AGP Executive Report

BRICS Diplomacy: President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, with a focus on intra-BRICS trade, investment, industrialisation and value-add for Africa. Trade & Tax Enforcement: SARS has tightened anti-dumping duties on Chinese replacement vehicle windscreens after alleged tariff-circumvention via third countries, with duties ranging from 13% to 129% depending on exporter. Cost of Living: Fuel prices are set to bite harder, with October predicted to bring record increases as geopolitical shocks keep pressure on oil and local under-recoveries. Energy Investment: Sturdee Energy entered Zambia by acquiring the 200MW Masaiti wind project, aiming to pair wind with solar and storage for steadier supply. Governance & Compliance: SARS admitted it mistakenly issued a “one-cent” final demand to a taxpayer, acknowledging the letter was sent in error. Skills Pipeline: Ford says it’s tackling SA’s technician shortage with a “cradle to vocation” approach and a new paid three-year auto technician apprenticeship. Corporate Moves: Richemont appointed Anton Rupert as non-executive co-deputy chairman as part of succession planning. Education Access: Higher education minister Buti Manamela urged young people to apply for 2027 TVET college intakes before the Sept 30 deadline.

LIV Golf Bankruptcy: LIV Golf has filed for Chapter 11 protection in New Jersey after Saudi backer PIF pulled funding, putting the league into a court-supervised restructuring and leaving star players among unsecured creditors owed millions, with a plan to return in 2027 under a “player-first” ownership model. Migration Crackdown: South Africa is tightening illegal migration controls, including border infrastructure upgrades and verification/cancellation of dormant transport register numbers after fraud-linked misuse, as officials say repatriations haven’t yet deterred illegal entry. SA Economy Watch: South Africa’s economy shrank 0.2% in Q2, ending a six-quarter growth run, adding pressure ahead of local elections and household cost concerns. Trade & Agriculture: Minister Willie Aucamp signed a protocol to give South African cherries market access to China, a major boost given China’s scale as a cherry importer. Crime & State Capture Shift: The Madlanga Commission is reframing grand corruption as organised crime rather than “State Capture”, signalling a different tone for accountability and reform. Business Finance: Standard Bank listed R200m senior unsecured notes on the JSE, while South Africa’s digital-skills pipeline is flagged as not meeting demand.

GDP & jobs pressure: South Africa’s economy shrank 0.2% in Q2, ending a six-quarter growth streak, with mining down 3% and trade down 1.9% as manufacturing also contracted. Household & property costs: A tenant paying R12,000 a month doesn’t mean the landlord keeps it all—levies, rates, maintenance and vacancies can cut take-home income by about 35%. Trade & agriculture: South African cherries win China market access for the first time after Willie Aucamp signed a protocol in Beijing; blueberries talks are also advanced. Local politics at the IEC: The ANC heads to the Electoral Court after IEC exclusion of some candidates, arguing system “log-out” issues prevented final submission by the deadline. Markets & energy risk: The rand slid as oil prices pushed Brent toward $100 a barrel amid Middle East supply worries. Tech for business continuity: A look at how South African firms are learning that keeping existing digital systems secure and modern matters as much as launching new apps. Community health: TEARS and AfriPaw team up in Vrygrond for regular veterinary services, boosting access to care for township pets. Infrastructure resilience: SANParks says Kruger’s Letaba camp is rebuilding after floods and targets full reopening by December.

Water Crisis & Municipal Failure: South Africa’s water tanker system is turning into the “system”, with the Water Services Amendment Bill hearings spotlighting failing infrastructure and weak municipal governance as communities face unreliable supply. Xenophobia Costs & Consular Response: Ghana says it spent GH¢49.72m to evacuate 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa after xenophobic attacks, while some stranded people still ask for the exercise to be extended. Food System Power, Not Scarcity: A new analysis argues SA’s hunger crisis is driven by concentrated “gateways” and market power that shape prices and access, not just drought or poverty. Household Affordability Pressure: Latest affordability figures show essentials are crowding out food, with the food basket still expensive even as inflation eases. Energy Transition Push: South Africa’s deputy minister heads to Japan to advance the hydrogen agenda and industrialisation plans. Governance & Accountability: Parliament hears about 891 potential “ghost worker” cases flagged after verification exercises. Local Politics Watch: eThekwini’s election race is framed around MK’s surge and the risk of coalition politics around a R70bn metro budget. Business & Payments Innovation: Mastercard and Flowcart team up to embed card payments into social commerce journeys, with South Africa flagged for expansion. Sports Finance: SAFA updates on delayed Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses, citing US and Mexico tax compliance work.

