Wednesday, 9 September 2026

Funding should help businesses become sustainable rather than permanently dependent; equipment, resources, monitoring, business development and mentorship can strengthen the model beyond simply handing over capital.

Pastor and author Temba Dlamini said the Rafiwe stabbing exposed weakened community intervention, absent legitimate grievance channels and a crowd that arrived to punish rather than prevent violence.

Dlamini urged the state to establish clear Spring Day bylaws and communities to place adults, parents and community policing forums on the streets before conflicts escalate.

Higher diesel prices reach households indirectly through transport and essentials such as bread, whose production and distribution rely on diesel-powered machinery and repeated freight movements.

Small businesses face the sharpest pressure from diesel increases because tight margins leave fewer options to absorb costs without cutting staff or reducing productivity.