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Warning of Possible Financial Pressure on Cape Town Property Owners

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is concerned that many Cape Town residents and property owners may not have learnt of the City of Cape Town’s proposed Short-term Letting By-law in time. The public had until 5 October 2026 to make submissions. The proposed By-law could have financial consequences for property owners who rent out […]

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MPC Rate Hike Intensifies Existing Affordability Pressures on South African Households

Location: Business

TransUnion South Africa says today's decision by the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to increase interest rates by 25 basis points reflects ongoing concern around inflation risks and inflation expectations. However, the increase comes at a time when many households remain under significant affordability pressure.

The 25-basis-point increase adds to a range of affordability pressures that have steadily eroded purchasing power throughout 2026. While inflation has moderated, many households have yet to experience meaningful relief in their monthly finances.

According to the South African Reserve Bank's June 2026 Quarterly Bulletin, household debt-to-disposable income increased from 61.8% in Q4 2025 to 62.2% in Q1 2026, while debt-service costs remained elevated at 8.4% of disposable income.

Statistics South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey reported that unemployment increased to 33.6% in Q2 2026, while youth unemployment reached 47.4%, highlighting the continued pressure on income growth and household resilience.

According to TransUnion's Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Study, consumers continue to adapt to financial pressure through behaviourial changes. 52.7% of consumers have reduced discretionary spending, 63.4% actively seek discounts and promotions, 44.2% shop at lower-cost retailers, 38.8% expect difficulty paying future bills and loans, while a proportion are drawing down savings and increasingly relying on credit products and flexible payment solutions to manage daily expenses

"Consumers have demonstrated remarkable resilience, but affordability remains fragile and increasingly sensitive to further cost increases. Today's rate increase adds pressure to households already facing elevated fuel costs, transport expenses and ongoing affordability challenges,” says Lee Naik, chief executive officer and regional president, TransUnion Africa. “Consumers are not facing a new problem, but a deepening of pressures that already exist”

TransUnion notes that affordability pressures have intensified through much of 2026. High unemployment continues to constrain household income growth and weaken financial resilience, contributing to cautious spending behaviour and increased demand for credit.

What the Decision Means for Consumers

A 25-basis point increase is expected to raise monthly repayments on a R1 million home loan by approximately R160 to R170 per month, while repayments on a R2 million home loan could increase by around R320 to R340 per month. A consumer financing a R400,000 vehicle could see repayments increase by approximately R65 per month.

Although relatively modest in isolation, these additional costs arrive at a time when households are already contending with high living expenses and tighter budgets.

TransUnion expects consumers to respond by reducing discretionary spending, reassessing household budgets and delaying major purchases, prioritising debt obligations and essential expenses. Demand for flexible credit solutions and financial management tools may also increase as households seek to preserve cash flow.

While vehicle finance and mortgage repayment performance have remained relatively resilient, TransUnion cautions that additional monetary tightening could place renewed pressure on repayment performance, particularly within unsecured lending segments where delinquency rates remain elevated.

"South Africans have shown remarkable resilience, but affordability remains fragile. The increase reinforces the need for consumers to proactively manage debt, preserve liquidity and maintain healthy credit profiles," says Naik.

Looking Ahead

TransUnion expects affordability to remain a defining issue for consumers through the remainder of 2026. Elevated fuel and transport costs, weak economic growth, rising unemployment and pressure on household budgets are expected to continue shaping consumer spending and borrowing behaviour.

Statistics South Africa reported that GDP contracted by 0.2% in Q2 2026, while the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index fell to its lowest level since 2024, reflecting continued pressure on economic activity, employment growth and consumer confidence.

The key risk for households is not any single affordability shock, but the cumulative impact of multiple pressures occurring simultaneously, including fuel inflation, constrained income growth, elevated unemployment and increasing reliance on credit to manage day-to-day expenses.

"Whether rates remain unchanged or increase, the reality for many households remains the same: consumers are focused on preserving cash flow, protecting repayment performance and managing essential expenses in a challenging economic environment," says Naik. "Affordability will continue to shape how South Africans spend, save and borrow in the months ahead."

Read moreMPC Rate Hike Intensifies Existing Affordability Pressures on South African Households

North West Mayoral Candidates

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in North West today officially announced the party’s mayoral candidates for the upcoming local government elections in the province. The candidates were nominated after a comprehensive selection and election process. During this process, prospective candidates were, among other things, assessed based on their skills, qualifications, community involvement and experience […]

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TransUnion Botswana Launches Three New Intelligence Solutions to Help Advance Smarter Lending and Financial Inclusion

Location: Business
  • Following the recent licensing process, TransUnion is reaffirming its commitment to Botswana through investment in enhanced data capabilities and the launch of three new intelligence solutions
  • An enhanced and enriched dataset gives lenders a more comprehensive view of borrower behaviour and payment performance
  • New analytical solutions are designed to help financial institutions make better lending decisions, improve risk management and unlock greater economic participation.

