| WATER CURTAILMENT TO BE DISCUSSED ONLINE TOMMOROW |
Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands and eThekwini are facing water restrictions from 1 September to curb the over-abstraction of water supplied by uMngeni uThukela Water. It’s a crisis long in the making (see below) that will be discussed online tomorrow at 2 pm. The Msunduzi Municipality will brief business on what is likely to happen, the city’s approach to the restrictions, and the presentation of measures that may mitigate some of the impact. Interested and affected parties are invited to join the discussion on Microsoft Teams. The meeting ID is 362 514 901 716 8 and the passcode is z4gE9YW9.
See below: Every day, 20 million litres of sewage don't reach Darvill |
| RARE CHANCE TO WATCH SHARKS PLAY AT WOODBURN |
Rugby fans in Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands have a once-a-season chance to watch the Sharks strut their stuff at Woodburn Stadium on Saturday. Campaigning as the Sharks XV, the team coached by Bok legend JP Pieterse are up against Wellington-based Boland, currently second on the log. The Sharks will hope to build on last weekend’s win against Western Province in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.
Entry is R150 for unreserved grand stand tickets, R60 on the grass banks. Tickets are available on the Sharks website or from the office and Kick & Whistle Restaurant at Woodburn Stadium between 9 am and midday. Parking is R50 per vehicle with entrance ONLY from Boshoff Street. Refreshments will be on sale and no cooler boxes are allowed. Security will check that no alcohol or glass bottles are brought into the grounds. Spectators are invited to braai in the outer field parking lot after the game.
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| EVERY DAY, 20 MILLION LITRES OF SEWAGE DAILY DON’T REACH DARVILL |
Data from Pietermaritzburg’s Darvill waste water plant shows that 20 million litres of sewage vanish daily before reaching treatment facilities, due to broken pipes, vandalism, and poorly maintained infrastructure. This hidden crisis is not captured in official reports, masking the true scale of wastewater challenges facing the city, considered a reasonable proxy for urban centres across the country. Experts warn the leaks threaten public health, river ecosystems, and already strained municipal services, demanding urgent investment and stronger infrastructure management.
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1975: The Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement (later known as Inkatha Freedom Party) was founded by Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Elsewhere, in 410, the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths ended after three days.
Take your chances, on International Lotteries Day, World Rock Paper Scissors Day, World Lake Day, and International Bat Night!
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SAVING-SAVVY SOUTH AFRICANS DEFY TWO-POT WITHDRAWAL CRISIS
Despite fears of reckless spending, six in ten South Africans showed consumer savvy by preserving their retirement savings under the two-pot system’s first year. Discovery said repeat withdrawals fell 70% in the second round, while most withdrawals were used for debt, housing, and daily expenses rather than emergencies. Millennials remain the biggest repeat claimants due to family commitments.
Experts at a conference highlighted the system’s long-term benefits, projecting retirees will save up to four times more. The two-pot model has also improved fund engagement and driven digital transformation. NBC Actuarial Services highlighted two benefits: using savings as a home deposit, which builds property ownership and reduces rent, and paying off long-term high-interest debt, which improves financial resilience. Experts say the system boosts retirement outcomes, with projected savings four times higher, while also driving digital transformation in fund management. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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CRIME CONTINUES TO SPREAD MISERY ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa remains gripped by crime, with the latest Statistics SA survey showing housebreaking as the most prevalent household crime in 2024/25. An estimated 1.5 million incidents were recorded, affecting 1.1 million households nationwide. Violent crime also persisted, with nearly 60 000 households reporting murders. Weapons such as firearms, knives, pangas, and metal bars were frequently used in home robberies and assaults, deepening fear among communities. Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke said the figures highlight the scale of the challenge as authorities battle to curb crime that continues to destabilise families, erode public trust, and hinder social and economic progress. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
STATE PENSION CEO SUSPENDED OVER PROCUREMENT MISCONDUCT
