| KZN'S FIRST OFF-GRID EV CHARGING STATION SWITCHES ON TODAY |
The opening today of the Tugela EV charging station on the N3 at the Colenso-Winterton interchange marks a major expansion of South Africa’s first off-grid, solar-powered electric vehicle infrastructure. Zero Carbon Charge yesterday inaugurated the Reitz Interchange station as part of an ambitious roll-out backed by a R100 million Development Bank of Southern Africa investment. The N3 stations are capable of charging eight EVs simultaneously using solar microgrids and battery storage. Drivers can reach 20 to 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes depending on vehicle type, supported by DC fast chargers and an app-based payment system. Click here for a two-minute video of yesterday's proceedings. |
| NEW LEADERSHIP TO CHAMPION MIDLANDS MEANDER VISION |
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Midlands Meander Manager Tegan Peacock (left) and chair Sandy Chowles.
Under fresh leadership, the Midlands Meander is advancing an ambitious vision to build on its legacy as South Africa’s original arts and tourism route. Midlands Meander Manager Tegan Peacock and chair Sandy Chowles are committed to celebrate the craft, culture, food, nature and community focus and strengthen its network, enriching visitor experiences and expanding its national and international appeal.
Peacock is a programme manager, cultural strategist and choreographer with over a decade of experience in the arts, education and social impact sectors. The founder and director of ReRouting Arts, she has led multidisciplinary projects exploring identity, access and cultural exchange across South Africa and internationally. An expert at bridging creative practice with strategic programme leadership, Peacock is excited to champion the Midlands Meander's community and vision.
Chowles, born and bred in Howick, brings commercial acumen and a deep-seated community spirit to the Midlands Meander. With a background in marketing, brand activations and business development Chowles is currently managing The Old Mushroom Farm with prior experience at Terbodore Coffee, Dairy Day and pioneering her own café concept, Home Slice Café.
Contact management@midlandsmeander.co.za and view the website here.
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| REMINDER: PMCB INVITES ENTREPRENEURS TO APPLY NOW |
Aspiring business owners and emerging entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the Emerging Entrepreneurs Training Course hosted by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. The programme kicks off on the 4 June 2026, with sesssions from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm. The course aims to equip participants with practical business skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and guidance to support start-ups and growing enterprises in a bid to strengthen entrepreneurship and encourage sustainable small business development in the city and surrounding Midlands. Contact Thobeka Khambule on 033 345 2747 or at marketing@pmcb.org.za for further information.
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1980: South Africa signed the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
Elsewhere, in 1873, riveted blue jeans were patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis.
Praise bee to our winged pollinators, on World Bee Day.
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KZN CREATED JOBS IN Q1 2026 TO BUCK NATIONAL TREND
KZN bucked South Africa’s worsening labour market trend in Q1 2026, emerging as the only province where jobs grew even as national unemployment rose to 32.7%. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows sharp regional disparities, with Eastern Cape at 44.6%, Free State 37.8%, Mpumalanga 36.3% and North West 35.3% among the hardest hit. Gauteng recorded 34.1%, while the Western Cape remained the lowest at 19.6%.
KZN’s relative resilience at 31.2% reflects modest employment gains in services-linked activity, particularly trade and finance, while most provinces continued to shed jobs or stagnate. The data highlights deep structural weaknesses in the national labour market, with growth highly uneven and concentrated in a narrow set of sectors and regions despite isolated pockets of improvement in coastal economies. (SOURCE: StatsSA)
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AUTO EXPORTS RISE TO R291 BILLION RECORD AS COMPONENTS FALL
Despite global and local headwinds, South Africa’s automotive industry achieved record exports of R291 billion in 2025, driven by 414 271 vehicles worth R229.8 billion. However, automotive component exports declined for a third year to R61.2 billion as catalytic converter shipments fell to R15.9 billion, down 54% from R34.9-billion in 2021 amid the global shift to electric vehicles. The sector contributed 5.2% to GDP, while domestic new-vehicle sales rose 15.7% to 597 338 units. New-energy vehicle sales increased 7.1% to 16 716 units, though their market share slipped to 2.8%, reflecting uneven transition dynamics across manufacturing, exports and evolving global demand patterns in key global export markets. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS SARS CALLS FOREIGN-REGISTERED VEHICLES TO ORDER
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will from June 1 require all foreign-registered vehicles to be declared on its Traveller Management System before entering or leaving the country, as part of a wider customs modernisation drive. SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the system aligns South Africa with global best practice and aims to improve risk-based screening, border coordination and financial transparency. Travellers are encouraged to complete online declarations in advance to speed up processing, though assistance will be available at ports of entry. Temporary import permits valid for six months will still apply for frequent cross-border users. SARS warns that non-compliance may result in delays, enforcement action and extended border processing times. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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TRANSNET OPENS 9 000-KM SECONDARY RAIL TO PRIVATE PLAYERS
