AGP Executive Report

BRICS Diplomacy: China confirmed Xi Jinping will attend India’s BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, with Ramaphosa and other leaders expected as the bloc pushes resilience on food, energy, health and supply chains. Mining Watch: South Africa’s mining production fell 7.5% y/y in July, dragged by PGMs, coal and iron ore, while mineral sales also slipped as gold sales plunged. Labour & Restructuring: NUM is challenging Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kwezi shaft restructuring under section 189A, arguing government should enable smaller miners to take over instead of closures. Energy & Water: Government and Johannesburg stakeholders met to reduce water disruptions caused by power trips affecting Rand Water systems, with Eskom and City Power in the spotlight. Transport & Compliance: Hawks uncovered a R100m Mandrax lab in Erasmia producing about 800,000 tablets a day; two suspects arrested. Trade & Agriculture: South Africa secured China market access for cherry exports, opening a tariff-free early-season window. Tech & Telecom: Liquid Kenya says it’s moving beyond connectivity to add AI, cloud and cybersecurity services on its fibre backbone. Consumer Costs: Finance Minister warned motorists not to expect renewed fuel tax relief as October petrol and diesel prices are set for record highs. Skills Pipeline: TVET colleges are being urged for 2027 applications, with calls for better facilities and equipment.

Courtroom Win for Exploration: South Africa’s Western Cape High Court has rejected activists’ bid to stop TGS seismic surveys in the Orange basin, with judges warning against “haphazard” litigation—while a bigger Constitutional Court case over Shell and Impact Oil’s south-coast plans is expected soon. Economic Pulse Check: Stats SA says GDP contracted 0.2% in Q2 2026, with manufacturing and trade among the main drags, snapping a six-quarter growth streak. Energy & Home Power Rules: Eskom’s residential rooftop solar and battery registration deadline looms again on 30 September, reigniting disputes over who can regulate behind-the-meter systems. Industrial Investment in the Bay: EOT Solutions opened a R30m advanced metal processing facility at Freeport Saldanha, targeting job creation and a possible R70m expansion. HIV Prevention Rollout: The Department of Health reports progress on lenacapavir, with 360 public facilities in six provinces and 55,123 initiations by 7 September. Agriculture Exports: Aucamp signed a protocol giving South African cherry producers access to China for the first time, opening major export upside. Mining & Metals Watch: Zimbabwe’s refined platinum hit a quarterly record, while the global platinum market is set for a second-half deficit shift after a first-half surplus. Crime & Security: Hawks dismantled an Erasmia mandrax lab allegedly producing 800,000 tablets a day, arresting two foreign nationals. Tourism Infrastructure: Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu used the Coastal and Inland Waterways Tourism Summit to push investment in SA’s inland and marine tourism routes. BRICS Diplomacy: BRICS sherpas in New Delhi are working on a joint declaration amid West Asia tensions, with South Africa’s Ramaphosa among expected leaders.

BRICS Diplomacy: President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, with a focus on intra-BRICS trade, investment, industrialisation and African infrastructure aligned to AfCFTA. Energy & Cost of Living: South Africans face another fuel shock in October, with early Central Energy Fund signals pointing to petrol above R28 and diesel above R32 as Middle East and Ukraine tensions keep oil markets tight. Trade Enforcement: SARS has tightened anti-dumping duties on replacement vehicle windscreens from China after alleged tariff-avoidance and country-hopping routes, with duties ranging from 13% to 129%. Renewables Manufacturing: Ember reports Africa’s solar panel manufacturing capacity could quadruple this year, led by new plants in Egypt and Tanzania, though data remains patchy. Mining & Industry Leadership: Multotec appointed Johan Robbertse as group CEO at Electra Mining Africa, while Koryx Copper released new Haib drill results. Media & Jobs: Netflix marked a decade in South Africa and announced new local series and films, including sequels tied to the breakout “The Polygamist.” Local Business & Safety: Cape Town commuters report ongoing poor street lighting in Tafelsig despite claimed repairs near Kapteinsklip station.

