| CHAMBER LAUNCHES TRADE HUB, ANNOUNCES KEY APPOINTMENTS |
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Finance and Administration Manager Amanda Bouwer (left) and Lucrisha Polton who has been tasked with setting up the PMCB's Business Trade Hub.
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has announced the formation of a new Business Trade Hub, a major initiative aimed at strengthening export readiness and facilitating international trade for regional businesses. The EU-funded project will be spearheaded by Lucrisha Polton, who has been appointed Trade Hub Manager from 1 January.
Polton, founder of AfriCrafters, brings extensive experience in enterprise development and ecosystem building, with a strong focus on helping SMMEs move from survival to sustainable growth through practical access to markets, resources and opportunities.
The PMCB has also appointed Amanda Bouwer as Finance and Administration Manager, succeeding Gill Adie, who retired at the end of December 2025 after 13 years of dedicated service. Bouwer brings more than 20 years’ experience in finance, including international corporate exposure, further strengthening the chamber’s operational capacity.
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| TOTAL N3 CLOSURE TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY |
The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has confirmed temporary rolling closures on the N3 to accommodate blasting near the Market Road overpass. The work forms part of construction between the Gladys Manzi Road and New England Road interchanges. Closures will affect both directions between the Ashburton and New England interchanges from 3 pm to 3.30 pm tomorrow (20 January) and on Wednesday (21 January) and Thursday (22 January). No access will be allowed via interchange ramps during this period. Motorists are advised to use the R103, but should expect delays.
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| OUT-OF-CONTROL ONLINE GAMBLING PLAYS HAVOC WITH LIVES |
| Jury is out: gambling is bad, very bad - except for online operators cashing in. South Africans are wagering more than ever, with R1.5- rillion lost in 2024/25, eclipsing national health, education, and social grant budgets combined. From students risking NSFAS funds to social grant recipients and employed adults, betting has become a dangerous survival tactic, highlighting the urgent need for government to pull the plug on this growing scourge. |
1949: The Eiselen Commission was appointed to set the scene for the infamous Bantu Education Act which came into effect in 1954.
Elsewhere, in 1966, Indira Gandhi became India's first female prime minister. She was assassinated on October 31, 1984.
Superfood: It’s World Quark Day dedicated to the European superfood, a high-protein, low-fat alternative to soft cheese and yoghurt. |
WHISTLEBLOWERS COULD CLAIM 33% SHARE OF TENDER PROCEEDS
Whistleblowers who expose corruption could be entitled to up to 33% of recovered tender proceeds under proposed new legislation aimed at strengthening South Africa’s anti-corruption framework. The draft law is designed to encourage insiders to report procurement fraud, state capture and other financial crimes by offering a financial incentive when stolen public funds are successfully recovered. Supporters argue this could significantly improve reporting, speed up investigations and help recover billions lost to corruption.
The proposal also seeks to bolster legal protections for whistleblowers, who often face retaliation, job losses and personal risk. However, critics caution that strict safeguards will be needed to prevent abuse of the system and ensure claims are credible and evidence-based. (SOURCE: News24)
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... AS EX-STEINHOFF EXEC JAILED FOR R376 MILLION FRAUD
Iwan Peter Schelbert (63), former director of Steinhoff subsidiary Steinhoff at Work, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on Friday for his role in a R376 million fraud scheme that inflated the company’s financial statements. The Pretoria specialised commercial crimes court accepted his plea agreement under section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. The conviction is the third in the long-running Steinhoff case, which exposed large-scale accounting irregularities. Schelbert’s actions, along with others, misled investors and creditors. Proceedings against remaining accused Hein Odendaal (67) and Stephanus Johannes Grobler (64( continue, with the next hearing set for 6 February 2026. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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OPEN BANKING, EFT LEAD 33% DIGITAL-PAYMENT SURGE
PayFast’s State of Pay 2025 report shows digital payment adoption rising rapidly in South Africa. Cards remain the most-used method at 54% of transactions, though usage dropped 41% from 2024. Open banking and instant EFTs accounted for 33% of payments, up 18% year-on-year, while cash comprised just 6% of PayFast merchant transactions, despite over 50% of all payments nationally still being cash-based, averaging R208 per transaction. Merchants report benefits: 54% saw higher sales, 62% experienced faster transactions, and 41% reduced cash reliance. The convergence of fintech solutions is creating unified offerings, enabling safer, faster, and more growth-oriented commerce. (SOURCE: Engineering News).
