Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-09 i Star

AFP The global auto industry has been rocked by China's decision to restrict exports of rare earth magnets that are crucial to making vehicles. With a near monopoly on the output of rare earth elements, Beijing is using them as a key weapon in its trade war with Washington. These are the implications for the sector: China's restrictions China accounts for more than 60% of rare earth mining production and 92% of global refined output, according to the International Energy Agency, driven by generous state subsidies and lax environmental protections. As the trade war with the US has developed, Beijing has required Chinese companies since April to obtain a licence before exporting these materials - including rare earth magnets- to any country. While these rules were expected to be relaxed…

Quantumed, on Friday announced that its CEO, Avian Bell, has been named to the prestigious Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 in the Healthcare category. "This recognition celebrates Bell’s visionary leadership and Quantumed’s unwavering commitment to the personal healthcare industry through community upliftment and public health education across South Africa," Quantumed said. Under Bell’s leadership, Quantumed (a proudly local start-up) has become a leader in promoting sexual healthcare, personal wellness and safety education, particularly targeted towards underserved and preciously marginalised communities. The company’s innovative outreach programmes and accessible healthcare solutions have empowered countless South Africans with the knowledge and tools to take control of their health. “This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a testament to the incredible work our team is doing to make healthcare…

Despite the news from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) that the South African economy recorded disappointing GDP growth (0.1%) in Q1 2025, and the news that Goodyear will close shop in RSA, resulting in nine hundred permanent job losses, the JSE and the Rand keep on recovering. On the JSE the ALSI ended Friday on a new weekly close record of 96 366 or 2.1% higher than the previous Friday. The index broke quickly through the 95 000 level on Monday and through 96 000 on Thursday. The South African economy recorded worrying economic growth and employment numbers for the first quarter of 2005. The economy in real terms advanced by only 0.2%, with manufacturing (-0.2%), mining 9-0.2%), construction (-0.1%) contributing towards a worrying picture. Since 2022 three quarters of contraction…

Fortress, a real estate investment company with a diversified portfolio of high-quality logistics and retail assets located in South Africa and Central and Eastern Europe, in an update on its operations for the period subsequent to December 31 2024 said on Friday that the logistics sector continues to demonstrate strong performance, with high-quality, secure space in sustained demand. Fortress reaffirmed its current forecast for distributable earnings of R1.93bn for the financial year ending June 30, 2025 and provided distributable earnings guidance for 2026 of between R2.046bn and R2.075bn, representing growth in distributable earnings of between 6% and 7.5%. "Vacancy rates remain low across the portfolio, highlighting the attractiveness of our assets. Currently, 117 915m2 of new logistics developments are underway, with 72.7% pre-let. This strong letting activity reflects the superior…

Gerda Steyn has described winning the Comrades Marathon as “an out-of-body experience”. On a day when Louis Massyn became the first man to complete the race 50 times, the Hollywood Athletics Club athlete reigned supreme once again. Steyn secured her fourth Comrades Marathon title – an unprecedented feat for a woman – with a composed run of 5:51:19, and yet her elation resembled that of a first-time winner. “The feeling? You feel like you are not inside your own body,” she said during the post-race press conference at Moses Mabhida Stadium. “It’s like you look down on yourself doing it. To get to a point where you are in the finishing straight and you are going to win it – it is meaningful and impactful.” A crowd favourite, Steyn still…

State prosecutors in the high-profile kidnapping and trafficking case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith say they remain hopeful the child will still be found, despite the conviction and sentencing of the three individuals held responsible for her disappearance. Just over a week ago, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno Van Rhyn were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Western Cape High Court for their roles in the abduction and trafficking of Joshlin, who was reported missing on February 19, 2024. The little girl has not been seen since that day, and her disappearance continues to haunt both investigators and the wider South African public. Prosecutors Advocate Zelda Swanepoel and Advocate Aradhana Heeramun led the state’s case in the matter. Speaking to the media following the sentencing, both prosecutors described the outcome…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described ANC stalwart, Dr Tshenuwani Dean Farisani as a dedicated public servant, a mentor and a man who committed his life to uplifting disadvantaged communities. Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at Farisani’s funeral, held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday where scores of mourners including Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba, minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and many other dignitaries paid their last respects to the revered ANC stalwart during a Special Official Provincial Funeral Category Two. “Here is a reflective message. A funeral of a man of highest stature. As we say farewell to this remarkable soul. We should celebrate a life that is well-lived. A life that is lived with conviction. with purpose and extra-ordinary vision. “Dean Farisani was not just a…

