Cape Town Infrastructure: Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson hailed the City of Cape Town’s record R12.24bn capital spend for 2025/26 as a blueprint for other municipalities, saying strong planning turns budgets into construction sites and jobs. Power Sector Reform: Treasury says Operation Vulindlela is moving into a “mature phase”, with delivery speeding up despite uneven progress, including Eskom restructuring work toward an independent transmission company and a more competitive electricity market. Water Woes in the Mother City: Cape Town warned of low pressure or no water in multiple suburbs from Friday to late Saturday as it replaces a key off-take valve on a bulk pipeline. Rand Watch: The Big Mac Index suggests the rand is about 52% undervalued, after the currency held steady following the Fed’s unchanged rates. Mining & Metals: Implats reported improved refined output and sales on stronger rand PGM pricing, while Anglo and Teck named leadership for the merged Anglo Teck entity. Blue Economy Push: South Africa is stepping up maritime security and port/ship-repair investment to unlock Blue Economy growth and protect marine resources. Local Business & Finance Tech: JustMarkets launched a browser-based web trading terminal for MT5 users, aiming to remove software barriers for traders. Tourism Pressure: Xenophobia concerns are reportedly nudging some international travellers toward Zimbabwe instead of South Africa, putting bookings at risk. Human Trafficking Alert: Social Development warned of overseas job scams that lure victims into cyber-enabled crime and debt bondage, with rescues reported since 2024. Politics & Migration: Cabinet reiterated “no place like home” for Afrikaners denied US visas after claims of a “white genocide,” while broader migration tensions continue to dominate debate.