NUGGET (27 FEBRUARY 2026)

WE GETTING IT RIGHT?

Our National AI Policy Framework is coming along. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is apparently nearing completion of this framework (which was not written by ChatGPT), and their hope is to establish a human-centered AI ecosystem that fosters economic growth while also addressing socio-economic disparities. I believe it currently encompasses 12 strategic pillars, including talent development and data privacy, and is intended to pave the way for a formal AI Act that will regulate high-risk AI systems. Ill report more when available.

THE HORROR!

$7.3 trillion in global finance still flows into nature-harming activities. This is the key takeaway for me from the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, a work authored by 79 experts. How they got so many chefs into one kitchen I don’t know. But they did.

The report was launched this month and shows a dangerous imbalance in global financial flows, confirming that there is more funding which contributes to nature’s destruction than protects it. Approximately $7.3 trillion in global public and private finance each year supports activities that negatively impact nature. $4.9 trillion of that comes from the private sector – so business is the primary culprit here. Sis on us. Fossil fuels and large-scale agriculture are the primary industry culprits.

For some context, only $220 billion, or the equivalent to 3% of the harmful amount, is allocated to nature-based solutions, conservation, and restoration efforts. Other than this being very embarrassing, these facts are the reason we see many systemic issues and growing risk, increasing our chances for crop failures, resource scarcity, and intensified natural disasters.Top of Form

Until good business makes business, we will not see change. How can we make good business ethics profitable?

You can read more here: https://www.biodiversa.eu/2026/02/10/ipbes-publishes-its-business-and-biodiversity-assessment/

ANOTHER ONE IS OVER.

The State of the Nation address has come and gone. It can never be an easy script to write.

My favourite write-up summary is in the link below. What really stands out for me is the confirmation that Industry 4.0 is gone with the wind.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-13-a-sona-for-almost-all-ramaphosas-masterclass-in-political-crowdpleasing/

A BUSINESS ON THE UP!

Vumatel officially surpassed one million subscribers in February.That’s the company with the technicians that wear pink. Well done to them!

GRRRRR.

This article really ruffled my feathers, therefore I obviously had to write about it. Our labour market has faced extreme volatility in the past five years, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic challenges – which are plentiful.

We had unemployment rising from 5.2 million in 2015 to an estimated 8.4 million by mid-2025.

In 2025 losses were at 291000 in Q1, and 80000 in Q2, and we had a tiny recovery in Q3. Nearly 400000 domestic workers lost their jobs in the five years ending in 2025!

As of late 2025, the official unemployment rate was 31.9%, with an expanded rate of 42.4%, and youth unemployment remains critically high at 58.5%.

I struggle to celebrate this article which mentions the creation of 1 million jobs, because it still means we are at a net loss. A major one! To those people in that 1 million, blessings on you. Wishing you all the best.

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/more-than-a-million-jobs-created-over-the-last-5-years-ramaphosa/

ACT.

I want to again share some news on progress for our Climate Change Act, which was signed by our President in July 2024. The legislation is meant to nudge the shift toward environmental accountability, turning voluntary emission targets into a legally binding framework. So what should we be looking out for?

Legal Accountability. The new laws can impose fines and even jail time on executives for corporate violations, making leaders personally responsible for failing to meet Carbon Budgets. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to R10 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years. I wonder what the carbon footprint of a prisoner is?

The two elephants in the room: Eskom and Sasol are major contributors to emissions, so the government is under pressure to balance climate goals while addressing the national energy crisis.

It’s started already. Many don’t know that the EU is imposing taxes on ‘dirty imports’. Our industries need to comply or risk losing market access. While the laws are in place, debates on enforcement remain heated – like global warming.

Companies must start to plan to adhere to Carbon Budgets, report emissions accurately, and meet sector-specific targets by 2030. You can speak with me in this regard; it is a service I facilitate.

COULD BE SAD IN THE COMING YEARS.

One of the things I love the most while driving through KwaZulu-Natal is the sweeping cane fields. It’s sad for me to think this landscape might change in the coming few months. For those of you who didn’t hear, on the 12^th of February Tongaat Hulett Limited’s Business Rescue Practitioners filed for provisional liquidation at South Africa’s High Court. This was after the Vision Group rescue deal collapsed due to failed funding negotiations with the Industrial Development Corporation.

