| REMINDER: STARTING TODAY, ONLINE GUIDE ON CROSS-BORDER TRADE |
There’s still time to join the free SME Future Forum Africa 2026, running online from today to Wednesday, 22 October, from 10 am to 12 noon. daily. Organised by the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship, the forum offers practical guidance on cross-border trade, using AI to identify opportunities and prepare funding proposals, and alternative financing for growth. It's an ideal opportunity to help SMEs unlock new markets and build their businesses. Here's the ZOOM link.
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| STUDENTS DISH UP HOME-GROWN CULINARY EXCELLENCE |
(ltr) Ashleigh Dick, Alexis van Wyk, Jackie Cameron, Eron Martin of DGB, Mapule Khumalo, Isabella Moig, Noah Cramer and Joshua Bolton.
The Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine hosted a sundowner evening celebrating a range of Survivor wines and creative food pairings. Eron Martin of DGB presented the wines, sharing insights into their character and how they complement different dishes.
Guests began with Cap Classique Brut and smoked butter popcorn, followed by Thoroughbred Collection Sauvignon Blanc paired with pizza, and Avontuur Stone Field Syrah served with a lamb slider and tomato bredie.
A Thoroughbred red blend accompanied a selection of savoury bites, while Avontuur Disa Gorge Chardonnay was paired with cheese, honeycomb and apricot chutney. A Marydown Rosé rounded off the evening alongside cherry cheesecake ice-cream to demonstrate how culinary talent and thoughtful pairings bring out the best in both South African wines and food.
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| HULAMIN NAMES MINING EXECUTIVE AS CHAIR |
Hulamin has appointed Themba Mkhwanazi as a non-executive director and incoming chair, effective 16 October. Mkhwanazi brings extensive mining and operational experience, having served as CEO of Anglo Coal South Africa, Kumba Iron Ore and Anglo American Bulk Commodities. His previous board positions include Kumba, Anglo American South Africa and the Minerals Council South Africa. He currently serves as an independent non-executive director of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings and Grindrod. Hulamin expects his international operational expertise to strengthen strategic oversight and performance.
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1899: The Boers defeated the British at the Battle of Ladysmith.
Elsewhere, in 1973, the Sydney Opera House finally opened its doors after construction started in March 1959.
Take it easy, on International Sloth Day. |
FUEL RELIEF TO COME AT A COST TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES
President Cyril Ramaphosa is weighing fuel relief as South Africa’s cost of living rises, warning that subsidies or levy cuts could divert billions of rand from essential public services.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to clarify the government’s position in tomorrow’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. A previous R3-per-litre fuel levy cut cost R17.2 billion, while earlier relief measures absorbed about R24 billion from other programmes.
However, Bank of America economists estimate 2026/27 revenue could exceed February’s projections by R70 billion, driven largely by taxes on gold and precious metals. Treasury must weigh possible fuel relief against deficit reduction and funding for healthcare, education and policing. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS INVESTMENT GRADE BECKONS, BY 2028
South Africa has a greater than 50% chance of regaining investment-grade credit status by 2028, according to Investec Wealth & Investment International. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s mid-term budget tomorrow could strengthen prospects by demonstrating fiscal discipline, rising primary budget surpluses and progress in controlling government debt. Investec strategist Osagyefo Mazwai said a credible budget could prompt Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings to move South Africa to one notch below investment grade. Moody’s currently rates the country two notches below investment grade, but says improving fiscal performance could support its first upgrade since 2009. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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RESERVE BANK TO ROLL OUT ATM NETWORK
The South African Reserve Bank plans to establish a cash-management utility by March 2027, consolidating cash centres and expanding access to shared, unbranded ATMs. The country has about 30 000 ATMs and 109 cash centres, although only 40 to 50 centres may be needed. The reforms aim to reduce cash-handling costs, estimated at nearly R90 billion annually, and improve access for rural and low-income communities. White-label ATMs are targeted for rollout from 2028. Meanwhile, the SARB wants to boost digital payments, increasing PayShap transactions from 60 million to 500 million monthly by 2029. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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NUMSA KZN BID FOR R1.49 MILLION CONFERENCE FUNDING COMES TO NAUGHT
The Durban Labour Court has dismissed an urgent application by Numsa’s KwaZulu-Natal leadership to compel national leadership to release R1.49 million for its regional elective conference. Judge Sean Snyman ruled that the dispute was an internal union matter, describing the application as politically motivated. The court found no evidence that general-secretary Irvin Jim had abused his financial oversight powers or deliberately blocked the conference. KZN, Numsa’s largest region with nearly 53,400 active members, argued that national leaders had unlawfully withheld funding and delayed elections. The case highlights deepening internal divisions ahead of the union’s national congress. (SOURCE: News24)
