Finance News Update | 28 Aug 2026

General Headlines End of cash in South Africa is not happening South Africa is embracing digital payments, but cash remains central to its economy. Experts at ENSafrica highlight the South African Reserve Bank’s Cash Smart Strategy, which stresses that cash and digital payments are not replacements but complementary parts of a hybrid payment system. This approach reflects South Africa’s realities,cash is deeply tied to informal trade, rural areas, and lower-income households, where factors like access, cost, trust, infrastructure, and digital skills make it a necessity rather than a habit. The Reserve Bank’s position paper, towards a Cash Smart Society, emphasizes that cash must remain affordable, accessible, trusted, and secure, ensuring it continues to coexist with digital payments in the national system. (BusinessTech) Markets and Investments

Seriti Power Community Trust investing R50m in Mpumalanga police station The Seriti Power Community Trust has begun building a R50‑million police station in Klarinet, eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, set for completion by December 2027. It will serve Pine Ridge, Klarinet, Siyanqoba and nearby areas, improving access to policing, visibility of law enforcement, and faster crime response.The project is a partnership with the eMalahleni municipality, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The municipality is donating the land, DPWI will hold it for government, and SAPS will run the facility.Planning stages such as surveys, zoning approvals, and design submissions are complete. The trust says the station will strengthen public infrastructure and support safer communities. (EngineeringNews)

Property and Real Estates  Vukile Property Fund raises R3.65bn in oversubscribed bond auction Vukile Property Fund has successfully completed an oversubscribed auction of senior unsecured floating rate notes, attracting R3.65 billion in bids -more than 3.3 times the amount offered. The issuance was split into three tranches: R272 million for three years at 83 basis points over ZARONIA, R408 million for five years at 96 basis points, and R420 million for seven years at 119 basis points. All were priced below initial guidance, with settlement expected on 27 August 2026. In July 2026, GCR Ratings reaffirmed Vukile’s strong credit standing with AA+(ZA) long‑term and A1+(ZA) short‑term ratings, both with a Stable Outlook. The auction was arranged solely by Rand Merchant Bank, part of FirstRand Bank Limited. (PropertyWheel) Iconic Carlton Centre up for sale in South Africa – along with golf courses and shopping malls owned by the government Transnet, the state‑owned company, plans to sell 15 commercial properties it no longer sees as core assets. These include the Carlton Centre, golf courses, shopping malls, and land. Transnet bought the Carlton Centre in 1999 for R33 million; once South Africa’s tallest building at 223 metres, it was overtaken by the Leonardo in Sandton at 234 metres. Despite promises to revamp the Carlton Centre, renovations never happened. In 2023, Transnet tried to sell it for R900 million, but the deal collapsed when bidders failed to prove funding. The company then considered refurbishing it into affordable housing, but financial troubles halted the plan.Now, the Carlton Centre and other properties are being sold off as non‑core assets. The disposal will follow a strict two‑stage process, starting with a 30‑day Right of Refusal for government departments, municipalities, state‑owned companies, and other public entities to acquire, lease, or take over the properties for public use.(BusinessTech)