Black-owned businesses need more than ownership opportunities: they need fair access to finance, markets and contracts. Government, banks and large companies must help create conditions for sustainable growth and job creation.

Temporary fuel-levy relief will ease pressure on households, but South Africa’s local elections should also focus voters’ attention on municipal services, business conditions and the urgent need for job creation, writes Armstrong Williams.

Several Johannesburg suburbs will lose electricity between Monday and Thursday this week while City Power carries out planned maintenance. According to general manager Isaac Mangena, outages will run from 8am or 9am until 4pm or 5pm on each affected day. Which areas will lose power this week Monday’s work is already scheduled for 9am to 5pm at the Fontainebleau Switching Station in the Randburg service delivery centre. President Ridge, Ferndale, and the Ferndale on Republic mall will be affected. “City Power would like to notify affected customers of essential maintenance work scheduled to take place this week,” Mangena stated. On Tuesday, power will go off from 9am to 5pm in two places. The Ethor Johnson Switching Station will affect Johnson and Johnson Medical Road and Randjespark. The Rosebank Substation will affect Ashford Road, Cradock Avenue, 4th Avenue, Bath Avenue, and Bolton Road. Wednesday’s outages will run from 8am to 4pm in the Lenasia area. The Nancefield Substation will affect Slovo Park, Klipspruit West, Bushkoppies Estate, and several Eldorado Park extensions. The Goldev Switching Station will cover Freedom Park, Siyaya, Galaxy Avenue, Neptune Road, Telescope Road and Process Road. Thursday will bring the largest outage. The Westfield Substation will cut power from 9am to 5pm to Greenstone Hill and its extensions, Blackrock, Thornhill Valley, Founders Hill and the Greenstone shopping centres, among other areas. Kibler Park will also lose power from 8am to 4pm because of work at the Eikenhof Substation. “The planned interruption forms part of the utility’s ongoing programme to strengthen, maintain and improve the reliability and stability of the electricity network,” Mangena explained. Why the maintenance is necessary City Power said the work will keep older equipment in working order and lower the chance of sudden breakdowns. Crews will also look for faulty parts that need replacing. “Planned maintenance is critical in ensuring that ageing infrastructure is serviced, faulty equipment is identified and replaced, and the risk of unplanned outages is reduced,” City Power noted. The utility said the work also prepares the grid for periods of higher electricity demand. Cold weather in winter is one example. “These activities also help protect the network during periods of increased demand, particularly during the winter season when colder weather places additional pressure on electricity infrastructure,” the utility added. How to stay safe during the power cuts City Power urged residents to be careful while work is underway. It said supply could return sooner than the times listed. “Customers are advised to treat all electrical supply points as live at all times during the interruption period, as power supply may be restored earlier than anticipated,” City Power warned. Residents should also protect their devices. A sudden return of power can damage appliances that are still plugged in. “Customers are also encouraged to unplug appliances during the outage to avoid possible damage when electricity supply is restored,” the utility advised.

Gauteng residents will continue to face load reduction this week, according to the official schedule from Eskom. Outages run from 5am to 9am and from 5pm to 10pm. Residents should check their block before planning their day. Monday and Tuesday outage times On Monday, Block A is scheduled for the morning slot. This block covers Garankuwa, Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge, Duduza, and Protea City. Block H follows from 5pm to 10pm and includes Vereeniging, Sharpeville, Evaton, Sebokeng, and Etwatwa. On Tuesday, Block J and Block F will lose power from 5am to 9am. Block J covers Orange Farm, Tshepiso, Lakeside, De Deur, and Klipview. Block F includes Diepkloof, Orlando East, Soweto, Nomzamo, and Mocoseng. Block I will be cut in the evening, affecting Vosloorus, Katlehong South, Magagula Heights, Radebe, and Zonkizizwe. Wednesday and Thursday outage times On Wednesday 28 October, Block C will face the morning slot. This block covers Kopanong, Mabopane, Dobsonville, Tladi, and Emdeni. Block D will follow in the evening, covering Moroka, Klipspruit, Kagiso, Khutsong, and Tsakane. On Thursday 29 October, Block G will lose power from 5am to 9am. It includes Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Soshanguve South, Cullinan, and Ekangala. Block B and Block J will be cut from 5pm to 10pm. Block B covers Dube, Meadowlands, Diepsloot, Cosmo City, and Slovoville. Friday and Saturday outage times On Friday 30 October, Block H will be off in the morning and Block I in the evening. The week will close on Saturday 31 October. Block F will lose power from 5am to 9am. Block J and Block G will follow from 5pm to 10pm. Tap below to see if your area is affected: Load-reduction-schedule-GAUTENG-OCTOBER-2026Download

