JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South African petrochemicals giant Sasol Ltd on Wednesday cut its guidance for synthetic fuel production and liquid fuel sales for this financial year due to a three-week nationwide lockdown linked to coronavirus.



Sasol is now expecting to produce approximately 7.3-7.4 million tons of synfuel against the previously guided range of 7.7–7.8 million tons, the company said in a statement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.



It is also targeting sales of 50–51 million barrels of liquid fuel for the financial year 2020, against 57–58 million barrels previously, it said.



Synfuel or synthetic fuel is a form of liquid fuel made from coal in South Africa. Sasol is the world’s biggest producer of motor fuel from coal.



South African President Cyril Ramaphosa imposed a nationwide lockdown at the end of March to contain spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has already <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/2020/04/02/south-africa-needs-hundreds-of-thousands-of-covid-19-tests-health-minister/">infected 1,749 people in the country and killed 13</a>.



The lockdown, which prompted rating agency <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/coronavirus/2020/04/03/fitch-downgrades-sa-2/">Moody’s to downgrade the country’s sovereign rating to junk</a>, crashed domestic demand at a time when the economy had already slipped into a recession.



It is projected to contract further in the current financial year.



“Sasol’s management team is in the process of proactively identifying further measures to provide an additional buffer against short-term volatility,” said the company in its statement, referring to the fall in demand in the country.



The group, which is also <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/earnings/2020/03/17/sasol-plans-2bn-rights-issue/">facing high debt levels and falling oil and chemical prices</a>, said it has decided to suspend production at its inland crude oil refinery Natref from April 9.



“A decision was also made by Sasol to reduce daily production rates at our Secunda Synfuels Operations (SSO) by approximately 25%,” it said.



A further reduction in rates may be required depending on further developments in the fuels market, the company added.



However, Sasol said despite the suspension of output at the Natref refinery and lower production rates at SSO, the country’s current demand for fuels and chemicals, including sanitisers, will be met.



It had said on March 31 that its full-year results could be hit by potential disruptions to production, supply chains and construction as the coronavirus continued to spread across the world.



(Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; Editing by Jan Harvey)



This article was first published on Reuters Africa <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKBN21Q0WO-OZABS">https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKBN21Q0WO-OZABS</a> and is republished with its permission.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

South Africa’s Sasol cuts production, sales target due to COVID-19 lockdown

By Chris Bishop



In the lucrative business of catering the company was the golden goose in more ways than one. Gold fed and strengthened it for seven years – COVID-19 all but killed it over-night.



Clinton Verhoog, who trained as a chef in the hospitality industry, was bitten by the kitchen bug early on and in 2007 threw himself into building his own catering company &#8211; The Chairman’s Choice.



Down the years he made millions from serving top executives everything from breakfast to dinner at conferences around South Africa.



“The smaller jobs would cover your costs and a big corporate gala dinner, with 200 people, would be the cherry on top,” says Verhoog. He made money almost from the off partially thanks to setting up the company’s first coffee shop just over the road from the headquarters of Gold Fields, in Sandton near Johannesburg, &nbsp;one of the world’s largest gold miners. It gave Verhoog an idea that led to him winning a tender to run the company’s canteen and many events flowed from that.



“The gold price was going up and the company wasn’t afraid to spend,” recalls Verhoog.



“I was probably the only chef in the world who watched the gold price!””



Yet the gold price fell and also strikes took their toll on Gold Fields. By 2013, the contract with The Chairman’s Choice was over as the company cut back.



Business held up until the COVID-19 lockdown hit. Verhoog expected R1.2 million for March and April to make up for a slow start to the year. The 21-day lockdown of South Africa, at the end of the March, meant zero. All of his corporate customers cancelled.



Verhoog had to lay off two of his six staff and cut every cost he could find.



”There is no income at all. We were in a very difficult position before the lockdown. If we don’t get anything in the next two or three months we are done,” says Verhoog.



Tough times, maybe, but Verhoog is not sitting around downhearted.



“I am using the time now to really look at my business from a strategic point of view to see how I can improve it,” he says. As you read this most of the five million small businesses in South Africa will be doing the same- if they are lucky.

SA chef takes his skills to social media as COVID-19 hurts business operations

How COVID-19 cooked the golden goose – The SA chef who went from golden days to zero.

South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has issued <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/04/07/sa-launches-green-fund-to-drive-investment-into-smmes/">directions aimed at helping SMMEs</a> operating grocery stores in the country, including corner shops, spaza shops and fruit and vegetable stores, comply with the government’s COVID-19 lockdown regulations.



SMME grocery stores are permitted to operate during the lockdown period irrespective of the nationality of their owners provided that they meet the following requirements listed in the statement below.



The following is a statement on behalf of South Africa’s Ministry of Small Business Development:



MEDIA STATEMENT



DIRECTIONS TO ASSIST SMMEs OPERATING GROCERY STORES, CORNER SHOPS, SPAZA SHOPS TO COMPLY WITH COVID-19 LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS



Minister of Small Business Development (DSBD), Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has, in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) issued Directions aimed at assisting SMMEs operating grocery stores including corner shops, spaza shops, fruit and vegetable stores to comply with the COVID-19 Lockdown Regulations.&nbsp;



In terms of the lockdown regulations, all enterprises operating within the boarder of the Republic of South Africa are expected to close during the lockdown period except for enterprises which are designated as providers of essential goods and services as per Annexure (b) to the lockdown regulations.



