| CELEBRATING ADMIN PROFESSIONALS IN WINNING STYLE |
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Susie Potgieter of Just Pies after her make-over, courtesy of Hair Science and Enhance Aesthetic & Beauty Clinic, at Chamber Lunch on Wednesday. Words and picture by PMCB intern Mvelo Ximba.
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business hosted its final Chamber Lunch of the year that celebrated Admin Professionals Month with a festive afternoon of networking, fine dining, and appreciation. Guests enjoyed a two-course meal, refreshing drinks, and prize-filled lucky draws while connecting with peers.
A highlight of the final Chamber Lunch of the years was unveiling the Marvellous Morning Makeover (MMM) winner - Susie Potgieter - who was recognised for her exceptional dedication and professionalism. Potgieter, nominated by her employer Just Pies, received a pampering make-over experience worth over R1 500, including a luxury hair treatment from Hair Science and a professional make-up session from Enhance Aesthetic & Beauty Clinic.
Click here for the remaining events on the PMCB calendar in 2025.
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| MPOPHOMENI TO CELEBRATE HERITAGE WITH CRAFT FAIR, WORKSHOPS |
Zulu Mpophomeni Tourism Experience (ZMTE) will host a vibrant Craft Fair at the Mpophomeni Tourism & Craft Centre on Saturday, 27 September, from 10 am to 3.30 pm. Celebrating Heritage and Tourism Month, the fair will feature live music, Zulu dance, craft demonstrations, cultural food, and a children’s jungle gym. Africa! Ignite will run workshops on embroidery, quality control, and traditional cooking, alongside a fashion show highlighting local talent. The event aims to support small businesses, raise community awareness, and showcase heritage-driven innovation. A special stallholder award will encourage business excellence. With its mix of culture, creativity, and community spirit, the Craft Fair promises an unmissable experience for families and visitors alike. For more information, contact Frank Mchunu on 073 222 8001 or (033) 238 0288.
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| PROTEA-BOOSTED TUSKERS TO BE UNVEILED TOMORROW AT OVAL |
Sport lovers have top flight cricket at the Pietermaritzburg Oval to look forward to, thanks to the all-conquering Tuskers trampling their way into Division 1 this season. The 2025/26 Moothee Ram Tuskers squad, boasting four players with international experience, will be introduced tomorrow at the Oval. As the only professional sports team in Pietermaritzburg, the team counts on local support. Proceedings on Saturday start at 11 am. Entry is free.
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1971: A World Council of Churches representative is banned from entering South Africa.
Elsewhere, in 1970, American rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix died of an overdose of barbiturates in London. |
RESERVE BANK HOLDS RATES AMID INFLATION DEBATE
The South African Reserve Bank kept the repo rate unchanged at 7%, with four MPC members voting to hold and two supporting a 25-basis-point cut. Governor Lesetja Kganyago stressed patience, citing the need to gauge effects of past cuts while anchoring inflation closer to 3%, the new de facto target. The Bank lifted its 2025 growth forecast to 1.2% but warned fragility remains, especially with surging electricity costs.
Economists are split: some see a missed chance for stimulus, others back caution. For consumers, borrowing costs stay steady, with the prime rate fixed at 10.5% for now. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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SARS TARGETS CRYPTO ASSETS WITH NEW REPORTING RULES
South Africa’s new Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (Carf), open for public comment until 3 October 2025, marks the end of anonymous blockchain dealings. The OECD-backed standard compels crypto exchanges, brokers, and wallet providers to collect detailed user data and report transactions annually to SARS, covering cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and NFTs. Service providers will act as compliance agents, similar to employers handling PAYE, with penalties for failures under the Tax Administration Act. For taxpayers, this eliminates ambiguity - SARS will have granular transaction data, making under-reporting far riskier. With only 500,000 of an estimated eight million South Africans declaring crypto gains, SARS is tightening enforcement and urging use of its Voluntary Disclosure Programme to avoid fines of up to 200% and possible prosecution. Blockchain anonymity is effectively over. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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EMERIS TO UNITE VARSITY COLLEGE, VEGA, MSA IN SINGLE BRAND
ADvTECH has launched Emeris, uniting Varsity College, Vega, and MSA into a single private higher education brand, set to debut in 2026. The consolidation coincides with anticipated legislative reforms enabling private universities. A flagship R420 million Sandton mega campus will open with capacity for 9,000 students, featuring advanced academic, sporting, and innovation facilities. Emeris builds on 30 years of excellence, with 203 of 300 academics holding Master’s or Doctorates, and over 40 accredited postgraduate programmes. It is the only private institution with ECSA-accredited engineering qualifications. Drawing from Ephemeris and Emeritus, Emeris symbolises achievement and ambition, positioning itself as South Africa’s leading private tertiary education provider in a bold new era. (SOURCE: ADvTECH)
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COURT DEFLATES RICHARDS BAY 3 000GW GAS PLANT HOPES
