Building Resilient Economies Begins with Healthy Workers

by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News

Professor Lindiwe Zungu’s Journey of Leadership, Science and Service

From a Dusty Township in KwaZulu-Natal to Transforming Occupational Health in South Africa’s Mining Industry.
Every morning, thousands of mineworkers descend beneath the earth to power South Africa’s economy. Among them are women who are engineers, geologists, artisans, machine operators, health professionals and scientists and whose courage and resilience continue to redefine one of the country’s most demanding industries.Yet every shift underground is also a reminder that economic prosperity should never come at the expense of human health, safety, wellbeing and dignity.

For Professor Lindiwe Zungu, this simple but profound belief has guided a remarkable career spanning more than three decades. It is a journey that has taken her from a dusty township in KwaZulu-Natal to becoming one of South Africa’s foremost occupational health scientists, while positioning the University of Venda at the forefront of nationally recognised research that is transforming occupational health in the mining sector.

As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month under the national theme, “Building Resilient Economies for All,” Professor Zungu’s story reminds us that resilient economies are built not only through investment, technology and infrastructure, but through healthy workers, courageous women, scientific innovation and visionary leadership.

Her journey did not begin in a university lecture hall. It began with an unwavering desire to improve people’s lives. Unlike many academics whose careers have been shaped exclusively within higher education, Professor Zungu first built an extensive career as an occupational health practitioner and specialist, working across several high-risk industries, particularly the mining sector. Those years exposed her to the realities of workplaces where occupational diseases, hazardous exposures, workplace injuries, and psychosocial challenges directly affected the health and well-being of workers and their families.

It was here that she developed a philosophy that would define the rest of her career:
“…Research must never exist simply to generate knowledge. Its highest purpose is to improve people’s lives…”. When Professor Zungu later transitioned into academia, she brought with her something invaluable, practical experience grounded in the realities of the workplace. Her research was therefore never driven by academic curiosity alone; it was driven by a commitment to solving real-world problems through evidence that could influence policy, transform practice and protect workers.

Her academic journey has been one of continuous growth and purposeful leadership. Rising through the ranks from Lecturer to Professor, she went on to serve in several senior leadership positions, including Executive Dean and Acting Chief Operating Officer (Academic) at one of South Africa’s largest universities. She later served as Editor-in-Chief of two accredited scientific journals, contributing significantly to strengthening research quality and scholarly publishing in South Africa.

Today, Professor Zungu leads two nationally significant research entities at the University of Venda: (1) the Occupational Health and Safety in Mining (OHSMIN) Research Institute and the newly established (2) South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)–University of Venda–Mintek Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence for Occupational Health in the Mining Sector (DHAIOH) Extramural Research Unit.

For Professor Zungu, however, leadership has never been measured by the positions she has held.
It has always been measured by impact. Throughout her career, she has remained guided by a single question: How do we ensure that every worker returns home healthy, safe, and unharmed every day? That question continues to shape every research project she leads, every student she mentors and every partnership she builds.

It is also the question that continues to position the University of Venda as an emerging leader in occupational health research, innovation and human capital development; not only in South Africa, but across the African continent.

Research That Changes Lives

For Professor Zungu, research has never been measured by the number of publications produced or conferences attended. Its true value lies in whether it changes policy, improves practice and ultimately protects the lives of workers from hazardous work exposures.

This philosophy has shaped more than two decades of research leadership dedicated to improving occupational health and safety in South Africa’s mining industry, one of the country’s most strategically important economic sectors and one of its most hazardous working environments. Throughout her career, Professor Zungu has collaborated extensively with national organisations including the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and the Minerals Council South Africa to generate evidence that informs policy, strengthens occupational health systems and promotes safer workplaces. Her work exemplifies how universities can partner with government, industry and science councils to produce research that addresses national priorities while improving people’s lives.

Among her most influential contributions has been her pioneering work focusing on the health, safety, and well-being of women in mining.

