| RAND AT R9.14$, SHARKS AT WOODBURN FUNDRAISER, N2 DELAYS |
The Rand’s value is a never-ending source of fascination, perhaps best enunciated by the infamous Big Mac Index that suggests the Rand is seriously undervalued against the US Dollar, at R9.14/US$! A straight-up comparison of a burger’s price in the US and South Africa doesn’t tell the full story of course, as the main item under News Worth Knowing below explains.
Taking a leaf from successful businesses that continue to evolve and adapt to new challenges, we continue to tweak eBizBlitz to deliver value to our subscribers, readers and advertisers and stay relevant in the digital media space. The planned changes are minor that may escape your attention and include a separate section in which we list bursary and funding opportunities, from Monday.
The Sharks’ Currie Cup hit-out at Woodburn Stadium this evening carries extra meaning, a fund-raiser in aid of Pietermaritzburg player Jeremy Swan who incurred a serious neck injury on 11 July. Supporters, families and friends are invited to pack the stands in the double header featuring the youthful Sharks GEN team facing the Toyota Cheetahs Under 20 team at 4 pm, followed by the senior Sharks taking on the Lions. Tickets available at the stadium.
Finally, if you're catching a plane on Saturday night, factor in possible delays heading to King Shaka International (see below). A safe weekend, back on Monday. Derek Alberts (editor) |
| STUDENT MENTORS SET SCENE FOR MARKET DAY MAGIC |
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(ltr) Lunga Dlungwane, Kelly Wollentine, Jayashree Govindasamy, Aurora Dolphin and Ngoie Tshikala Chrismavic.
Emeris Pietermaritzburg Bachelor of Commerce students are nurturing young minds by turning marketing theory into practical lessons for Grade 7 learners at Ashburton Primary School. Preparing for their September Market Day, the learners received an interactive introduction to the 4 Ps of marketing – Product, Price, Place and Promotion.
The second-year students explained how these principles help businesses decide what to sell, how much to charge, where to sell and how to attract customers. By connecting textbook concepts to everyday interests such as snacks and popular trends, the students made marketing relatable and fun. Working in smaller groups, the Grade 7 learners quickly began developing creative ideas for their stalls. For the Emeris students, the exercise offered valuable practical experience in communicating business concepts, while helping younger learners build confidence, entrepreneurial thinking and Market Day skills.
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| N2 TO KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND CLOSURE |
Freight and logistics operators are advised of a temporary N2 Northbound closure between Mount Edgecombe and Sibaya Interchanges for overhead sign gantry installation. The closure from 10 pm tomorrow, 22 August, to 2 am on Sunday, 23 August, affects Durban-to-King Shaka International Airport traffic. The Southbound carriageway remains open. Motorists should plan ahead, allow extra time and consider alternative routes.
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1960: The government banned all public meetings of more than 12 people in the aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre.
Elsewhere, in 1831, Nat Turner began an unsuccessful slave rebellion in the American South that killed 60 people.
Today is observed as the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. |
(UN)REAL VALUE OF RAND IS R9.16/$, SAYS BIG MAC INDEX
The Rand may be significantly undervalued despite its strong performance over the past year, with the Big Mac Index putting its purchasing-power-parity value at about R9.14 to the Dollar, compared with roughly R16.10 currently.
Economists caution, however, that currency values reflect far more than consumer prices. Adrian Saville of GIBS says commodity prices and global investor sentiment are supporting the Rand, but weak domestic growth, policy uncertainty and structural economic constraints remain a drag.
South Africa’s economy is growing below 1%, while per-capita income has declined over 15 years. Absa Investments expects the Rand to remain resilient in the medium term but moderately weaken over the longer term as structural differences between South Africa and the US persist. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT TARGET 1 MILLION JOBS BY 2030
Government and business have launched the third phase of their partnership, targeting economic growth above 3% annually and one million new jobs by 2030. Business Leadership South Africa chair Adrian Gore said improvements in electricity availability, logistics, investor confidence and inflation had created an opportunity to accelerate growth. The initiative will prioritise infrastructure, mining, tourism and agriculture, sectors identified as capable of generating jobs relatively quickly. South Africa has remained stuck near 1.1% growth for about a decade, insufficient to absorb roughly 300 000 new jobseekers entering the market annually. The partnership aims eventually to reach 5% growth, which could reduce unemployment significantly. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS STATE WEIGHS INCENTIVES TO BOOST DATA CENTRES
Government is considering incentives to attract greater investment in South Africa’s data-centre industry, as demand for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence capacity accelerates. National Treasury is exploring measures that could encourage new projects and strengthen the country’s position as a regional technology hub. Industry players are calling for incentives that improve investment certainty, reduce costs and support faster development of infrastructure. Reliable electricity, streamlined approvals, competitive taxation and access to renewable energy are among the issues requiring attention. Data centres are increasingly viewed as strategic infrastructure, supporting cloud computing, digital services and AI applications. (SOURCE: News24)
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MACPHERSON VOWS TO CRACK DOWN ON CONSTRUCTION FAILURES
Recent building collapses across South Africa have exposed recurring weaknesses in construction oversight, professional accountability and regulatory enforcement, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson says. Four incidents in KZN, Gauteng and the Western Cape claimed 17 lives and injured 24 people between December 2025 and March 2026. Investigations found problems ranging from construction without required approvals and inadequate professional oversight to unsafe temporary works and poor management of known dolomite risks. Macpherson said the cases highlighted the need for stronger accountability, improved information-sharing, better monitoring of construction activity and modernised regulations. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS INFRASTRUCTURE SPEND MUST ALSO BUILD SKILLS
