| HOW TO FIND A BANK BRANCH OFFERING SMART ID CARD SERVICES |
The Department of Home Affairs has launched an online locator to help South Africans find participating bank branches offering Smart ID Card services. The platform lists 372 participating branches and updates automatically as more banks join. Citizens still using green barcoded ID books are encouraged to switch to the more secure Smart ID card. The locator is available through the department's website here.
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| KEEPING TRACK OF TRADE HUB ENTREPRENEURIAL INTERVENTIONS |
Geraldine Baudienville with Rashmee Ramdhin, Zilon Bulk Bags, IYBA SEED Programme Participant
The Trade Hub at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) recently hosted an independent mid-term evaluation of the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa Supporting Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development (IYBA SEED) Programme.
External evaluator Geraldine Baudienville met implementing partners, including the PMCB, SaveAct and INR, to assess achievements, challenges and programme impact. Entrepreneurs also participated in a focus group, sharing how the initiative has strengthened their businesses. The evaluation, funded through GIZ and Team Europe partners, will help shape future Trade Hub support.
"The PMCB is one of South Africa's ecosystem weavers under the IYBA SEED pilot, supporting sustainable entrepreneurial growth," said Trade Hub Manager Lucrisha Polton.
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| NEW ZEALAND LOCOS TO SPEARHEAD PRIVATE RAIL REVOLUTION IN SA |
One of the eight locomotives in the first batch of 46 locomotives being unloaded at the Durban Port.
The arrival of the first eight Wabtec C28 locomotives, sourced from KiwiRail in New Zealand, at the Port of Durban comes as private rail operators position themselves to compete for train path allocations under South Africa's freight rail reform programme. The shipment marks the first phase of Traxtion's R3.4 billion rolling stock investment, which includes 46 locomotives and 920 wagons over the next two years. The locomotives will be refurbished in Pretoria before entering commercial service. The investment places Traxtion in a stronger position to secure capacity on Transnet's network as third-party access expands, supporting greater competition, improved freight efficiency and more reliable rail services for mining, agriculture and general freight customers across Southern Africa. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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1996: Marathon runner Josiah Thugwane wins gold for South Africa at the Atlanta Olympics.
Elsewhere, in 1914, Britain declared war on Germany after its forces had invaded Belgium a few days earlier.
Think of the birds on International Owl Awareness Day. |
MIDNIGHT RELIEF FOR PETROL PRICES, NOT SO MUCH FOR DIESEL
Motorists will pay less for petrol but substantially more for diesel from midnight after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced its latest fuel price adjustments. Both 93 and 95 octane petrol will decrease by 52 cents a litre, while diesel prices will climb by between R1.23 and R1.38 a litre and illuminating paraffin by R1.52 a litre.
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The department attributed the petrol cut to a relatively stable Rand-US Dollar rate and lower international oil prices, despite renewed US-Iran tensions, while diesel costs rose because of supply shortages linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reduced refining capacity in the Middle East. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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MOBENI PROPERTY AT R285.6 MILLION SHATTERS AUCTION RECORD
A landmark industrial property in Mobeni, Durban, has set a new South African commercial property auction record after selling for R285.5 million, surpassing the previous R205 million benchmark achieved by the sale of the Kyalami race circuit in 2014. Auction house In2Assets said the property at 25 Richard Carte Road attracted fierce bidding from listed property funds, investment syndicates and high-net-worth investors after a five-week marketing campaign. The site, reportedly occupied by Nampak under a long-term triple-net lease, was sold on behalf of the Collins Group. The identity of the successful buyer has not yet been disclosed. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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FACTORY CONFIDENCE SLUMPS TO 7-MONTH LOW ON MIDEAST TROUBLE
South African manufacturing sentiment fell to a seven-month low in July as renewed conflict in the Middle East and higher oil prices weighed on business confidence. The Absa Purchasing Managers' Index slipped to 46.8 from 47.3 in June, remaining below the 50-point expansion threshold for a second consecutive month. The business expectations index dropped sharply to 49.3 from 56.6, although new sales orders and production improved modestly. Absa said weak export demand, rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook, despite signs of recovering domestic demand and easing input cost pressures. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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FSCA TRAINS SIGHTS ON FINANCIAL ADVISOR REFERRALS
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has intensified its crackdown on unlawful referral arrangements and the misuse of client information by financial advisers. The regulator warned that some businesses are providing regulated financial services without licences under the guise of referrals, while advisers changing employers have been caught copying confidential client data. Recent enforcement included a R1 million penalty and a 10-year debarment for an unauthorised referral operation, while another adviser was barred for 12 years for unlawfully transferring client information. During 2025/26, the FSCA completed 678 investigations, imposed R2.9 billion in penalties and debarred 68 individuals. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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CRYPTO CROSS-BORDER CURBS COMING ON 1 OCTOBER