As increasing numbers of women entered South Africa’s mining industry, Professor Zungu recognised that occupational health systems, workplace infrastructure and even personal protective equipment had largely been designed around a historically male workforce. Through evidence-based research, she helped bring national attention to challenges that had received little recognition, including ill-fitting personal protective equipment, reproductive health concerns, workplace safety, psychosocial wellbeing and gender-responsive occupational health policies. One landmark study, SIM100904, fundamentally changed the national conversation on personal protective equipment for women in mining. The findings informed the development of South Africa’s Guideline for the Provision of Personal Protective Equipment for Women in Mining, representing a significant milestone in recognising that occupational health interventions must respond to the diverse needs of the modern workforce.

Building on this work, Professor Zungu later led another nationally significant research project, SIM130903, which examined Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) within the South African mining industry. At a time when GBVF had become one of South Africa’s greatest societal challenges, her research generated evidence that informed the sector’s Guidance Note on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Mining, providing practical recommendations for creating workplaces that are safer, more respectful and more inclusive. Importantly, her contribution did not end with the publication of research findings.

Today, in partnership with the Mine Health and Safety Council, Professor Zungu continues to lead research supporting the implementation of this Guidance Note across the mining sector, demonstrating her longstanding belief that research should not end with publication but should continue until it improves policy, changes practice and transforms lives. These achievements reflect more than academic success. They demonstrate how rigorous research can contribute directly to healthier workplaces, stronger organisations and a more inclusive economy.

Professor Zungu believes the South African mining industry deserves recognition for taking decisive leadership in addressing issues affecting women in the workplace, particularly through evidence-informed approaches to occupational health, gender equity and GBVF. She hopes that the lessons emerging from the mining sector will inspire other industries, including higher education, to adopt similarly proactive approaches to creating environments where women are protected, respected, and empowered to lead.

For Professor Zungu, protecting the health, safety, and well-being of women in mining is not simply an occupational health priority. It is an economic imperative. When women work in environments where they are healthy, safe and supported, industries become more productive, organisations become more innovative and communities become more resilient.

In this way, occupational health becomes much more than disease prevention. It becomes a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, sustainable development and social justice.
In Professor Zungu’s words, the relationship is simple yet profound: “…Healthy workers build productive industries. Productive industries build resilient economies…”

Building the Future Through Science, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships

If Professor Zungu’s earlier research helped shape occupational health policy in South Africa, the next chapter of her journey is focused on something even more ambitious; reimagining the future of occupational health through digital innovation, artificial intelligence and scientific collaboration.

That vision became a reality with the establishment of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)–University of Venda–Mintek Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence for Occupational Health in the Mining Sector (DHAIOH) Extramural Research Unit, officially launched by the South African Medical Research Council on 28 July 2026 in Cape Town.

The DHAIOH Extramural Research Unit is one of the newly established nationally recognised research units funded by the South African Medical Research Council under its highly competitive Extramural Unit Programme. It represents a significant national investment in research excellence, innovation and human capital development and has been awarded funding for up to fifteen years, implemented through three consecutive five-year funding cycles, subject to successful scientific and institutional performance reviews.

For the University of Venda, the establishment of this nationally recognised research platform is both a significant milestone and a vote of confidence in the University’s growing reputation for research excellence, innovation and societal impact.

For Professor Zungu, the establishment of the DHAIOH Unit represents far more than another research initiative.

It is an opportunity to fundamentally transform how occupational health is practised in South Africa through digital innovation, artificial intelligence and evidence-based research.

This shift from reactive healthcare to predictive and preventive occupational health has the potential to redefine worker protection in South Africa’s mining sector and position the country as a global leader in digital occupational health innovation.

Central to this vision is the strategic partnership between the University of Venda, the South African Medical Research Council and Mintek.

Each institution contributes unique strengths.

The University of Venda provides academic leadership, postgraduate education, multidisciplinary research and community-responsive scholarship.

The South African Medical Research Council provides national strategic direction, long-term investment in research excellence and a mandate to improve the health of all South Africans through innovation, scientific discovery and human capital development.

Mintek contributes internationally recognised expertise in mining technology, engineering, scientific infrastructure and technological innovation, creating opportunities for collaborative research that bridges academia and industry while accelerating the translation of research into practical solutions.

Together, these institutions are building far more than a research unit. They are creating a national research platform where science, technology and partnership converge to improve worker health, strengthen the mining sector and contribute to South Africa’s economic development.