South Africa-China Trade: Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp signed a sanitary and phytosanitary protocol that gives South African cherry producers market access into China for the first time, with China importing about 586,900 tons of cherries in 2025 (valued at US$3.3bn). Transport Enforcement: Gauteng’s Transport Inspectorate flagged ongoing non-compliance in public transport after a week of operations, finding 56 minibuses without licence discs and 103 drivers without valid licences, and discontinuing 17 unroadworthy taxis. Migration-linked Crime Crackdown: Government operations across SA led to 354 arrests and 123 court cases, with more than 350,000 inspections targeting illegal mining, labour exploitation, trafficking networks and fraudulent documentation. Economy Watch: South Africa’s economy contracted 0.2% in Q2, ending a six-quarter growth run, as manufacturing and mining weighed on performance. Energy & Risk: South Africa introduced new electricity pricing rules after 18 years, while warnings continue about solar installation safety and fire risk.

Agriculture Oversight: South Africa’s agriculture minister Willie Aucamp has taken action over alleged misconduct in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine pricing, with FMD Response SA saying the issue is about taxpayer-funded payments and a single-channel setup that lacks external checks. Export Growth: Cherry producers get a major boost as a protocol signed in Beijing opens China access for South African cherries, with blueberries talks also advanced. Economy Watch: Stats SA reports GDP shrank 0.2% in Q2 2026, ending six quarters of growth, dragged by mining, trade and manufacturing. Mining Data Control: DR Congo plans tighter state control over geological data to build a national databank, aiming to reduce exploration risk while keeping access in government hands. Payments & Commerce: Mastercard and Flowcart are teaming up to embed secure card payments inside social and conversational commerce journeys, starting in Kenya and expanding across East Africa and into South Africa and Nigeria. Youth Skills Pipeline: McDonald’s SA will recruit 2,370 young people into its Hospitality Learnership Programme, targeting high youth unemployment with training that has previously absorbed hundreds into permanent roles. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Police and SANDF arrested 30 suspects in Mohlakeng during Operation Prosper, seizing generators, explosives and mining equipment. Tourism & Recovery: Kruger’s Letaba camp is reopening after flood damage, with 29 chalets restored and full operations targeted for December.

Wine & Exports: Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa 2026 Wines of the Year showcase at Vergelegen drew 247 wines scoring 95 points or more, with Vergelegen racking up multiple 91+ results—another push to “tell the world what’s happening in the Cape.” Migration & Border Support: Parliament praised South Africa’s coordinated repatriation response after anti-migrant unrest, including duty-free property handling and reintegration support for returnees. Food System Power: A new analysis argues SA’s hunger problem is less about scarcity and more about concentrated “gateways” that shape prices and choices from inputs to supermarkets. Public Health & Safety: Researchers warn rabid Cape fur seals have bitten at least 176 people, with risk of wider spread to other marine mammals. Energy Transition: Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina will advance SA’s hydrogen agenda in Japan, linking research partnerships to the Just Energy Transition and green hydrogen commercialisation. Cost of Living: Household affordability data shows food, electricity and transport are squeezing budgets, pushing families to buy less and less nutritious food. Logistics & Trade: DP World is facing a Kenya corporate name dispute that could threaten its local registration. Health Policy: Health officials weigh mandatory medical scheme membership, warning subsidies could cost tens of billions if lower-income workers are brought in. Capital Markets: Dangote Refinery’s $1.6bn IPO documents are endorsed, with a minimum subscription set for the public offer.

