Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-09 i Star

South Africa’s big banks adopted rigorous measures to contain costs last year after net interest margins (NIM) narrowed, in spite of improving business and consumer confidence, according to a report released by professional services firm BDO South Africa on Tuesday. All economic and bank indicators showed the environment was improving, but the big banks did not necessarily benefit. While the traditional bank metrics such as headline earning growth and credit loss ratio were all positive, if one digs deeper, the positive growth was not of the scale that was experienced in 2022 and 2023, Kevin Hoff, Partner & Head of BDO Financial Services South Africa, said in an online presentation. The average NIM declined by 6.25 basis points in 2024, in stark contrast to the 28 basis point increase the…

President Donald Trump has heightened the stakes in the trade dispute between the two giants Brent crude oil price plummeted below $64 (R1 250) a barrel on Tuesday, marking their lowest point since April 2021, spurred by escalating tensions between the United States and China, raising concerns about future demand for oil as China is one of the world's largest oil consumers. The larger OPEC+ output hike planned for May and Saudi Arabia’s plans to cut official selling prices for next month also added to the Brent crude oil price pressure, it trading at its lowest level in nearly four years and shaving 4.5% off Sasol's share price just on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump has heightened the stakes in the ongoing trade dispute between the two economic giants, threatening…

South African citrus producers and other participants in the citrus export value chain may need to absorb a portion of the 30% reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump if American consumers cannot stomach hefty price increases in the coming months, Absa said in its report on Tuesday. South Africa is a counter seasonal citrus supplier to the US – the primary exporting months to the US run from July to October, with oranges and mandarins being the main citrus products destined for export. “With other notable Southern Hemisphere exporters like Chile already sending the bulk of their orange exports (75% or more) to the US during this period, there is limited capacity from other Southern Hemisphere producers to substitute South African volumes, which become uncompetitive based on the imposed…

Renewable power generation provided a record 32% of global electricity last year, a report by energy think tank Ember said on Tuesday, as overall electricity demand grew 4% driven by heatwaves and data centres. Energy security fears, exacerbated by a trade war prompted by US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, could further boost demand for renewable power this year, said Ember electricity and data analyst Euan Graham. The tariffs have sent markets from energy and equities plummeting and stoked concerns about a global recession. Graham said though it was too early to tell whether the tariff fallout would impact electricity demand this year, renewable power could benefit. "Countries are thinking about their security and energy security more than ever before and I think that means homegrown renewable power like wind…

Cashbuild has confirmed its intent to acquire a 60% controlling interest in Allbuildco Holdings for R93 million in a bid to solidify its position within the hardware and building materials market. This significant acquisition, executed through its subsidiary Cashbuild Management Services, was formalised with a subscription agreement on Monday. The transaction is poised to enhance Cashbuild's reach, targeting a previously underserved customer base across all LSM bands in South Africa. Allbuildco, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, will manage the operations and assets of three hardware and building material stores under the Amper Alles brand, located in Silverlakes and Rayton in Pretoria, as well as in Groblersdal, Limpopo. Presently, these stores are owned by Amper Alles Hardware City Silverlakes, Amper Alles Hardware City Rayton, and Amper Alles Hardware City Groblersdal (sellers). The…

Following the success of his newly released album Feathers & Stone, South African singer-songwriter Jeremy Loops is set to showcase his artistry at the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival this June. The UK music festival is known for celebrating groundbreaking music and attracts a diverse array of talent. Loops will be performing on the Acoustics Stage while other international artists on the line-up include Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, The Script, Doechii and British singer Charli XCX, to name a few. This milestone not only reinforces Loops’s stature in the global music scene but it signals a significant achievement for the South African artist. “Glastonbury’s always been a dream,” said Loops. “It’s legitimately the pinnacle festival to play. Beyond the thrill of being invited to play, I’m just buzzing to soak it all…

A group of activists staged a march in the Pretoria CBD on Tuesday, bringing traffic to a standstill as they demanded justice for 7-year-old Cwecwe, who was allegedly raped at an Eastern Cape school last October. Spokesperson Sepheka Ramatema said the march aimed to demand answers from authorities, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Correctional Services and Justice, regarding the sexual assault of Cwecwe. “We are aiming to get answers because one thing that we notice is that since we started marching the past weeks, we haven’t received answers from either the government or anyone. “So, that begs the question of whether we are being taken seriously or whether we are being listened to. So, all we seek is justice and answers and nothing else.”…

Electricity theft via prepaid meters will not be tolerated, as voiced once again by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, which turned down an application by a homeowner to declare the City of Tshwane’s conduct illegal in disconnecting her electricity before giving her prior notice. The court found that the City’s Standard Electricity by-laws provide for disconnection in response to the tampering of the electricity supply without giving the consumer prior notice. The applicant is the owner of a property situated at an estate in Pretoria East. The electricity supply to her premises was disconnected because the City alleges she was tampering with her electricity connection so that she did not have to pay for it. It is the applicant’s case that she should have been given a notice before the…

Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has outlined his party’s stance on the country's fiscal crisis, stressing that the budget impasse goes far beyond a potential VAT increase. Maimane, alongside Deputy Leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, emphasised the need for a sustainable and responsible budget to address South Africa’s economic challenges. Maimane made it clear that while the proposed VAT increase was a symptom of a deeper crisis, the real issue lies in a government "lacking unity of direction," incapable of stimulating economic growth, and struggling with corruption. "South Africa is in this fiscal hole because this government is lacking unity of direction, unable to grow the economy or create jobs at the scale required," he said. He warned that unless this fundamental issue is addressed, the country would face…

For many years traditional healers have operated in an effective legal grey, with one area of contention being the legitimacy of medical leave certificates provided by traditional healers, and whether these should be accepted by employers. But legislation earlier published for comment - the Traditional Health Professional Regulations, 2024 - marked a significant step forward in terms of formalising the practice of traditional healing in South Africa. Employment law experts at commercial law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, in commenting on this, said that the regulations aim to formalise and professionalise traditional healthcare practices in South Africa. The regulations are set to be implemented under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 (THPA) to ensure that traditional health practices are standardised and practised safely across the country. “Once registered with…

During the BRICS summits in 2022, 2023 and 2024, member countries engaged in serious discussions about ways to reduce their dependence on the US dollar. While these efforts have since elicited serious punitive threats from the Trump administration, the recent US tariffs will further fuel either de-dollarisation or diversification of currencies used for international trade, particularly among BRICS countries. The US dollar has been the singular most dominant currency and the sole major international reserve currency since the end of the World War II, dominating and influencing international financial and monetary policies abroad. It became the standard currency for international transactions, hence, trade between countries involves converting local currencies into the US dollar. The current international financial and monetary system is disproportionately dominated by the US dollar, which accounts for…

Lions chief executive Jonno Leaf-Wright believes having his head coach Russell Domingo miss this week’s Cricket SA 4-Day Series final “does not devalue South Africa’s domestic system at all.” In fact, Leaf-Wright feels it's actually a feather in the cap attesting to the quality of South African coaches that Domingo has been called up to steer the Lahore Qalanders ship in the Pakistan Super League, which gets underway on Friday in Rawalpindi. The Lions, of course, face the Titans in the Cricket SA’s domestic first-class showpiece at the Wanderers from Thursday. “So, obviously, Russ got this opportunity as head coach of Lahore,” Leaf-Wright exclusively told Independent Media. “He came to me and said, ‘Listen, I’m really happy to say no because Lions comes first and what's my views?’ “I said,…

The Titans have announced Rivash Gobind as the new head coach of their senior team. With former coach Mandla Mashimbyi having moved on to coach the Proteas Women team late last year, Gobind is set to inherit a side that is in transition. The Titans have been under the Lions' shadow over the past couple of years, and Gobind's appointment is meant as the revival of a union that has been synonymous with excellence and dominance in domestic cricket, having produced the likes of AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn. Gobind has an extensive coaching career, having served in the Proteas under Mark Boucher and also in the SA 'A' and SA Under-19 setups. His career began as an assistant coach at the Dolphins and Warriors before he went on…