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UNIVERSITIES FACE CRACKDOWN ON RESEARCH SUBSIDY ABUSE
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela plans tighter controls on South Africa’s research publication subsidy system from May 2027, targeting inflated academic output and questionable publishing practices. Proposed measures include annual caps on publications claimed by individual researchers, stricter vetting of journals and publishers, and closer scrutiny of visiting academics. The crackdown will also address plagiarism, gift authorship and “salami-slicing” - dividing research into multiple papers to inflate publication counts. The state allocated R5.8bn in publication and graduate-related subsidies in 2025/26. Universities will discuss the proposals at a consultative forum in November. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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PROUDLY SA SPAZA SHOPS TO LIGHT UP TOWNSHIP ECONOMY
Proudly South African has partnered with Next Door Spaza Shop Management Company to establish 1 000 branded spaza shops in Gauteng during its first year, creating new markets for local manufacturers and farmers. The initiative targets South Africa’s estimated R190 billion spaza economy, using bulk procurement, improved distribution and digital sales tracking to strengthen retailers’ buying power and business performance. Essential goods, including bread and maize meal, will be sourced locally where feasible. Led by Next Door managing director Labane Maluleke and Proudly SA CEO Eustace Mashimbye, the network aims to expand nationwide, supporting local production, small businesses and job creation. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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TRANSNET SETS WORLD RECORD WITH 696-WAGON IRON ORE TRAIN
Transnet Freight Rail has set a world record by safely operating a 696-wagon empty train on the Saldanha-to-Northern Cape Iron Ore Export Line. The train completed its journey to Loop 18 on 18 October, demonstrating South Africa’s heavy-haul engineering capabilities. The operation used distributed-power technology, synchronising electric and diesel locomotives to manage braking and traction forces across the train. Transnet teams conducted extensive planning, modelling and simulations before the run. Chief executive Russell Baatjies said the achievement’s greatest value lay in technical insights that could improve train design, operational safety and freight capacity. (SOURCE: Transnet)
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ORION SECURES R658 MILLION GLENCORE DEAL TO DEVELOP MINE
Orion Minerals has secured R658 million from Glencore to begin developing its Prieska Copper Zinc Mine in the Northern Cape. Work will start at the shallower Uppers Mine, with initial funding expected by October’s end. In return, Glencore will receive all bulk concentrates from Uppers and copper and zinc concentrates from the Deeps Mine. Orion targets first production by late 2027, nearly a decade after announcing the project. However, developing the Deeps requires another $210 million (about R3.5 billion), while the full project’s estimated cost is R7.59 billion. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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MOZAMBIQUE COURTS SA FOR R4.1 BILLION GAS PROJECT
Mozambique is courting South African investors, including Sasol and pipeline operator ROMPCO, for a $250 million (about R4.1 billion) natural gas infrastructure project aimed at strengthening regional energy supplies. The proposed facilities at Beira and Inhassoro would include floating storage and regasification units linked to ROMPCO’s main pipeline to Secunda through a new 140km connection. State-owned ENH wants the infrastructure operational by 2030 or 2031, alongside major liquefied natural gas developments. Mozambique’s new petroleum laws require at least 25% of oil and gas production to serve domestic markets. Sasol said it was premature to discuss potential investments, as it explores alternative gas supplies. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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DOMESTIC EXPORTERS EYE CANADIAN FOOD, WINE MARKETS
South African food exporters could gain ground in Canada as strained US trade relations prompt consumers and retailers to seek alternatives to American products. Market-entry consultant Scott Miller identified citrus, fresh fruit, juices, wine, sauces, spices, speciality teas and biltong as potential opportunities during an Eastern Cape Development Corporation webinar. However, exporters must account for substantial costs, including retailer margins of 25% to 40%, importer and distributor margins of 15% to 30%, freight and product-listing fees. Canadian food-import regulations and English-French labelling requirements also demand careful preparation. South African wine sales are concentrated in Quebec and Ontario, which account for more than 80% of sales, according to Wines of South Africa’s Laurel Keenan. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Lewis Carroll |
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| Dollar | R16.40
| + 0.18% | | Pound | R21.90 | - 0.17% | | Euro | R18.42
| + 0.05% | | Yen | 0.103604 |
| | Yuan | R2.46
| + 0.11% | | Bitcoin | $ 80 647.90
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These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 646.16
| + 0.06% | | Gold | $ 4 130.37 | - 0.24% | | Oil | $ 110.06
| + 1.13% | | All Share | 108 995.21
| - 1.75% | | Repo | 7.25 | | | Prime | 10.75 | |
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