
Business Watch
Business Watch is a daily business feature airing on East Coast Radio every weekday at 06:40. Hosted by economist and award-winning radio producer WR Van Der Merwe, it covers local business-related events and news. The show invites businesses and industries to get featured by emailing Businesswatch@ecr.co.za.
Episodes

International tourist arrivals to South Africa jump
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Albany bread stalls create thousands of business opportunities
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Mining Sector Accelerates Renewable Shift Amid Eskom Cost Pressures
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Pick n Pay brings social media shopping into its grocery app
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Orange Exports Take a Hit as Weather, Conflict and Logistics Challenges Mount
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

MTN boosts half-year earnings as African operations drive growth
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Sharks and LIFT launch new airline partnership
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Pavilion uses food festival to back small businesses
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

SADC Leaders Commit to Deeper Integration as South Africa Targets 50% Intra-Regional Trade
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Dunlop completes R1.7 billion tyre plant upgrade in KZN
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Private sector invited to help revive South Africa’s rail network
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Ramaphosa says new travel system will boost tourism and investment
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 13 Au '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Tiger Brands rolls out lower-emission bread delivery trucks
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Mining sector remains key economic driver
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Reserve Bank governor says South Africa must take more risks to grow economy
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

New science centre gives INK learners hands-on STEM opportunities
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

New Locomotives Arrive In Durban As Traxtion Launches R3.4 Billion Rail Investment
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

EmpowerHer trade fair launched to boost women-owned businesses
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Tiger Brands invests R200m in historic Paarl mega-site
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

REMAX Panache named Durban’s best real estate agency for fourth consecutive year
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Brahman Hills wins KZN green award for second year
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Emseni Farming recognised as KZN’s top agricultural business
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Engen competition puts entrepreneurs' execution skills to the test
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

R242m investment completes Club Med’s KZN safari experience
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Sappi joins global push to eliminate harmful chemicals in fashion supply chain
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

The Sharks reunite with Reebok in landmark apparel partnership
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Mining production falls despite stronger mineral sales
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Volkswagen joins The Sharks as official vehicle partner
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Government’s Connect System puts 400 000 small businesses on the map
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Discovery announces exclusive early entry for 2027 Two Oceans Marathon
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

IMF keeps South Africa's growth forecast at 1.1%
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Pick n Pay launches South Africa's first AI grocery shopping assistant
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

FNB and Boxer launch partnership with 99c bread benefit
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Eskom says generation recovery plan keeps power system stable during winter demand
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Reserve Bank concerned as inflation expectations remain above target
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Hollywoodbets Durban July set to deliver nearly R1bn boost to eThekwini economy
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Formal sector loses 80,000 jobs in first quarter
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Hirschs unveils biggest-ever stand at East Coast Radio House and Garden Show
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

StatsSA report business liquidations decline in May
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Artisans of Mzansi entries open for artisan entrepreneurs
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Granny Mouse wins double African Excellence Award honour
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

South32 hands over R5.1 million water project to Mbongampisi community
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 23 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 22 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 19 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 18 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 17 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 16 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 15 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 12 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 11 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 10 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Business Watch - 09 Ju '26
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

US proposes new tariffs on South Africa and 59 other countries
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Fidelity rolls out new armoured cash-in-transit fleet to improve crew safety and resilience
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

MISA rejects fuel sector job cut calls after petrol price hike
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Tiger Brands signs renewable energy wheeling deal with Apollo Africa
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Reserve Bank raises repo rate by 25 basis points amid inflation concerns
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Jobs Fund opens 13th funding round to support employment growth
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Eskom explores World Bank funding for new nuclear expansion plan
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

SA sugarcane deliveries rise 48% as Canegrowers warns over imports and Tongaat uncertainty
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Ramaphosa says Botswana can count on South Africa amid global tensions
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Netcare appoints Melanie Da Costa as incoming CEO
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

SME summit to connect Durban business leaders
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

City Lodge backs Durban tourism safety initiative at Travel Indaba
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Zimbali Lodge refurbishment boosts corporate and conferencing appeal
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Manufacturing production edges up 0.9% as food and chemical sectors drive growth
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Club Med resort project highlighted ahead of Africa’s Travel Indaba
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Tourism recovery should benefit more communities, says ANEW Hotels and Resorts
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Hillside Aluminium marks 30 years of production in Richards Bay
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Paper and Allied Manufacturers of South Africa launches engineering bursary programme
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

President Ramaphosa to open Africa’s Travel Indaba in KwaZulu-Natal
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Club Med Tinley Manor resort receives occupation certificate ahead of July opening
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

FNB and Pick n Pay partnership delivers R600m in customer rewards
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

MISA backs Jetour’s local manufacturing plans as Rosslyn plant deal signals jobs boost
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Boxer Superstores launches Bmedia to connect brands with shoppers at scale
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Reserve Bank likely to hold rates as Iran conflict impact seen as temporary
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Lancewood wins top honours at South African Dairy Awards
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.

Absa set to enter MVNO market as Big Four banks expand mobile offerings
Here's your latest ECR Business Watch report with WR van der Merwe.
Recommended

Growing Up in the Upper Room - New Testament Bible in a year

The Bible Brewery

Afternoon Drive with John Maytham

Bible Study

CRC - Pastor At Boshoff

AMAPIANO PANDEMIC

Ideas That Matter Podcast by Vusi Thembekwayo

Chrome FM

Olive Tree Church Kloof

Business Day Spotlight

DIDI LIFESTYLE

Solo Thato Sessions