Tyla’s highly anticipated music video for her hit single Bliss has finally dropped, and it is all about embracing the sweetness of love. The South African singer-songwriter took to Instagram to announce the release with a captivating caption: “For the drama, for the plot … Bliss music video out now”. In the video, Tyla goes from crying to winding her waist as she switches between sultry looks while moving like water, showcasing her impressive dance moves. The quite literally explosive visuals feature the chart-topping artist transitioning into a state of euphoria, set against a dramatic desert backdrop that adds drama to the scene. This time, the 23-year-old artist is showing her vulnerable demeanour and emotions are taking centre stage. Bliss is a tender, emotional love song that feels both grounding…

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has constantly failed in its mandate to provide effective oversight and support for Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in line with Section 94 of the Children’s Act (2005). A glaring example is the unresolved impasse over the Bantu Bonke ECD Centre in Vereeniging, where more than 100 children have been denied access due to bureaucratic confusion between the GDE and the Department of Social Development regarding the facility’s transfer and ownership. The injustice continues; the ECD government subsidy, which was suspended at R17 per child per day since 2019, is set to increase to R24 in 2025. This increment still falls short of the target of R36 per child per day, which experts say would be sufficient to cover the costs of beneficial ECD…

Tanzania’s national team coach, Hemed Suleiman, has heaped praise on Azam FC midfielder Feisal Salum, as momentum builds around a potential move to Kaizer Chiefs. Salum featured for Tanzania in Friday’s international friendly against South Africa at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. At the post-match press conference, Suleiman was inundated with questions about the 27-year-old star midfielder. While on a scouting mission on the continent last week, Salum reportedly met Chiefs head coach Nabi Nasreddine and the club’s head of scouting, Thembela ‘Tera’ Maliwa, in Tanzania. Nabi, who previously coached Salum at Tanzanian giants Young Africans FC, is credited with transforming him from a defensive into an attacking midfielder. Since moving to Azam FC, Salum has blossomed into a consistent performer, contributing four goals and 12 assists this…

Carlos Alcaraz saved three championship points as he produced an astonishing fightback from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday. The reigning champion Alcaraz rallied from the brink of defeat to overcome world number one Sinner 4–6, 6–7 (4/7), 6–4, 7–6 (7/3), 7–6 (10/2) to clinch his fifth Grand Slam title after five hours and 29 minutes. The 22-year-old Spaniard is now unbeaten in five Grand Slam finals after snapping Sinner’s 20-match winning run at the majors. Alcaraz pulled off his first ever comeback from two sets down to stun Sinner in the longest Roland Garros final in history. It comfortably eclipsed the 1982 final in Paris, when Mats Wilander triumphed in four sets over Guillermo Vilas in 4hr 42min.…

Unions and analysts fear the closure in Eastern Cape could devastate the local economy amid high unemployment Goodyear South Africa’s announcement on Friday to discontinue its manufacturing operations in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, has sent shockwaves through the region, with over 900 jobs at risk due to a Section 189 notice served to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa). The decision, communicated by Goodyear’s Managing Director Paul Gerrard, has raised alarm among unions, and economic analysts, who fear the closure could devastate the local economy amid high unemployment. Mziyanda Twani, Numsa Eastern Cape Regional Secretary, said on Friday that the union is dismayed by Goodyear South Africa's announcement to discontinue its manufacturing operations in South Africa. “The union has been served with a Section 189 notice from…

Cabinet recently approved the Employee Services Amendment Bill and the National Labour Migration Policy. These are welcome interventions by government led by the African National Congress in response to the deep frustrations of workers and society. They seek to empower the Department of Employment and Labour to manage the flood of undocumented migrant labour into the economy and to balance this with the need to tackle the dangerously high levels of unemployment, 43.1% overall and 72% for young people. Migration is the nature of humanity and South Africa is no exception. South Africa’s DNA is fused with centuries of migration, both forced and voluntary. This is magnified by South Africa’s status as Africa’s most industrialised economy. Whilst migration is a mark of all societies, the natural flows into South Africa…

JSE-listed international fashion, homeware and lifestyle retailer TFG’s robust financial results for the year to end-March 2025 were fueled by a strong second half from TFG Africa, store expansion, and the acquisition of White Stuff in the UK. Headline earnings a share (HEPS) were up 4.6% to 1015.6 cents. The final dividend was raised by 15% to 230 cents a share. “The result underscored a ‘relentless’ focus on market share growth, margin improvement, and cost management,” CEO Anthony Thunström said in a statement. The group has a portfolio of 39 leading retail brands, with over 4 900 outlets in 23 countries on five continents. “We are targeting the opening of over 100 new stores in the coming year while optimising our existing footprint. With the Riverfields distribution centre now close…

