| TRUMP PLAYS CHICKEN (AGAIN) WITH LAST-MINUTE TARIFF DELAY |
| STRENGTH OF PERSEVERANCE KEY TO POWER OF POSSIBILITY |
(ltr) Pioneering wine maker and guest speaker Ntsiki Biyela, PMCB CEO Melanie Veness and Mbalenhle Myeza (Sales Head for FNB Business in the SMME segment).
The PMCB Women in Business Luncheon 2025, held on August 1 at Maritzburg College, celebrated inspiration, empowerment, and networking. Featuring keynote speaker Ntsiki Biyela - acclaimed winemaker and trailblazer - the event embraced the theme Catch a Falling Star and Shoot for the Moon, with guests dressed in cosmic flair. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant afternoon of connection, prizes, fine wine, and a powerful message of perseverance and possibility from one of South Africa’s rising stars.
For more photos and proceedings, see tomorrow’s edition of eBizBlitz and a link to the gallery. |
| MAMKHIZE’S BAFFLING SWAZI PLAY AS CITY WIN SOME, LOSE SOME |
It’s hard to fathom the gullibility, or perhaps stupidity, of the Mbabane Highlanders football club negotiating its sale to the one-and-only MaMkhize of Royal AM football fame. The eSwatini seller, one Bheki Rubber Simelane appears to overlook her track record and the reams of negative reportage on her calamitous tenure in Pietermaritzburg, not to mention the contentious R27 million sponsorship deal, now swathed in secrecy, and quite possibly lost ...
Speaking of the city’s loss, Pietermaritzburg has been overlooked as a KZN venue for the annual South African Labour Law Seminar roadshow. Instead, Richards Bay along with Rustenburg, East London, George and Polokwane cracked the nod to join the established host cities in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Bloemfontein.
KZN’s wine-making endeavours led by Abingdon Wine Estate in the Midlands are being recognised, albeit in passing as an example of a destination promoting regional wine-making.
On a sporting note, the Sharks XV will hope for a change of recent fortunes at Woodburn Stadium when they take on newly-promoted Boland in their Currie Cup fixture on 30 August. The televised match kicks off at 5.10 pm with more details to follow. |
1996: Marathon runner Josiah Thugwane wins gold for South Africa at the Atlanta Olympics.
Elsewhere, in 1914, Britain declared war on Germany after its forces had invaded Belgium a few days earlier.
It’s Work Like A Dog Day for some, for others it’s just another day in the trenches. |
TARIFFS FORCE SA ON BACKFOOT TO FEND OFF ECONOMIC FALL-OUT
South Africa is reeling after failing to secure a trade deal with the US, triggering punishing 30% tariffs on most exports. The Department of Trade has launched an emergency export support desk, while President Ramaphosa confirmed a support package for affected businesses is in the works. But time is short - the tariffs take effect this week. With citrus growers, automakers, and rural workers already feeling the squeeze, calls for renewed negotiations are growing urgent.
Critics blame diplomatic missteps, while trade unions and industry warn that no business can survive with such penalties. Without a breakthrough, thousands of jobs, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, are at risk. (SOURCE: Daily Maverick)
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... AS STEENHUIZEN BEMOANS ‘DEEPLY UNJUST’ MEASURES
With US tariffs of 30% on South African exports set to take effect, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is rallying support to protect the country’s R250 billion export-driven agricultural sector. Describing the measures as “deeply unjust” and a threat to the “SA’s most globally integrated sectors,” Steenhuisen said he was working with Trade Minister Parks Tau to find a solution that saves rural jobs and sustains key industries like wine and citrus. The citrus industry, crucial in the Northern and Western Cape, and the R660 million wine export sector warn of massive fallout if access to the US market is lost. Industry bodies urge urgent negotiations to prevent lasting damage to trade, investment, and the livelihoods of thousands of farmworkers. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
GODONGWANA PUSHES BACK AGAINST 3% INFLATION TARGET
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has pushed back against the SA Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) preferred 3% inflation target, asserting that any changes must follow formal consultation with Treasury, Cabinet, and stakeholders. The Sarb’s announcement had sparked expectations of policy alignment in the upcoming Medium-Term Budget. Critics, including Treasury officials, note that inflation targeting is a government mandate, not the Reserve Bank’s alone. Economists say a lower target could benefit markets and reduce borrowing costs, but must be phased in over time. The focus now is on balancing inflation control with economic growth, job creation, and managing regulated price increases from entities like Eskom. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
DOMESTIC DEMAND PROPELS PMI INTO EXPANSION TERRITORY
