South African market News

Update: South Africa’s Deadliest Floods in 6 Decades Claim More Than 300 Lives

South Africa declared floods that killed more than 300 people in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province a disaster, enabling the government to free up funds to assist with reconstruction in the area. The heaviest rainfall in at least six decades last …

Insurers Sanlam and Allianz Explore Options for Their African Businesses

JOHANNESBURG – African insurer Sanlam Ltd. said on Wednesday it was exploring “strategic alternatives” with Germany’s Allianz SE for their respective African businesses, excluding Sanlam’s home market of South Africa. Sanlam, South Africa’s No. 1 insurer, did not elaborate on …

Guy Carpenter and Marsh to Combine South Africa Facultative Reinsurance Businesses

Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter and insurance broker Marsh, both businesses of Marsh McLennan, said they are combining their South Africa facultative reinsurance operations into a single business, effective Jan. 1, 2022. The new unit will operate under the Guy Carpenter …

South Africa Sued Over Plans to Construct New Coal-Fired Power Plants

South Africa’s energy regulator and energy minister have been sued by environmental activists over national plans to allow the construction of new coal-fired power plants. Plans for the construction of 1,500 megawatts of coal-fired generation capacity are included in the …

S. Africa Insurer Santam Loses Appeal in COVID-19 Business Income Case With Hotelier

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled Santam is liable to cover the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on hotel group Ma-Afrika for 18 months, rejecting the insurer’s request for a shorter time frame on the claim, Santam …

South Africa’s State Insurer to Raise Premiums to Cover Riot-Related Reinsurance Costs

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s only insurer covering political violence will increase its premiums to cover a rise in reinsurance costs following some of the worst unrest in decades, the head of the state-owned company told Reuters. More than 300 people …

Naspers Invests in Online Insurer Naked as Part of South African Investment Push

Naspers Ltd. is backing online insurance company Naked as part of a commitment to invest almost $100 million in tech startups in its home market of South Africa. The 120 million-rand ($8.4 million) stake makes Naspers the largest investor in …

Disruptions from Cyber Attack Force S. Africa Port Operator to Declare ‘Force Majeure’

Transnet SOC Ltd., South Africa’s state-owned ports and freight-rail company, declared force majeure at the country’s key container terminals after disruptions caused by a cyber attack five days ago. The measure covers the Durban, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town …

Cyber Attack Disrupts Container Operations at Major South African Port

JOHANNESBURG – A cyber attack has disrupted container operations at the South African port of Cape Town, an email seen by Reuters on Thursday said. Durban, the busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, was also affected, three sources with direct …

S. African Riot Insurer to Shoulder Bulk of Claims After Days of Violent Civil Unrest

As calm begins to return to South Africa following days of violent riots that caused billions of rand in damage, questions are being asked about who will foot the bill. While some claims will be assessed by heavyweight insurers such …