Youth Employment & Skills: Shoprite’s pharmaceutical distributor Transpharm has started its first intake of unemployed youth into the Retail Readiness Programme, training 18–34-year-olds in Cape Town with a mix of classroom learning and on-the-job experience, building a pipeline that has already supported 40,000+ learners since 2016. Joburg Politics & Finances: DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille says Johannesburg needs “delivery, not bureaucracy” and argues the city’s recovery hinges on stabilising finances and winning votes in the metro ahead of local elections. Trade & Integration: Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and William Ruto used their state visit to push deeper South Africa–Kenya economic integration, signing six MoUs aimed at cutting border friction and boosting maritime, skills, and trade cooperation. Markets Mood: Global risk appetite stayed cautious as AI demand worries and geopolitics dragged sentiment, with the JSE All Share slipping 0.5% on the week. Health & Regulation: Aurobindo Pharma secured final USFDA approval for Tofacitinib tablets, strengthening its US generics portfolio. Public Safety & Governance: SAPS confirmed the firing of Major General Richard Shibiri after misconduct findings linked to alleged improper ties. Digital Economy: Canal+ is exploring ways to reduce DStv subscription costs via a unified streaming “super app,” aiming to protect customer growth. Environment & Risk: Research flags rising whale-strike risk in South African waters as shipping traffic increases, urging faster action to protect marine life.