Jobs at Risk, Housing Under Strain — but a Glimmer of Hope Emerges
It’s a tough moment on several fronts. Sappi Limited says its Ngodwana Mill is under threat from cheap imports and is asking the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa for help to protect jobs.
At the same time, thousands in cities like eThekwini and Johannesburg are still relying on hostels and CRUs as housing pressures continue.
But there’s a lighter note, too —one man’s journey from personal struggle to building a men’s support community offers others a way forward.
Markets show gains in resources and telecommunications
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index closed 0.31% higher at 110,805 on Tuesday after a day of fluctuating trade, moving between 109,300 and 111,001 during the session. Year-to-date, the index is up 3.53%, while it is down 3.88% over the past week and 11.75% over three months.
Gains were led by resources and telecommunications stocks. Sasol increased 3.92% to R216.63, Thungela Resources rose 3.09% to R167.00, platinum advanced 2.15% to $1,903.80, and palladium fell to $1,430, down 0.14% from the previous day. Gold rose slightly to $4,417 an ounce.
Telkom rose 4.10% to R62.65, MTN Group increased 3.23% to R199.05, and Vodacom gained 3.14% to R147.31, with the telecommunications sector advancing 3.23% overall.
In the industrial space, Tiger Brands climbed 3.85% to R295.36, Netcare rose 3.24% to R16.56, and Premier Group led major shares with a gain of 5.48% to R178.79.
On the downside, Bytes Technology Group recorded the steepest decline among top 100 stocks, falling 15.38% to R58.50, while Prosus decreased 2.28% to R783.50 and Naspers declined 2.27% to R865.93.
Retail counters Pick n Pay, Spar, and Pepkor closed lower, with decreases of 2.90%, 3.09%, and 2.08%, respectively.
Market activity was concentrated in mining and telecommunications stocks, with AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, MTN Group, and Sasol among the most traded by value.
Other indices on the JSE showed mixed performance, with the Top 40 Tradeable Index rising 0.26%, Industrial 25 up 0.11%, Financial 15 down 0.14%, Mid Cap up 0.89%, and the SA Property Index increasing 0.41%.
Sappi Ngodwana Mill seeks tariff protection amid low-priced imports
Sappi, a multinational paper and pulp producer, has applied to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa for a 5% tariff on imported newsprint. “With global overcapacity and increasing low-priced imports, Sappi’s newsprint facility has faced persistent financial losses,” the company said.
“Without the requested tariff intervention, the continued viability of South African newsprint manufacturing is at significant risk.”
The Ngodwana Mill is a major employer and contributor to the local economy, supporting approximately 1,100 direct jobs and contributing an estimated R5.8 billion annually. The mill produces paper pulp, newsprint, containerboard, and dissolving wood pulp used in textiles.
Since launching its Project GoCell initiative in 2013, it has entered international markets for dissolving pulp. The mill also generates renewable energy from biomass, producing steam and electricity for the national grid, enough to support around 20,000 households. Approximately 180 people are employed in energy operations at the mill.
Sappi has invested in community programmes that train residents in construction and building skills, equipping over 800 people.
Trainees participate in annual maintenance shutdowns and smaller local projects, generating additional economic activity. Sappi argued that without tariff protection, low-priced imports will further erode the competitiveness of South African newsprint, threatening the mill’s operations and the local community’s livelihoods.
The company emphasised that the mill’s continued operation is critical for employment and the national economy.
Thousands rely on hostels and CRUs across major metros
In eThekwini, approximately 80,000 people live in hostels and CRUs, according to municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana. She says these facilities remain central to the city’s housing landscape, supporting residents who contribute to local social and economic activity.
In Gauteng, the City of Johannesburg reports that around 50,000 people currently live in hostels, while the City of Tshwane estimates that in 2022, around 25 0000 residents.
Tshwane notes that figures remain fluid due to overcrowding, informal occupation, and ongoing structural changes, with areas such as Mamelodi hosting particularly high numbers.
Municipalities view hostels as a potential solution to urban housing pressures, particularly as transitional accommodation for low-income households and job seekers. Plans to redevelop these spaces into mixed-use areas, combining residential, commercial, and recreational functions, are seen as key to supporting sustainable urban growth.
However, challenges remain. Many facilities require ongoing maintenance and upgrades, while high demand and population density continue to strain resources. In eThekwini, authorities say efforts are underway to improve sustainability through better revenue collection, maintenance planning, and closer collaboration with residents.
Over the past decade, eThekwini has also been converting traditional hostels into CRUs in line with national policy, aiming to modernise living conditions and better integrate these communities into surrounding areas.
The municipality says it is now working to standardise service delivery across all hostels and CRUs, including improving coordination between departments and establishing community committees to strengthen accountability and participation.
Veteran Turns Personal Struggle into Men’s Mental Health Movement
Fleming, who served in Iraq before moving to South Africa more than a decade ago, built a career documenting the country and running off-road motorcycle experiences. Despite this, he faced a period of severe emotional distress, describing it as a “dark place” where he felt overwhelmed and lost hope.
He revealed that he once attempted to take his own life but stopped in a critical moment he cannot fully explain, calling it a second chance. That experience became the catalyst for change, prompting him to begin rebuilding his life gradually and to seek healthier ways of coping.
Out of this journey, Fleming founded Recharge, a men’s mental health walking community designed to create safe, informal spaces for connection. The initiative encourages men to walk together, offering support through conversation or simply shared presence.
Now focused on community-building, he uses storytelling and outdoor experiences to promote mental well-being, crediting South Africa as central to both his personal recovery and his sense of purpose.
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