The Minister would like to point out that in terms of the recently gazetted Directions, grocery stores which include corner shops, spaza shops and fruit and vegetable stores are permitted to operate during lockdown period irrespective of the nationality of the owners provided that they adhere to the following:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must hold permits issued by their respective local municipality allowing them to trade in line with the provisions of the Business Act 71 of 1991 as amended.</li><li>No person may stay overnight in the grocery store as this in contravention of the Food Safety and Health Standards.</li><li>Only the sale of food staff and basic necessities is permitted, grocery stores must not sell products or goods that are prohibited by the lockdown Regulations.</li><li>The grocery stores must uphold the Health and Hygiene requirements by:</li></ol>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Maintaining a social distance amongst customers and between the trader and customer of at least 1-metre.</li><li>Disinfecting and sanitizing trading spaces in line with the directions issued by the Department of Health.</li><li>Spaza shop owner and informal food traders currently trading without permits may apply for temporary permits, and in case of Non-South African citizens, the business owner (a) must have been lawfully&nbsp; residing in the republic and must hold a valid passport with a visa issued by the department of Home Affairs in terms of section 10 of the Immigration Act, 2002 (13 of 2002), authorising him or her to operate a business (b) must alternatively hold an asylum seekers’ permit issued in terms of section 22 of the Refugees Act, 1998 (Act 130 of 1998), which allows him or her to work. Permission to operate will be linked to the period covered by the asylum seekers’ permit.</li></ul>



The Informal Food Traders as referred to in the Regulations are limited to Fruit and Vegetable informal traders and the Langanas, who operate in the Northern Cape and Western Cape.



All enterprises referred to must ensure that they have absolute minimum number of staff necessary to safely operate the enterprise. Furthermore, employers are encouraged to provide transport for their employees during the lockdown period.



SMMEs wishing to enquire on information to clarify their status as rendering essential services or providing essential goods may contact the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) on 0860 663 7867, alternatively send their queries to <a href="mailto:info@dsbd.gov.za">info@dsbd.gov.za</a>.



Enquiries: <a href="mailto:Media@dsbd.gov.za">Media@dsbd.gov.za</a> / +27 (0) 66&nbsp;285 0481



Issued by GCIS on behalf of



The Ministry of Small Business Development



07 April 2020



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

Africans singled out in southern China sparks diplomatic backlash

SMME grocery stores permitted to operate during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown

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South Africa’s Reserve Bank has guided banks to put dividends and executive bonuses on hold to help reduce stress on the banking sector from fighting Covid19. For more on this recommendation as well as other directives to ensure the health of the sector, CNBC Africa is joined by Unathi Kamlana, Head of Policy Statistics and Industry Support at the Prudential Authority.

Sarb guides banks to put dividends

Sarb guides banks to put dividends, bonuses on hold

In a bid to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on South Africa’s tourism sector, the Department of Tourism is urging eligible small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) to apply for a share of the R200 million Tourism Relief Fund.



The following is a statement by South Africa’s Department of Tourism:



MEDIA&nbsp;STATEMENT



TOURISM RELIEF&nbsp;FUND OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS



The Department of Tourism&nbsp;encourages eligible businesses to apply for the COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund during the application period from 07 April to 30 May 2020.



Established as an intervention to mitigate the impact of COVID-19&nbsp;on the tourism sector, the R200 million Tourism Relief Fund provides once-off capped grant assistance to Small Micro and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to ensure sustainability during and post the implementation of government measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa.&nbsp;



“We acknowledge the difficulties experienced by businesses during this time, hence the need to support the industry and communities to cope with the negative effects of this pandemic,” said Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.



“Our tourism industry is comprised of mainly SMMEs, most of which are survivalists in nature, with limited access to funding from commercial institutions. We hope the support offered through the Tourism Relief Fund will assure the continued survival of SMMEs beyond the COVID–19 pandemic.”



Capped at R50 000 per entity, the grant funding can be utilised to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure cost items. Preference will be given to enterprises with the highest score in terms of the criteria, which serve as a pre-qualification. A panel of experts will conduct the final evaluation in terms of functionality.



Guided by the Tourism Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes of Good Practices approved by the Minister of Trade and Industries in 2015 (in line with the B-BBEE Amendment Act No. 46 of 2013), the Tourism Relief Fund is administered in line with the objectives of Economic Transformation, and our vision to ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism development. The disbursement of funds will ensure equitable spatial distribution in terms provinces.



Categories eligible to apply for the Tourism Relief Fund include the following:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Accommodation establishments: Hotels; Resort properties; Bed and Breakfast (B&amp;B’s);&nbsp;Guest houses; Lodges and Backpackers.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>​Hospitality and related services: Restaurants (not attached to hotels); Conference venues (not attached to hotels), Professional catering;&nbsp;and&nbsp;Attractions</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Travel and related services: Tour operators; Travel agents; Tourist guiding; Car rental companies; and Coach Operators.</li></ul>



Visit our website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tourism.gov.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.tourism.gov.za</a> for comprehensive information on the Fund terms and qualifying criteria. SMMEs can submit funding applications by completing a form accessible online at <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.za/Pages/COVID19tourismrelieffund.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.tourism.gov.za/Pages/COVID19tourismrelieffund.aspx</a>



Inquiries on the fund can be emailed to <a href="mailto:callcentre@tourism.gov.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">callcentre@tourism.gov.za</a> or <a href="mailto:covidrelief@tourism.gov.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">covidrelief@tourism.gov.za</a> . Alternatively contact our call centre telephonically on 0860 TOURISM (868 747) weekdays from 08:00 – 22:00.



For media enquiries: Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota on Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hnhlabathi@tourism.gov.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hnhlabathi@tourism.gov.za</a> or call 064 754 8426



Issued by the GCIS on behalf of the Department of Tourism



07 April 2020



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

Administrators propose sales plan for SA retailer Edcon, see potential job cuts

South African COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund open for applications

As households and businesses in South Africa struggle to cope with the current economic turmoil and uncertainty brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prudential Authority (PA) has welcomed the measures taken by banks to support their customers financially.



