An indelibly resonant Gospel parable is the one about the vineyard owner with two sons whom he commanded to work on his property.
The first refused, but then thought better of it and went and did as his father asked.
The second flatteringly told his father he would comply, but then went off and did something else.
Jesus narrates the story as a lesson to illustrate that we should pay less attention to people who tell us what we want to hear and more heed to what they positively do.
I suspect it is a good basis for understanding the implications of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address this evening as he reports back on government progress over the past years and outlines his administration’s agenda.
The president has long been looking for compliant underlings to run the troublesome vineyards in the way he wants — and in the Thuma Mina spirit.
Ramaphosa being a less intimidating figure than the father in Matthew’s Gospel, many leaders implicated in corruption and maladministration feature prominently in this version of the story.
Yet, very few are willing to play the defiant son.
Instead, the limited number of competent and ethically upright leaders is a range of eager submissives, each straining to appear enthusiastic to pick up the pruning shears and discharge the service delivery mandate in line with the Batho Pele (people first) principles.
Tonight and during the subsequent Sona debate, lawmakers will have yet another high-profile encounter with Ramaphosa.
They will have to decide when to stamp and flap and how to voice their disapproval.
We can expect Ramaphosa nevertheless to lift the curtain a little.
The address might not be especially inspiring insofar as it connects the past to the future.
That is not the emphasis of the expectations of many citizens.
His theme of “Building a Capable and Ethical State” government should reassure, not merely excite.
It should be politically clear, strategic and internally consistent in focusing the nation on driving economic growth, tackling high unemployment, improving service delivery, and addressing critical infrastructure and crime.
It should provide a sharper outline than before of the thinking that will underpin the government’s more detailed decisions.
It should also make clear that Ramaphosa takes the long view, that he is thinking in terms of meaningful multiparty and citizen involvement in a polarised national and geopolitical environment.
His thematic choices should leave a picture that is predictable to investors and the electorate: economic insecurity, a failing health and education system, infrastructure decay, the danger of crime, children’s diminished life chances and the climate crisis.
All exemplify the broken SA over which the previous ANC governments have presided, remarkably built, and recklessly failed to protect from looters.
And all of them demand new directions under the coalition governments rather than sticking plaster solutions.
He must not ignore important debates about the relationship between growth, inequalities and wellbeing.
Ramaphosa has often faced calls to clarify what the government is doing to lift the nation out of poverty, unemployment, crime and corruption.
He will face more such calls as the local government election nears.
He remains cautious about responding with details.
Instead, he prefers to subject policy, legislative and regulatory interventions to behind-the-scenes political party wrestling.
Critics suspect that he has little to say to his party, his coalition government partners and the nation.
His own reasoning, presumably, is that he is not in the business of putting elaborative details about policies on premature public display that the coalition partners might be tempted to pinch.
He also wants the ANC’s and the government’s division and ineptitude to remain out of political focus.
The ANC’s outsmarting of political parties reassures him that his approach is working.
But even as various parties assert their individual identity on key national policies, they have internal disagreements over which strategies to prioritise in coalition governments.
That will come to a head in the coming days.
Lawmakers will be forced to concur with Ramaphosa’s assessment of the state of our nation.
Doing otherwise could marginalise them further and unleash sharp internal disagreements on national priorities.
Exactly how far other political parties will co-operate to achieve the goals Ramaphosa is expected to set out in his address, however, is an open question.
How will the divisions in the ANC-SACP-Cosatu tripartite alliance play out?
Will the SACP’s resolve to independently contest the next elections affect the tone?
Will Cosatu affiliates’ criticism that the government is doing little for workers change anything?
How will the DA and the MKP react, as they have had a rough few months?
They are largely leaderless, and they have struggled to respond to the inactivity and slow pace of the Ramaphosa administration.
Even some party leaders have conceded they have stumbled in their attempt to settle on a message to counter the president.
Hints, though, cannot be annual programme commitments.
Ramaphosa must draw an important outline and fill it in while mobilising all to participate meaningfully.
In Matthew’s Gospel, the exemplary figure of the parable is the first son, the one who originally rejected his father’s instructions but then did his will after all.
In today’s version, the public expectations and reaction to Ramaphosa’s address suggest the hero this time will be the one who promised to do what the people wanted when they voted for coalition governments and then went off and did exactly what he had intended to do as a once dominant party in the first place.
Cosatu says it has “high expectations” for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of nation address (Sona), calling on the government to act decisively on unemployment, economic growth, crime and failing public services.
The trade union federation said the Sona, to be delivered in parliament on February 12, must respond to “cries and hopes of the working class and society in general”.
Government plans for the year must focus on South Africa’s “dangerously high unemployment rate of 42.4% and sluggish 1% economic growth”, as well as “entrenched levels of poverty and inequality, and endemic crime and corruption”.
It welcomed progress in ending load-shedding but warned that electricity prices remain “increasingly unaffordable”. It called for prepaid billing for all consumers and action on the “R100bn municipal debt, corruption and other acts of criminality, wasteful expenditure and enabling Eskom to enter the renewable energy space”.
