Gold hits record highs, the rand shows resilience, and SA farmers face a potato price crunch – here’s what you missed on Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi.
Sinenjabulo Sibeko
This week on Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi, the show reflected on record highs, hard landings, and sharp turns in South Africa’s economy.
Gold smashed through the $4000 mark for the first time in history, fuelled by global uncertainty, record central bank buying, and investors fleeing volatile markets. Meanwhile, the rand continues its quiet comeback, having started 2025 at R18.82 to the dollar and now hovering around R17.21, showing unexpected resilience amid a tough global cycle.
But while miners and exporters celebrate, farmers are feeling the pain. South Africa’s potato industry is in crisis, with prices plunging far below production costs after an oversupply from favourable weather and expanded plantings. And in corporate South Africa, the Barloworld takeover saga continues to deliver high-stakes lessons in dealmaking.
Here are this week’s standout stories:
1. CAREERS CORNER – The Parental Leave Ruling That’s Redefining the Workplace
Guest: Leila Moosa – Senior Associate, Employment Practice, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
The Constitutional Court’s landmark Van Wyk and Others v Minister of Employment and Labour ruling has redrawn the parental leave landscape. All parents, regardless of gender or birth status now qualify for four months and ten days of parental leave.
Leila Moosa told Kaya Biz that the ruling imposes clear responsibilities: employers must update HR policies, while employees must give clear written notice of their plans.
“It’s important that both sides maintain open communication this is not just a legal change, but a cultural one,” she said
2. Gold surges past $4000 an ounce.
Guest: Vuyiswa Khutlang – Mine Project Leader, PwC South Africa
Gold has hit $4000 an ounce, setting a new global benchmark and rewriting South Africa’s mining outlook. PwC’s Vuyiswa Khutlang says the surge has turned once-marginal shafts profitable again.
“With these high gold prices, even older, costlier mines are back in play this gives South Africa’s gold sector a longer runway.”
3. EXPLAINER – The R23 Billion Lesson from Barloworld’s Takeover
Guest: Andrew Bahlmann – Chief Executive, Deal Leaders International
The Barloworld deal is almost done, Newco, a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group and Entsha Holdings, sealed a R23 billion acquisition after regulatory approval.
But a last-minute dispute over share price adjustments has turned the transaction into a masterclass in deal diligence. The Takeover Regulation Panel ruled that shareholders must receive the full R120 per share, not the reduced R118.80.
“At this level, even a R1 difference translates to hundreds of millions. It’s not just about money – it’s about trust,” Bahlmann told Kaya Biz.
Listen here:
4. SA’s potato industry hit by a price crisis.
Guest: Thabile Nkunjana – Senior Agricultural Economist, NAMC
Consumers are enjoying cheaper chips, but it’s a nightmare for farmers. Following a bumper harvest and expanded plantings, potato prices have tumbled to unsustainable levels well below production costs.
5. TECH & INNOVATION – Zulzi: The Tech Start-Up Changing South Africa’s E-Commerce Game
Guest: Vutlharhi Donald Valoyi – Founder & CEO, Zulzi
Few know that one of South Africa’s biggest retail success stories, Checkers Sixty60, is powered by Zulzi, a township-born tech start-up.
Founder Donald Valoyi shared how his platform evolved from a student delivery service to a retail-tech powerhouse working with farmers, SMEs, and even lobola logistics.
“We move fast, and we understand small businesses, Zulzi bridges the gap between township innovation and national retail,” Valoyi said.
Listen here:
