| TICKING THE BOXES FOR DOUBLE-DIGIT SALES GROWTH |
Trainer Richard Lyon of BizGro flanked by Barnard de Villiers (Associated Energy Services) and Debbie O’Dell (Bovasol). Pic by Lethiwe Zondi.
Veteran trainer Richard Lyon of BizGro drilled home the fundamentals of sales in an intense business skills session at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business on Thursday last week. The practical session reinforced that every top performer follows a structured process: thorough pre-call preparation, active listening, persuasive presentations, and confident objection handling. The course emphasised closing techniques while maintaining client trust. Lyon shared actionable steps and real-world examples that boosted the confidence of trainees and inspired them to pursue consistent double-digit growth in their sales approach. For the updated business skills programme, click here.
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| READERS POLL: CAR BUYERS VALUE SAFETY, BUT PRICE MATTERS |
Yesterday's poll in eBizBlitz on car safety and consumer behaviour revealed strong support for vehicle standards, with 100% of respondents agreeing that cars should meet minimum safety requirements. Despite this, around 12% admitted that price influences their purchase decisions, suggesting cost can occasionally outweigh safety considerations. The findings highlight a tension between ideal safety expectations and real-world buying habits, indicating that while consumers value protection, affordability remains a significant factor in vehicle choice. Thanks for voting!
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| PET FOOD RECALL NATIONWIDE, FLIPPING THE SCRIPT |
JSE-listed RCL Foods has expanded a nationwide recall of dry pet food after internal control failures allowed condemned products marked for destruction to re-enter the formal market. Affected brands include Bobtail, Bonzo, Catmor, Canine Cuisine, Feline Cuisine, Optimizor and Ultra Pet. The recall follows the theft of condemned pet food from a Gauteng waste facility and the discovery that some batches were mistakenly released into retail channels. The company admitted it “did not meet its own standards”, triggering a countrywide recall and an independent investigation into how safety controls failed across its supply chain. Here's a full list of the recalled food.
Speaking of pets, Petshop Science flipped the script with the world’s first TV commercial filmed entirely by pets featuring dogs, cats and a parrot as they went shopping for what they need.
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1921: White workers on strike since December 1921 embark on violent action to overthrow the government. Prime Minister Jan Smuts declared martial law and the revolt was crushed leaving 153 people dead.
Elsewhere, in 2000, the NASDAQ Composite stock market index peaked at 5408.60, the prelude to the burst of the dotcom bubble.
Today is observed as International Bagpipe Day and also International Day of Awesomeness.
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FUEL RATIONING FEARS MOUNT ON MIDEAST WAR
South Africa faces mounting concerns over fuel supply as the ongoing Middle East oil crisis exposes vulnerabilities in the country’s energy infrastructure. Rising global oil prices, now above $120 per barrel, are increasing import costs and putting pressure on the Rand while transport and logistics sectors brace for disruption.
Analysts warn that shortages could force rationing at retail pumps, affecting businesses and commuters alike. The government is monitoring stock levels, but critics argue South Africa’s dependence on imported crude and limited refinery capacity leaves the economy exposed to international shocks, highlighting the need for urgent energy-sector reforms. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS RAND RISKS NEW NORMAL ABOVE R17.60/$, JSE BLEEDS
South Africa’s currency could weaken to R17.63/$ if the Middle East conflict drags on for six months, NEW according to modelling by EY-Parthenon. The rand already slipped to R16.91/$, its weakest since December, while the FTSE/JSE All Share Index shed over 12 000 points in a week, wiping more than R2-trillion off market value. Prolonged conflict could lift oil prices to about $120 a barrel, pushing up fertiliser, fuel and transport costs. Economists estimate a potential R30–R40 billion hit to GDP and inflation rising to about 4.5%. Higher price pressures may trigger two 50-basis-point rate hikes as South Africa absorbs global geopolitical shocks despite being far from the battlefield. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AS MARCH INTEREST RATE-CUT HOPES BLOWN AWAY
Expectations of a March interest-rate cut in South Africa have faded as the Middle East conflict drives oil prices sharply higher and threatens inflation targets. The next meeting of the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee on 26 March 26 now expected to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.75% Economists, including analysts at Investec, warn sustained prices near $85–$90 could push inflation above 4% by late 2026. Rising fuel, fertiliser and shipping costs, combined with a weaker Rand, are increasing pressure on consumer prices. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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... AND FOREIGN INVESTORS DUMP R35 BILLION BONDS
The South African Reserve Bank says it stands ready to act after record foreign selling of South African government bonds rattled markets and pressured the Rand. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said policymakers are closely monitoring conditions and will intervene if financial stability is threatened. Foreign investors have reportedly sold more than R35 billion in local bonds in recent weeks, pushing the rand weaker and lifting yields on the benchmark 10-year bond above 11%. Analysts warn continued outflows could raise government borrowing costs and strain public finances. Despite the turbulence, the Reserve Bank maintains the banking system remains stable and well capitalised. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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REPEAT TWO-POT WITHDRAWALS UNDERMINE HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS
