insert_link Business / Economics U.S. grand jury investigates MTN over past operations in Iran and Afghanistan Photo: Reuters A grand jury convened by the US Department of Justice is investigating MTN over its historical operations in Iran and Afghanistan. The probe follows civil lawsuits in the United States alleging that the mobile operator paid protection money to the Taliban and al-Qaeda—claims that MTN has firmly denied. MTN CEO Ralph Mupita said that the group has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing. “We are cooperating fully […] today19 August, 2025
insert_link Business / Economics SA’s Numsa engages authorities to find buyers for shuttered Goodyear plant Goodyear Plant, Kariega, South Africa (Photo: fullview.co.za) The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is in talks with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to identify strategic partners to take over the Goodyear South Africa plant in the Eastern Cape. The tyre manufacturing facility in Kariega closed its doors last Friday, resulting in more than 900 job losses and raising concerns about the economic impact on the […] today19 August, 2025
insert_link South Africa Africa’s richest country sees farm exports to the U.S. jump 26% before tariff hit South African Citrus farmers (Photo: Reuters) South Africa’s agricultural exports to the United States saw a sharp increase in the second quarter, driven by a strong harvest and rising global commodity prices, reports Isaac Lukando. The growth underscores the sector’s resilience amid challenging global trade conditions. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen highlighted the industry’s robust performance, emphasizing its ability to navigate economic headwinds while contributing significantly to the national economy. The […] today19 August, 2025
insert_link South Africa BOSA calls for Marikana Memorial Day to honour fallen miners Build One South Africa (BOSA) has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to officially declare 16 August as Marikana Memorial Day, to be observed annually in remembrance of the 34 mineworkers who were killed during the Marikana tragedy 13 years ago. BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons said the massacre, which also left 78 others injured, took place on 16 August 2012 after miners protested against poor living conditions and low wages. He stressed […] today18 August, 2025
insert_link Business / Economics Business Leadership SA says structural reforms key to solving unemployment crisis Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has warned that the country’s unemployment rate of 32.9 percent signals an economy “suffocating” under structural inefficiencies. The business lobby group says urgent reforms are needed to reverse the crisis. The organisation recently launched its Reform Tracker, a tool designed to monitor the government’s progress in implementing priority reforms across the economy, governance, and criminal justice. BLSA chief executive officer Busisiwe Mavuso said persistently high […] today18 August, 2025
insert_link Business / Economics Court overturns approval for TotalEnergies offshore drilling in South Africa Environmental group Green Connection has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s decision to overturn the government’s approval of TotalEnergies’ Block offshore drilling plans. The exploration rights were granted in 2023 for an area between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas. The court found that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) submitted by the company was “deeply flawed” and failed to meet legal requirements. Green Connection’s Shahil Singh said the ruling was a […] today14 August, 2025
insert_link Business / Economics South African government advances support for auto industry Mercedes-Benz factory in East London, South Africa (Photo: agoa.info/data) South Africa's Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says the government is advancing measures to support the automotive industry as it faces potential headwinds from US tariff policies. Speaking at the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers Show in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Tau confirmed that amendments to the Automotive Production Development Programme Phase 2 (APDP2) for electric vehicles […] today14 August, 2025
insert_link South Africa South African Minister to meet SANDF chief over Iran comments South African Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ronald Lamola (Photo: publicsectorleaders.co.za) South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is expected to meet with South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, to clarify remarks he made during a visit to Iran. Lamola had praised cooperation with Iran in addressing what he termed “global arrogance and aggressive colonial approaches,” comments that have sparked debate at […] today14 August, 2025
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa steps up efforts to diversify export markets Cape Town container port (Photo Bloomberg) South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says the need to diversify the country’s export markets has never been more urgent. This comes after the United States imposed a 30-percent unilateral tariff, a move that could significantly impact South Africa’s economy. Tau said the government has initiated a multi-pronged response to soften the blow of the tariff and is speeding up […] today13 August, 2025
