Adam Brooke is set to take the helm as CEO of Netball South Africa in 2026, succeeding Modiegi Komane. With a rich background in sports administration, Brooke plans to transform the sport through commercialization, player development, and enhanced governance.
Adam Brooke is set to become the new CEO of NetballSouth Africa (NSA), bringing with him a wealth of experience in sports administration . Brooke’s appointment, commencing on March 1, 2026, marks a new chapter for the organization, succeeding Modiegi Komane. Komane’s tenure, which ran from October 2023 to October 2025, was marked by challenges, making Brooke’s task all the more significant.
Brooke’s background includes over two decades of experience, with expertise in various facets of sports management, including marketing, event management, sponsorship, operations, and governance. His impressive resume features involvement in high-profile global sporting events such as the Tour de France, Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, the Absa Cape Epic, and the Rugby World Cup. He outlines a three-part plan to drive the sport forward which covers commercialization and professionalization to increase revenue, focusing on the performance of both men’s and women’s teams on the court, and developing netball at a grassroots level within South Africa. Brooke envisions South Africa competing for medals at the 2029 World Cup and aims to collaborate with the Ministry of Sport and other federations to foster talent discovery and development within the sport, providing opportunities for South African athletes to reach their full potential. \Brooke expressed his enthusiasm for taking on the role, citing his passion for South African sports. He saw the position as a “no brainer” because of the opportunity to work for a major federation, representing a sport with growing popularity. He notes the success of the South African netball team, particularly their recent victory against England, and acknowledges the steady growth of the men’s game. This represents a huge opportunity to further advance the sport. The incoming CEO highlights the importance of bringing unity and stability to the federation, especially given the challenges the organization faced last year, including the suspension of a former president and issues surrounding the working environment. Brooke plans to work closely with the new executive, including the president and vice president, while leveraging his experience to complement the existing knowledge within NSA. His strategy emphasizes stabilizing the federation, improving governance, and driving the organization toward a more successful future, emphasizing his commitment to collaboration and a team-based approach. The incoming CEO intends to focus on the performance of the men’s senior team and the establishment of a sponsored league, as well as the implementation of netball programs in schools, particularly for boys. This strategic focus is partly driven by the upcoming World Cup and the broader vision of World Netball (WN) to get the sport included in the Olympic Games. Brooke acknowledges the potential of the men’s team, its status as three-time African champions, and the necessity to build a professional men’s league and also introduce netball in schools to attract more male athletes from a young age. \Brooke’s vision extends beyond immediate successes, as he is strategically focused on the long-term sustainability and growth of netball in South Africa. This involves improving the governance structure within the federation, fostering a positive working environment, and developing talent from the grassroots level. A key element of his strategy is to promote netball in schools, including developing programs for boys and establishing a sponsored league to professionalize the men’s game. Brooke’s approach includes commercialization and professionalization of the sport, and aims to strengthen the performance of both men’s and women’s teams. These strategies are all geared towards not only increasing the appeal and profitability of the sport but also increasing its competitive edge on the international stage. His plan is comprehensive, covering all aspects of the sport, from the development of players to improving its overall financial and competitive standing. By taking this holistic approach, Brooke hopes to create a lasting legacy for himself and contribute significantly to the advancement of netball in South Africa.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions welcomes the 2026 increase of inflation plus 1.5% (5% in total or R1.44) for the National Minimum Wage. This progressive above inflation increase raises the NMW from R28,79 per hour to R30.23, a new milestone.
Whilst COSATU had tabled a slightly higher proposal, we are pleased that our demand for a positive above inflation increase secured the support of the Commission and the Minister for Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhozana Meth.
Welcome Increases
The NMW Act mandates the Commission to ensure the NMW is not eroded by inflation, as this would plunge workers deeper into debt, poverty and despair. This positive increase helps protect the value of the NMW and workers’ ability to care for their families.
Many workers have received zero or below inflation increases since 2020, with indications that this trend will continue. Millions of workers have seen their wages and benefits slashed.
Most workers support relatives who have lost jobs and wages.