Equally important is the Unit’s commitment to developing the next generation of African scientists. Through Master’s and Doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, multidisciplinary research programmes and strategic collaborations, the DHAIOH Extramural Research Unit is investing in the researchers who will lead occupational health, digital health and artificial intelligence across Africa for decades to come.

Professor Zungu believes that this investment in people may ultimately become the Unit’s greatest legacy.

• Research changes policy.
• Innovation changes practice.
• But people change the future.
• Every postgraduate student supervised.
• Every young scientist mentored.
• Every postdoctoral fellow supported.
• Every collaborative partnership established

Each represents another step towards strengthening South Africa’s scientific capacity while ensuring that future occupational health leaders possess the skills needed to respond to increasingly complex workplace health challenges.

In many respects, the DHAIOH Extramural Research Unit embodies the aspirations of this year’s Women’s Month theme, “Building Resilient Economies for All.” Together, these create healthier workplaces, stronger institutions and more resilient economies. For Professor Zungu, this is where occupational health and economic development become inseparable. Protecting workers is not only a moral responsibility. It is a strategic investment in South Africa’s future. As she often reminds her students and colleagues: “Occupational health is not simply about preventing disease. It is about protecting human potential.”

Reflecting on her own journey, Professor Zungu is the first to acknowledge that no meaningful achievement is accomplished alone. Every chapter of her career has been shaped by remarkable women leaders who recognised her potential, challenged her to grow, shared their wisdom and, perhaps most importantly, believed in her long before many others did.

She often reflects on the timeless isiZulu wisdom: “Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili.” “The way forward is learned from those who have travelled the path before us.” Throughout her career, Professor Zungu has been privileged to learn from women whose leadership has left an indelible mark on South African higher education and on her own professional journey.

She pays heartfelt tribute to Professor Rosemary Moeketsi, former Executive Dean of the College of Human Sciences at the University of South Africa, whose visionary leadership demonstrated that academic excellence is best achieved through compassion, courage and unwavering commitment to people.

She also honours Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, former Vice-Principal for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at the University of South Africa, whose fearless pursuit of research excellence and transformation inspired countless women academics to believe that there should be no limits to their aspirations.

At the University of Venda, Professor Zungu continues to draw inspiration from exceptional women leaders who have created an enabling environment for research excellence and institutional growth. She acknowledges Professor Tshilidzi Mulaudzi, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, for her steadfast leadership and unwavering support in establishing both the OHSMIN Research Institute and the SAMRC–UNIVEN–Mintek DHAIOH Extramural Research Unit within the Faculty. She equally recognises Professor Lindelani Mushaphi, Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning, Professor Makondele Radzilani, Deputy Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies, and Professor Ntsieni Mashau, Head of the Department of Public Health, whose collective leadership continues to strengthen teaching, research and postgraduate education within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

For Professor Zungu, these women represent something far greater than individual achievement. They represent a generation of leaders who understood that true leadership is measured not by personal success, but by the success of those they empower. They allowed another woman to stand on their shoulders until she could stand firmly on her own.

Today, Professor Zungu is committed to honouring the legacy of those who mentored her by nurturing the next generation of scientists through empowering women researchers and future leaders. She believes that investing in people through mentorship, human capital development and scientific excellence is essential to strengthening South Africa’s research capacity, advancing innovation and building resilient economies for all.

Because the true measure of leadership is not how high we rise ourselves, but how many others rise because we chose to lift them. As she often reminds her students: “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.” “A person becomes a person through other people.” Those words continue to guide her philosophy of leadership, reminding her that every success is built upon the generosity, sacrifice and encouragement of those who came before us.

Women’s Month 2026 Dedication

This Women’s Month, Professor Lindiwe Zungu dedicates this recognition to every woman in South Africa’s mining industry, those who descend beneath the earth each day with courage, resilience and determination so that our nation may continue to grow and prosper.
You are not only breaking barriers; you are helping to build healthier workplaces, stronger communities and more resilient economies. May your courage continue to inspire the science, innovation and leadership that strive to ensure every woman returns home from work healthy, safe, respected and empowered.

“When we protect the health, dignity, and leadership of women, we do far more than transform workplaces; we strengthen families, advance science, build resilient institutions, and shape stronger nations. That is how resilient economies are built.” — Professor Lindiwe Zungu.

Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811

Source: https://www.univen.ac.za/news/building-resilient-economies-begins-with-healthy-workers/

Media Statement: Department Confirms Widespread Non-Compliance With Labour Laws Governing Employment of Foreign Nationals at Universities

by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News

Parliament, Wednesday, 26 August 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has heard that universities are not fully compliant with South Africa’s labour laws when employing foreign nationals.

The committee today met with the SIU, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Higher Education and Training on the issuance of study and work permits to foreign nationals and the measures in place to ensure compliance with relevant legislation

According to statistics presented by the DEL for the professionally qualified population at universities in 2025, African senior managers accounted for 41.9 per cent and whites at 25.3 per cent. Meanwhile, Indians accounted for 10 percent, coloureds at 6.9 percent, and foreign nationals for 16 percent.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said: “We believe in internationalisation but there must be compliance with the country’s labour laws such as the Employment Services Act and the Employment Equity Act.”

Mr Letsie stressed that the engagement was not an attack on foreign academics, but rather to strengthen the post-school education and training system while there is compliance with policies governing post-school education sector.

“We will follow the correct procedures and channels to request a special proclamation through the Speaker of the National Assembly to write to the President of the country to issue a special proclamation specifically looking at the appointment of foreign nationals during the last seven-year period”.

Mr Letsie recommended that the Department of Labour must enforce compliance with South Africa’s employment laws and prosecute where it finds non-compliance with labour laws any institution in the post-school education system

On student accommodation, Mr Letsie said the committee has always supported the inclusion of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to play a role in the accreditation process. Mr Letsie said student accommodation has become a commodity and seen as a goldmine by certain unscrupulous people.

“Student accommodation is not only necessary, it is also an area in which universities play a significant role. The committee is aware that some universities claim payments for students placed in certain residences, including instances where the state pays for accommodation even when students are no longer staying there,” said Mr Letsie.

The committee also commended the Special Investigating Unit and the Public Protector for investigating allegations of maladministration, corruption and other wrongdoing at institutions within the Department of Higher Education and Training portfolio.

Lastly, Mr Letsie said there was a need for a deeper investigation into persistent problems concerning funding intended to assist students with accommodation and that the upcoming colloquium could help the sector find solutions.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Mr Jabulani Majozi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 083 358 5224
Email: jamajozi@parliament.gov.za

Source: https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/media-statement-department-confirms-widespread-non-compliance-labour-laws-governing-employment-foreign-nationals-universities

‘No misconduct or wrongdoing’ – Gems board on principal officer’s suspension

by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News

Suspended principal officer, Stan Moloabi. Picture: Linkedin/Gems

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems) has placed its principal officer, Stan Moloabi, on precautionary suspension after members expressed dissatisfaction with the refusal to lower monthly contributions.

But the medical scheme’s chair, Nomzamo Tutu, said in a media statement released on Tuesday that the two are unrelated, and that Moloabi was not suspended in connection with the scheme’s financial position, reserves or solvency.

Gems head suspended pending admin process

“The decision to place the principal officer on precautionary suspension is an interim measure that enables the appropriate internal processes to unfold with integrity and independence. It should not be construed as a finding of misconduct or wrongdoing,” she said.

She said the head of the largest medical scheme for public servants was suspended pending “the completion of an internal administrative process”.

Gems won’t elaborate

While Business Day reports that Moloabi said he cannot elaborate further on his suspension because he is prohibited from discussing the matter, Tutu did not detail what the “internal administrative process” entails.

“The board has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that the scheme’s governance processes are applied consistently, fairly and without prejudice,” said Tutu.

Chief Operating Officer, Vuyo Gqola, has been appointed acting principal officer. “The scheme continues to operate normally and remains fully committed to delivering quality healthcare benefits and services to its members and stakeholders,” said Tutu.

“Our priority remains the continued stability of the scheme, the protection of our members’ interests and adherence to the highest standards of corporate governance.”

Contribution decrease rejected

Earlier in July, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) upheld Gems’ 9.5% contribution increase, a move many were unhappy with.

“Schemes seeking to moderate contribution increases are generally those that have already attained and maintained solvency levels in excess of the prescribed minimum,” read a letter to GEMS from CMS registrar Musa Gumede.

