GLP-1 medications, which are helping millions of people lose weight by curbing their appetites, might not yet be a top concern for convenience store retailers. However, recent findings suggest this could change in the near future.


Originally designed to treat diabetes, these drugs mimic a hormone that slows digestion and induces a feeling of fullness. As a result, GLP-1 users not only eat less but are also moving away from processed foods. This shift has significant implications for convenience stores, as many popular products—such as energy drinks, beef jerky, beer, and candy—are being abandoned by GLP-1 users.


Research from Numerator and Cornell University reveals that individuals on GLP-1s spent 11% less on salty snacks within the first six months of using the medication. Dried meat snacks, which generated over $2 billion in annual sales for c-stores in 2023, saw a 17% decrease in spending from GLP users compared to non-users, according to Circana data. Another Circana report found that while GLP-1 users initially spent more at c-stores than non-users, their convenience store spending dropped by 5.2% in the first year of using the medication.


A year-old forecast predicted that 24 million Americans, or about 7% of the population, would be taking GLP-1s by 2035. However, Circana recently reported that 6% of Americans are already using the drug, with 12% having used it at some point. This growing trend is catching the attention of food manufacturers, grocers, and other companies, prompting convenience store retailers to reconsider their offerings in response to the GLP-1 impact.

Gauteng residents have been urged to take proactive measures to protect themselves and loved ones as they enjoy the festive season.

During this period the province usually sees a spike in emergencies particularly those involving trauma cases, accidents and suicide. The 2023 festive period saw an increase in Trauma related cases from 5 795 to 6 000 while accident-related cases increased from 1 676 to 1 682. Most of these cases were as a result of alcohol abuse.

MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko called on communities to enjoy the festive responsibly, and that those who consume alcohol, should do so responsibly.

"Know your limits and ensure that you have a safe way to get home. Remember, drinking and driving endangers your life and the lives of others," cautioned the MEC.

The abuse of alcohol also results in risky sexual behaviour that may lead to infections such as sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Communities should ensure that they access free sexual health services at all Gauteng healthcare facilities. These services include free condoms and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxes amongst others.

The MEC further urged communities protect their loved ones from foodborne illnesses by ensuring proper handling and storage of food to avoid contamination. Washing hands frequently and cleaning surfaces to ensure that food is cooked in a hygienic environment is essential.

During this period of the year, many people travel to different holiday destinations for their much-needed break. It is important that those who will be travelling locally and abroad make use of Gauteng Department of Health travel clinics for flexible travel health solutions to keep safe.

"The travel clinics are staffed with knowledgeable professional who will be able to assist you with pre and post travel advice and screening including destination specific vaccines," said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

Furthermore, communities should look out for regular weather updates on the heatwave as it can result in heat illnesses. Symptoms of health illness include being unconscious, irritable, restless, not able to breathe easily, feeling dizzy, having sore head and dry mouth or tongue.

"Remember to drink lots of water to keep hydrated. Stay out of the sun as much as possible, limit outdoor activity to the coolest times of the day, wear a hat, and use sunscreen.

"It is important to seek medical help early when not feeling well. Delaying in seeking help often results in complications. I wish you all a safe festive season. Let us take these proactive measures to ensure that our celebrations are filled with joy and free from health concerns," added the MEC.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Steve Letsike says the scourge of teenage pregnancy is not only a health concern but a threat to the nation’s social and moral fibre and future prosperity.

“Teenage pregnancy is robbing too many of our girls of their childhood and their future, and it will take all of us working together to turn the tide,” Letsike said.

Addressing a stakeholder engagement in Pretoria earlier today aimed at addressing the persistent ongoing scourge of teenage pregnancy in South Africa, Letsike said in 2024 alone, over 90 000 pregnancies were recorded among girls aged 10 to 19 and 2 328 of those pregnancies were in girls between 10 and 14 years old.

“To call this alarming would be an understatement. These are children, some barely in their teens, some not even teenagers, now forced into motherhood,” Letsike said.

Letsike said a child as young as 10 becoming pregnant was not just a statistic but evidence of a profound societal failure and a horrific crime because a girl that young cannot legally give consent.

“This crisis threatens the very foundation of our social and economic development as teenage pregnancy poses a serious threat to the health, rights, education and socio-economic well-being of girls.

“When a young girl becomes a mother, her chances of finishing school plummet, her job prospects diminish and she often becomes trapped in a cycle of poverty.

