| ANXIOUS COUNTDOWN TO MSUNDUZI ELECTRICITY-TARIFF RESET |
And so it has come to pass, a reset of Pietermaritzburg’s electricity tariffs is underway after the Msunduzi Municipality in its infinite wisdom breached the protocols that would ultimately determine the quantum of tariffs for 2024/25 authorised by the national regulator. Msunduzi is one of three municipalities along with Ekurhuleni, and Madibeng that are compelled by law to resubmit the all-important Cost of Study reports of how these tariffs were arrived at. This evidently has been done as Nersa is now assessing whether the applications meet the Electricity Regulation Act requirements.
The Msunduzi application is led by the Pietermarizburg and Midlands Chamber of Business that will be consulting with Nersa, itself under pressure to complete the process before 30 June, including allowing for a 30-day period of public consultation. For some consumers, it’s an anxious wait as a redetermination may mean higher tariffs for domestic users who were effectively being subsidised by large industries. For that mess, we have the municipality to thank. Derek Alberts (Editor)
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| BESPOKE INTERVENTIONS TO CAPITALISE ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES |
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Meet Hilton-based IDEA FORGE, a new member of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business supporting businesses to address complex growth and operational challenges. Under the leadership of Debbie Shuttleworth, IDEA FORGE delivers bespoke training programmes and strategic interventions aligned to each organisation’s objectives and stage of development.
IDEA FORGE is distinguished by its multidisciplinary expertise, providing integrated solutions across business strategy, operational optimisation, information technology, digital branding, occupational health compliance, legal advisory support, and mystery shopper/secret client programmes. Debbie Shuttleworth brings a unique combination of medical knowledge, corporate consulting experience, marketing acumen, and operational insight, ensuring strategies are both commercially sound and practically executable.
Unlike traditional consulting models, IDEA FORGE maintains direct, consistent engagement with each client from initial assessment through to implementation and outcomes. This hands-on approach enables the identification of untapped opportunities, the removal of growth constraints, and the establishment of scalable systems that support long-term business sustainability and performance.
For more information, contact Debbie at debbie@ideaforge.guru or on 082 329 5798. View the website here.
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| HOW TO HANDLE EQUAL PARENTAL LEAVE LAW CHANGE |
The Constitutional Court delivered a landmark ruling in Van Wyk and Others v Minister of Employment and Labour, confirming equal parental leave for all parents. Employers must now urgently update HR policies and employment practices to ensure BCEA and UIF compliance under a gender-neutral framework. For guidance, join the first People Management Forum of 2026 tomorrow, 4 February, at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, where Redfern Incorporated labour law experts will unpack the ruling’s legal principles, practical implications, and actionable steps without disrupting operations. Proceedings start at 3 pm. Free for members; R60 for non-members. Contact Heidi on (033) 3452747 or at pmcb@pmcb.org.za.
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1992: FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela jointly received the UNESCO peace prize.
Elsewhere, in 1972, the deadliest snowstorm in history started that dumped between 3 and 8 metres of snow in mountainous Iran that killed 4 000 people.
In 1966, the unmanned Soviet spacecraft Luna 9 was the first to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. |
RELIEF AS FUEL PRICES STRIKE 4-YEAR LOW AT MIDNIGHT
South African fuel costs will drop sharply at midnight when the new round of petrol and diesel prices take effect to deliver prices last seen four years ago. Both petrol 93 and 95 will fall by 65 cents per litre, while diesel prices will drop between 50 censts and 57 cents per litre.
