Fuel & inflation pressure: South Africans face another petrol and diesel hit in September, with petrol up about R1.34/l and diesel up as much as R3.15/l from Wednesday, after the rand’s strength only partially cushioned global refined-fuel price spikes. Energy & municipal risk: Eskom’s turnaround profit of about R30.3bn is tempered by a structural threat: municipal arrears, now around R119.9bn by June, are worsening and could undermine long-term financial sustainability. Local governance & services: A R44m Joburg billing dispute is threatening 22 child-care NGOs and key hospital laundry and autism services, as water and electricity pre-termination notices collide with interdepartmental dysfunction. Trade & industry signals: SA’s trade surplus widened to R20.1bn in July as exports rose and imports fell, but higher energy prices and exchange-rate volatility are expected to push imports up. Mining safety scrutiny: New aerial images after the Semancor Dikwena chrome mine tailings failure are raising questions about site management and warning signs before the breach. SME support: News24 and Lula launch the 2026 SME Awards, offering R300,000 in prize money for South African small businesses. Education outcomes gap: DHET admits it cannot track which university degrees lead to graduate unemployment, limiting the state’s ability to target qualifications driving joblessness. Automotive competition: Chinese brands’ share of vehicle finance surged to about 40% in a decade, reflecting aggressive pricing and richer tech offers. Agriculture insurance call: Grain SA urges cheaper crop insurance as dry conditions threaten wheat in the Swartland, with rainfall far below average.