“In this instance (GEMS) solvency remains below the statutory threshold, and the proposed reduction is therefore not considered prudent.”

The Medical Schemes Act requires schemes to maintain a solvency ratio of at least 25%. A scheme’s ratio, which is the ratio of its cumulated funds to its annualised contribution income, is considered a key measure of its financial stability.

WATCH | Ex-Bosasa workers’ seven-year long wait for outstanding pay

by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News

Former Bosasa workers march to the Master’s Office in Johannesburg, calling for answers over money they say remains outstanding years after the company entered liquidation. (Supplied)

Story audio is generated using AI

More than 4,500 former employees of Bosasa, now African Global Operations, say they’ve been left struggling for years as they wait for outstanding salaries, retrenchment benefits and other payments following the company’s liquidation in 2019.

The plight of the former employees has come under the spotlight after a high court two weeks ago ordered liqudators to submit financial records relating to Bosasa and entities linked to it, including bank statements, financial statements, trust deeds, meeting minutes, distribution records and share certificates.

The court wants those documents to examine how money, assets and distributions were handled between 2008 and 2021, including money involving the Bosasa Employees Trust and Gavin Watson Family Trust.

For the former employees, the long wait to be paid has taken a toll on them.

William Mokoena said he joined the company in 2010 as a driver at one of its mining subsidiaries and has spent years trying to find out when he’d receive money he believed he was owed.

“We went to the Master of the high court, constantly submitting and signing papers. They never told us what was going to happen; we only knew that we were supposed to get our funds,” he said.

Mokoena said it was only in 2025 that Sanlam began contacting some former employees about signing documents linked to payments. “Sanlam told us that three months after signing the papers we would get our money, but they kept wanting more documents signed,” he said.

He said some former colleagues recently received payments, although the amounts varied. “It was this past week when some colleagues in the Eastern Cape said they received some funds, which they called surplus, but some of us didn’t get it,” he said.

“Others got R1,000, another said R800 and another R2,000. Others got the money recently, and others got this money long ago.”

Mokoena said he had received about R200,000 from his provident fund and UIF when the company closed but said this had not been enough to rebuild his life. “This has completely destroyed me in my spirit because I have two kids who are [at] university… Even NSFAS is not enough,” he said.

At the time he lost his job, Mokoena had already started building a home for his late wife, who died in 2018.

The house remains unfinished. “I have 12 kids who rely on me as their breadwinner. I have to go back home to Limpopo to take care of the home. I’m old and can’t work anymore. What am I going to eat? They have my money.”

Rabelani Masindi, who worked at Bosasa’s youth detention centres, said former workers had been failed by those who should have assisted them. “We were failed by the Master of the high court, the liquidator and also the trade unions. They were there, but they failed to assist us,” he said.

Masindi said the financial strain had affected the health and wellbeing of former colleagues. “Some of our colleagues have even passed, some having [died by suicide] and no one can represent those families,” he said.

“Others are sick because of the working conditions they endured; they can’t even afford medical bills and maybe, if they had gotten their funds, they’d be able to live.”

Former workers Dumsani Mnguni and Lesedi Motshabi said they were dismissed while working in correctional facilities under risky conditions.

Mnguni said the loss of his income had affected his family. “At the moment, my woman is gone with the children. I’m staying in a shack. I can’t even afford to buy myself food.”

He said years of unemployment had left him struggling to rebuild his life. “You don’t have anything. Phones are breaking, everything is broken, guys. I’m broke. I don’t want to prolong this, but they’ve destroyed us. Those people have destroyed us from the inside.”

Mnguni said former workers spent years asking to be absorbed into the correctional services so they could earn an income and support their families.

Motshabi said losing his job forced him to sell a stand he had purchased while employed. “I had bought a stand in the township, and I was forced to sell it because I didn’t have any income. I bought the stand at R10,000, and I sold it for R20,000,” he said.

He eventually moved back to Brits in North West and spent years without stable employment. “I sat for five years at home with no job and only got something in 2023 to support my family,” he said.

Sanlam confirmed that payments were being processed for eligible members of the African Global Operations Provident Fund.

The financial services company said 187 claims were processed, with about R342,000 distributed, while 1,004 members remain eligible for about R2.1m in outstanding benefits.

