INFORMAL SECTOR GROWTH GAINS MOMENTUM AS First National Bank COMMITS R18 BILLION TO COMMUNITY ECONOMY

BY: TANA MALINGA First National Bank (FNB) continues to strengthen South Africa’s informal and community economy through an R18 billion funding commitment that now supports more than 250,000 entrepreneurs nationwide. In the most recent financial year alone, the bank expanded this portfolio by over R2 billion, enabling more small business owners to access the capital…

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FNB EXPECTS STRONGER VALENTINE’S DAY SPEND AS WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS DRIVE MOMENTUM

BY: TANA MALINGA Valentine’s Day 2026 is set to deliver stronger spending growth, with FNB anticipating increased customer activity as the occasion falls on a Saturday this year. The weekend timing gives consumers more flexibility to celebrate, creating extended opportunities to spend across dining, travel, accommodation, gifting and experience-based activities. According to FNB, when Valentine’s…

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UNLOCKING MINING’S HIDDEN GROWTH ENGINES: VALUE CHAIN OPERATORS AND SMALL-SCALE MINING

BY:TANA MALINGA South Africa’s mining sector remains a cornerstone of the economy, contributing 6-7% to GDP, generating over 50% of merchandise export earnings, and supporting more than 450,000 direct jobs, with many more across mining value chains, according to the Minerals Council South Africa. As global demand rises for critical minerals such as platinum group…

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SOUFFLET MALT BREAKS GROUND ON A GAME-CHANGING R2 BILLION MALT PLANT IN SOUTH AFRICA

BY:TANA MALINGA South Africa’s brewing and farming future took a bold step forward today.Soufflet Malt, the world’s leading malt producer, has officially launched construction of a €100 million (R2 billion) malting facility in Midvaal, Gauteng, a landmark investment set to transform the country’s agricultural and brewing value chain. Built next to HEINEKEN Beverages’ Sedibeng Brewery,…

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