Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-03-14 i Star

The announcement of a staggered increase in value-added tax (VAT) by Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana during his Budget speech on Wednesday has sent ripples of concern across South Africa's business sector and the civil society. With VAT set to rise by 0.5% in both the 2025/2026 and the 2026/2027 financial years, culminating in a total increase to 16%, stakeholders are increasingly vocal about the implications of this fiscal decision for both businesses and the general populace. To soften the blow of these increases, Gondongwana proposed expanding the basket of VAT zero-rated food items, set to include canned vegetables, dairy liquid blends, and organ meats from sheep, poultry, and other animals. However, many experts and advocates have argued that this may not be sufficient to alleviate the looming pressures on household…

South Africa’s productive sectors began the year on a slippery slope as both mining and manufacturing output plunged in January on the back of persistent economic constraints. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday showed that mining production shrank by 2.7% year-on-year in January following a 2.4% decline in December 2024. This extends a three-month downward trend and marks the steepest decline since June 2024. Stats SA’s principal service statistician, Jean-Pierre Terblanche, said iron ore was the largest negative contributor, retreating by 15.1% while coal, platinum group metals (PGM) and chromium ore also performed poorly. Combined, these commodities make up over 65% of the mining basket. “On the upside, gold turned positive after 14 consecutive months of decline. Manganese ore, copper, nickel and diamond production also expanded in…

South Africa has a housing supply backlog of at least 2.2 million units, with a significant shortage in the affordable housing or “gap market”, according to a recent study by the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance (CAHF). The gap housing market is generally considered to be households earning too much to qualify for Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing but too little to obtain traditional bank-financed homes in the open market. 40% of consumers fall into the RDP housing category (household incomes below R3 500 per month), and the wealthiest 30% of households are well-served by the open housing market. Massive demand The gap market is the middle 30% of consumers where the supply of housing stock is extremely low and even declining despite massive demand. A market design…

Tongaat Hulett on Thursday said it was primed for the 2025/26 sugar season, with operations set to commence smoothly in April and early May, following an extensive off-season maintenance programme. The sugar producer said a significant investment of R460 million has gone into improvements at its Maidstone, Amatikulu, and Felixton mills, its central refinery in Durban, and the Voermol animal feed facility. It said this financial commitment was a testament to its dedication to operational excellence, ensuring that they can welcome sugarcane deliveries from growers as the season begins. As the sugar industry faces challenges such as declining global prices, job losses induced by the sugar tax, and insufficient import tariffs that allow for increased sugar imports, Tongaat Hulett said it remained resolute in maintaining a seamless and efficient milling…

Standard Bank Group wants to lead energy and infrastructure development in Africa by helping mobilise for clients some of the estimated R3.4 trillion that will be required to be spent on roads, bridges, energy and other projects across the continent over the next two decades, CEO Sim Tshabalala said. Tshabalala, interviewed at the release of financial results for the year to December 31, said the group had facilitated R74 billion in sustainable finance transactions on the continent and in South Africa in 2024, and R177bn cumulatively since 2022. Africa's largest bank by assets operates in 20 African countries with plans to open an office in Egypt and expand in East and West Africa. Tshabalala said Africa has 600 million people without access to an electricity grid, which needs to be…

The battle lines have been drawn between FlySafair and trade union Solidarity in looming negotiations over the employment conditions and rostering of pilots, which the labour organisation said the airline was haemorrhaging due to poor management. In a statement on Thursday, Solidarity's network organiser for the aviation industry, Remón Viviers, said the union had repeatedly expressed its concerns about the changes in the shift schedule, which they said was causing great dissatisfaction among members. “Solidarity is currently engaged in a dispute with FlySafair over a new rostering system that has had a significant negative impact on pilots’ quality of life,” Viviers said. “If this issue is not addressed urgently, it could result in further staff losses, which could have a serious impact on the airline's operations.” Viviers added that FlySafair’s…

