| VOTERS MUST ASK TOUGHER QUESTIONS BEFORE ELECTION DAY |
With the local government elections less than a month away, voters should be asking more than whether candidates promise to fix potholes, restore water or collect rubbish. Writing from a KZN perspective, the author argues that town planning considerations - where people live, work and travel - should be the real decider. In other words, much as service delivery matters, voters need to interrogate politicians about the decisions shaping their communities. |
| CHAMBER ENTREPRENEURS STRUTT THEIR STUFF AT SHOW STAND |
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(ltr) Siyanda Dlamini (PMCB Leather Collective), Nomandla Dlamini (DChem Group), and Thandolwenkosi Msimang (sitting) of The Beanbag Specialist at the PMCB stand.
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business is stating the case for all things enterprise at the Royal Show’s new venue in Tweedie. The PMCB stand is showcasing entrepreneurs whose businesses reflect the Midlands’ creativity, skills and local enterprise. Visitors to the stand may meet some IYBA Green SEEDS entrepreneurs and members of the PMCB Leather Collective with products from outdoor bean bags, bulk bags, leather goods and cosmetics.
Artisan-in-residence Siyanda Dlamini is demonstrating leather craftsmanship and invites visitors to create their own earrings or wristbands. On Saturday, Chef Shle of Top Rotis will offer a culinary tasting and a demonstration highlighting the versatility of flatbread.
"The stand offers visitors a hands-on introduction to businesses being supported to turn local talent into sustainable growth," said Trade Hub Manager Lucrisha Polton.
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| DONGFENG SEEKS PIETERMARITZBURG AUTO DEALER PARTNER |
Chinese auto manufacturer Dongfeng is expanding its footprint in KZN in conjunction with importer EAuto Motors SA and is seeking established motor dealers interested in partnering to develop dealerships in Pietermaritzburg. The aim is to identify suitable local partners and arrange initial discussions about representing the Dongfeng brand and selling its range of vehicles in the region. Existing motor dealers, showrooms or automotive businesses interested in exploring a dealership opportunity are invited to make contact with Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO on (033) 345 2747 or at ceo@pmcb.org.za.
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1993: The UN lifted mandatory sanctions against South Africa.
Elsewhere, in 1871, the Great Chicago Fire started that raged for two days and killed 300 people.
A nod to nostalgia on International Newspaper Carrier Day. It's also International Off-Road Day and International Lesbian Day. |
OPT-OUT REGISTRY TO SHUT DOWN 17.47 BILLION SPAM CALLS
The National Consumer Commission has launched a national opt-out registry allowing South Africans to block unwanted direct marketing calls, SMSs, emails and other electronic communication. The move follows a sharp rise in spam, with 17.47 billion calls recorded between January and June, up 25.2% year on year, while spam SMSs increased 58.9% to 3.71 billion.
Direct marketers must register and cleanse their databases monthly against the registry before campaigns. Registration runs until December, followed by a five-month cleansing period to April 2027.
From May 2027, registered consumers will be able to pre-emptively block marketers. Trade Minister Parks Tau said the system supports legitimate marketing while requiring consent, accountability and respect for consumers. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
MONTEGO PET NUTRITION TO ANCHOR R600 MILLION WESTOWN LOGISTICS PARK
Construction has begun on the R600 million Farrier Business Park at Westown, Shongweni, with Montego Pet Nutrition secured as anchor tenant. Developed by Fundamentum Development Company, the park is about 1.5km from the N3 via the Shongweni Interchange, strengthening its appeal to logistics and supply-chain businesses. About R100 million is earmarked for infrastructure and R500 million for buildings. First serviced sites are expected in Q1 2027, with completed buildings targeted for occupation in early 2028. Stefanutti Stocks Coastal Civil is handling construction. The development will offer serviced sites, turnkey buildings, rentals and joint-venture opportunities, supported by Absa. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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RAMAPHOSA TO CHAIR SEO OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
A commission to coordinate oversight of state-owned companies will be chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The commission, to be established after plans for a central holding company was abandoned, will review the state-ownership strategy, strengthen governance and monitoring, and coordinate restructuring to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency. Minister in the Presidency Gwen Ramokgopa said circumstances had changed significantly since the bill was drafted. The commission could be established through regulations without new legislation. Meanwhile, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is developing reforms covering appointments, remuneration and rationalisation of state entities. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS BIDS OPEN FOR 9.6GW BATTERY STORAGE, 5 000MW GAS SUPPLY
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has opened the way for public procurement of 4 600MW of battery energy storage and 5 000MW of gas-to-power capacity. The programmes will be managed by the Independent Power Producer Office and will allow all market participants, including Eskom, to bid. The battery programme is intended to improve grid flexibility, reduce renewable-energy curtailment and provide power during peak demand. South Africa has already procured 1,744MW/6,976MWh of storage, with the first five projects now under construction. A subsequent determination will cover new wind, solar, hybrid renewable-storage and pumped-storage capacity. Both programmes will include local manufacturing, construction and black-ownership commitments. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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HIGH COURT SETS ASIDE LEGAL SECTOR BEE CODE