Meanwhile, Jared Watson, acting on behalf of the late Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson’s estate, has disputed aspects of the liquidation process and raised concerns about the sale of company assets and about liquidators’ fees.

Source: https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-08-26-ex-bosasa-workers-seven-year-long-wait-for-outstanding-pay/

Tulbagh plant closure threatens fruit export chain

by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News

Source: Charl Herbst / Farmer’s Weekly

The proposed closure of Premier Group’s Tulbagh canning factory could disrupt an agricultural export supply chain supporting more than 200 fruit producers, transport operators and other service providers, according to trade unions opposing the move.

The unions said about 90% of the factory’s canned fruit output is exported and 424 factory jobs are at risk.

Premier Group has attributed its decision to begin a Section 189 retrenchment process at Fruit Products Western Cape to global oversupply, higher United States tariffs, uncertainty surrounding the African Growth and Opportunity Act, exchange rate pressures and consolidation in the canned fruit industry.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and other signatories have urged Premier Group to suspend the retrenchment consultations for 12-24 months while alternatives to closure are investigated.

COSATU’s Western Cape Provincial Secretary Malvern de Bruyn told Freight News, ahead of a scheduled meeting with Premier Group on August 26, the union intends to discuss the proposals in an open letter sent to the company.

The letter was signed by COSATU and its affiliate unions, Solidarity, the National Union for All Sectors and the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association. It was addressed to Premier Group Chief Executive Kobus Gertenbach, Chairperson Iaan van Heerden and shareholders, including Christo Wiese, Brait and Allan Gray.

The signatories warned that the closure would have a ripple effect across the supply chain and affect communities including Tulbagh, Saron, Gouda, Wolseley, Ceres and Hermon.

“We write for the benefit of their families and the farmers, contractors, transport operators, service providers, local businesses and thousands of workers and other people whose livelihoods depend on the economic ecosystem this factory sustains.”

They argued that the 60-day period provided for the Section 189 consultation process is insufficient to consider alternatives to closure.

“A two-year pause is not an unreasonable request in the circumstances. It would give all stakeholders real time and space, free of the threat of imminent closure, to properly determine how the factory can be saved, sold, recapitalised, repurposed or operated under a different business model.”

The signatories also referred to the Competition Tribunal’s approval of Premier Group’s merger with RFG in March 2026, which was subject to conditions concerning merger-related retrenchments.

They claimed Premier Group has not yet proved to the Competition Commission that the proposed retrenchments are unrelated to the merger.

“On the facts as they stand, Premier should not be proceeding with this process at all,” they said.

The unions argued that signalling the proposed closure before obtaining Competition Commission approval risks undermining the factory’s commercial prospects and making it more difficult to save.

According to the letter, approximately 200 to 220 fruit producers supplying the facility could be affected. The producers could be forced to remove orchards, find alternative crops and establish new production, packing and distribution arrangements, the signatories said.

“For many, your closure of the factory threatens the viability of their businesses and the livelihoods of everyone they employ. It will strike farms, transporters, contractors, input suppliers, machinery suppliers, engineering firms, service providers, retailers and other businesses across Tulbagh and all their employees and surrounding communities.”

The signatories warned that the loss of the factory’s industrial capacity could be permanent as equipment could be sold and workers’ skills and institutional knowledge lost.

Orchards could be removed, they added and noted that deciduous fruit trees typically have a lifespan of between 20 and 30 years.

The signatories called for potential investors and producers to be given time to explore ownership or investment options. They also urged government to investigate possible trade, tariff and financial support measures.

Premier Group said, on Tuesday, August 25, that it has begun consultations with affected employees and recognised representatives regarding the proposed controlled closure of the business.

“The process is currently still underway and Premier is continuing to engage with the relevant parties as part of this process. Given that these consultations have not yet concluded, it would be premature to comment on the outcome or provide any further detail at this stage,” the company said.

Source: https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/tulbagh-plant-closure-threatens-fruit-export-chain

THE BRIEF | 27 August 2026 | 12:00 PM SAST

by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News

A startling new report highlights the extreme severity of South Africa’s crime crisis, revealing that just three local metros have recorded double the murders of the entire European Union. Regionally, a key official is arrested following the catastrophic Lake Kariba ferry disaster. Globally, rescue teams are frantically searching for over 1,300 people missing in devastating flash floods on the Nepal-China border, while tech giant Meta agrees to a historic $18 billion legal settlement.