It will inject badly needed stimulus into the economy, spurring growth, sustaining and creating jobs. It will provide relief to nearly 6 million workers earning within the NMW range in particular farm, domestic, construction, retail, transport, hospitality, security, and cleaning workers.
COSATU is pleased with the progress we have made with the NMW since it came into effect in 2019 at R20 per hour, with domestic workers then pegged at R15 and farmworkers R18, a 50%, 100% and 66% increase, respectively.
They have both since been equalised with the NMW. The NMW is a far cry from the poverty wages farm and domestic workers were paid a few years ago, at times as little as R6 an hour. It is one of government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress’ most important and transformational achievements.
EPWP and CWP Workers
Engagements need to be accelerated with the Presidency, Treasury and the Departments of Cooperative Governance, Public Works and Infrastructure on a road map to ensure Community and Expanded Public Works Programmes’ workers are raised from the incoming amount of R16,62 to the full NMW.
It is unacceptable that these workers remain pegged at just under 55% of the NMW. This must now end. A road map will be developed with government and labour for those sectors in the EPWP and CWP to incrementally narrow the gap and then equalize with the NMW over the medium-term expenditure framework, e.g. over the next 3 years.
Rounding Off Adjustments
The Reserve Bank is moving away from minting cents, with many coins having been phased out, e.g. 1, 2, 5 and 10 cents. This trend will continue.
Adjusting the NMW by hard-to-remember odd cents makes it complicated for employers and workers to remember the NMW level or make calculations. It makes it difficult for workers to ensure they are paid in line with the NMW Act. Most workers paid the NMW are paid in cash. It is not practical to pay amounts ending in cents.
Implementation Dates
The NMW should ensure that increases to the NMW are implemented timeously and effected from the 1st of January each year. This is in line with the original anniversary of the NMW of 1 January 2019.
BCEA Annual Income Threshold
COSATU remains deeply frustrated, disappointed and angered that the former Employment Conditions Commission and now the NMW Commission have failed to adjust the BCEA income threshold to recover the massive erosion it has suffered from repeated failures over 6 years to adjust it for CPI from 2014 to 2020.
This has led to millions of workers no longer being afforded many critical labour rights protections based upon this annual income threshold. It has exposed them to exploitation and seen their protections and rights eroded and denied overtime payments due to them.
It has seen the protection provided by the Unemployment Insurance Fund reduced. This meant the 5.5 million workers receiving the UIF Covid-19 TERS during the pandemic received more or less than they would have received if the income threshold had consistently been increased to protect it from inflationary erosion.
The BCEA income threshold needs to be protected from inflation and erosion. It also needs to protect workers, as intended when the initial threshold was determined.
COSATU Proposals:
There are 2 options for determining the new threshold. Firstly, when the threshold was initially set, it was pegged at the salary of a deputy director in government. If this ‘peg’ is still applied, the threshold should be increased to R744 255.
The second option is to adjust for inflation from the introduction of the threshold to date, which would increase the current threshold to R500 000
These adjustments will commence from 2026.
Medium Term Target
A key part of the NMW Agreement at Nedlac was for the NMW Commission to set a medium term target for the NMW once it came into effect. Research needs to begin on this. The NMW was set at the initial low level of R20 and pegged for farm, domestic, EPWP and CWP workers to prevent retrenchments.
We need to set a progressive medium-term target linked to a living wage and a reasonable road map to achieve it.
COSATU Proposals:
Research begins on setting a medium-term target for the NMW.
The medium-term target for the NMW should be linked to a living wage, e.g. R9 500 per month.
A reasonable road map should be set to increase the NMW to a living wage over the medium term.
Enforcement
Whilst we have made progress, it is critical that the Department of Employment and Labour intensify its crackdown on defaulting employers. Unions must expose such workplaces.
Organised Business must play its part too. This is a criminal offence and should be treated as such. Such employers cannot be allowed to defy the law and treat their employees little better than slaves.
Minister Meth’s bold commitment to employ an additional 10 000 permanent and 20 000 intern inspectors will be a welcome boost to ensuring the abhorrent defiance of the law by some employers is dealt with.