This situation poses huge risks to the local sugar sector and obviously threatening the livelihoods of many. One report I read said approximately 15446 small-scale farmers could suffer, we are looking at potentially 250000 job losses across KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

Tongaat produces about 27% of South Africa’s sugar. Is China going to process that for us now as well?

SINK IS EMPTY.

The Congo Basin (Africa), the Amazon Rainforest (South America), the Siberian Taiga (Russia), the Hudson Bay Lowlands (Canada), the Tongass National Forest (USA), the Southeast Asian Peat Swamps (Indonesia & Malaysia), and the Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh) are geographical powerhouses as carbon sinks.

While the Amazon has the title for fame, it’s the Congo Basin that is actually the winner. Unfortunately this might be changing with some emerging data that is suggesting that the Congo Basin is losing its efficiency as a carbon sink because of rising temperatures, with forecasts projecting a 14% drop in carbon absorption capacity by 2030.

CONTINUING TO SET AN EXAMPLE.

Namibia is drafting a new Minerals Bill that requires 51% local ownership in new mining ventures. Our neighbour has big plans to become a regional green hydrogen and mineral-processing hub.
What’s the position in South Africa?
Let me break it down into 3 categories.

New Mining Rights. New business applicants must have a minimum of 30% black shareholding. The distribution of 30% ownership must be divided among three groups: 5% to qualifying employees, 5% to host communities, and 20% to BEE entrepreneurs (5% of which should preferably be women).

Existing Mining Rights. Holders of existing mining rights who previously complied with the older 26% threshold are generally recognized as compliant but must top up to 30% within specific timeframes or upon renewal.

Prospecting Rights. As of February 2026, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced that the requirement for BEE participation (previously 50% +1) has been removed for the prospecting stage to encourage exploration.

LIKE A GOOD RACE?

Starting to wonder if we are in an AI Hardware Arms Race? The ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech giants, including Nvidia and Microsoft are anticipating a 40% rise in capital expenditure this year. Apparently, they plan to invest approximately $650 billion in AI-related infrastructure .. for context that’s more than our entire GDP.

I just love courts and the people who use them to fight for environmental justice!

I DETEST WAR!

It’s a major influence I study. Some news on that front (no pun intended) is that Cyril Ramaphosa has announced this month the withdrawal of around 700 SANDF troops from the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) – apparently to realign domestic military resources. (Cape Flats?)

I thought you might also find it interesting to know we have almost 71300 active-duty personnel and roughly 29350 reserve personnel. Their salaries obviously vary based on rank, but a standard Private earns between R13000 and R17000 per month after deductions … not too much. Special Forces which I thought would earn a lot more, only earn around R36000 per month.

NOT A GOOD TIME

It’s not a good time to be sick (not that it ever is), and certainly not a good time to be an enemy of the USA.

The World Health Organization launched a 2026 appeal for humanitarian health assistance, saying that global funding has fallen below 2016 levels while the needs have tripled! They need at least $1 billion to sustain life-saving services. Meanwhile… down the road and in the same block, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, for the USA, a grand total national defence budget of approximately $1.01 trillion has been approved. Priorities?

BAD NUMBERS.

Data shows Africa still accounts for 87 million of the 138 million children in child labour globally. This is heartbreaking. Morocco held the Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour earlier in Feb, I really hope some actionable steps have been taken.

IT HAPPENS TO US ALL.

But for some, sooner than others. I learnt today of a study done in 2021 which revealed that Johannesburg has one of the lowest life expectancies among cities worldwide, at approximately 56.3 years!

IS IT TRUE?

Is it true that South Africa has set aside over 1 trillion for infrastructure?

Apparently, it is! 😉

I sincerely hope there are safeguards in place that are independent of the government, allowing the government to monitor itself, given track record, it is difficult to give them the benefit of the doubt, and everyone knows, we do not need yet another commission of inquiry to address these issues. So this is what I know so far and can share with you:

South Africa has officially pledged R1.03 trillion ($54.5 billion) for public infrastructure within the three-year Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which spans from 2025 to 2027, so work should already be underway, have you seen some?

This investment has been endorsed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and President Cyril Ramaphosa in early 2025 and 2026, with the aim of transforming the nation into a “construction site” to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. An infrastructure boom I have shared before is one of the best things we can do to kick start our economy.

