Monetary Policy Shock: The SARB lifted the repo rate by 25 bps to 7%, warning that Middle East-driven fuel and food pressures, El Niño risks and second-round inflation effects could mean more hikes—raising prime to 10.5% and tightening household budgets. Food Security Watch: Grain SA-linked concerns are sharpening as the Reserve Bank flags a possible “food shock”, with farmers facing higher input costs and consumers already squeezed. Energy & Infrastructure: Transnet TNPA signed a R22bn, 25-year LNG terminal deal at Port of Ngqura with Ukwanda LNG, targeting full operations by 2035 and supporting gas-to-power and industrial demand. Logistics & Governance: Cape Town’s outlook was upgraded to positive by Moody’s, while Nelson Mandela Bay needs about R31bn to stabilise failing water, sewerage, roads and debt. Healthcare & Regulation: Life Healthcare leaned on diagnostics and renal growth to offset funding headwinds, while SAHPRA and SAPC raided a Pretoria compounding pharmacy over unregistered compounded GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Digital & Marketing: Rogerwilco won Smarties awards for AI-driven GEO, signalling how brands are adapting to AI search discovery. Cross-Border Reality: Ngwenya Border Post saw heavy traffic ahead of Eswatini’s Bushfire Festival, with telecoms selling SIMs to festival-goers.