| TRUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP VERSUS POINT-SCORING ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT |
If one trend is becoming clearer, it’s the shift away from tick-box training under the guise of enterprise development towards addressing the two real obstacles hamstringing entrepreneurship - market access and funding. But getting enterprises into value chains and giving them the capital to take advantage of those opportunities demands intention and action, qualities that distinguish sincere entrepreneurial nurturing from fancy Powerpoint sessions in a training room.
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, with European funding, has been beating the drum for a while, as its many GEAP success stories attest. Leading the charge is the Trade Hub rotating the lens on entrepreneurship support, moving the focus away from What programme can we offer? towards the more useful questions: What's stopping this business from growing, and what resources already exist to overcome that barrier?
It’s a disarmingly effective approach that speaks to entrepreneurial support as much as it questions the default option of problem-solving by adding another layer or solution instead of harnessing what’s already on the table. Think of the way the powers-that-be address the challenge of water supply that glosses over a self-evident truth - that the cheapest new source of water is the water we already have, but is either wasted or stolen.
While most successful ventures thrive by solving everyday problems, hedge funds like Moreton Capital Partners are opting for questionable routes, like aiming for a massive windfall by betting directly on the agricultural chaos and inflation triggered by El Niño. On a happier note, it’s weekend with a healthy prognosis for more rain. Derek Alberts (editor)
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| COOKING UP A STORM AMID FUN, LAUGHTER AND LOTS OF WINE |
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(ltr) Jackie Cameron, Nicola Coskey, Lauriane Minett (Canterbury Equestrian Centre), Haley Chambler (HJ Beauty Specialists), Tacita Anne Peters (Fleet Sales Manager, Kent Motor Group) and Tracy Freese (Purple Boa Creations) at the event.
The popular sundowner event at the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine proved once again that a degustation menu can be as entertaining as it is delicious, with six students delivering an evening of imaginative food, humour and just the right dash of quirkiness.
Their creative interpretations ranged from yellowtail cottage pie and couscous-stuffed squid to a chicken spring roll, pork-filled rosti cup, baklava and a show-stopping pavlova with Belgian chocolate. Each course revealed plenty of thought, technique and willingness to push familiar ingredients somewhere more adventurous.
The dishes were paired with a selection of Backberg wines, presented with enthusiasm and knowledge by Nicola Coskey. The line-up included a welcoming Rosé, and followed by its Hillside Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage Rosé, Gravel Road Chenin Blanc, Smuggled Vines Chardonnay, Pumphouse Shiraz and Plum Valley Merlot.
The students excelled, combining culinary skill with personality and proving that hospitality training is about more than following recipes. Happily, the serious cooking was balanced by loads of fun, laughter and wine.
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| MENTAL HEALTH, DAGGA, ZERO TOLERANCE ON HR FORUM AGENDA |
| The People Management Forum on Tuesday, 22 September, has plenty of grist for the HR and labour law fraternity. Led by Raj Seeparsad, the forum at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business will see a senior CCMA Commissioner address the implications for mental health in the workplace, critical updates on South African diversity, cannabis safety risks, internal appeal overrides, and why zero-tolerance policies no longer guarantee automatic dismissal. Proceedings start at 3 pm. RSVP Heidi on (033) 345 2747 or at pmcb@pmcb.org.za. |
1971: World Council of Churches representatives barred from entering South Africa.
Elsewhere, in 1961, UN secretary general Dag Hammarskjold was killed with 12 passengers when their plane crashed in Zambia. |
CASH REMAINS KING DESPITE R88.5 BILLION ANNUAL COST
Cash remains deeply embedded in South Africa’s economy despite rapid digital-payment growth, carrying an estimated annual cost of R88.5-billion. That cost reflects the expense of producing, distributing, handling, securing and processing physical cash across the economy. Yet cash remains essential for consumers and merchants, particularly in the informal economy and cash-only sectors such as the massive taxi industry.