Market regulators from six countries are cracking down on the illegal promotion of financial products by influencers on social media, UK officials said Friday. Britain's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the action, which began on Monday, has resulted in three arrests in the UK and the authorisation of criminal proceedings against three individuals. The crackdown is being conducted jointly with regulators from Italy, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Some 50 "warning letters" have been issued, which will result in more than 650 requests to remove content from social media platforms and more than 50 websites "operated by unauthorised finfluencers", the FCA said. It has also sent seven "cease and desist" letters, and invited four so-called finfluencers for interviews. So-called finfluencers, or financial influencers, use their social…

Universal Pictures has released the highly-anticipated Wicked: For Good trailer, and fans can not contain their excitement. The teaser not only offers a captivating glimpse into an Oz at war, but also reintroduces iconic characters from The Wizard of Oz, including Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow. This sneak peek is guaranteed to entice both long-time fans and newcomers. In less than nine hours, the post on Instagram received close to two million likes. Returning to grace the big screen are the talented Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Joining them are Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose.…

A 56-year-old man from the Eastern Cape, found guilty of vehicle fraud, has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, which has been wholly suspended. Zamile Nongogo was sentenced in the East London Commercial Crimes Court. Nongogo was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) in October 2019 alongside his accomplice, Thobani Mabizela. According to Hawks, Nongogo was the mastermind who aided undeserving vehicle finance applicants by facilitating and creating false pay slips for the applicants applying to purchase vehicles. This was between January 2018 and February 2019. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said: “Supporting documents were submitted to a financial institution in East London. Subsequently, vehicles worth over R600 000 were approved and successfully purchased after the aforesaid documents were verified telephonically with the…

A tragic road accident in Brakpan has claimed the life of a 14-year-old pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by a 12-year-old boy. The incident occurred on Saturday at the intersection of Northdene and Medeley Street. According to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s (EMPD) Accident Bureau responded to the scene, where paramedics had already declared the teenage pedestrian deceased. “At the scene, officers found a Mazda that allegedly bumped the pedestrian driven by a 12-year-old driver. “It is alleged that the driver, a 12-year-old teen, who used the motor vehicle and disobeyed a stop sign and collided with the pedestrian.” Dlamini noted that the driver was handed in, at the company of his guardian, to the Brakpan South African…

The National Consumer Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, trading as Eden All Butters. The supplier will pay a hefty administrative penalty of R500 000 as part of this agreement. This follows a product safety investigation launched after several peanut butter products were found to contain high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by certain moulds. According to the NCC, the supplier and the commission entered into the settlement agreement on February 25, which was subsequently referred to the Tribunal. On 3 June, the Tribunal confirmed the agreement and made it a consent order in terms of section 74(1) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The NCC said it had first been…

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) has slammed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for threatening to shut down it and other civil society organisations. McKenzie made these remarks in a recent interview with the Paris-based English-language quarterly magazine, Africa Report, where he was speaking about the Afrikaner’s resettling in the United States, xenophobia and his 2029 leadership vision. McKenzie recently sparked controversy by calling for the dismissal of foreign nationals working in departments under his authority, with many including the AKF and other prominent civil society organisations, criticising him for being xenophobic. During the interview, McKenzie told Africa Report that he would get rid of illegal foreigners and he would close down charities that are anti-government, adding that the country needs patriotic charities. When asked if that…

Ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have spent more than R200 million in travel expenses since assuming office last year, ActionSA revealed. The party said this figure was compiled through its GNU Performance Tracker, following the latest replies to our parliamentary questions submitted to every minister, including the President, Deputy President, and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. This painted a damning picture of executive indulgence at a time of deep economic crisis, ActionSA said in a statement. This week, the party revealed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile and his staff have incurred over R2m in travel-related expenses for transport and accommodation since last year This included spending over R900 000 on just four nights’ accommodation in Japan. In a written reply, Mashatile said all these occurred…

Outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi is facing mounting pressure to provide details of her claims that there is political interference in the work of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). In an interview this week, Batohi had said: “The NPA has been infiltrated by people who do not have the rule of law at heart. We are having internal challenges; some prosecutors may not be aligned with the vision of really fighting for the rule of law in this country.” Calls for Batohi to be summoned to Parliament to provide explanations follow a difficult period for the NPA during which the authority has bungled a number of high-profile cases. The latest was the Free State High Court declaring the extradition of former Free State premier and…

If you haven’t got a lotto ticket, you can’t win the lotto. That is how Jake White feels about the Bulls’ chances of beating Leinster in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship final in Dublin. White said the challenge in front of his team is enormous but “if you are in it, you can win it.” “The wonderful thing for us is that we have a lotto ticket. You can’t win the lotto if you don’t have a ticket. We have a 50% chance of winning on Saturday. That’s how sport works.” The 2007 World Cup-winning coach said his team will be playing a match akin to a top level Test match. And when asked what it would take for the Bulls to be third time lucky in a final, White said…

Mamelodi Sundowns made a grand departure for the Fifa Club World Cup in the US at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Sundowns’ players were clad in new, colourful tracksuits specially designed for the tournament, while the technical teams wore sleek grey attire. Head coach Miguel Cardoso stood out in a knitted hat featuring the South African flag — a symbolic and impeccable choice from the Portugal-born manager. It reflected both the team’s and his readiness to carry the nation's hopes on the global stage. Sundowns have been a beacon of hope for South African sport, coming agonisingly close to lifting the CAF Champions League title just a week ago. However, their aspirations were dashed at the final hurdle, losing the second leg 2–1 to Pyramids in Cairo, and…

It’s Youth Month and while we’re focused on all things young people, it’s hard to ignore the mammoth-sized elephant in the room: unemployment. With youth unemployment now sitting at a staggering 45.5% (Stats SA - F2025:Q1) – and no clear plans in May’s National Budget on how this will be tackled as a nation – you’d be forgiven for feeling somewhat despondent. This has led to many young people pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours, which shows proactivity and determination. However, our research shows that there are more school or college graduates who want to join a reputable company where they’ll be able to learn from their colleagues and leaders, rather than try to start their own business. Yet, their concern is that they don’t have the necessary experience to secure a job.…

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) said on Friday that it will activate a centralised Operational Centre (OC) at its headquarters on Monday in response to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. RMIS said the OC will be led by a designated RMIS veterinarian and will oversee a team of veterinary professionals and industry representatives, along with a specialist public relations and public affairs agency, forming the FMD Working Group. “The FMD Working Group will be mandated to develop and implement a structured, time-bound response to the outbreak, with medium- to long-term goals, including a focus on vaccination among other key areas.” The primary objective of this plan is to guide RMIS in addressing the current FMD situation in South Africa, with a strong focus on protecting red meat role players…

The drivers of change in South Africa consisted of the pentagon of race, rail, gold maize and war. I will focus on the vertex of rail. Although today there is very little rail in existence compared to what it used to be in the 1960/80’s, it was pivotal to South Africa’s advancement. The first rail line was one constructed in 1860. It was three kilometres long and connected the Market Square in town to the Point. The Natal Railway Company was responsible for this. It is said that the Natal Mercury had this to say about this initiative “It will substitute the railway age of animation for the wagon age of sloth. It will set upon this portion of barbarism-bound continent the truest seal of the Englishman’s presence. It will…

Mr Price Group increased its final dividend a creditable 12.7% to 593.5 cents a share after the value fashion retailer managed to raise its operating profit margin through lower markdowns, increased sales, and market share gains, after a muted first half. Total revenue increased by 7.9% to R40.9 billion, and the group gained 50 basis percentage points (bps) of market share, as measured by the Retail Liaison Committee. The gross margin expanded 80 bps to 40.5%, and operating profit reached a record level of R5.8bn, with the operating margin increasing 20 bps to 14.2%. Headline earnings a share increased 10.7% to 1 424 cents, respectively, after a stronger second half. This was despite the weaker month of February for the retail sector and the shift of school holidays and Easter…

Almost four decades ago, South Africa faced the worst aviation disaster in its history. This was on November 28, 1987, when, just after midnight, South African Airways Flight SA 295, en-route from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, Taipei, Taiwan, to the then Jan Smuts International Airport in Johannesburg, vanished from the radar as it was approaching Plaisance Airport in Mauritius. According to reports at the time, the flight was nine hours in when it experienced a catastrophic cargo fire mid-flight. It is understood that due to flying just above the Indian Ocean, the pilots were unable to locate a safe place to land. This tragedy, which placed a dark mark on the nation’s history, claimed the lives of all 159 passengers on board the Boeing 747, which was also known as…

