Tau says hostile geopolitics won’t thwart investment event that could attract 65-plus in new pledges
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has expressed confidence that the upcoming South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) will not be undermined by hostile geopolitical developments, reporting that delegates from more than 31 countries are registered to attend. The sixth edition of the SAIC is scheduled to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, on March 31 and Tau gave assurances on Monday that the event was continuing to attract interest from both domestic and international investors following a two-year pause.
Oil plunges after Trump postpones strikes on Iranian power plants
Oil prices fell by 7% on Monday after US President Donald Trump said he would postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days after constructive talks, hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict now in its fourth week. Brent crude futures were down 9.72% at $101.28 a barrel at 1254 GMT after sliding as much as 14.5% to a session low of $96. US West Texas Intermediate was down almost 8.9% at $89.49 after losing 14.2% to a session low of $84.37.
ActionSA to lay charges against Gayton McKenzie
ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James will on Tuesday lay criminal charges against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, following what the party says is a series of intimidation tactics and threats. Charges will be laid at Cape Town Central Police Station.
Trio of African countries eyeing debt-for-nature swaps, Nature Conservancy says
The Nature Conservancy, a US-headquartered global environment group, is in talks with three African nations to seal debt swaps worth a combined $500-million to secure cash for preservation of key ecosystems, its head of Africa told Reuters. Debt-for-nature swaps help poorer countries reduce debt payments in return for conservation commitments. Both Seychelles and Gabon have used them over the last decade, but there have been none since Donald Trump's return to the White House last year curtailed crucial US support.
Ramaphosa warns of incomplete African liberation, urges heroes in fight for self-determination be honoured
In navigating the realities of an increasingly unpredictable global environment, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged independent nations and citizens of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to remain vigilant in the face of emerging challenges that may threaten independence and the stability of the region. Ramaphosa expressed solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, who he said continue to be denied the fundamental right to determine their own destiny.
South African rand strengthens after Trump delays strikes on Iran energy sites
The South African rand strengthened on Monday after US President Donald Trump stepped back from plans to target Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure, boosting appetites for riskier assets. At 1344 GMT the rand traded at 16.82 against the dollar,up 1.1% from its previous close. Trump said on Monday that Washington and Tehran have held constructive talks and that he had backed down from targeting Iran's power network.
South Africa’s Thungela prioritises safety, well-being of endangered Dubai employees
As a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, South Africa’s coal company Thungela is prioritising the safety and well-being of its 16 employees in Dubai, where the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed coal mining and marketing company has its international marketing base. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is “a matter of profound concern”, Thungela CEO Moses Madondo emphasised during a media conference following the company’s release of its 2025 financial results, which saw 17%-lower group revenue of R29.6-billion, in a year of strong operational performance but within the context of a challenging thermal coal market environment.
Middle East shock gives Nigeria's Dangote leverage as cheap imports dry up
Nigeria's Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stepped up gasoline exports across Africa as disruptions to energy flows due to the Iran conflict squeeze traditional fuel supply routes, curbing the cheap imports that long dominated West African markets. Data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler show Nigeria's exports of clean petroleum products - which include gasoline, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel - have risen to about 214 000 barrels per day so far in March from an average 100 000 bpd in February.
Benin presidential candidate vows new police forces to fight jihadists
The ruling party candidate in Benin's upcoming presidential election has vowed to create municipal police forces in northern border towns to defend against persistent attacks from jihadist groups. Romuald Wadagni, who has been finance minister under President Patrice Talon since 2016, also said Benin had "no choice" but to work with neighbouring countries to address security challenges, as insurgents active in the Sahel rapidly increase their attacks on the borderlands between Niger, Benin and Nigeria.
Ramaphosa urges ‘genuine’ public, private health sector collaboration over NHI
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday stated that the public and private health sectors cannot continue to operate in parallel, announcing that in preparation for the National Health Insurance (NHI), government is already making significant investments to strengthen public health infrastructure. Writing his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa noted the skills on display at the public Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo, and said government was committed to replicate the success from the hospital.
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