by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Energy-intensive sectors such as airlines, chemicals and manufacturing are particularly vulnerable, as rising fuel costs squeeze margins and reduce demand.
Image: Atta Kenare / AFP
A prolonged conflict in the Middle East, centred on Iran, could tip the global economy into a rare and synchronised recession, while already triggering fuel supply concerns in South Africa.
According to new modelling by Oxford Economics released on Friday, the world economy faces a sharp slowdown if disruptions to energy flows persist, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade.
“Under our prolonged war scenario, global inflation would rise to 7.7%, close to the 2022 peak,” said Ben May, director of global macro research at Oxford Economics.
“The magnitude of this price spike triggers large non-linearities that magnify the economic impact, resulting in a rare contraction in global activity in mid-2026.”
The scenario assumes oil prices surge above $150 per barrel for several months, with Brent crude peaking near $190. This would not only fuel inflation but also disrupt supply chains, weaken financial markets and reduce global demand.
As a result, global GDP growth is projected to slow to just 1.4% in 2026, well below recent averages, before only modestly recovering to 2.1% in 2027. Major economies, including the United States and Europe, are expected to fall into recession, while China’s growth could drop to 3.4%.
The shock is being transmitted primarily through energy markets.
Moody’s analysis on Friday showed that prolonged disruption in the Middle East would keep oil and gas prices elevated, strain supply chains, and tighten financial conditions globally.
Energy-intensive sectors such as airlines, chemicals and manufacturing are particularly vulnerable, as rising fuel costs squeeze margins and reduce demand. At the same time, higher transport and logistics costs are feeding into food prices, compounding inflationary pressures worldwide.
For South Africa, the global turmoil is already having tangible effects.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Sunday warned of emerging fuel supply disruptions, raising concerns about hoarding and market manipulation.
“Withholding supply places the economy and livelihoods, especially in the province’s agriculture sector, at great risk,” he said.
Diesel shortages are of particular concern, given their central role in agriculture, logistics and industry. The sector accounts for more than half of South Africa’s exports, making it highly sensitive to fuel disruptions.
While the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa has indicated that national supply remains sufficient, localised shortages suggest bottlenecks in distribution or opportunistic behaviour by suppliers.
Authorities, including the Competition Commission, have warned that price gouging is illegal and subject to prosecution.
The government is expected to announce a massive fuel price adjustment for April, with petrol expected to surge by nearly R6 per litre and diesel by close to R10 per litre as a result of soaring Brent crude oil price and a weaker rand.
Brent crude rose past $112 per barrel on Sunday, resting their highest level since June 2022 as fresh disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz overshadowed diplomatic gestures.
However, the National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources are yet to announce any fuel price relief measures as the increases will cripple households, destroy small businesses, and send food and transport costs through the roof.
Globally, the risks are escalating beyond fuel prices alone. The Oxford Economics scenario highlights how shortages of refined products like diesel and jet fuel could paralyse transport systems, disrupt trade and reduce economic activity. Shipping costs have already surged, and further increases could make it uneconomical to move low-value goods.
“Diesel shortages could be even more disruptive, since diesel is the main fuel for commercial transport and parts of industry,” May noted. “Shortages and price rises would have a much broader effect on business activity, supply chains, and inflation.”
Financial markets are also expected to come under pressure. Equity markets typically react negatively to oil shocks, and the S&P 500 is projected to enter bear market territory under this scenario, further dampening consumer spending.
Central banks face a difficult balancing act. While inflation is surging, weakening economic activity may limit their ability to raise interest rates aggressively. Diverging policy responses, particularly between the US Federal Reserve and European central banks, could add further volatility to global markets.
The South Africa’s central bank last week opted for caution, keeping interest rates unchanged as escalating tensions in the Middle East inject fresh uncertainty into the inflation and growth outlook.
Source: https://iol.co.za/business-report/2026-03-30-global-recession-fears-mount-as-iran-war-shocks-energy-markets/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Introduction
If you are a young South African struggling to find work, then the Shoprite YES Programme 2026 could be the opportunity you need. In today’s tough job market, many young people lack experience. As a result, getting a first job becomes difficult.
However, this programme is designed to change that. Through the Youth Employment Services (YES) initiative, young people get real workplace exposure. At the same time, they build practical skills that employers value.
Moreover, the Shoprite YES Programme 2026 gives you a chance to work in a real retail environment. Instead of only learning theory, you gain hands-on experience. Therefore, you grow faster and become more employable.
What is the YES Programme?
The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is a national initiative. It is supported by government, businesses, and labour partners. Its main goal is to reduce youth unemployment in South Africa.
At Shoprite Group, the programme focuses on practical training. Participants are placed in stores and operations. As a result, they learn while working.