TransUnion Botswana announces the launch of three new intelligence solutions designed to help financial institutions make smarter lending decisions, strengthen risk management and responsibly expand access to credit. Supported by an enhanced dataset that provides a richer view of consumer payment behaviour, the new solutions will help lenders unlock greater economic participation while supporting sustainable growth across Botswana's financial sector.

Following the recent licensing process, TransUnion is continuing to invest in Botswana's financial ecosystem through enhanced data capabilities, advanced analytics and new solutions designed to support lenders and consumers alike.

"The launch of these three new solutions represents an important investment in Botswana's financial future," says Kabelo Ramaselwana, chief executive officer, TransUnion Botswana. "Financial institutions need deeper insights and stronger analytics to support responsible growth. By combining richer data with advanced intelligence solutions, we are helping lenders make better decisions, expand access to credit and support greater economic opportunity."

New Intelligence Solutions for a New Credit Environment

TransUnion is introducing three new capabilities designed to help Botswana's financial institutions grow responsibly, improve decision-making and unlock new opportunities.

  • Industry Scores use sector-specific predictive models to help lenders assess thin-file and credit-invisible consumers with greater confidence.
  • Collections Solutions enable smarter, data-driven collections strategies that improve recoveries while reducing operational costs.
  • Business Intelligence Reports provide market and portfolio benchmarking insights, helping organisations understand performance, identify growth opportunities and make more informed strategic decisions.

Together, these three solutions equip organisations with the intelligence needed to expand access to credit, strengthen risk management and drive sustainable growth.

Enhanced Data for Better Lending Decisions

These solutions are underpinned by an enhanced dataset that brings together broader payment and credit information to provide a more complete view of consumer payment behaviour and credit obligations. By reducing fragmented views of borrowers, financial institutions can make more informed decisions across the credit lifecycle, from origination and portfolio management to collections.

For lenders, access to richer information means decisions can increasingly be based on a broader understanding of borrower behaviour, helping institutions identify opportunities while maintaining sound risk management practices.

Unlocking Access to Credit and Economic Growth

Botswana's financial sector is entering a period of significant transition. While the country remains one of Africa's most financially included markets, lenders face increasing pressure to balance growth, affordability and risk amid changing consumer credit profiles, rising living costs and broader economic pressures.

At the same time, significant opportunities remain to broaden access to credit. Although around 72% of adults have access to a bank account or mobile money service, a large share of the population remains outside the formal credit system. As a result, lenders often struggle to assess creditworthiness using traditional risk models, limiting borrowing opportunities for consumers and small businesses.

TransUnion analysis indicates that richer data and enhanced scoring models could increase loan approvals by 4% to 6% annually while maintaining credit quality, potentially unlocking up to P5 billion in additional lending across the market. Enhanced collection capabilities have also demonstrated a 38% increase in visibility and a 40% improvement in collections yield, helping institutions strengthen portfolio performance and support sustainable economic growth.

Supporting Consumer and Business Growth

The opportunity extends beyond personal credit. Botswana's MSME sector employs approximately 175,000 people and generates an estimated P14 billion in annual turnover, yet many businesses continue to rely on manual record-keeping, making it more difficult to demonstrate creditworthiness and access finance. Enhanced commercial credit information and business analytics can help financial institutions better assess these businesses and support their growth through improved access to funding.

As financial institutions navigate an increasingly complex environment, access to deeper market intelligence is becoming increasingly important. TransUnion's Business Intelligence capabilities are designed to help organisations understand portfolio performance trends, monitor market developments and identify emerging opportunities, enabling more informed strategic decision-making.

Investing in Botswana Financial Future

TransUnion remains committed to supporting Botswana's evolving financial sector through ongoing investment in data, analytics and innovation. By combining global capabilities with local market expertise, the company aims to help lenders serve consumers and businesses more effectively while supporting broader economic growth.

"Growth and risk discipline are no longer opposing objectives," says Ramaselwana. "More complete information allows institutions to identify and serve the right consumers and businesses with greater confidence. That is good for lenders, good for consumers and ultimately good for Botswana's economy."