Kaizer Chiefs legend Marks Maponyane believes the club's hunger for silverware can be likened to that of English side Newcastle who recently broke their 70-year trophy drought. Tens of thousands of Newcastle United fans gathered in the city two weeks ago to celebrate the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years, with the streets turning a sea of black and white for the open-top bus parade. About 150 000 people were expected to catch a glimpse of the League Cup that Newcastle lifted on March 16, after a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the final at Wembley Stadium. Whilst it’s not quite seven decades since the last trophy entered Naturena, a 10-year drought is still the longest wait for silverware the club’s fans have ever faced. Amakhosi have the mountainous…

The great pyramids of Giza have inspired many a legendary tale. From blockbuster movies to fascinating novels. With the stupendous mythical Sphinx statue – half human, half lion – casting its eye over it all, it has been the birthplace of fantasy. Stellenbosch FC’s players will be hoping to take some of this magic that is settled in the desert sand they purveyed on Monday, whilst riding on camelback, with them to the Cairo Stadium today where they will face Egyptian giants Zamalek in their second leg CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final (kick-off 6pm). With the tie deadlocked after the goalless draw at DHL Stadium in Cape Town last week, Steve Barker’s team are looking to make history by extending their maiden continental adventure. The magnitude of Stellies’ ambition is almost…

Transnet on Tuesday announced that it handled more than 200 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in a single financial year at the Durban Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) for 2024/2025. This record target, which exceeded the target of 131 106 TEUs for the financial year, underscored the organisation’s commitment to enhancing trade capacity and efficiency, driven by a combination of increased trade volumes, improved operational capabilities, and strategic resource allocation. The previous volume record at the terminal was in the 2020/2021 financial year, with 182 198 TEUs. Jabu Mdaki, managing executive of Transnet Port Terminals, said that this is a momentous milestone for Transnet given the challenges experienced in 2023. “We had a crisis in Durban, and we faced challenges of vessel backlog and truck congestion. We would also like to thank…

The sudden hike of import tariffs by US President Donald Trump and his administration to countries across the world is set to reduce the volume of goods traded and affect citizen welfare across the globe. The Trump administration implemented a global 10% import tariff and a varying targeted reciprocal tariff to a host of countries, including South Africa. The reciprocal import tariff to be levied on South African export goods to the US is set at 30%. Historical data show that yearly trade between SA and US amounts to $23 billion (R449bn) and the US is SA’s second biggest trading partner after China. The high tariff will reduce the competitiveness of South African export goods to American markets, leading to reduced demand of SA exports in US markets, low income…

Municipalities are uniquely poised at the forefront of the South Africa’s Just Transition, given their constitutional mandate to provide basic services, encourage social and economic development, and to promote inclusive governance. Local governments also play a crucial role in climate action, developing and implementing plans to mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level, often through initiatives like green infrastructure, emissions reduction, enabling economic development, and community resilience programmes. Yet, their actions are strongly determined by the national fiscal, regulatory and policy contexts in which they are embedded in, but it is at the municipal level where the real test of the just transition will play out. Despite these responsibilities, municipalities must navigate difficult socioeconomic environments that are marked by a lack of funding characterised by financial constraints,…

Africa’s energy demands are surging, driven by rapid population growth and industrial expansion. Industries are now frantically seeking reliable and affordable power alternatives to run their operations but the current reliance on imported solar technology, from panels, to inverters and batteries, leaves the continent vulnerable. Repairs are delayed, components become scarce, and the whole system falters when global supply chains hit a snag. It's a fragile setup, plain and simple, and one that Africa can't afford to rely on. Which is why the prospect of building inverters and lithium batteries locally, designed for South Africa’s specific needs, is so incredibly promising. In stimulating domestic production, industries can tackle the twin challenges of increasingly erratic grid access and spiralling energy costs. This is, however, no longer just a golden opportunity, but…

Over the past year, Sasol’s share price has been on a troubling downward trajectory, reflecting a series of operational and financial hurdles that have beleaguered the integrated fuel-from-coal and chemicals giant. On Tuesday, Sasol’s shares fell by 2.54%, to R59.45 in the afternoon, a stark contrast to the price of R170.96 just one year ago. This decline mirrors a more substantial drop over three years, from R367.72, effectively halving the share value. Industry analysts attribute this distressing trend to a cocktail of operational challenges plaguing the company. Problems such as the extraction of low-quality coal from Sasol’s mines, diminished natural gas volumes transported from Mozambique, and inadequate feedstock supply have severely hampered production. Rising unit costs at the Secunda facility have compounded these challenges, according to Robbie Proctor, an analyst…