Eskom’s plan to build a 3 000MW gas-fired power plant in Richards Bay has suffered a major blow after the Supreme Court of Appeal annulled its environmental permit, ruling that proper public consultation was not conducted. The decision means Eskom must reapply for authorisation, delaying a project central to government’s strategy to expand energy capacity and shift from coal. Environmental groups welcomed the ruling, highlighting long-standing concerns about pollution impacts on surrounding communities. The judgment follows similar court setbacks for other energy projects lacking adequate consultation with affected stakeholders.(SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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... AS TONGAAT CREDITOR'S CHALLENGE STRUCK OFF ROLL
The Durban High Court has struck off the roll an urgent application brought by RGS, a minor creditor, against the ongoing business rescue of Tongaat Hulett. Judge found RGS failed to prove urgency, ordering it to pay costs. This marks the fifth unsuccessful attempt in 18 months by RGS to obstruct proceedings, raising concerns about its litigious strategy. Business rescue practitioners welcomed the ruling, saying delays undermine recovery efforts. Tongaat, once South Africa’s largest sugar producer, remains under complex restructuring. Creditors and stakeholders continue to push for stability as protracted court challenges slow progress. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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DISCOVERY HEALTH HAEMORRHAGE HIGHLIGHTS MEDICAL AID COSTS
Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) continues to lose members, with overall lives covered down 0.1% year-on-year, though declines eased from 2024. Its lower-cost KeyCare plans remain under pressure, with membership shrinking 9% in the past year and nearly 20% since 2019. Conversely, non-KeyCare plans grew 1.5%, boosting Discovery’s base to 1.17 million members. Growth is increasingly driven by absorbing closed schemes and expanding non-scheme products like FlexiCare, gap cover, and Vitality Health International. Average member age continues rising, intensifying sustainability concerns. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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MOMENTUM WEIGHS IPO OF INDIAN VENTURE
Momentum Group is exploring a possible IPO for its stake in Aditya Birla Health Insurance, its fast-growing joint venture with billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla. The South African insurer, flush with R3 billion in excess capital, plans to channel a third into South Africa and India, prioritising Asia’s third-largest economy over slower-growth African markets. Aditya Birla Health, now profitable, offers a potential listing opportunity as Momentum shifts resources from Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana to India, targeting higher returns and long-term expansion in the region. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BHP TO CLOSE AUSTRALIAN COAL MINE, 750 JOBS TO BE CUT
BHP Group will shut its Saraji South coal mine in Queensland from November, cutting about 750 jobs, citing weak market conditions and steep state royalties. The mine, part of its 50:50 venture with Mitsubishi, will be placed on care and maintenance, while other BHP-Mitsubishi Alliance assets remain unaffected. Queensland’s royalty hike in 2022 raised BHP’s effective tax and royalty rate to 67%. The closure underscores BHP’s ongoing pivot away from coal toward energy-transition commodities such as copper and potash, despite lingering demand pressures in global coking coal markets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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US CONGRESS WEIGHS SHIFT ON ZIM, SANCTIONS
A bill before the US Congress could repeal the 25-year-old Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (Zidera), conditional on Harare paying $3.5 billion (about R61 billion) compensation to dispossessed white farmers within a year. This comes as Washington adopts a harder stance on South Africa, with tariffs and potential sanctions under review. For Zimbabwe, repeal offers a path to re-engagement with global markets. Yet the financial strain of meeting conditions poses immense risks. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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CHINA BIG TECH SHARES SURGE ON AI OPTIMISM
Chinese technology stocks surged as AI bets pushed the Hang Seng Tech Index to its highest level since November 2021, gaining 4.2% on Wednesday. Baidu led with a 16% jump, while Alibaba, JD.com, and SMIC also rallied. The index is up 42% this year, boosted by easing US-China tensions, surging AI investments, and growing investor confidence. Analysts highlight accelerating AI rollouts, rising capital expenditure, and stronger valuations compared to US peers. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BIZZ-LINK NETWORK
A fun speed-networking forum with a bonus business hack.
Please join us for this fun speed networking forum. Everyone gets 90 seconds to promote their business as effectively as possible. The “winner” gets to keep the highly-coveted Bizz-Link Bee (Bizz) until the next Bizz-Link network. A picture of Bizz and the winner’s team will be published in eBizBlitz (because everyone likes a winner). Oh, and we’ll give you coffee and a muffin too!
Business hack: Dr Timothy Obaje will present on; AI and the Future of Business: Risks, Rewards, and Realities
The presentation will provide an overview of how AI is shaping the business landscape, with a focus and structure as follows:
• Introduction: Brief overview of AI today and why it matters for businesses of all sizes.
• Opportunities (Rewards): Productivity, automation, customer engagement, decision-making.
• AI as a Strategic Partner: Enhancing competitiveness and efficiency.
• Challenges (Risks): Ethical concerns, data privacy, workforce shifts, over-reliance tools.
• Barriers to Adoption: Cost, skills, trust and possibly how to overcome them.
• Action Points: How business owners can start responsibly adopting AI.
Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (includes vat): PMCB Members: R50, Non-members: R100 |
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If I knew the secret to consistency, I'd be consistent.
Chris Pronger |
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