Monday, 31 August 2026

Eskom reported a second consecutive annual profit, with profit after tax reaching R30.3 billion and 460 days without load shedding, but municipal debt and falling sales remain challenges.

Eskom CFO Caleb Kasim said unpaid municipal accounts and energy losses represented R45 billion in unrecognised revenue, with recovering half potentially adding about R21 billion to profit.

Bidvest lifted trading profit 8% to R13.1 billion, increased free cash flow 27% to R12.5 billion and reduced net debt from 2.2 to 1.9 times EBITDA.

RCL Foods blamed a 32.4% headline-earnings decline on more than 200,000 tons of dumped sugar imports and pet-food disruption after a nationwide recall; volumes fell 20.5%.

ICT SMEs were advised to plan for payment delays beyond typical 60-to-90-day cycles, secure flexible working capital and diversify income through retainers or licensing revenue.