In addition, the programme runs for 12 months. During this time, you gain real job experience. More importantly, you develop skills that help you move forward in your career.
Job Details
Here is a quick overview of the Shoprite YES Programme 2026:
- Programme Name: Shoprite YES Programme
- Duration: 12 Months
- Location: Various Shoprite stores across South Africa
- Industry: Retail
- Type: Work Experience / Learnership-style programme
Furthermore, placements may vary depending on store needs. Therefore, you could work in different departments.
See also Opportunities available
What You Will Gain
Joining the Shoprite YES Programme 2026 comes with many benefits. First of all, you gain real work experience. This is important because most employers look for experience.
In addition, you will receive:
- 12 months of workplace experience
- Exposure to different retail roles
- Improved communication skills
- Better customer service knowledge
- Understanding of store operations
As a result, your confidence will grow. Moreover, you will be better prepared for future job opportunities.
Skills You Will Develop
During the programme, you will build important skills. These skills are useful in many careers.
For example, you will learn:
- Customer service and communication
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Basic retail operations
Because of this, you become more competitive in the job market. In other words, you increase your chances of getting hired after the programme.
Who Can Apply?
The Shoprite YES Programme 2026 is open to young South Africans who need work experience.
You can apply if you are:
- Currently unemployed
- Willing to learn and grow
- Interested in working in retail
Even if you have never worked before, you can still apply. What matters most is your attitude.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for the programme, you must meet basic requirements.
These include:
- Grade 10 or equivalent
- Matric (advantage but not required)
- Good communication skills
- Willingness to work in retail
- Positive attitude
Although experience is not required, being committed will help you succeed.
Why Choose Shoprite?
There are many reasons to join Shoprite Group. First, it is one of Africa’s largest retail companies. Therefore, working here adds strong value to your CV.
See also TymeBank In-Store Brand Ambassador Jobs South Africa In addition, you will benefit from:
- A structured training environment
- Support from experienced staff
- Exposure to real business operations
- Opportunities to grow
As a result, the Shoprite YES Programme 2026 can open doors for your future.
How to Apply
Applying is simple. However, you must act fast because opportunities fill up quickly.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Before applying, make sure you have:
- An updated CV
- Your ID document
- Your latest school results
After that, follow the application steps carefully.
FAQ – Shoprite YES Programme 2026
1. Is the YES Programme paid?
Yes, participants usually receive a monthly stipend. However, the amount may vary.
2. Do I need work experience to apply?
No, you do not need experience. Instead, you need willingness to learn.
3. Can I get a permanent job after the programme?
Although it is not guaranteed, your chances improve. Many participants find jobs after completing the programme.
4. Where will I be placed?
You may be placed at a Shoprite store near you. However, placements depend on availability.
5. When does the programme start?
Start dates may vary. Therefore, check the application details regularly.
Final Thoughts
The Shoprite YES Programme 2026 is more than just a work opportunity. Instead, it is a stepping stone to a better future.
If you are serious about building your career, then this programme is worth applying for. Not only will you gain experience, but you will also develop skills that last a lifetime.
Call to Action
Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Apply today and take the first step toward your career.
Apply now for the Shoprite YES Programme 2026
See also ACCOUNTANT STAFF – STEELPOORT
Internal Links
Source: https://careeropportunities.co.za/shoprite-yes-programme-2026-youth-work-experience/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
A new retail destination has opened in Hartenbos with the launch of Garden Walk, a 20,000sqm coastal-inspired retail and lifestyle centre designed to serve the growing Mossel Bay region and the broader Garden Route.
Developed by Moolman Group in partnership with Dorpstraat and Organic Coral Developments, the centre welcomed its first shoppers on 26 March 2026 following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by project partners, municipal representatives, tenants and members of the local community.
The opening was marked by a festive community celebration, with choirs from Laerskool Hartenbos and Hoërskool Punt performing during the ceremony as residents, stakeholders and visitors gathered to mark the launch of the new centre.
A centre for a thriving coastal community
Hartenbos is a well-known coastal town on the Garden Route, located approximately 45km from George. It forms part of the broader Mossel Bay region – which also includes Mossel Bay itself, Glentana and the Groot and Klein Brak River areas – and functions as an important regional service hub along the Garden Route.
As a coastal tourism destination, Hartenbos is a perennial favourite along the Garden Route and remains a popular holiday town that attracts large numbers of visitors during peak seasons. It is particularly well known for the ATKV Hartenbos Resort, the largest self-catering holiday resort on the Garden Route coastline.
Hartenbos also supports a growing permanent residential community and offers a range of local amenities including schools, sports clubs and churches.
