AGP Executive Report

Automotive Manufacturing: Chery has officially launched operations at its Rosslyn plant near Pretoria, shifting from importer to local manufacturer after acquiring the former Nissan facility—aiming for mid-2027 production and 40% parts localisation by 2028. Procurement & Governance: Sanral says its new board is driving procurement reforms after high court rulings exposed serious irregularities and punitive cost awards. Energy Reliability: Eskom reports removing about 1.1 million customers from load reduction schedules, with load reduction lifted in five provinces and targeted for elimination in seven by October. Food Security & Rights: The SA Human Rights Commission begins the second leg of its food systems inquiry, following findings that 14 million people regularly go to bed hungry. Trade & Imports: A certificate error is threatening South Africa’s oxtail supply, with importers warning of price pressure if Argentina’s sanitary route isn’t fixed. Digital Investment: Ramaphosa says global tech firms are betting on SA’s digital economy, citing Google’s Africa Cloud Summit and new connectivity plans. Retail Media: PwC highlights commerce media’s rapid growth in SA, but notes advertisers still struggle to buy it easily. Workplace Compliance: Breathalyser calibration certificates are under the spotlight for CCMA cases, with experts warning that a certificate alone isn’t enough.

Mining & Industry Tech: SEW-EURODRIVE’s DriveRadar is pushing predictive maintenance in harsh African mining conditions, using real-time monitoring of vibrations, temperatures and harmonics to help operators act faster. Retail Property Deal: Spear REIT won Competition Commission approval to buy Cape Town’s Watergate shopping centre for R442m, with completion expected in August. Agriculture & Food Security: SAS is rolling out analytics for South Africa’s micro-farmers near the Cradle of Humankind, helping households choose crops, planting times and volumes to improve yields and income. SME Growth Finance: RM Capital is expanding purchase order funding to help SA firms turn confirmed orders into delivered sales without cash-flow strain. Compliance Season: Vision Verification and other B-BBEE support services are gearing up for mid-year scorecard renewals and certification needs. Policy & Tax: SARS has published draft guidance on how crypto should be taxed under existing rules, with public comments open until 31 August 2026. Electricity Costs: Bad news for users as rising power prices keep worsening. Migration Pressure: Zimbabwe reports nearly 59,000 returnees from South Africa as enforcement intensifies, with reintegration programmes promised.

World Cup Host-Game Logistics: England’s last-16 clash with Mexico is at risk of “no way” starting on time, with FIFA reportedly weighing a late kick-off change amid storm and safety concerns in Mexico City. Automotive Manufacturing: Chery has formally taken over Nissan’s Rosslyn plant, pledging first cars in 2027, keeping 692 jobs and creating about 3,000 more, with a push for 40% local content. Energy & Costs: Experts warn South Africa’s July electricity tariff hikes remain “unacceptable” even as excess capacity exists, pointing to regulatory limits that block more dynamic pricing. Water Crisis: A new PARI documentary series shows Johannesburg informal settlements stuck in a permanent “four buckets” system as tankering replaces piped water. Tax & Crypto Regulation: SARS published draft crypto tax rules for up to 6 million users, with audits ramping up and public comments open until Aug 31. Agriculture Trade: Citrus industry leaders argue for tariff-free treatment in US-SA talks, noting oranges are exempt but other citrus categories face duties. Construction & Safety: Government launched a new building safety framework after deadly collapses, aiming to tighten oversight. Migration Governance: Critics say South Africa’s National Dialogue is failing to engage meaningfully as anti-illegal migrant protests continue. Mining & Industry Impact: Research flags expanding manganese extraction in the Kalahari basin, with communities reporting dust, blasting damage and worsening living conditions.

