City Of Ekurhuleni's 5th Administration’s Five Year Journey

Caroline Bergmann, Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons, breaks down the Competition Commission’s Franchise Market Inquiry — a structural intervention into one of SA’s most powerful sectors. We explore franchisee leverage, lender exposure, franchisor compliance, and lessons from past market inquiries shaping what comes next.

ICB's Barbara Cawcutt explains South Africa’s AI paradox: world‑leading adoption but deep digital exclusion. With only 16% computer ownership, low digital literacy, and thousands of schools without computer centres, we explore why capability — not connectivity — is the real barrier to participation in the AI economy.

Ricardo Smith, CIO at Absa Investments, unpacks South Africa’s sixth straight quarter of GDP growth — and why households aren’t feeling it. We explore flat consumption, weak investment, rising fuel prices, the SARB’s rate hike, and what all of this means for income, confidence and debt exposure heading into Q2.

Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer takes us inside the extraordinary revival of South African horse racing. The Hollywoodbets Durban July is now edging toward a R1 billion economic contribution — a dramatic turnaround for an industry nearly wiped out by the Steinhoff fallout and the pandemic. Heffer explains how the Durban July has…

NADA Chairperson Brandon Cohen unpacks South Africa’s remarkable new‑vehicle market performance. We explore why consumers are returning to trusted brands, how affordability pressures shape buying behaviour, the rise of Chinese manufacturers, and the booming demand for used commercial vehicles. Cohen also outlines the risks and opportunities for H2 2026