Garden Walk is located within the Hartenbos North area, which has developed into a key commercial and tourism node for the town. Positioned within this strong residential and holiday market, the centre provides convenient retail and services for both local residents and seasonal visitors to the region.
The centre is prominently located next to the N2 at the Hartenbos / Mossel Bay offramp, ensuring easy access for residents, visitors and travellers moving through the Garden Route.
National brands and local favourites
The single-level centre opened with 51 stores trading at launch, anchored by a 3,500sqm Checkers FreshX together with Food Lover’s Market and Dis-Chem, and providing 502 parking bays for shoppers.
Well-known brands include Outdoor Warehouse, Agrimark, Clicks, PNA, Pick n Pay Clothing, Miladys, Mr Price Home, Pencil & Oak, Volpes and PEP Home, alongside a range of specialist stores and service outlets.
Dining and coffee options include Spur, Doppio Zero, Mugg & Bean and Seattle Coffee Company, while several local establishments – including Elvis Brew, Krust Café, Craft Biltong, Indoblu, Waterplaas and KOALA – contribute a distinctly local flavour to the centre’s tenant mix.
Supporting regional growth
With a development history spanning more than five decades, Moolman Group has built a strong track record in developing retail centres for growing communities across South Africa.
“Our focus has always been on developing centres that respond to the everyday needs of the communities they serve,” says Pieter Lombaard, CEO of Moolman Group. “Garden Walk fits our ethos of creating a well-located retail environment that provides essential services while also contributing to the social life of a growing coastal community.”
Hermann Stassen, Head of Developments at Moolman Group, says the vision for Garden Walk extended beyond simply a retail centre. “Our aim was to create a space that is true to the character of the Garden Route while creating a welcoming environment,” he says. “From the architecture to the landscaped public areas and curated art installations, the centre was designed to feel connected to its coastal community.”
Jannie Kruger, director at Dorpstraat, adds that the project exemplified strong collaboration between the development team, contractors and local stakeholders. “Developments of this scale are the result of close cooperation between many partners, from the professional team and contractors to local authorities and the community itself,” he says. “We are proud to see the centre open its doors and begin serving the region.”
Shaped by the coastal landscape
The design of Garden Walk draws inspiration from the local terrain, with architectural elements that evoke the surrounding coastal landscape and maritime heritage of the Mossel Bay area. Natural textures, warm earthy tones and gently curved forms echo the shapes of nearby dunes and ocean horizons, while materials such as steel, timber and brick speak to the maritime character of the region.
The thoughtful planning creates a welcoming and easy-to-navigate shopping environment, with spacious walkways, intuitive pedestrian flow and a central piazza that acts as a natural gathering space within the centre.
Outdoor seating areas, free-standing restaurant terraces and a dedicated children’s play area combine with beautifully landscaped areas throughout the centre to create a relaxed setting where visitors can move comfortably between stores, restaurants and outdoor spaces.
Art, culture and community at the heart of Garden Walk
Art forms an important part of the character and atmosphere at Garden Walk, with a number of artistic installations incorporated throughout the centre. Inspired by the surrounding landscapes, indigenous fauna and flora, and the nearby ocean, murals and artworks by professional artists help connect the space to the natural beauty and cultural identity of the Garden Route.
At the heart of the centre is a communal workspace with free Wi-Fi, providing a convenient place where students, professionals, local residents and holiday visitors can meet, work or take a break during the day.
Together, these elements contribute to Garden Walk’s identity as more than simply a retail destination, creating a space where community, creativity and everyday life come together.
Economic benefits for the region
Garden Walk has already contributed to the local economy through construction activity and local procurement and will continue to do so through employment opportunities within the centre. During the construction phase, approximately 60% of the workforce was drawn from the local community, with an estimated R32 million spent locally during the building phase.
Executive Mayor of the Mossel Bay Local Municipality, Alderman Dirk Kotze, welcomed the development as an important investment in the region.
“Developments such as Garden Walk play an important role in strengthening the local economy while improving the quality of life for residents,” says Kotze. “This centre brings new retail opportunities, job creation and a vibrant gathering place for the community while supporting the continued growth of the Mossel Bay region.”
With its strategic location, diverse tenant mix and strong connection to the surrounding community, Garden Walk is expected to serve residents and visitors to Hartenbos and the broader Garden Route for many years to come.
Source: https://cbn.co.za/industry-news/property-development-sector-news/garden-walk-opens-in-hartenbos-bringing-a-new-retail-destination-to-the-heart-of-the-garden-route/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Dr Vish Govender.
Image: Supplied
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
MEC Meyer, you stand at podiums declaring war on corruption. You speak about supposed death threats that you receive for your attempts to clean house. You stood next to Minister Dean Macpherson, the national Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, and denounced fraud as a cancer eating through the walls of public works. You keep promising consequences.