Automotive Investment: Chery officially inaugurated its Rosslyn plant after taking over Nissan’s facility, shifting from importer to local manufacturer and targeting tech transfer, automation and R&D, with plans to scale toward 100,000 annual sales and nearly 3,000 jobs. Energy Access: Cape Town completed a R2.5m electrification project connecting 193 Gugulethu (Lotus Park) households, upgrading the mini-substation, cables and LED streetlights and issuing prepaid meters. Road Safety/Enforcement: Two men face court after allegedly fitting unauthorised blue lights to a private vehicle, following a Centurion roadblock and police warning that illegal blue lights are a criminal offence. Mining/Precious Metals: Three people were arrested after suspected gold-bearing stones were found at Sunrise Police Station during an unrelated theft report, with DMRE officials called in to assess the material. Labour Rights: An Employment and Labour Relations Court order pushes state agencies to tighten enforcement of foreign labour contracts and require recruitment agencies to post a security bond for Kenyan workers. Trade/Industry Links: Botswana’s BITC is using “Meet the Buyer” missions to strengthen Namibia trade links, pointing to diamonds and petroleum as key current commodities.

Automotive & Jobs: Chery officially opened its Rosslyn plant in Tshwane, shifting from importer to local manufacturer, with plans to ramp to 15,000 units in 2027 and 50,000 annually, while keeping 692 jobs and creating nearly 3,000 more across the supply chain. Construction Safety: Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson launched the National Built Environment and Construction Safety Framework, including new safety regulations and a Public Infrastructure Confidence Index aimed at reducing building collapses. Energy & Industry Policy: DFFE clarified that its Draft National Circular Economy Action Plan is still under development and not yet published for implementation or public comment. Governance & Oversight: The Public Protector cleared Khumbudzo Ntshavheni of blocking MPs’ unannounced oversight visit to the DCAC, but flagged a legal gap and urged Parliament to set clear rules. Environment & Testing: Researchers found heavy metals in Durban black mamba scales, suggesting the snake could help track pollution levels in industrial areas. Local Economy & Tourism: NSRI was appointed for water safety at Club Med’s Tinley Manor resort on KZN’s North Coast, creating 40 lifeguarding jobs for nearby communities. Media & Accountability: IOL journalists Mervyn Naidoo and Ayanda Ndamane won at the 2026 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards.

Automotive & Jobs: Chery has formally taken over Nissan’s Rosslyn plant, pledging upgrades and aiming to turn it into an “auto centre” with nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs as production ramps toward mid-2027. Construction Safety: Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson launched South Africa’s National Built Environment and Construction Safety Framework, including new safety regulations and a Public Infrastructure Confidence Index to tackle building collapses. Energy Finance: Nesa Power secured R150m mezzanine debt funding (about $9m) from Maia Capital Partners to expand solar and battery storage under long-term power purchase agreements. Circular Economy Policy: The DFFE clarified that the Draft National Circular Economy Action Plan is still under development and not yet published for comment, after claims it had been released. Digital Economy & Skills: Gauteng, with Microsoft, will host the Youth Tech Expo G13 Hackathon Finale, backing young innovators with real solutions for provincial challenges. Trade & Logistics: Exporters Western Cape heard calls for tighter road-rail coordination and stronger customs compliance as freight operators face cargo crime and evolving trade measures. Internet Regulation: ISPA warned that any internet blocking for offshore gambling must be grounded in clear legislation, not regulator discretion. Migration Pressure: Cabinet reiterated progress on its comprehensive migration approach, including labour inspections and specialised courts for deportations.

Infrastructure Confidence: Government is pushing a “From Collapse to Confidence” agenda, launching a National Built Environment and Construction Safety Framework to tighten accountability and prevent repeat failures. Cement Pressure: Sephaku Cement warns imports are undercutting the market, with sales volumes down 4.5% and imports up 25%—mostly from Vietnam—while it presses for anti-dumping action. Manganese Shock: Transalloys has shut South Africa’s last manganese smelter, putting 600 jobs and 7,000 livelihoods at risk as it blames crippling electricity costs and urges urgent Eskom and government intervention. Solar Momentum: SAPVIA reports South Africa crossed 10GW of installed PV capacity, with 2025 growth driven by utility-scale and C&I projects. Fuel Retail Shift: ADNOC is reportedly preparing to buy Shell’s ~600-station network, signalling a new downstream power play for South Africa’s fuel market. Mining Claims: The Tshiamiso Trust has paid R2.7bn in silicosis and TB compensation to gold mineworkers, with more claims still being assessed. Insurance & Risk: Santam launches a cash-back reward for claim-free policyholders, while PSG Insure flags rising weather-driven catastrophe costs shaping 2026 pricing. Energy Use in Winter: Households face higher bills as heaters and geysers drive winter electricity spikes, with savings tips tied to National Savings Month. Policy & Governance: A dispute over DA “clean governance” claims resurfaces amid allegations involving Starlink and ministers. Migration Tensions: Xenophobic violence continues to drive mass returns via Beitbridge, with Zimbabweans describing the process as coordinated and supportive.