In addition to the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) deployment of monetary policy tools to alleviate the impact of COVID-19, the PA announced it will support the banking system by providing regulatory relief measures and guidance to banks to help manage the crisis.



The following is a statement by the Prudential Authority:



06 April 2020



Press release on regulatory relief measures and guidance to the banking sector in response to COVID-19



The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is likely to have a lasting and detrimental effect on the economy. While the depth and length of the economic downturn remain uncertain, there is already evidence of stress at both the household and business levels, with small businesses of particular concern.



South Africa has a strong and resilient banking system with adequate levels of capital and significant liquidity buffers to manage this stress. The Basel framework, around which bank regulations are structured, has built-in buffers on both the capital and liquidity elements of the regulation for banks to draw on during times of financial stress.



The Prudential Authority (PA) welcomes the measures taken by banks to support their customers during this period of economic turmoil and uncertainty. A safe, sound and robust banking system is a key part of South Africa’s shock absorbers during these times.



In addition to the actions taken by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on deploying monetary policy tools to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, the PA has decided to support the banking system in response to the needs of banking customers. The PA will provide for regulatory relief measures as well as guidance to banks in managing the crisis. The regulatory relief measures are provided for in three areas, namely capital relief on restructured loans that were in good standing before the COVID-19 crisis, a lower liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) and lower capital requirements.



The PA is temporarily amending Directive 7 of 2015 on Restructured Exposures, which means that for the duration of the crisis, loans restructured as a result of the impact of COVID-19 will not attract a higher capital charge. This amendment covers loans to households, small- and medium-sized businesses and corporates, and for specialised lending.



For the duration of the crisis, the LCR, a ratio setting out the liquid assets a bank has to maintain in relation to its anticipated outflows, is being lowered from 100% to 80%.



In relation to capital relief, the Pillar 2A capital buffer, which is set at 1% of risk-weighted assets, is now set at zero. The PA has also provided clear criteria that provide for banks to dip into their capital conservation buffer, which is set at 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.



The PA plans to announce a timetable according to which banks can restore these buffers once the COVID-19 crisis has abated. This timetable will be sensitive to the need to balance the rebuilding of buffers to ensure a resilient banking system, with the negative effect that such measures could have on credit extension and economic growth.



While it should be noted that the PA is not the accounting standards regulator, it has provided guidance to the banking industry on how International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9 could be implemented during this period of volatility and stress. IFRS 9 is an important accounting standard applicable on expected credit losses in the banking sector and calculates expected credit losses over a business cycle.



The Basel framework, which provides clear rules on when discretionary dividend and bonus payments can be limited, is likely to be impacted. These constraints generally kick in when a bank breaches or is about to breach its capital buffer, which could become progressively tighter, leading it to dip into its capital buffers. With the high probability that the impact of COVID-19 will result in heightened stress in the banking system, the PA is issuing a guidance note advising banks not to distribute discretionary ordinary dividends during this period. Similarly, bonuses for senior executives should also be put on hold during this period.



The measures taken by the PA complement the steps taken by the SARB. These measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, while at the same time pointing out that South Africa’s banking system is robust and well-capitalised.



Today, the PA issued the following two Directives and one Guidance Note, which can be accessed on the website:



·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D2/2020 &#8211; Matters related to temporary capital relief to alleviate risks posed by the Covid 19 pandemic;



·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D3/2020 &#8211; Matters related to the treatment of restructured credit exposures due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic;&nbsp; and



·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; G4/2020 &#8211; Recommendations on the distribution of dividends on ordinary shares and payment of cash bonuses to executive officers and material risk takers, in light of the negative economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease&nbsp; (Covid-19) pandemic and the temporary regulatory capital relief provided by the Prudential Authority.



For further information, contact Unathi Kamlana at <a href="mailto:Unathi.Kamlana@resbank.co.za">Unathi.Kamlana@resbank.co.za</a> or Ziyanda Mtshali at <a href="mailto:Ziyanda.Mtshali@resbank.co.za">Ziyanda.Mtshali@resbank.co.za</a>.



Issued by the Prudential Authority



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

Clarification on COVID-19 “hotspots” as SA moves to level 3 lockdown

Prudential Authority offers relief measures, guidance to South African banks amid COVID-19 crisis

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa’s banking index opened 4.3% lower on Tuesday, a day after the country’s central bank said it had advised lenders not to pay dividends or bonuses amid the coronavirus outbreak.



The decline in the banking index, which recovered slightly by 0703 to stand 3.7% lower, compared to a 1.36% rise across the <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/03/31/jse-ceo-on-moodys-downgrade-covid-19-impact/">Johannesburg Stock Exchange</a> overall.



(Reporting by Emma Rumney; Editing by Catherine Evans)



This article was first published on Reuters Africa <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKBN21P0VK-OZABS">https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKBN21P0VK-OZABS</a> and is republished with its permission.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

COVID-19: South Africa eases lockdown to revive battered economy

South African banking index falls over 4% after SARB advises against dividends

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On Friday ratings agency Fitch downgraded South Africa further into junk status saying government didn’t have a clear plan to stabilise rising debt levels. However, institutions like the IMF say African countries should be allowed to increase debt to GDP ratio’s to contain the economic fallout from Covid19. Should ratings agencies therefore revise their methodology to adapt to Covid19 times? Jan Friederich, Head of Middle East and Africa Sovereign ratings at Fitch joins CNBC Africa for more.