Courtroom Clampdown: Gauteng High Court rejects Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s bid to escape her corruption and money-laundering trial, finding the State has a prima facie case and she must answer. Power Sector Restructure: National Treasury’s RFP for a transaction adviser to set up an independent Transmission System Operator confirms the TSO will be a State-owned entity outside Eskom, with completion targeted by end-2027. Food & Farming Risk: El Niño warnings point to hotter, drier conditions from Oct–Dec, with farmers and food prices in the spotlight; Agbiz’s Agribusiness Confidence Index rose but still flags drought risk and FMD fallout. Renters Need Cover: FNB-linked data shows more South Africans are stuck renting longer, and insurers warn renters often misunderstand what they’re covered for versus what landlords insure. Illegal Mining Pressure: Roodepoort/Florida residents report nightly gunfire and fear as zama zamas move closer to homes, questioning police protection. Agro-Processing Investment: Ecovado and Alfa Laval launch an avocado oil plant in Limpopo aimed at export markets and jobs for small-scale growers. Logistics for Trade: DHL Express and Absa expand GoTrade across Sub-Saharan Africa to help SMEs finance and ship across borders. Mining Deal Watch: Exxaro agrees to buy Anglo American’s remaining half of Moranbah South in Australia to sell the full coking coal project. Cyber Security: Arctic Wolf warns South African firms to prepare for agentic AI-driven ransomware, fraud and phishing.

Local Infrastructure: Johannesburg has paid R185m to two contractors for only 1.8km of Lilian Ngoyi Street works, with shifting deadlines and performance issues raising fresh questions about value for money. Energy & Cost of Living: COSATU is pushing for temporary fuel levy relief after September hikes, warning transport costs are already crushing low-wage workers and could ripple into food and goods prices. Agriculture & Food Security: El Niño risks are starting to bite as South Africa moves from an “abundance” grain season into a tougher 2026-27 planting period, with later-season weather likely to decide outcomes. Mining & Industry: West Wits Mining says it has reached first gold at its Qala Shallows underground project, ramping up a rare new underground mine in SA after 15 years. Trade & Manufacturing: Apple has taken a Johannesburg firm to court over alleged counterfeit iPhones and Apple-branded packaging seized at OR Tambo. Governance & Wildlife: South Africa’s CITES hunting quotas for elephants, rhinos and leopards have been published, sparking concerns that biodiversity rules are being quietly rewritten. Innovation & Jobs: Coega is pitching a science and innovation park as a “living laboratory” to connect research with manufacturing, localisation and exports.

Court Fight: Apple has taken a Johannesburg company to the High Court over alleged counterfeit iPhones and packaging seized at OR Tambo, seeking a court order to stop the trade and force disclosure of the supply chain. Naval Readiness: South Africa’s SAS Manthatisi submarine has returned to deployable status after certification trials following the 2023 fatal accident, restoring operational capability to the fleet. Energy & Regulation: NERSA approved new maximum gas prices for 2026/27 and 2027/28, setting end-user rates at R97.31/GJ and aiming to bring certainty as Mozambique gas volumes may decline. Power Sector Politics: Eskom’s turnaround and R30.3bn profit reignites the unbundling debate, with critics warning against shifting too much supply into private hands. Security & Mining Supply Chains: Hawks arrested two men after an explosives haul worth about R130,000 was seized in Nelspruit, with charges under the Explosives Act and Immigration Act. Climate Finance Gap: A new analysis says Africa gets only about 23% of needed climate finance and pays too much, leaving mitigation and adaptation underfunded. AI Infrastructure Debate: An AI expert argues South Africa should not chase hyperscale data centres due to water and power strain, urging AI use through established global infrastructure instead. Wildlife Monitoring: Conservation groups are running cross-border wildlife censuses, including lion and cheetah counts, using camera traps and tracking to guide management. Trade Preferences: WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and US lawmakers welcomed Trump’s two-year AGOA extension, extending duty-free access for eligible African exporters.

