| CUBICLE SOLUTIONS CLUB MED CONTRACT IS WORTH CROWING ABOUT |
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(ltr) Wade Foster of sponsors XTec, Sue Lammas-Hadcroft (Cubicle Solutions), Siphume Mngadi and PMCB CEO Melanie Veness at the Roosta Award hand-over.
Cubicle Solutions, a city-based business with 17 years of excellence in premium washroom and changing room architecture, is the latest winner of a coveted Roosta Award. Presented by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, the award recognises an achievement worth crowing about. Known for its innovative design with robust, low-maintenance materials, Cubicle Solutions’ products feature in high-traffic facilities nationwide, from malls and airports to schools, hospitals, and hotels.
Most recently, Cubicle Solutions was selected as a supplier to the R2 billion Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari Resort development, the country’s first Club Med, opening July 2026 on the Dolphin Coast. The company will supply a range of toilet cubicles and urinal screens for the convention centre, clubhouse, kids club, and family pool, and may also provide lockers and benches.
Owner and MD Sue Lammas-Hadcroft explained that Cubicle Solutions was the specified supplier by the architects on the strength of a proven track record and exemplary service. “We are so very proud to be part of such a prestigious project and to be flying both the KZN and PMCB flag. Securing high-profile projects motivates my team and me to keep leading the industry and to maintain our reputation throughout South Africa,” she said. |
| AT CHAMBER: SERVICE TO NGO SECTOR |
Yvonne Spain, with extensive NGO experience including leadership at CINDI and on the city council, will share insights on Friday, 15 August at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. Having worked across social, political, and charitable sectors, she continues part-time admin work in retirement. The free event runs from 10 am to 12 noon. Contact Kay on (033) 3452747 or at chamber@pmcb.org.za
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| ALL-CONQUERING AI STARES DOWN LARGEST-EVER COPYRIGHT CLASS SUIT |
1883: The last quagga, the zebra-like animal hunted to extinction on the plains of South Africa, dies in captivity at the Natura Artis Magistra zoo in Amsterdam.
Elsewhere, in 1877, American inventor Thomas Alva Edison invented the phonograph.
Today is observed as International Youth Day. |
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REFORM TRACKER TO KEEP GOVERNMENT ON REFORM PATH
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) will launch its publicly accessible Reform Tracker tool on August 14 and 15 in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The tool aims to track government reforms, measure progress, and highlight obstacles, promoting transparency and collaboration between public and private sectors. BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso stresses that business support for reform is an investment, not charity noting that failures in governance - like loadshedding and port inefficiencies - raise costs and hamper growth.
The Tracker will monitor key areas such as electricity reform, where private investments are growing despite Eskom’s legal challenges to new electricity trading licenses. Mavuso urges Eskom to align with reform momentum, emphasising clear objectives, timelines, and accountability for effective change. The initiative seeks to ensure reforms conclude, boosting South Africa’s economic competitiveness and enabling sustainable growth. (SOURCE: Engineering News)
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… AS CADRES AND COALITIONS DEEPEN MUNICIPAL CRISIS
South Africa’s municipalities are in crisis, with only 16% earning clean audits last year. Business Leadership SA (BLSA) blames coalition instability, political appointees, and poor skills - just 53% of senior officials meet competency standards. Government’s White Paper proposes merit-based hiring and performance-linked grants, with R54 billion over six years for metros meeting strict benchmarks. BLSA warns this could deepen inequality, favouring well-resourced cities while sidelining 249 struggling local and district municipalities burdened by R122 billion in debts to Eskom and water boards. Public-private partnerships could unlock private capital, but weak enforcement and slow timelines risk reform fatigue. BLSA urges safeguards, short-term wins, and stronger accountability to prevent smaller municipalities from being left behind as metros advance. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
INTERIM BOARD OUT TO STOP RAF ROT
Following the dissolution of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) board on 15 July due to failure in fiduciary duties, Cabinet approved an interim board for six months or until a new board is appointed. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced Kenneth Brown as interim chairperson and Nonhlanhla Mabusela-Aikhuere as vice-chairperson on August 8. The interim board members also include Ntswaki Kutumela, Innocentia Mmule Pule, Richard Dyantyi, Mpontshane Alfred Mkhipheni, Alfredina Themba, and Neeshan Balton. The new board’s mandate is to restore governance and act in the best interests of the RAF. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
CAPE TOWN TO GET SECOND NUCLEAR POWER STATION
The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has welcomed the confirmation of environmental authorisation for Eskom to build a 4 000 MW nuclear power station at Duynefontein, north of Cape Town.. Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dr Dion George upheld the 2017 approval after an appeal process, affirming nuclear’s role in South Africa’s energy mix and emissions reduction strategy. Necsa CEO Loyiso Tyabashe called the decision a milestone, reflecting confidence in nuclear as a safe, clean, and reliable power source. The project, aligned with strict safety and environmental standards, aims to strengthen energy security, support socioeconomic development, and advance the country’s climate-friendly energy transition. (SOURCE: Engineering News) |
SARS UPS ANTE AGAINST HIGH-VALUE TAX DODGERS
