| NEW INTEGRATED BUSINESS SERVICES TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL |
Meet APEX Business Brokering and Consulting, a new member of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Based in Hayfields, company owner Dave McCutcheon (pictured) calls on 25 years of hands-on experience to offer a full spectrum of business services. The services include business brokering, valuations, operational optimisation, insurance, loans, website design and hosting, and marketing. By offering a wide range of services, APEX is able to optimise and streamline its offerings to clients in most business categories, said McCutcheon. “The single biggest advantage is that our integrated services save time and money, often at a significant cost advantage,” he said. “We invite enquiries to see how APEX can add value to your business.” Contact the company on 082 773 9887 or at dave@apex-business.co.za. View the website here. |
| EMBOLDENING WOMEN FOR A FUTURE OF COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP |
(ltr) VC Voice President Ammaarah Ahmed (3rd year BComm), guest speaker Anele Ndlovu, Prisilla van der Byl (Head of Academic Operations) and MC Nolwazi Mkhabela.
Panelists taking part in the recent Ladies to Legends event at the Varsity College Pietermaritzburg campus explored several themes around leadership. Ammaarah Ahmed, Anele Ndlovu, Prisilla van der Byl, and MC Nolwazi Mkhabela shared insights on building confidence, fostering community, and taking risks. They addressed overcoming bias, stereotyping, and imposter syndrome, encouraging young women to support one another and cultivate boldness. The safe, inspiring space empowered attendees to ask questions and grow as leaders. As Nolwazi noted, the discussion sparked a willingness to step out and pursue leadership roles, aiming to create an inclusive, equitable future for all women. |
| GRANT BENEFICIARIES HIT BY ILLEGAL FUNERAL POLICY DEDUCTIONS |
| The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued an urgent alert after receiving complaints of unlawful funeral policy deductions from social grants. Unscrupulous financial institutions are abusing the system by illegally debiting beneficiaries, often without consent, and misleadingly using Sassa’s name. It does not partner with insurance companies and has no authority to deduct grant money without written approval. SASSA may allow only one deduction per month not exceeding 10% of the value of the beneficiary's social grant for a funeral policy by a registered insurer. Beneficiaries are urged to report illegal deductions at their nearest Sassa office or by SMS to 34548 with their ID number and insurer’s name. |
1960: The government banned all public meetings of more than 12 people in the aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre.
Elsewhere, in 1831, Nat Turner began an unsuccessful slave rebellion in the American South that killed 60 people.
Today is observed as the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
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RISING FOOD COSTS PROPEL INFLATION TO 3.5%
South Africa’s headline inflation accelerated to 3.5%, a one-year high, and above the Reserve Bank’s 3% target, according to the latest Stats SA data. The increase was driven largely by higher food and non-alcoholic beverage costs, which exerted the strongest upward pressure. Other contributors included housing and utilities, particularly electricity and water tariffs, as well as transport expenses.
Economists warn that the renewed price pressures could complicate monetary policy decisions, with the bank facing a balancing act between containing inflation and supporting growth in a fragile economy. While inflation had eased in recent months, July’s spike underscores persistent risks from administered prices and volatile global food markets, leaving households under strain from elevated living costs and weak wage growth. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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… AS SALARY-EARNERS TAKE HOME LESS PAY
South African salary earners faced more pressure in July, as BankservAfrica’s Take-homePay Index (BTPI) showed average nominal salaries slipping 1.1% month-on-month to R17 144 - the fifth straight decline, and 6.9% below February’s peak. Real pay, adjusted for inflation, also fell 0.9%. Independent economist Elize Kruger noted job losses at higher income levels, with most new salaries concentrated below R10 000 and in the R20 000–R30 000 bracket, dragging averages lower. Though 2025 is expected to deliver a second consecutive year of real pay growth, thanks to lower inflation and modest increases, municipal tariff hikes in July eroded gains, hitting households hardest in metros. Analysts warn administered prices remain an obstacle to curbing inflation expectations, leaving workers squeezed between weak employment trends and soaring living costs. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
… AND CAUTIOUS INVESTORS HOLD BACK ON ANNUITY WITHDRAWALS
South African living annuity investors reduced income withdrawals to a record low in 2024, drawing an average of 5.6% compared to 6.6% in 2023, according to the Association for Savings and Investment SA. The decline reflects both strong JSE market gains and more cautious investor behaviour. The annuity pool grew to R781.7 billion, with nearly 60% of assets in the prudent 2.5%–7.5% drawdown bands. Asisa’s Jaco van Tonder says retirees are becoming more realistic about sustainable income, aided by financial advice and awareness campaigns. He cautioned against increasing drawdowns prematurely, stressing long-term discipline to preserve retirement savings. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
TAX BILL THREATENS PRIVATE AND VAT-REGISTERED SCHOOLS
Private and VAT-registered schools could face major financial strain if the draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill is enacted from January 2026. The proposal forces schools to deregister as VAT vendors, triggering repayment of all previously claimed input VAT on capital projects such as sports facilities, hostels, and tuck shops. Experts warn liabilities could run into millions, depleting reserves and pressuring school budgets already set for next year. National Treasury says educational services were always intended to be VAT-exempt, but critics argue the short notice and policy design are flawed. Parents may face rising fees as schools absorb costs. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