In a breakthrough, the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) has successfully intercepted two separate incidents of murder, attempted murder, and drug possession in Nigel and Naturena. Acting on vital tip-off information, members of the AGU apprehended the suspects on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with the separate cases. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, Gauteng provincial police spokesperson, reported that in the early hours of Wednesday, March 12, members of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) acted on intelligence to apprehend a wanted suspect connected to a murder and attempted murder case in Nigel. Nevhuhulwi stated that upon arriving at the identified location in Nigel, officers found and arrested a 25-year-old man, who was confirmed as the wanted suspect. She added that in another incident on March 11, AGU members acting on intelligence, apprehended a wanted suspect…

South Africans should brace themselves for fierce negotiations over the budget as the DA, the second biggest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU), has made it clear that they will not simply rubber-stamp a budget proposed by the ANC. DA leader John Steenhuisen has signalled that while the party will engage in negotiations regarding the budget vote, they have serious reservations about the current proposal’s effectiveness in addressing economic growth and job creation. This sentiment was echoed on Thursday during a budget discussion among DA leaders, where Finance Deputy Minister Ashor Sarupen voiced his disappointment with the Budget tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Sarupen said it did not resolve the fundamental problems in the economy. “It is business as usual, and business as usual is not good…

With 12 years of experience under his belt, Thuly Thulz, the director of Until Until events, feels some big-name Amapiano artists need to step up their professionalism game. Amapiano is one of the music genres that has taken Mzansi by storm and cemented itself as one of the country’s most beloved and versatile sounds. With its unique blend of house, jazz, and a bit of kwaito, amapiano has not only dominated local charts but has also reached global status. Will the same artists who contributed to propelling the genre to international recognition possibly be its downfall? Thulz (real name Thulani Dandala) opened up about his frustrating experiences working with Amapiano acts in an X post, highlighting chronic lateness, mismanagement, and a general disregard for professionalism. “After almost 12 years in…

RENOWNED South African playwright, novelist, actor and director, Athol Fugard, who died on Sunday, at the age of 92, will forever be remembered for using arts to rouse the consciences of international audiences in support of the anti-apartheid Struggle. In his career spanning 70 years, he penned more than 30 plays. Several of his plays were adapted into films, including Boesman and Lena, Master Harold and the Boys, Tsotsi and The Road to Mecca. He performed the role of General Jan Smuts in Richard Attenborough’s film, Gandhi. Those who had the opportunity to work closely with Fugard described him as determined, focused, open, kind, generous and unmatchable. Daniel Galloway, who was managing director of The Fugard Theatre – bearing the name of the late legend between 2010 and 2020, said…

A playful slap of the strap of a man’s lunch container on the backside of a female worker had landed him in hot water when she complained that he had disrespected her, which ultimately resulted in him losing his contract job at the mine where he was working. Subsequent to this, John Sephton instituted claims for defamation against the mining group Anglo America, as it barred him from its premises, as well as from the complainant. He also claimed damages from the subcontracting company for which he worked, as the latter succumbed to the demands of the mining group that it did not want him on its premises. He did not succeed with his claims in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, but subsequently appealed the verdict before three judges. They,…

More than 60 representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) visited South Africa's administrative capital of Tshwane and Durban this week as part of the Africa Trade and Investment Council’s (ATIC) major new initiative, the Trans-Congo RSA Industrialisation Corridor. This visit, which was expected to wrap up yesterday, seeks to transform the economic relations between South Africa and the DRC. The Investment Director of the Africa Trade and Investment Council (ATIC), Zwelethu Dlamini, indicated that this large-scale project intends to stimulate and drive significant growth in trade and investment between the two countries. Launched by ATIC Holdings and Africa Union Development Holdings, this corridor will stretch across 3 100km of the DRC and aims to develop 12 special economic zones (SEZs), along with new cities and vital port infrastructure.…

