| CHAMBER MEMBERS IN LINE FOR ELECTRICITY-CREDIT PAYBACK |
Members of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business are entitled to an electricity credit following the Chamber’s successful legal challenge to Msunduzi Municipality’s 2024/25 electricity tariff determination. NERSA failed to determine a lawful replacement tariff by the 30 June 2026 deadline, triggering the default position. This means the lawful 2023/24 tariff applies to 2024/25, entitling affected members to a credit equivalent to the 15% tariff increase imposed during the year. Members are invited to a briefing tomorrow, 14 August, at 9 am at the PMCB offices, where the process for applying for the credit will be explained. Contact Thabisile on (033) 345 2747 or at info@pmcb.org.za to book a seat.
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| SURVEY TO ADVANCE PRIVATE SECTOR INPUT IN INFRASTRUCTURE |
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Airlink, the only airline servicing the Pietermaritzburg-Johannesburg route, draped an aircraft in green to show its support for the Springboks ahead of the four-test showdown with the All Blacks.
The challenges surrounding the Pietermaritzburg Airport highlight the importance of giving local businesses a voice in shaping policy and public spending priorities. Decisions affecting critical economic infrastructure cannot be made without understanding the needs of businesses that rely on these assets. The National Business Environment Survey aims to capture these local realities, identifying obstacles such as infrastructure shortcomings, service delivery concerns, safety and operating costs.
While challenges differ from one municipality to another, the survey provides businesses with a platform to highlight priorities and influence government responses. By gathering practical insights from companies and SMEs, it seeks to support better planning, investment decisions and economic growth. Here's the link to the survey.
See below: Calls mount for water crisis to be declared national disaster |
| LANDMARK RULING PUTS ROAD SAFETY ONUS ON AUTHORITIES |
A landmark High Court ruling has reinforced the responsibility of road authorities to ensure reasonably safe road conditions. The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works was held fully liable for a severe motorcycle crash near Villiersdorp. The court later ordered punitive legal costs, criticising years of litigation after the department rejected a reasonable settlement offer.
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1976: SA pledged support for a negotiated settlement in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).
Elsewhere, in 1961, troops in East Germany sealed off the border between East and West Berlin, the start of the Berlin Wall.
Celebrating all the lefties, on International Left-Hand Day. It’s also World Calligraphy Day.
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CALLS MOUNT FOR WATER CRISIS TO BE DECLARED NATIONAL DISASTER
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is calling for the country’s water crisis to be declared a national disaster, saying its scale demands urgent, coordinated intervention. Commissioner Henk Boshoff said such a declaration could unlock emergency funding, improve intergovernmental cooperation and accelerate procurement.
Water-related complaints remain among the SAHRC’s top five, with provincial inquiries identifying ageing infrastructure, inadequate funding, skills shortages, water losses, untreated effluent, sabotage and corruption.
However, Water and Sanitation director-general Sean Phillips argues disaster status would not address underlying problems or provide substantially more funding. He says sustainable reform requires reducing non-revenue water, improving revenue collection, ring-fencing water income and maintaining infrastructure. The municipal water and sanitation infrastructure backlog is estimated at R400 billion. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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JULY FUEL RELIEF PRODS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY 0.3%
South Africa’s economic activity index edged higher in July as a reprieve in fuel prices provided some relief to households and businesses. The PayInc Index edged up 0.3% to 102.7, for a 0.9% year-on-year increase. However, volatile global oil markets and geopolitical tensions remain significant risks to the outlook. The ongoing US-Iran conflict is expected to keep fuel prices unstable in coming months, potentially limiting consumer spending and business activity. The improvement follows a sharp deterioration in economic conditions earlier in the year, when fuel price shocks and uncertainty weighed heavily on confidence. While July’s fuel relief offered temporary support, sustained economic momentum will depend on lower energy costs, improved confidence and greater stability in global markets. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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FOREIGN INVESTORS LOAD UP ON R23.1 BILLION BONDS
Foreign investors are returning strongly to South African Rand bonds, with global investors buying a net R23.1 billion of government debt in the first week of August, the biggest weekly inflow since January. The renewed appetite has made the rand the most profitable emerging-market carry trade this month, generating 2.5% in Dollar-funded returns. The 10-year government bond yield has fallen more than 80 basis points since March to about 8.57%, as oil prices eased and the Rand strengthened. The currency has gained 5% against the Dollar since March-end, improving the inflation outlook. Lower expected US rate pressure is also supporting the Rand, while reduced currency volatility is making the carry trade more attractive. Ninety One says further bond gains are possible. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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TRANSNET TESTS APPETITE FOR 9 000-KM BRANCH NETWORK BACKING
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) is extending South Africa’s rail reform programme to the country’s secondary B-Network, seeking private-sector participation in about 9 098km of feeder and branch lines. The move follows the introduction of third-party access to the core rail network and reflects government’s broader effort to break Transnet’s historic monopoly, improve freight logistics and attract private capital and expertise. Through a Request for Information, TRIM is testing market interest in refurbishing, financing, operating, maintaining and potentially concessioning low-density lines serving freight, passenger and tourism markets. The initiative could unlock underused rail infrastructure while improving connections between rural producers, industries, mines and major logistics corridors. TRIM says responses will help shape procurement programmes aligned with the National Rail Policy and Economic Regulation of Transport Act. Submissions close on 30 September. (SOURCE: TRIM)
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UNION GEARS UP FOR STRIKE TO PROTEST ESKOM REFORMS
