| CALLING WOMEN FOR PILATES IN AID OF ESTHER HOUSE SHELTER |
Bosch Car Service will host Wellness with Bosch a charity Pilates event supporting Esther House women’s shelter in Pietermaritzburg, on Saturday, 30 May at Victoria Country Club paddle courts. The event aims to bring women together for wellness, connection and community support. Tickets cost R200 via Quicket and include a light breakfast, beverage, curated goodie bag and 20% Bosch voucher. Organisers hope to raise awareness and support for the shelter through community participation and local partnerships. Contact Marketing Coordinator Jawairia Sheik on 083 434 1334. |
| 2026 ART IN THE COUNTRY OPENS, EXPANDS TO BALITTO |
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Art in the Country convenor Kathy Jacob at last night's official opening at Harrington House. See here for a short video of proceedings.
The fifth edition of Art in the Country opened last night at Harrington House to an enthusiastic reception, welcoming 69 artists from across South Africa in a celebration of creativity, investment and cultural expression. Guest speaker John Cannon highlighted the growing importance of art as both an emotional and financial asset, and emphasised the deeper human connection that artworks create beyond market value.
The event continues to cement its standing as KZN's premier art exhibition for emerging and established artists with convenor Kathy Jacob announcing that the exhibition will extend to Ballito this year. The Balitto event will be branded Art in the Country Coastal to distinguish it from the established Midlands edition. Jacob said the move aims to broaden audience reach, attract coastal collectors and strengthen KZN’s cultural tourism offering through a dual-venue arts experience.
Art in the Country opening hours are from 9 am to 8 pm Thursday to Saturday and 9 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Entrance is R30 per person, R20 (pensioners) and R10 for scholars. Ample free parking. |
| GOING POTTY TO KEEP THE INVESTMENT SPOOKS AT BAY |
1900: The Free State Republic was formally annexed by British forces.
Elsewhere, in 1937, Volkswagen - the people’s car - was founded in Germany.
It's also International Amnesty Day, first commemorated in 1961 at the publication of Peter Benenson’s article The Forgotten Prisoners. |
TAKE-HOME PAY FALLS TO 2-YEAR LOW AS INFLATION BITES
South African workers are earning their weakest real take-home salaries in nearly two years as inflation, fuel costs and economic pressure erode household finances. The latest PayInc Net Salary Index shows average nominal take-home pay slipped to about R21 228 in April, while inflation-adjusted earnings fell to roughly R20 244.
Inflation reached 4% in April and is expected to rise further as fuel price hikes linked to Middle East tensions push up transport and food costs. The country also shed about 345 000 jobs in the first quarter, lifting unemployment to 32.7%. Weak economic growth is limiting employers’ ability to grant higher wage increases, while unions are intensifying salary demands. Economists warn shrinking disposable incomes could further weaken consumer spending and increase household reliance on credit. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS SOARING HEALTHCARE CLAIMS COST LIBERTY R13 BIILION
Liberty has paid almost R13 billion in life and disability claims, reflecting rising financial pressure from cancer, anxiety-related conditions and physical injuries among policyholders. The insurer says the bulk of payouts were driven by severe illness benefits, income protection claims and long-term disability cases, with mental health conditions increasingly contributing to claims volumes. Cancer remains a leading cause of life insurance claims, while musculoskeletal injuries and stress-related disorders are driving disability support payouts. The group notes that changing lifestyles, medical advances and earlier diagnosis are influencing both claim frequency and duration. Rising healthcare costs and economic strain are also adding pressure to households, reinforcing demand for comprehensive risk cover and long-term financial protection products across South Africa’s insurance sector. (SOURCE: News24)
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GHOST WORKER CRACKDOWN TARGETS R3.9 BILLION FRAUD
South Africa will launch a new real-time biometric verification platform on 15 June to eliminate ghost workers across the public sector, in a move expected to save taxpayers about R3.9 billion a year. Developed by the Department of Home Affairs, the system will integrate with the National Population Register and use fingerprints, facial recognition and “liveness” testing to verify employees and detect duplicate or fake identities. Officials say it will help identify payroll fraud, collusion and administrative loopholes that have inflated the public wage bill, now over R850bn annually. The platform aligns with Treasury’s savings drive targeting wasteful expenditure and follows audits flagging thousands of high-risk cases across government departments and state entities. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SORGHUM, SUGAR CANE TAPPED FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
A new South African Sorghum Bioethanol Study shows strong commercial potential for biofuel production, but warns that lack of stable pricing and demand certainty is holding back investment. Researchers say grain sorghum and sugar cane are the most viable feedstocks, with potential markets ranging from 181 million litres under an E2 blend (2% ethanol) to nearly 1 billion litres under E10 (10% ethanol). Industry stakeholders argue that farmers will only shift production if there is guaranteed offtake and a minimum price, stressing that mandates alone are insufficient. South Africa’s long-delayed biofuel rollout, first outlined in 2007, has yet to deliver large-scale investment due to policy uncertainty, pricing challenges and regulatory constraints, despite potential benefits including reduced fuel import exposure and rural economic growth. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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R14.4 BILLION 'DEAD' STUDENT DEBT THREATENS UNIVERSITIES
