| COMRADES MARATHON SNUBS KZN ATHLETICS TO GO IT ALONE |
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) membership have overwhelmingly voted to maintain the organisation's independence by rejecting re-affiliation with KZN Athletics (KZNA) at a Special General Meeting in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday. Members voted 694 to 338 (67.25%) against rejoining KZNA, while 79.22% supported a "Comrades-first" strategy that prioritises the race's governance, ethics, financial responsibility and long-term interests above provincial or national athletics structures. The vote reaffirmed a November 2025 resolution after Athletics South Africa declined the CMA's request for direct affiliation and asked the association to reconsider its position. CMA chair Mark Leathers said members had delivered a clear mandate, while emphasising the CMA remained willing to engage constructively with both KZNA and ASA as preparations continue for the Comrades Marathon's centenary race on June 13, 2027. (SOURCE: CMA)
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| CITY CONSUMERS CASH IN ON LOWER FRUIT, VEGATABLE PRICES |
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Increases in meat product prices were offset by declines in fruit and vegetables costs during July in Pietermaritzburg. Picture generated with AI assistance.
Pietermaritzburg continues to offer one of South Africa's most affordable household food baskets despite meat prices remaining above the national average. The July Household Affordability Index, compiled by the PMBEJD Group from prices at supermarkets and butcheries mainly used by low-income consumers, recorded the city's weighted household food basket at R5 173.57. The basket reflects the quantities and foods typically purchased by low-income households. The basket was well below the national average of R5 530.52 and R590.13 cheaper than the country's most expensive basket recorded in Johannesburg (R5 763.70), while also costing less than those in Cape Town (R5 367.30) and Mtubatuba (R5 649.23).
Lower fruit and vegetable prices offset more expensive meat, with oranges (R38.32 versus R58.99 nationally), bananas (R52.97 versus R70.27), apples (R43.24 versus R48.89) and green peppers (R51.48 versus R65.93) all significantly cheaper. Frozen chicken, polony and margarine, however, remained more expensive than the national average.
Click here and scroll down to page 8 for a comparison of food prices nationally.
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| HULAMIN BACK IN THE BLACK ON COST SAVINGS |
Pietermaritzburg-based Hulamin has returned to profitability for the six months ended 30 June 2026, recovering from operational disruptions experienced late last year. Headline earnings per share are expected to jump to between 74c and 76c, compared with 15c in the corresponding period last year. However, underlying trading remained under pressure. Excluding metal price lags and other non-trading items, headline earnings are expected at only 9c to 11c a share, reflecting the impact of a stronger Rand against the US Dollar and weaker sales volumes. Continued cost-saving measures helped offset some of the challenging trading conditions. (SOURCE: SENS)
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| ITALIAN CYCLE ODYSSEY IN AID OF HOSPICE TOMORROW |
Coffeeberry Cascades will host True Story Tuesday tomorrow, 4 August, at 6 pm, featuring Tinus and Ann Havinga sharing highlights of their 2026 Giro d'Italia cycling experience. The couple will also discuss their Ride for Reagan fundraising journey, honouring their grandson and supporting Msunduzi Hospice. Bookings are essential. For reservations, email info@coffeeberry.co.za.
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1881: Britain and Boer Republic representatives endorsed the end of the First Anglo-Boer War.
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Elsewhere, in 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail on his first transatlantic voyage from Spain in the hope of finding a western route to India.1 |
AUGUST FUEL PRICE RELIEF UNDONE BY RISING MIDEAST TENSIONS
Motorists are likely to receive far less fuel price relief than initially expected this month as rising global oil prices erode earlier over-recoveries. Latest projections indicate petrol prices could decline by only a few cents per litre, while diesel users may face increases of up to R1.80 a litre when the August prices kick in on Wednesday, 5 August.