South Africa is tightening oversight of cross-border cryptocurrency transactions as National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank introduce new reporting requirements aimed at curbing illicit financial flows. From 1 October 2026, authorised dealers will be required to report cross-border crypto asset transfers above prescribed thresholds, strengthening authorities' ability to monitor money laundering, tax evasion and terrorist financing risks. The measures form part of broader exchange control reforms and support South Africa's efforts to avoid renewed international scrutiny after its FATF greylisting. Regulators say the framework seeks to improve transparency while allowing legitimate crypto transactions and innovation to continue under stronger regulatory oversight. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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NAMIBIA ON AN OIL MISSION AS SA LANGUISHES IN LAWSUITS
Namibia is accelerating oil exploration in the Orange Basin while South Africa faces mounting legal and regulatory delays that threaten investment. TotalEnergies is targeting first production from Namibia's Venus project by 2030, but uncertainty surrounds its South African drilling plans. Industry says exploration permits can take years to secure locally, with repeated court challenges slowing offshore projects. Environmental groups argue marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods must be protected, while the energy sector warns prolonged delays could cost South Africa jobs, tax revenue and billions in potential investment as neighbouring Namibia surges ahead with major discoveries. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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RECORD-LOW RHINE RIVER LEAVES TRADE HIGH AND DRY
The Rhine River has fallen to its lowest level since 1880, disrupting one of Europe's most important trade routes and raising concerns over supply chains. Shallow water is forcing cargo vessels to reduce loads or suspend operations on key stretches, increasing transport costs and delaying deliveries of fuel, chemicals, industrial goods and raw materials. The river is a vital freight corridor linking major manufacturing centres with North Sea ports. Economists warn prolonged low water levels could weigh on European industry, echoing previous drought-related disruptions, while highlighting the growing economic impact of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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GOLD RETAINS LUSTRE AS CONSUMERS CHOOSE LESS GLITTER
Global gold demand held steady at 1 269 tonnes in Q2 2026 as record-high prices curbed buying, according to the World Gold Council. Jewellery demand by volume fell 17%, with consumers opting for lighter pieces, although higher prices lifted jewellery demand by value 22% to $86 billion (about R1.42 billion) in the first half. Gold-backed ETF investment weakened as prices retreated, but central banks remained strong buyers, adding 289 tonnes to reserves during the quarter. The council expects investment demand to support the market in the second half, underlining gold's enduring appeal as a store of value despite softer consumer demand. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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AMERICAN STATES RALLY IN NEW CHALLENGE TO TRUMP TARIFFS
A coalition of US states has launched a fresh legal challenge against President Donald Trump's tariff policy, arguing his administration unlawfully relied on the Trade Act of 1974 to impose new import duties after earlier measures were struck down or expired. Filed in the US Court of International Trade, the lawsuit mirrors actions by small businesses seeking refunds on billions of dollars in tariffs already collected. The latest case adds pressure on the administration as customs authorities continue processing refund claims following previous court rulings that found key elements of Trump's 2025 tariff regime unlawful. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BLAME AI FOR AFRICAN MAP BLUNDERS, SAY RED-FACED OFFICIALS
An AI-generated map turned geography into comedy at the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, where a US State Department presentation managed to relocate every African country. Nigeria apparently misplaced its coastline, Mozambique took an unexpected trip to the Horn of Africa, and Ivory Coast woke up on the wrong side of the continent. Reuters spotted an OpenAI watermark on the slide, while the State Department admitted a last-minute edit went spectacularly wrong. Officials apologised for the cartographic chaos, insisting the conference itself stayed on course and America's commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS remains firmly in the right place. (SOURCE: NBC)
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Rejection is just a landing pad for your next takeoff.
Dame Helen Mirren |
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| Dollar | R16.53 | - 0.09% | | Pound | R22.20
| - 0.10% | | Euro | R19.02
| - 0.05% | | Yen | 0.104650 |
| | Yuan | R2.45 | - 0.07% | | Bitcoin | $ 63 604.96
| - 0.03% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 649.34
| + 0.69% | | Gold | $ 4 062.82
| + 0.19% | | Oil | $ 84.50
| + 1.39% | | All Share | 112 675.22 | + 1.06% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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