Fitch downgrades SA further into junk

Fitch on adapting ratings methodology for COVID-19

Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and 21-day lockdown faced by South Africans, First National Bank has announced <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/04/03/sas-banks-reveal-how-small-businesses-can-apply-for-the-r1bn-oppenheimer-fund/">additional measures to assist small and medium-sized enterprises</a> battling with funding in the country.



In addition to the implementation of financial relief systems for individual and business customers, FNB has expressed commitment towards assisting SMEs through, “alternative funding support, critical business support resources, links to various government resources and private funding initiatives.”



The following is a statement on behalf of First National Bank:



FNB extends additional help to assist SMEs with alternative funding and resource support



6 April 2020 – In addition to the various COVID-19 measures implemented to provide relief to individual and business customers, FNB has further committed to helping small businesses with alternative funding support, critical business support resources, links to various government resources and private funding initiatives.



Given the various relief interventions needed by small businesses across different sectors, FNB has launched a portal under the “COVID-19 – For My Business” menu on the FNB App or Online Banking, where SME customers in need of help can register their requests for assistance.This will enable the bank to obtain information and present potentially relevant relief solutions.



“The first phase of alternative funding that we are excited to make available to SME customers via the portal is from the South African Future Trust (SAFT), a Public Benefit Organisation established by Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer to extend financial assistance to employees of South African SMMEs who are at risk of losing their jobs or will suffer a loss of income because of COVID-19,” says Jesse Weinberg, Head of the SME Customer Segment at FNB.



FNB has received a range of queries from SME customers on various topics from SMEs, from assisting them with cashflow relief on their existing credit and merchant services facilities with the bank, to general requests such as resources and guidance on obtaining alternative funding support for their businesses.&nbsp;



“Requests registered by SMEs through our portal will enable us to rapidly assess the situation and requests of these businesses to determine possible financial and non-financial assistance that could help them,” adds Weinberg.



A challenge for many small and medium-sized businesses is that they often have limited access to funding, whether in the form of bank credit or alternative sources. In times of an economic down-turn or crisis, these businesses are some of the most vulnerable as they generally have less access to liquidity to weather the storm than larger businesses.



FNB SMEs can register their interest to apply for the South African Future Trust (SAFT) funding by completing the SME assessment found under the “COVID-19 – For My Business” menu on the FNB App or FNB Online Banking.



SMEs who meet the following criteria could be eligible for the funding as determined by SAFT:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The business has an annual turnover below R25m</li><li>The business can clearly demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 on their operations; the business must have been in good financial health prior to 1 March 2020.</li><li>The business must have been trading for at least 24 months</li><li>Confirmation of permanent employment status of employee</li><li>The business must have its main bank account with FNB and be in good standing with the bank; demonstrated sound banking behaviour maintained a good credit history</li></ul>



For more information on SAFT visit <a href="https://secure-web.cisco.com/1s3rkD1cj8AGmG18fuJ2x_AyOubeXbdWvhiXPo8wZ_fmWLNsrU01mXeBoxjCwGmtfWv0_7G5MnIEPL_jXEIIIUVQ93d3CyIARz5pRNgDbia73tmakzFlkFJDMQmUIp81qp2Ws3DkUNZlwngU0dQCKCk85ggzzNgh1omemqUvK287zcye7g3WZf8AX8ROyIEsVmeJPFiiq58tRsXlTsTvwIzxaC5SYIJB9WSr4dJcgOMy0hJ-vC35u4l02Q7YJ5XHxP25MtZ9Fq-SW1y9D2B3bt0b9czIZr6VkYTK5dqRoViPNPfbPXoJMCSr7WDOAdJxxWL66c87g7X50OzKbZGyKog/https%3A%2F%2Fopp-gen.com%2Fsaft%2F">https://opp-gen.com/saft/</a>



“As announced in President Cyril Ramaphosa&#8217;s address to the nation, we have pledged R1bn to extend a financial lifeline to employees of South African Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (“SMMEs”). Our aim is to mitigate the immediate economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis by keeping companies in business and protecting jobs, in order to fast-track South Africa’s economic recovery after this pandemic. Our response, in collaboration with the South African Government and private sector, is to create a structure that will extend direct financial support to SMME employees who are at risk of losing their jobs or will suffer a loss of income because of COVID-19,” said Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer.



“In much the same way as our SME clients are dealing with unprecedented uncertainty, we too realised we also needed a different approach to respond to the crisis and try extend help our SMEs in a more holistic way,” concludes Weinberg.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

FNB extends aid for battling SMEs in South Africa amid COVID-19, lockdown

In a bid to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 in South Africa, the Southern and Eastern African division of the multinational conglomerate, Siemens, has donated R500, 000 to the Solidarity Response Fund.



In addition, the company has partnered with Legae Larona, a fully black, female-owned enterprise based in Alexandra township, to manufacture and distribute 20, 000 face masks to communities in need.



The following is a statement on behalf of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa:



Johannesburg, April 3, 2020



Siemens in solidarity with South Africa in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Siemens commits R500&nbsp;000.00 to the Solidarity Response Fund to aid in the fight against coronavirus in South Africa</li><li>Siemens Plays a part in helping to ‘flatten the curve’ of Coronavirus</li><li>Siemens commits to manufacturing 20 000 face masks to help communities in need</li></ul>



Siemens has made a commitment of R500&nbsp;000.00 to support the government in alleviating the impact of the Coronavirus in South Africa.



This donation was made through the Solidarity Response Fund, which is an independently administered fund that allows individuals, companies and members of the international community to make tax-deductible donations that will help in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.



Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens CEO for Southern and Eastern Africa says, “Siemens has a long-standing commitment to South Africa. Now, is a crucial time for companies to evaluate their place in society and make a difference, no matter how small. Our contribution to the Solidarity Response Fund cements Siemens’ promise to improving the lives of South Africans.