The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged into expansion territory for the first time in nine months, rising 2.3 points to 50.8 in July, driven by a stronger demand recovery, Absa reported on August 1. New sales orders increased by 9.7 points to 55.9, marking a third consecutive monthly rise, while export sales also improved modestly. Despite this, overall production remained below neutral at 47.1, signaling ongoing contraction. Supplier delivery times lengthened due to rising demand, but employment fell sharply to 43.7, reflecting cautious hiring amid a still fragile recovery. Cost pressures rose slightly with fuel prices, though input costs remain subdued. Future business expectations declined, indicating concerns about sustained growth. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
SOUTH AFRICA POSTS R22 BILLION JUNE TRADE SURPLUS
South Africa recorded a preliminary trade surplus of R22 billion in June 2025, with exports at R170.7 billion and imports at R148.6 billion, according to SARS. However, the six-month trade surplus fell to R80.2 billion, down from R92 billion in the same period last year. Year-on-year, exports declined 2.9%, while imports rose 0.6%. Month-on-month, exports dipped 1.9% due to lower shipments of gold, coal, and motor vehicles, while imports dropped 3.5% amid reduced petroleum and tech product inflows. May’s previously reported surplus was revised down from R21.7 billion to R20 billion. The data highlights softening global demand and commodity price fluctuations impacting trade flows. |
… AS NEW VEHICLE SALES SURGE TO 51 383 UNITS, LAST SEEN IN 2019
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales surged 15.6% in July to 51 383 units - the strongest monthly performance since October 2019 - driven by rising consumer confidence and better credit conditions, says Naamsa. Passenger-car sales soared 20.1% to 36 248 units, while bakkie and small commercial vehicle sales rose 6.9%. Medium truck sales increased by 13.9%, though heavy truck and bus sales dipped 1.3%. Despite local momentum, exports fell 1.9% to 35 379 units amid looming US tariffs. Naamsa warns SA’s global competitiveness is under threat and calls for stronger regional trade, investment in new-energy vehicles, and urgent alignment of government policy to secure the sector’s future. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
AFRICAN COLLABORATION KEY TO WEATHERING TARIFF TURMOIL
African nations must recognise the long-term benefits of industrialisation and deeper trade integration amid a shifting global trade environment, says former SA trade minister Rob Davies. The failure to secure a better US trade deal has left SA exports facing a 30% tariff, highlighting the need for self-reliance through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Davies argues that weakened global trade rules now allow for strategic policy tools to boost value chains. Experts caution that industrialisation-driven trade must be inclusive to avoid regional inequalities, with South Africa urged to bear more responsibility. Without such trade-offs, Africa risks missing its growth and development targets. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
GOLD SHINES BRIGHT AS US JOB FEARS MOUNT
Gold held steady near $3 360 an ounce after its biggest two-month gain, driven by weak US job data and renewed US trade tariffs under President Trump. The US added just 73 000 jobs in July, with previous months’ figures revised down by 260 000 - fueling expectations of interest rate cuts. Trump also announced aggressive new tariffs, further unsettling markets. The combination of economic uncertainty and geopolitical risk has pushed gold up over 25% this year. Analysts expect continued gains due to central bank buying and potential Fed easing. Other precious metals, including silver, palladium, and platinum, edged lower, while the Dollar remained steady. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
… AS 547 000-BARREL INCREASE ROILS MARKET OUTLOOK
OPEC+ ended a two-year supply curtailment by approving a final 547 000 barrels-per-day increase but left traders guessing about the fate of a further 1.66 million barrels-per-day still offline. The alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, has yet to signal whether it will continue ramping up production, pause, or reverse course. With global demand slowing and US tariffs clouding the economic outlook, oil markets face a potential surplus in Q4. Brent crude slipped to $69.38. A follow-up meeting is set for September 7, as OPEC+ navigates between defending market share and maintaining internal unity amid rising geopolitical tension. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
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The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
Ernest Hemingway |
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| Dollar | R18.02 | + 0.81% | | Pound | R23.93 | + 0.79% | | Euro | R20.85 | + 0.96% | | Yen | 0.121848 |
| | Yuan | R2.51 | + 0.31% | | Bitcoin | $ 114 324.50
| + 0.43% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 311.50
| - 0.37% | | Gold | $ 3 360.02
| - 0.07% | | Oil | $ 69.67
| + 0.26% | | All Share | 97 744.21
| - 0.79% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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