“In other words, today’s teen pregnancy is tomorrow’s poverty and inequality. We must recognise this as not only a public health issue but a social justice emergency,” the Deputy Minister said.

Letsike said the high incidence of adolescent pregnancy in the country was interlinked with other scourges of HIV and other STI infection rates, child sexual abuse, statutory rape, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), poverty, educational exclusion, substance abuse and even toxic elements of popular culture.

“To craft effective solutions, we must honestly confront how and why so many young girls are getting pregnant,” Letsike said.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli said teenage pregnancy in South Africa has reached deeply concerning levels with more than 90 000 births recorded among girls aged 10 to 19.

“These are not just numbers, they are a stark reflection of our socio-economic challenges and a call to action. Teenage pregnancy is more than a health crisis,” she said.

Mhlauli said the response to teenage pregnancy must be urgent, coordinated and compassionate.

“Government cannot do this work alone. We need the support of all pillars of society, parents, faith leaders, educators, civil society, the media and the private sector.

“As the Presidency, we are committed to supporting this cause through improved coordination, targeted interventions and policy coherence because the future of our country depends on the safety, empowerment and well-being of our children,” she said.

Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board Asanda Luwaca said “young girls are our sisters, our classmates, our cousins, our peers and children”.

“It is an indictment of our inability, as a collective, to fully protect the bodies, rights and dreams of girls, especially those from poor, rural and marginalised communities, especially differently abled.

“We know that teenage pregnancy is not a standalone issue. It is deeply interwoven with child sexual abuse, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), educational exclusion, toxic gender norms, substance abuse, and the predatory dynamics of poverty,” she said.

Luwaca said teenage pregnancy was not just about health, but injustice.

“It is about gender inequality, poverty, exploitation, broken family systems, absent accountability and a dangerous silence that protects perpetrators more than it protects girls.

“And until we confront these intersecting issues head-on with honesty, bravery and unflinching determination, we will continue to fail the young women of this nation. South Africa has the policies. We have the frameworks. What we need now is unapologetic implementation across every level of society,” Luwaca said.

The engagement with stakeholders is part of an initiative to establish a Roadmap to South Africa’s Teenage Pregnancy Prevention and Management Response. –

WHEN Tomotex, one of South Africas premier textile and apparel manufacturers, needed a reliable, efficient, and cost-saving boiler solution, they turned to industry leaders, Combustion Technology. The result? A seamless boiler and burner upgrade that has already delivered fuel savings exceeding 30%, along with significant improvements in plant safety, reliability, and operational control.

A trusted name in textiles
Operating since 1999, Tomotex supplies high-quality fabrics and apparel to retailers nationwide, specialising in sustainable and ethically sourced materials. Their commitment to eco-friendly production and operational efficiency is matched by their need for reliable, energy-conscious infrastructure to maintain competitive pricing and quality output.

However, the companys existing boiler system had become a growing concern. The ageing 10T boiler was riddled with persistent leaks, high maintenance demands, and no modern control or modulation capabilities – a dangerous, costly, and inefficient setup threatening both safety and productivity.

The challenge: Safety risks and soaring costs
With growing risks of downtime and safety incidents – and excessive fuel consumption pushing operational costs sky-high – Tomotex management made the strategic decision to invest in a full boiler system upgrade. After an extensive review process, Combustion Technology was appointed to deliver the solution, thanks to its nearly 40 years of expertise, comprehensive end-to-end service, and cutting-edge combustion solutions.

The solution: Tailored engineering excellence
The project, awarded in January 2025, involved a complete removal of the old, leaking boiler system and the installation of a state-of-the-art Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) boiler and burner system.

The key components included:

I.VAR BHP 4000 Steam Boiler – providing robust, reliable, and efficient steam generation tailored to Tomotexs process demands.

Limpsfield LCHO 30 Dual Fuel Burner – delivering exceptional combustion efficiency, reduced emissions, and flexible fuel capability.

Autoflame MK8 MM Boiler Management System – offering 24/7 monitoring, real-time combustion tuning, fault detection, and performance analytics.

Custom-Built Control Panel with Vortex Cooler – designed for high-temperature environments, ensuring system longevity and reliability.

Through expert system design, precise installation, and rigorous commissioning, Combustion Technology ensured the new solution delivered on every goal: improved safety, energy efficiency, control accuracy, and environmental compliance.