Then, in your authority as the MEC and highest decision maker, you had a hand in the permanent appointment of Vish Govender as the head of your department (HOD).
The public record requires no interpretation here. Govender is not a reformer brought in from the outside. He was the acting HOD) who presided over it during its most catastrophic period. The institution did not collapse before he arrived. It collapsed around him while he was the commander-in-chief.
MEC, the numbers are not in dispute. At a snapshot, under Govender, R1.1 billion was lost through a single corrupt supply chain official who distributed 29 contracts to one company. The Ngwelezana Hospital, a R100 million-plus health facility which was supposed to be completed, is still unfinished. Contractors are terminated. Deadlines are abandoned. Senior project officials are untouched. You yourself used the phrase “dereliction of duty” when you described the HOD’s steering of the department. The question you did not answer publicly is this: who was the accounting officer while that dereliction was taking place?
That answer is none other than Vish Govender.
Govender told the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature oversight structures, in his own words, that the department had become “basically bankrupt”. That admission did not come from opposition politicians or investigative journalists. It came from the man you have now confirmed as the permanent head. When an accounting officer publicly declares his institution bankrupt, the expected response from political leadership is scrutiny. The expected response is the consequence. What the people of KZN received instead was your giving him a permanent contract.
The auditor-general has not softened this picture. The department remains under a qualified audit. Its finances are in ruins. Project pipelines are stalled. These are not historical grievances. They describe the present condition of the institution under Govender as the then acting HOD and accounting officer.
The appointment process itself carries a further shadow. In November 2025, the MK Party formally demanded that the premier halt proceedings, citing whistle-blower testimony alleging manipulation of candidate scores and interview questions engineered to favour a predetermined outcome. Leaked WhatsApp messages followed, alleging that scores were being tampered with during the process. These allegations were never subjected to a transparent and independent forensic inquiry. You allowed the process to proceed. By signing off on the outcome, you did not merely overlook the allegations. You validated them.
This is not an argument about one individual. It is about what an appointment communicates across an entire public service. When the acting HOD that bled billions, received a qualified audit and admitted bankruptcy; is confirmed permanently at its helm – the message is crystal clear: failure does not end careers in this province. It consolidates them. It gets the blessing of your party, the DA.
Your party built its political identity on the explicit claim that it was different from this. The DA positioned itself as the antidote to a culture of impunity. That is the mandate you carried into office. Yet, the Govender appointment does not reflect that mandate. It contradicts it.
There is a choice still available to you. Rescind the appointment. Subject the selection process to a full independent inquiry. Find a HOD who has not spent the past year embedded in the very maladministration you declared war on.
If you allow this to stand, the record will say something simple. “MEC Meyer spoke loudly about accountability, yet when the moment came to enforce it, he rubber-stamped it.” The people of KZN are watching. They have been patient. Our patience is not without limit.
Source: https://iol.co.za/thepost/letters/2026-03-30-an-open-letter-to-kzn-public-works-and-infrastructure-mec-martin-meyer/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has resumed his work as an ANC NEC member.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH Independent Newspapers
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has officially resumed his duties as a National Executive Committee member.
In his first public appearance as an NEC member, five months of stepping aside, Mchunu delivered a eulogy at the funeral of ANC member, Bhekabathethwa Mthethwa in Richards Bay on Sunday.
Mchunu appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission to justify his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and respond to allegations of corruption, specifically regarding ties to a tender tycoon and interfering with police operations.
This was after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of instructing the disbandment of the PKTT on 31 December 2024 without consulting national police leadership, allegedly to protect politically connected individuals.
Mkhwanazi further claimed Mchunu had ties to crime syndicates, controversial businessman Vusumusi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Last week, Mchunu wrote to the ANC asking to resume his duties as an NEC member – this was confirmed by his private spokesperson Sithembiso Mshengu on Sunday.
“He voluntarily stepped aside, he wrote to the party to inform the leadership that he was returning to his position, not necessarily seeking permission, You remember that he is not facing any criminal charges to be forced to step aside. He asked to be excused to protect the image of the ANC after Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s accusations,” said Mshengu.
In terms of the ANC’s step aside policy, once a member is criminally charged, he or she must stop representing the party both in government and political platforms.
Mchunu was placed on special leave in July following Mkhwanazi’s explosive revelations that suggested he was working with a Gauteng drug cartel which had apparently influenced his decision to disband the PKTT.
Mchunu had repeatedly denied having been influenced by a drug cartel in his appearances in both Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za
Source: https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-03-30-suspended-police-minister-senzo-mchunu-resumes-his-anc-work/
