| STRIKING BACK AT DATA PIRATES TARGETING YOUR WALLET |
For too long, retailers, and tech companies have been exploiting our travel, shopping and lifestyle data to work out what we’ll pay. They track where we go, what we browse and what we buy, and then use that information to squeeze our wallets. Enough. It’s time to fight back: limit tracking, clear cookies, switch off location sharing and shop around. If they want our data, make them work harder for it.
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| CLEAN-UP PARTNERSHIP DIVES INTO CITY'S HEART OF DARKNESS |
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Members of the KPCA team cleaning up the Fox Hill Stream behind the Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital.
A joint clean-up by the KPCA and the Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital tackling neglected parts of Pietermaritzburg revealed the depth of neglect when volunteers encountered piled-up rubbish, litter and even the dumped carcass of a bovine. The conditions highlight the deterioration of some public spaces and the need for practical intervention by communities and local organisations.
The initiative demonstrates how partnerships can mobilise residents, businesses and institutions to take greater responsibility for their surroundings. The KPCA says coordinated community action can complement municipal services while helping restore neglected areas.
“Partnerships such as this can help mobilise residents, businesses and institutions to take greater responsibility for their surroundings,” says KPCA Executive Director Lara Edmonds. Click here for a short video of the clean-up action.
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| LEAN MASTER PICKS UP SOME TIPS FROM TOYOTA |
Before taking the KZN Lean Conference stage at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business earlier this month, keynote speaker Mark Graban made a detour to Toyota’s Durban plant to see Lean thinking in action. His particular interest? Toyota’s updated andon system, where a yellow button calls for help and a red button stops the line immediately. The visit set him up nicely for the conference where he shared his insights in his trademark engaging style, as the Prospecton interlude attests.
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1963: Tanganyika (now Tanzania) became one of the first countries to ban all trade ties with South Africa.
1966: Botswana gained independence from the United Kingdom with Sir Seretse Khama at the helm.
Listen up, it’s International Podcast Day! |
FUEL PRICES SET TO SURGE, WITH RECORD DIESEL LEADING THE PAIN
Motorists and businesses face a potentially sharp fuel-price shock in October, with both petrol and diesel showing substantial increases in the latest estimates. Diesel, however, is emerging as the biggest pressure point, with 0.005% diesel forecast to jump R3.10 a litre to R33.15 - potentially a record - if current market conditions persist.
Central Energy Fund data shows mounting under-recoveries as international oil prices rise and the Rand weakens. Diesel 0.05% could climb R2.69 to R31.80 inland, while petrol is also forecast to approach or exceed R30 a litre. The projections remain fluid before final prices are announced, with the new rates scheduled to take effect on 7 October. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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SANRAL ROASTED FOR MISSING R9.5 BILLION TENDER DEADLINE
Sanral has confirmed it will miss its November 30 deadline to award 241 routine road maintenance tenders worth an estimated R9.5 billion. The tenders cover 132 contractors and 109 consultants, after courts found procurement processes unlawful and unconstitutional. Sanral reverted to open, route-by-route tenders and extended contracts to keep maintenance running. Acting CEO Lehlohonolo Memeza told Parliament’s Transport Portfolio Committee that the deadline would not be met and that Sanral would seek court permission for contracts to continue month-to-month. Lawmakers questioned discrepancies in Sanral’s reporting, consequence management and the investigation into Moriel Infrastructure’s appointment, giving the agency 14 days to respond. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS CIVIL CONSTRUCTION SENTIMENT SLIPS ON SLOWING ACTIVITY
South Africa’s civil construction sector is showing renewed signs of strain, with business confidence declining in Q3 2026 as activity and profitability weakened. The FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index fell to 40 from 43, while 60% of respondents were dissatisfied with prevailing conditions. Activity growth dropped to its lowest level since 2022, while intensified tender price competition further squeezed profitability. FNB senior economist Siphamandla Mkhwanazi says contractors have yet to see significant benefits from infrastructure investment. Renewable-energy and mining projects, previously important sources of work, also appear to have slowed. However, fourth-quarter activity expectations remain positive and order books are still relatively healthy. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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FDI INFLOWS SURGE AS PORTFOLIO GOES OTHER WAY
South Africa’s foreign direct investment inflows more than doubled to R49.8 billion in Q2 2026 from R20.3 billion in Q1 2026, according to the South African Reserve Bank. The increase was driven by a local telecommunications company receiving debt funding from its foreign parent, although the SARB did not identify the company. Portfolio investment moved in the opposite direction, recording a R9 billion outflow after a R9 billion inflow in the previous quarter. Non-residents sold R34.2 billion in domestic equities while buying R25.1 billion in debt securities. The latter was partly offset by government’s redemption of a $1.25 billion (about R20.5 billion) international bond. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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SA KICKS FOR TOUCH ON PARIS CLUB, OPTS FOR BORROWERS PLATFORM