Household Finance: FNB permanently removes initiation fees on its Credit Switch debt consolidation service, aiming to lower upfront costs for customers juggling multiple credit commitments. Corporate Real Estate Tech: Standard Bank Real Estate Services wins the 2026 Realcomm Digie Award for Best Use of Automation, citing AI and automation to manage property, compliance and energy data. TVET & Skills: Unilever’s TVET Cook Challenge grand finale in Durban spotlights hospitality training and provincial finalists as the sector looks to build job-ready talent. Energy, Health & Policy: President Ramaphosa backs multi-stakeholder engagement on Ebola, while South Africa’s policy uncertainty remains a concern as NWU marks 10 years of its Policy Uncertainty Index. Aviation & Trade Links: LATAM launches direct Cape Town–São Paulo flights, strengthening South Africa’s air connectivity for business and tourism. Mobility Costs: A viral Potchefstroom clip shows commuters walking past taxis as fares rise, underlining pressure on household transport budgets. Migration Pressure: OPM announces free housing and skills support for Nigerian returnees from South Africa amid ongoing unrest. Industry Signals: Daimler Truck Southern Africa appoints senior leaders to bolster customer service, parts and dealer network operations.

Electricity costs hit home: Johannesburg’s City Power tariffs kick in from 1 July, with an average 8.63% increase approved by NERSA, while eThekwini also faced prepaid-power misconceptions as it implemented a 9% tariff rise and stressed customers pay the same rate (outside businesses/industry). Labour & governance: The Labour Court in Johannesburg halted a disciplinary hearing against a whistleblower engineer at Public Works, finding a prima facie link to protected disclosures. Security policy debate: The DA wants government to withdraw proposed amendments to PSIRA regulations and the Firearms Control Amendment Bill, arguing they could weaken lawful private security during crime and unrest. Energy transition & tech: Google says it has topped its $1bn Africa investment target, unveiling new cloud, connectivity hubs, an applied AI lab, and a Soweto digital innovation centre; Deputy President Mashatile launched BrainSAT and Thuraya for rural connectivity. Mining & critical minerals: Harmony says its copper push is diversification, not a break from gold identity; MRG Metals reports high gallium levels at its Garies project. Agriculture & food security: South Africa revised its bird flu defence strategy to allow vaccination, aiming to protect the poultry industry and livelihoods. Industry skills pipeline: A Youth Month “Future Skills Experience” put learners into hands-on manufacturing, engineering and trades exposure. Transport safety: A bus overturn on the N1 near Touws River killed 15 people.

Electricity & Municipal Costs: Johannesburg households brace for an 8.63% City Power tariff jump from 1 July, approved by Nersa, as the city cites rising network maintenance costs and customer pressure. Port & Agriculture Logistics: Western Cape Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer warns against rerouting exports to Eastern Cape ports, after Cape Town port disruptions forced diversions of about 55,000 tonnes of table grapes and hit other fruit categories. Digital Infrastructure & AI: Google Cloud opens its inaugural Africa summit in Sandton, launching new infrastructure and an applied AI lab, with President Ramaphosa pitching cloud and AI as drivers of jobs and growth. Energy Transition & Storage: Envision Energy secures a 660MWh battery storage deal for South Africa’s Naos-1 hybrid project, adding momentum to grid reliability efforts. Food Systems Oversight: SAHRC convenes the second leg of its food systems investigative hearing from 6–10 July, focusing on market concentration and private sector influence across the value chain. Labour & Equity: The Commission for Employment Equity flags persistent racial, gender and disability disparities in top management and senior roles. Manufacturing Watch: Absa PMI shows manufacturing slipping back into contraction in June as new orders weaken and pricing pressures ease. Migration & Security: 30 June anti-illegal immigration marches largely stayed peaceful, but looting and clashes were reported in parts of Gauteng and KZN, keeping business and logistics on high alert.