Education Procurement Clash: SADTU and the DA trade barbs after Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube suspended a R1.6bn foundation-phase textbook tender, with the union alleging political interference to protect legacy publishers and the DA accusing SADTU of shielding wrongdoing. Public Oversight on FMD Vaccines: FMD Response SA welcomed ministerial action suspending OBP’s acting CEO over alleged vaccine pricing misconduct, saying oversight must run fairly to protect farmers. Agribusiness Confidence: Agbiz/IDC’s Agribusiness Confidence Index rose to 53 in Q3, but optimism is tempered by El Niño drought risk, lingering FMD impacts, and port inefficiencies. Trade & Diplomacy: South Africa’s envoy says India-South Africa trade could get a boost at BRICS, with a large business delegation heading to New Delhi. BRICS Legal Cooperation: China’s chief justice urged deeper judicial cooperation at the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum, including digital justice and commercial dispute support. Business Confidence Watch: BLSA says reforms haven’t yet translated into lower input costs and better reliability, while the RMB/BER business confidence index stayed weak. Corruption & Accountability: Police say the Emfuleni corruption probe’s “ultimate goal” is to find who killed whistleblower Martha Rantsofu, as a linked businessman appears in court. SME Cross-Border Push: DHL Express and Absa expand the GoTrade programme to help SMEs trade across Sub-Saharan Africa with logistics, training and finance tools. Energy/Infrastructure Pressure: Sun International begins retrenchment consultations under its Casino Lite cost-cutting plan as it streamlines underperforming properties. Housing Upgrade Debate: A report argues informal settlements should be upgraded with serviced stands as a faster, cheaper route to better health and basic services. Crime & Safety: Gauteng police report progress in Operation Basadi, including ATM scam checks and drunk-driving arrests, as community safety remains a priority. Local Economy & Consumer Demand: Toyota’s Automark pre-owned sales rose 3% year-to-date through August, led by Hilux demand. Automotive Launch: Geely Riddara launched right-hand-drive RD6 models in South Africa and plans a cross-border expedition from Johannesburg to Xai-Xai, Mozambique.

Local Politics: Johannesburg’s election mood is shifting as polling suggests the ANC is still competitive and the DA may be overplaying a “city administration in waiting” narrative—raising fresh questions for business planning ahead of the 2026 local government vote. City Spending Watch: The City of Johannesburg has paid R185m to two contractors for only 1.8km of Lilian Ngoyi Street, with shifting deadlines and performance problems putting traders and public value under the spotlight. Corruption Costs: A new argument in the debate is that corruption isn’t a “victimless” crime—it directly drives weak service delivery, higher living costs and market uncertainty. Wildlife & Trade: South Africa’s CITES trophy export quotas for elephant, rhino and leopard have been published, reigniting concerns that biodiversity governance is being quietly rewritten in ways that could favour private interests. Health & Safety: Eastern Cape EMS leaders admit the province needs about 600 ambulances for full capacity, while only 192 are operational—so the latest delivery won’t fix the crisis. Business & Growth: South Africa ranks among the top places people search to start a business, signalling strong entrepreneurial interest even as policy and execution remain key risks. Sports Business: Springboks vs All Blacks ticket prices at FNB Stadium sparked backlash over affordability, adding pressure to how major events are priced.

Municipal Affordability Pressure: Cape Town ratepayers and civic groups warn that rising property valuations and municipal tariffs are pushing households toward a rates-affordability crisis, even as the City defends its “lowest-cost” position. Court Challenge to Counterfeit Trade: Apple has taken a Johannesburg High Court bid to stop a local firm trading in alleged fake iPhones seized at OR Tambo, seeking a ruling on counterfeit status and disclosure of supply links. Crime and Safety: Ramaphosa led a Union Buildings ceremony honouring 12 SAPS officers killed in the line of duty, while KZN’s latest sexual-offence figures highlight a continuing GBVF crisis. Energy and Regulation: NERSA approved Sasol gas maximum prices for 2026/27 and 2027/28, aiming to give market certainty during a Mozambique supply transition. Eskom Turnaround Debate: Eskom reported a R30.3bn profit for a second year, reigniting questions about whether unbundling still makes sense. AI and Media Access: A new report finds most SA news sites do little to block AI scraping, with restrictions concentrated among better-resourced publishers. Sports and Business Spotlight: Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana return and a Jomo Sono pay-disparity reveal keep SA football in the headlines, while cricket fans get details on the SA vs Zim tri-series final streaming.