Inland petrol will sit just under R20 per litre and coastal prices are even lower, with petrol around R19.20–R19.27 per litre, giving motorists welcome relief. Illuminating paraffin will also decrease, though LPG prices will rise slightly. The decrease was driven largely by the Rand strengthening against the US Dollar, offsetting a modest rise in crude oil costs. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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PRIVATE INVESTMENT LIFTS INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO R705 BILLION
South Africa’s planned capital expenditure surged in 2025, with private-sector commitments tripling to R382.5 billion, driving total announced projects to R705.6 billion, according to Nedbank. Major initiatives included Vodacom’s R85.2 billion 5G and network expansion and NT55 Investments’ R50 billion inland port. State-owned companies, led by Eskom, added R320 billion in power infrastructure. By contrast, direct government projects fell to R2.9 billion. Operation Vulindlela reforms are advancing, and SA’s first R11.8 billion infrastructure bond drew bids exceeding twice its value. Improved cyclical conditions, lower interest rates, and reduced risk premia signal rising investor confidence, supporting gross fixed capital formation projected to grow to 2% in 2026, despite structural challenges. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS MANUFACTURING SENTIMENT HITS 3-MONTH HIGH
South African manufacturing sentiment rose in January, reaching a three-month peak as improving domestic demand boosted confidence, Absa’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showed. The PMI climbed to 48.7 from December’s 40.5, yet remained below 50, signaling continued contraction. Business activity strengthened to 51.4, while new sales orders rose to 45.4, reflecting local demand growth. Exports, however, fell to their lowest since Covid-19, pressured by a stronger rand. Absa noted the improvement hints at a potential production reset for Q1, though manufacturers remain cautiously optimistic, with six-month business expectations slightly easing to 66.4, highlighting uncertainty about sustaining the recovery. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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13 KZN SPAR STORES IN COURT OVER CRIPPLING SUPPLY SYSTEM
Thirteen KZN Spar outlets have taken the retail group to court, alleging they were trapped in a dysfunctional supply and technology system that crippled their businesses. The plaintiffs, linked to the Giannacopoulos family, operate Spar, SuperSpar and Tops at Spar stores supplied through the province’s distribution centre. Court papers claim the retailers were contractually locked into Spar’s distribution and SAP software systems, which failed following a 2023 rollout, leaving shelves empty and customers lost. With limited ability to source alternative stock, the outlets allege severe financial losses, estimated at nearly R170m over three years. Spar disputes the claims, insisting its voluntary trading model preserves retailer independence and denies enforcing exclusivity. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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REVISED BEE RULES SKEW EU EXPORT PERMITS
Companies with stronger BEE credentials will gain a decisive advantage in securing agricultural export permits to the EU under revised 2026 rules governing quotas worth more than R1 billion. For the first time, broad-based BEE status, measured against the AgriBEE code, carries equal weight to export performance metrics such as historical volumes and market share. A wine exporter with level 2 BEE status can now outrank a competitor with identical volumes but level 6 status. The allocation formula weighs five factors, with transformation listed first. Agriculture contributes about 55% of Western Cape primary exports, heightening the policy’s impact. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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INDIAN DRUGMAKER THROWS HIV SUFFERERS R92 MILLION LIFELINE
Barrs Pharmaceuticals has exited business rescue after selling a 78% controlling stake to Indian generic drugmaker Hetero South Africa for R92 million, securing the supply of critical HIV/Aids medicines. Hetero will cover Barrs’ share of the government’s latest Aids drug tender, with outstanding stocks due by February 10. Barrs and sister company Innovata entered rescue in December after winning contracts to supply the widely used three-in-one ARV pill. While the deal stabilises drug supply, parts of Barrs’ Cape Town operations remain shut pending regulatory approval following safety concerns raised by Sahpra. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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METROS RISK BOND SUSPENSION OVER AUDIT DISPUTES
Three of South Africa’s biggest metros - Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town - face possible bond suspensions after missing the JSE deadline to submit audited financial statements. The JSE warned that failure to file by February 28, 2026 could trigger suspension of listed debt. All three metros blame unresolved audit disputes with the auditor-general. Johannesburg has a R89.4bn 2025/26 budget, Ekurhuleni R65.5bn, and Cape Town R76.4bn. The auditor-general confirmed reports remain unsigned due to disputes, though Cape Town expects its audit to be finalised by February 16. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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OZOW ADDS CRYPTO PAYMENTS AS ADOPTION GROWS
