Morning everyone, hope you’re keeping warm because it’s a proper chilly Saturday out there.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
King Makhosonke II to get a Category 1 state funeral
We’re laying a king to rest this weekend, and the President has directed that the national flag fly at half-mast today and tomorrow. A Category 1 state funeral is the highest honour we give, normally reserved for sitting presidents, so this tells you how much weight the Ndebele monarch carried. Whatever your politics, our traditional leaders are a thread that runs through a lot of communities, and losing one is felt deeply. Spare a thought for the AmaNdebele this weekend.
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Australia joins the travel warning club
Australia is now telling its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting us. They join a growing list, and I won’t pretend it doesn’t sting a bit. The thing is, most of us live here every day and know that with a bit of common sense you’re fine, but these warnings hit tourism and the rand where it hurts. We can be annoyed about it and still admit that crime stats give them an easy excuse.
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New R2 and R5 coins coming next week
Fresh coins are entering circulation, honouring our youth, some iconic leaders, and the Constitution. The timing makes sense with Youth Day landing on Monday. I always enjoy when new coins show up, there’s something nice about getting a bit of history in your change at the Spar till. Keep an eye on your pockets, the collectors among us will be hunting these down.
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A bit of good news from America
Core inflation in the United States came in cooler than expected, and that’s quietly good for us. When American inflation behaves, it takes pressure off our rand and makes life easier for the Reserve Bank on the interest rate front. We’re so used to bad financial news that I’ll happily take a small win, even if it comes from halfway across the world.
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So here’s my question for the weekend. With another country slapping a travel warning on us, do you think they’re being fair, or are we tired of being judged on the worst headlines while the rest of the world ignores our actual day to day life? Let’s hear it.
Stay warm, wrap up, and enjoy your Saturday.
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