Even digitally savvy, banked consumers can depend on cash where electronic payments are unavailable or impractical. The persistence of cash therefore reflects infrastructure and access constraints as much as consumer preference. While banks and fintechs continue expanding digital alternatives, cash remains critical to daily commerce, highlighting the tension between South Africa’s digital ambitions and the continuing cost of physical money. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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CONSUMER CONFIDENCE DEFIES WINDS OF MIDDLE EAST UNCERTAINTY
South Africa’s consumer confidence improved sharply in the third quarter, despite economic uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict. The FNB-sponsored, Bureau for Economic Research survey showed confidence rising to minus 13 points from minus 19 in the second quarter. However, household spending is expected to remain subdued as higher fuel prices, interest-rate uncertainty and inflation pressures squeeze budgets. FNB chief economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said shoppers are likely to remain cost-conscious and prioritise necessities over discretionary purchases ahead of the festive season. Lower-income households drove the confidence rebound, benefiting from lower food inflation, while middle- and high-income consumers remain more exposed to credit costs. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
AFFORDABILITY, CHINESE BRANDS DRIVE 67.6% SUV GROWTH
Affordability and increased competition are reshaping South Africa’s vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground, according to Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. Analysis of 2.56 million vehicle finance applications shows SUVs’ share of the combined SUV, bakkie and body-on-frame SUV market rising from 60.2% in Q2 2023 to 67.6% this year. SUV finance applications grew 38%, while average financed values increased just 0.6%, from about R350,000 to R353,000. Chinese brands have driven competition, lifting their share of SUV applications from 19% to 40%. Bakkies’ share fell from 36.3% to 28.9%, while double cabs strengthened their dominance. AVAF says consumers are increasingly weighing price, features and lifestyle suitability when choosing vehicles. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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... AS DOMESTIC AUTO INDUSTRY FACES LOCALISATION CRUNCH
South Africa’s automotive industry faces a growing localisation challenge despite record exports of R291 billion and R137 billion in local value addition in 2025. Imported vehicles accounted for 69% of new-vehicle sales, rising to 80% for passenger cars, while local content remains around 40%, below the 60% target. Industry leaders say rising production costs, weak domestic demand and an incentive framework geared towards exports are undermining local manufacturing and component investment. As government reviews the Automotive Production and Development Programme and Automotive Masterplan, manufacturers are calling for stronger localisation measures, particularly around new-energy vehicles and aftermarket components. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
COMPETITION COMMISSION LOADS UP ON AI COMPLIANCE WEAPONS
South African companies face a new enforcement risk as artificial intelligence gives the Competition Commission more powerful ways to identify suspected anti-competitive conduct. The commission has recently targeted sectors including insurance and scrap metal in dawn raids, while lawyers warn that digital evidence is becoming increasingly important. AI can rapidly scan large volumes of documents for patterns associated with cartel behaviour, potentially identifying targets before complaints or whistleblowers emerge. Businesses should have dawn-raid procedures, trained frontline staff and designated response teams, while protecting legally privileged material. Employees retain rights to legal representation and against self-incrimination during raids. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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CONCOURT FORCES RETHINK ON PROCUREMENT LAWS
The Constitutional Court has declared the Public Procurement Act invalid, dealing a setback to Treasury’s plans to overhaul South Africa’s public procurement framework. The court found a “serious deficiency” in Parliament’s public participation process, which rendered the legislation constitutionally invalid. The ruling affects reforms intended to create a unified framework for government procurement and replace fragmented existing rules. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana was among the respondents in the litigation challenging the legislation. The judgment puts the implementation of the new procurement regime into question and requires Parliament to address the constitutional defect identified by the court. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS JUDGE REPRIMANDED OVER 14-MONTH RAF RULING DELAY
Western Cape High Court Judge Thandazwa Ndita has been formally reprimanded for taking more than 14 months to deliver judgment in an urgent Road Accident Fund (RAF) application. Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo found the delay constituted a grossly negligent breach of the Judicial Code and conduct unbecoming of a judge. Ndita was ordered to apologise in writing to attorney Kabelo Malao within 30 days. Malao, whose firm faced potential closure, said the delay prejudiced him, his clients and the firm’s finances and reputation. He criticised the sanction as inadequate and called for a suspension. Mlambo said there was no evidence of wilfulness, bad faith or improper motive. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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FARMERS, GOVERNMENT AT ODDS OVER FMD RESPONSE
Farmers and the state are clashing over South Africa’s response to its worst foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemic. The country has 12 million to 14 million cattle, with farmers arguing that 25 million vaccine doses a year are needed for effective twice-yearly vaccination. Government says 23 million doses have now been imported, while more than one million dairy cows have been vaccinated at least once this year. The Agricultural Research Council sent 11 disease samples to the UK’s Pirbright reference laboratory in January but none since. Farmers question the lack of independent testing and published surveillance data. The ARC says its own laboratory is internationally recognised and that no significant genetic or antigenic changes have been detected. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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ORION SHINES UP GOVERNANCE AS COPPER PRODUCTION NEARS
Orion Minerals is gearing for the next stage of its copper production plans, with Okiep drilling revealing grades well above typical global standards. Intersections of 7.88 m at 9.24% copper and 3.33 m at 17.12% significantly exceed typical operating-mine grades and Okiep’s broader 1.3% resource average. As it moves towards production, Orion is also strengthening governance around experienced leadership, accountability, practical systems and adaptability. The JSE-listed company is advancing Prieska and Okiep, with Prieska production expected in Q3 2027. A $250 million (about R4 billion) Glencore pre-payment has been approved by SARB, while a 20 000-t-a-month concentrator is advancing as Orion transitions from developer to operating mining company. (SOURCE: Engineering News/Mining Review)
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FIRST OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT STALLS OVER DESIGN FLAWS
South Africa’s first proposed offshore wind farm has been delayed after developers withdrew its environmental authorisation application to redesign the project. The 800 MW Gagasi development, planned off Richards Bay, is being changed from floating to anchored turbines for technical reasons, according to environmental consultant Acer Africa. The project’s status remains unclear, while Genesis Eco-Energy is expected to provide an update next month. The delay comes as a World Bank study highlights South Africa’s offshore wind potential, estimating about 95 GW across selected coastal areas. Development could generate about R110 billion in wages by 2050 and cut electricity-generation emissions by 530 million tonnes of CO2. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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AI DRIVES 440% SURGE IN BLOCKCHAIN-BASED HACKING
Open-source AI is helping hackers scale a technique that hides malware instructions on blockchains, creating a new challenge for cybersecurity. Chainalysis reported 440% growth in malware instructions embedded in on-chain transactions and smart contracts in less than a year, averaging 11 cases daily compared with two previously. State-backed groups linked to North Korea and Iran account for most activity. Crypto hacks also rose about 150% to 207 incidents during the first half of 2026, according to TRM Labs. While blockchain records can aid attacks, their permanence also helps investigators trace malicious infrastructure. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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None of us got to where we are alone. Whether the assistance we received was obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone's help is a big part of understanding the importance of saying thank you.
Harvey Mackay |
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