Ana Monteiro

Vodacom Group Ltd. trimmed its dividend-payout plan and raised its revenue, earnings and cash-flow goals as the wireless carrier seeks to reinvest capital in its higher-growth eastern and northern African businesses.

The operational momentum has prompted Vodacom to raise its 2030 revenue goal to R300bn from R200bn previously.

Compassion fatigue is a well-documented occupational hazard among healthcare and veterinary professionals. Although informal feral cat caregivers differ from these professional groups in several respects, they are also repeatedly exposed to animal suffering, loss, and emotionally demanding caregiving situations, on a daily basis. Despite potentially numbering tens of thousands in Portugal, this population remains largely unexplored. This cross-sectional study examines internal and external factors associated with the secondary traumatic stress component of compassion fatigue among 172 informal caregivers in Portugal. Secondary traumatic stress refers to work-related secondary exposure to individuals who have experienced extremely stressful or traumatic events. Structured telephone interviews assessed sociodemographics, colony management, compassion satisfaction, resilience, spiritual well-being, and perceived social support. Univariate and multivariable linear regression identified predictors of secondary traumatic stress. Results indicate that 47% of participants experienced moderate secondary traumatic stress, and 10% reported high levels. Multivariable analysis revealed that caring for large colonies (more than 25 cats) and being unemployed were significantly associated with higher fatigue. Conversely, older age, higher perceived family support, and the resilience dimension of serenity served as protective factors. Interestingly, finding meaning in life was positively correlated with fatigue, suggesting that caregivers who perceive their role as central to their life purpose may become more emotionally invested, increasing vulnerability to distress when unable to help animals. Official colony registration and formal institutional support were not significantly associated with lower fatigue. These findings highlight that institutional support alone is insufficient to mitigate fatigue among informal caregivers, who experience significant distress driven by both practical burdens and profound emotional involvement. The most frequently reported concern among caregivers was the inability to cover the costs of feeding and veterinary care for the cats. Interventions must address both external needs (e.g., support to cover veterinary and feeding expenses for the cats) and internal coping mechanisms. Implementing psychosocial support alongside trap-neuter-return programs may also improve caregiver well-being and foster sustainable urban feral cat management. This underscores a One Health perspective, demonstrating that animal health is closely interconnected with human well-being and environmental health.

A sugar refinery owned by Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, raised $356 million in a share sale and will use the funds to reduce debt and boost a capital position eroded by three years of losses.

The City of Johannesburg paid 5.26 billion rand ($328 million) it owed South African electricity utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. in overdue power bills.

South Africa will likely reap the smallest wheat crop since 2019 this year, with a government body expecting output to drop 7.5% from a year earlier.

As online focus grows. By Ana Monteiro, Bloomberg · R53.22

Foschini Group Ltd. plans to close about 280 stores in Africa through 2029 as the retailer hones in on online sales, which are outpacing the performance of its physical operations.

South Africa’s Central Energy Fund outlined plans to revive oil-refining capacity that will see local processing of crude at least triple, potentially reducing dependence on fuel imports.

Around half its refining capacity is shut, and roughly 49% of facilities are idle. By Ana Monteiro, Bloomberg ·