| COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES AT BEST-EVER MANDELA DAY WORS ROLL SALE |
(ltr) Pam Golding Property staffers Vasanthra Padayachee and Struan Macgregor, Kate Steyn, Lara Gibson, Lynnette Forson, Pam Butler and Neena Subreenduth, Padayachee, Nishi Govender and Janine Eloff.
Every year, Pam Golding Properties hosts a Mandela Day wors roll sale that exceeded all expectations this year, according to Marketing and PR Manager Janine Eloff. “It was our most successful yet, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and community,” she said. Eloff paid tribute to Athlone Circle Pick 'n Pay for supplying the wors, Muirhead's Hiring for all equipment needs, and McBeans for the charcoal donation. She also thanked PGP’s friends and business associates for their support and said proceeds of the event will go towards uplifting the homeless through NGO Life Changer. |
| KPCA SCORES SECTION 18 STATUS IN SELF-SUSTAINING DRIVE |
| The KPCA Group behind the regenerative efforts to clean up Pietermaritzburg has taken a major step forward in its strive for financial sustainability after passing its first audit by the Department of Social Development and being granted Section 18 A status. This means the KPCA Group can issue a tax-deduction certificate to donors “Up until now, KPCA Group has largely been funded by donations via our old entity, the Keep PMB Clean Association, with sponsorship for our projects from local business,” said Executive Director Lara Edmonds. “The designation will help us to develop our funding base to become sustainable as a organisation,” she said. Contact Edmonds at secretary@kpca.co.za and view the website here. |
| KZN'S SOMKHANDA STANDS TALL AMONG BIG 5 GAME RESERVES |
1962: Nelson Mandela was arrested, near the Capture Site, outside Howick. Released from prison in 1990, Mandela was elected the country’s first democratic president in 1994.
Elsewhere, in 2013, the world's first lab-grown burger went on sale in London. Made from cow stem cells, it cost $330 000! |
BUMPY ROAD AHEAD FOR SEPTEMBER AARTO DEMERIT ROLL-OUT
The long-delayed AARTO demerit point system will launch nationally on 1 September 2026, after a phased roll-out that officially started in 2021. Operational only in Johannesburg and Tshwane since 2021, AARTO aims to penalise repeat traffic offenders. However, critics warn of major flaws. Outa says the system is too administratively complex to work, while the AA claims it's more about revenue than road safety. Over 25,000 officers still need training, and an appeals tribunal - meant to review millions of disputes - remains unappointed.
The Department of Transport insists implementation is progressing, yet mixed signals and unresolved logistics suggest another potential delay for a system meant to reform South Africa’s traffic enforcement landscape. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVES CAPEX AS PUBLIC PROJECTS STALL
South Africa’s fixed investment nearly halved in H1 2025 to an annualised R316.2bn, with the private sector responsible for 100% of new capital expenditure plans, according to Nedbank. This sharp fall from 2024’s R592.2bn reflects a lack of new public sector projects. Major private investments include R72.7bn in energy projects, R45.2bn in mining, and Meta’s R26.4bn subsea cable project. Manufacturing saw R12.9bn, led by Astron Energy and PPC. Nedbank attributes momentum to improved macroeconomic conditions, energy transition, and easing financial constraints. In contrast, public infrastructure rollout remains muted, hampered by under-expenditure and delays despite 2024’s earlier surge. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
... AS STATE LOOKS TO PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DISASTER INSURANCE
South Africa’s National Treasury has released two documents aimed at strengthening disaster risk insurance through greater private sector involvement. Despite having the most mature insurance market among middle-income countries, coverage is skewed toward wealthier households, with limited access for low-income communities and no insurance for most public infrastructure. Treasury highlights the opportunity to expand insurance, especially in municipalities like Cape Town and eThekwini, which have limited insurance pools due to poor data. Treasury plans to pilot parametric insurance - index-based payouts for climate-related events—by Q3 2025, aiming to transfer key disaster risks off the national budget and better protect infrastructure and vulnerable communities. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
TOUGHER CARBON-EMISSION RULES COMING IN 2026
South Africa will introduce strict carbon emissions regulations from early 2026, enforcing carbon budgets across nearly all sectors. Companies emitting over 30 000 tons of greenhouse gases must meet annual targets and reporting duties - or face fines up to R10 million and up to 10 years in jail. The carbon tax, now R236/ton, may rise for over-emitters. While Sasol and Eskom produce 60% of national emissions, both currently have exemptions. As global carbon pricing rises, South Africa aims to avoid EU export penalties and cut its coal dependence - despite its relatively low carbon price compared to global norms. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
CHICKEN WARS HEAT UP IN SCRAMBLE FOR FAST-FOOD MARKET SHARE
