The better-than-expected headline inflation of 3% in February is welcome, but has now already been overtaken by a highly negative inflationary outlook.

In commenting on this easing in the CPI from 3,5% in January, Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says it is no longer only the external oil price shock that will have a likely future impact on the economy, but also the extent to which it will coincide with several domestic price increases on 1 April.

The South African municipal landscape is not collapsing in a single moment of crisis. It is eroding in slow motion.

Prof. Joseph Sekhampu, chief director of the NWU Business School

The recent escalation in the United States/Israeli war with Iran has now injected new urgency into assessing the economic and business implications for countries like South Africa.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist of the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says with the Brent crude oil price opening at over $100 a barrel this week, the Middle East conflict is widely seen as becoming increasingly protracted.

The FNB NWU Eagles maintained their impressive form by defeating the FNB UP-Tuks 30-22 in Monday night's Varsity Cup encounter at the Fanie Fortress, thereby climbing to the top of the Varsity Cup log.

The NWU Eagles set the tone early on, scoring a polished try and adding a penalty conversion in the seventh minute to establish an early lead in front of a cheerful home crowd. UP-Tuks attempted an immediate response, but the Eagles stood their ground and protected their lead.

Koeberg’s latest milestone shows why nuclear power remains central to South Africa’s energy future.

Koeberg’s performance suggests Eskom may be rebuilding the public confidence it once lost.

As the only operational nuclear plant in Africa, Koeberg continues to anchor the continent’s nuclear energy ambitions.

The good news is that, compared with gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates of 0,8% and 0,5% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, growth improved to 1,1% in 2025.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the latest figures for 2025 that were released by StatsSA confirm that South Africa has been experiencing a slow and uneven economic recovery over the past year.

He says household spending continues to do much of the heavy lifting in sustaining economic activity.

After both sides suffered defeats in their previous away fixtures in the Varsity Cup and Young Guns competitions, respectively, the FNB NWU Eagles and FNB Young Guns bounced back in style.

The Eagles fell short in the City of Gold, losing 35-29 to FNB UJ, while the YGs suffered their first home defeat of the season against FNB UCT YGs. Both sides responded with commanding performances on the road with the Eagles FNB Eagles securing a hard-fought win in Bloemfontein and the YGs claiming bragging rights in the Jacaranda City.

Paralympic athlete Liezel Gouws broke the T37 female long-jump African record at the Athletics Central North West (ACNW) League meeting on Tuesday 3 March in Potchefstroom, cementing her place in African para-athletics history.

Gouws added another accolade to her decorated career with a leap of 4.78 m, surpassing the previous African record of 4.59 m set by Anais Angeline from Mauritius.

There was a calm sense of purpose at North-West University (NWU) as a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia arrived to explore future collaboration. Warm greetings were exchanged, discussions began with focus and intent and a shared optimism demonstrated the significance of the moment.