AU Xenophobia Push: Nigeria’s President Tinubu has formally raised concerns about recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa at the African Union in Luanda, urging African leaders to put the issue on the agenda for the AU’s January 2027 summit and calling for stronger continental action. Joburg Service Collapse: Johannesburg’s driving licence testing centres are effectively paralysed by a 13-month standoff over unpaid provincial licensing fees and procurement negligence, leaving motorists facing queues, locked doors and rationed stationery. Crime Stats Watch: South Africa’s latest quarterly SAPS figures show murders down 5.9% year-on-year for April to June 2026, but the total remains high at 5,427, with analysts warning the data may still mask where police resources are most needed. NSFAS Money Stuck: The SIU says about R320m meant for students has been sitting dormant in accounts linked to the discontinued Celbux system, as some institutions refuse to repay over past NSFAS payments. Sugar Tariff Relief: South Africa’s sugar import reference price is set to rise to US$785 a tonne, with growers welcoming the move but warning it may still not stop import pressure. Energy Bills: Smart geyser controllers are touted as a practical way to cut household electricity costs by 15% to 30%, after research flags geysers as a major power drain. Cold Chain Focus: Industry leaders meet in Johannesburg on 2–3 September for the GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference, aiming to strengthen temperature-controlled logistics across the continent.