Sunday Times

37 articles in the TruthFoundry index. Each links out to the original.

• Illicit Trade Costs South Africa 87,000 Jobs and R68bn in Tax Revenue · A new study reveals illicit trade in South Africa eliminated over 87,000 formal jobs and cost the state R68bn in annual tax revenue.
• Cashbuild Sales Rise 5.5% Amid Tough Consumer Conditions in Southern Africa · Cashbuild reported a 5.5% revenue increase to R12.1bn, though earnings fell due to losses outside South Africa.
• Woolworths expands After Dark delivery service to 200 Engen forecourts · Woolworths plans to double its After Dark delivery footprint at Engen forecourts to boost online sales.
• South African Online Retail Sales Forecast to Reach R159bn in 2026 · South African e-commerce sales are forecast to hit R159bn, representing 10% of total retail turnover.
• South African tech and durables sales fall 2.6% in H1 2026 as consumers delay upgrades · South African tech and durables sales fell 2.6% in H1 2026 as consumers prioritised essential FMCG spending.
• Shoprite acquires payments firm R&A Cellular and coffee chain Vida e Caffè · Shoprite acquires majority stake in payments firm R&A Cellular and signs deal to buy coffee chain Vida e Caffè.
• Gold Fields Faces Ghana Lease Renewal Uncertainty Amid Migrant Tensions · Gold Fields CEO warns Ghanaian authorities that lease renewal uncertainty could severely impact operations.
• Compliance Failures Stall Growth for South African SMMEs · A finance professional argues that regulatory noncompliance excludes South African small businesses from funding and growth.
• Fintech Account Manager Shares Career Advice and Client-Centric Philosophy · A fintech account manager emphasizes relationship building, adaptability, and honesty as keys to a successful career.
• South African Data Reveals Gender Gap at Top Management Level · New data shows women hold 37.7% of senior roles but only 26.9% of top executive positions in South Africa.
• Industry Warns South Africa Excise Hike Risks Fueling Illicit Alcohol Trade · International experts warn South Africa that raising spirits excise duties could trigger a surge in illicit alcohol consumption.
• Tiger Brands' Albany BOTS network targets 3,000 bread stands in South Africa · Tiger Brands' Albany BOTS initiative runs over 800 bread stands across South Africa and aims for 3,000 entrepreneurial opportunities within a year.
• Clicks launches KwaMakhi township stores to rival spaza shops and discount retailers · Clicks opened its first KwaMakhi convenience store in Tembisa, targeting township markets with a smaller, low-price format.
• Harmony Gold posts record 87% surge in annual headline earnings · Harmony Gold, South Africa's largest gold producer, reported an 87% rise in annual headline earnings per share to R43.63.
• MTN South Africa Sacrifices Short-Term Revenue to Reset Prepaid Business · MTN South Africa plans to sacrifice short-term revenue to improve prepaid customer quality and reduce airtime credit reliance.
• Advtech Expands African Education Footprint with Mega-Campuses and Acquisitions · Advtech reports strong revenue growth and announces new mega-campuses across South Africa and Africa.
• Cell C Prepaid Growth Driven by Distribution and New Products · Cell C added 1.3 million prepaid subscribers and grew revenue 14% in 2026 due to wider distribution and new products.
• Spur Corporation Plans 66 New Restaurants and New Doppio Format · Spur Corporation plans to open 66 new restaurants and launch a smaller Doppio format to attract younger investors.
• Japan and India Lead Exxaro Coal Exports as Prices Rise in 2026 · Exxaro Resources reported a 15% surge in export coal to 3.9 million tonnes, driven by strong demand from Japan and India.
• South Africa's Energy Minister Rejects Coal Phase-Out, Defends Eskom · South Africa's Energy Minister insists coal remains essential and opposes foreign-driven energy transition agendas.
• Standard Bank Aims to Become First South African Bank to Reach R50bn Annual Profit · Standard Bank's R26bn interim profit positions it as the first South African bank to potentially reach R50bn annual profit.
• Virgin Atlantic Leader on Career Advice and Childhood Travel Dreams · Virgin Atlantic executive shares career philosophy and how childhood travel shaped her global business role.
• South African Citrus Exports Cut by 4 Million Cartons Amid Harvest Shortfalls · South African citrus exports forecast drops 4 million cartons due to lower harvests and regional flooding.
• Naspers Report: South Africa Must Build Local AI to Avoid Dependency · A Naspers report urges South Africa to build local AI infrastructure and datasets to become a continental powerhouse.
• Huawei Unveils AI Framework for South African Financial Services · Huawei launched a hybrid AI architecture and digital finance solutions at its Johannesburg summit to accelerate banking and insurance transformation.
• Johannesburg Commercial Property Market Trades at R196bn Discount to Cape Town · Johannesburg commercial property is valued R196bn below Cape Town due to deteriorating municipal governance and service delivery.
• Valterra Platinum Profits Soar 400% on PGM Price Surge and Production Gains · Valterra Platinum reports record interim profits and declares massive dividends following a 400% jump in earnings.
• South African Sugar Farmers Face Crisis as Cheap Imports Surge · SA Canegrowers warn that cheap sugar imports are displacing local production and threatening industry survival.
• Huawei Predicts R1 Trillion AI Contribution to South African Economy · Huawei estimates AI could add R1 trillion to South Africa's economy by 2030, contingent on infrastructure investment.
• South Africa Faces Economic Threat from Post-2028 Natural Gas Supply Decline · Declining Mozambican gas supplies after 2028 threaten South Africa's industrial base and energy security.