Corporate Rescue Watch: OK Zimbabwe has restarted operations after securing US$15m in bank guarantees, with 44 of 77 branches back on shelves—good news for local suppliers, but survival still depends on deeper financial stability. Governance & Compliance: A Transnet official linked to Inseta’s audit and risk committee is accused of “double-dipping” by drawing pay while also working for the state, raising fresh questions about public-sector rules and enforcement. Skills, Jobs & Capital: Family offices are shifting from just wealth custodians to active private-market investors, signalling a broader move toward more institutional-style governance in South Africa’s investment ecosystem. Consumer Pressure: Woolworths’ internal food inflation (4.7%) is outpacing Checkers (2%), reigniting debate over whether premium pricing still makes sense for shoppers. Trade & Payments: BRICS is exploring cross-border payments that could connect digital rails and central bank digital currencies, aiming to cut friction in member trade. Child Protection Online: South African experts warn teens are selling sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans, often via mainstream social media, as authorities tighten focus on online exploitation. Health Supply Risk: India flags a rabies vaccine batch as substandard/spurious after potency failures—an alert with implications for vaccine trust and access. Business & Tech: Apple is challenging a Johannesburg company over alleged counterfeit iPhones seized at OR Tambo, seeking court orders to trace supply chains.

Judiciary & Trade: India’s CJI Surya Kant used the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum in New Delhi to push a common arbitration and mediation platform to speed up cross-border commercial disputes, with talks also covering mediation, mutual recognition of court outcomes and investor-friendly commercial courts. Data Centres Under Pressure: South African civil rights groups want a pause on new data centre builds, citing scarce water, land and electricity, while the SA Human Rights Commission says it has received 250+ submissions over transparency concerns. Cost of Living Hit: Debt Rescue says the latest petrol and diesel increases are pushing households and small businesses deeper into credit, warning of more job losses as transport costs feed into food and essentials. AI at NEDLAC: Organised labour has been formally pulled into South Africa’s AI conversation at NEDLAC, with government warning that tech progress won’t be inclusive unless skills and access gaps are addressed. Local Business & Tech: Pilot launched an AI “Navigator” for restaurant operators to query trading data in plain language, aiming to help spot pricing anomalies and protect margins. Sports & Security: Police seized counterfeit Springboks merchandise worth over R1.5m in Joburg ahead of the All Blacks clash, including production equipment. Gauteng Governance Debate: The ANC is floating a Johannesburg–Tshwane–Ekurhuleni “megatropolis/city region” idea, arguing metro boundaries are increasingly “imaginary” as the urban landscape merges.

Eskom & Tariffs: Nersa has opened public comment on Eskom’s proposed 2027/28 tariff structure, with an 8.83% overall increase and a 2 October deadline—focus is on how revenue is split between fixed and variable charges. Eskom Accountability: Eskom also corrected Daily Investor’s FY2026 diesel spending claims, saying actual open-cycle gas turbine expenditure was R7.1bn (not the reported higher figure) and that emergency generation reliance fell. South Africa Competitiveness: IMD’s 2026 ranking puts SA top in Africa, up 10 places to 54th globally, with business efficiency a bright spot but infrastructure still a drag. Local Governance & Politics: Ramaphosa’s ANC campaign trail in Tembisa comes as the party faces an IEC candidate-list crisis that could exclude hundreds of councillors. Crime & Policing: A former Western Cape police commissioner warns police corruption has become “a new normal”, arguing vetting must be ongoing with lifestyle audits and rotation. Mining & Jobs: Sibanye-Stillwater platinum/palladium workers are protesting contract cuts and benefits changes, with strikes continuing. Regional Finance & Debt: A report says African sovereigns raised over $14bn in H1 2026, but much went to budget gaps and debt servicing rather than productive investment. Xenophobia Fallout: Ghana evacuated 41 more citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks, bringing returnees to about 1,600 since May. Global Business Signals: US stocks ended the week weaker after strong non-farm payrolls kept rate-cut hopes in check.