Furthermore, Siemens has partnered with Legae Larona, a 100% black, female-owned enterprise based in Alexandra township, to manufacture 20&nbsp;000 face masks that will be distributed to communities in need. This forms part of the company’s Enterprise and Supplier Development, for women and social contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.



“Townships, such as Alexandra in Johannesburg are quite confined, this makes citizens in those communities more susceptible to the disease as it has a greater chance of spreading at a much faster pace,” says Sabine Dall’Omo.&nbsp;&nbsp;



She adds, “working alongside the South African government to not only assist in taking care of our most vulnerable communities, but to ultimately contribute to the fight against this virus and the betterment of the country is imperative in these trying times.” Sabine Dall’Omo echoes President Cyril Ramaphosa and says that everyone has a responsibility during this time, she urges everyone in the country to play their part in helping to ‘flatten the curve’ by staying at home.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

Siemens donates R500, 000 towards fight against COVID-19 in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa’s Telkom, Samsung and the government have teamed up to develop a track and trace database to identify the whereabouts of people who may have contracted coronavirus.



The <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">virus has infected 1,462 people in the country and killed five</a>.



Telkom has been working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop the database, which uses data from a person’s phone to track where they have been.



The mobile network operator said the system collated multiple data sources such as GIS, or geographic information system mapping, to track an infected person and identify those they may have exposed to the virus.



“This reduces the current reliance on the patient’s own recollections of who they may have exposed unknowingly and enables the CSIR to contact people who were in the same proximity as the patient.”



The Department of Health will still use officials to trace primary contacts and ensure testing for secondary contacts in certain communities, it added.



Telkom has partnered with Samsung to distribute 1,500 handsets to people hired to <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/2020/04/02/south-africa-needs-hundreds-of-thousands-of-covid-19-tests-health-minister/">track and trace people in the provinces hardest hit by the virus</a>. The phones will be connected for free using Telkom’s FreeMe packages for the next 6 months.



In a media briefing late on Thursday, the Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said the government respected everyone’s right to privacy and the database would not be used to spy on citizens.



Other countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Russia and Germany have launched, or plan to launch similar apps.



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)



This article was first published on Reuters Africa <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN21L0WC-OZATP">https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN21L0WC-OZATP</a> and is republished with its permission.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

cellphone_-_pexels-1024×683

Telkom, Samsung team up with South African government to track those with COVID-19

By: <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/elliot-smith/">Elliot Smith</a>



 KEY POINTS



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) established the Africa Taskforce for Coronavirus (AFCOR) as early as February 5, before the continent had reported a single case.</li><li>South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced the deployment of 10,000 field workers to conduct door-to-door screening and contact tracing.</li><li>The strength and speed of measures deployed by most African governments reflects concern about the potential damage the virus could inflict if allowed to proliferate in high-density urban areas.</li></ul>



As of Thursday morning, there were around 6,400 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the whole of Africa, and governments across the continent are implementing robust measures in an effort to get out ahead of the pandemic.



However, experts are calling for a more coordinated continental response in order to avoid a profoundly damaging outbreak of the kind sweeping through Europe and the U.S. in recent weeks.



In cooperation with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the WHO, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) established the Africa Taskforce for Coronavirus (AFCOR) as early as February 5, before the continent had reported a single case.



The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have this week called for debt relief for IDA (International Development Association) countries, including 39 African nations, in order to enable them to focus on ”ﬁghting the pandemic and its economic and social consequences.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">National responses</h2>



On Monday, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, announced 14-day lockdowns of the states of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun and has deployed a 15 billion naira ($38.5 million) relief package to help mobilize public services to prevent the spread in areas with poor living conditions. As of Thursday morning, there were 174 confirmed cases in the country, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.



Ghana’s two most populous cities, Accra and Kumasi, also went into lockdown on Monday, while some form of restriction to movement or dusk-till-dawn curfew is in place in almost every country in the subcontinent. Ghana has confirmed 195 cases so far.



Just a day after recording its first three cases, Botswana announced a state of emergency and a lockdown of 28 days, starting at midnight on Thursday.



The small landlocked state of Lesotho, an enclave within South Africa, on Monday implemented a nationwide lockdown despite having zero reported cases so far. The only other states yet to confirm cases are South Sudan, Comoros, Malawi and Sao Tomé &amp; Principe, though experts have suggested that a lack of reporting capacity could be a factor here.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/106451925-1584626497734gettyimages-1207623109.jpeg?v=1584626617&amp;w=678&amp;h=381" alt="GP 200319: Commuters make their way into the Nairobi Train Station."/><figcaption> NAIROBI, KENYA &#8211; 2020/03/18: Commuters make their way into the Nairobi Train Station as a security personnel stands on guard while wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against COVID-19. Kenya has so far recorded seven case of Coronavirus.Dennis Sigwe/SOPA Images </figcaption></figure>



South Africa remains by far the hardest hit, reporting more than 1,300 cases. The country is already under a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/24/south-africa-deploys-police-and-army-for-3-week-coronavirus-lockdown.html">three-week nationwide lockdown</a>, but President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced the deployment of 10,000 field workers to conduct door-to-door screening and contact tracing.



However, Burundi and Sierra Leone both announced their first cases on Tuesday but have yet to deploy strict lockdown measures. Although restrictions are in place to control an inflow of people and cargo into Burundi, sporting events have continued unabated in the tiny Central African state. Meanwhile Tanzanian President John Magufuli has come under fire for refusing to shut down places of worship.



