Could Richemont take a tilt at De Beers? @MarcHasenfuss looks at the sparkling potential of a diamond mega-deal, alongside value plays in the JSE small-cap space. Get the insights here: tinyurl.com/3xptbbu5/

Can pension funds drive infrastructure and still deliver solid returns? @sanlam Umbrella Fund chair Jolly Mokorosi makes the case for investing with purpose — while keeping trustees in charge. Read more here: fm.co.za/art_01a15441bfbe73b…

Plagued by factional wars, debt and a sharp drop in membership, @_cosatu is struggling to stay relevant in South Africa's new era of coalition politics. Read more by @NatashaMarrian here: tinyurl.com/bdd9dadx

A record maize harvest cushions South Africa, but a looming El Niño drought poses severe food security risks across Southern Africa writes @WandileSihlobo. More on this here: tinyurl.com/55325bf5/

From rare lizards delaying operations to billions in hedging losses, Harmony Gold faces tough obstacles as it branches out into copper. Here is why its strategy is testing investor patience. Read more in our cover story by @davidaamckay here: tinyurl.com/3fm8j25b

PODCAST | A rare lizard, high-risk capital, and massive hedge book losses test Harmony’s Australian expansion. @GTalevi unpacks what this means for the broader gold industry. Listen here: tinyurl.com/3zmaw45x

From Cape Town the conversations continued in Johannesburg. Presented by @CitadelSA in partnership with @FinancialMail, The Uncomfortable Truth in Johannesburg brought together influential voices from business, economics and politics to confront some of the difficult questions shaping South Africa’s future. The conversations explored the political and economic choices facing the country, from the future of Johannesburg, coalition politics and the GNU to economic growth, transformation, energy security and the role of effective leadership. Across the discussions, one theme remained clear: South Africa’s challenges are complex, and progress requires us to engage honestly with different perspectives, question established thinking and focus on the actions that can move us forward. As Citadel CEO Sajeel Maharaj captured in his opening remarks: “The future of South Africa will not be determined by the problems we face. It will be determined by how we respond to them.” Thank you to our panellists, guests and our partners at Financial Mail for contributing to a morning of provocative questions and meaningful conversation. #TheUncomfortableTruth

A long-running dispute between the RAF and Discovery over who should pay an accident victim’s medical expenses has ended in defeat for the fund. Read more here: tinyurl.com/zppjbpku/

At The Uncomfortable Truth in Johannesburg, Dr @mteton joined @GTalevi for a candid one-on-one conversation that put South Africa’s energy, economic and leadership challenges under the spotlight. The discussion examined Eskom’s recovery and the difficult questions that remain. From the sustainability of electricity tariffs and growing municipal debt to private generation, the future of the grid and the balance between financial sustainability and Eskom’s broader social mandate, the conversation explored what a more resilient energy future would require. But the discussion went well beyond Eskom. It also confronted some of South Africa’s bigger economic questions: how we approach transformation, whether policy and regulation are enabling investment, the relationship between government and business, and what stronger execution could mean for growth and job creation. #TheUncomfortableTruth

PODCAST | The Eastern Cape metro has been marked by its political stability. But that hasn’t always translated into municipal gains. In this episode of South Africa’s Easy Elections Guide, journalist @NickolausBauer asks how the city can convert continuity into growth. Listen here: tinyurl.com/5n7jacyr/

At The Uncomfortable Truth in Johannesburg, Dr. Ralph Mathekga, @helenzille, @mark_barnes56 and Prof. William Gumede came together for a wide-ranging conversation about the political and economic choices facing South Africa. Facilitated by @robrose_za, the discussion explored the future of Johannesburg, the realities of coalition government and what it would take to rebuild a city facing significant financial and governance challenges. It also looked beyond the metros to the shifting national political landscape and the dynamics that could shape the upcoming elections. Economics was equally central to the conversation. The panel considered what could put South Africa on a stronger growth path, the challenges facing state-owned enterprises, and whether the country needs to rethink its approach to transformation and economic inclusion. Provocative questions. Different perspectives. No easy answers. Exactly the kind of conversation The Uncomfortable Truth was designed to make possible. #TheUncomfortableTruth

As inequality and youth unemployment surge, could the fires burning across the globe engulf South Africa too? More from @justicemalala here: tinyurl.com/yam9s2rc/

With the yellow metal trading at about $4,200, you’d think the country’s mines would be a hive of activity, but this isn’t happening. So where are South Africa’s new gold mines? Read more by @tim_cohen here: fm.co.za/art_01a153597a94783…

In this week's edition of the Financial Mail: *Why South Africa isn’t striking it rich from record gold prices *Is business too soft on government? *Postbank’s R2.5bn question *Rupert tipped for De Beers deal Read these and more. Get your copy in stores and online today!

The questions may be uncomfortable, but they’re worth asking. Opening the discussion at The Uncomfortable Truth in Johannesburg, @FinancialMail editor, @robrose_za invited the panellists to tackle the issues shaping South Africa head-on. Building on the conversations that started in Cape Town, @CitadelSA and Financial Mail are bringing together different perspectives for honest debate about our country’s challenges, opportunities and future. Progress begins when we’re prepared to ask the questions that matter. #TheUncomfortableTruth

The Constitutional Court spared the @MYANC a major candidate blunder, but voter polls suggest the party's decline may be shifting from gradual to exponential. Read more: tinyurl.com/4vxbcnak/

The Uncomfortable Truth, presented by @CitadelSA in partnership with @FinancialMail, arrives in Johannesburg today for another morning of candid discussion, challenging questions and diverse perspectives on South Africa’s future. This partnership was inspired by a shared belief in the power of honest dialogue to challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives and inspire action. As Citadel CEO, Sajeel Maharaj reminded us: “South Africans have never needed perfect conditions to achieve extraordinary things.” Today is about confronting the realities we face, while keeping sight of what’s possible. Let the conversation begin. #TheUncomfortableTruth

Pepkor's R1.57bn deal to buy fintech Shop2Shop benefits CEO Pieter Erasmus, reigniting governance debates and comparisons to Steinhoff after bypassing a shareholder vote. Read more by @robrose_za here: tinyurl.com/2jbk7y7k/

With Sanlam and Pepkor joining the digital banking rush, South Africans are spoilt for choice. But history shows that surviving beyond the boom takes more than just tech. Read more here: tinyurl.com/2nfjz9dj/

A rare lizard, risk capital and billions in hedge book losses are a test of nerves for Harmony Gold’s Australian expansion. Read why its strategy is testing investor patience in our cover story by @davidaamckay here: tinyurl.com/3fm8j25b