Finance News Update | 02 Mar 2026

General Headlines Budget 2026 | R370 SRD grant continues for another year, but value is frozen President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent state of the nation address promised continued support for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, and National Treasury has now allocated an extra R36.4 billion to fund it for another year. The grant amount remains fixed at R370, even though other welfare grants are rising in line with inflation. Originally introduced in 2020 to help poor households during the Covid-19 pandemic, the SRD now reaches 8.2 million people. From April 1, other grants will increase by about 3.6–3.7 percent: old age, disability, and care dependency grants will rise from R2,315 to R2,400; the war veterans grant from R2,335 to R2,420; the foster care grant from R1,250 to R1,295; and the child support and grant-in-aid grants from R560 to R580. Treasury expects inflation to average 3.4 percent this year, meaning these increases are slightly above inflation. (BusinessDay)

Big win for married couples in South Africa In the 2026 Budget, the National Treasury doubled the amount South Africans can send offshore without SARS involvement, raising the single discretionary allowance from R1 million to R2 million. This means individuals can transfer up to R2 million a year, and couples up to R4 million, without needing tax clearance or Reserve Bank approval. The change mainly restores the real value of the allowance, which had been eroded by inflation since its last adjustment in 2011. While this makes offshore investing easier and more efficient for residents, emigrants remain limited to a once-off R1 million allowance, creating inequality. Treasury also announced plans to close loopholes where couples stagger emigration to avoid taxes, with new rules from February 2026 restricting donation tax exemptions to transfers between resident spouses. (BusinessTech)

Markets and Investments Altron Document Solutions acquires controlling equity stake in Xtec KZN Altron Document Solutions (ADS) is buying a controlling stake in Xtec KZN, a move that strengthens ADS’s presence in KwaZulu-Natal and boosts its service capacity across South Africa. ADS managing director Yolanden Moodley described the deal as a major milestone, highlighting Xtec’s strong reputation, skilled team, and deep local knowledge. She said the partnership will allow ADS to deliver a wider range of competitive solutions while maintaining service excellence and customer focus. Customers will benefit from access to ADS’s broader portfolio of document management, print, and digital transformation services, stronger technical support, and continuity of service, as the Xtec team will remain in place. To ensure a smooth transition, Xtec’s leadership will stay on in the short term. Xtec MD Cassim Khan welcomed the acquisition, saying it provides greater resources, a wider solutions offering, and the backing of a respected technology group—an outcome he believes is positive for the team, customers, and the KwaZulu-Natal business community.(Engineering News) Property and Real Estates Even homeowners in default of their mortgage loans have rights, says court The Johannesburg High Court has ruled that lenders cannot automatically sell a borrower’s home when they default on a mortgage. Judge Seena Yacoob dismissed an application by Changing Tides, part of SA Home Loans, against homeowner Itumeleng Tsapi, saying the company failed to provide essential information about his financial situation and payment history. The judgment stressed that courts must consider factors such as how the debt was incurred, repayment attempts, and the debtor’s circumstances before declaring a property executable. Consumer legal advisor Leonard Benjamin noted that many borrowers wrongly assume they have no defence when taken to court. He explained that Rule 46A allows consumers to present their circumstances, and if it would be unjust to order a sale, the court may refuse. The ruling reinforces that homeowners in default still have rights and should not give up without challenging lenders in court. (Moneyweb) Growthpoint, Tricolt turn soil on Olympus residential towers Growthpoint Properties and Tricolt Group have begun construction on Olympus, a 81,200 m² mixed-use development in Sandton’s Summit district. The project features two towers, Athena (24 storeys) and Apollo (20 storeys), with 527 luxury apartments—already 85% sold—plus a boutique Marble Group hotel, restaurant, sky bar, leisure facilities, and landscaped sky gardens. Sales have exceeded R1.4 billion since its launch, showing strong demand for walkable mixed-use precincts.Located near Sandton City and the Gautrain station, Olympus is set to be completed by February 2028. Construction involves major earthworks and large volumes of concrete, glass, and brickwork. Due to high demand, both towers are being built simultaneously. Designed by dh

k Architects, Saville Row Interiors, and Clark Hopkins Clark, with Barrow Construction as the main contractor, apartments start at R1.5 million, including a R45 million penthouse among the first units sold. (Engineering News)