Joburg Municipal Debt Clash: Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero cut power and water to the Nigerian consulate in Illovo over a R7m outstanding bill, with City Power and Joburg Water officials carrying out the shutdown and warning similar actions will follow for non-payment. Western Cape Policing Upgrade: The Western Cape expanded its Lawyers in Police Stations Project, placing lawyers full-time in stations to mentor officers on statement-taking and provide legal guidance and community support. AI and Jobs Debate: Labour and employment leaders heard Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa argue AI can create work and improve service delivery, but warned it could also deepen inequality if skills and access aren’t addressed. Data Centres Under Fire: Civil rights groups urged a pause on new South African data centre construction, citing scarce water, land and electricity and calling for more transparency on projects. Media Industry Shock: Reports say News24 may slash staff numbers from 100+ to about 43 as South Africa’s newsroom crisis deepens after other major closures. Renewables Product Shift: Southern Africa’s renewables market is moving toward packaged solar-plus-storage-and-flexibility offerings, aiming to “firm” variable power into products that solve specific customer needs. Banking Push: Discovery Bank is set to launch a “super bank” digital platform in October, integrating banking, insurance, health, investments and rewards after returning to profit. Regulatory Watch: The Competition Commission is investigating SARU over alleged unfair suite-ticket practices, while the FSCA fined former Miss SA Tatum Keshwar-Wheatley R3m and barred her for 20 years over coordinated Altvest share trading.

Digital Fraud: South Africa lost R2.4bn to digital banking crime in 2025, with social engineering driving most scams and victims often still engaging even when they think they can spot fraud. Ride-hailing Shake-up: Uber shut down in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, citing a business review and leaving drivers and riders facing uncertainty. Discovery Growth Plan: Discovery’s “super bank” strategy aims to lift profit growth to 15%-20% annually, with a refreshed app rolling out in October to consolidate customer ecosystems. Education Accountability: Lighthouse Publishers has been cleared in a DBE-commissioned probe into the Foundation Phase textbook catalogue row, with allegations not substantiated. Phala Phala Legal Focus: Court proceedings keep zeroing in on whether Ramaphosa’s “paid work” rules were breached versus permissible business interests. Energy Skills & Fuel Policy: SANPC and CHIETA are preparing a three-year artisan programme at Saldanha, while a draft strategic petroleum stocks policy would force private firms to hold extra reserves. City Power Crisis: City Power disconnected electricity to Johannesburg’s Children’s Memorial Institute, hitting 22 child-care NPOs and hospital laundry operations and racking up emergency generator costs. Steel Shortage Fix: SAISC is pushing for case-by-case tariff waiver adjudications to ease structural steel shortages, as the sector faces availability and quality pressures. Renewables Progress: TotalEnergies commissioned a major hybrid solar-plus-storage project in the Northern Cape, while an off-grid solar-plus-storage farm installation in the Free State is 67% complete and set for October commissioning. Scam Warnings: Jobseekers in the Western Cape are being targeted with fake “permanent teaching” WhatsApp scams demanding about R2,800 for an “appointment letter.”

Municipal Finance Push: Germany and France have lined up €300m (about R5.6bn) in concessional loans for metro trading-services reform, targeting electricity, water, sanitation and solid waste in eight metros including Johannesburg, with the aim of cutting outages and funding backlogs ahead of elections. Road Safety Crackdown: Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says SA is moving toward a zero blood-alcohol limit for drivers, with legal amendments being prepared for cabinet approval by end-2026 after thousands of drunk-driving arrests and high road-death figures. Online Retail Boom: South Africans are set to spend about R159bn online in 2026 (around 10% of retail), with e-commerce forecast to grow 22.5% and mobile driving more than half of online shopping. Solar Investment Logic: A solar industry view argues commercial projects should be judged by the real cost of downtime and which loads truly need backup, not just electricity savings. Debt Pressure at Home: New research highlights how household debt stress is rising, with more people using credit for essentials as unemployment and food-price pressure bite. Uber Retreat: Uber has exited Nigeria and Uganda immediately as it cuts jobs and shifts focus, leaving drivers scrambling as competition and costs rise. BRICS Judicial Links: India’s BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum will focus on mediation, cross-border enforcement, AI in justice and sustainable development, with South Africa among those meeting the Indian CJI.

