| RISING COSTS WIPE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES OFF THE MENU |
Determining the cost of healthy eating is anything but an exact science and very much depends on who you are, preferences, and budgets. A stroll through the food shelves in an upmarket retailer confirms that wholesome sustenance often comes at a hefty cost and conversely, that processed food fills bellies cheaper.
Food and nutrition are not the same as the eponymous Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group highlights with its Basic Nutritional Food Basket. Designed by a dietician, the basket includes food items “to provide a family with a basic but nutritionally complete monthly diet”. It’s not clear which foods feature on the nutritional list that cumulatively amounts to R6 459.83, about R1 076.02 more expensive than its Household Food Basket (R5 383.81) comprising 44 food items popular with low-income households.
PMBEJD’s research methodology also highlights significant price differences between the seven centres it monitors monthly. The Pietermaritzburg basket (R5 207 in February) is consistently the cheapest - about R500 less than the priciest Springbok basket of R5 719 - and lower than the aggregated national basket of R5 383. In February, slowing inflation and price fluctuations - 19 items up, 24 down - temporarily blunted price pressures, but the relentless rise in food costs over time is wiping healthy diets off the table. Derek Alberts (editor)
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| HUNT IS ON FOR PIETERMARITZBURG'S SWEETEST SPOTS |
(ltr) Lara Edmonds, Devan Moodley (Save Hyper), and Glenn MacArthur gearing up for the Spot It challenge.
The KPCA Group has launched its quarterly Spot It! PMB’s Sweet-Spots, Pots & Spotless Verges competition, calling on residents, schools and businesses to nominate attractive public spaces. Backed by Save Hyper, the initiative rewards winners with vouchers of up to R1 000 across four categories. The campaign builds on KPCA’s A Heart for PMB drive, which has revitalised areas including Victoria Road and the Sunshine Substation. Judges will assess design, innovation and neatness. Entries close end-February, with awards aimed at inspiring civic pride, cleaner streets and improved business confidence across Pietermaritzburg. Contact Edmonds on info@kpca.co.za for more information.
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| 1 000 PAWS SPCA FUND-RAISER OFFERS TASTY TAX BENEFITS |
The 1 000 Paws Walk for SPCAs fundraising programme is now in its 17th year, with money raised shared equally between the three SPCA branches that serve the KZN Midlands, namely the Pietermaritzburg, uMngeni, and Mooi River & District SPCAs. This multi-tiered project includes corporate support, a school collection tin drive, and the 1 000 Paws Walk event on Sunday, 7 June at Highgate Wine Estate. The campaign offers businesses an opportunity to support a worthy, well-known charity while contributing meaningfully to their local communities. Financial and in-kind support qualifies as Section 18A tax-deductible giving, while individuals in higher income tax brackets are eligible for up to 45% back in income tax on donations made to the 1 000 Paws Walk. Contact Gaynor Lawson of the 1 000 Paws steering committee on 082 558 8928 or at glawson@global.co.za for details.
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1986: The South African government banned the United Democratic Front (UDF) and 16 other organisations.
Elsewhere, in 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, resulting in one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history.
Today is observed as World Tuberculosis Day. |
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ALARM OVER ONLINE GAMBLING RISKS IN WORKPLACE
South Africa’s online gambling surge is increasingly spilling into the workplace, with experts warning of mounting financial and psychological strain among employees. At a recent forum hosted by Alexforbes in partnership with Arena Events, panellists revealed an estimated R1.3 trillion was spent on gambling in the past year, underscoring the scale of the issue.
Employers report red flags such as repeated salary advance requests, absenteeism, presenteeism, and declining productivity. Easy-access online betting, pervasive advertising and stagnant household incomes are intensifying vulnerability. Concerns were also raised about early withdrawals under the two-pot retirement system, potentially linked to gambling-related distress.
Speakers called for stronger regulation, behavioural deterrents and co-ordinated action among business, policymakers and financial institutions to curb what is fast becoming a systemic workplace and public-health risk. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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MINISTER URGES ACTION ON 6 000 B-BBEE ACCREDITATION BACKLOG
Minister Parks Tau has called on sector councils to urgently overhaul B-BBEE accreditation processes, aiming to improve speed, transparency, and reliability. Speaking at a trade industry briefing, he noted that certification backlogs currently exceed 6 000 applications, with some taking over 12 months for approval, delaying black-owned business participation in key sectors. Tau urged councils to adopt digital verification systems and standardized scoring methodologies to reduce inconsistencies. The minister highlighted that fully compliant B-BBEE companies have a 20–30% higher likelihood of securing government contracts and supplier partnerships. The initiative seeks to strengthen economic inclusivity, attract investment, and ensure B-BBEE fosters genuine transformation and sustainable growth nationwide. (SOURCE: News24)
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IMMIGRATION STAFF FINGERED IN R181 MILLION FAST-TRACK FRAUD
The Special Investigating Unit has exposed a multimillion-Rand fraud scheme within South Africa’s immigration system, tracing more than R181 million in illicit gains between 2004 and 2024. Officials allegedly colluded with syndicates, religious figures and foreign nationals to fast-track visas and permanent residence permits, with bribes channelled through spouses’ accounts. Cases implicate figures linked to Enlightened Christian Gathering Church. Over 2 000 fraudulently issued study visas are under review. Authorities have dismissed 20 officials and instituted reforms, including tighter biometric controls and improved interdepartmental data integration to curb systemic abuse. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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FREIGHT FORWARDERS IN UPHEAVAL AS REGIONAL EXCOS CANNED