In many cases, lockdowns are being enforced by armed police and military personnel, which has led to instances of police brutality. On Tuesday, a 13-year-old boy was reportedly shot and killed by Kenyan police in the Mathare area of Nairobi. Videos have circulated this week of abuses of civilians by the South African National Defence Force, and police in Uganda have been accused of using their new powers to target LGBTQ people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coordinated governance</h2>



The strength and speed of measures deployed by most African governments reflects concern about the potential damage the virus could inflict if allowed to proliferate in high-density urban areas.



While demography is on the side of the subcontinent, with a median age of less than 20 and only 3% of the population aged 65 and above, nearly 43.0% of Africa’s population live in densely-packed urban areas, including in mega cities such as Lagos, where resources are already scarce or overburdened, and social distancing is not as readily attainable.



WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned on Tuesday that the “developing world” will likely be hit hardest by the pandemic unless it can successfully contain the spread early on.



“At this critical moment in history, broad agreement on debt relief will be key to allowing nations with fragile health systems &amp; economies to channel their resources into saving lives,” Ghebreyesus, who is from Ethiopia, said in a tweet.



Sub-Saharan Africa undoubtedly learned from the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and subsequently formed the Africa CDC, while many nations established National Public Health Institutes. However, the region averaged around 2.1 physicians per 10,000 people between 2010 and 2018, the lowest in the world by some distance, according to WHO data aggregated by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF).



The MIF on Tuesday launched a report calling for coordinated governance, improved health structures and better data across the African subcontinent to mitigate this crisis.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/106465856-1585511566900gettyimages-1208498757.jpeg?v=1585511618&amp;w=678&amp;h=381" alt="Coronavirus Emergency In Nigeria"/><figcaption> Commuters wearing a protective face masks walk on the street of Lagos, as a preventive measure against the spread of the new corona virus, COVIC-19, in Lagos, on March 26, 2020.NurPhoto </figcaption></figure>



“Sound and coordinated governance is needed across the continent,” the organization, founded by Sudanese-British businessman Mo Ibrahim, said in the research paper.



“Any pandemic requires by nature a general coordination of efforts across national and regional borders, and with multilateral actors and partners, even more so in a globalized world.”



But the report also addressed what the MIF termed the “elephant in the room” of a lack of data coverage across the continent.



“The lack of statistical capacity thus represents a major obstacle to obtaining quality health data in Africa, consequently making the production of evidence-based policy and responses to health challenges more difficult,” it said.

A security man administers sanitiser to a visitor to a state hospital in Lagos, on February 28, 2020. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI | AFP via Getty Images

Lockdowns, curfews and doorstep testing: Africa’s crackdown on the coronavirus

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South African feed and poultry company Quantum Foods said on Thursday half-year earnings could fall as much as 38%, partly due to a margin squeeze in its egg business because of lower selling prices. 



The group said headline earnings per share for the six-months ended March 31 were expected to fall between 28.1 cents and 34.9 cents, down between 23% and 38% compared with 45.4 cents for the same period in the previous year. 



The owner of Nulaid eggs said the drop in egg selling prices was a result of an increase in supply in South Africa and higher feed production costs. The company expects the egg business, which contributed about 25% of group revenues in 2019, to report a loss when it publishes results on May 21. 



Quantum said Covid-19 had, to date, not had any significant effect on its business. The company said the extent of the negative impact of Covid-19 on consumers and the economy was still uncertain but it would communicate any significant effect on its operations or financial performance. 



Headline earnings, the main profit measure in South Africa, were also negatively impacted by a decline in earnings from operations elsewhere in Africa. In Zambia, a very poor 2019 maize harvest resulted in higher feed costs, and consequently lower margins from eggs and lower demand from livestock customers, the company said. 



On the upside, Quantum had improved profitability from the feeds business, benefiting from increased volumes supplied to both external customers and the company’s layer farms that had higher numbers of layer hens in production. 



Profit from the group’s farming business also improved, mostly due to higher volumes of live birds supplied by the Western Cape broiler farming operations, it said. 



“Productivity on the layer farms continues to improve which further contributed to earnings. However, weaker demand from the layer livestock market negatively impacted margins in this business,” Quantum added. 



(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla. Editing by Jane Merriman)



This article was first published on Reuters Africa <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKBN21K18C-OZABS">https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKBN21K18C-OZABS</a> and is republished with its permission.

South Africa’s Quantum Foods warns of 38% drop in first-half profit

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa needs to conduct “hundreds of thousands” of coronavirus tests to understand the true number of infections and halt their spread, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday.



South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases in sub-Saharan Africa, and the government is worried that infection rates could get out of hand if the virus starts spreading rapidly in the country’s poor and overcrowded townships. 



Officials have imposed some of the toughest anti-coronavirus measures on the continent, including a 21-day “stay at home” lockdown that started on Friday. [nL8N2BG5N0] 



Mkhize said officials were moving away from a testing model focused on people with symptoms to one that also targeted communities where people with mild symptoms could be slow to seek medical help. 



Mkhize told a news conference that testing criteria had been “reactive and restrictive”. 



“We need to test hundreds of thousands of the population to get a better picture and refine our containment strategy,” he added. 



South Africa has conducted around 47,000 tests, with 1,380 confirmed cases of the virus and five deaths. 



It can currently conduct around 5,000 tests a day and hopes to expand that to 36,000 a day by the end of April, according to the national laboratory service. 



Mkhize said the government was sending 67 mobile testing vans across the country. 



“Even though we talk about 47,000 tests, they are still far too little, because of the nature of our country, the nature of the disease burden, the inequalities.” 