Bafana Bafana will continue their bid to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup as they shift their focus to the upcoming qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. On Thursday, Hugo Broos named a 23-player squad that will take on neighbors Lesotho next Friday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium (kick-off 6pm). Four days later, they will travel to Ivory Coast to face Benin at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan (also 6pm). South Africa are currently second in Group C, level on seven points with Rwanda after each of the six teams have played four matches. Broos and his charges suffered a setback with a 2-0 loss to Rwanda early in the qualifiers, but they have since picked up four points from their last two fixtures, leaving them behind…

This year is a big one for women's cricket, given that the much anticipated Women's Cricket World Cup is taking place in India in October. In preparation for the ICC event, South Africa's senior women national team are set to tour Sri Lanka for a Tri-Series against the hosts and their India counterparts. The tour will play a massive role in the Proteas reminding themselves of their gameplan on the subcontinent, having played the 2024 T20 World Cup in similar conditions. They have also toured India and Pakistan over the past few years. Proteas Women spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, as one of the best white ball spinners in the world, will have a big role to play on a spin-friendly wicket at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, where…

In addition to mobilising investment, this partnership will be a forum for regulatory co-operation between the EU and SA The South African government has welcomed the €4.7 billion (R93.5bn) package announced by the European Union (EU) to support strategic investment projects in the country. During the SA-EU Summit in Cape Town on Thursday, leaders of the EU announced the multi-billion euro as part of the Global Gateway Investment Package. “We are presenting a new €4.7bn Global Gateway investment package for South Africa for projects that support a just energy transition, for connectivity – both physical and digital, and for vaccines, produced in Africa, for Africa,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “Today we’re taking our trade and investment relations forward. We’re launching talks on a next-generation…

The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has expressed serious concerns regarding the nation's potential removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). The apprehension follows US President Donald Trump’s decision last month to end USAID to South Africa, igniting fears of an impending economic setback. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agbiz, on Thursday said the possibility of South Africa being expelled from Agoa would have a negative impact. “Tariffs could average around 3% on exports to the United States, which would significantly hurt South Africa’s access to the American market, ultimately weakening its competitiveness,” he said. Sihlobo added that there is growing international pressure and uncertainty surrounding the country’s trade relationship with the US. “I remain hopeful that South Africa will still be part…

The statutory earnings threshold (Threshold) will increase to ZAR 261 748.45, representing a ZAR 7 376.78 increase from the current Threshold. The Threshold, a determination in terms of section 6(3) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), affects the applicability of certain provisions of the BCEA, Labour Relations Act (LRA), and Employment Equity Act (EEA). Employees earning above the Threshold are not entitled to certain protections afforded to those earning below it. The purpose of the Threshold is to ensure greater protection for more vulnerable employees earning below a specified income. Sections of the BCEA regulating ordinary hours of work, overtime, meal intervals, daily and weekly rest periods, Sunday pay, night work pay, and public holiday pay apply only to employees earning below the Threshold. Employees earning above the…

Hyprop Investments will focus on organic growth at its specialist retail centres in South Africa as well as actively seek new opportunities in Eastern Europe during the second half of its 2025 financial year, CEO Morné Wilken said Thursday. The JSE’s REITs South African portfolio comprises centres such as Canal Walk, Somerset Mall, Hyde Park Corner and Rosebank Mall. In Croatia, it owns City Center One Zagreb East and City Center One Zagreb West; it owns Skopje City Mall in North Macedonia and The Mall in Sofia, Bulgaria. Wilken, speaking in an online presentation at the release of financial results for the 6 months to December 31, said they were set for good growth in the second half and they also intended to recycle one of its South African assets,…

It’s been more than two decades since the Goo Goo Dolls last took to the stage in South Africa, and the anticipation is palpable as the iconic rock band prepares to return. The Goo Goo Dolls are set to serenade fans around the country when they begin their three-city tour. Formed in 1986 by John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, the Goo Goo Dolls have long since woven themselves into the fabric of modern American music. With over 15 million records sold worldwide, four Grammy nominations and a prolific catalogue that includes 16 No 1’s and Top 10 hits, the band’s influence is undeniable. Known for their timeless classics, such as Iris, Slide and Black Balloon, the Goo Goo Dolls have established their place in music history, thanks to an impressive…