Read moreTransUnion Botswana Launches Three New Intelligence Solutions to Help Advance Smarter Lending and Financial Inclusion

North West Premier Should Take Responsibility for Province’s Medicine Shortage

Location: News

It is an absolute disgrace that North West residents have not had access to proper healthcare for years, owing to constant medicine shortages at hospitals and clinics across this ANC-governed province. The North West Department of Health is characterised by institutional decay, corruption and mismanagement, despite interventions by the national government. The department was under […]

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NSBC AFRICA AND TRANSUNION AFRICA LAUNCHES ACCESS TO FINANCE™ TO HELP SMEs ACCESS RELEVANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Location: Business

National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) Africa and TransUnion Africa today officially launched Access to Finance™, a national Small Medium Enterprise (SME) funding initiative created and powered by NSBC Africa to help South African SMEs better understand their funding requirements and connect qualifying businesses with participating funders aligned to their funding needs.

Mike Anderson, Founder & CEO of NSBC Africa launched Access to Finance™ at the opening of The Business Show: Africa 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, where thousands of entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, funders, leading brands and business decision makers are gathering for two days of business growth and opportunity.

Access to Finance™ forms part of NSBC Africa’s broader national business growth ecosystem and its longstanding mission to help entrepreneurs and SMEs access the opportunities, resources, funding and connections they need to build sustainable and successful businesses.

At its core, the initiative seeks to address one of the most persistent challenges facing South African entrepreneurs and growing businesses: accessing the right finance, at the right stage, from the right funding provider. For many SMEs, the funding landscape can be complex and difficult to navigate. Businesses may not know whether they are funding-ready, what type of finance best suits their needs or which funding providers are most relevant to their circumstances.

FUNDING. FAST. SIMPLE.

Through a structured digital journey, Access to Finance™ helps SMEs better understand their funding requirements and, where qualifying criteria are met, connects them with participating funders whose solutions are aligned to their business and funding needs. The goal is to create a simpler pathway to business finance, while supporting greater participation by qualified SMEs within the broader finance ecosystem.

Rather than simply providing businesses with a list of funders, Access to Finance™ is designed to improve alignment between SME funding needs and appropriate funding opportunities, helping entrepreneurs take a more informed and targeted approach to accessing finance.

TransUnion is the exclusive Credit Bureau Partner to Access to Finance™, working alongside NSBC Africa in support of the shared vision of strengthening SME participation within South Africa’s finance ecosystem.

CREATING GREATER VISIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY

A central part of the Access to Finance™ vision is improving the connection between South African SMEs and the organisations that finance business growth. By helping businesses better understand their readiness for finance, before engaging participating funders, the initiative aims to create a more efficient journey for both SMEs and funding providers.

Speaking at the official opening of The Business Show: Africa and the launch of Access to Finance™, Lee Naik, CEO & Regional President of TransUnion Africa, addressed the importance of strengthening the environment in which South African SMEs can better understand their financial position, become more visible within the finance ecosystem and connect with appropriate opportunities for growth.

“Small businesses are one of South Africa’s most important engines of growth and job creation, yet too many still struggle to access the funding they need to start, sustain and scale their operations.  At TransUnion Africa, we see data visibility and access to information as powerful enablers of financial inclusion and business growth.  By helping businesses establish a stronger, more transparent financial profiles, we can support lenders in making more informed decisions and expand access to credit for viable enterprises,” says Naik.

A NEW ERA OF ACCESS TO FINANCE

According to Anderson, improving the connection between SMEs and appropriate finance has the potential to unlock significant business growth.  “South Africa does not lack entrepreneurial ambition. What many businesses lack is a simpler, more effective way to navigate the funding landscape and connect with the right finance opportunities.

Access to Finance™ has been created to help change that. We want to make the journey smarter, simpler and more connected, helping funding-ready SMEs get closer to the finance they need to grow. When more viable businesses can access appropriate funding, they can invest, expand, create jobs and build stronger, more sustainable businesses. That is the bigger vision behind Access to Finance™.”

CREATED AND POWERED BY NSBC AFRICA

Access to Finance™ is created and powered by NSBC Africa, a non-profit organisation that has championed entrepreneurship and SME growth for more than 18 years. Through its national ecosystem of initiatives, platforms, partnerships and events, NSBC Africa works to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with the opportunities, knowledge, solutions, funding and connections they need to build sustainable and successful businesses.

Adds Naik, “We are proud to partner with NSBC Africa on Access to Finance™ and see this as an important platform for connecting entrepreneurs with funding opportunities and help them realise their growth potential.”

The initiative represents an important next step in that mission, bringing together NSBC Africa’s SME ecosystem, technology, partnerships and funding relationships to create a smarter and more connected pathway between entrepreneurs seeking finance and participating funding providers.

The vision is clear: help more SMEs become finance-ready, connect with relevant funding opportunities and take the meaningful steps towards sustainable business growth.