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has suspended Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) CEO Kedibone Madiehe amid allegations of procurement misconduct involving contracts worth more than R1bn. The suspension, with full pay, is precautionary. Job Stadi Mngomezulu, Treasury deputy director-general, has been appointed acting CEO, bringing over 20 years’ experience in financial oversight. A forensic probe will examine contracts, including office leases, bus services, and biometric technology deals. The GPAA, Africa’s largest pension administrator, manages R2.34-trillion in assets for 1.3-million government employees. Godongwana assured uninterrupted pension services while investigations proceed, with findings expected within 60 days. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
OVER 51 000 ILLEGALS DEPORTED UNDER GNU REFORMS
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has deported more than 51 000 illegal migrants since the Government of National Unity (GNU) took office, surpassing the total of the previous five years. Minister Leon Schreiber said systematic reforms, including biometric ID verification, drones, and consolidation under the Border Management Agency, are crucial to securing borders. A backlog of 306 000 visa applications has been cleared, while a new Electronic Travel Authorisation has boosted tourism by 27,000 visitors. Schreiber hailed these reforms as positioning Home Affairs not only as a national security safeguard but also as an economic enabler. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
PAN-AFRICAN BANK EXIT WINS NEDBANK A NOD FROM MOODY'S
Moody’s has welcomed Nedbank’s $100 million (about R177 million) exit from Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), calling the move credit positive and key to refocusing growth under new CEO Jason Quinn. The divestment from the pan-African bank operating in 33 countries, is expected before year-end to end a decade-long investment that failed to deliver returns, with R400 million in dividends against R6.9 billion in unrealised losses. Nedbank now plans to expand in East and Southern Africa while strengthening its South African base, which contributes 96% of earnings. The exit follows its R1.65 billion acquisition of fintech iKhokha, aimed at boosting SME lending. Moody’s said both moves support profitability and sharper strategic focus. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
AIRLINK IN TALKS TO RECOVER BLOCKED MOZAMBIQUE REVENUES
Regional airline Airlink has entered urgent negotiations with Mozambican authorities to recover millions in blocked ticket revenues, as the country grapples with persistent foreign currency shortages. The carrier has threatened to halt ticket sales in Mozambique if funds are not released, warning the situation poses serious risks to operations. Airlink, which serves several regional routes, says the repatriation of earnings is critical to sustaining connectivity and ensuring service continuity. The standoff highlights growing challenges for airlines operating in markets facing liquidity constraints, with foreign carriers increasingly pressuring governments to address trapped revenues. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
BOTSWANA IN HEALTH CRISIS AS DIAMOND REVENUES PLUNGE
Botswana President Duma Boko has declared a national health emergency as falling diamond revenues cripple funding for the public health sector, on which 83% of the population relies. A 5 billion Pula (about R6.5 billion.) emergency response plan has been launched, with the military overseeing urgent medical supply distribution after the system’s collapse. Botswana Development Corp pledged 100 million Pula, while pension and insurance funds are urged to assist. The health ministry has postponed non-urgent surgeries amid shortages. A task force revealed inflated procurement costs, with drugs overpriced nearly ten-fold, deepening the crisis and exposing the nation’s reliance on diamond exports. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
BRAZILIAN OIL COMPANY MOOTS RETURN TO NIGERIA
Brazil’s state-run oil company, Petrobras, is preparing a return to Nigeria after a five-year absence, President Bola Tinubu announced during a joint press conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília. Petrobras, which first entered Nigeria in 1998 before selling its stakes a decade ago, could soon rejoin as reforms strengthen the sector. Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s vast gas reserves and recent economic reforms. The visit also saw agreements on trade, energy, aviation, and finance, including a Lagos–São Paulo flight route and a partnership with Embraer for a Nigerian aircraft service centre. (SOURCE: Reuters) |
MUSK SUES APPLE, OPENAI OVER AI COMPETITION CONCERNS
Elon Musk has launched a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of collusion that stifles competition in the artificial intelligence sector. Filed in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, the suit alleges Apple’s integration of ChatGPT into iPhones unfairly disadvantages rivals like Musk’s X and xAI. Musk argues this exclusive arrangement blocks innovation, limits consumer choice, and entrenches monopolies. His companies seek billions in damages and a court order to halt the partnership. Apple faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny, while Musk’s long-running feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman intensifies through this high-stakes legal battle. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
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To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself up and move on.
Dave Pelzer |
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