Payments platform Ozow has joined South Africa’s growing list of fintechs accepting cryptocurrency, signalling deeper mainstream adoption of blockchain technology. Through a partnership with MoneyBadger, Ozow now allows customers to pay online using crypto wallets such as Bitcoin Lightning, Luno, VALR and Binance, with merchants receiving rand settlement. Ozow is used by major retailers including Takealot, DStv, Dis-Chem and TFG. The move follows similar integrations by Capitec, Absa, Discovery Bank and M-Pesa-linked platforms. Ozow says crypto payments are often cheaper than card fees, offering merchants higher margins while giving consumers greater choice in a rapidly evolving digital economy. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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BHP BACKS ORION IN GLOBAL COPPER EXPLORATION PUSH
Global mining giant BHP has selected South Africa’s Orion Minerals for its 2026 Xplor exploration programme, backing its efforts to uncover new copper deposits. Under the initiative, Orion receives funding and technical support to apply modern data analytics and exploration techniques across its Northern Cape tenements, including copper and zinc assets such as Prieska and Okiep. The move signals BHP’s confidence in Orion’s geological potential and aligns with industry demand for critical minerals like copper, which underpins the energy transition. Orion’s participation in Xplor follows recent progress toward financing and offtake arrangements, including a substantial term sheet with Glencore for the development of the flagship Prieska project. (SOURCE: Mining Weekly)
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WEBUYCARS BROTHERS CASH IN R866 MILLION STAKE
The founders of second-hand vehicle dealer WeBuyCars, brothers Dirk and Faan van der Walt, have sold about R866 million worth of shares in the group, two years after listing on the JSE. The company, valued at about R19 billion, said the sale was part of portfolio rebalancing and wealth diversification following a strong share price run. The brothers and related entities now hold 5.81% of the company and do not plan further disposals soon. WeBuyCars said both founders remain fully committed and will continue in their executive roles, retaining significant shareholder influence. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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NAMIBIA CRIES FOUL OVER LESS WATER FROM LESOTHO PROJECT
Namibia has raised sharp concerns that the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is reducing flows in the Orange River, threatening downstream water security. Officials say increased water transfers to South Africa, combined with climate pressures, are leaving Namibia “very angry” about declining volumes reaching its territory. The Orange River is critical for irrigation, mining and municipal supply, particularly in southern Namibia. Windhoek has called for urgent engagement through existing regional water-sharing frameworks to ensure equitable use. The dispute highlights growing tension over shared river basins in southern Africa as demand rises and rainfall becomes more erratic under climate change. (SOURCE: News24)
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What If You’re Wrong About Desktop 3D Printing? |
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Most South African manufacturers dismissed desktop 3D printers years ago. Fair enough. In 2019, they were expensive toys that jammed constantly and produced parts that looked like school projects.
That was then.
Bambu Lab changed the equation. Closed-loop motor control. Automatic calibration. Multi-colour printing. Chamber temperature management. Features once exclusive to industrial systems costing ten times more.
We tested them ourselves. We’re Rapid 3D, based in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. We’ve worked in additive manufacturing since 2004. We sell EOS polymer and metal printers - the gold standard. And we chose to add Bambu Lab because the technology genuinely surprised us.
Our sister company Akhani 3D runs these machines in production daily - they’ve earned their place alongside our industrial fleet.
For manufacturers tired of waiting weeks for overseas prototypes, the assumption that “serious 3D printing requires serious money” no longer holds.
If you’ve written off desktop 3D printing based on past experience, it might be worth a second look.
We’re not saying it’s right for everyone. But if you’re curious, we’d be happy to show you what’s changed.
Contact Rapid 3D for application-specific guidance.
Visit rapid3d.co.za |
BIZZ-LINK NETWORK
A fun speed-networking forum with a bonus business hack
Please join us for this fun speed networking forum.
Everyone gets 90 seconds to promote their business as effectively as possible. The "winner" gets to keep the highly-coveted Bizz-Link Bee (Bizz) until the next Bizz-Link network. A picture of Bizz and the winner's team will be published in eBizBlitz (because everyone likes a winner).
Oh, and we'll give you coffee and a muffin too!
Business hack: Dirk Calitz will present on:
THREE ELEMENTS THAT GREAT TEAMS HAVE IN COMMON AND HOW TO BUILD IT INTO YOUR TEAM THIS YEAR
• To highlight and open up the possibilities about the top three elements that great teams have in common • To inspire and to provide leaders and team members with a few tips on how they can implement these elements into their teams
Date: 10 February 2026
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (includes vat): PMCB Members: R60, Non-members: R120 |
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The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Confucius |
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| Dollar | R15.94 | + 0.91% | | Pound | R21.82 | + 0.77% | | Euro | R18.83 | + 0.73% | | Yen | 0.102460 |
| | Yuan | R2.30 | + 0.82% | | Bitcoin | $ 78 720.72
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These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 209.00
| + 3.88% | | Gold | $ 4 880.63
| + 4.77% | | Oil | $ 65.86 | - 0.84% | | All Share | 120 242.45
| + 1.13% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
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