Writer and director Dara Beth sparks curiosity with her brutally honest reflection on love, desire, and poor life choices in all my ex lovers are dead. In a chat with Beth, they revealed that they were just writing short stories and bad poetry as a cathartic way to process the terrible dates she kept going on. “I was just trying to find some meaning in all the nonsense. This story has been a long time coming, written slowly over six years, pieced together from scrap paper prose scribbled at the edges of receipts, woven together with unfinished voice memos saved on and downloaded from multiple phones, and laced with more internal monologues than any single person should allow themselves to indulge in,” Beth shared. “I had no intention of writing…

The defence continued to scrutinise police conduct in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, questioning the approach taken in interviewing one of the accused in the Joshlin Smith case. Lawyer Nobahle Mkabayi, representing Steveno van Rhyn, challenged the methods used by Sergeant Dawid Johannes Fortuin, a detective with 11 years of experience, during his interview with her client. Under cross-examination at court in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, Fortuin said he could not recall how many interviews he had conducted throughout his career but maintained it was “a lot” and that interviewing suspects was a standard part of his duties. Pressed further, Mkabayi asked whether the same method was applied in Van Rhyn’s case. Fortuin replied: “It depends on the situation. That’s how I determine…

The newly launched City of Tshwane Aids Council will act as a vehicle to increase awareness and support for citizens living with HIV in the city, which accounts for 11.6% of HIV cases in Gauteng. This was said by Mayor Nasiphi Moya on Tuesday, who applauded a decisive step taken by the municipality to improve the health of its residents with the launch of the Aids council. “Gauteng has the second highest number of people living with HIV in the country, and 11.6% reside in Tshwane. This council will act as a vehicle to increase awareness and support for citizens living with HIV. The target is to ensure that 95% of HIV-positive patients know their status, are on ARVs, and have a suppressed viral load,” she posted on X. Tshegofatso…

Bank customers have every right to expect good service and for complaints to be taken seriously, says Nerosha Maseti, the Lead Ombud of the Banking Division at the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO). She said the Code of Banking Practice and the Conduct Standard for Financial Institutions stipulate banks' responsibilities to treat customers fairly and transparently while offering services that meet specific quality standards. If a customer feels aggrieved by the service received, the Banking Division of the NFO is equipped to investigate the complaint and make a finding, said Maseti. The Banking Division dealt with 750 service-related complaints last year. In terms of industry policies, banks are required to provide clear information about their products and services and ensure customers understand the terms and conditions of agreements. They must…

Qualifying South African-born spaza shop owners have been urged to stop leasing out their properties to undocumented immigrants who run spaza shops in their communities. This comes as scores of eager spaza shop owners, hawkers, and ordinary Soweto residents came out in large numbers to hear the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and Small Business and Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams unveil their joint R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund during an event held at the Eyethu Shopping Centre in Soweto. However, due to the size of the venue, scores of other Soweto residents were turned away with a promise that the two ministers would return to the township on another date. "They should not have called us to such a small venue if they wanted to entertain themselves.…

Family, friends, and fans gathered to celebrate the legendary South African actress Connie Chiume at the premiere of the Netflix movie Meet The Khumalos. The event was filled with both laughter and tears as they paid tribute to Chiume. Chiume, who passed away on August 6, 2024, after a brief illness, is set to make a posthumous appearance on Friday, April 11. At the premiere, Connie’s family, including her children Tumi and Sphelele Chiume, along with Nothando and Thabisile Mabuza, shared heartfelt moments that encapsulated the bittersweet essence of celebrating her final performance. Tumi, reflecting on the experience, expressed the emotional weight of witnessing his mother’s last work. ‘‘This is still fresh for us, and seeing things like this gets our emotions high,’’ he said. As the firstborn, Tumi…