Project Cash Crunch: Eswatini’s government says about E600m in approved projects are stalled because cash flow exists “on paper”, leaving contractors and communities waiting on schools, roads, water and livestock dipping tanks. Governance & Skills Funding: Allegations of “double-dipping” at Inseta have surfaced after a senior Transnet official linked to the audit and risk committee was paid while also working for the state, raising questions about compliance with public finance rules. Regional Logistics Push: Eswatini Railways brought Transnet Freight Rail and Transnet Engineering to the 58th EITF to market integrated cross-border rail logistics with Mozambique’s CFM. Trade & Market Access: The US has signed a two-year AGOA extension, keeping duty-free access for eligible African exporters through 2028. Digital Infrastructure Pressure: Civil rights groups want a pause on new South African data centres until water, land and electricity impacts are fully investigated. Security & Explosives: The Hawks arrested two men in Mpumalanga with explosives worth about R130,000, including detonators, as part of intelligence-led operations. Consumer Safety & Courts: Apple is taking a local company to court over alleged counterfeit iPhones seized at OR Tambo, seeking orders to stop dealing and trace the supply chain. Online Child Safety: South African experts warn teens are using platforms like OnlyFans and mainstream social media to solicit sexual content, complicating enforcement against child exploitation.

Shadow State Watch: Testimony before the Madlanga Commission suggests South Africa’s “shadow state” may have evolved rather than vanished since the Gupta era, with claims that a taxi boss’s farm functioned as a “state within a state.” BRICS Legal Cooperation: India’s chief justice urged BRICS to act like a “living Nalanda University”, backing healthy disagreement and faster, more predictable justice delivery. Counterfeit Crackdown: SAPS and partners seized 1,700+ fake Springboks items worth over R1.5m in Johannesburg CBD, along with manufacturing equipment, ahead of the All Blacks clash. Energy & Industry: Eskom reported after-tax profit more than doubling to R30.3bn for FY2026, even as electricity sales fell, citing improved performance and cost control. Digital Infrastructure Pressure: Civil rights groups want a pause on new data centres until water, land and electricity impacts are fully assessed. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Agriculture minister Willie Aucamp suspended Onderstepoort vaccine executive over alleged misconduct tied to foot-and-mouth vaccine pricing. Labour & AI: NEDLAC put AI on the agenda, giving organised labour a formal seat as government warns tech progress can deepen inequality without inclusion.

BRICS Watch: The BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Sept 12–13) will test whether an expanded bloc can turn political weight into practical cooperation on finance, trade, digital infrastructure, AI, climate, food and energy security—despite big differences among members. Humanitarian Response: South Africa’s evacuation exercise for Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks has ended, with the final 41 returnees arriving in Accra; Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says a full account of evacuation spending will be disclosed after an RTI push. Power & Regulation: Nersa has opened public comment on Eskom’s proposed 8.83% tariff structure for 2027/28 (submissions due Oct 2), focusing on how revenue is split between fixed and variable charges. Energy Accountability: Eskom says Daily Investor materially misreported FY2026 diesel spending, correcting the actual OCGT spend and load-factor figures. Mining & Labour: Workers at Sibanye-Stillwater’s platinum and palladium operation are protesting proposed contract changes, with strikes continuing while union demands benefits be preserved. Digital Infrastructure & Industry: Vertiv will showcase critical digital infrastructure solutions for Africa’s mining sector at Electra Mining Africa 2026 in Johannesburg. Tourism Leadership: Africa’s tourism leaders gather in Polokwane for the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, with delegates from dozens of countries discussing resilience and growth.

Illegal Mining Crackdown: SANDF and SAPS arrested 29 zama-zamas and seized firearms during Operation Prosper at Kloof Mine Plant in Gauteng; one miner was killed in an exchange of fire. Energy & Industry Regulation: NERSA opened public comment on Eskom’s proposed 8.83% average tariff increase for 2027/28, with submissions due by 2 October. Climate Risk to Supply Chains: South Africa is on an Amber Alert for El Niño impacts, with drought, heatwaves, water shortages and wildfire risk expected to rise from October. Renewables Market Shift: Southern Africa’s renewables players are moving from standalone solar to packaged solutions (solar, storage and flexibility) aimed at specific customer energy problems. Mobility & Jobs: Stellantis South Africa is pushing small electric last-mile delivery concepts, betting micromobility can boost township entrepreneurship. Local Value Addition: Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp says South Africa has cleared a veterinary health certificate with Egypt to restart red-meat exports after foot-and-mouth disruption. Data Centres Under Fire: Civil rights groups want a halt to new data centres until water, land and power impacts are assessed. Media Sector Pressure: Reports say News24 may cut staff sharply as South Africa’s newsroom crisis deepens.

