Critical Minerals Diplomacy: Trade & Industry Minister Parks Tau used the UNGA sidelines to pitch the US on investing in South Africa’s critical minerals value chain—refining, processing and manufacturing—rather than treating SA as a raw-materials supplier. Eskom Focus Shift: Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told Eskom to prioritise cutting system losses and revenue leakage and to plan a 3-, 5- and 10-year roadmap under “Eskom 2.0”, warning against bailouts and double-digit hikes. Airports Leadership: ACSA appointed Siphamandla Mthethwa as incoming CEO from 1 November 2026, returning a former CFO to lead the state-owned operator’s next infrastructure push. Food & Agri Risk: Namibia halted livestock movement and meat exports after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in its main commercial livestock zone. Local Business Pressure: Farmers say rising electricity, fuel and fertiliser costs are squeezing day-to-day operations, with production and transport hit hardest. Transport & Planning: Bergvliet residents paid for a technical review of traffic plans for the proposed Tokai High School, questioning whether road capacity and modelling match 1,100+ learner traffic. Health Financing: ALMA warned a 30% malaria funding cut could add 146m cases and 400,000 deaths across Africa by 2030. Global Crime Watch: Reports highlight an expanding meth network across southern Africa linked to Mexican cartels, raising concerns for regional security and supply chains.