Energy & Industry Policy: Approvals are in for Dimsum Energy’s 2GW Eastern Cape hybrid renewables mega-project (wind, solar and large-scale battery storage), with construction targeted for early 2028 and linked to new transmission capacity via the Poseidon 400/132kV substation. Power & Public Finance: City Power warns government departments owe it over R270m for electricity, with total arrears across customers now at R13.3bn—raising the risk of disconnections and service strain. Government Reshuffle: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s GNU cabinet changes demote DA leader John Steenhuisen to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, while appointing Willie Aucamp as Agriculture minister; Dina Pule’s Social Development appointment draws DA backlash. Mining & Metals Dealmaking: Alcoa agrees to buy South32’s bauxite, alumina and aluminium assets for up to $5.6bn, reshaping South32’s portfolio and strengthening Alcoa’s integrated aluminium position. Rare Earths Progress: Rainbow Rare Earths says three-quarters of the Phalaborwa rare earths process flowsheet is fixed and moved into engineering after pilot plant data. Digital Power Skills: Eskom and Huawei launch a Modernisation Centre to train Eskom staff and South African youth in power ICT, smart grids, cybersecurity and digital operations. Jobs & Economy: Stats SA reports South Africa shed 120,000 jobs between March 2025 and March 2026, with losses across food, manufacturing, community services, trade, construction, electricity and transport. Trade & Circular Economy: Recycling sector groups urge an urgent review of the Price Preference System after the Draft National Circular Economy Action Plan was published without consultation.

Cabinet Shake-Up: President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffled the GNU, replacing Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen with Willie Aucamp and moving Steenhuisen to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, while also removing other deputy ministers including Sello Seitlholo (Water and Sanitation) and Samantha Graham-Maré (Electricity and Energy). Jobs & Credit Pressure: Stats SA reported South Africa shed 80,000 formal jobs in Q1 2026, driven mainly by community services and trade, while TransUnion data shows consumers leaning more on credit as affordability bites. June 30 Protests & Security: Anti-immigration marches across major cities ended with isolated violence and looting, with police arresting suspects and running a large security operation; businesses closed and many foreign nationals reported fear and disruption. Trade & Metals: SA’s trade balance swung to a May deficit of R1.8bn as gold and platinum prices fell and vehicle exports weakened, even as the year-to-date surplus remains positive. Energy & Water: Cape Town dam storage rose to 74.9% after the latest rainfall, and the city published updated energy and carbon planning data amid ongoing system strain. Local Industry Spotlight: Topwell Chemicals showcased Africa’s only organic pigment plant in Durban at Coatings For Africa, underscoring manufacturing depth for regional supply chains.

Competition Tribunal: Chery’s acquisition of Nissan South Africa’s Rosslyn plant in Gauteng was approved, paving the way for local vehicle manufacturing after Nissan exits. Mining & Markets: A fresh legal fight erupts between Liberty Coal and Mantengu Minerals after CEO Mike Miller’s resignation, with claims of reputational damage and alleged share-price manipulation. Finance & Consumers: TransUnion says South Africans are leaning harder on credit as banks tighten lending and non-banks extend more to below-prime borrowers, raising affordability risk. Water Security: Western Cape dam levels improved again, with the Cape Town system rising to 74.68% and overall provincial storage to 75.96%. Labour & Protests: SAHRC urges peaceful June 30 marches and reminds workers that 30 June is a normal working day, including transport expectations. Industrial Localisation: DTIC and industry bodies host a Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase in Durban (1–2 July) to boost local sourcing under the R-CTFL Master Plan. Energy & Cost of Living: Fuel prices drop from 1 July, with petrol down about R2/litre and diesel down up to R3.59/litre, driven by lower oil prices and a stronger rand. Digital Security: Mastercard launches an Africa Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, starting in South Africa and Nigeria, to improve threat intelligence sharing. Power Storage: Envision Energy signs to supply a 660 MWh battery system for the Naos-1 solar-plus-storage project in the Free State. EV Industry Watch: BYD expands in New Zealand, adding six dealerships after orders surged 871%, a sign of accelerating Chinese EV momentum in right-hand-drive markets.

