| HOUSEHOLD FOOD BASKET COSTS RISE, CITY BASKET STILL CHEAPEST |
The eroding effect of food inflation is taking its toll on household budgets as measured by the authoritative Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice Dignity Group (PMBEJDG) and the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP). While the PMBEJDG research suggests a marginal 1.1% (R66.10) decrease of the basket of 44 food items in the six centres montitored, the BFAP survey in July reported a 5.7% year-on-year and 0.6% month-on-month rise (see below).
According to the PMBEJDG, the average basket cost R5 380.62 as Pietermaritzburg continues to offer the cheapest basket at R5 162.75 in August, despite a 1.4% (R69.93) month-on-month and 3.5% (R172.50) year-on-year increase. Rising food inflation continues to affect households, particularly low-income families, who spend a substantial portion of their income on essentials. Factors such as seasonal crop outlooks, energy and fuel costs, and exchange rate fluctuations remain key influences on prices. For a closer look at prices in Pietermaritzburg and how they compare with other centres, click here and scroll to page 9. |
| REFLECTING ON A HISTORY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY |
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Guest speaker Yvonne Spain (right) with some of the attendees at the most recent NGO Forum
The most recent NGO Forum under the auspices of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business hosted a well-known figure in the sector, Yvonne Spain. She shared her rich journey in the sector marked by diversity and service after a career in retail. She went on to contribute to social and political organisations in Pietermaritzburg before serving as an independent on the Pietermaritzburg city council for five years. Her most notable role was with the Children in Distress (CINDI) network, an HIV/AIDS-focused NPO, where she spent a decade, including four years as director.
Now in retirement, Spain continues to support charitable organisations through part-time administrative work, including involvement with the Funda Nenja project in Mphopomeni that promotes animal welfare and strengthening the community. Her talk highlighted themes of resilience, leadership, and collaboration which are valuable lessons for those navigating the challenges of the NGO sector. Attendees appreciated her honesty, practical insights, and the encouragement to stay committed to their missions despite obstacles. |
| REMINDER: ONLINE DISCUSSION ON IMMINENT WATER CURTAILMENT |
The Msunduzi Municipality is hosting an online discussion at 2 pm today to shed light on its response to the curtailment of water from 1 September that is likely to impact on business. Interested and affected parties are invited to join the discussion. The meeting is on Microsoft Teams, the meeting ID is 362 514 901 716 8 and the passcode is z4gE9YW9.
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1499: Explorer and navigator Vasco da Gama completed his voyage round the Cape of Good Hope to India.
Elsewhere, in 1937, the Toyota Motor Company was officially formed.
No kidding, it’s International ReadComics in Public Day!
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FRAUD SURGES 54% AMID WEAK CRIME CONTROL
South Africans are facing a sharp rise in financial crime, with fraud cases surging 54% as law enforcement struggles to keep pace. The latest data highlights weaknesses in crime control and regulatory oversight, leaving consumers, businesses, and financial institutions more vulnerable to scams, identity theft, and cyber-enabled fraud. Experts warn that outdated systems, coupled with resource constraints in policing and prosecution, are allowing criminal syndicates to exploit loopholes.
The surge not only undermines public trust in financial security but also places significant strain on households already under pressure. Analysts urge urgent investment in stronger digital security, improved fraud detection, and coordinated enforcement to restore confidence and safeguard South Africa’s economic resilience. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AS CALLS GROW FOR FUND TO PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS
The suspension of a financial manager at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) after raising concerns about irregular payments has reignited calls for stronger whistleblower protection. Nicolaas van Wyk, CEO of the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants, is advocating for a dedicated whistleblower fund to provide legal, financial, and psychological support. He proposes a levy on companies through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, potentially raising hundreds of millions. Current protections under the Protected Disclosures Act remain inadequate, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable to intimidation, dismissal, and blacklisting, despite their crucial role in exposing corruption and financial fraud. Unlike the US, where laws such as Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley provide strong compensation and anti-retaliation measures, South Africa’s framework remains weak, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable to dismissal, intimidation, and even danger. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
... AND RISING LIVESTOCK THEFT THREATENS AGRICULTURE
Livestock theft is emerging as a major threat to South Africa’s farming sector, with over 61 000 goats, 37 947 cattle, and 36 486 poultry reported stolen in 2024/25, according to Statistics SA. Nearly half of thefts occurred in kraals, with grazing lands accounting for 40.7%. Farmers face mounting costs as many invest in cameras and security measures to curb losses. For new entrants and smallholders, stock theft can be financially devastating, pushing some out of business. Experts urge stronger collaboration between police and agricultural groups to safeguard the sector, boost investor confidence, and ensure long-term growth in food security. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
NEW TOOL HELPS BUYERS AVOID HIDDEN CAR ACCIDENT PITFALLS
Buying a used car just got safer for South African consumers. Kredo Mobility has launched a service that lets dealers check whether vehicles were previously written off by insurers but put back on the market as “clean” used cars. Many repaired cars hide serious damage that could compromise safety. The system uses 26 years of salvage and accident data, including photos, to reveal a vehicle’s true history. Buyers can ask dealers to pull a report on their behalf, giving them the transparency they need before making a costly and potentially dangerous purchase. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
FOOD INFLATION CLIMBS, HOUSEHOLD BASKETS FACE HIGHER COSTS
