| TODAY: SAPS TO BRIEF KZN SECURITY FIRMS ON 30 JUNE PROTESTS |
| MARKETING THAT INSPIRES AUTHENTIC BRANDING |
(ltr) Speaker Libby Edmonds, Snenhlanhla Msomi (Trox), Duncan Harris (Belgotex Carpets) and Sam Green (Soulvae) at yesterday's Marketing Mix forum. Picture by Lethiwe Zondi.
New Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business member Libby Edmonds yesterday held court at the Marketing Mix forum in her presentation titled: Marketing That Moves: Ignite Connection by Leading with Your True Self. The session focused on authentic marketing rooted in emotional intelligence, self-awareness and purpose. It highlighted how optimism and personal insight can strengthen brand connection and improve communication for entrepreneurs and business leaders. The session encouraged attendees to apply practical insights they had learnt from the presentation.
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| SA SOCCER SCORES HISTORIC MORALE-BOOSTING WORLD CUP TRIUMPH |
1993: The Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) invaded the World Trade Centre during constitutional negotiations.
Elsewhere, in 1950, North Korea attacked South Korea across the 38th parallel to set off the Korean War.
All aboard, it’s International Seafarer’s Day.
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ONLY 15% MUNICIPALITIES PASS TEST IN ANOTHER WOEFUL AUDIT
South Africa’s municipalities continue to show weak financial management and declining accountability, according to the latest Auditor-General report. Only 15% achieved clean audits in the 2025 financial year, while 39 of 257 municipalities met this standard, down from the previous year.
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke said many municipalities remain unresponsive and lack accountability, with persistent governance failures affecting service delivery and community wellbeing. Seven municipalities have received disclaimed audit opinions for up to a decade due to insufficient financial evidence. The report also highlighted R1.48 billion in losses from material irregularities, with nearly half deemed unrecoverable, underscoring systemic weaknesses in controls and leadership across local government structures. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS 25 MUNICIPALITIES GUILTY OF IRREGULAR SENIOR APPOINTMENTS
Government has identified 25 municipalities across all nine provinces for irregular appointments of senior managers, highlighting what Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa described as systemic weaknesses in municipal recruitment and oversight processes. The findings point to failures in complying with regulations governing qualifications, competency requirements and appointment procedures. Hlabisa said the problem extends beyond isolated administrative errors and reflects broader governance shortcomings within local government. While the affected municipalities were not all named in the initial announcement, the department indicated that corrective measures and accountability processes are under way. The revelations add to concerns about governance, service delivery and administrative capacity in municipalities nationwide. (SOURCE: News24)
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RETAILERS URGED TO PREPARE FOR 30 JUNE DISRUPTIONS
Major retailers have been warned to brace for possible disruptions on 30 June amid fears of unrest, looting and transport interruptions linked to planned anti-illegal immigration protests. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) warned that any instability could affect supply chains, deliveries, store operations and the availability of essential goods. The council urged retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers to implement precautionary measures, strengthen security, safeguard employees and review contingency plans to minimise risks. Growing tensions around immigration issues and recent demonstrations have heightened concerns. Authorities have sought to reassure the public that security forces are prepared to maintain order and prevent a repeat of the widespread unrest and looting that caused billions of Rands in damage in KZN and Gauteng during July 2021. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AND UNIVERSITIES ORDERED TO DISCLOSE FOREIGN STAFF DATA
South Africa’s universities will be required to provide detailed information on foreign employees after higher education minister Buti Manamela criticised gaps in current reporting. Briefing Parliament, Manamela said institutions will have to disclose the nationality, citizenship and visa status of all staff members to improve oversight and ensure compliance with immigration laws. Available data shows that foreign nationals account for about 27% of university academic staff, with Zimbabweans making up the largest group and Nigerians representing about 14% of foreign hires. The minister said more accurate data is needed to assess employment patterns, skills shortages and the contribution of international academics to South Africa’s higher education sector. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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R3 TRILLION TARGET ON TRACK AS INVESTMENTS TOP R647 BILLION
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says South Africa has exceeded its investment mobilisation targets, attracting R647 billion in the 2025/26 financial year against a R450 billion goal, surpassing expectations by 44%. Speaking during his Budget Vote address, Tau said the country remains on track toward its R3 trillion investment drive by 2030, supported by industrial policy focused on diversification, decarbonisation and digitalisation. He highlighted growth in special economic zones, export promotion and infrastructure-linked industrial projects, including major developments in mining, manufacturing and logistics. Tau said these initiatives are strengthening industrial capacity, creating jobs and positioning South Africa as a competitive destination for global and regional investment flows. (SOURCE: BDlIVE)
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PRIVATE LABEL BRANDS GRAB 28.6% RETAIL MARKET SHARE
South African retailers are accelerating the growth of private-label products as they compete for market share in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Store brands generated an estimated R139 billion in sales during 2025, accounting for 28.6% of the FMCG market. Growth has been particularly strong in price-sensitive staple categories such as flour, rice and sugar, where consumers are increasingly switching to lower-cost alternatives amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Retailers benefit from improved margins and stronger customer loyalty, while shoppers gain access to more affordable options. Industry analysts say private labels are shedding their budget-only image as improved quality and broader product ranges help them compete directly with established national brands. (SOURCE: News24)