Popular South African soapie, Scandal!, has received online criticism from viewers of the show after it changed its title sequence. The title sequence of the show was changed on Monday after Scandal! made a few changes and announced that it was the end of an era for the previous season. It also introduced a new cast that is joining the beloved telenovela. Taking to their social media platforms to announce the new title sequence, they captioned the post, “New Title Sequence Loading >>> O ready? (Are you ready?)." However, the post was met with online criticism from viewers as they did not like the changes made. “Tthis does not look promising at all, the quality is giving 1980s, and why does the title card look cartoon-ish? Very disappointed, rather cancel…

THE City of Johannesburg on Thursday approved its adjusted budget for the 2024/25 financial year amid protests and widespread unhappiness with the R230 electricity surcharge on prepaid customers. The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) makes provision for a municipality to revise an approved budget through an adjustment budget but only the mayor may table an adjustment budget in the municipal council and it may only be tabled within prescribed limitations as to timing or frequency. The municipal budget and reporting regulations only allow one adjustment budget to be tabled in council during a financial year after the tabling of the mid-year budget and performance assessment but not later than the end of February each year. According to documents presented in council, the meeting approved more than R7.73 billion in adjustment…

The City of Tshwane’s MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, has addressed the ongoing tension between tenants at Thembelihle Village, a low-cost housing complex in the CBD, and their landlord, following the forced eviction of numerous tenants from the property earlier this week. Maluleka said longstanding disputes over rent, soaring electricity costs, and frequent service disruptions were among the underlying causes of the deepening rift between tenants and Yeast City Housing, the landlord. Thembelihle is the first social housing project in the municipality, which was launched by the government in 2018 to accommodate people who fall within income brackets of between R11 301 and R22 000 per month. Maluleka shed light on how, over the years, the low-cost housing project has been plagued by persistent problems stemming from…

A former human trafficker and reformed drug addict has told members of the Geluksdal community, Ekurhuleni, of her former job as a recruiter of young girls on behalf of an alleged Nigerian syndicate. Speaking during a human trafficking awareness campaign organised by the Gauteng Legislature on Thursday, the young mother, who did not want to be named, told members of the community gathered at the Geluksdal Community Hall how she used to recruit young girls for her Nigerian syndicate and former boyfriend until recently, adding that her drug addiction at a young age drove her towards a life of prostitution. "For more than five years since I was 19 years old, I worked. I even recruited young girls in Cape Town, whereafter, realising that this work is dangerous, I decided…

Max Verstappen said Thursday that Red Bull was "not the quickest at the moment" ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix but warned that could change as the campaign progresses. The Dutchman claimed his fourth straight world title in Las Vegas in November with two races to spare. The 27-year-old is now bidding to join an even more exclusive club, with only Michael Schumacher having won five championships in a row. While Verstappen secured the 2024 title by 63 points ahead of Lando Norris, he had to overcome a mid-season run of 10 races without a win as the McLaren star pushed him hard. McLaren and their drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, are seen as an even bigger threat this year, with Verstappen failing to set the fastest time on…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has called on everyone within the team to take responsibility for turning their fortunes around in the final stretch of the season. Chiefs failed to win for the third consecutive game on Wednesday night after being held to a goalless draw in the Betway Premiership by Cape Town City at home. Amakhosi, who remain eighth in the standings with 29 points, were left frustrated by the result, as they were their own worst enemy in front of goal, despite creating numerous chances. Chiefs should have gone into the break at least 4-0 up, but Mduduzi Shabalala, Gaston Sirino, Dillan Solomons, and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo all squandered their opportunities. Shabalala was the biggest culprit of the evening, failing to convert a golden opportunity when he found himself…

