MTN, Vodacom ordered to slash data prices; Worse than Eskom: SA water crisis looms; manufacturing slumps

Loading player...
In the headlines today:
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that South Africa faces a grave water crisis. In his weekly letter to citizens, he says: “Unless we take drastic measures to conserve water sources and promote efficient use, water insecurity will become the biggest developmental and economic challenge facing this country. Our current energy challenges will seem small by comparison.

South Africa’s two biggest mobile-phone companies have been ordered to step up efforts to lower data prices within the next two months or face prosecution by the country’s antitrust regulator, reports Bloomberg. Vodacom and MTN have the potential to reduce tariffs by 30% to 50%, Tembinkosi Bonakele, the head of the country’s Competition Commission, said in Pretoria on Monday.

Sentiment in South Africa’s manufacturing industry slipped in November, signalling contraction in the industry for a fourth straight month, reports Reuters. Absa’s Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, fell to 47.7 from 48.1 in October, the Johannesburg-based lender said in an emailed statement on Monday.

Offshore investors sold a net R9.84bn ($669m) of South African stocks last week and R3.46bn of bonds, data from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange showed on Monday, says Reuters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2 Dec 2019 10AM English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

Dr Lennit Max: Non-racial, merit-based appointments of four new police commissioners

In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, former Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Dr. Lennit Max hails the appointments of four new provincial commissioners. “This time around I am very pleased that the Acting National Commissioner in her wisdom decided that there's merit among people of colour.” He points out…
3 Aug 8AM 33 min

BN Daybreak: SA corruption probes; Trump’s Iran pause; SpaceX upcoming earnings, FIFA backlash

Today's BizNews Daybreak examines Japan’s US-coordinated currency intervention, OPEC+ production increases, and energy lobby opposition to US biofuels legislation. South Africa’s corruption commission delivers unprecedented accountability, while Donald Trump pauses planned Iran strikes pending rapid talks. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 opens at 7,489 and SpaceX prepares for a high-stakes earnings…
2 Aug 11PM 13 min

BN Daybreak: Apple earnings; Amazon AWS; RMB housing; Anglo’s SA exit; Tesla China sale

Today's BizNews Daybreak covers Apple's quarterly results, Rivian's SUV success, and Anthropic's AI breach, alongside a semiconductor rally driven by Microsoft and Oracle. Football federations oppose FIFA selling World Cup stakes, while Donald Trump claims a Gaza disarmament agreement. Meanwhile, Alec Hogg discusses Anglo American’s South Africa exit, RMB launches…
30 Jul 11PM 14 min