The Brief cover by TheProfiler

SOUTH AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

SA’s Three Biggest Cities Record Double the Murders of the Entire EU

A shocking new data analysis reveals the extraordinary scale of South Africa’s violent crime epidemic. The combined cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and eThekwini recorded 8,553 murders in the latest reporting period, more than double the 3,953 murders documented across the entire 27-nation European Union in 2024. While the three metros hold just 3% of the EU’s total population, Cape Town’s staggering murder rate hit 71.5 per 100,000 people, compared to the EU average of just 0.9. This lethal violence and the resulting security costs continue to severely cripple South Africa’s potential for economic growth and job creation.

Broken by: The Common Sense

Parliament Alarmed by Defence Department Corruption

The Parliamentary Defence Committee has raised severe red flags over widespread tender irregularities within the Department of Defence and Military Veterans. Lawmakers were recently briefed by the Hawks regarding 13 ongoing investigations into suspicious contracts worth hundreds of millions of rand, some of which have already been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority. One of the most glaring probes involves the alleged unlawful transfer of R40 million contributed by active-duty soldiers to the South African Army Foundation, intensifying calls for a sweeping crackdown on military corruption.

Broken by: Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG)

Premier Foods Workers Strike Over Looming Factory Closure

Industrial tensions are boiling over in the Western Cape as Cosatu rallies behind workers at Premier Foods’ fruit products plant in Tulbagh against a proposed factory closure. Employees fear the shutdown will devastate the local community, threatening an estimated 3,000 permanent and seasonal jobs. The union argues that the sudden loss of income will devastate the region’s agricultural value chain, highlighting the severe socio-economic impact of corporate restructuring in rural farming hubs.

Broken by: SACCAWU / Cosatu

AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Official Arrested for Culpable Homicide Over Lake Kariba Ferry Disaster

In a major push for accountability following Zimbabwe’s deadliest recorded maritime disaster, authorities have arrested Ignatius Chiome, a district coordinator for the Kariba Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA). Chiome has been charged with culpable homicide and remanded in custody after the RIDA-operated Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsized on August 11, killing 97 people. Investigations revealed the vessel was severely overloaded—carrying well beyond its 90-passenger authorized capacity—when it encountered rough conditions on the lake.

Broken by: The Herald / allAfrica

Guinea President Dismisses 173 Soldiers in Massive Shake-Up

Guinea’s military ruler, President Mamadi Doumbouya, has abruptly dismissed 173 military personnel over allegations of desertion. The sweeping purge includes Michel Lamah, a prominent member of the elite Special Forces unit who was highly visible during the execution of the September 2021 coup that originally brought Doumbouya to power. The move is widely viewed as a decisive effort by the president to eliminate internal dissent and consolidate his grip on the mineral-rich West African nation.

Broken by: Business Insider Africa

WORLD | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Over 1,300 Missing in Devastating Nepal-China Flash Floods

A catastrophic glacier collapse on the Nepal-China border has triggered massive flash flooding along the Trishuli River. Authorities report that over 1,300 people remain missing across both nations, while the death toll in Nepal has climbed to at least 162. The missing include hundreds of foreign tourists and pilgrims traveling to sacred Hindu sites, with authorities noting that at least four South African nationals are currently unaccounted for. The United Nations has urgently mobilized humanitarian teams and helicopters to assist the overwhelmed emergency rescue operations.

Broken by: Reuters / Daily Maverick | SABC News

Meta Agrees to Historic $18 Billion Settlement Over Social Media Addiction

In a landmark legal capitulation, tech behemoth Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle claims brought by a massive coalition of US state attorneys general. The lawsuits alleged that the company actively engineered its Facebook and Instagram apps to be addictive to children and teenagers, leading to anxiety and depression across a generation of youth. The unprecedented financial penalty marks a turning point in the global push to regulate Big Tech, forcing Meta to implement strict daily time limits and overnight access blocks for teenage users.

Source: https://theprofiler.co.za/the-brief-27-august-2026-1200-pm-sast