Monday, 21 September 2026

The National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry denied financial mismanagement after analysis questioned the treatment of R2.59 billion in worker-benefit assets and fund shortfalls.

South Africa’s credit-active consumers are 58% women, but women hold 47% of R2.7 trillion in balances; personal-loan arrears and lower incomes are intensifying financial pressure.

The Afrimat Construction Index rose 5% quarter on quarter, with about 95,000 jobs added; the recovery is supported by materials production and increased private-sector infrastructure activity.

Enterprise-support programmes are still judged largely by money spent, while three in ten respondents lack data showing whether supported small businesses survive and grow two years later.

Bitcoin climbed above $85,000, helped by a short squeeze and broader regulatory and macroeconomic optimism, although Luno cautioned that the crypto market remains highly volatile.