Siphelele Dludla

Content Manager: Business Report

East Africa leads continental trade revival as infrastructure, regional integration gain pace

Siphelele Dludla|Published

The latest Africa Trade Barometer reveals significant improvements in trade-enabling infrastructure across key African economies, signalling enhanced business confidence ...

Maintenance backlog and idle locomotives deepen Transnet’s operational crisis

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Transnet, South Africa's state-owned freight and logistics company, is grappling with a severe operational crisis due to a significant maintenance backlog, idle ...

Moody's warns prolonged Iran conflict could trigger global sector disruptions

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Moody's report highlights the potential global impact of disruptions to Middle Eastern energy flows, warning of increased financing risks and operational challenges ...

Mining job loss row deepens as studies challenge analyst Peter Major’s 500,000 claim

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Mining analyst Peter Major claims that South Africa's mining sector has lost up to 500,000 jobs due to poor governance. However, new research suggests a more complex ...

R40bn hemp opportunity could drive South Africa’s green industrialisation, study finds

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South Africa could tap into a R40 billion industrial hemp market by 2040, according to a new study highlighting the need for policy reform and infrastructure investment ...

Transnet’s debt spiral, missed targets expose deepening financial and operational strain

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Transnet, South Africa's state-owned freight and logistics company, is grappling with severe financial and operational challenges, including rising debt and missed ...

Economists see oil staying below $100 despite Middle-East war-driven spike

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Despite rising tensions in the Middle East and temporary supply disruptions, economists predict that oil prices will not sustain above $100 a barrel. This article ...

Business confidence climbs to near 5-year high, but geopolitical tensions pose risks

Siphelele Dludla|Published

In the first quarter of 2026, South African business confidence surged, indicating a promising recovery for the corporate sector despite ongoing domestic and global ...

SA manufacturing activity stalls as sales dip and confidence slumps

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South Africa's manufacturing sector remained stagnant in February, as weak demand and declining sales offset gains from easing cost pressures. The latest PMI data ...

Govt targets localisation and global competitive edge in EV battery manufacturing, says the dtic

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South Africa is set to enhance its electric vehicle battery manufacturing capabilities, focusing on global competitiveness rather than mere localisation, as outlined ...

Government reiterates move to block Tongaat Hulett liquidation to protect sugar industry jobs

Siphelele Dludla|Published

The South African government is intensifying efforts to prevent the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett Limited, highlighting the potential job losses and economic impact ...

South Africa presses ahead with US trade ties amid tariff tensions

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South Africa is determined to strengthen its trade relations with the US despite challenges posed by renewed tariffs and shifting global dynamics, as officials outline ...

Middle East war clouds rate-cut outlook as SA Reserve Bank weighs inflation risks

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Amid rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, South Africa's interest rate outlook faces new uncertainties. This article explores the implications ...

Oil eyes $100 as Strait of Hormuz closure sparks fears of global energy shock

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Oil markets are on edge as tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, potentially pushing prices above $100 per barrel. This article explores ...

New vehicle sales surge to 13-year high, but exports slump amid global pressures

Siphelele Dludla|Published

February 2026 marked a historic month for South Africa's new vehicle market, with sales reaching their highest levels in over a decade, despite challenges in export ...

Political leaders warn of economic fallout from Middle East conflict as fuel price hikes loom

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South African political leaders express concern over the economic repercussions of escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly the impact of rising oil ...

Parliament says municipalities' performance critical to SA's R1 trillion infrastructure drive

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Parliamentary leaders warn that the success of South Africa's R1 trillion infrastructure investment hinges on local government accountability and service delivery, ...

Oil soars above $80 as Middle East war rattles global markets and threatens supply chains

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Oil prices have surged to their highest levels in over a year following unprecedented US-Israel strikes on Iran, raising concerns about supply disruptions and escalating ...

South Africa launches R100 million hub at Wits to boost green hydrogen economy

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South Africa's R100 million investment in the Wits-South Africa Hydrogen Localisation Initiative aims to enhance local research and industrial capacity in the green ...

SARS pushes for President-led crackdown as illicit economy swells to R1.2 trillion

Siphelele Dludla|Published

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has proposed a comprehensive strategy to address the growing illicit economy, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated ...

Oil prices poised for historic surge amid US-Israel strikes on Iran

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Following military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, oil markets brace for a potential price shock, with analysts predicting prices could soar to unprecedented ...

Cabinet targets organised crime, illicit economy to tackle unemployment and lift growth

Siphelele Dludla|Published

The South African government is intensifying its fight against organised crime and the illicit economy, viewing these efforts as vital to reducing unemployment and ...

Business backs Budget as fiscal credibility returns, but growth concerns linger

Siphelele Dludla|Published

South Africa's business leaders have welcomed the 2026 Budget presented by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, highlighting its potential for economic reform and ...

Godongwana defends four-pillar Budget strategy as debt risks and slow growth loom

Siphelele Dludla|Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana outlines South Africa's fiscal strategy, focusing on macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, infrastructure investment, and ...

Treasury redirects R400m to tackle Foot-and-Mouth as disaster declaration raises funding questions

Siphelele Dludla|Published

National Treasury reallocates R400 million in agricultural funds to tackle the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, as the government prioritises internal resources ...