Star 2025-08-08

Telecoms operator MTN said it expects to report a robust performance for first half 2025, driven by strong commercial execution, disciplined capital allocation and improved macro conditions. Inflation and foreign exchange rates in key markets showed improved stability, which supported the positive momentum in our operational and financial results. It said this on Thursday in a trading statement for the half year ended June 30, 2025. Its larger operations, MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana published strong first half 2025 results on July 30, 2025 and July 31, 2025, respectively, demonstrating pleasing growth in service revenue and profitability. It said as previously indicated, MTN South Africa has faced challenges in the market, particularly within the prepaid segment. However, MTN said it was encouraged by the overall first half 2025 trajectory of…

Export diversification strategy leaning towards China’s R20 billion market The government has reiterated its dedication to navigating trade waters with the United States through constructive engagement and negotiation as the hefty tariffs on exports come into effect from Friday. This comes as the US President Donald Trump imposed a 30% tariff on South African imports, which are anticipated to have a profound impact on critical sectors of the South African economy, particularly the automotive and agriculture industries. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trump held a telephone discussion on bilateral trade matters with Trump on Wednesday morning, undertaking to continue with further engagements recognizing the various trade negotiations the US was currently involved in. Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Thursday that the Cabinet received an update regarding the Framework…

Agricultural associations believe that the 30% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump coming into effect on Friday will have a huge impact on the industry and operations. Francois Rossouw, the CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), on Thursday said the tariffs will have an immediate effect on several sectors, particularly citrus, grapes, wine, and nuts, which have been key export products under previously duty-free arrangements. “For many family farmers, this will mean a sudden loss of competitiveness in one of our high-value markets. It’s not just about economics; it’s about stability. Many farmers plan their production cycles and investments years in advance, and overnight, these tariffs shift the playing field,” he said. Rossouw added that the US currently accounted for around 4% of South Africa’s agricultural export…

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) have strongly condemned Eskom's recent legal challenge against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which granted five new distribution licences for electricity trading. The two organisations on Thursday argued that Eskom's actions were detrimental to the country’s energy security initiatives and called for urgent governmental intervention. In a statement, BLSA and Busa called on Eskom to withdraw all legal challenges against the five electricity trading licences as this was creating uncertainty and sending a negative signal to investors. They said this was also delaying critical energy projects and may ultimately prolong the devastating economic and social impact of load shedding. The government’s stated policy position is the unbundling of Eskom, encouraging private sector investment in generation and…

In a nation where more than 60% of the unemployed are under the age of 35, South Africa stands at a defining crossroads. Yet hidden beneath the grim statistics lies a playbook for hope - one that doesn’t begin in boardrooms or policy briefs but on the dusty fields, township courts, and school playgrounds where dreams are born daily. South Africa’s global sporting triumphs - our back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins, world-beating track stars like Wayde van Niekerk, and champions like Dricus du Plessis - are not isolated miracles. They are symbols of a deeper truth: we are a nation brimming with raw, untapped talent. But talent alone is not enough. What South Africa needs now is a bold, coordinated national effort to invest in community sports as a driver…

On Thursday, 24 July, an executive asked me whether they should hedge the Rand below R18 to the dollar. This was my short response: Hi XXX, My thoughts are that USD/ZAR is at peak for the year and we will see weakening from here [due to] USA tariff effects plus latest policy on ANC leaders. Based on that, I think it’s worth us hedging against a weaker rand over next 6-12 months. Speculative but I don’t see a reason for current level beyond a weaker dollar. My best The above is months of news packed into three sentences that reflect more than just the exchange rate. So let’s unpack. South Africa's political scene The first cracks in the Government of National Unity (GNU) emerged at the beginning of the year,…