South African universities are battling a student debt crisis that has climbed to about R24 billion placing growing pressure on institutional finances and future sustainability. MPs were told more than 60% of the debt - about R14.4 billion - is considered unrecoverable, with rising accommodation, transport and living costs worsening the burden on students already struggling to pay fees. Higher education leaders warned that mounting arrears threaten universities’ ability to maintain infrastructure, academic support and research programmes. Universities South Africa CEO Phethiwe Matutu said institutions face increasing financial strain as unpaid balances accumulate. Concerns are also mounting over the long-term effectiveness and stability of the country’s student funding system. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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ONLINE SURGE PUSHES VOTERS ROLL TO 28 MILLION
South Africa’s voters’ roll is approaching 28 million as online registrations surge ahead of upcoming elections, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has confirmed. Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said digital registration growth is being driven by improved access to online platforms and intensified voter outreach campaigns. The IEC is also preparing a draft code of conduct to combat misinformation during the election period, amid growing concerns over fake news undermining public trust in democratic processes. The framework will set rules for political parties and online actors, with enforcement mechanisms planned. Stakeholder consultations will follow before final adoption ahead of the next electoral cycle. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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LIBERTY PAYS OUT R13BN IN CLAIMS
Liberty has paid almost R13 billion in life and disability claims, reflecting rising financial pressure from cancer, anxiety-related conditions and physical injuries among policyholders. The insurer says the bulk of payouts were driven by severe illness benefits, income protection claims and long-term disability cases, with mental health conditions increasingly contributing to claims volumes. Cancer remains a leading cause of life insurance claims, while musculoskeletal injuries and stress-related disorders are driving disability support payouts. The group notes that changing lifestyles, medical advances and earlier diagnosis are influencing both claim frequency and duration. Rising healthcare costs and economic strain are also adding pressure to households, reinforcing demand for comprehensive risk cover and long-term financial protection products across South Africa’s insurance sector. (SOURCE: News24)
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FULL-YEAR RESULTS OF JSE-LISTED COMPANIES
TSOGO SUN .reported flat revenue and EBITDA of R11.13 billion and R3.46 billion for the year to March 2026, but headline earnings rose 8% to R1.57 billion, boosted by share buybacks. The casino group, which operates Montecasino and Suncoast, kept costs steady while reducing debt by 10% to R6.5 billion. Management highlighted continued debt reduction as key to sustaining earnings resilience amid uncertain interest rate conditions, while shares rose slightly on results.
ALTRON delivered double-digit earnings growth in FY2026, marking the end of its “Accelerated Growth” phase and the start of its “Transformative Growth” strategy. Headline earnings per share rose 34% to 239c, while earnings per share increased 35% to 210c. Ebitda climbed 10% to R2 billion supported by robust performance in its Platforms segment, now the dominant driver of profitability.
STEFANUTTI STOCKS delivered strong full-year results to February 2026, driven largely by a R580 million settlement with Eskom related to the Kusile power project. The payout boosted contract revenue, operating profit and investment income, lifting EBITDA to R852 million from R428 million previously. The group’s order book expanded to R17.2 billion, including significant international work and long-term projects beyond 2027.
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AFRICAN CONSERVATION LOOKS TO LOCAL MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
African Parks, the billionaire-backed conservation organisation managing 24 protected areas across Africa, is shifting towards a more localised model to sustain long-term gains in wildlife protection and tourism. With an annual budget of $166 million (about R2.7 billion) and a land footprint larger than Cambodia, the group is opening a conservation academy in Rwanda to train African professionals, with first enrolments expected next year. It is also working to increase domestic tourism, which currently makes up about 59% of 188 000 annual visitors. CEO Peter Fearnhead says conservation depends on skilled local people and community buy-in. The group has already translocated 745 rhinos across South Africa, Rwanda and the DRC to strengthen endangered populations and reduce poaching pressure. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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OIL SLIDES ON HORMUZ-OPENING HOPES
Oil prices fell sharply after reports of an unofficial draft US-Iran interim peace deal suggested maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could return to normal within a month of agreement. Iranian state media said the draft, reported by IRIB News, includes provisions for lifting US naval restrictions near Iranian ports and reducing military presence in surrounding waters. Brent crude dropped almost 5% to below $95 a barrel, extending weekly losses of more than 8% as traders priced in improved supply stability. The draft also proposes a joint Iran-Oman mechanism to oversee shipping in the strategically vital waterway, easing one of the main tensions in negotiations over free passage rights. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.
Robin Williams |
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| Dollar | R16.44 | - 0.48% | | Pound | R22.04
| - 0.37% | | Euro | R19.09
| - 0.28% | | Yen | 0.103061 |
| | Yuan | R2.42
| - 0.38% | | Bitcoin | $ 73 035.93
| - 1.71% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 903.61 | - 1.27% | | Gold | $ 4 389.18
| - 1.50% | | Oil | $ 96.54
| + 1.96% | | All Share | 114 212.64
| - 1.05% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
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