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that corruption and low levels of public trust are at the centre of the crime scourge that has left no aspect of society untouched, including the South African Police Service (SAPS). As a result, Ramaphosa said the country's crime-fighting strategy must be innovative and solutions-oriented. He was speaking during the first day of the three-day inaugural Policing Summit at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on Tuesday. "I want to thank the minister for having conceived this summit. This is a critical summit because safeguarding our nation and safety and security requires that we become proactive, innovative, and creative, and we should all be solutions-oriented in our approach. This is what you have proven, just soon after you have taken office as minister of…

Does the ANC remember that 60% of South Africa’s voters voted against it at the election? Now, it is a minority party, albeit the largest minority party, but without help, it could be the Official Opposition of SA. Does the president recall that he was elected president with the support of DA MPs? These are vital questions. The ANC, in the Government of National Unity (GNU), despite its written agreement with the DA, has from the outset failed to properly consult its partners. It has carried on, now and for the past three decades, acting as though only its insights, policies, and grossly outdated ideological beliefs are of concern. It often barely listened to its coalition partners before thumping the table. This is not the way to manage and maintain…

The Bulls were far from home and dry early in the second half against Bayonne in last weekend’s Challenge Cup playoff. Jake White’s team needed to get a score after halftime to take the game away from their French hosts, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels decided to do something about that. Channelling his inner Warrick Gelant, the 23-year-old Bulls front-rower raced up to pick up a grubber from Bayonne just before his own 10-metre line – and then beautiful chaos ensued. Wessels first threw a dummy pass to flyhalf Keagan Johannes while facing his own tryline. Then he proceeded to do his own version of a three-point turn, in really impressive fashion for the 1.90m, 120kg human wrecking ball. But instead of charging straight into the nearest Bayonne defender – like any…

Orlando Pirates are 90 minutes away from rewriting history. With one foot already in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, the Sea Robbers return to the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night looking to finish the job against MC Alger – and take another giant stride towards continental glory. (6pm kick-off). Coach Jose Riveiro and his charges secured what was arguably their most impressive win of the tournament so far during the first leg tie against El Mouloudia, having had to absorb significant pressure, particularly in the first half, with the home side attacking from all angles in front of a packed July 5 1962 Stadium last Tuesday. Having gained a crucial 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to an all-important away goal from the boot of Mohau Nkota, they are now…

Should all four South African franchises qualify for next year’s EPCR Champions Cup via the Top 8 of the United Rugby Championship (URC), they must shift their focus from just competing in the European knockout to fighting for the title. Over the last couple of seasons, since joining the European sides, there has been no proper attempt from the South African sides to go for the trophy in the elite club competition in the Northern Hemisphere. They’ve been a breath of fresh air added to the URC, but competing in both tournaments hasn’t happened. The focus has always been on the URC and ending amongst the Top 8 for a play-off spot and a chance to win the championship. The Stormers have been in two finals and have won one,…

The 2025 Telkom Netball League (TNL) was launched to much fanfare in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, with the exciting addition of the Proteas Under-21 team promising to spice up the competition. The Free State Crinums are the defending champions after seeing off the Gauteng Jaguars in last season’s decider. They will be joined by the U21s and Zimbabwe when the tournament tips off later this month in an 18-team spectacle. Netball South Africa (NSA) president Cecilia Molokwane was particularly excited about the presence of the Baby Proteas in the top division of this year’s edition. Molokwane explained TNL 2025’s biggest role will be in preparing coach Precious Mthembu’s junior national team for the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar later this year. “To me, the more gametime and the more…

The Association of Communications & Technology (ACT) - representing leading network operators including MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, and Rain - has publicly expressed its deep concerns regarding the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) recently proposed satellite services licensing framework. After three days of hearings, Icasa aims to establish what it describes as an “informed and inclusive approach to the framework for satellite service for satellite services in South Africa”. However, ACT CEO Nomvuyiso Batyi on Tuesday said all licensees in the sector, not just new satellite entrants, deserved a more considered regime. “It also believes that any attempt by Icasa to develop a satellite licensing framework with the hope of achieving universal broadband connectivity will be doomed to failure unless it first repairs the broken framework for universal…

