| BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS CAP MEMORABLE CHAMBER BANQUET |
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Representing the key sponsors were Colin David, Group Director and Media Liaison of Mi7, (left) and Kevin Beekrum, Director of Jesmondene Lifestyle Estate. Pictures by Eric Cornhill
The highlight of Friday night’s Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business Annual Banquet, sponsored by Mi7 and Jesmondene Lifestyle Estate, was the array of business awards in various categories. Below are the winners.
Social Enterprise of the Year 2025
Emma Barter Victoria Home earns top honours for outstanding sustainability, ethical service, and community impact since 1883 - demonstrating governance, collaboration, and excellence as a long-standing pillar of Pietermaritzburg’s social enterprise sector.
Business of the Year – State-Owned Enterprise 2025
UMEDA earns top honours for driving catalytic, sustainable regional projects, maintaining three consecutive unqualified audits, fostering strategic investments, partnerships, and job creation across seven uMgungundlovu municipalities - exemplifying excellence in governance and performance.
Champion Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
Nompilo Gumede of Cava Africa grew her accounting startup from R53 000 to over R1 million turnover through innovation, diversification, mentorship, and export success - exemplifying exceptional entrepreneurship, leadership, and community empowerment.
Small Business of the Year 2025
Mech-Tech Precision (Pty) Ltd achieves remarkable growth, expanding turnover from R393k to R120m, opening new offices, increasing staff, and prioritizing client partnerships, innovation, and skilled workforce development.
Medium Business of the Year 2025
SLCNG earns top honours for sustainable energy innovation, impressive growth, and a ‘People First’ approach, extending impact through education, youth development, and inclusive leadership in a tightly regulated sector.
Manufacturing Business of the Year 2025
This award honours a manufacturing leader excelling in innovation, growth, skills development, and community impact - driving jobs, economic value, and sustainability while setting a benchmark for industry excellence. Two runners-up were honoured: Preformed Line Products (PLP) and Aberdare Cables, while Brink Towing Systems lifted the award for excelling in financial growth, global diversification, employee development, and sustainability initiatives, while investing in upgraded facilities and community programmes.Click here for the full gallery of pictures. |
| TRIUMPHANT BOKS DELIVER MASTERCLASS IN BUSINESS STRATEGY |
| ALLAN GRAY SETS RECORD STRAIGHT IN NEDBANK DISPUTE |
Financial institutions take the business of advertising seriously, as a recent spat between Allan Gary and Nedbank illustrates. The disagreement went all the way to the Advertising Appeals Committee (AAC) over Allan Gray’s claim that Nedbank "stole" its advertisements. The investment manager is unhappy about Nedbank's bank your time advertising campaign, which aims to show that its digital banking solutions can save time for their clients. Allan Gray contended that Nedbank’s storytelling and dark-toned visuals imitated its ads along with its advertising concept of the human value of time which it has been punting since 2009. The AAC upheld Allan Gray's argument.
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1919: The Dutch Reformed Church decided that Afrikaans may be used alongside Dutch during services.
Elsewhere, in 1975, Angola gained independence from Portugal.
Today is Remembrance Day, also referred to as Poppy Day. |
50 000 RAF CLAIMS IN JEOPARDY OVER 'ILLEGAL' FORMS
About 50 000 valid Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims risk expiring due to the continued use of the unlawful RAF1 form, according to the Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (Aprav). Chair Pieter de Bruyn said up to 170 000 claims have been rejected and could lapse permanently once statutory limits - two years for hit-and-run cases and three for others - expire. The potential financial exposure could reach R400 billion, with about 80 000 legitimate claims still unregistered.
De Bruyn criticised Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s failure to intervene despite her broader cleanup efforts. The RAF recently suspended four top officials amid investigations, deepening concerns over governance and payment delays to accident victims. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS UNDERCOOKED AARTO KICKED TO TOUCH, AGAIN
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have postponed the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) to July 1, 2026. Originally scheduled for December 1, the delay follows a Department of Transport assessment revealing that several municipalities are not ready. Key issues include completing law enforcement and back-office training, harmonising municipal systems, and securing funding. The phased rollout will still begin in major metros like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, with a full national programme planned for September 2026. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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EMPLOYERS UP IN ARMS OVER ‘BEE IN DISGUISE’ LICENSING BILL
Employer organisation Neasa has criticised the government’s proposed amendments to the draft Business Licensing Bill, warning they could severely harm job creation and entrepreneurship. The group says the bill’s new compliance criteria - including empowerment and localisation targets - amount to “BEE through the back door”. Neasa argues the legislation will burden small and medium-sized businesses with costly red tape, discourage investment, and give officials excessive power over licensing approvals. It has urged the government to withdraw the draft in its current form and consult further with business before proceeding. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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REGULATION KEY TO PRIVATE SECTOR ROLE IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Experts warn that South Africa’s private-sector participation (PSP) in rail and port infrastructure will succeed only if there are clear regulations, strong governance, and fair access, ensuring efficiency gains do not compromise affordability or inclusivity. International examples, such as Mexico’s rail concessions, demonstrate that risk-sharing and competition can restore confidence. Transnet and the Department of Transport are actively engaging investors to modernise the logistics system, with banks, PPPs, and operators emphasising predictability and transparency. Effective PSP could reduce costs, improve export competitiveness, and foster skills transfer, while revitalising infrastructure and supporting sustainable economic growth across South Africa’s transport and logistics sector. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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‘PLEASE CALL ME’ CREATOR FACES NEW LEGAL BATTLE
