CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns are set to start their 2026/27 title defence in Angola after the qualifying draw in Cairo, with a bye putting them against Wiliete (Angola) or Foresters (Seychelles). Food security & fertiliser: The US-Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption are raising fertiliser supply risks for Africa, with sulphur bottlenecks threatening phosphate processing and pushing urea prices higher. Water stewardship: South African Breweries says catchment restoration and sustainable farming partnerships are improving water security across its agriculture value chain. Defence industry: Trade minister Parks Tau says South Africa’s defence industry is financially constrained but still resilient, with capabilities across air, land, sea, space and cyber. SME financing: The African Development Bank and Standard Bank sealed a USD 332m (ZAR 5.4bn) deal to boost South Africa SME funding via a JSE-listed capital markets instrument. Eskom restructuring backlash: NUM says it will consider legal action after Ramaphosa endorsed a report paving the way for Eskom’s restructuring, arguing it lacks meaningful engagement and could threaten jobs and energy sovereignty. Pick n Pay update: Pick n Pay reports modest sales growth as turnaround efforts gain traction, but says market conditions remain tight and restructuring is still in court. Transport & trade: Transnet’s Fresh Produce Terminal redevelopment at Durban’s Point Precinct targets higher throughput and more reliable citrus export flows. Security: Johannesburg Metro Police arrested an armed robbery suspect in Soweto and are hunting accomplices. Aviation: Emirates and SAA expanded their codeshare, adding nine cities and deepening connectivity across southern and central Africa.