Cape Times 2025-08-06

Localisation Support Fund warns over threat posed by offshore e-commerce retailers The Localisation Support Fund (LSF) has warned about the looming threat posed by offshore e-commerce retailers (OERs) to South Africa's job market, despite regulatory efforts intended to mitigate this issue. As the South African economy grapples with high unemployment rates of 32.9%, the stakes have never been higher. A recent study conducted by B&M Analysts (BMA) and commissioned by the LSF revealed that at least 2 800 manufacturing jobs projected for 2024 did not materialise while 5 000 retail jobs were displaced due to the dominance of fast-fashion international giants, Shein and Temu. Presenting the findings of the study on Tuesday, BMA principal consultant, Sean Mercer, highlighted the impact that platforms such as Shein and Temu have had on…

TAX Justice South Africa (TJSA) in a statement on Tuesday welcomed a High Court judgment confirming a preservation order against Amalgamated Tobacco Manufacturing and 19 other entities, who are accused of a sophisticated multi-million-rand tax evasion racket. The Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA), who represents independent cigarette manufacturers, respects the judicial process and the role of the courts in upholding the rule of law. In the judgment, the High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Local Division, Durban ruled that the provisional preservation order granted on February 27, 2025 against the ninth and tenth respondents (South African Revenue Service v Kajee and Others) is confirmed. TJSA said that the KwaZulu-Natal High Court has dismissed challenges to the South African Revenue Service’s preservation order, allowing Sars to continue securing assets while investigating…

Minister for Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa has said the restoration of Medupi Unit 4 generator, which has ramped up to an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 82% and the power station's EAF to 84% from a R2 billion budget was a significant engineering feat by Eskom engineers. However, he admitted there were still problems to be tackled at the Matimba power stations, which was blamed for the last bout of loadshedding after about a year's hiatus. Speaking during the tour of Medupi and Matimba power stations as part of the continued oversight on Eskom's Recovery Plan, Ramokgopa said the contribution of the engineers, who were unheralded, unsung heroes was important as there had been a noticeable surge in performance. He said the recovery of Unit 4 after…

South African equity markets delivered a fifth consecutive positive monthly return with the FTSE/JSE Capped SWIX Index up 2.2% month on month (m/m), leaving the local bourse 18.7% higher year to date (YTD). In a familiar theme for the year, it was the precious metal miners that were driving returns, with platinum miners up 10% m/m and gold miners up 4% m/m delivering more than half of the July index returns between them. Platinum group metals (PGMs), rhodium ( up 32% m/m), and palladium (up 8% m/m) led the PGM miners’ share prices higher. Telcos, another JSE sector that has outperformed in 2025 up 64% YTD, were also amongst the local bourse’s winners in July. Telkom, which rose16% m/m, reported strong 2025 results and a resumption of dividend payments…

The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged up to 50.3 in July, from 50.1 in June, marking a slight but noteworthy improvement in the country's business conditions. This is in line with the latest seasonally adjusted Absa PMI, which increased by 2.3 points to 50.8 in July, following eight consecutive months in contractionary territory. With three consecutive months of growth above the neutral 50.0 mark, the latest S&P Global PMI results suggest a stabilising environment despite ongoing economic challenges. The index, which serves as a comprehensive indicator of the operating conditions in the private sector, reflects a blend of positive trends, particularly in new business and employment. S&P said the growth was predominantly driven by an uptick in new orders, as several firms observed revitalised client activity.…

In a week where Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, signalled a strategic pivot in South Africa’s trade posture toward the United States, something extraordinary happened. Amid the headlines about $3.3 billion in pledged outbound investments and renewed commitments under Agoa, one detail passed quietly: Minister Tau specifically cited metal recycling as a pillar of the proposed framework. For those of us in the recycling industry, and for the hundreds of thousands who make their living scavenging, sorting and selling scrap, this was not just a diplomatic aside, it was recognition long overdue. The Recycling Association of South Africa (RASA) welcomes the Minister’s leadership and vision. The inclusion of metals recycling as a focus for joint ventures under the new US engagement strategy affirms what many of us…