South Africa’s infrastructure drive should simultaneously develop the skills and experience needed to maintain and expand the country’s assets, says Consulting Engineers South Africa president Dr Vishal Haripersad. He argues that infrastructure projects should deliberately include skills transfer, local content, artisan development and mentorship. Government has committed more than R1-trillion to public infrastructure over the next three years, creating an opportunity to tackle unemployment and engineering skills shortages together. Haripersad says young graduates need practical opportunities and professional mentorship to become productive contributors. Cesa Young Professionals Forum chairperson Marizel Pienaar says engineers must actively shape their profession and recognise the long-term impact of their decisions. (SOURCE: Engineering New
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TREASURY PLANS CENTRAL CUSTODY FOR R90 BILLION ASSETS
National Treasury is proposing centralised custody of almost R90 billion in unclaimed financial assets, aiming to improve oversight and increase the chances of returning money to its rightful owners. The proposal would bring unclaimed assets currently held across financial institutions into a more coordinated framework. Treasury believes centralisation could strengthen administration, improve tracing of beneficiaries and reduce the risk of assets remaining dormant indefinitely. The move forms part of broader efforts to reform the management of unclaimed financial assets and improve consumer protection. The proposal is likely to affect banks, insurers, retirement funds and other financial institutions holding assets belonging to people who cannot currently be located. (SOURCE: News24)
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... AS ABSA TAKES CUSTODY OF R3.5 TRILLION PENSION FUND
Absa has been appointed master custodian of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), Africa’s largest pension fund, with more than R3.5 trillion in assets under management. The mandate covers safekeeping and administration of investment assets, transaction settlement, investment-related cash management, reporting and broader custody coordination. Absa says the strengthened custody framework should enhance governance, transparency and oversight, supporting members’ long-term interests. The appointment does not directly affect the day-to-day experience of GEPF members or pensioners. Absa has maintained a banking relationship with the GEPF since 2001, while its broader institutional-services relationship with the fund spans more than two decades. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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SPUR SERVES UP GROWTH DESPITE TOUGH CONSUMER CONDITIONS
Spur Corporation delivered resilient growth despite tight household budgets and rising food costs. Total franchised restaurant sales increased 6.9% to R12.3 billion, while group revenue rose 8.5% to R4.2 billion for the year to June 2026. Reported headline earnings per share fell 38.4%, mainly because of a R129.5 million legal provision linked to the GPS dispute. Excluding the provision, adjusted headline earnings increased 8.9%. Spur lifted its full-year dividend 9% to 326 cents a share and plans 50 new South African restaurants. More than 100 outlets now feature its refreshed modern design. (SOURCE: SENS)
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RENERGEN HELIUM PLANT MOVES CLOSER TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION
Tetra4, the operating subsidiary of Renergen, has begun commissioning its Phase 1 liquid helium plant at the Virginia Gas Project in the Free State. The development brings the company closer to commercial helium production, with first customer shipments expected during September 2026. The plant is positioned to supply helium amid a global shortage, potentially opening an important new revenue stream for the company. Phase 1 has long-term customer contracts covering 75% of its liquefied natural gas and 15% of its helium output. Once operating at full capacity, the project is expected to generate more than $27 million, approximately R434 million, in annual revenue, strengthening Renergen’s commercial prospects. (SOURCE: SENS)
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VOLKSWAGEN KARIEGA PLANT SETS NEW PRODUCTION RECORD
Volkswagen’s Kariega plant has achieved a new monthly production record, manufacturing 17 009 Polo and Vivo vehicles in July. The record comes as the automotive industry continues to focus on improving manufacturing efficiency, exports and local production. Kariega has long been a key manufacturing hub for Volkswagen, producing vehicles for both domestic and international markets. The July performance demonstrates strong factory output and supports South Africa’s broader automotive manufacturing ambitions. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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BIT-BETWEEN-TEETH BITCOIN ROARS PAST $70 000
Bitcoin surged above $70 000 for the first time in more than two months, climbing about 4.5% to above $72 000 as falling US bond yields and renewed political optimism boosted risk appetite. More than $3 billion in crypto short positions were liquidated during the rally, according to CoinGlass. Other major cryptocurrencies also gained, with Ether rising more than 5%, Solana about 5% and XRP over 8%. Optimism followed President Donald Trump’s meeting with cryptocurrency executives and his call for Congress to advance stalled market-structure legislation. Institutional demand also strengthened, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs recording more than $1 billion in inflows this week, signalling renewed investor confidence in digital assets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
Chinese Proverb |
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| Dollar | R16.06 | + 0.41% | | Pound | R21.92
| + 0.28% | | Euro | R18.78
| + 0.25% | | Yen | 0.101052 |
| | Yuan | R2.39
| + 0.37% | | Bitcoin | 75 317.02
| + 3.58% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 880.80
| + 2.15% | | Gold | $ 4 560.60 | + 0.99% | | Oil | $ 93.42
| + 0.42% | | All Share | 115 659.33
| - 0.34% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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