South African food inflation rose 5.7% year-on-year in July, contributing one percentage point to the 3.5% headline CPI, according to the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP). Vegetables (14.6%) and meat (10.5%) saw the steepest increases, with items like fruit juice concentrate (37%) and beef cuts (up to 33%) hardest hit. BFAP’s Thrifty Healthy Food Basket cost R3 963, up R202 year-on-year, consuming 30.6% of low-income household income. A stronger rand and good crop outlook are easing pressure, but risks remain from energy costs, fuel volatility, and animal disease outbreaks impacting supply and exports. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
HOTELS DRIVE TOURIST ACCOMMODATION GROWTH
South Africa’s tourist accommodation sector grew 6.5% year-on-year in June 2025, Statistics SA reports. The increase was supported by a 2.7% rise in stay unit nights sold and a 3.7% boost in average income per night. Hotels led the surge, recording a 12.9% jump and contributing 6.9 percentage points to overall growth. Other accommodation, including lodges and guesthouses, edged up 0.4%. In Q2 2025, sector income climbed 11.4%, with hotels up 14.2% and other accommodation 8.2%. Despite a 1.3% June dip, strong quarterly performance underscores robust demand for hotel stays. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
STEEL TARIFF HIKES MAY RAISE PRICES FOR CONSUMERS
Government plans to raise tariffs on more than 600 steel products could push up prices of everyday goods, from building materials to household items. The International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) plans increases of 10–30% on more than 600 steel products to curb cheap Asian imports and protect ArcelorMittal SA. The proposed changes, covering R51.5 billion worth of imports, aim to shield local producers from cheap Asian imports. However, downstream manufacturers warn higher costs will be passed to consumers, while job losses may follow in the steel sector. Export duties on coal and iron ore are also under review. Business groups say the move risks reducing competition and increasing inflation at a time when households are already struggling with rising living costs. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
COSATU DEMANDS TOBACCO BILL CHANGES, ILLICIT TRADE ACTION
Cosatu has urged parliament to amend the draft tobacco bill to include provisions addressing South Africa’s rampant illicit cigarette trade, which accounts for over 70% of the market and costs SARS more than R30bn annually in lost tax revenue. The union called for a “track-and-trace” system to monitor products from factory to point of sale. While welcoming stricter measures to protect youth and non-smokers, Cosatu warned that failure to curb illicit trade undermines public health goals, strengthens criminal networks, and threatens jobs in the legitimate tobacco industry. Public hearings on the bill are currently underway. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
MOUTON TRUST BIDS R7 BILLION FOR NEW CURRO FUTURE
The Jannie Mouton Family Trust has tabled a R7 billion offer to transform private school operator Curro Holdings into a nonprofit entity. The move aims to ensure education remains accessible and mission-driven, rather than profit-focused. If successful, the acquisition would transfer Curro’s ownership to a foundation model, similar to those used by leading global education groups. Curro, which operates more than 180 schools across South Africa, has grown rapidly over the past decade. The proposal reflects a shift toward social impact investing, with the trust emphasising education’s long-term value over shareholder returns. Shareholder approval will be crucial. (SOURCE: News24) |
CAPITEC TOPPLES FIRSTRAND AS AFRICA’S MOST VALUABLE BANK
Capitec Bank has overtaken FirstRand to become Africa’s most valuable bank, with a market capitalization of R424 billion ($24 billion). Shares have surged 16% in 2025, extending a remarkable 151,261% rise since its 2002 listing. Founded in 1997, Capitec has grown into South Africa’s largest bank by customer numbers, now exceeding 24.1 million. Its success is rooted in targeting low-income depositors and unsecured lending, driving record profits for four straight years. Despite this valuation milestone, Capitec remains smallest by assets, at R239 billion, compared to Standard Bank’s R3.4 trillion. Newly appointed CEO Graham Lee faces tough competition from Nedbank and OM Bank. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
US ISOTOPE COMPANY LISTS ON JSE, EYES SA GROWTH
ASP Isotopes made its secondary listing debut on the JSE under the code ISO, expanding access for South African investors to the medical, semiconductor, and nuclear isotope markets. The US-based firm, already listed on the Nasdaq, develops isotope enrichment technologies critical for healthcare, chipmaking, and clean energy. The move follows its acquisition of a stake in Renergen, strengthening local ties. CEO Paul Mann said the listing broadens its investor base while supporting South Africa’s role in high-tech industries and the growing global demand for isotopes across multiple sectors. (SOURCE: BDLive) |
SOUTH AFRICA SEEKS SAME EU CARBON TAX FLEXIBILITY AS US
South Africa has appealed to the European Union to grant the same flexible terms under the EU’s carbon-border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) as recently offered to the United States. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition expressed concern that the expanded carbon levy on imports could hinder developing countries’ climate efforts and economic growth. South Africa, heavily reliant on coal and a major greenhouse gas emitter, stressed that CBAM’s implementation risks jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of jobs tied to exports to CBAM-active countries. It urged the EU to reconsider and not extend the mechanism’s scope, to avoid adverse effects on African nations. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
NORWAY’S 94% ELECTRIC VEHICLE CAR PARK LEADS THE WORLD
Norway’s rapid shift to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has proven far less disruptive to its power grid than feared. With 81% of drivers charging at night, demand has remained manageable, equating to the electricity use of a household water heater per car. BEVs consumed just 1.6 TWh of Norway’s 138 TWh demand in 2024, with full fleet electrification expected to add only 6–7 TWh. With 94% of new cars now electric and 905 000 BEVs on the road, Norway has shown that smart charging habits and early infrastructure investments can enable a near-100% electric transport future without straining energy supply. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
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You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.
Mary Pickford |
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