertainty and corruption concerns persist, MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert urges fleet-operating businesses not to delay preparations.
Company-owned vehicles form a large part of South Africa’s road traffic, placing pressure on businesses to ensure compliance through training, admin systems, and driver oversight. Herbert warns that failure to prepare now will leave organisations scrambling if the rollout proceeds as planned. “Plan, don’t pause,” he advises. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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... AND DYSFUNCTIONAL RAF BOARD AT END OF THE ROAD
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has dissolved the board of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), citing persistent governance failures, financial mismanagement, and deep operational dysfunction. The move follows months of controversy, including the suspension of RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo and multiple legal challenges. Creecy has ordered urgent interventions: the appointment of interim leadership, a Special Investigating Unit review, and the establishment of an expert advisory panel to restore governance. She reaffirmed her commitment to finalising the no-fault Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) to improve equitable access for victims. The overhaul aims to stabilise RAF operations and uphold public trust in road safety governance. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
INTEREST RATE CUT IN THE AIR AS CHALLENGES WEIGH
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago says global uncertainties, including potential US tariffs and deflation in China, are complicating local inflation forecasts ahead of the July 31 interest rate decision. US tariff threats could spur global price hikes if trade retaliation follows, while China’s deflation may counter that by exporting cheaper goods. Kganyago warned of pressure on key sectors like agriculture and automotive. Economists remain divided on whether the central bank will cut rates again or hold, following May’s 25 basis point reduction, as inflation remains near the lower end of the 3–6% target range. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
'TAX THE RICH' CALLS MOUNT AT ZIMBALI G20 MEETING
As global finance ministers gather at the G20 Finance Track in Zimbali, South Africa’s Tax Justice Working Group is calling for bold domestic action to tax the wealthy and curb corporate tax abuse. Backed by Cosatu, Oxfam, and the Institute for Economic Justice, the group urges Treasury to adopt fairer, progressive tax policies amid growing global support for taxing billionaires. South Africa has joined Spain and Brazil’s push for international wealth taxation. Advocates stress this is a chance for SA to lead on inequality, avoiding regressive taxes that burden the working class. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
FSCA WARNS AGAINST DODGY TELEGRAM IMPERSONATIONS
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued a warning about fraudulent Telegram groups impersonating legitimate financial entities, including Altron TMT and PSG Wealth. These scams falsely use the names of authorised representatives Werner Kapp and Elke Brink to promote forex trading and promise unrealistic, guaranteed returns. Neither company nor their representatives are involved with the groups. The FSCA stresses that these operators are not licensed to offer financial services and cautions the public to remain vigilant against red flags like upfront payment requests and exaggerated returns. Social media is not used for legitimate investment solicitations. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
COURT GOES AFTER META OVER CHILD PORN ACCOUNTS
The Johannesburg High Court has ordered Meta to permanently shut down over 30 Instagram and WhatsApp accounts sharing explicit child pornography and defamatory content involving schoolchildren. The Digital Law Company’s Emma Sadleir, who brought the urgent application, said some victims had taken their own lives. Judge Mudunwazi Makamu also ordered Meta to disclose the identities behind the accounts. Despite Meta's legal team arguing jurisdictional issues, the ruling applies to both the company and named individuals. The disturbing content, including sexual abuse videos and false STI allegations, prompted the court to act swiftly in what Sadleir called an unprecedented digital violation. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
FREE STATE OUTBREAK SETS BACK FOOT-AND-MOUTH FIGHT
A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed on a commercial farm in the Moqhaka Local Municipality, Free State. The farm was quarantined on July 8, with the outbreak officially confirmed two days later. Surveillance, vaccination, and traceback investigations are underway, while nearby farms within a 10km radius are being monitored. Nationally, South Africa has recorded 270 FMD outbreaks across five provinces - 249 remain active, with KZN most affected. No new cases have emerged in the Eastern Cape since September 2024. The Department of Agriculture urges stakeholders to consult updated disease management notices via official platforms for accurate information. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