Efficient rails and ports are key to thousands of mining, manufacturing and agricultural jobs as well as to providing 10-million urban commuters cheap and fast means to get to work
— Cosatu
Cosatu also called for faster reforms at Transnet and Metro Rail, saying improvements must be accelerated to protect jobs and commuters.
“Efficient rails and ports are key to thousands of mining, manufacturing and agricultural jobs as well as to providing 10-million urban commuters cheap and fast means to get to work,” it said.
The trade union federation raised concern about struggling state-owned enterprises, saying turnaround plans were urgently needed for Denel, the SABC, Post Office and Postbank, which it said continue to suffer from “incompetent and weak management”.
On public services, Cosatu said the government must “close the chapter of failed neo-liberal austerity policies and budgets” and ensure front-line services are properly funded and staffed.
It praised the “remarkable turnaround at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and South African Airways” as proof that public institutions can work.
Cosatu also warned that crime has reached unacceptable levels, saying South Africa can no longer “treat criminals with kid gloves” or allow violent crime to become normal in working-class communities. It called for an “aggressive marshall plan led by President Ramaphosa” to strengthen policing, prosecutions and the courts.
The federation urged government to introduce a large stimulus package to support industrialisation, small businesses and job creation, saying such action was “long overdue”.
Cosatu also called for greater relief for the poor and unemployed, including raising the SRD grant to the Food Poverty Line and the expansion of the Presidential Employment Stimulus to “one million young people by April 1 and two million by November 1”.
It also urged the government to overhaul the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Compensation Fund, employ 20,000 new labour inspectors and give Sars resources to raise tax compliance to 75% over the next three years, generating “an additional R200bn in revenue owed to the state”.
“We cannot afford to rest on our laurels or continue to normalise anaemic 1% economic growth or the ticking time bomb of 42.4% unemployment,” said Cosatu.
“Government needs to act decisively and deliver on these key issues if we are to reach the 3% plus economic growth necessary to see unemployment fall and hope arise.
“There are no shortcuts in this journey, nor is the patience of the working class and society limitless.”
Discovery is buying its own head office building in Sandton, 1 Discovery Place, in a deal worth R4 billion.
Discovery moved into the office in 2018 and believes it will remain there for more than seven years, until the expiration of its current lease agreement.
The move also accounts for the long-term, strategic nature of office planning, especially given the scale of Discovery’s Johannesburg operations.
“The group is deeply committed to South Africa and believes the head office has served the group well in all aspects and aligns with its purpose, values, and its long-term outlook,” Discovery said.
The deal will see Discovery Phase 1, which includes the Grove and Park buildings of 1 Discovery Place, and will cancel the lease for Phase 2 at the Ridge building.
The move will be facilitated by Discovery Propco, which has entered into an agreement with South Africa’s largest landlord, Growthpoint Properties, and the trustees of the Truzen 114 Trust.
Discovery Propco will purchase Phase 1 of the letting enterprise of the office comprising 91,756 sqm.
The sellers have also agreed with Discovery Central Services to cancel the Phase 2 lease, comprising 19,369 sqm.
Discovery said the total consideration for the transaction is R4.05 billion, exclusive of VAT, and that the deal is fully funded via pre-arranged debt.
Discovery said that the transaction is subject to Competition Authority approval and other customary suspensive conditions.
BusinessTech has regularly visited 1 Discovery Place, which differs heavily from most offices in the country.
The vast office has several other amenities, including its own Woolworths Food Store, a Seattle Coffee, Home Affairs Services, a gym and a rooftop terrace.
Why the move
Discovery said that the transaction provides strong financial and economic benefits for the group. This arises because economic dynamics have moved in favour of a purchase.
This is due to the interest rate environment, with more cuts expected, and property prices in Johannesburg, which have reduced significantly.
This has enabled Discovery to switch from a long-term lease to a fully funded financing arrangement with ownership, at a lower overall cost.
The positive effect of the move is expected to be immediate and to expand net annual cash-flow savings, delivering roughly R800 million in net present value over the remaining lease period.
The group has accounted for the long-term lease obligations under IFRS 16, where the right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability are recognised in the statement of financial position.
It noted that the obligations of the financing lease have had a similar risk exposure to debt financing. However, with a different accounting treatment, the value has been excluded from the group’s financial leverage ratio.
Once the transactions take effect, the group expects a positive impact on earnings.
While the financial leverage ratio will initially increase, it is expected to reduce to the lower end of the group’s guidance range of 10% to 20% over the next few years.
Growthpoint Properties said that the move reduces its office exposure and contributes to a reduction in single-tenant asset concentration in the Sandton node.
It also supports a rebalancing of Growthpoint’s portfolio towards sectors and regions expected to deliver more stable, resilient income profiles over the longer term, such as retail, logistics, and the Western Cape.
Discount grocery retailer Best Before has shared big plans for the brand after launching nationwide courier delivery, expanding beyond its previous Gauteng-only online service, with products priced lower than those of Checkers and Pick n Pay.
Best Before sells short-dated and past-dated items that are still safe to use and consume, at significantly discounted prices.