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is escalating its crackdown on high-value tax evaders, signalling a tougher stance on non-compliance. Following several recent court victories, SARS has reinforced its commitment to prosecuting individuals and businesses engaged in deliberate tax fraud. The agency is employing advanced data analytics, cross-border information sharing, and targeted audits to trace undeclared income and hidden assets. Commissioner Edward Kieswetter emphasised that compliance is not optional and that persistent offenders will face severe legal consequences. SARS’s intensified campaign aims to protect the tax base, restore public trust, and ensure that all taxpayers contribute their fair share. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
FAKE CORICRAFT SITE DUPES SHOPPERS WITH DISCOUNTS
A fraudulent website posing as furniture retailer Coricraft, part of The Foschini Group (TFG), is scamming South Africans with fake products at discounts of 80%–97%. Couches normally priced at over R22,000 are listed for R1,400. The site mimics Coricraft’s branding but uses a suspicious URL and subtle layout changes. Alerted by Moneyweb’s Kaldora Naidoo, TFG confirmed the scam and issued a takedown request, while warning customers on social media to remain vigilant. No TFG systems or customer data were breached. Experts warn identity spoofing is on the rise, with fake AI-generated e-commerce sites expected to grow 70% this year. Consumers are urged to verify URLs carefully. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
PEPKOR WINS NOD FOR 5 FASHION-BRAND TAKEOVER
Pepkor has secured Competition Commission approval to acquire five Retailability brands - Legit, Style, Boardmans, Swagga, and Beaver Canoe - in a R1.9 billion deal covering 462 stores across Southern Africa. The transaction, announced in March, will not lessen competition but comes with conditions: no retrenchments, retention of employee terms, and maintaining or increasing local procurement from small and historically disadvantaged suppliers. Edgars, Edgars Beauty, Red Square, Kelso, and Keedo remain with Retailability. Pepkor aims to grow its adult wear market share through organic and acquisitive expansion. The Competition Tribunal will give final approval before the merger is implemented. (SOURCE: Moneyweb) |
SURGING SHEIN, TEMU BEAT FOREIGN BRANDS WITH 37.1% MARKET SHARE
China-founded e-commerce giants Shein and Temu have rapidly captured 3.6% of South Africa’s clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) market, generating R7.3 billion in 2024 sales. Entering in 2020 and 2024 respectively, they disrupted the sector with low prices, aggressive marketing, and initial tax loopholes, drawing price-sensitive shoppers away from local retailers. This growth threatens 34 000 domestic jobs and has cut local market share to 74%, down from 75.3% in 2011. In just five years, they’ve matched and surpassed international brands like H&M and Zara, also dominating 37.1% of the e-commerce CTFL market, with Shein leading in online women’s fashion sales. (SOURCE: Bizcommunity) |
SOUTH AFRICA JOINS GLOBAL PUSH TO END PLASTIC POLLUTION
Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dr Dion George is leading South Africa’s delegation at INC 5.2 in Geneva, where nations aim to finalise a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. George reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to urgent global action, warning plastic waste is a growing threat to ecosystems, economies, and health. Plastic production has surged from two-million tonnes in 1950 to 475-million tonnes in 2022, with South Africa’s waste projected to nearly double by 2040. The country has already moved to ban plastic microbeads. George stressed no nation can act alone - coordinated international cooperation is essential. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
TRUMP TARIFFS TO TURBOCHARGE US INFLATION
Goldman Sachs warns that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will increasingly shift costs from US companies to consumers, raising inflation risks. So far, Americans have absorbed 22% of tariff costs, but this could rise to 67% if trends follow previous years. Core personal consumption expenditure inflation is projected to reach 3.2% by December, versus 2.8% in June, with tariffs adding about 0.7 percentage points. Businesses currently bear 64% of costs but will pass most on, while some domestic producers profit by raising prices. Foreign exporters, absorbing 14% of costs, may see their share rise to 25%. Bond traders await key inflation data. (SOURCE: Bloomberg) |
TRAINING - MASTERING EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT
TRAINER: Nic Nortje – NKR Outsourced HR
OVERVIEW
Go beyond Discipline 101 to understand the best ways to deal with complicated employee misconduct cases, improving your discovery and disciplinary skills.
Specific scenarios:
• Recruitment and criminal records.
• Theft in the workplace.
• How to handle harassment.
• Suspension of commission-earners.
• Mutual Separation and the CCMA.
• Zero-tolerance alcohol policies
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Business leaders, Managers, HR Champions.
Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
Date: 19 August 2025
Time: 08:30 – 12:30
Venue: PMCB Offices, 1 Parkhaven , 55 Macleroy Road, Northern Park, Pietermaritzburg
COST (Excludes vat) PMCB Members: R682.60 p/p, R643.48 p/p for 3/more, R595.65 p/p for 5/more Non-members: R900 p/p, R882.60 p/p for 3/more, R852.17 p/p for 5/more
Please note: The company will be liable for payment unless CANCELLATION is received in writing 24 hours prior to the event. |
The PMCB welcomes the following new members:
Proflex Konnect – Air fiber, WIFI, VOIP and hardware sales – 082 555 5354
Apex Business Brokering and Consulting – Facilitate the buying and selling of businesses, business valuations, improve business’s processes, systems and marketing, website building and business funding – 082 773 9887
To find out more about chamber membership and the many benefits click here. |
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One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.
John Coltrane |
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