South Africa has shelved plans for full Paris Club membership, opting instead to deepen its involvement in the Global Borrowers’ Platform, a UN-backed coalition of debtor countries. National Treasury said South Africa would remain an ad-hoc Paris Club participant while engaging with the borrower-led platform, which began operating in April. South Africa has been a prospective Paris Club member since 2022 and has participated in debt-restructuring processes, including as vice-chair of Zambia’s Official Creditor Committee. Treasury said it remains committed to Paris Club engagement and G20 Common Framework discussions, while pushing for reforms to better support developing countries facing debt distress and improve international debt-resolution mechanisms. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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SOUTH AFRICA’S TOURISM RECOVERY LAGS AFRICAN RIVALS
South Africa welcomed 5.85 million international tourists from January to July 2025, up 14% year on year, but remains 1% below 2019 levels, according to BDO South Africa. The bigger concern is overseas tourism: 1.3 million arrivals were 10% below 2019, with 183 000 missing visitors costing about R4.3 billion in direct spending. In 2024, the overseas shortfall translated into R13.3 billion in lost foreign expenditure. China delivered only 23 600 visitors in the first seven months of 2025, just 44% of 2019 levels, while India remained 27% below 2019. Data from BDO shows visitor numbers from both markets are declining sharply, even under South Africa’s trusted tour operator scheme. The figures underline concerns about the country’s ability to convert its tourism assets into international arrivals and spending while North African destinations strengthen their appeal. . (SOURCE: BDLive)
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SOLAR ECONOMICS CHANGING TO MEET RISNG FIXED COSTS
The economics of going solar are becoming harder to judge by electricity savings alone, as fixed charges and grid-related costs take a larger share of power bills. RenEnergy Africa says businesses and other electricity users need to consider security of supply, connection costs, grid constraints, storage and future energy requirements alongside the cost of solar generation. Cutting consumption by 30% does not necessarily reduce the total bill by 30% when fixed charges remain. Falling solar equipment costs and improving battery technology are changing the equation, with storage providing backup, load shifting and arbitrage opportunities. Users must also consider registration, metering and possible network upgrades. For some, hybrid or fully off-grid systems may offer greater resilience and longer-term cost certainty. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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PROFITABLE SMALL BUSINESSES SUFFER 'BANKABILITY' GAP
South Africa’s small-business funding challenge may be less about capital shortages than businesses’ ability to demonstrate they are ready to grow, new Fetola research finds. Its MSME Bankability Gap Report, based on 177 growth-oriented businesses, found 86.6% had sustainable sales and 76.8% were profitable. Yet only 34.7% had credible management reports and 13.3% had a 12-month budget. Fetola says this “bankability gap” can prevent commercially active businesses from accessing funding and partnerships. Half of those assessed faced cash-flow pressure despite being profitable. Businesses with 12-month budgets were also more likely to be financially stable over the following six months. Fetola says stronger financial records, budgeting, forecasting and internal controls are essential to unlocking growth finance. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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SIBANYE-STILLWATER SET FOR A2X SECONDARY LISTING
Sibanye-Stillwater will add its shares to A2X Markets from 6 October, giving investors another venue to trade the global mining and metals group. The secondary listing does not affect its existing JSE listing or issued share capital. Sibanye-Stillwater joins Gold Fields, Impala Platinum, Harmony and AngloGold Ashanti among mining companies with A2X listings. The group operates across Southern Africa, North America, Europe and Australia and is a major producer and refiner of platinum group metals and gold. It has also expanded into battery metals, recycling and secondary mining. Sibanye’s addition takes A2X’s tradable instruments to 167, including 31 Top 40 constituents, with combined market capitalisation exceeding R12 trillion. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity)
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MAN CITY FACES WRATH OVER FINANCIAL BREACHES
English Premier League side Manchester City has been found guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches, with an independent commission ruling that the club artificially boosted its financial results by more than £900 million (about R19.5 billion). The commission found more than £830 million in Abu Dhabi United Group funding was improperly presented as commercial sponsorship income, while certain expenses and liabilities were excluded. It also found the club used Abu Dhabi-linked sponsorship arrangements to disguise owner equity funding as commercial revenue. The findings follow a 42-day hearing involving 27 witnesses and experts. Sanctions will be determined separately and could include a points deduction, fine or expulsion. Manchester City denies wrongdoing and has until 2 October to appeal. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.
Phil Knight |
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| Dollar | R16.38 | + 0.16% | | Pound | R21.72 | - 0.01% | | Euro | R18.59 | + 0.02% | | Yen | 0.104339 |
| | Yuan | R2.45 | + 0.10% | | Bitcoin | $ 82 043.83 | - 0.46% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 1 728,60 | + 1.59% | | Gold | $ 4 180.13 | - 0.05% | | Oil | $ 96.56 | + 0.18% | | All Share | 109 440.71 | + 0.31% | | Repo | 7.25 | | | Prime | 10.75 | |
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