{
  "id": 1562016,
  "title": "AFTER THE BELL: Spar and SAA lose their captains while becalmed in treacherous waters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/after-the-bell-spar-and-saa-lose-their-captains-while-becalmed-in",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T21:08:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-17-spar-and-saa-lose-their-captains-while-becalmed-in-treacherous-waters/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spar and SAA face mounting challenges as their respective leadership teams depart and internal strife escalates. The resignation of Spar's chairperson and deputy chairperson has sparked questions about the company's ability to recover, with the franchise model becoming a weakness and logistics operations struggling in KwaZulu-Natal. SAA's interim CEO, Matshela Seshibe, has also been suspended, raising concerns about the company's future stability. The resignations and suspensions highlight the ongoing struggles of these firms, which are navigating treacherous waters in a rapidly evolving retail landscape. Both companies must rely on strong leadership and effective decision-making to avoid further setbacks.",
  "summary": "Spar and SAA are experiencing significant changes in leadership. Both companies have seen boardroom resignations and suspended executives, indicating they are navigating challenging times. The Daily Maverick notes that the key question now is whether strong leadership can guide them through these difficulties before it's too late.\n\nIn unrelated news, the Russian state corporation VEB.RF has fired its chief economist, Andrei Klepach. According to The Insider, Klepach was let go after making comments in a May speech about Russia's economic and technological competition, and its conflict with Ukraine.\n\nKlepach had worked as VEB's chief economist for 12 years and previously held positions at Russia's Economic Development Ministry. His dismissal has been linked to his remarks, with a source suggesting it was due to an order from senior officials.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Insider",
        "title": "State corporation VEB fires chief economist Andrei Klepach after he warned Russia could lose war of attrition, The Bell reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/state-corporation-veb-fires-chief-economist-andrei-klepach-after-he",
        "published": "2026-08-17T19:46:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}