EASTERN CAPE GETS LION SHARE OF R1.2 BILLION SNOW RELIEF
Following devastating snowfall and flooding in June, the South African government has announced a R1.2 billion disaster relief funding for affected provinces, with the Eastern Cape receiving the largest share. Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed an initial R50 million will be allocated by end-July, with an additional R504-million set for August. The OR Tambo and Amathole districts will receive R30-million and R20-million, respectively. The disaster caused R6.3 billion in infrastructure damage and claimed 107 lives - 103 in the Eastern Cape alone. OR Tambo recorded the highest death toll with 79 fatalities. The funds aim to support critical reconstruction and recovery across the hardest-hit communities. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
DEFECTS DELAY KOEBERG UNIT RETURN TO END AUGUST
The return to service of Koeberg nuclear power station’s Unit 1 has been delayed until the end of August due to defects found in four metal tubes during routine inspections of newly installed steam generators. Originally set to return in July, the unit underwent extensive maintenance, including a mandatory 10-year pressure test. Eskom said the delay poses no added risk of load-shedding, with Unit 2 continuing to operate at full capacity. Repairs were completed by international and local teams to ensure safety and performance standards. Eskom emphasized its commitment to thorough inspections and maintaining Koeberg’s reliable operation as South Africa’s only nuclear plant. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
LESOTHO WATER SCHEME FACES COMPENSATION BACKLASH
More than 3 000 residents and 889 businesses have taken the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) to the High Court, challenging decades of alleged injustice tied to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. At the heart of the case are claims of inadequate or unpaid compensation for land seized since the 1980s for dam construction benefiting South Africa. Some families say they received as little as 78 cents per square metre, with others facing arrest and abuse for resisting. Applicants seek constitutional redress for human rights violations, broken promises - including an undelivered development fund - and land rights breaches under Lesotho’s Constitution and laws. (SOURCE: GroundUp) |
NESTLE'S R125.5 MILLION UPGRADE TO BOOST ZIMBABWE OUTPUT
Nestlé has invested $7 million (R125.5 million) to upgrade its cereal factory in Harare, Zimbabwe, boosting production capacity by over 35%. The expansion includes a new roller dryer for Nestlé Cerevita and supports increased supply to local and export markets such as Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. The move reinforces Zimbabwe’s role as a strategic manufacturing hub in Nestlé’s “Africa for Africa” strategy, focused on local sourcing, talent development, and food system resilience across the continent. Nestlé ESAR MD Nicole Roos called the investment a strong example of the company’s long-term commitment to regional self-reliance. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
A BOND CLAUSE DEADLINE WHOOSHES BY AND A SALE DIES - CAN YOU REVIVE IT? |
It’s easy to lose sight of deadlines in all the excitement of a home sale, but the consequences of letting a deadline expire can be dire.
A recent Supreme Court of Appeal fight resulted from the buyer not getting a bond before the deadline expired. At the time, both buyer and seller wanted the sale to proceed, so they signed an addendum to the sale agreement which they thought would resuscitate their agreement. They were wrong.
We’ll discuss the SCA’s reasoning in reaching that conclusion, and we’ll share some thoughts on how to keep your sale alive and well.
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 |
BREAKFAST: EFFECTIVE IOD MANAGEMENT
The benefits of using an IOD centre when you most need support.
OVERVIEW
Injuries on duty are never planned, so its important to have a plan in place, just in case . Eden Gardens Private Hospital invites you to an informative breakfast presentation about the risks associated with IOD, the relevant Legal frame work and the services of their new IOD Centre. Not only does the centre take exceptional care of the injured employee, but also takes care of the administrative and bureaucratic headaches often involved in the IOD claims process.
Members are encouraged to attend and hear more about it.
Date: Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Time: 9h00 - 11h00
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
No Charge
Light breakfast will be served. |
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Time is the wisest counselor of all.
Pericles |
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