RC 260825Cape TalkStephen Grootes

Tuesday, 25 August 2026

MTN reported strong growth while the show examined Transnet’s asset sale, municipal reform, green-energy funding and repeated withdrawals from South Africans’ retirement savings.

Listen · 1:32 · AI-read recap
  1. 18:14

    MTN reported service revenue growth of 17.5%, a 12-year-high EBITDA margin, a planned $2.2 billion IHS acquisition and a R6 billion share buyback, subject to approvals.

  2. 18:56

    Transnet plans to sell or lease 15 non-core properties, including Johannesburg’s Carlton Centre valued at about R900 million, to streamline operations and support investment in rail and ports.

  3. 19:37

    Two-thirds of people who withdrew from retirement savings in the first year withdrew again in the second, with typical withdrawals of around R9,000 to R10,000.

  4. 19:38

    Repeated retirement withdrawals are largely paying personal loans, overdrafts, credit cards and consumption; a R10,000 withdrawal could represent roughly R70,000 in lost retirement value over 25 years.

  5. 18:24

    Johannesburg’s revenue collection has fallen to about 86%, while Treasury-backed municipal reforms aim to ring-fence City Power, water and other trading services for better delivery.