Health workers started testing people in the Alexandra township near Johannesburg’s financial district on Tuesday, and there are plans to move to other townships in the coming days. [nL8N2BO80F] 



Mkhize said South Africa could seek reinforcements from China and Cuba to help with containment efforts and that it was important to make quick progress. 



“Next month the flu season will start, thus making more people sick with similar symptoms &#8230; these will flood our hospitals and clinics and create a fertile ground for coronavirus to spread,” he said. “We might be currently experiencing a calm before we have a devastating storm.” 



(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Hugh Lawson)



This article was first published on Reuters Africa <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN21K0SH-OZATP">https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN21K0SH-OZATP</a> and is republished with its permission.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

South Africa needs ‘hundreds of thousands’ of COVID-19 tests – Health Minister

South African Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has rescinded his earlier decision of allowing taxis to carry a full load of passengers.



This follows a public outcry regarding the impact such an
arrangement may have on the health and safety of public transport users amid
the COVID-19 outbreak.



The following is an official statement on behalf of South
Africa’s Department of Transport:



MEDIA STATEMENT



MINISTER MBALULA RESCINDS 100% LOADING
DIRECTION



The Ministry and Department of
Transport have been engaged with the process of consultations with the view of
finding a solution to a challenge raised by the taxi industry resulting from
reduction to permitted loading capacity, intended to promote social distancing
within public transport, which includes taxis.&nbsp; The unintended consequence
of this reduction was an industry operating at a loss as a result of these
regulations. The regulations on COVID-19 Lockdown prescribed a 50% loading
capacity.&nbsp;



Proposals for a 70% loading capacity
for minibus taxis were duly considered as well as a proposal for a 100% loading
capacity, with the compulsory mitigation measure of the prescribed N95
Respiratory Mask as a pre-condition for all passengers.&nbsp;



Ministerial directions were issued to
this effect. We have since received a number of enquiries and queries from
members of the public on the mitigation measures. The concerns were primarily
around the 100% loading capacity and the utilisation of masks as a mitigation
measure. The public was without comfort with these measures and urged that we
reconsider.&nbsp; After our announcement of catering for 100%, there was a
public outcry about the impact of such an arrangement to the health safety of
public transport users.&nbsp; We took these issues serious and engaged with key
stakeholders, resulting in a consensus of maximizing the loading capacity to
70%.



The Ministry and the Department have
since reviewed this measure and will only apply a 70% loading capacity for
Minibus taxis.&nbsp; We urge the Taxi industry to accept these declared
measures. New Ministerial Directions to this effect will be published in due
course for immediate implementation.



The Minister has therefore rescinded
the Direction allowing 100% loading capacity for taxis with immediate effect.



We further urge members of the public
and taxi operators to take preventative measures to mitigate against the spread
of the virus. Government will undertake a programme to assist with the
distribution of the masks. We also urge operators to continue to sanitize the
taxi surfaces and to provide hand sanitizers to the public.



Enquiries:
Ayanda
Allie Paine on 072 566 0827



Issued by​ the GCIS on behalf of the
Department of Transport



02 April 2020



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

South African Transport Minister rescinds 100% taxi capacity

MEDIA STATEMENT



REVISIONS TO DIRECTIONS REGULATING
PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONS DURING LOCKDOWN PERIOD



The advent of the Covid 19 virus has
plunged us into unchartered waters.&nbsp; A situation that requires agility and
decisiveness in our interventions and efforts to arrest the spread of the
virus.&nbsp; Public transport remains one of our biggest risk areas in the
spread of the virus.&nbsp; We must therefore do everything in our power to
protect both the citizens who rely on public transport and those who operate
the system from exposure and possible infection.



We indicated from the onset that we
are on a steep learning curve and we will regularly review the measures we
introduce from time to time in order to achieve the desired outcomes.



Since the lockdown came into effect at midnight of 26 March 2020, we have conducted an assessment of our measures and consulted with the taxi industry.



The consultation process also included
relevant structures within government and individual Ministers.&nbsp; As a
consequence of this assessment and consultation, we have revised a number of
our measures insofar as they relate to public transport.



In consulting with the taxi industry,
I have engaged the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO)
and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA).&nbsp; I must commend the taxi industry
for their efforts and commitment to playing their part in enabling mobility of
the poor and vulnerable in these trying times.&nbsp; Despite the economic
challenges facing the industry, we were able to reach an agreement that
guarantees continuous availability of public transport during the lockdown
period. &nbsp;



We must all appreciate that the
measures we introduce to curb the spread of this virus are about preserving
human life, and not about our individual narrow self-serving interests.&nbsp;
Every one of us must appreciate this and play their part in eradicating this
pandemic.



In our engagements, the taxi industry
placed on the table critical issues, some of which we have processed while
others remain work in progress.&nbsp; At the time the lockdown was declared, we
were in the process of finalizing our plans for the hosting of the National
Taxi Indaba, which will be held later in the year, to address a number of
critical economic issues confronting the industry. &nbsp;



Among the key issues to be considered
by the Indaba is a sustainable economic empowerment model for the taxi
industry.&nbsp; This will include a public transport funding model, which must
include a possible subsidy regime, in which the taxi industry is a full
participant.



Subsequent to these engagements and
consultations, we have taken steps to amend Directions relating to Public
Transport.&nbsp; Our engagements with our counterparts in government are
ongoing to ensure alignment of our Directions with the Regulations published by
the Minister of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).



We have therefore amended our
Directives to give effect to the following measures:



During the lockdown period, the
following public transport vehicles must reduce the number of maximum
passengers to 70% of the licensed capacity, with no masks as follows:



• A minibus licensed to carry 10
passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 7 passengers.



• A minibus licensed to carry 15
passengers, is limited to carry the maximum of 10 passengers.