The Gauteng provincial government this week launched a new high-tech, tamper-proof and crime-fighting number plate system to be piloted over the next six months on its fleet before being publicly rolled out. According to the provincial Roads and Transport Department, the new intelligent number plate system represents a giant leap as it is a secure, traceable, and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR (quick response) codes, and a fully digitised back-end portal. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela officially unveiled the new system last Thursday in Johannesburg. The system’s features include the ability to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and to enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to the vehicle owner. “These technological enhancements are designed to combat…

South Africans are being urged to brace for a major cold snap as a powerful cold front makes landfall, bringing icy temperatures, heavy rain, and widespread weather disruptions across the country. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a low-pressure system is moving through the nation, affecting every province except Limpopo. The system, which began impacting the Western Cape on Saturday evening, is expected to intensify in the coming days. According to SAWS, extreme weather conditions – including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and unseasonably low temperatures – will extend to the Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, and parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Temperatures in some areas are forecast to remain below 10°C even during the day. In a televised weather update, SAWS meteorologists warned that the cold…

A Belville school has finally received the green light from the Supreme Court of Appeal to change the name of Hoërskool DF Malan to DF Akademie to distance itself from being named after one of the chief architects of apartheid. The Western Cape High Court earlier dismissed a bid by four parents to prevent the school governing body (SGB) from changing it to DF Akademie. The SGB years ago officially started the process to change the school name, but in 2021, aggrieved by the decision and the proposed new name, four individuals – Barend Hermanus Rautenbach, Johan Smit, Francois Malan, and Barend de Klerk – launched a review application. After losing that application, they subsequently turned to the SCA. In upholding the SGB’s decision to change the name of the…

Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), Tsakani Maluleke, has strongly denied allegations of corruption involving some of its auditors in the Free State province, following claims brought forward by ActionSA. ActionSA stated it had received reports from whistleblowers alleging that senior AGSA officials in the province colluded with employees and consultants from Centlec – a municipal electricity distributor – to manipulate audit outcomes. The allegations suggest that audit reports were deliberately altered to conceal evidence of widespread financial mismanagement and fraud within the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Maluleke responded firmly, defending the integrity of the institution and its auditing processes. She emphasised that AGSA audits were conducted under rigorous internal and external review mechanisms, designed to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards. “They also undergo strict independent quality reviews by independent…

In 1913, an American millionaire living on the top floor of Johannesburg’s Carlton Hotel had an extraordinary idea: to make films in Johannesburg. And not just any films, but the biggest in the world, grand spectacles with elaborate sets, thousands of extras, and epic storylines. Isidore Schlesinger arrived in South Africa with almost nothing. He set out to make his fortune selling American goods, telling his parents he’d return either a millionaire or a pauper. Known as “IW”, Schlesinger built a film studio on a farm called Killarney, with the ambitious goal of rivalling a place that was itself only just emerging – Hollywood, which at the time was still farmland outside Los Angeles, dotted with shacks and barns. Though movies were still in their infancy in 1913, and despite…

I spoke almost a year ago to Mark Spiegel of Stanphyl Capital in New York. He said it was just a matter of time before Musk and Trump fell out – the only question was who would shaft who first, but his view was that sooner or later everyone ‘gets Musked’. An ugly, name-calling, chest-thumping public brawl on Twitter between the richest guy in the world and the most powerful guy in the world – it’s what the platform was made for. It’s also whacked Tesla stock as bulls need to reassess their upside case for the carmaker. Both probably realise that this is doing each of them a lot of harm – Musk could lose billions of dollars in government contracts and tax credits, while Trump could see his…

Aiden Markram knows this final build-up week pretty well. The tension and excitement of it all bottled into one. Markram, of course, has gone through this all before when he led the Proteas - the only men’s South African captain ever - in the T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados last year. Here at Lord’s though, where the Proteas are preparing to face Australia in the World Test Championship final starting on Wednesday, he drops down to Temba Bavuma’s lieutenant. But that does nothing to diminish the importance of Markram’s calming influence on a group of players where the majority are tasting the rarified atmosphere of Lord’s for the first time. “It's got that (final) feel about it, for sure,” Markram told reporters, on the outskirts of the…

Last week, Sharks coach John Plumtree had no choice but to keep calm about the loss of influential captain Eben Etzebeth ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Bulls, but after his team had lost 13-25, he admitted it had been a severe blow. Last Monday, Etzebeth took a head knock in training and was forced to withdraw from the semi-final. The loss of the most-capped Springbok of all time was exacerbated by the injury to another in-form lock in Jason Jenkins, who was injured in the quarter-final against Munster. “Eben is the best lock in the world as far as I’m concerned,” the Sharks coach said. “He’s our captain, and he inspires those around him. When he’s in our group, it’s probably a different pack, so…