The South African government has once again turned to taxation as a means of addressing its fiscal challenges, announcing an increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate by half a percentage point in 2025/26 and another half a percentage point in 2026/27, bringing the final rate to 16%. This decision, though justified as necessary to fund critical social services, is yet another indication that the economy is caught in a self-perpetuating cycle of stagnation, increasing public debt, and over-reliance on a shrinking tax base. The key question we must ask is whether this increase is asustainable solution or merely a stopgap measure that exacerbates deeper economic challenges. A shrinking tax base and limited options The government has defended its decision to raise VAT by arguing that alternative revenue-raising measures, such…

Daybreak Farms is a going concern, the black-owned poultry producer, said on Thursday after media scrutiny in the wake of the resignation of its CEO, Richard Manzini, tasked with turning around the troubled firm. "Regarding recent media reports, we can confirm that Daybreak is not being liquidated. We value our relationships with all stakeholders, including Shoprite, and appreciate their ongoing support," it said in a statement sent to Business Report. This comes after Business Report earlier this week reported Financial troubles at Daybreak Farms: PIC's silence during management crisis. Media speculation is rife that its main shareholder, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), allegedly rejected a request for an additional R250 million loan to aid the financially stressed company, leading to Manzini's abrupt exit. However, Daybreak said that Manzini had resigned…

Tempting online adverts offering unrealistic investment returns have flooded social media in recent years. Many of these schemes operate without oversight, exploiting gaps in regulation to appeal to those desperate for rapid financial gain. Compounding this risk is the role of unqualified brand ambassadors and “finfluencers”, who promote these financial products as personal recommendations without any skin in the game. The issue is that social media influencers are typically compensated for their endorsements, but their followers often mistake these promotions for genuine, first-hand financial advice. This creates a dangerous dynamic, blurring the line between unbiased guidance and deceptive marketing. Even if an influencer shares recommendations based on their personal circumstances, advice and recommendations around financial decisions and products might not apply to you as no two people have the…

Exxaro Resources, which appointed Ben Magara as new CEO effective next month, said on Thursday that improvements on the rail and port logistics front have been slow, with the company’s financial performance for year to the end of December 2024 affected by lower domestic offtake of coal despite growth in exports. Magara, who was the CEO of platinum mining company, Lonmin Plc, when the Marikana Massacre happened on August 16, 2012, will become substantive CEO of Exxaro at the beginning of April. He will be taking over from acting CEO Riaan Koppeschaa who now reverts to being finance director. This follows the departure of Nombasa Tsengwa last month after a bitter fall-out with the company. In its year to December, Koppeschaa said the company’s “financial performance had been impacted by…

Reality star and entrepreneur Happy Simelane, better known as Her Majesty on The Mommy Club season 3, has publicly addressed the growing concerns surrounding bullying on the show. In recent weeks, viewers have been vocal about what they perceive as toxic behaviour among some of the cast members, with a particular focus on how fellow star Nokisie has been treated by the group. The Mommy Club has always been a whirlwind of drama, but recent episodes have raised serious questions about the nature of the conflicts being portrayed. Some fans have pointed to the treatment of Nokisie, who has found herself at the centre of mounting tensions within the group. As the show often highlights, reality TV tends to amplify emotional confrontations, but fans are increasingly concerned that the atmosphere…

Amendments to the Citizenship Act came under the judicial spotlight after one child born from parents who are legally in the country as refugees after they had fled Rwanda is a citizen of South Africa, while her younger sister, born after amendments, is left stateless. The youngest child, born in 2015 after a change in the law, does not automatically qualify for citizenship as her elder sister did. In terms of the new law, she can only apply for citizenship here—with no guarantees that she will receive it—after she has turned 18. Her parents, who have been living in South Africa now for several years, turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, out of desperation as their youngest child has now been left stateless. Home Affairs, which has followed the…

The Budget battle is far from over as the ANC prepares to pass its proposed Budget in Parliament despite facing fierce opposition from all parties, including its coalition partner, the DA. The DA, the second largest party within the Government of National Unity (GNU), still reeling from its defeat on the proposed Budget, has made it clear that it will not vote with the ANC to pass it. "We were saying there are growth initiatives that if they were done would make it perhaps acceptable for a 0.5 percentage point increase in VAT, but in the absence of those things, how do you expect us to accept a 0.5 percentage point increase when a key part of our election manifesto revolved around no new taxes?" DA leader John Steenhuisen said…