• A midi-bus permitted to carry a
maximum of 22 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 15 passengers



• A vehicle licensed to carry a
maximum of 4 passengers is limited to carrying 50% of its permissible passenger
carrying capacity.



ALTERNATELY



During the lockdown period, all
Minibus and Midi-bus taxi vehicles are permitted to load their maximum 100%
passenger loading capacity as provided for in their operating licenses,
provided that all passengers are wearing masks.&nbsp; The masks must be of the
following categories:



(a) Surgical masks



(b) N95 respiratory masks



We require public transport operators
to adhere to the Directions on sanitizing vehicles and put measures in place to
give effect to social distancing at all material times. &nbsp;



Post the lockdown period, we will give
priority to the National Taxi Indaba, which will tackle pressing and strategic
issues facing the taxi industry.&nbsp; This industry continues to operate on
the fringes of the formal economy despite the fact that they have the largest
market share of all public transport modes, in excess of 60%.&nbsp; We are
under no illusion that the conflict and violence that continues to define this
industry are a consequence of an economic challenge that we need to
collectively address as a matter of urgency.



The Taxi Indaba will seek to find
consensus on a sustainable economic empowerment model.&nbsp; In addition, we
will review the effectiveness of current interventions, which include the Taxi
Recapitalisation Programme and the rollout of the Integrated Public Transport
Networks.&nbsp; We will similarly pay particular attention to leadership issues
and achieving sustainable unity which must ensure that taxi violence becomes a
relic of the past.&nbsp; The Indaba will also focus on regulation and ensuring
that government ensures effective regulation, while the industry must commit to
the rule of law.



We have no doubt, that the Taxi Indaba
will emerge with a blueprint of an industry that is at peace with itself, able
to sustain itself beyond government incentives and subject to the rule of law.



Issued by​ the GCIS on behalf of the
Department of Transport



01 April 2020

SA’s auto industry ambitions threatened by COVID-19

South Africa’s lockdown taxi regulations revised

JOHANNESBURG, April 1 (Reuters) – South African insurance
company Discovery and mobile operator Vodacom
are teaming up to offer a free, online doctor consultation
service to all South Africans with coronavirus-related concerns.



Discovery had already set up an online service for its own
customers but had put it on ice due to a regulatory hold-up. Now
it will be open for anyone.



The 20 million rand ($1.11 million) cost of the first
100,000 consultations will be split between the two companies.
Doctors sign up to the service voluntarily, with more than 5,000
registered so far.



Vodacom will also provide free access to the platform via
mobile data, but only with a Vodacom sim card, meaning users
will have to already be a customer or sign up to Vodacom to
access the service.



Discovery CEO Adrian Gore said there was no financial
benefit to the insurer from the partnership, and it would not
receive a share in any revenues Vodacom earned from new
customers.



He added that sources of funding would have to be explored
if the number of consultations went above 100,000.



Gore also told Reuters that the company was modelling the
potential impact the coronavirus will have on claims, with its
businesses in South Africa and Britain a focus.



“COVID claims are certainly going to go up and we’re
modelling that, but the cost of other health events are going
down quite dramatically, people are not going for elective
surgery, so there’s a bit of a counter balance,” he said.



There was also a much higher risk of mortality claims too, he continued, adding the insurer was “preparing carefully” for this outcome. ($1 = 17.9594 rand)



(Reporting by Emma Rumney, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Jane Merriman)



This article was first published on Reuters <a href="https://www.sharenet.co.za/views/views-article.php?views-article=391182">https://www.sharenet.co.za/views/views-article.php?views-article=391182</a> and is republished with its permission.



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

Southern Africa

South Africa’s Sasol cuts production, sales target due to COVID-19 lockdown

How COVID-19 cooked the golden goose – The SA chef who went from golden days to zero.

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South African COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund open for applications

Prudential Authority offers relief measures, guidance to South African banks amid COVID-19 crisis

South African banking index falls over 4% after SARB advises against dividends

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FNB extends aid for battling SMEs in South Africa amid COVID-19, lockdown

Siemens donates R500, 000 towards fight against COVID-19 in South Africa

Telkom, Samsung team up with South African government to track those with COVID-19

Lockdowns, curfews and doorstep testing: Africa’s crackdown on the coronavirus

South Africa’s Quantum Foods warns of 38% drop in first-half profit

South Africa needs ‘hundreds of thousands’ of COVID-19 tests – Health Minister

South African Transport Minister rescinds 100% taxi capacity

South Africa’s lockdown taxi regulations revised

Discovery, Vodacom set up online COVID-19 consultation service

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Southern Africa

South Africa’s Sasol cuts production, sales target due to COVID-19 lockdown

How COVID-19 cooked the golden goose – The SA chef who went from golden days to zero.

SMME grocery stores permitted to operate during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown

Sarb guides banks to put dividends, bonuses on hold

South African COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund open for applications

Prudential Authority offers relief measures, guidance to South African banks amid COVID-19 crisis

South African banking index falls over 4% after SARB advises against dividends

Fitch on adapting ratings methodology for COVID-19

FNB extends aid for battling SMEs in South Africa amid COVID-19, lockdown

Siemens donates R500, 000 towards fight against COVID-19 in South Africa

Telkom, Samsung team up with South African government to track those with COVID-19

Lockdowns, curfews and doorstep testing: Africa’s crackdown on the coronavirus

South Africa’s Quantum Foods warns of 38% drop in first-half profit

South Africa needs ‘hundreds of thousands’ of COVID-19 tests – Health Minister

South African Transport Minister rescinds 100% taxi capacity

South Africa’s lockdown taxi regulations revised

Discovery, Vodacom set up online COVID-19 consultation service

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