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... AS BANKERS DEFEND PRIME RATE AMID COMMISSION SCRUTINY
The Banking Association South Africa (BASA) has defended the country’s prime interest rate framework amid reports of a Competition Commission investigation into alleged cartel behaviour. BASA said the fixed 3.5% spread between the SARB repo rate and prime, set in 2001, serves as a reference, not a determinant, for individual loan pricing. Banks consider borrower credit profiles, funding costs, and risk appetite when setting rates. Studies show the prime-repo spread promotes transparency and facilitates competition. BASA emphasised any review of the prime rate framework would aim to maintain fair, competitive lending without altering customer loan costs. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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STATE OF DISASTER DECLARED IN STORM-HIT PROVINCES
South Africa has declared a national disaster after deadly floods swept Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KZN, Eastern Cape, and North West provinces. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning, and flooding caused fatalities, property destruction, infrastructure damage, and community displacement. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa assessed affected areas, prompting coordinated disaster management measures. Schools and farms faced severe disruptions, while parts of Kruger National Park temporarily closed, with day visits resuming in safe zones. The National Disaster Management Centre requires all state organs to implement contingency plans and submit progress reports. Floods have also impacted neighboring Mozambique, where rivers burst, isolating communities and closing key highways. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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JORDAAN RENEWS CALL FOR COMMUNAL LAND TITLES
Venture capitalist Michael Jordaan has reignited debate by calling on government to grant legal title deeds to people living on communal land. He argues that around 17 million South Africans, or a third of the population, occupy land held by traditional authorities, and that ownership would unlock wealth, stability and access to credit. Jordaan says issuing title deeds could create millions of new property owners and drive economic growth. Critics counter that traditional leaders still wield political influence in rural areas and would resist losing control. The proposal highlights tensions between land reform, politics and economic empowerment. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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CAPITEC STEAKS TO RECORD R500 BILLION VALUATION MILESTONE
Stellenbosch-based Capitec has become the fastest South African company to surpass a R500 billion market valuation, closing in on FirstRand at R513 billion on January 16, 2026. Since its 2002 listing, the bank’s assets have surged from R1.2 billion to R238.4 billion, loans from R2.8 billion to R73 billion, and headline earnings from R116 million to R13.7 billion. Its client base grew from 600 000 in 2006 to 25-million in 2025, creating 17 000 direct jobs. Early investors, including Michiel le Roux and Jannie Mouton, have amassed R56 billion and R39 billion respectively. Capitec continues to innovate in digital banking, payments, and emerging markets to drive sustainable growth and financial inclusion. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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SOLAR-POWERED TRUCK MAKES OFF-GRID HISTORY
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has successfully powered South Africa’s first electric truck using fully offgrid solar energy at its Wolmaransstad site on January 15, 2026. The milestone demonstrates that long-haul electric freight can operate reliably without reliance on the national grid. Partners including SANY, provincial leaders, and investors witnessed the historic event, marking one year of CHARGE operations. With a national network of solar-powered EV stations planned along major highways, the N3 corridor will soon host dedicated electric truck charging. Officials highlight the project’s role in sustainable logistics, decarbonising transport, and creating scalable, investable green mobility infrastructure nationwide. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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SAA, CEMAIR LAUNCH DOMESTIC CODESHARE PARTNERSHIP
South African Airways (SAA) and CemAir have announced a domestic-only codeshare deal to expand connectivity between major cities and regional destinations across South Africa. The partnership allows both airlines to place their flight codes on each other’s services, enabling integrated bookings via websites, apps, and agents. Passengers will benefit from seamless connections, single-ticket itineraries, and baggage through-check. CemAir, operating since 2005, serves major centres and regional hubs, while SAA extends its domestic footprint. Ticket sales for codeshare flights open on 26 January 2026, offering travellers increased convenience, flexibility, and access to previously underserved routes for business and leisure. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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EU LEADERS UNITE AGAINST TRUMP’S GREENLAND 'BLACKMAIL'
Major EU states, including Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, condemned US President Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland, calling them blackmail. Trump plans escalating tariffs on eight nations until Greenland is sold to the US. France proposed using the Anti-Coercion Instrument to retaliate, while Denmark and allies strengthened Arctic military presence. EU diplomats held emergency meetings as transatlantic trade relations face strain. The threats endanger ongoing trade deals with Britain and the EU, risk a downward economic spiral, and prompted discussions of sanctions, investment restrictions, and even symbolic measures like a potential World Cup boycott to pressure the U.S. administration. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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OPENAI, MICROSOFT HEAD FOR COURT OVER MUSK CLAIMS
A federal judge in Oakland denied OpenAI and Microsoft’s attempts to dismiss Elon Musk’s lawsuit, which alleges the AI startup breached its charitable mission after taking billions from Microsoft and shifting toward for-profit operations. Musk claims his $38 million (about R623 million) seed contribution was tied to OpenAI remaining nonprofit and open-source. The ruling allows fraud and trust-breach allegations to proceed to a jury trial in April. OpenAI, valued at $500 billion (about ), insists the claims are baseless, while Microsoft’s involvement will also be examined. Musk and CEO Sam Altman have been feuding since 2024 over OpenAI’s future direction. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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ON-LINE SETA ACCREDITED TRAINING - MARINE INSURANCE
Presenter: Rialgo Barnard - Global Maritime Legal Solutions (Pty) Ltd
OVERVIEW
This comprehensive course delves into the intricacies of Marine Cargo insurance, providing you with a thorough understanding of the claims process, adept interpretation of insurance terms, and the skills to evaluate insurance contracts tailored to your specific needs.
MAIN TOPICS
· General Legal Principles used in shipping
· Common Law Defined
· Civil vs. Criminals Courts
· Arbitration in Dispute Resolution & Mitigation
· Indemnities
· Legal Terms used for Marine Insurance
· The need for Cargo Insurance
· Law of Carriage · Cargo Safety and Security
· Insurance claims
· Calculating insurance value & Premiums
· Types of Marine insurance Policies
· Area of investigation: Quality, Adequate & insurance shortfalls
WHO IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
· Senior Management
· Staff involved in International Trade
Date: Friday, 23 January 2026
Time: 09h00 - 16h00
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
Cost: R2750. 00 pp Incl. VAT (members) R3300.00 Incl. VAT (non-members) |
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Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
Robert Collier |
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