Transnet is courting private operators to help revive about 9 000 km of secondary and branch rail lines across South Africa, following the appointment of 11 private sector partners to parts of its freight rail network. These secondary lines include underused feeder corridors linking rural towns, farming districts and tourism routes to main freight arteries such as the Cape, Central and KZN corridors. Historically used for grain, timber, livestock and passenger services, many lines have deteriorated due to underinvestment, vandalism and declining traffic. Transnet’s plan aims to reopen them through third-party access, boosting efficiency, attracting investment and easing road freight congestion. Analysts say success could unlock regional economic activity, though security and infrastructure risks remain key challenges. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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TARIFF PROTECTION ROLLED OUT ON R66 BILLION STEEL IMPORTS
South Africa has increased import tariffs on a wide range of steel products to between 10% and 30%, aligning with World Trade Organisation bound rates, following a review by the International Trade Administration Commission. The move, gazetted by SARS and signed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, affects upstream and downstream steel imports worth about R66 billion annually. Products include flat-rolled steel, pipes, tools and fittings, while certain exemptions and rebates apply for goods not produced locally or for specific industrial uses. Officials say the measure aims to protect domestic industry amid rising global protectionism and support long-term industrial capability building. Tariff effectiveness will be reviewed within three years. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS STEEL TARIFFS TO RESHAPE CHINESE TRADE RELATIONS
South Africa’s new steel tariffs are expected to significantly reshape trade relations with China and other key partners as authorities move to protect the struggling domestic steel sector from cheap imports. The measures, driven by the International Trade Administration Commission, target heavily subsidised foreign steel products blamed for placing local producers under severe pressure. Analysts say the tariffs could alter import patterns, raise tensions with major exporters and influence future industrial policy discussions. China, South Africa’s largest trading partner, is likely to be most affected as global oversupply and aggressive pricing continue to disrupt steel markets and challenge the competitiveness of local manufacturers. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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YEAR OF NO LOADSHEDDING SETS SCENE FOR SUPPLY REDRESS
As South Africa marks 365 days without loadshedding, the Department of Electricity and Energy is shifting focus toward affordability, supply security and persistent load reduction challenges. Deputy director-general Thabo Kekana said the priority is converting Eskom’s stability into long-term energy security through new generation capacity, grid expansion and stronger distribution networks. He warned that load reduction, driven by illegal connections and overloaded infrastructure, remains a major concern despite the end of national blackouts. The department is advancing a new electricity pricing policy aimed at tariff reform, municipal cost recovery and improved social protection. Prices rose 987% between 2007 and 2023, intensifying urgency. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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STATE PENSION SCHEME FRETS OVER SOLVENCY RISKS
Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) has warned that its solvency ratio could slip below legal thresholds after recent fee and contribution increase cuts driven by union pressure, raising concerns over long-term financial sustainability. The scheme, which covers millions of public servants, says reduced premium growth will weaken reserves and limit its ability to meet future claims obligations. Principal officer Stan Moloabi cautioned that financial strain is building amid ongoing pressure to keep increases close to inflation. Stakeholders warn that lower-than-required contribution growth will weaken reserves,could force trade-offs between affordability for members and financial stability of the scheme potentially impacting service delivery and healthcare access for public servants in future. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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23.1% AI ADOPTION PUTS SA AT 46TH AMONG 147 NATIONS
South Africa’s AI adoption is rising sharply, but remains uneven globally, according to a Microsoft AI Economy Institute report covering 147 economies. AI usage in South Africa increased to 23.1% of the working-age population in Q1 2026, up from 21.1% in the previous period, placing the country 46th out of 147 globally. Worldwide adoption rose more modestly to 17.8%, while the Global North reached 27.5%, compared with 15.4% in the Global South, highlighting a widening digital divide. Analysts say the gap reflects unequal access to infrastructure, skills and connectivity, even as demand for AI tools accelerates across emerging markets. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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MUSK'S FAILED ATTACK TAINTS OPENAI REPUTATION
Musk’s legal campaign against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman continues to generate reputational pressure despite recent setbacks in US courts, where filings in a 2024 lawsuit now run into hundreds of pages. The dispute involves claims linked to governance and commercialisation of artificial intelligence, with OpenAI valued in the multi-billion-Dollar range and investors watching potential exposure. Musk’s side has sought remedies including injunction-style relief and unspecified damages that commentators describe as potentially running into billions. Analysts say the conflict has produced sustained media scrutiny, even as both parties maintain sharply different narratives about OpenAI’s founding mission and long-term direction. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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... AS META REDEPLOYS 7 000 WORKERS IN AI PUSH
Meta Platforms is reassigning about 7 000 employees into artificial intelligence-focused roles as part of a restructuring aimed at building flatter, smaller teams, according to an internal memo from Chief People Officer Janelle Gale. The move comes alongside planned job cuts affecting roughly 10% of staff, or about 8 000 workers. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg is prioritising AI across consumer products, including agents and apps, while the company invests hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure and talent to compete with Alphabet and OpenAI. Employees will shift into new units as Meta accelerates its AI-driven product strategy and efficiency push. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.
Eckhart Tolle |
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