The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) has closed regional Executive Committees in Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, centralising control at head office. CEO Dr Juanita Maree says the move aligns with global best practices, strengthens governance, and improves service delivery through working groups. Regional executives, including Jonathan McDonald, fear loss of institutional knowledge and slower problem-solving. Maree stresses new talent development and modernised operations, citing NLCC involvement and digital-era efficiency. Letters indicate Durban executives’ contracts will end by April. Saaff frames closures as part of “institutional maturity,” claiming centralisation enhances transparency, inclusivity, and long-term sector impact. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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LACK OF ENGINEERING SKILLS HIT MUNICIPALITIES AT COALFACE
The Institute of Municipal Engineering (IMESA) warns South African municipalities face critical service delivery gaps due to insufficient technical staff. IMESA president Geoff Tooley says regulations require three technical staff per support member, yet no municipality meets this, with most at one-to-one ratios. Critical shortages in engineers, planners, and artisans impact water, roads, and infrastructure. IMESA urges municipalities to align staffing with the 2021 Municipal Staff Regulations, strengthen technical capacity, and involve professional engineers in policy reforms, ensuring sustainable, professional service delivery while supporting existing pockets of municipal excellence. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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UPBEAT BUDGET SET TO SPUR RATINGS UPGRADE
Economists at Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Standard Chartered see scope for a sovereign outlook upgrade once Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled his budget tomorrow. Six of nine surveyed expect Fitch Ratings to shift its outlook to positive, while several anticipate a similar move from Moody’s Ratings. Treasury is forecast to trim the 2025–26 deficit to 4.4% of GDP, beating its 4.7% target, and stabilise debt. Buoyant gold prices, firmer revenue collection and easing inflation strengthen the case, though weak growth and structural constraints temper optimism. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AS GOLD BULLS PREDICT $6 000 MARK-BREACH IN 2026
Standard Bank forecasts gold will surpass $6 000/oz in 2026 and reach $7 000 next year, implying a 35% rise from the current $5 150 level. The call follows a 64% rally in 2025, when bullion hit 51 record highs amid central bank buying and global uncertainty. Analysts cite a 50% expansion in global money supply over five years. The surge has lifted miners on the JSE, with AngloGold Ashanti up 220% to R970 billion, Gold Fields up 148% to R800 billion and Sibanye-Stillwater up 280% to R184 billion. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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SPAR SEEKS STAGGERED PAYMENTS FROM KZN CREDITORS
Spar has asked some suppliers to accept staggered February payments, citing cash-flow management as it navigates weak sales and margin pressure. The retailer proposed paying 50% in late February and the balance in March, affecting a small portion of creditors in KZN Spar denied financial distress, describing the move as routine working-capital management. The group faces ongoing strain from low food inflation, promotional activity, SAP rollout challenges and leadership instability following CEO Angelo Swartz’s resignation. Shares have fallen sharply, with investors watching whether new leadership can stabilise margins and restore confidence. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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WALMART TARGETS 21 NEW STORES OVER 3 YEARS
Retail giant Walmart is accelerating its growth in South Africa, targeting 21 new stores over the next three years. The expansion, focused on urban and peri-urban areas, aims to capture rising consumer demand for affordable groceries, household goods, and electronics. Walmart plans to invest approximately R4.5 billion in store development, supply chain upgrades, and workforce training. Analysts expect the move to create over 3,500 new jobs while increasing market share in the competitive retail sector. Walmart’s strategy includes digital integration, loyalty programs, and local supplier partnerships to enhance convenience, affordability, and community engagement across South Africa. (SOURCE: News24)
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SASOL INTERIM EARNINGS PLUNGE 95% ON GAS TROUBLES
Sasol reported a 95% plunge in basic earnings per share for the six months to December 2025, as R7.9 billion in impairments - largely tied to Secunda and Mozambique gas assets - slashed profitability. Ebit fell 52% to R4.6 billion, while headline EPS dropped 34% to R9.27. Net debt stands at R63.3 billion, above its $3 billion (about R48 billion) dividend threshold, prompting no interim payout (SOURCE: SENS)
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UGANDA EYES 250-KM RAIL LINK TO DAR-ES-SALAAM
Uganda plans to connect its new Standard Gauge Railway to a line under construction in Tanzania, creating an alternative export corridor for minerals such as gold, copper, and iron ore via the port of Dar es Salaam. The 250‑km route would run from the Tanzanian border through southern and southwestern Uganda, ending at Mpondwe on the DRC border. The African Development Bank is considering funding preparatory studies, with possible later expansion linking the DRC. Uganda currently exports most commodities through Kenya’s Mombasa port, and this route could reduce transport time and costs by up to 30%. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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R2.7 TRILLION US TARIFF REFUNDS HEAD FOR LENGHTY LEGAL BATTLES
The Trump administration may face major legal hurdles opposing refunds for $170 billion (about R2.7 trillion) in tariffs struck down by the US Supreme Court. Justice Department statements could limit Washington’s ability to block payouts. Over 300 000 importers paid the levies by end-2025, while 1 500 lawsuits are pending. Trade courts could enforce refunds, citing judicial estoppel from earlier government assurances. Companies like FedEx have filed new claims. Experts warn the administration might pursue a complex, slow claims process, but courts are likely to hold it accountable. Trump signaled a potential two-year litigation, leaving refund timelines uncertain. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Sports do not build character. They reveal it.
Heywood Broun |
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| Dollar | R16.03 | - 0.06% | | Pound | R21.63 | - 0.05% | | Euro | R18.89 | - 0.02% | | Yen | 0.103226 |
| | Yuan | R2.33 | - 0.24% | | Bitcoin | $ 63 229.88
| - 2.24% |
These rates are correct at time of going to press. | | Platinum | $ 2 149.12
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| + 1.65% | | Repo | 6.75 | | | Prime | 10.25 | |
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