Ports & Logistics: ICTSI has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of South Africa’s The Logistics Group (TLG), aiming to deepen its Southern Africa grip across port, rail, warehousing and digital transport logistics. Digital Fraud: Sabric says social engineering is driving South Africa’s digital banking fraud, with R2.4bn lost in 2025 and more than 100,000 incidents reported. Energy & Power Projects: Eskom’s Richards Bay gas-to-power plan targets a 3,000MW combined-cycle plant using LNG via a proposed terminal, while TotalEnergies’ Hydra hybrid project (216MW solar + 500MWh storage) has been commissioned in the Northern Cape. Municipal Service Shock: City Power disconnected Johannesburg’s Children’s Memorial Institute campus, cutting power to 22 NPOs and threatening hospital laundry and infection-control operations. Steel & Construction Supply: SAISC is pushing for case-by-case import tariff waivers to ease structural steel shortages, as the Steel Awards gear up for a tough operating year. Retail Property: Growthpoint says Walmer Park’s Phase 1 redevelopment in Gqeberha is complete and on track for November completion. Fuel Policy: FIASA warns the draft strategic petroleum stocks policy could strain working capital and logistics capacity as government shifts more stockholding onto private industry. Artisan Skills: SANPC and CHIETA plan a three-year artisan development programme at Saldanha’s industrial zone once funding is secured.

Logistics & Agro-processing: Nsez and Teta will host a Logistics and Agro-Processing Industrial Summit on 10 September 2026, aiming to connect MSMEs with corporate buyers, finance and skills partners across freight, maritime, rail and aerospace. Science & Industry: Minister Blade Nzimande will deliver the NRF Awards keynote in Gqeberha and then visit the Coega SEZ as government pushes an inclusive, transformed research agenda. Energy & Water Services Reform: Treasury secured a €300m (R5.6bn) concessional loan from KfW and AFD to support Metro Trading Services Reform in eight metros, targeting electricity, water, sanitation and solid waste. Mining Safety: Minerals Council South Africa held a Mud Rush Day of Learning to share best practice on preventing mud-rush incidents and strengthening Zero Harm. Food & Farming Resilience: Agriculture warns El Niño could bring below-normal rainfall and high temperatures, urging early water conservation and soil protection. Media & Sports Business: DStv plans a standalone Sports streaming package from 17 September, alongside new tiers, as MultiChoice reshapes how it sells content. Local Industry Growth: Tiger Brands and Stellenbosch University launch a three-year research partnership to boost yields for crops like tomatoes and wheat, with a focus on food safety and climate-stressed regions. Public Health: South Africa marks World Rabies Day on 28 September under “Stronger Together”, urging vaccination, responsible pet ownership and fast action after exposure.

Aviation & Safety: Airlink’s Cape Town rugby flyover debate continues as SACAA investigates and aviation experts question whether proper approvals and planning were followed. Energy & Finance: Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB reached financial close on the 49MW Lion Thorn Solar Park, supported by long-term power purchase agreements. Power Reform: President Ramaphosa used his weekly newsletter to back Eskom unbundling, arguing competition can cut costs and expand access. Digital Infrastructure: WIOCC secured $300m to expand Africa’s data centres, fibre and subsea connectivity for AI and digital public infrastructure. Banking & Payments: Circle faces fresh stablecoin competition as major banks form a stablecoin company targeting a first-half 2027 launch. Retail & E-commerce: Online retail hit 10% of South Africa’s retail sales, with growth expected to lift the market to about R159bn in 2026. Crime & Mining: North West’s Operation Shanela II arrested 778 suspects, including illegal mining cases and wanted persons. Governance & Service Delivery: Municipal collaboration is back in focus ahead of local elections, with calls to fix fragmented systems that leave child outcomes lagging.