Nkosana Makate, inventor of Vodacom’s “Please Call Me” service, faces a new legal challenge as an offshore firm, Sterling Rand, claims 40% of his long-awaited compensation. The company alleges a prior funding agreement entitles it to a share of any payout. Makate, who has fought Vodacom for over two decades for fair remuneration, disputes the claim. The Constitutional Court previously ruled in his favour, ordering Vodacom to compensate him for the idea that revolutionised mobile communication in South Africa. This latest dispute could delay final settlement of the multimillion-rand case once again. (SOURCE: News24)
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SOUTH AFRICA PUSHES FOR PLATINUM GROUP METALS EXCHANGE
South Africa is advancing plans for a Platinum Group Metals (PGM) commodities exchange, aiming to capitalise on the country’s 80% global PGM reserves and the surging demand from green technologies. The digital exchange would enable transparent price discovery, financial beneficiation, and integration with global markets like China’s GFEX, allowing delivery of both ingots and sponge forms. Experts, including Dr Iraj Abedian, stress that such a platform could strengthen South Africa’s industrial, financial, and logistical sectors, support a long-term beneficiation strategy, and enhance the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s global profile, while positioning the country at the forefront of the rapidly expanding hydrogen and green energy economy. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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R16 BILLION WORLD BANK LOAN TO BOOST METROS
The World Bank has approved a R16 billion loan to support South Africa’s efforts to revitalise and modernise its cities. The loan, part of the government’s broader urban resilience and infrastructure programme, will fund projects aimed at improving service delivery, transport systems, and climate adaptation. It also seeks to stimulate inclusive economic growth and strengthen municipal governance. The National Treasury said the financing aligns with South Africa’s urban development goals and will assist in tackling challenges such as ageing infrastructure, unemployment, and inequality in major metropolitan areas including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. (SOURCE: News24)
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CITRUS EXPORTS SURGE 22% FOR RECORD 203 MILLION CARTONS
South Africa’s citrus industry achieved a record-breaking 2025 export season, shipping 203.4 million 15 kg cartons - a 22% rise from 2024 and well above projections. The surge stems from favourable weather, maturing orchards, and improved logistics led by Transnet’s new equipment and incentive systems. Strong overseas demand for lemons and juicing oranges further boosted exports. The results surpass the Citrus Growers’ Association’s Vision 260 targets, positioning the industry for 100,000 new jobs by 2032. However, rising input costs, tariffs - including the US 30% levy - and restricted market access still threaten long-term growth and competitiveness. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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SIBANYE TAKES R3.7 BILLION HIT IN BRAZIL SETTLEMENT
Sibanye-Stillwater has agreed to pay R3.7 billion to settle a dispute with Appian Capital Advisory over a failed 2022 acquisition of two Brazilian nickel and copper mines. The out-of-court settlement was reached less than a day before the scheduled “quantum trial” in London, which would have determined damages. Sibanye said the settlement ends protracted legal proceedings, allowing management to focus on core operations amid a challenging metals market. The company had earlier withdrawn from the $1 billion deal, citing unfulfilled conditions. The payment will be recorded as a once-off exceptional cost in its 2025 financial results. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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EUROPE BACKS R43 BILLION CONGO RAINFOREST PLAN
European nations have pledged over $2.5 billion (about R43 billion) to protect and restore the Congo Basin rainforest, the world’s second-largest, through the Belem Call initiative led by France and Gabon. Backed by Germany, Norway, Belgium, and Britain, with support from the World Bank and African Development Bank, the plan aims to end deforestation by 2030 via technology, training, and partnerships. The announcement coincides with Brazil’s COP30 Tropical Forests Forever Facility, highlighting competing rainforest conservation efforts. The Congo rainforest, spanning six central African countries, plays a critical role in absorbing greenhouse gases, and this funding marks a major step in global climate finance and forest preservation. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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CANADA PULLS OUT THE STOPS TO CONTAIN MEASLES BATTLE
Canada has lost its measles elimination status after nearly 30 years, following a year-long outbreak that infected more than 5 000 people across nine provinces. Health officials confirmed the resurgence marks the country’s worst measles spread since the early 1990s. The outbreak has been linked to falling vaccination rates, misinformation, and delayed immunisations following the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities are now ramping up vaccination campaigns and school-based awareness drives to contain further transmission. The World Health Organszation will formally remove Canada from its list of measles-free countries, underscoring the growing threat of vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide. (SOURCE: AP)
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BBC LEADERS WALK THE PLANK OVER EDITED TRUMP SPEECH
BBC Director-General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness are resigning following allegations that a Panorama documentary misrepresented former President Donald Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech. The edited footage suggested Trump urged supporters to “fight like hell,” when he had actually encouraged cheering on lawmakers. The resignations capped a turbulent year for the broadcaster, which faced criticism over Gaza coverage and presenter controversies. Trump called the pair “dishonest,” while White House officials labeled the BBC “fake news.” Davie, who led the BBC since 2020, said the controversy and polarized climate influenced his decision, allowing space for new leadership under the next royal charter. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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You can't make good decisions unless you have good information and can separate facts from opinion and speculation.
Colin Powell |
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