| COMRADES MARATHON 2026 ENTRIES SELL OUT UNDER 10 HOURS |
The 2026 Comrades Marathon entries sold out in under 10 hours, a historic first. The 22 000-entry cap, reduced from 24 000 in 2025 for safety and runner experience, was reached after 19 406 general entries plus 2 594 early-bird entries for Green Number Club and CMA members. Previously, the 2020 race sold out in three days. Runners unable to secure an entry can use the substitution process from March 16 to April 15, 2026. The 99th edition, marking the 50th Up Run, starts in Durban and finishes in Pietermaritzburg on 14 June 2026, covering approximately 87 km. (SOURCE: CMA)
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| KPCA, BUSINESS IN DRIVE TO CREATE DUSI FIELD OF DREAMS |
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Lara Edmonds of KPCA with volunteers cleaning up a long-neglected part of the sports fields along the banks of the Dusi River.
The KPCA, with strong support from the local business community, continues its mission to take back the city from urban neglect and municipal failure. Led by the indefatigable Lara Edmonds and Glenn McArthur, KPCA’s latest project focuses on reclaiming the Dusi Sports Fields at the bottom of Leighton Street, alongside the river. The front section, leased by St Nicholas Diocesan School and shared by other schools and clubs, remains active, but the Duzi-side field - overgrown and abandoned near the FET College - has become a no-man’s land.
KPCA’s intervention aims to restore this valuable community space for safe, inclusive sporting and social use. Supporting businesses and entities include: St Nicholas School, AET Security Garden Team, Talisman Hire, Coastal Hire, Save Hyper, The Witness, We Love PMB, Isibane Industries, Bluff Meat Supply and Valtrac.
Click here for an overview of KPCA’s revival work in Pietermaritzburg.
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| UKZN RESEARCH EXPOSES DARK REALITY OF ‘BLESSER’ CULTURE |
1922: The white electorate in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) voted no to joining the South African Union in a referendum. They chose to become a crown colony with self-governing status.
Elsewhere, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States that prompted the secession of Southern states and the Civil War.
The UN observes International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict today.
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400% IMPORTED SUGAR SURGE SPARKS CALL FOR TRADE PROTECTION
South Africa’s sugar industry has lost over R760 million this year amid a 400% surge in subsidised imports, reports SA Canegrowers. Imports rose to 149 099 tonnes from 35,730 tonnes in 2024, with Brazilian and Indian sugar undercutting prices and reducing access to markets. This has led to a 13% drop, or 100 000 tonnes, in domestic sales, threatening 24 000 small-scale and 1 200 commercial growers in KZN and Mpumalanga. Imported sugar flows through refineries, food and beverage manufacturers, retail chains, wholesalers, and industrial buyers in sectors like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and ethanol. Essentially, it reaches consumers first - competing directly with local producers. SA Canegrowers urges stronger trade protection, sugar tax removal, and public support for South African sugar to safeguard rural jobs and economic stability. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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HOUSEHOLDS TO FOOT BILL FOR DISCOUNTED POWER TO INDUSTRY
Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane has warned that discounted electricity tariffs for large industries and municipalities - valued at an estimated R10 billion annually - are unfairly shifting the financial burden onto households. Speaking at a recent energy forum, Marokane said Eskom’s cost-reflective tariff recovery is just 75%, forcing ordinary consumers to absorb shortfalls through annual increases averaging 12.7%. He stressed that future pricing structures must be transparent, targeted, and financially sustainable. While industrial discounts help retain jobs and stimulate growth, Marokane cautioned that cross-subsidisation undermines household affordability and Eskom’s turnaround efforts. He called for a balanced tariff model that safeguards both economic competitiveness and the utility’s long-term financial health. (SOURCE: News24)
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COMMODITY BOOM TO BOOSTS ECONOMY, LIFT GDP
South Africa’s commodity boom is expected to benefit banks, retailers, and property stocks, with stronger precious-metal prices improving fiscal stability and supporting potential interest rate cuts, according to Old Mutual Investment Group. The surge has already increased corporate tax receipts and dividends, while GDP could rise 0.6% within 12–18 months. Analysts note that improved export capacity, structural reforms, and a more stable macroeconomic environment reinforce the positive outlook. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget update on November 12 could signal faster deficit reductions, monetary easing, and rating upgrades, extending the commodity windfall’s spillover into broader consumer and investment markets. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BUSINESS CONFIDENCE STEADY AS PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRACTS
South Africa’s private sector activity declined in October for the first time in seven months, with the S&P Global PMI dropping to 48.8 from 50.2 in September, signalling contraction. Output and new orders fell sharply, the steepest since March, as weaker spending power and economic uncertainty hit demand. Export sales also fell nearly 12% year-on-year. Despite easing cost pressures and a 7% Rand gain, business confidence held steady, with 34% of firms expecting recovery within 12 months. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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METAL RECYCLERS CRY FOUL OVER 25% SCRAP DISCOUNT
