Thursday, 13 August 2026

Standard Bank posted record first-half headline earnings of more than R26 billion, up 10%, with stronger South African lending, lower impairments and a big push into AI.

CEO Sim Chabalala said AI is already boosting productivity across 39,000 staff, from emails and briefs to customer service and risk management, and he expects it to create more human jobs, not fewer.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said the Cape Town port recovery plan now brings the whole value chain into war-room planning, with more cranes, extra crews and diverted fruit volumes to Gqeberha during windy spells.

A maritime-security expert said oil is still moving through the Strait of Hormuz in smaller shuttle vessels that switch off transponders and transfer cargo offshore, but the risks and war premiums are soaring.

In Investment School, Wayne McCurry and Grant Nader said quality shares are the steady core of a portfolio, while value shares need patience and a clear catalyst to avoid becoming value traps.