| SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FLOPS HIGHLIGHT CHILD-PARENT DISCONNECT |
Social media bans may be failing because adults are trying to solve a youth problem without understanding how young people actually use technology. The real challenge is not simply restricting platforms, but closing the widening gap between parental fears and children’s lived digital lives. Fixing it demands a fundamental mindshift: from banning and policing to listening, understanding and designing healthier online experiences with young people, not for them.
See below: Academia, banking sectors chart responsible AI future |
| GEAP GRADUATE LANDS R2 MILLION GRANT TO BUILD BUSINESS |
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(ltr) Sipho Zikode (SEDFA), Minister Stella Ndabane-Abraham and ZA Gear Director Zuraida Saib and PMCB GEAP alumni.
ZA Gear, a graduate of the Growth, Empowerment and Acceleration Programme (GEAP) at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, received a R2 million funding boost from the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) to help turn its growth plans into reality.
The grant, described as “targeted business support” forms part of a package of measures available to SEDFA to stimulate new enterprises and remove unnecessary barriers that make it harder to start, operate and grow businesses.
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams was confronted by the reality of doing business at a Durban function recently. At a Red Tape Reduction and Ease of Doing Business event, Ndabeni-Abrahams heard concerns about regulatory and administrative obstacles facing SMMEs with two themes dominating - calls for a simpler business environment and improved access to finance. |
| HOW TO CREATE STRONG WORKPLACE TEAMS THAT DELIVER |
Discover how stronger teamwork can improve communication, trust, morale and workplace results at a business skills training session at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business on 30 September. This practical workshop with Dirk Calitz of Outdoor Educators equips participants with tools to build positive, motivated and engaged teams, strengthen relationships, develop leadership and address dysfunctional team dynamics. Take away practical principles and strategies for creating a positive team culture where people collaborate, contribute and achieve more. Contact Thabisile on (033) 345 2747 or at info@pmcb.org.za
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1828: Shaka Zulu, Zulu chief and founder of the Zulu empire, was murdered by his bodyguard, Mbopha, and his two half-brothers Dingane and Mhlangana.
Elsewhere, in 1980, Iraq invaded Iran to start one of the 20th century's deadliest and longest conventional wars. Seven years later, it ended indecisively.
In observance of the plight of an endangered species, today is observed as World Rhino Day.
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RETAILERS BLAMED FOR 20% DROP IN SUGAR CONSUMPTION
SA Canegrowers accuses retailers of breaching their Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan pledge to source 95% of sugar from South Africa, warning that rural livelihoods are being put at risk. Local sugar sales have fallen 20% compared with the same period over the previous three seasons, dropping from 626 417t in 2023/24 to 433 380t this season, despite sufficient domestic supply to meet demand.
Canegrowers chair Higgins Mdluli argues that sourcing tariff-free sugar from Eswatini still drains money from South Africa, since it bypasses local jobs, transformation efforts and rebates, even though it isn't classified as a deep-sea import.
Growers in KZN and Mpumalanga face falling income as retailers favour these neighbouring suppliers over local produce. Canegrowers insists "local means South African" and is calling on retailers to honour their Mpumalanga and original commitment in full. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS NEW ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES TARGET CHINESE STEEL IMPORTS
South Africa has imposed definitive antidumping duties of 8.21%–57.84% on corrosion-resistant steel coils from China, following an Itac investigation into dumping in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market. The probe, triggered by an application from ArcelorMittal South Africa and Safal Steel, whose output exceeds half of Sacu production, found Chinese exporters were undercutting local prices to the industry's detriment. Itac said the measures aim to address material injury while avoiding a "double remedy" alongside existing safeguard duties of 52.34% in year one. The move adds to a string of recent tariff hikes as South Africa's steel sector battles weak demand and import surges. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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DURBAN TRUCKERS UP IN ARMS OVER TERMINAL TURMOIL
Transporters at Durban's Container Terminal 2, now operated by ICTSI under a 25-year concession, say they've been pushed to the financial brink nine months into the takeover, struggling to secure bookings. The crisis traces to an August 15 switch to the Navis N4 operating system, which triggered severe landside delays and slashed weekly throughput by 26%. Vessel waiting times stretched from under five days to over 12, with truckers queuing 24–30 hours for slots. SAAFF and the Road Freight Association declared an operational crisis, prompting a Presidency-led intervention, while DGT says the platform is now stable but backlogs persist. (SOURCE: News24)
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... AS ALARM BELL RING OVER ROAD FREIGHT BENEFIT SHORTFALLS
The National Bargaining Council for Road Freight and Logistics is under scrutiny after an analysis of its 2018–2025 statements found R2.59 billion in worker benefit funds treated as its own property, with no separate audits for Sick Pay, Holiday Pay, Leave Pay and Wellness funds. Some funds showed shortfalls totalling up to R35.8 million between 2021 and 2023. The council earned R325 million in interest against R148.1 million in levies, raising sustainability concerns. Innovative Staffing Solutions, which forced disclosure via court action, wants regulators to verify compliance and demand separate benefit fund accounts, arguing workers deserve clarity on how their money is managed. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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QUARTERLY CONSTRUCTION INDEX AT 5% OUTPACES GDP