Security Readiness: Natjoints says Operation 32 is in full implementation ahead of 30 June anti-foreigner marches, with air wing and public order units deployed and intelligence monitoring “in real time” to prevent a repeat of 2021 unrest. Transport & Trade Disruption: South Africa braces for knock-on effects as freight and cross-border operators prepare for possible unrest; Namibian transport firms are pulling drivers from SA over xenophobia fears. Energy Costs: South Africans face a double squeeze as municipal electricity tariffs rise from 1 July, adding to already painful fuel-price dynamics and raising costs for businesses consuming large volumes. VAT Modernisation: Outsourced CFO convenes tax and finance tech experts to unpack how VAT modernisation will shift reporting toward structured, near-real-time invoice data. Corporate Restructuring: BAT plans to cut about 20% of its workforce and outsource roles as it leans harder on AI to lower costs amid long-term decline pressures on traditional tobacco. Governance & Reputation: Resolve Communications says it is considering legal options after reputational attacks and calls for investigation into alleged lobbying involving DA ministers. Consumer Safety: Jaguar Land Rover faces a voluntary recall in SA over a clockspring connector risk that could stop driver airbags deploying.

Energy & Power: Envision Energy has signed a 660MWh battery storage supply deal for the Naos-1 hybrid project near Viljoenskroon, aiming to deliver dispatchable clean power and improve grid stability through wheeling to private offtakers. Energy Security: The IEA says stronger action is needed to bolster energy security as oil demand shifts and inventories are drawn down amid easing prices. Eskom Accountability: Eskom says it has received the final forensic report on its diesel procurement scandal and is moving toward disciplinary and legal consequences, with the Hawks involved. Jobs & Corporate Restructuring: British American Tobacco plans to cut about 9,000 roles globally this year via job cuts and outsourcing as it pivots to “smoke-free” nicotine products. Local Business & Logistics: Naspers reports Takealot’s first full-year profit, with revenue topping $1bn and logistics scaling via Takealot Fulfilment Solutions. City Management: Business Leadership South Africa warns Johannesburg’s service delivery and revenue collection failures are worsening despite high spending, calling for urgent intervention. Circular Economy: Gauteng’s landfill crunch is driving a new material recovery model in Springs, designed to divert hundreds of tonnes of recyclables monthly. AI in Services: Snupit says it’s using locally tuned AI to match South Africans with trusted service providers faster. Migration Pressure: Joburg Crisis Alliance warns a humanitarian crisis is unfolding for Malawian nationals in South Hills as repatriation delays and anti-migrant tensions mount.

World Cup Shock: Bafana Bafana’s historic run ended in stoppage time as Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32, setting up a last-16 clash against either the Netherlands or Morocco. Sports Governance: South Korea’s president demanded a government probe after the team’s early exit, calling coach Hong Myung-bo “incompetent” following a surprise loss to South Africa. Trade & Industry: President Cyril Ramaphosa used the 9th SACU summit to push a simple message: shared infrastructure needs shared investment, and private capital follows the right conditions. Migration & Business Impact: Ahead of 30 June, anti-immigration tensions are spilling into livelihoods, with a Limpopo businessman shutting a KZN textile factory after threats, while Nigerians weigh fear versus an uncertain return home. Regional Economy: Western Cape growth beat the national pace in Q1 2026, with agriculture and exports among the key drivers.