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SA ACHIEVES HISTORIC RARE-EARTH PROCESSING MILESTONE
South Africa has become the first African country to produce mixed rare-earth products, marking a significant step in developing a local critical minerals value chain. The term refers to a blend of rare-earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 chemically similar metals used in high-tech and clean-energy industries to strengthen the country’s position in the global market for minerals essential to technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced electronics. Industry stakeholders say local processing capacity could attract further investment into the mining and manufacturing sectors. The milestone also supports efforts to diversify supply chains for rare-earth elements, which are increasingly important in the global transition to cleaner energy technologies. (SOURCE: News24)
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METAL RECYCLERS WANT END TO SCRAP PRICE SYSTEM
Industry bodies Recycling Association of South Africa (RASA) and the Metal Recyclers Association (MRA) have called for the immediate suspension of the Price Preferential System (PPS), arguing it has distorted scrap metal markets and weakened both formal and informal recyclers. They want an independent review by the International Trade Administration Commission and Parliament. The groups say recyclers have been structurally disadvantaged for over 30 years, with policy frameworks and pricing interventions contributing to an estimated R78 billion value shift over 13 years away from smaller operators. They also call for formal recognition of informal collectors and stronger consultation in steel value-chain policy design. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS CHALLENGE TO WHEAT-PRICE DECISION LOOMS
Grain SA is considering legal and policy options after the government confirmed the wheat Dollar-based reference price (DBRP) will remain unchanged at $279/t, rejecting an industry request to raise it to $289/t and introduce an automatic trigger mechanism. The organisation, alongside Sacota, says the decision ignores rising input costs, volatile global markets and weak producer margins. Grain SA warns South African wheat farmers face escalating expenses in fertiliser, fuel, labour and logistics, while competing against subsidised global producers. It argues the policy risks undermining local wheat output, reducing rural jobs, and increasing import dependence amid ongoing tariff implementation delays. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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WOOLWORTHS GOES DARKER TO MEET ONLINE DELIVERY DEMAND
Woolworths is expanding its dark-store network as online grocery shopping gains momentum. The retailer has opened a dedicated fulfilment centre in Wynberg, Cape Town, to support growing demand for its Woolies Dash delivery service. Dark stores are designed exclusively for processing online orders, allowing retailers to improve efficiency, stock management and delivery times. The move comes as South African retailers increase investment in e-commerce infrastructure to meet changing consumer shopping habits. Woolworths' latest expansion highlights the growing importance of online grocery sales and the industry's shift towards faster, technology-driven fulfilment models. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS PICK N PAY TARGETS VALUE FASHION GROWTH
Pick n Pay is expanding its value-fashion offering as retailers battle for a greater share of the affordable clothing market. The retailer has broadened its locally produced Springbok supporters’ wear range, adding family-themed outfits and accessories to capitalise on the popularity of the world champion rugby team. The move forms part of a wider strategy to attract budget-conscious consumers seeking value across both groceries and apparel. Retailers are increasingly diversifying their merchandise ranges to boost customer loyalty and spending. The expanded collection is expected to strengthen Pick n Pay’s appeal ahead of major sporting events and seasonal shopping periods. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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DISCOVERY GREEN IN 10-YEAR WHEELED POWER TO YORK TIMBERS
Discovery Green has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with York Timber Holdings to supply wheeled renewable electricity to its Jessievale sawmill in Mpumalanga. The agreement will see about 90% of the site’s energy demand met through renewable power, significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting the company’s sustainability targets. York Timbers says the deal provides long-term cost certainty and improves compliance with international standards such as Forest Stewardship Council certification and IFC environmental guidelines. Discovery Green, which has over 740 MW of generation under development, says more than 50 companies are now using its wheeling platform to access cleaner, lower-cost electricity.
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AFRICA HYDROPOWER OF 4.2 GW FILLS 10% OF CAPACITY
Africa added more than 4.2 GW of new hydropower capacity in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of strong growth, according to the International Hydropower Association. Major projects such as Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere plant have reshaped regional power supply. Despite this progress, only about 10% of Africa’s hydropower potential has been developed, leaving vast untapped capacity for electrification and industrial growth. However, transmission bottlenecks, weak grids and financing constraints continue to limit expansion. The report highlights rising momentum in regional interconnectors and pumped storage projects, which are seen as critical for balancing renewable energy systems and improving energy security across the continent. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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KENYA SIGNS R20 BILLION AIRPORT UPGRADE DEAL
Kenya has signed a $1.2 billion (about R20 billion) agreement with China Road and Bridge Corporation to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, aiming to nearly triple annual passenger capacity to 22 million from 7.5 million. Transport Minister Davis Chirchir said the project includes a new terminal, upgraded infrastructure, and improved airside and landside operations. The development replaces a previously cancelled deal with India’s Adani Group after legal issues involving its founder. The expansion is part of Kenya’s strategy to maintain its position as a regional aviation hub, as Ethiopia and Rwanda also invest heavily in airport infrastructure to attract more airlines and strengthen regional competition. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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Charles Buxton |
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