UWW BRINGS WATER SERVICES TO UTHUKELA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) has officially taken over operations of key water and wastewater facilities in the uThukela District Municipality, following years of crippling supply failures in Ladysmith, Indaka, Bergville, and Estcourt. The intervention, led by KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi, comes after due diligence revealed severe neglect, vandalism, and under-maintenance of infrastructure. Supported by the Department of Water and Sanitation, Cogta, MISA, and the district municipality, UUW will manage refurbishments and capital projects in a two-phase programme to revive dysfunctional schemes. Officials say the move will stabilise water supply, safeguard local industries, and boost economic growth across the district. (SOURCE: The Witness) |
MANDATORY MEDIATION TOO STEEP A ROAD FOR INCAPACITATED RAF
The Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyers Association (Pipla) has warned that the Road Accident Fund (RAF) cannot handle the mandatory mediation of cases, labelling the process unworkable and unconstitutional. Since April, over 1,000 mediation notices were served, but only three were mediated and none settled. Pipla chairperson Justin Erasmus said the RAF has too few state attorneys to process hundreds of weekly mediations, worsening court backlogs. Civil trials in Gauteng are now delayed until 2027–2029, threatening citizens’ constitutional right of access to justice. Pipla has lodged an urgent court challenge to overturn the directive compelling mediation. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
PRASA, UNIONS ON COLLISION PATH OVER WAGE BACKTRACK
Transport minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the 5.5% wage increase agreement between the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and its two main unions is legally enforceable, despite Prasa attempting to backtrack. The rail operator, citing financial shortfalls, warned it might not honour the one-year deal signed in July. Both Untu and Satawu have vowed legal action, calling Prasa’s stance disrespectful and undermining. The CCMA-facilitated agreement requires payment by August, with back pay in September. Creecy said the matter may ultimately be settled in court while Treasury discussions continue. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
DE LILLE SENDS TOURISM BOARD PACKING
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has dissolved the SA Tourism board, accusing it of overstepping its powers by appointing a member to act as chair without her approval. Making good on her threat last week, De Llile’s move followed the resignation of former chair Professor Gregory Davids and the board’s suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, which De Lille deemed unlawful. She said the board contravened its charter by convening irregular meetings and bypassing ministerial authority under the Tourism Act. An interim structure will be appointed while new board members are recruited. De Lille stressed the decision will not affect preparations for the upcoming G20 Tourism Summit. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
TATA EYES CHINESE SLICE OF SA CAR MARKET
India’s Tata Motors is re-entering South Africa’s passenger vehicle market after a six-year hiatus, launching four combustion-engine models - the Punch, Curvv, Tiago, and Harrier - from September. Aiming for a 6–8% market share and a position among the country’s top-five car brands, Tata plans to scale from 40 dealerships to 60 by 2026. The move sets the company against cost-competitive Chinese automakers like Chery, BYD, BAIC, and GWM. Tata has partnered with Motus Holdings for distribution, leveraging past lessons and tailoring its offerings to local preferences. (SOURCE: Reuters) Brazil rebuts US probe, seeks WTO action on tariffs |
BRAZIL TAKES ‘ILLEGITIMATE’ 50% TARIFFS TO WTO
Brazil has branded the US Section 301 investigation into its digital trade and ethanol policies “illegitimate,” submitting a 91-page rebuttal and requesting WTO consultations. The US has imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports, disrupting trade flows, especially coffee, where Arabica shipments fell 20.6% and Robusta nearly halved in July. President Lula unveiled a BRL30bn “Sovereign Brazil” support package with tax breaks and export incentives, calling the tariffs “politically motivated.” Despite tensions, Brazil has avoided retaliatory tariffs, focusing on diplomacy and Mercosur-EU negotiations. Meanwhile, US cafés face soaring costs, with Brazilian coffee prices up 14.5% year-on-year. (SOURCE: FreightNews) |
OIL EDGES UP AS GOLD HOLDS ONTO GAINS
Oil prices rose after US crude stockpiles fell 6 million barrels, the steepest decline since mid-June, with Brent near $67 and WTI at $63. Despite the gains, crude remains down more than 10% this year as OPEC+ boosts supply and US trade tensions cloud demand, while India faces US criticism for Russian oil purchases. Meanwhile, gold held above $3 342 an ounce, lifted by haven demand after President Trump called for Fed governor Lisa Cook’s resignation. Traders now eye Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech, with expectations of a September rate cut keeping bullion supported within the $3 200–$3 600 range. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
FROM ‘TRADWIFE’ TO ‘SKIBIDI’, 6 000 WORDS ENTER DICTIONARY
“Skibidi,” “tradwife,” and other social media slang are among more than 6 000 new entries in the Cambridge Dictionary this year. Skibidi, a surreal YouTube-born term, can mean anything from “cool” to nonsense, while tradwife refers to women embracing traditional homemaking roles online. Other additions reflect workplace trends, like “mouse jiggler” for devices that fake online activity, or cultural blends such as “broligarchy,” describing tech billionaires’ influence. Colin McIntosh, lexical programme manager, said internet culture is reshaping English at speed. “We only add words with staying power,” he noted. Even “delulu” has secured its spot in the evolving lexicon. (SOURCE: BBC) |
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A man who masters patience masters everything else.
Unknown |
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| Dollar | R17.69 | - 0.08% | | Pound | R23.80 | - 0.21% | | Euro | R20.59 | - 0.08% | | Yen | 0.120099 |
| | Yuan | R2.47 | - 0.10% | | Bitcoin | $ 113 596.50
| - 0.69% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 330.01 | - 0.40% | | Gold | $ 3 337.47 | - 0.31% | | Oil | $ 67.15 | + 0.30% | | All Share | 101 056.79
| - 0.14% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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