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef has identified an area of concern in Mduduzi Shabalala’s game, pointing to decision-making and player development as key issues affecting the midfielder. The 22-year-old has struggled in front of goal this season despite being presented with several opportunities to find the back of the net. Shabalala endured a frustrating outing against Red Arrows in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, missing two golden opportunities that could have helped Amakhosi secure a place in the group stages. Ben Youssef, who coached Shabalala at Kaizer Chiefs, believes that while talent is important, a player’s mindset, understanding of the game and ability to make the right decisions are equally crucial. “I think talent is important in football, but for me, the most important thing is the mindset. Also, if you understand football, you will know how to run and where to run. You will know what to do when you receive the ball,” he told SoccerBeat. “Like you said about Shabalala, one-v-one, what decision do you have to make and how do you finish the situation?” Mdu has been missing a lot of chances for Kaizer Chiefs The Tunisian coach pointed out that Shabalala’s struggles in front of goal are not new, recalling a similar situation last season in the Carling Knockout Cup match against Stellenbosch FC. “You remember last season, we had the same problem with Shabalala. It was in the Carling Cup game against Stellenbosch. He found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and missed both chances,” Ben Youssef said. For the former Chiefs coach, Shabalala’s struggles reflect a broader concern about the development of South African footballers. “For me, the big problem in South Africa is the development of the player,” he added. Shabalala has scored twice for Kaizer Chiefs this season, and improving his decision-making and composure in front of goal will be important if he is to become more consistent in the final third. Do you agree with Ben Youssef?

Following last weekend’s action, CAF has swiftly announced the draw dates for the Champions League and Confederation Cup. It has been confirmed the event will be held in will Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, 28 October. Orlando Pirates and Durban City will be South Africa’s only two representatives. ORLANDO PIRATES AWAIT CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW The CAF Champions League draw has been scheduled for 15:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT). The Confederation Cup draw will take place earlier at 14:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT). South African football will be pinning its hopes on Orlando Pirates after Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a shock exit during the qualifying rounds. The Buccaneers secured their place in the group stages after overcoming Namibia’s African Stars, earning a place among the 16 clubs still chasing Africa’s biggest club prize. For a possible championship, the Soweto giants have to get past some strong contenders such as Egyptian giants Pyramids FC and Zamalek, as well as Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis and Morocco’s RS Berkane. The Soweto giants will hope to make a strong impression on their return to the group stages and compete for a place in the knockout rounds. CAF CONFEDERATION CUP DRAW Attention will also turn to the CAF Confederation Cup, where the qualified teams will learn their group-stage opponents. Eric Tinkler’s Durban City qualified for the group stages after getting past Mauritia’s AS Port-Louis 2000. The draw will give the remaining clubs a clearer picture of the challenge ahead as they pursue continental honours. South African interest in the competition will depend on the final list of qualified teams. With both draws taking place in Cairo on the same day, Wednesday promises to be an important date for African club football. For Pirates, the immediate focus will be on finding out their opponents and preparing for the group-stage campaign. The Buccaneers will be hoping the draw gives them a favourable route as they look to make their mark in Africa. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM PIRATES AND CITY? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

Paris Mashile led Icasa's fight to cut mobile termination rates, and admitted when the regulator fell short.

Hisense is celebrating 30 years in South Africa with R500 vouchers on qualifying purchases until 2 November.