South Africa · Country watch
Power Outages Hit Gqeberha, SASSA Alters Grant Dates
Gqeberha faces costly power outages affecting manufacturers, while SASSA revises grant payment dates ahead of elections.
In this briefing South African Social Security Agency · Isuzu · Nelson Mandela Bay · City of Tshwane · Bronkhorstspruit
Regulation
SASSA revises grant payment dates for November
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced revised payment dates for November social grants, with older persons set to receive their grants on October 30, according to SABC News. The changes come ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for November 4. The adjustments aim to ensure beneficiaries receive their payments without disruption during the election period.
Impact Social grant recipients will receive payments earlier, ensuring access to funds before the November elections.
Sources: SABC News ↗, IOL ↗
Disruption
Gqeberha power outages impact manufacturers
Power outages in Gqeberha are causing significant financial strain on local manufacturers, with Isuzu reporting a R380,000 diesel bill for a single day to maintain operations, according to the Daily Maverick. The outages highlight ongoing issues with South Africa's electricity infrastructure, threatening jobs and investment in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. Manufacturers are increasingly reliant on costly fuel alternatives to keep production lines running.
Impact Manufacturers in Gqeberha face increased operational costs due to reliance on diesel during power outages.
Sources: Daily Maverick ↗
Internal tension
Nothing significant reported today.
Safety & health
Tshwane probes water quality after diarrhoea cases
The City of Tshwane is investigating up to 160 cases of diarrhoea in Bronkhorstspruit, intensifying water-quality testing at the local water treatment plant, IOL reports. The city is working to determine the cause of the illnesses and ensure the safety of the water supply. The incidents have raised concerns about water safety and the effectiveness of current treatment processes.
Impact Residents in Bronkhorstspruit face health risks due to potential water contamination, prompting increased testing.
Sources: IOL ↗
Companies
Nothing significant reported today.
Markets
Nothing significant reported today.
Trade
Nothing significant reported today.
Politics
Nothing significant reported today.
Also today in South Africa
- JOB LOSS FEARS: Cosatu calls for government ban of Shein and Temu to protect local jobs — Daily Maverick
- Why elections prove to be a Faustian pact more than anything — Mail & Guardian
- EXTREME WEATHER : Agriculture Minister sounds ‘super El Niño’ warning bell and calls for water restrictions — Daily Maverick
- ANC exults at IEC reprieve — Mail & Guardian
- LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Loyiso Masuku promises culture shift in Joburg, says ANC could have done better — Daily Maverick
- Cars and homes damaged during Delft South stone-throwing incident — IOL
- Editorial: We’re a sick society — Mail & Guardian
- Zoning wars: When rules lose the plot — Mail & Guardian
Sources in this briefing
Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.
The same day elsewhere
- Argentina: University Protests; Country Risk Rises; Bond Sales Paused
- Brazil: Senate Ends 6x1 Workweek, Gaming Industry Regulated
- Canada: Alberta Referendum Voting, Canada-India Trade Talks
- China: China-EU Trade Mechanism, Mainland Stocks Fall
- Germany: German-China Trade Deficit, Deutsche Bahn Alcohol Ban
- Egypt: Egypt Signs Trade Deals, Wheat Prices Targeted
- Spain: Galicia Drought Expands, Madrid Education Strike
- France: Inflation Surges, Tramway Disruption in Montpellier
- United Kingdom: UK Economy Grows, Rail Disruptions Persist
- Indonesia: Rupiah Nears 18,000, Trade Expo Secures Deals
- Israel: CPI Decline, El Al Index Entry, West Bank Incident
- India: Jio IPO Launch, BS7 Emission Norms, Market Surge
- Iraq: SOMO Compensates IOCs, Iraq-Kuwait Flights Resume
- Iran: Hormuz Closure, Dollar Rises, Oil Tanker Fire
- Italy: Italy's Budget Plan and Truckers' Strike Threat
- Japan: Nikkei Plunge, MUFG Bond Moves, Tax Debate Progress
- Kenya: Fuel Prices Rise, VAT on Fuel Extended, Hygiene Market Investment
- South Korea: KOSPI Plunge, Korean Air Revenue Surge
- Lebanon: Lebanon Shipping Costs Rise, Energy Minister Absent
- Morocco: Russian Diesel Arrives, Rabat Unrest, Dirham Rates
- Mexico: Hurricane Trudy Threatens, HR Ratings Downgrades Mexico
- Malaysia: Selangor Schools Close Due to Haze; Ringgit Falls
- Nigeria: NAFDAC Cracks Down on Counterfeits, Ondo Orders River Fumigation
- Netherlands: Albert Heijn Cyberattack, Diesel Prices Drop
- Poland: Fuel Prices Cut, President Vetoes Laws
- Portugal: Porto Housing Protests, Vodafone Challenges Huawei Ban
- Russia: Volga Airports Reopen, Starlink Slows Ukraine Drones
- Senegal: Senegal Water Alert, TRS Inquiry, Navétanes Suspended
- Syria: Syrian Petroleum Audit, Highway Closure
- Turkey: Istanbul Floods Disrupt, New Phone Installment Rules
- Ukraine: Kyiv Power Outages, Drone Exports Approved
- United States: Suspicious Mail, Tech Selloff, Starlink Limits
- Vietnam: Petrol Prices Cut, Sacombank Auctions Assets
- Yemen: Houthi Attacks Escalate, Taiz Under Siege