Eskom & market reform: President Cyril Ramaphosa used his weekly newsletter to back Eskom unbundling, arguing private-sector competition should bring cheaper power and better access—drawing a telecom parallel where opening the sector cut costs and expanded reach. Uber retreat: Uber shut down ride-hailing in Nigeria and Uganda after 12 years, citing tougher economics and shifting investment toward markets where it can scale driver earning opportunities—leaving it operating in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Banking leadership: Lytania Johnson’s 25-year climb at FNB—from credit card finance to risk, ethics and eWallet leadership—ends with her reaching CEO, highlighting a career built on cross-functional moves. Energy finance: Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB secured financial close on the 49MW Lion Thorn Solar Park, with long-term offtake deals aimed at boosting renewable supply and energy security. Online retail momentum: Online now makes up 10% of South Africa’s retail sales, with 2026 online turnover projected to hit R159bn as profitable operations from retailers like Pick n Pay and Sixty60 continue to grow. Crime & accountability: SAPS dismissed suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan after a Labour Court setback, reinforcing “no member above the law” messaging. Local governance debate: A push for “collaborative governance” is back in focus ahead of municipal elections, with critics saying coordination and participation still fall short of improving child development outcomes. Crime crackdown: Operation Shanela II in North West netted 778 arrests, including suspects for murder, rape and illegal mining, alongside major seizures. Sports admin: Safa’s presidential race tightens with 10 days to go, as Danny Jordaan faces businessman Sandile Zungu in Johannesburg on 12 September. International business: PwC forecasts AI infrastructure investment could reach $31.6tn by 2050, with data-centre capex rising sharply and power supply remaining the key constraint. Wine industry win: Boplaas and Durbanville Hills both scored big in Tim Atkin’s latest South Africa reports, underlining continued strength in SA fortified and cool-climate wines.

Corruption Watch: Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has appointed Leonard Lekgetho as the new head of the Special Investigating Unit, replacing Andy Mothibi, as the state ramps up efforts to protect public funds. Fuel & Food Security: A sharp September fuel price jump (petrol up R1.34/l; diesel up R2.93–R3.15/l) is set to squeeze farmers just before the summer planting season, with El Niño drought risk adding downside pressure. Diplomacy Accountability: DIRCO says High Commissioner Anil Sooklal was cleared after scrutiny over Zuma’s India trip, insisting no Gupta meeting was facilitated. Procurement & Equity: Eskom and Transnet deny allegations that black-owned security firms were excluded via the Central Supplier Database, as Tapsosa claims blacklisting is blocking contracts and payments. Business Confidence: RMB/USB’s business confidence index fell to a two-year low, with uncertainty and weak demand holding back investment—especially in vehicle retail and manufacturing. Energy Finance: Eskom’s profit rebound is raising eyebrows as municipal debt nears R120bn and electricity sales volumes fell 6.2%, suggesting tariffs are propping up revenue while demand weakens. Retail & Consumer Tech: Rumoured DStv streaming package changes could reshape what subscribers pay for sport and entertainment, with MultiChoice yet to confirm details. Automotive Shift: Motus says Chinese and Indian brands are surging in SA, with Chinese/Indian sales up over 200% year-on-year as affordability pulls first-time buyers. Local Governance: City of Johannesburg says it has “contractual safeguards” after appointing a Gauteng official linked to Tembisa Hospital fraud to lead public safety. Crime & Courts: A drug lab worth about R250m was uncovered near Johannesburg, with suspects remanded until September 21. Women in Transport: Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says women remain scarce in taxi work and is pushing for more women drivers and owners.

Madlanga Commission: Major-General Feroz Khan’s testimony is again delayed after he was readmitted to hospital, as lawyers resist an independent medical assessment and the commission pushes for clarity on when he can testify. Johannesburg City Watch: The City of Johannesburg condemned tombstone theft and vandalism at cemeteries including Avalon, Slovoville and Doornkop, launching a “Gravesite Watch” push for private-sector and civil-society help to curb granite and scrap-metal harvesting. Operation Vulindlela (Water): National Treasury says the next phase of Operation Vulindlela will bring private-sector partners into municipal water delivery, with a public-private framework due before the MTBPS on 21 October. Cape Town Emergency Lines: SAPS 10111 emergency numbers were down in Cape Town, with Telkom and SITA working to restore the system and the public advised to use local stations in the interim. Sustainability in Business: Trialogue launched a Sustainable Business Tracker with the JSE, IoDSA and NBI, measuring how deeply sustainability is embedded in strategy and operations—not just disclosure. AI vs Newsrooms: A new report finds most South African news sites don’t block AI crawlers, raising a visibility vs control dilemma for smaller publishers. Water Crisis (Nelson Mandela Bay): The metro faces major repair and pipe-replacement costs as leaks and ageing infrastructure drive high water losses and sanitation spills.