Three recycling bodies have strongly opposed the International Trade Administration Commission’s (Itac) amendments to South Africa’s scrap Price Preference System (PPS), citing unfair trade and economic harm. The changes, reducing ferrous scrap discounts from 30% to 25%, continue to benefit mini-mills while disadvantaging over 400 000 informal scrap collectors and threatening 3 500 direct jobs at ArcelorMittal SA. Downstream industries could face over 100,000 job losses. Recyclers warn that seller-funded transport costs and delayed purchase periods exacerbate inequities, while semi-finished scrap exports bypass duties. They demand transparent economic modelling and an urgent review or scrapping of the PPS to prevent accelerated deindustrialisation and safeguard livelihoods. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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VODACOM, ‘PLEASE CALL ME’ CREATOR END 18-YEAR DISPUTE
Vodacom and “Please Call Me” inventor Nkosana Makate have reached a settlement, ending an 18-year legal battle over compensation for the popular mobile service. While details remain confidential, the agreement follows years of court rulings affirming Makate’s right to be remunerated for his 2000 idea, which allows users to send free call-back requests. Makate had sought billions, claiming Vodacom earned massive revenues from the feature. Vodacom said the resolution “brings closure” and recognises Makate’s contribution to innovation. The settlement ends one of South Africa’s longest-running corporate legal disputes. Details around the settlement amount are likely to be revealed when Vodacom releases its interim results next week.(SOURCE: BDLive/Moneyweb)
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SANRAL PROCUREMENT CHIEF SUSPENDED OVER R1.5 BILLION TENDER
Sanral has suspended Chief Procurement Officer Khomotso Mhelembe and Chief Audit Executive Zolisa Zwakala, reportedly linked to the controversial R1.57 billion Masekwaspoort tender awarded to the Base Major Construction-CSCEC joint venture in November 2024. Industry sources allege Mhelembe faces charges for instructing awards without board approval and for circumventing internal processes. The JV reportedly failed to meet South African project experience requirements. Sanral confirmed the suspensions as “precautionary” pending internal processes but declined further comment. The award is under high court review following challenges by Hillary Construction, while the R61 contract to the same JV remains unaffected. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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PWC REJECTS CLAIMS OVER ROLE IN RAF POLICY SHIFT
PwC South Africa has denied any role in the Road Accident Fund’s (RAF) R348 billion accounting policy change to IPSAS 42, which the Pretoria High Court later declared unlawful. The firm stated it was appointed only after the RAF board approved the policy, not during its formulation. The court found that the shift had falsely reduced the RAF’s reported liabilities by about R200 billion, significantly distorting its financial position. PwC said its involvement was limited to implementing the board’s directive and conducting audits within legal and professional standards, distancing itself from decisions made before its appointment. . (SOURCE: BDLive) |
ALLAN GRAY PIPS NEDBANK OVER 10-YEAR INVESTMENT DISPUTE
Allan Gray has narrowly prevailed in its complaint against Nedbank’s Wealth Investments unit before the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB). The dispute centred on Nedbank’s Grow with Us campaign, which compared its 10-year investment returns to Allan Gray’s Balanced Fund. Allan Gray argued the ad misled investors by using outdated figures and excluding fees. The ARB ruled 2–1 in favour of Allan Gray, ordering Nedbank to withdraw or amend the ad. Nedbank claimed a 12.4% annualised return versus Allan Gray’s 10.8%, but the panel found the data selectively presented. The ruling highlights tighter oversight of South Africa’s R6.4 trillion asset management industry. (SOURCE: News24)
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CELL C SETS SIGHTS ON R7.7 BILLION JSE LISTING
Cell C Holdings has announced plans to list on the JSE main board through a private placement of existing shares by Blu Label’s subsidiary, The Prepaid Company (TPC), aiming to raise R7.7 billion. The offer includes a R500 million overallotment option and a R2.4 billion B-BBEE allocation to meet 30% black ownership. The listing follows a restructuring converting TPC’s debt into equity and consolidating Cell C’s postpaid unit. For the year ended May 2025, Cell C reported R13.7 billion in revenue and R3.7 billion in EBITDA, supported by a capex-light model using MTN and Vodacom networks. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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AIRLINK SUSPENDS LESOTHO FLIGHTS OVER SAFETY CONCERNS
Regional carrier Airlink has suspended all flights to and from Lesotho’s Moshoeshoe I International Airport, citing safety concerns over the absence of essential firefighting and rescue equipment. The airline said operations would remain halted until the Lesotho Department of Civil Aviation resolves the issue and the airport meets International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety standards. The suspension affects the Johannesburg–Maseru route, impacting business and government travel between the two countries until further notice. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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GLOBAL CHIP SELL-OFF WIPES OUT R8.7 TRILLION
Semiconductor stocks plunged globally amid growing fears of overvaluation in the AI boom. South Korea’s Kospi tumbled up to 6.2%, led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, while Japan’s Advantest dropped 10%, dragging the Nikkei 225 lower. Taiwan Semiconductor fell 3.3%, erasing billions in value. The selloff wiped out roughly $500 billion (about R8.7 trillion) from global chip indexes this week, signalling investor anxiety over inflated valuations and slowing earnings potential as interest rates remain elevated. Chipmakers have added trillions since April on surging AI demand, but momentum is fading.(SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.
Frank Zappa |
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| Dollar | R17.38 | + 0.13% | | Pound | R22.71 | + 0.03% | | Euro | R20.01 | - 0.04% | | Yen | 0.113018 |
| | Yuan | R2.44 | + 0.05% | | Bitcoin | $ 103,204.00 | - 0.40% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 565.50
| + 0.31% | | Gold | $ 3 989.00
| + 0.24% | | Oil | $ 63.76
| + 0.44% | | All Share | 108 796.33
| + 1.32% | | Repo | 7.00 | | | Prime | 10.50 | |
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