The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has made a fervent plea to the South African government, urging it to engage in immediate negotiations with the United States regarding potential tariff reductions or exemptions on citrus exports. This call to action comes as South African citrus producers brace for the implementation of a hefty additional 31% tariff on their exports to the US, coinciding with the arrival of early-season citrus intended for the American market. About 35 000 jobs are connected to SA-US citrus exports in one way or another. CEO of the CGA, Boitshoko Ntshabele, on Tueaday said increases in exports to the US was one of the cornerstones of the CGA’s target to create 100 000 additional jobs by 2032. “We are now looking at a potential…

South Africa has commissioned its first self-built Main Transmission Substation (MTS) by an Independent Power Producer (IPP), a milestone in the country’s renewable energy expansion, EDF Renewables announced this week. The Koruson 400/132 kV MTS, located near Noupoort in the Northern Cape, was energised this week and is designed to connect 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to the national grid. Developed by a consortium led by EDF Renewables alongside H1 Holdings, Gibb-Crede, and a local community trust, the greenfield substation is the first of its kind in over seven years to join the grid. EDF Renewables said in a statement that it marks a shift from traditional grid operator-led projects, with the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) approving the IPP’s full scope of development, financing, and construction.…

Rangel Logistics Solutions on Tuesday announced an additional investment of €6 million (R125.6 million) in a warehouse located near OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park. The Portugal-headquartered family-owned international logistics company that entered the South African market in 2020 said this investment reaffirmed its commitment to helping Africa realise the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. Covering an area of 10 000 m², the new warehouse will serve as a central hub for Rangel's expanding Contract Logistics offering, as announced at the opening ceremony. This facility also provides bonded storage, divided into an OS Bond Store (Operating Store) for goods storage up to 24 months and an SOS Bond Store (Special Operating Store) for storage up to six months, as well as cross-docking services. During…

Tanzanian company Pula Group has approached the High Court in that country for a ruling to speed up its $195 million (R3.78 billion) damages legal suit against Patrice Motsepe-owned African Rainbow Capital Investments (ARC). Pula Group chairman Charles Stith and Pula President Dr. Mary Stith said in a statement Tuesday that following ARC’s announcement to delist on March 18, they had advised their attorneys to file a Certificate of Urgency in the High Court to move the mention of its suit against ARC forward into April; it was originally scheduled for May. Stith said of the plan to delist: “This move clearly changes the status quo relative to our suit against ARC. I find it a profoundly interesting coincidence that this announcement was made within days of the announcement of…

In South Africa, the ongoing epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV), rape, and femicide has reached an alarming scale. Despite years of public outcry and numerous initiatives, the South African government continues to fail women, children, and girls in particular. The tragic story of Cwecwe, a young girl from the Eastern Cape who was raped, has become a symbol of the systemic failures of the state, policing, and agencies of justice. The Justice for Cwecwe movement, which emerged following her ordeal, has shone a harsh light on the incompetence and indifference of these institutions. The failure of the state to protect vulnerable women and children is not an isolated incident. It reflects a larger crisis of governance, law enforcement, and social support systems in South Africa. Women, children, and girls across…

The five state-owned buildings in Waterkloof, Pretoria, officially handed over by Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, to the Gauteng Social Development Department on Tuesday will provide a haven and support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). Macpherson said the handover demonstated another step in the government's mission to ensure that public assets are used for the public good. "For far too long, state-owned buildings such as these properties behind me have stood empty while there was a real need for shelters for women and children who are caught in very difficult circumstances. “At a time of a gender-based violence crisis facing South Africa, we must use these properties to provide a safe space for our women and children," he said. He said only two properties were transferred…

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has called for the immediate dismissal of municipal managers whose municipalities return service delivery funds to the National Treasury. Addressing members of the Progressive Professionals Forum in Durban on Tuesday, ANC provincial convener, Jeff Radebe reiterated the party’s position that it will deal with poor performance of municipalities under the ANC in the province, especially those who fail to spend allocated funds that are then returned to the National Treasury. Radebe was responding to the calls by the Institute for Local Government Management of South Africa who called on the ANC to act against municipal managers who fail to spend their budgets while people are crying out for service delivery. Speaking on behalf of the body, Dr Nkosiyezwe Vezi lashed out at municipalities that are returning…