South Africa’s two-pot retirement system, launched September 2024, faces early warning signs as repeated withdrawals from the savings pot surge. Nearly 80% of Old Mutual members who accessed savings anticipate withdrawing again, while Alexforbes recorded over 140,000 claims in the first week of March 2026. Since inception, around four million withdrawals total R57 billion, with R15 billion in tax collected, and close to 500 000 being repeat claims. Experts warn habitual access undermines compound growth, eroding retirement security. While the system offers flexibility, caution is urged: even modest withdrawals reduce long-term income, jeopardising the reform’s goal of preserving funds for retirement. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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WORLD BANK BACKS R165 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
The World Bank has approved a major initiative to help mobilise about $10 billion (about R165 billion) for South Africa’s infrastructure over the next decade. The programme will establish a credit guarantee vehicle (CGV) to attract private investment into electricity transmission, logistics and water systems. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana said the CGV will be incorporated as a company soon and is expected to become operational later in 2026. Backed by $350 million from the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the plan aims to reduce investor risk, unlock stalled infrastructure projects and potentially create about 997 000 direct and indirect jobs. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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KZN LAUNCHES R216 MILLION DRIVE TO FIX POTHOLE BACKLOG
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has announced a R216 million road maintenance drive to tackle the province's 3.12 million m² pothole backlog and improve mobility. The programme forms part of a wider R4.1 billion provincial infrastructure push aimed at boosting safety, economic activity and investment. Additional projects by the South African National Roads Agency will channel more than R3.6 billion into small businesses, creating about 6 842 jobs. Road upgrades include the R617 between Bulwer and Underberg. Through the Expanded Public Works Programme, 128 906 work opportunities were created, while the Vukayibambe maintenance initiative added 3 120 jobs. Infrastructure upgrades span health, education and rural connectivity projects. (SOURCE: TopAuto)
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KWANALU, NEDBANK TO BOOST RURAL ENTERPRISE
Nedbank has partnered with KZN Agricultural Union to expand the Women and Youth in Rural Entrepreneurship (WYRE) initiative aimed at strengthening rural businesses. Since its 2021 launch, WYRE has supported more than 1 500 participants to start or grow micro-enterprises in KZNl. The new Accelerator phase will focus on leadership development, technical skills and integrating emerging farmers into formal agricultural value chains. Early results show participant incomes rising about 20% within six months, with reduced reliance on social grants. The programme, launching in Impendle, seeks to build sustainable rural enterprises while improving food security, household incomes and long-term agricultural participation. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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MERCEDES MAY SHARE EAST LONDON PLANT WITH CHINESE GWM
Mercedes-Benz is considering allowing China’s Great Wall Motor (GWM) to use part of its vehicle manufacturing plant in East London, Eastern Cape, as global carmakers explore partnerships to cut costs and expand market reach. The proposal could see GWM assembling vehicles at the facility alongside Mercedes models, helping the Chinese brand establish a stronger manufacturing footprint in South Africa. For Mercedes, the move could improve plant utilisation and safeguard jobs at the export-focused factory. Industry analysts say such collaborations reflect growing competition from Chinese automakers and shifting global production strategies as companies seek efficiency and scale. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BITCOIN ON THE BACKFOOT ON IRAN WAR
Bitcoin tumbled to a seven-day low of $65 633 amid escalating Iran tensions, coinciding with Brent crude hitting $118.73 a barrel - the highest since June 2022. Risk-off sentiment intensified as investors braced for upcoming US inflation data. Asian equities slumped, with South Korea’s Kospi down 8.1%, while the US Dollar strengthened and 10-year Treasury yields rose. Institutional outflows continued, with nearly $6 billion exiting US-listed Bitcoin ETFs since November. Analysts warn $64,000 as immediate support, with $61,000 the next downside target and $68 000 as resistance. The geopolitical disruption fuels volatility across crypto, equities, and oil markets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Overthinking is like being stuck on a hamster wheel, always moving but never advancing.
Gael MacLean |
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| Dollar | R16.28 | + 0.04% | | Pound | R21.89 | - 0.06% | | Euro | R18.93 | + 0.17% | | Yen | 0.103401 |
| | Yuan | R2.37 | - 0.23% | | Bitcoin | $ 69 944.00 | + 1.40% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 196.56
| + 0.76% | | Gold | $ 5 174.77 | + 0.79% | | Oil | $ 93.55
| + 4.40% | | All Share | 116 786.45
| + 0.17% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
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