The 7th edition of the Joburg Film Festival has officially kicked off, cementing its place as a premier stage for powerful storytelling — spotlighting global cinema while championing the rise of South Africa’s homegrown talent. This year the Joburg Film Festival promises an unforgettable cinematic experience, featuring over 100 films from across the globe. Among the standout selections are two critically acclaimed films from The Ergo Company — Old Righteous Blues and Black People Don't Get Depressed. The Old Righteous Blues and Black People Don't Get Depressed are two powerful, thought-provoking films that delve into themes of community, social issues, identity, culture, and mental health, offering audiences a deeply resonant and impactful storytelling experience. Dumi Gumbi, producer of The Ergo Company, said they were thrilled to have not one but…

When I first encountered the Generation G programme through the youth network ACTIVATE! Change Drivers, I was drawn to its bold vision of creating a gender-just and violence-free society. It resonated deeply with my mission to help individuals break free from abusive cycles and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Partnering with Activate! and the dynamic young change-makers involved in Generation G, I joined the programme as a media ambassador and embarked on a journey of collaboration, advocacy, and transformation— both for others and for myself. A Mission with a Purpose Generation G stands as a beacon of hope in a world where gender-based violence (GBV) remains an insidious challenge. The programme’s focus on empowering communities to address systemic inequalities and challenge harmful social norms aligned seamlessly with my…

THE tabling of the National Budget is one of the most crucial aspects of government functioning, as it sets the framework for fiscal policy and resource allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. On March 12, following a failed attempt to present the Budget on February 19, the National Treasury proceeded to table the National Budget in Parliament despite facing rejection from several political parties. A critical point of contention in the recently tabled budget is a proposed 0.5% increase in VAT. Critics argue that this modest increase exacerbates an already high cost of living, particularly for low-income households. However, it is essential to recognise the efforts made by the government to mitigate the negative impact on vulnerable communities. The proposed increase in VAT, significantly lower than the initially suggested 2%,…

In a night that celebrated excellence in South African rugby, speedster Cheslin Kolbe etched his name into the history books by becoming the first backline player to win the prestigious SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year title since 2013. The dazzling awards ceremony took place at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town yesterday evening, where Kolbe's remarkable contributions to the sport in the 2024 season were duly recognized. Kolbe’s phenomenal performance throughout the year helped the Springboks secure 11 victories out of 13 Tests, culminating in reclaiming the Rugby Championship and Freedom Cup titles. His electrifying pace and unparalleled skill on the field have solidified his status as one of the preeminent talents in world rugby. While mainly a try-scoring winger, Kolbe popped up as a lineout thrower…

It has long been said that the PSL is a ticking time bomb, and this is partly reflected in the clubs that have, scandalously, recently made it onto the Fifa transfer ban list over the past few months. The clubs – Richards Bay and Marumo Gallants, along with embattled Royal AM – are on the list after having been punished because, in most cases, they have not respected players' contracts. Over the years, several clubs have acted with abandon, showing no regard for sound governance. This lack of sound governance is also evident in the way the mother body has conducted their affairs most recently. The Royal AM mess has come about because of the PSL's failure in that department. Had the PSL adhered to their handbook, they would have…

There is something satisfyingly retro about Nottingham Forest's pursuit of Uefa Champions League qualification and not just because they are trying to re-create the glory days of the late 1970s. In an age when possession and high pressing have become mantras for many Premier League managers, Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo is bucking the trend in spectacular fashion. While some sides are easier on the eye, efficiency is Espirito Santo's watchword. In their 28 league games, Forest average 39.4% possession – the lowest of the 20 clubs. They have made 9 355 passes, the lowest total in the top flight. But they have scored 45 goals, conceded just 33 and have 51 points and with 68.6 the average amount of points required to finish fourth in the last five Premier…