Although products are sold close to or past their best-before date, the retailer confirmed that products are only sold from reputable suppliers and never past their use-by date.
“Every item is vetted for safety and quality, so you can shop with confidence,” said Best Before.
Best Before was founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Mark Gordon and Alain Soriano, who sought to bring the success of clearance stores seen in Australia and Europe to South Africa.
After noticing the market for affordable everyday products in South Africa, the founders launched a pilot store in Wendywood, Sandton.
The success of the first store led to the launch of stores in Edenvale, Fourways, Northcliff, Krugersdorp, Boksburg, Centurion and Pretoria.
“The response that we are getting is incredible. We get about 60 emails a week asking us to open stores in various cities across South Africa,” said Best Before Founder and Director Mark Gordon.
Best Before, which aims to reduce food waste and deliver the lowest cost to the consumer, uses a replenishment model, where 70% of the stock is regular merchandise, but the price is 25% cheaper.
“The other 30% of stock is excess from other suppliers, which Best Before buys at a discount to offer the lowest price to consumers,” said Gordon.
“With more stores in the pipeline, we’re now expanding into online shopping and convenient in-store collection points across all Best Before locations,” the retailer said.
While there are no immediate plans to open more stores, the retailer is looking at possible launches later in the year.
“Right now, we are Gauteng-based to make sure that our model works and is perfected in order for it to expand,” said Gordon.
A new delivery trial
The introduction of Best Before’s nationwide courier delivery service at the close of 2025 represents a major achievement for the retailer.
This development allows residents in other provinces to access their products, even if they do not have a physical store nearby.
Currently, average delivery fees range from R80 to R100, depending on the courier company selected, and delivery can take between two and five working days.
Orders placed online take five working days to prepare, and payment can be made via EFT, SnapScan, Payfast, and all major debit and credit cards.
However, Gordon confirmed its recent onboarding with Uber, with the first trial set to launch in the Fourways area.
If the trial is successful, Best Before will expand its Uber Eats delivery services for its products in more areas.
Most notably, Gordon said Uber will not charge higher fees on the retailer’s products—the price in store will be the same as on Uber Eats.
Uber Eats’ delivery fee varies from R6.00 to R20.00, depending on the distance between the outlet and the delivery address, this is excluding additional levies.
Major South African grocery retailers offer comparable delivery services. Checkers charges R36, delivers within 60 minutes of order placement, and limits orders to 40 items.
Woolworths allows up to 35 food items, charges a R45 fee, and requires a minimum order of R150 for customers within 5km of a designated store. Pick n Pay’s service is priced at R35, has a 45-item limit, and promises delivery within 60 minutes.
While Gordon explicitly stated that the business does not aim to compete with major grocery retailers, BusinessTech compared potential delivery fees with Best Before entering the delivery service market.
If Best Before implements its delivery services through the Uber Eats platform, customers can expect to pay Uber’s delivery fees, along with other potential levies, such as service charges.
Below is a glance at how Best Before’s delivery could look in the future if the trial with Uber goes to plan.
With song and dance, Springbok icon and skipper Siya Kolisi was welcomed back to Cape Town on Thursday as he was unveiled as the newest ambassador for retail giant Pick n Pay.
While it was not yet his official homecoming — the Sharks star is set to return to the Stormers at the end of the season — Kolisi still felt a deep sense of familiarity as hundreds of eager shoppers and staff gathered to greet him at Pick n Pay’s Waterfront and Constantia stores.
The latest collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between Pick n Pay, its Feed the Nation Foundation, and the Kolisi Foundation. Over the past six years, the partnership has helped serve more than 19 million meals, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term social impact and sustained community support.
“This is an exciting venture, but it is nothing new for me,” Kolisi said on Thursday.
“Pick n Pay has been in the country for a long time, doing work in the communities — those are the values we share. We are giving back to the people of South Africa, and I am hoping it is something that continues. The Pick n Pay Feed the Nation Foundation is also doing amazing work. My ultimate goal is to use the partnership for giving back.
“That reception I received at the Waterfront, I loved it. It was lekker and all natural. Wherever I go, people want to sing. It was pretty cool to be received like that. Being back in Cape Town is always special.”
Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers said Kolisi represents the pinnacle of a “can-do attitude” and embodies how individuals can overcome adversity, regardless of their circumstances.
He added that the Springbok captain is globally recognised — not only in South Africa — as one of the greatest sporting leaders of his generation, and that the retailer is privileged to have him as an ambassador.
“Siya has shown, with his great quality of humility, the extraordinary things one can achieve. The reaction he gets from people is contagious and so well deserved. The great thing with Siya is that he always has time for everybody.
“He stops for the smallest kid, signs whatever they need signed, and puts back into the sport. There are too many athletes today who are not prepared to put back into sport. Siya is just remarkable.
“We see this as a long-term partnership with him. Hopefully, he still has many years left in his rugby, and we have the World Cup next year in Australia. This will be a busy five months of rugby in 2026. However, there is also the human Siya Kolisi and the work that he is doing. He is committed to communities, and that work won’t stop once he hangs up his boots. This will be a partnership both pre- and post-retirement.”