The domestic fast food industry is witnessing a fierce battle for dominance, with chicken now the fastest-growing and most consumed category. The sector grew by 4.2% between 2023 and 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.4% through 2029. Uber Eats data shows ‘Crispy Chicken’ is the most searched item, with chicken outlets making up one in five venues. Newcomer Pedros has surged ahead with drive-thrus and value pricing, while giants like KFC and Nando’s fight back through innovation, aggressive marketing, and menu variety in the escalating ‘Chicken Wars’. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
RACE TO DIVERSIFY EXPORTS AS TARIFFS THREATEN 100 000 JOBS
South Africa is intensifying efforts to diversify export markets after US President Donald Trump imposed 30% tariffs on SA imports - the steepest in sub-Saharan Africa. The US, SA’s second-largest export market after China, absorbed $8.8 billion (about R158 billion) in goods last year. The duties jeopardise over 100 000 jobs in the auto and agriculture sectors, with the R35 billion citrus industry immediately affected. President Ramaphosa announced expanded trade missions and support for export-ready firms, while firms like Jendamark Automation have already lost R750m in US-linked contracts. Analysts stress that African market diversification is vital but cannot quickly replace US trade volumes. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
... AS LESOTHO DIAMOND MINE CUTS JOBS IN TARIFF FALL-OUT
Letšeng Diamonds, Lesotho’s largest diamond mine, is set to retrench between 250 and 300 workers - both permanent and contracted - after a sharp drop in sales linked to US tariff threats and a weakening dollar. The mine will scale back waste mining for 12 months but continue processing at current levels. Despite meeting production targets, the company posted a $10.6m Q1 loss in 2025, as diamond sales dropped 22% to 20,470 carats. (SOURCE: GroundUp |
WALL STREET BRACES FOR 10% DIP AFTER RECORD RALLY
Wall Street giants Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, and Evercore are warning of a near-term pullback in the S&P 500 after a record-breaking rally. Morgan Stanley expects a 10% correction, while Evercore predicts up to 15%, citing high equity valuations, rising inflation, slowing job growth, and weaker consumer spending. Historically, August and September are poor months for stocks. Despite short-term risks, analysts recommend buying the dip, especially in AI-driven companies, as long-term bullish sentiment remains strong. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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GATES FOUNDATION PLEDGES R45 BILLION TO GLOBAL WOMEN’S HEALTH
The Gates Foundation has announced a $2.5 billion (about R45 billion) investment in women’s health by 2030, marking one of its largest commitments since Bill Gates pledged to give away his $200 billion fortune by 2045. The funding targets under-researched conditions such as pre-eclampsia, menopause, and endometriosis. Only 1% of global health research goes to non-cancer female-specific issues. The initiative aims to spur innovation, product development, and global access, focusing on five priority areas including maternal health, menstrual care, and contraception. Foundation leaders urged governments, philanthropists, and the private sector to join in addressing this long-neglected area of global health. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
TESLA GREENLIGHTS R540 BILLION SHARE AWARD TO MUSK
Tesla has approved a $30 billion (about R540 billion) interim stock award for CEO Elon Musk to retain his leadership amid an ongoing legal battle over a voided $50 billion 2018 pay deal. The new package includes 96 million shares vesting over two years, with Musk required to hold them for five years. The board cited urgent retention needs, given Tesla's strategic expansion and Musk’s broad commitments. If the 2018 deal is reinstated, the new award must be forfeited. Despite political controversy and Musk’s multiple ventures, Tesla insists his leadership remains vital to its growth in EVs, AI, and robotics. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
ZOO CALLS FOR UNWANTED PETS TO BE FED TO ANIMALS
Aalborg Zoo in Denmark is requesting donations of small pets, such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens, to feed its predators as part of a plan to promote natural behavior and animal welfare. The zoo assures that donated animals will be humanely euthanized by trained staff before being used as food. The initiative aims to mimic the natural food chain and prevent waste, while maintaining professional care standards. A Facebook post promoting the effort includes an image of a wildcat and notes interest in larger animals like horses. The zoo emphasizes ethical treatment and ecological responsibility in the process. (SOURCE: AP) |
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You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
Eleanor Roosevelt |
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| Dollar | R17.94 | - 0.13% | | Pound | R23.83 | - 0.22% | | Euro | R20.71 | + 0.07% | | Yen | 0.121942 |
| | Yuan | R2.50 | + 0.04% | | Bitcoin | $ 114 377.22 | - 0.61% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 328.41 | + 0.10% | | Gold | $ 3 369.04 | - 0.16% | | Oil | $ 68.73 | - 0.20% | | All Share | 99 312.36 | + 1.60% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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