The funding is allocated among several critical sectors designed to tackle maintenance backlogs and service failures. In the Transport and Logistics sector, R402 billion is allocated, with the largest portion including R93.1 billion for SANRAL road maintenance and R66.3 billion for PRASA rail refurbishment.

Our Energy sector is set to receive R219.2 billion, with a proposed focus on strengthening the electricity grid and extending transmission lines to support new power generation. R156.3 billion is dedicated to Water and Sanitation initiatives, which encompass bulk water resources, dam construction (such as the Polihali Dam), and municipal water services. I don’t believe this is enough to tackle our water crisis.

Substantial resources have also been targeted for social infrastructure, with R101.6 billion in blended finance projects already approved by the Infrastructure Fund for health and education facilities.

To ensure that this trillion-rand commitment translates into actual progress (aka not disappear or stollen), the government has introduced essential reforms. In June 2025 a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regulation is meant to simplify approvals for projects worth less than R2 billion, apparently helping to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and red tape.

The government is also launching ‘innovative financial instruments’, including a R15 billion infrastructure bond and a R2 billion Credit Guarantee Vehicle, which aim to mitigate risks for private investors. Furthermore, by March 2026, a new Infrastructure Finance and Implementation Support Agency is set to be established, coordinating the planning and preparation of major projects.

As of January 2026, the government reports that 34 out of 50 major strategic infrastructure projects are already in the implementation phase. Hoping for the best!

STILL NOT!

The internet in 2026 is still unfortunately not free and government have control over the information we see and I think it is totally unacceptable!

You probably missed this article:

https://www.connectingafrica.com/connectivity/uganda-shuts-down-internet-ahead-of-elections

Uganda’s general elections on the 15th of January 2026 saw the government order mobile operators and Internet service providers to shut down public Internet access, and also stop new SIM card registrations, and disable roaming calls! This foul directive was by some proposed to help prevent misinformation and ensure security during the election period. If you accept this reasoning, then you are unfortunately sheep for wolves.

According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), only essential services, such as banking and government platforms, would be allowed to have connectivity through dedicated IPs or private circuits.

Uganda has a history of imposing Internet shutdowns during elections, having previously shut down access for over 100 hours in 2021. Other African nations, including Tanzania and Mozambique, have also dabbled in similar shenanigans during election periods, reflecting a pattern of Internet restrictions across our continent to maintain control. It is not just happening in Africa.

In 2026, the global landscape of internet freedom shockingly continues to decline, with only 18 countries classified as ‘Free’ according to the Freedom on the Net 2025 assessments. Only 18! How shocking is that?

The countries classified as having high internet freedom generally experience minimal government censorship, robust legal protections for online expression, and few access obstacles. Iceland and Estonia lead the world in digital freedom, while China and Myanmar are noted as the most restrictive environments.

Iceland consistently ranks first globally with a score of 94 out of 100, attributed to near-universal access and minimal content restrictions. Estonia follows closely at second place with a score of 91, recognized for its advanced digital infrastructure and absence of political censorship. I really do need to visit Estonia!

Other notable countries (and their scores) in the ‘Free’ category include Chile (87), Costa Rica (86), and Canada (85), along with the Netherlands (84), Taiwan (79), Japan (78), France (76), the United Kingdom (76), and Germany (74). The USA and SA… are on a 73.

Countries with little or no internet freedom use ‘Great Firewalls’, pervasive surveillance, and severe penalties for online dissent. China and Myanmar tie for the worst global record at 9 out of 100, with China enforcing strict regulations and Myanmar facing military-imposed censorship.

Other restrictive environments include Iran (13), Russia (17), and Nicaragua, which was recently downgraded from ‘Partly Free’ to ‘Not Free’ due to escalating repression. Countries like Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Vietnam, Egypt, and Ethiopia also rank among the least free.

If you are to use current trends and extrapolate from that for the years of 2025 to 2026 so far, one could say we are seeing a troubling decline in democracies, with half of the “Free” countries experiencing score declines by late 2025, including Georgia, Germany, and the United States. Kenya saw the most significant drop due to internet shutdowns and arrests related to protests during 2024-2025.