Concluding Remarks
Right-wing critics of the NMW said it would lead to a job’s bloodbath. Independent research by leading academics has proven this not to be the case. It has had a positive impact on reducing poverty and inequality whilst boosting economic growth. Other countries that have introduced an NMW, e.g. the United States, Germany and Brazil, have had similar positive experiences.
Beyond the NMW, the government needs to expedite measures to tackle the network and other obstacles to growing the economy and reinforce the social wage, e.g. subsidised public transport, education, housing, municipal services and social security.
These are critical to fixing the state, unlocking the economy, reducing poverty, creating decent jobs, as well as ensuring workers earn a living wage.
Discount retailer Boxer has made some changes to its executive team, with Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers set to take over as its non-independent non-executive chair at the start of March this year.
Boxer was unbundled and separately listed from Pick n Pay in 2024, though Pick n Pay retains a majority stake in the company.
On Friday, 20 February, Boxer announced that it had made some major changes to its executive team and board.
The retailer previously announced that its chair, James Formby, will step down from this role with effect from 28 February 2026. He will remain on the board as a non-independent non-executive director.
Summers has been selected to take over Formby’s role, assuming the position of non-independent, non-executive chair of Boxer starting on 1 March 2026.
Boxer explained that, related to this change in chairmanship, Summers will step down as a member of the company’s Remuneration Committee, also with effect from 1 March 2026.
In turn, Formby will be appointed as a member of the Remuneration Committee with effect from the same date.
“The board expresses its sincere appreciation to James for his leadership and valuable contribution as chair of the company and looks forward to his continued service as a non-executive director and committee member,” Boxer said.
“The board welcomes Sean as chair and is confident that his extensive retail experience and strategic leadership will support the company’s continued growth and performance.”
Boxer’s latest trading statement revealed that the retailer is on track for a strong 2026 financial year.
In the 48 weeks ended 1 February 2026, Boxer grew its turnover by 11.9%, and a more muted 3.9% on a like-for-like basis.
The retailer is also on track to meet its 2026 store rollout guidance. Boxer has undergone an aggressive expansion over the past few years, now operating over 500 stores across the country.
The retailer has set a target of opening 60 new stores on a full-year basis in the 2026 financial year.
Boxer’s 2026 financial year will end on 1 March 2026, with the retailer expected to release its full-year results on 11 May 2026.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng welcomes the activation of approximately R1.5 billion in Labour Activation Programme (LAP) contracts by Minister Nomakhosazana Meth in Gauteng Province.
This significant investment by the Department of Employment and Labour demonstrates a firm commitment to tackling unemployment and expanding meaningful economic participation for working-class communities. The unlocking of over 30,000 training and work opportunities represents a decisive intervention aimed at bridging the gap between skills development and industrial demand.
As COSATU Gauteng, we strongly support initiatives that prioritise decent work, empower young people and the unemployed with accredited training, and stimulate sustainable job creation. The Labour Activation Programme has the potential to strengthen local industries, enhance productivity, and restore dignity to thousands of households across our province.
We particularly welcome the Department’s message: “Working for you.” Indeed, government programmes must always serve the people, especially workers and the unemployed who continue to bear the brunt of economic hardship.
COSATU Gauteng stands ready to work with the Department of Employment and Labour, organised business, and all social partners to ensure that this investment delivers quality training, transparent implementation, and real, sustainable employment outcomes.
Together, we must ensure that this programme not only creates jobs but builds a stronger, more inclusive Gauteng economy that truly works for all. For a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
Limpopo Guest House Rentals, SANDF Event Impact, Local Economy Limpopo
SANDF group has been in Venda since early January
Homeowners and guest house businesses in Thohoyandou and surrounding areas have cashed in over the past four weeks thanks to the South African National Defence Force Armed Forces Day parade events that took place in the rural Limpopo town.
