| ABSURDIST THEATRE MAKES FOR AN ENTERTAINING FEBRUARY START |
When fact, fiction, and wishful thinking collide, anything is possible, even if it’s improbable. That’s what we woke up to in KZN this morning, under the oddest shadow cast by Donald Trump, of all people. At issue is an obscure Afrikaner separatist group, Oranjevrijstaat Boervolk, laying claim to a generous slice of KZN on the basis of supposed agreements with Zulu kings Dingaan and Mpanda prior to British colonisation in 1843 and 1848. Surprise, surprise, the motivation is apparently inspired by Trump’s recent Greenland remarks.
Adding spice to that bizarre revisionist claptrap is the incumbent Zulu monarch calling for the “Natal” part of KZN to be dropped. If that’s not enough, along comes the claim that Jacob Zuma in 2010 was wined and dined by Jeffrey Epstein, allegedly accompanied by a Russian model, nogal. Nothing like an episode of absurdist theatre to get February going, get out the popcorn! Derek Alberts (Editor)
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| 'WHITE ELEPHANT' RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS |
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Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Msunduzi Munipality officials inspecting the abandoned work on the so-called Bus Rapid Transport project on the Moses Mabhida Road to Edendale. (Pic credit: Facebook)
A recent visit by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport highlighted the failure of Msunduzi Municipality’s Integrated Public Transport Network, also known as Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, that ran out of steam some time ago. With millions already spent, the committee warned the project was becoming a “white elephant.” It is understood the committee criticised poor coordination and a siloed approach between national and local authorities, and that blaming the taxi industry was a poor excuse.
Intended to boost jobs and economic growth, the project is being wound down and attention now turning to repurposing existing infrastructure. It’s not clear how value would be salvaged from what appears to be a costly, failed public transport initiative.
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| GETTING THE YEAR OFF TO A TECH START |
Keen to kickstart 2026 with some key tech insights? Join the first Tech Talk forum at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business on Friday, 6 February, where Noel Thompson from Altostratus Tech will explore four essential technology pillars: AI, communication, security, and automation. Get on board for practical strategies to optimise your current tools, streamline operations, safeguard data, and boost productivity. Cost is free to PMCB members, R60 (incl. vat) non PMCB members. Contact Heidi on (033) 3452747 or at pmcb@pmcb.org.za. See the full programme of 2026 forums, networks and events here.
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1990: President de Klerk announced the unbanning of the African National Congress and his intention to release Nelson Mandela.
Elsewhere, in 1851, the first public flushing toilet was opened in London at 2 pence a flush.
It’s World Wetlands Day. |
HOPE RISES FOR RAF CLAIMANTS AS COURT CASE DITCHED
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has abandoned its protracted legal battle with the Auditor-General over accounting standards, raising hopes of faster and fairer payouts for accident victims. The dispute centred on how the RAF records future liabilities, estimated at more than R300 billion, which has driven repeated adverse audit opinions. By withdrawing from court, the RAF signals a shift away from costly litigation toward addressing long-standing governance and financial weaknesses.
The move could help stabilise the fund, reduce legal expenses running into millions of rand, and improve cooperation with oversight bodies. For claimants, this may translate into improved administrative focus, quicker processing of claims and greater certainty that legitimate compensation will be honoured in a system long criticised for delays and backlogs. (SOURCE: News24)
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SARS TO ROLL OUT VAT E-INVOICING IN 2026
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) is expected to unveil its full VAT e-invoicing framework later this year as part of a major tax modernisation drive. The phased rollout is set to begin in 2026, with full implementation targeted for 2028, following provisions in the 2025 Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill. The system will enable near real-time transmission of VAT data, promising faster refunds, fewer audits and improved compliance. Tax experts say businesses will need to upgrade systems and controls to meet new transparency requirements. Sars believes the initiative will reduce administrative inefficiencies, curb VAT fraud and improve revenue collection through earlier detection of discrepancies. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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PRECIOUS METAL MAYHEM ROUTS JSE RESOURCES INDEX 10%
The JSE suffered a sharp sell-off on Friday as extreme volatility in precious metals prices hammered mining shares. The FTSE/JSE All Share Index plunged more than 4%, shedding over 5 000 points to close at 120 046, while the Resources 10 Index tumbled over 10%. Gold fell nearly 7% below the key $5 000/oz level after reports that US President Donald Trump would appoint Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair boosted the dollar. Silver and platinum collapsed more than 17% and 15%. Heavyweight stocks including Valterra, Impala Platinum and AngloGold Ashanti dropped over 12%, dragging the rand weaker above R16/$ despite the market remaining up 3.4% year to date. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SOLAR DOMINATES 147 NEW POWER PROJECTS