Read moreNSBC AFRICA AND TRANSUNION AFRICA LAUNCHES ACCESS TO FINANCE™ TO HELP SMEs ACCESS RELEVANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Eskom Power Outage Leaves Oudtshoorn and Surrounds in the Dark

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is concerned about the ongoing power outage that has been affecting Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp and the surrounding rural areas for four consecutive days. The power supply was interrupted on Saturday morning, 15 August, at 03:00 after damage to Eskom’s infrastructure. Even though several notices were issued detailing times of when […]

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Intended Closure of Tulbagh Canning Factory

Location: News

Prompted by concern over the intended closure of Premier Foods’ Fruits Products Western Cape (FPWC) plant in Tulbagh, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) initiated talks aimed at saving the facility. This enterprise previously belonged to the Rhodes Food Group, but was acquired by Premier earlier this year and has since been trading as FPWC. […]

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Emalahleni Residents Stranded Without Water and Power While Tariffs and Debt Keep Climbing

Location: News

The residents of the Emalahleni Local Municipality are affected by water and power outages on a daily basis, while tariffs keep climbing and the Municipality’s financial position keeps declining. The Municipality issues no proactive notifications of service disruptions. Residents are left in the dark – literally and figuratively – unable to plan their daily lives, […]

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TransUnion Appoints Yolande Chirwa as Chief Human Resources Officer for Africa

Location: Business

TransUnion, a global information and insights company, announces the appointment of Yolande Chirwa as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Vice President for its Africa operations which include both TransUnion Africa and its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Africa. In her new role, she will lead TransUnion’s human capital strategy across the region, focusing on strengthening organisational capability, advancing talent development and fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture aligned with the company’s long-term growth ambitions.

Yolande joins TransUnion with more than 20 years of pan-African leadership experience across regulated, high-growth and transformation-driven environments. She most recently served as Vice President and Head of HR Africa at Cipla Pharmaceuticals, where she led the people strategy across multiple markets, driving organisational transformation, strengthening succession planning and regional integration initiatives.

Her previous leadership roles at BetKing, AB InBev and SABMiller Africa saw her play a pivotal role in shaping workforce strategies, building talent pipelines and supporting business expansion, including greenfield operations and market entry initiatives. Known for her ability to align people strategies with broader business priorities, she has helped organisations achieve ‘Top Employer’ and ‘Great Place to Work’ certifications.

“Yolande’s appointment comes at an important time as we continue to strengthen our organisation to deliver on our vision for Africa,” said Lee Naik, regional president and chief executive officer of TransUnion Africa.

“Her deep experience across diverse markets, combined with her proven ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes, will be instrumental as we scale our talent, capabilities and culture across both our Africa operations and Global Capability Centre. As we expand access to information and unlock greater economic opportunity, our people remain at the heart of our success and central to delivering on our commitment.”

“We are excited to welcome Yolande to TransUnion. Her proven track record of building high-performing teams and leading transformation across Africa will be invaluable as we continue to grow our talent and capabilities across both GCCA and TransUnion Africa. I look forward to partnering with her to further strengthen our people-first culture,” said Shobana Maikoo, Head of Global Capability Centre Africa.

“I am honoured to join TransUnion at such a pivotal time in its journey across Africa,” said Yolande Chirwa. “TransUnion’s purpose of expanding access to information and insights to create economic opportunity resonates deeply with me. I look forward to partnering with our leadership teams to strengthen organisational capability, grow and develop our talent, and continue to build an inclusive, high-performance culture that enables our people and our business to thrive. Together, we will continue to position TransUnion as an employer of choice and a catalyst for sustainable growth across the region.”

Yolande will prioritise enabling effective change and transformation leadership across the business, ensuring teams are equipped to navigate an evolving and increasing digital landscape. In addition, Yolande will focus on optimising total rewards and the employee value proposition to attract and retain top talent, while elevating the HR function as a strategic business partner, leveraging data-driven insights to align people strategy with commercial objectives. Through this, she will play a critical role in building a resilient, agile and future-ready workforce positioned to support TransUnion Africa’s next phase of growth.

Yolande holds a Master’s degree in Organisational Development and Leadership and is widely regarded for her strategic, empathetic and commercially astute approach to leadership.

Read moreTransUnion Appoints Yolande Chirwa as Chief Human Resources Officer for Africa

Free State Municipalities Pay the Price for Years of Squandering

Location: News

The decision by the National Treasury (NT) to withhold funding from 16 of the Free State’s 19 municipalities is to the detriment of residents who are already plagued by poor service delivery. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) advocates for stringent financial discipline, but wants to emphasise that such discipline means very little when officials […]

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Gauteng Is in the Midst of a Financial and Economic Crisis

Location: News

Gauteng finds itself in the middle of a serious financial and economic crisis. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) issued this warning yesterday during the debate on the Gauteng Treasury’s 2026/27 budget. This crisis is reflected in the province’s rising unemployment rate. By contrast, Elon Musk’s SpaceX was listed last Friday in what became the […]

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