The Pretoria High Court has set aside Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau’s decision to gazette the Legal Sector BEE Code, finding he failed to exercise independent judgment before publishing it in September 2024. The matter has been referred back to Tau for reconsideration, while the court declined to rule on the code’s constitutionality or compliance with BEE legislation. Four major law firms - Deneys, Bowmans, Webber Wentzel and Werksmans - and Solidarity successfully challenged the process. The firms argued the code excludes more than 95% of legal practices and overlooks existing transformation initiatives. Tau was ordered to pay costs. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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COMPCOM IN BID TO CAN PREMIER-RFG MERGER APPROVAL
The Competition Commission has asked the Competition Tribunal to revoke its conditional approval of Premier Group’s acquisition of RFG Holdings, after concerns over the planned closure of RFG’s Tulbagh fruit-canning facility. The commission says Premier and RFG failed to disclose the closure plans before the merger was approved and implemented in March. The facility is one of only two fruit canneries in South Africa, supports about 200 Western Cape growers and employs more than 400 permanent and fixed-term workers, alongside thousands of seasonal jobs. The commission says closure would eliminate Langeberg’s only domestic competitor, potentially creating a monopoly. The tribunal will consider the revocation application. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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BOK-ALL BLACK TICKET SCRUM ESCALATES INTO R48 MILLION FURORE
A ticket dispute stemming from the Springboks-All Blacks Test in Cape Town has widened into a R48.47 million claim by hospitality agency Leisure Connexion against supplier Adriaan Pieterse. The company alleges tickets and hospitality products for multiple sporting events were not delivered, forcing it to make costly alternative arrangements. The claim covers about R27 million in payments, nearly R8 million in alleged damages and more than R17 million linked to Wimbledon. The dispute initially centred on hundreds of undelivered tickets for the 29 August Test. Pieterse denies wrongdoing, disputes his characterisation as Leisure Connexion’s supplier and says the R48 million claim substantially overstates transactions. He also says money remains owed to him. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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AIRLINK TARGETS AMBITIOUS AFRICAN ROUTE EXPANSION
Qatar Airways-backed Airlink expects its strongest revenue growth year yet as new aircraft support a 10% network expansion across Africa. The Johannesburg-based regional carrier plans to add two countries, building on recent launches to Mauritius and between Cape Town and Zanzibar. Airlink now serves 67 destinations across 16 countries and carried about 4.5 million passengers in the year to August, up 5.5%. The airline operates more than 70 Embraer aircraft, with three additional jets due by July and further E195-E2 deliveries expected through mid-2027. Qatar Airways holds a 25% stake, while Airlink sees opportunities across western, eastern and central Africa. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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NEWLY MINTED AFRICAN RATINGS AGENCY FACES CREDIBILITY TEST
Africa’s new home-grown credit ratings agency faces a critical test in convincing investors its assessments will be independent and internationally credible. The Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), launched in Mauritius, aims to provide an alternative to international agencies that African governments accuse of unfairly penalising the continent with higher borrowing costs. Analysts say credibility will depend on building a track record and demonstrating rigorous, transparent methodologies that avoid perceptions of pro-African bias. AfCRA is expected to unveil its rating methodology, scale and timetable for assessments. Supporters say the initiative signals Africa’s determination to manage its financial affairs while maintaining international standards and investor confidence. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BITCOIN SLIDES ON R9 BILLION CRYPTO LIQUIDATION
Bitcoin fell as much as 2.4% to $83 583 (about R1.4 million) as forced selling swept through cryptocurrency markets, wiping out about $550 million (about R9 billion) in leveraged positions. Ether dropped 3.9% to $2 594, while XRP and Solana declined 4.2% and 3.3% respectively. Analysts described the selloff as a leverage flush rather than a broader downtrend, with long positions accounting for most liquidations. Risk appetite was also pressured by renewed Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing Brent crude above $101 a barrel. Bitcoin remains well below its $126 000 peak reached a year ago, with traders expecting volatile conditions to persist. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.
Richard Feynman |
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| Dollar | R16.66
| - 0.01% | | Pound | R21.99
| - 0.18% | | Euro | R18.65
| - 0.02% | | Yen | 0.105337 |
| | Yuan | R2.48
| - 0.12% | | Bitcoin | $ 82 695.30
| - 0.49% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 659.90
| + 1.31% | | Gold | $ 4 117.59
| + 0.20% | | Oil | $ 102.88
| + 1.95% | | All Share | 107 104.76
| - 1.63% | | Repo | 7.25 | | | Prime | 10.75 | |
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