Mpho Makhanu, who owns two houses in Thohoyandou but lives full-time in Polokwane, said he was approached by SANDF officials who told him they needed accommodation for their members as most bed and breakfasts and guest houses in the area were full.One of the properties is a double-storey house with five bedrooms and two bathrooms, situated in a quiet and serene part of Thohoyandou. It has a double garage and a swimming pool. Inside it has a spacious kitchen, dining and TV area and a working space.He hired a chef to cook for guests, at their request. “I had over 12 people spread between my two houses. I don’t recall the exact numbers because my wife handled the booking and payments. “We rented out rooms for R1,200 for a standard room, per person, including breakfast. We have had people staying in our place since January 11. While some paid in cash … for others we had to send an invoice to theto pay. This army event has been a good thing for many people in Thohoyandou, especially those with rooms in their yards they could rent out,” said Makhanu. A member of the SANDF, who asked not to be named, said some of his colleagues were staying in houses where they paid R1,000 per night excluding breakfast. Normally, January and February are considered a quieter period in tourism, as they follow the festive season. However, the Armed Forces Day activities brought renewed energy and opportunity to local businesses like ours.“I got to Thohoyandou around the 11th of January and we have been staying here ever since. I am part of the advance group, escorting a high-profile official from the SANDF.” Muravha Nelwamondo, the co-owner of Thavhani Boutique Hotel and Elephant Boutique Lodge in Manini village, said she appreciates the SANDF for recognising Limpopo, and specifically the Vhembe District for hosting the Armed Forces Day. She said the event significantly boosted the local economy and tourism industry. “Normally, January and February are considered a quieter period in tourism, as they follow the festive season. However, the Armed Forces Day activities brought renewed energy and opportunity to local businesses like ours,” said Nelwamondo. Her establishments hosted 23 members of the SANDF including senior officials. She said as a result of the financial impact of this event, she felt compelled to give back to the community., where we donated 20 school shoes to learners in need, two packs of sanitary pads for each grade 12 learner and one laptop for the school,” said Nelwamondo. She said the initiative was their way of ensuring the benefits of tourism extend to business and directly uplift the community. Though she could not reveal how much she made in the past four weeks, she said all rooms were charged at government standard rates. Mukhethwa Thari, who runs Zwizwo Guest House near Thavhani Mall, also benefited from this event. From the 18 rooms he rented to the SANDF, they made around R300,000 in four weeks. “This money will help me to renovate my business and expand where I can, which will create more jobs. I have a guest house I want to finish building in Mavhunda village, I will use some of the money for that,” said Thari.
Walmart will launch 21 new stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, offering South Africans lower prices than those at Checkers and Pick n Pay.
The launch starts this weekend with its third store at the East Point Shopping Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, this weekend.
The new store followed Walmart’s entry into South Africa last year with successful launches in Clearwater and Fourways.
“Boksburg customers can confidently shop on their own schedule and trust that they will always get the lowest total cost for their trolley of products,” Walmart said.
This is in contrast to competitors like Checkers, Pick n Pay, and Spar, which focus heavily on short-term promotions to attract shoppers.
“Independently published total price comparisons confirming that Walmart has delivered a low-price advantage,” said Massmart’s André Steyn.
He highlighted that these comparisons were of a comparable trolley of everyday essentials, including bread, milk, eggs, rice, sunflower oil, and sugar.
He added that local Walmart clients appreciated the convenience of a large range of products under one roof.
Similar to Makro, Walmart offers an assortment of fresh food and groceries, along with a range of family and home entertainment items.
Walmart is also taking the fight to Checkers Sixty60, Pick n Pay Asap!, and Woolies Dash with its online shopping service.
Shoppers can download the African version of the Walmart shopping app to take advantage of the retailer’s 60-minute express delivery service.
99% of its first-time online customers expressed a firm intention to place repeat orders of fresh food, groceries, adult beverages, and small appliances.
This has prompted Walmart to extend its 60-minute online delivery service from a 5km radius to 8km from its stores.
This is only the start. Walmart is expanding its national presence to deliver affordable, high-quality merchandise to South African consumers.
This national growth builds on the strong momentum from successful launches in Clearwater and Fourways.
The company said customers have enthusiastically embraced Walmart’s Every Day Low Price philosophy.
“With a further 21 stores proposed in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, Walmart is firmly establishing a broader national presence,” it said.