Earlier expectations of cuts exceeding R2 have faded following renewed Middle East tensions that pushed crude oil prices higher. The final adjustment, effective this week, will depend on month-end fuel price calculations by the Central Energy Fund and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. (SOURCE: News24) |
SANRAL TARGETS KZN FREIGHT CORRIDORS FOR UPGRADES
Road freight operators in KZN can expect immediate maintenance on key provincial routes recently transferred to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), with major rehabilitation projects to follow once National Treasury funding is secured. Initial work includes pothole repairs, drainage, signage, guardrails and vegetation control. While SANRAL has not yet published the full list of KZN roads transferred in 2024/25, the network is expected to include strategic freight corridors such as sections of the R33, R34, R66, R68, R69 and R74. SANRAL cautioned that route assessments are still underway and confirmed only that resurfacing and larger upgrades will depend on future funding allocations. (SOURCE: Busienss2Leads)
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CHEAPER ELECTRICITY ON THE CARDS WHEN THE SUN SHINES
South Africans could soon benefit from cheaper daytime electricity as abundant solar generation increasingly creates periods of surplus supply. South Africa now has more than 4.4GW of registered rooftop solar capacity, alongside rapidly expanding utility-scale renewable projects, boosting midday electricity availability. Energy experts say time-of-use tariffs could reduce prices when solar output is highest while encouraging households and businesses to shift consumption to daylight hours. The approach would ease pressure on the grid, improve renewable energy integration and reduce reliance on costly peak-time generation. Higher tariffs would still apply during the evening peak when solar generation declines sharply. (SOURCE: News24)
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LAND REFORM BATTLE TO TEST GNU COHESION IN COURT
South Africa's contentious Expropriation Act faces a crucial legal test in the High Court this week, with the case expected to expose fresh tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU). The challenge targets the constitutionality of the land reform legislation, placing Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, a Democratic Alliance member, in the position of defending a law his party opposes. The case is expected to sharpen divisions between GNU partners over land reform policy, property rights and state powers, while potentially influencing future implementation of the Act and broader land redistribution efforts. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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GOLDMAN PREDICTS MORE CREDIT RATING UPGRADES
Goldman Sachs expects South Africa to secure further sovereign credit-rating upgrades over the next year after stronger-than-expected tax collections boosted the country's fiscal outlook. Corporate tax revenue reached R385 billion by June, exceeding both the R364 billion forecast in February and the R345 billion collected in 2025/26, driven largely by mining export profits. The country also recorded a 1.1% primary budget surplus, above the Treasury's 0.9% target. Goldman believes the improved fiscal performance strengthens the case for further upgrades by Moody's and S&P, supporting investor confidence and South African bonds. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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280 000 SASSA RECIPIENTS YET TO CHANGE CARDS BEFORE DEADLINE
About 280 000 South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries still need to replace their Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards before the 31 August deadline or risk disruptions to grant payments. Postbank has already switched about 1.66 million beneficiaries, with 160 000 changing since the rollout resumed in April. The bank serves roughly 2.1 million grant recipients and warned queues are already growing as the deadline approaches. The new cards replace compromised Gold Cards following a 2021 security breach. Beneficiaries can collect Black Cards free at participating retailers by presenting a valid South African ID. (SOURCE: GroundUp)
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DOMESTIC ENTREPRENEUR SUPPORT AMONG WORLD'S WEAKEST
South Africa has ranked among the world's weakest countries for supporting entrepreneurs, scoring just 3.9 out of 10 in the 2026 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor National Entrepreneurship Context Index, well below the global average of 4.7. The study found entrepreneurs have strong ambition and innovation but face barriers including fragmented government support, regulatory complexity and poor policy implementation. Researchers said the country needs better execution rather than new policies or funding. Despite weaknesses, South Africa retains strengths in its financial sector, universities and incubator networks. Small businesses contribute about 40% of GDP and 60% of employment but many fail within five years. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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LESOTHO GARMENT EXPORTS WIN US TARIFF REPRIEVE
Lesotho's export-dependent garment industry has received a major boost after the United States restored duty-free access following the expiry of 122 tariffs imposed in February 2026. Textiles, apparel and fisheries products will again qualify for preferential access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), easing pressure on a sector employing more than 30 000 workers. The industry had warned the tariffs threatened factory closures and thousands of jobs in one of Lesotho's largest manufacturing sectors. However, uncertainty remains as Agoa is due to expire on December 31, 2026, unless renewed. Lesotho is lobbying for its extension while pursuing increased US investment in its textile value chain. (SOURCE: GroundUp)
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FOREIGN INVESTORS SKIP NIGERIA'S 66% STOCK RALLY
Foreign investors largely avoided Nigerian equities this year, missing a 66% rally that made the country's stock market the world's best performer. Overseas investors accounted for just 12% of trading in the first half of 2026, down from 27% a year earlier, while domestic participation rose to 88%. Investors instead favoured short-term government debt offering average yields of about 20%. Analysts said mandatory pre-funding of share trades and delays to Nigeria's expected FTSE Russell market reclassification discouraged foreign participation, leaving local investors to reap most of the market's exceptional gains. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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AFRICAN AIRLINES URGE SMARTER BORDER DATA MEASURES
African aviation bodies have urged governments across the continent to implement Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems to strengthen border security while improving travel efficiency. The African Airlines Association, Airlines Association of Southern Africa and International Air Transport Association said passenger data should be collected before travel using global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. They stressed governments, not airlines or passengers, should fund the systems. The organisations also called for legal safeguards to protect personal data, limit data retention and prevent discrimination while supporting law enforcement and border management. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
Vincent van Gogh |
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| Dollar | R16.48
| + 0.43% | | Pound | R22.17
| + 0.66% | | Euro | R18.99 | + 0.57% | | Yen | 0.105176 |
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These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 644.29
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