The Afrimat Construction Index rose 5% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, well ahead of GDP growth, though its 0.7% year-on-year gain trailed GDP's 0.9%. Economist Roelof Botha highlighted 95 000 new construction jobs since Q2 2025, alongside strong growth in materials sales, building plans passed and materials production, all outpacing inflation. The seasonally adjusted index has stayed above its 2011 base for four straight quarters, signalling recovery. Botha cited upcoming growth drivers including the $1 billion-boosted Metro Trading Services Reform Programme, potential fuel price declines, and a 71% jump in project value in the 2026 Construction Book to R396 billion. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS ONLY 17% OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE TENDERS CONCLUDED
Only one in six public infrastructure tenders were concluded over the past 12 months, highlighting severe weaknesses in government’s ability to turn planned projects into infrastructure on the ground. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said the bottleneck was not funding, but a shortage of projects that are properly prepared, structured and ready for award. Challenges include construction mafia disruptions, late contractor payments, corruption, excessive red tape and limited capacity, particularly for major projects. Macpherson said some tenders lacked sufficient data to reach financial close, while others were allowed to collapse. He warned that procurement problems were becoming systemic and could “paralyse the state”. The Presidency says government should specify outcomes and allow the private sector to deliver them. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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ACADEMIA, BANKING SECTOR CHART RESPONSIBLE AI FUTURE
Standard Bank and Stellenbosch University's School for Data Science and Computational Thinking have partnered to build a framework for responsible AI use in business. The bank says AI boosts efficiency and innovation but brings complexity-driven uncertainty, so the collaboration pairs its financial expertise with the university's data science and ethics strength. Their SBSA Responsible AI Approach framework sets parameters for safe, secure AI development with human oversight and accountability. Stellenbosch stresses it must stay adaptable as AI evolves. The move responds to growing scrutiny over AI bias, transparency and accountability, especially in financial services, where AI decisions directly affect livelihoods and the economy. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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GREEN LIGHT FOR CONTROVERSIAL FOUNDATION PHASE TEXTBOOKS
Provincial education departments can now order books from the controversial foundation phase textbook catalogue, after the Council of Education Ministers approved it last week. The catalogue, updating approved titles for grades 1–3 for the first time in 15 years, aims to boost literacy and numeracy among young learners, who lag international peers. It drew scrutiny after an inexperienced new publisher won a large share of titles. Endorsed by basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube's CEM, the new list is expected to save government R3 billion, costing R1.6 billion to implement versus R4.6 billion for the old one, through coordinated, larger-scale procurement. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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OFFSHORE WIND COULD UNLOCK 95GW BY 2035
South Africa could commission its first offshore wind projects by 2035 if government takes priority steps over the next five years, according to a World Bank and government strategic framework. The country has an estimated 95GW of offshore wind potential, including 64GW between Saldanha Bay and Port Nolloth. The sector could support more than 300 000 full-time equivalent job years and generate $6.7 billion in employment wages by 2050. Durban also has significant potential, with 17.4GW against eThekwini’s peak demand of about 1.7GW. The report says regulatory certainty, seabed planning, environmental research and early investment are needed to attract private capital and establish an offshore wind industry. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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AFRICAN CENTRAL BANKS TO KEEP INTEREST RATES STEADY
African central banks are set to keep rates high for longer, shielding economies from Iran war-driven energy price spikes and currency pressure. Of 11 decisions due, seven should hold, three hike, one cut. Brent crude above $100 a barrel and a looming El Niño threaten inflation, while restrictive US policy risks capital outflows. South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho may hike a quarter point; Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania likely hold steady. Zambia is expected to cut on disinflation. Analysts say high nominal rates have become Africa's buffer against renewed shocks, limiting room for near-term easing. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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NO RELIEF AS GLOBAL DIESEL PRICES HEAD FOR ALL-TIME HIGHS
Diesel prices are hitting record highs worldwide as wars in Iran and Ukraine cripple refineries and disrupt roughly 8% of global diesel demand of 28 million barrels a day. Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries forced Moscow to ban diesel exports, while Iranian attacks on Gulf tankers and the Strait of Hormuz have knocked out further capacity, together idling refineries representing about 5 million barrels a day. European diesel futures briefly surged over 100%. In the US, prices hit a record $6.28 a gallon (about R27 per litre) in September, up nearly 60% year-on-year, with truckers, farmers and heating-oil users facing sharply higher costs. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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EUROPEAN BANKS TO TAKE ON DEBT IN AI BUILD-OUT
European banks are preparing to finance a wave of AI infrastructure investment as the region seeks to narrow its technology gap with the US. JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are assembling specialist teams, with Goldman estimating $5 billion to $10 billion (R81-R162 billion) of European data-centre bonds could be issued by year-end, followed by a larger wave in 2027. Europe may require about $3 trillion through 2035 for cloud infrastructure, data centres and related technologies. AI debt currently accounts for about 5% of European high-yield issuance, compared with 19% in the US. However, lenders remain cautious about unbuilt projects, heavy electricity and water use, and evolving technology risks. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
Muhammad Ali |
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