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) plans court action against government’s decision to establish an independent transmission system operator, warning the move could undermine public ownership and threaten jobs. The union opposes transferring Eskom transmission assets, infrastructure, employees or functions to a new operator without labour’s consent and consultation. It also threatens worker mobilisation, including strike action, if reforms proceed without guarantees protecting employment and working conditions. The NUM wants electricity reforms halted until a comprehensive social compact is reached. It supports addressing Eskom’s municipal debt and governance problems before restructuring, while demanding meaningful consultation during the next phase of the Eskom Restructuring Task Team process. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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CAPE TOWN PORT CALLS FOR HELP TO HANDLE FRUIT EXPORTS
Cape Town port is preparing for peak fruit exports by bringing in workers from Durban and Gqeberha and diverting cargo to alternative ports. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said the measures aim to prevent a repeat of severe disruptions that affected exporters during the previous season. The plan follows discussions between government, Transnet and fruit producers on improving port performance ahead of increased volumes. Cape Town is a crucial gateway for the country’s fresh-produce exports, but operational problems and capacity constraints have caused costly delays. Industry and government are seeking coordinated measures to keep fruit moving efficiently and protect South Africa’s export reputation. (SOURCE: News24)
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GHOST GIRLFRIEND, SHORT PAYMENTS MAKE PENSION REGULATOR SEE RED
The Pension Funds Adjudicator has criticised the Becsa Provident Fund for governance failures after it wrongly allocated part of a deceased member’s more than R2 million death benefit to a woman falsely claiming to be his partner. The fund relied on affidavits without adequately verifying the claims. The woman later admitted she had been persuaded to lodge the false claim for quick money. The fund also initially short-paid the deceased’s parents and sister, correcting more than R325,000 only after they challenged the payments. The adjudicator set aside the allocation and ordered the fund to investigate the deceased’s legitimate beneficiaries and correctly distribute the benefit. (SOURCE: News24)
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TRADE, INDUSTRIALISATION TOP SADC AGENDA UNDER SA LEADERSHIP
South Africa is using its chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to push deeper regional trade and industrialisation, with an ambition to raise intraregional trade to 50%. The focus includes strengthening regional value chains, boosting mineral beneficiation and reducing dependence on exporting raw materials. The agenda was highlighted during SADC Industrialisation Week in Durban, where delegates discussed ways to accelerate economic integration and industrial development. South Africa is seeking greater cooperation among member states to expand manufacturing, improve trade and create jobs. The initiative comes amid efforts to overcome infrastructure, border and payment-system constraints that continue to limit trade within the region. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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... AS INDIA HUNTS ELUSIVE PREFERENTIAL TRADE PACT
India and the five-member Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) have revived negotiations on a preferential trade agreement, signing terms of reference to guide talks. The pact could provide Indian exporters with tariff relief on vehicles, pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals and textiles, while opening greater access for Sacu exporters to India. Previous negotiations between 2002 and 2010 failed to produce an agreement. India exported $7.5 billion (about R121 billion) to Sacu in 2025/26, while imports reached $9.2 billion. Automobiles and parts were India’s second-largest export category, worth $1.7-billion. New Delhi also wants reliable access to critical minerals, including platinum-group metals, manganese and copper. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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MORE HEAT AFTER R356 BILLION EUROPEAN LOSSES, WARNS SWISS RE
Europe is confronting escalating economic and environmental risks as it experiences its fifth heat wave this year. Swiss Re, one of the world's leading reinsurers, warns that the continent is heating almost twice as fast as the global average, intensifying pressure on agriculture, water and energy systems, infrastructure and worker productivity. Wildfires in France, Spain and Greece have caused an estimated €19.1 billion (about R356 billion) in damage and economic losses this summer. Drought is also affecting harvests and reducing river levels, disrupting transport and industrial supply chains. Germany’s Rhine River is particularly affected, threatening chemical, metal and construction companies while potentially adding to inflation. Europe now experiences 64% more days reaching at least 30°C than in the 1950s, highlighting the accelerating scale of the region’s heat risk. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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R11.4 BILLION BAILOUT TO KEEP AUSTRALIAN SMELTER GOING
Rio Tinto and partners in Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter are set to receive federal and state government support to keep the energy-intensive Tomago plant operating. The New South Wales facility, where Rio owns just over half, has faced mounting electricity costs that account for more than 40% of operating expenses. An announcement is expected today, detailing the support package and the smelter’s future. The owners are expected to commit at least A$1 billion (about R11.4 billion) to maintenance and upgrades. Rising global energy costs, increased Chinese production and intense competition have pressured aluminium producers worldwide, prompting closures and government-backed interventions across Australia. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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CHAMBER LUNCH
The “Wear the Pants” Lunch
Every year we have a Women in Business Lunch in August, we do let men attend (if they agree to come in drag), but not many have been brave enough to do so, so, to be fair, and to prove that we haven't forgotten about our chaps, the Chamber Lunch this month will be a "wear the pants" event. It will be a thank you to all men who have helped advance a more equal society and a celebration of how far we've come.
Dress: On this Au-gust occasion, you are all encouraged to "Wear the Pants"
Put your business card in the Chamber pot and you may be drawn as a speaker at the next Chamber Lunch.
DATE: 20 August 2026
TIME: 12:30 – 14:30
VENUE: PMCB Offices - 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST: R350 (PMCB Members), R410 (Non-members) Incl. VAT |
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I would tell my younger self, just be yourself - that who you are is good enough.
Viola Davis |
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