When citizens cast their votes for a government, they do so with hopes that their lives will improve, particularly when it comes to essential services like healthcare. However, there is a disheartening legal battle going on between the Cancer Alliance, Section27, and more than 10 other advocacy organisations versus the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH). The GDoH had abruptly ceased the provision of oncology services to around 3 000 cancer patients, many of whom possibly lack the luxury of medical aid. These vulnerable individuals have already endured the pain of being on waiting lists for over three years. Alarmingly, the situation persists despite the Gauteng Treasury’s allocation of R784 million in 2023, intended to alleviate the treatment backlog. A recent ruling by Acting Judge Stephen van Nieuwenhuizen corroborated that “the…

Marcus Rashford returns to Paris Saint-Germain with Aston Villa on Wednesday seeking a hat-trick of wins at the home of the French champions while Marco Asensio can hurt his parent club. The two players have impressed since signing on loan for Unai Emery's men in the winter transfer window, scoring a combined 11 goals in all competitions. Villa head to Paris in buoyant mood on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions - they are sixth in the Premier League and face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month. Rashford will have a spring in his step after twice playing a pivotal role in securing victories for boyhood club Manchester United at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium. In 2019, in a Champions League last-16 second-leg…

THE Division Two cricket season has reached its conclusion, and the Pietermaritzburg-based Tuskers have secured promotion into Division One cricket having enjoyed a successful season in Division Two. The Tuskers won all three Division Two competitions this season. They won the CSA T20 Knockout, the One Day Cup and shared the Four-Day Series trophy with the Northern Cape Heat as the final was rained out last week. KwaZulu-Natal Inland Chief Executive Jason Sathiaseelan told Independent Media that the reason behind their record-breaking season is in the recruitment process they followed ahead of the recently concluded season. "We didn't just play in Division Two and gained promotion, we dominated Division Two. We got 40 promotion points, and the second team only had 20. That tells you just how well we did…

Explosive knocks from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh set up a tense four-run win for Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring IPL clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. Marsh smashed 81 for his fourth half-century of the tournament and Pooran an unbeaten 36-ball 87 to fire Lucknow to 238/3 at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Kolkata mounted a strong reply as skipper Ajinkya Rahane struck 61 off 35 balls and Rinku Singh blasted an unbeaten 38 in a late blitz, but the home team finished on 234/7. Lucknow have three wins from five matches. Kolkata, who won their third IPL title last year, have three defeats from their five outings. LSG fast bowler Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur took two wickets each and struck at key moments to trigger a middle-order…

It’s the ‘favourite week’ of the year for professional golfers as the Masters tournament takes centre stage from Thursday at Augusta National in Georgia. South African and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is one of the international golfers, alongside US star Bryson DeChambeau, who describes the week at Augusta as the one they look forward to the most on the golfing calendar. As the excitement builds for the first major golf tournament of the year, the 40-year-old Schwartzel alongside fellow South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Thriston Lawrence will fly the Mzansi flag at Augusta National, looking to bag another Green Jacket for the country. Schwartzel comes fresh off a brilliant round at the LIV Miami tournament where he claimed second place and a cool just over R43 000 000 (…

With Southampton becoming the first team in history to be relegated from the English Premier League with seven matches to go, the spotlight has shifted to promoted teams’ struggle to survive in the elite league. Fellow promoted sides Leicester and Ipswich look set to follow suit, with a quick return to the Championship. Leicester’s Foxes set an unwanted record of their own with Monday night’s loss to Newcastle. They have gone eight home league games in a row without scoring a goal. Ipswich are closest to survival of the bottom three, but are a whopping 12 points adrift of Wolves with seven games to go in the season. The promoted trio’s relegation struggles are a worrying repeat of last season, when Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United also lasted just…

Banyana Banyana came back from a goal down to record a 2-1 win over Malawi in an international friendly at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday. The South African women’s football team honoured legendary midfielder Mpumi ‘The Goat’ Nyandeni’s last match with a victory against a stubborn Flames outfit. Head coach Desiree Ellis also continued her preparations for the defence of the upcoming WAFCON title with a largely changed up side. The visitors took a surprise lead in the 57th minute, capitalising on defence errors by the Banyana defence and mainly goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. The first choice keeper made a poor call in trying to play sweeper keeper outside the box, an incident that resulted in a corner, and the Flames used that corner as they headed themselves in front…