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) registered 147 new electricity generation facilities in the quarter ended December 31, adding 1 960 MW of capacity and R33.39 billion in investment. Applications were processed in an average of nine working days, down from 14 days a year earlier. Solar PV dominated new registrations, reflecting South Africa’s strong solar resources. Gauteng, the Western Cape and KZN .in project numbers, while Gauteng, the Free State and Limpopo topped capacity and investment values. One Gauteng project alone contributed 1 017 MW at a cost of R13.31 billion. Since 2018, Nersa has approved 18 000 MW worth R361 billion. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS ESKOM SWEETENS PAY OFFER TO 5.5%
State-owned power utility Eskom has increased its wage offer to unions to 5.5%, up from the 3.5% proposed last year, but it remains far below union demands of up to 15%. The revised offer was tabled this week during a second round of salary negotiations and would take effect from 1 July, when the current three-year agreement expires. Eskom has stabilised operations after improved coal plant performance ended load shedding and delivered its first full-year profit in eight years. Inflation stood at 3.6% in December. A third negotiation round is scheduled for February, with unions warning strikes remain possible despite Eskom’s current excess generation capacity. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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PROACTIVE LIFESTYLE AUDITS COMING AS FIC GETS TEETH
National Treasury is fast-tracking legislation that will give the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) powers to conduct lifestyle audits, expanding the state’s surveillance reach beyond Sars. Under the General Laws Amendment Bill of 2025, the FIC would be allowed to initiate audits proactively, not only after suspicious transactions, and at the request of government bodies or municipalities. Banks would also be required to retain records for seven years, up from five. Critics warn the bill threatens constitutional privacy rights and signals a shift toward proactive surveillance. Supporters argue the measures are needed to strengthen anti-money-laundering controls and maintain South Africa’s standing with global watchdogs such as the FATF. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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HOTTER VINEYARDS REDRAW SOUTH AFRICA’S WINE MAP
Rising temperatures are reshaping South Africa’s wine landscape, altering taste profiles and threatening the viability of some regions. Hot, inland areas such as the Swartland, Robertson, Worcester, Klein Karoo and Lower Orange River are seeing faster ripening, higher sugar levels and wines with elevated alcohol and softer acidity. Heat stress and water scarcity are increasing costs and risk. In contrast, cooler coastal and high-altitude regions including Elgin, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, the Cape South Coast and Cederberg are gaining prominence, producing fresher, lower-alcohol styles. Winemakers are adapting through earlier harvesting, canopy management and new cultivars, as climate resilience becomes central to the industry’s long-term survival. (SOURCE: News24) |
LONDON DEVELOPERS TURN ATTENTION TO ROOFTOP AIRSPACE
Developers in London are increasingly buying airspace above existing buildings to create new homes, unlocked by planning reforms introduced in 2020. Empty rooftop airspace is now being marketed for hundreds of thousands of pounds, offering a way to add housing without demolishing historic buildings. Industry estimates suggest airspace development could deliver up to 180 000 homes, helping offset a collapse in new construction across the capital. Building upward is often cheaper than basements and suits London’s ageing housing stock, much of it pre-World War II. However, projects frequently face strong local opposition over disruption, rising service charges and concerns about neighbourhood character. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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BITCOIN HITS TWO-MONTH LOW AS FUNDS SINK 34% OFF PEAK
Bitcoin slid to a two-month low as investor sentiment weakened and US exchange-traded funds saw heavy outflows. The cryptocurrency fell as much as 3.9% to $81 102 in early Asian trade on Friday, its lowest level since November 21, and is now more than 34% below its October record high. The 12 US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs have posted three straight months of net redemptions, with about $4.8 billion withdrawn since November. The sell-off contrasts with rising demand for gold, fuelling doubts about Bitcoin’s status as “digital gold” and raising the risk of a fall below $80,000 if bearish momentum persists. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney |
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| Dollar | R16.23 | - 0.57% | | Pound | R22.20 | - 0.56% | | Euro | R19.25 | - 0.65% | | Yen | 0.104625 |
| | Yuan | R2.33 | - 0.65% | | Bitcoin | $ 76 595.01
| - 9.01% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 948.00 | - 10.67% | | Gold | $ 4 538.06
| - 7.22% | | Oil | $ 66.19
| - 5.10% | | All Share | 115 171.34
| - 4.06% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
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