GRUNGECAKE

Tag: South Africa

  • Walmart launches first branded stores in South Africa this year

    The South African government warmly welcomed Walmart’s announcement, stating that this investment reflects strong confidence in the nation’s growth and stability.

    On September 9, 2025, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) officially unveiled plans to open its first branded retail stores in South Africa by the end of the year. This marks a major expansion for the US retail giant, which has until now operated in the country primarily through its subsidiary, Massmart.

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    These new Walmart stores will offer a wide inventory—spanning fresh groceries, household essentials, apparel, technology, and more—whilst integrating locally sourced products. The initiative combines Walmart’s hallmark Every Day Low Prices and global operational standards with South Africa’s rich cultural and entrepreneurial spirit, according to Walmart International President and CEO Kath McLay.

    Building on its April Growth Summit in Johannesburg—which brought together suppliers from twelve African nations—Walmart has already recruited numerous small and medium-sized African vendors. These partnerships highlight the company’s commitment not only to value-driven retail but also to regional empowerment and local economic development.

    Several store locations are already under development, with official opening dates expected in October 2025. Whilst specific sites and further details on employment and community engagements will be disclosed soon, customers can anticipate digital features designed to enhance the shopping experience.

    By entering the South African market under its own brand, Walmart will directly challenge established domestic retailers such as Shoprite, Woolworths, and Pick n Pay—and even e-commerce leaders like Amazon and Takealot.com.

    The South African government warmly welcomed Walmart’s announcement, stating that this investment reflects strong confidence in the nation’s growth and stability. It supports medium-term development goals by promoting supplier development and job creation.

    As the year draws to a close, all eyes will be on the official opening of Walmart’s first branded outlets in South Africa—an expansion with far-reaching implications for retail, local entrepreneurship, and competition.

  • Splice spotlights South Africa’s most popular genres with new sample pack series

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    During the week, Splice announced its new sample packs spotlighting South Africa’s signature sounds; spanning several local genres like Afro House, Amapiano, Gqom and Afro Tech. On the platform, a new “Afro” genre was added to the Splice “Create” tool — allowing music makers (producers, songwriters and instrumentalists) to use the samples with Splice AI. The company worked alongside Kooldrink (Tyla, Aluna), Dr Feel (Defected), Afro Tech duo Kususa (Defected, Get Physical, Armada), and legendary guitarist Themba Mokoena (Sibongile Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka) to record everything at one of Johannesburg’s premier recording studios, Jazzworx.

    According to the comms, in 2024 Afro House was the third fastest-growing genre for Splice users in Johannesburg, with a spike in downloads of over 200%. Afro House draws attention from international producers and ranks in the top ten of Splice’s most searched-for genres.

    “Partnering with Splice has been an amazing opportunity to elevate the authentic sounds of South Africa”, said Kususa. “We’re very excited to share our pack and hope that it inspires other producers.”

    “We’re excited to bring these South African sounds to creators around the world. Genres like Afro House, Afro Tech, and amapiano are shaping the future of music,” said Kenny Ochoa, Splice, SVP of Content. “The team had an incredible time working with these local musicians to capture the energy of South Africa and Johannesburg and the result is electric.”

    Splice Sessions: South Africa is available now and includes:

    Ngoma Afro House || Pack Creator: Dr Feel
    Amapiano Pop || Pack Creator: Kooldrink
    Ebusuku Gqom Sounds || Pack Creator: Hugo Tenza
    Afro House Yethu || Pack Creator: Frigid Armadillo
    Afrotech Kalahari || Pack Creator: TAU

    To satisfy the global market by capturing each region’s sounds, instruments, and culture, the company released sample packs from Senegal and Anguilla.

  • White South Africans say “no thanks” to Trump’s immigration offer

    [media-credit name=”EPA” link=”https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4mmrr7j8mo” width=1498 align=”none”][/media-credit]In a recent development, United States President Donald Trump extended an offer to resettle white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, in the United States as refugees fleeing alleged persecution. This proposal, however, has been met with a lukewarm response from the intended beneficiaries, many of whom prefer to confront domestic challenges rather than emigrate. On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order to cut United States aid to South Africa, citing concerns over an expropriation act signed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This act aims to redress historical land inequalities rooted in the nation’s apartheid past by facilitating state expropriation of land in the public interest. The executive order also provides for the resettlement of Afrikaners—descendants of early Dutch and French settlers who own a significant portion of South Africa’s farmland—in the United States as refugees facing unjust racial discrimination.

    Despite the offer, prominent Afrikaner organisations have expressed a commitment to addressing issues within South Africa. AfriForum, an Afrikaner-led group, acknowledged the recognition of injustices against Afrikaners but opposed the withdrawal of aid, emphasising that Afrikaners are indigenous and not leaving the country. Similarly, the Solidarity Movement, which includes AfriForum and the Solidarity trade union and claims to represent about 600,000 Afrikaner families, reiterated their dedication to the nation. “We may disagree with the ANC, but we love our country. As in any community, there are individuals who wish to emigrate, but repatriation of … stated.

    Individual Afrikaners have also voiced their perspectives. Neville van der Merwe, a … from Bothasig near Cape Town, remarked, “If you haven’t got any problems here … ? There hasn’t been any really bad taking … ?”

    The South African government has defended its land reform policies, asserting that they aim to address racial disparities in land ownership without resorting to forced seizures of white-owned land. President Ramaphosa has emphasised that the government has not confiscated any land and will not be bullied. In summary, while President Trump’s offer underscores international attention to South Africa’s internal policies, many Afrikaners appear resolute in their decision to remain in their homeland and address challenges from within.