So, it begs the question (or it should), how do we get to the point where internet freedom is truly free? I have a few opinions here.

Achieving global internet freedom requires determination, bravery, future thinkers and change champions in a coordinated effort across all realms of society tackling policy, technology, and civil society to change the trajectory we are heading. Here are some ideas if I may:

Legislative and Policy Reforms. Governments, particularly in democracies, must establish legal frameworks that prioritize human rights over state control. In fact the state of control is out of control. I propose adopting a “Whole-of-Society” approach to foster a diverse information space through the Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online. It really do think its essential to enact mandatory human rights due diligence laws requiring tech companies to conduct assessments before deploying tools that could be misused for repression, such as AI or surveillance software.  Governments should not be allowed ‘back door’ options that weaken end-to-end encryption, which is vital for the safety of activists and journalists. Creating an interoperable privacy regime by establishing international standards for data protection will allow our information to flow across borders while safeguarding individual privacy.

Corporate Accountability and Resistance. Private companies often serve as the ‘gatekeepers’ of internet freedom and must resist overreach. In fact, if we can, it must become very unprofitable if they do. They should use all available legal channels to challenge government orders for internet shutdowns or arbitrary content removals – and if possible, make such court challenges less costly for them. Transparency reporting is crucial; and companies could regularly publish detailed reports on government requests for user data or takedowns to expose state pressure! Furthermore, embedding ‘rights by design’ in next-wave technologies, such as Sovereign AI and Satellite Internet like Elons Musk’s Starlink (yes I dare suggest that!), are so very essential. These technologies should have built-in safeguards for free expression and privacy from the earliest stages of development – and no one political or capitalist individual should be allowed to hold keys.

Technical Solutions and Digital Literacy. This is where we all come in. While policy changes may take time, technical tools can provide immediate protection for users in restrictive environments. Sharing my articles is another good idea? Supporting open-source, user-friendly tools like VPNs, Tor, and advanced proxy platforms (e.g., V2Ray/XRay) can help bypass ‘Great Firewalls’. Just please try not to get arrested or fined if you can avoid it. Expanding satellite internet options, like Starlink (yes I dare propose it again), to rural and war-torn areas can provide connectivity that is more difficult for local regimes to shut down.

Enhancing digital literacy through civic education and training will empower us to identify disinformation and navigate digital surveillance. I do a lot of work in this realm as well. One of the biggest things we can do as consumers, is pick our service providers wisely, and if it costs a little more to use a business that aligns with ethical standards, then look at it as an investment in freedom.

International Cooperation. This is a tall order in 2026 I know. Strengthening multilateral bodies, such as the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), is vital to coordinate diplomatic responses to internet shutdowns and the export of surveillance technology. Increasing financial and technical support for civil society can aid human rights defenders in developing anti-censorship tools and providing on-the-ground advocacy.

Finally, (shoh this is a long nugget) moving toward universal internet access as a fundamental human right, as advocated by the United Nations and international NGOs, is essential – and yes, it is declared to be a human right… and just like so many, there are those who chose to ignore this!

LOVE THIS!

Guys, Girls and in-betweens, look at this flippin’ awesome venue for hire!

https://utte.co.za/urban-think-tank-empower/soweto-caracas-community-centre/

I stumbled across this in my studies this month. The Soweto-Caracas Community Centre is in Khayelitsha and opened in November 2024 as part of the ‘Empower project’ by Urban-Think Tank Empower (UTTE). The building is a 320-square-metre multifunctional hub to support social and economic activities.

The building has:

• Multi-Purpose Sports Hall: A versatile space for soccer, netball, and community events.
• A beautiful Rooftop Urban Farm: A greenhouse for growing produce and an aquaponic fish-harvesting system. Num num.
• Education & Childcare spaces, facilities for a creche, classrooms, and after-school programs for about 100 children.
• Economic Hub: An internet café, community kitchen, and co-working spaces.
• It has Sustainable Infrastructure: Operates off-grid with a solar system powering the center and surrounding area.

How cool is that!

The centre looks amazing with vibrant yellow walls and a red-steel sawtooth roof. Apparently, over 50% of labour was sourced from the local community for construction. It supports a broader development that includes 72 housing units, aiming to improve living conditions while respecting existing residents.

I bet you had no idea such amazing things were happening!

The END!