Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-05 i Star

Local producers warn that unprecedented surge of subsidised imports could decimate the sector South Africa’s sugar industry is facing a crisis, with local producers warning that a flood of cheap, heavily subsidised imports is threatening the survival of jobs and could decimate the industry. SA Canegrowers said in a statement on Tuesday that sales of locally produced sugar are falling dramatically as a result of an unprecedented surge in heavily subsidised imported sugar, raising concern from South African growers that not enough is being done to protect local jobs in rural KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. “Already sugar imports for 2025 are more than 400% higher than 2024 levels, and this has directly led to a drop of more than 100 000 tons of locally produced sugar being sold or being used…

Nintendo said Tuesday it aims to sell 19 million Switch 2 consoles within this financial year, up from its previous target 15 million for the smash-hit gadget. The Switch 2 became the world's fastest-selling games console after launching in June to a frenzy of excitement from fans of "Super Mario" and other top titles. "The hardware has seen strong sales since its launch," Nintendo said as it raised its annual net profit forecast to 350 billion yen ($2.3 billion) from 300 billion yen. Sales of the games "Mario Kart World" and "Donkey Kong Bananza" are growing steadily, the Japanese company said. "We will aim to keep the momentum of released titles and continuously introduce new titles to expand the platform's user base," it added. While Nintendo is diversifying into hit…

After a long, sometimes loving, sometimes contemptuous marriage, our Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has filed for divorce from coal. Well, sort of. The new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) has set several ambitious goals for 2039 as the country transitions away from its longstanding dependence on fossil fuels, towards renewables, gas and nuclear. The IRP has been met with both praise and critique, with some analysts citing cost-effectiveness concerns, whilst others laud its alignment with climate imperatives. For years, solar and wind have been the seductive temptress of the energy transition dating scene, while nuclear lingered as a recluse in the corner of a dim-lit bar. Now she gets to step into the spotlight, and all eyes are on her. The IRP has assigned 5 200 megawatts…

Industrial lubricant, chemicals and power company enX Group, following recent disposals, said headline earnings per share (HEPS) of continuing operations is expected to improve to between 1 cent and -3 cents for the year to August 31, compared with -8 cents reported last year. HEPS for the total group, according to a trading statement released Tuesday, was forecast to decline by 78% to 87%, after performance was negatively impacted by lower demand in its Power division. The total HEPS of between 40 cents and 66 cents, compared with 298 cents at the same time last year, was due mainly to minimal loadshedding compared to about 120 days of loadshedding last year. On June 30, 2025, enX's Chemical segment was classified as held for sale and a discontinued operation. The Fleet…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Zimbabwe’s economy remains highly dollarised, with any de-dollarisation policies needing gradual implementation while the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries has called for further disinflation strategies into 2026 to correct pricing and manage stubbornly high inflation. Zimbabwe is pushing for an end to the use of US Dollars across the economy by 2030, coinciding with a possible two year extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule originally scheduled to end in 2028. Mnangagwa’s party, Zanu PF party has resolved to extend the Zimbabwean leader’s tenure and to end dollarisation by 2030. However, the IMF has said in an interview that “Zimbabwe remains highly dollarized” with any confidence in a local currency needing to “be built through credible fiscal and monetary policies, a strengthened FX market, and the…

Theatregoers are truly spoilt for choice at the moment. From Janice Honeyman’s Pinocchio to the infectious musical Private Presley – The Ballet, tapping into the holiday spirit around the corner becomes easier. In the meantime, here’s what else is on offer. Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr I don’t need to tell you this, but the kids will take much delight in this fabulous year-end production at the Peoples Theatre. A feel-good musical, it is based on the hit animated feature, centred on a group of friends at New York’s Central Park Zoo making a break for it, only to find themselves navigating a treacherous world outside of their sanctuary. The key characters include Alex the Lion, who is the main attraction as the king of the jungle, his best…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) yesterday morning said efforts to reach controversial businessman and political fixer Brown Mogotsi, who narrowly escaped an apparent hit in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, on Monday night, have been unsuccessful. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said detectives have so far established that around 11 bullets pierced the small Chevrolet sedan in which Mogotsi was travelling, at around 10pm. However, Mogotsi did not open a case on Monday night, promising police officers at the scene that he would visit the Vosloorus police station yesterday morning to report the incident. However, before 11 am yesterday, Mathe said police were making relentless efforts to locate Mogotsi, without success. She said Mogotsi’s presence was critical, but the case would not be closed if he did not arrive…

Africa’s independence since the beginning of the 1960s has been hugely characterised by dictatorship, authoritarianism, ineptitude, corruption, and maladministration. Those who were known to be the freedom fighters have come to be known as the oppressors of the same people they used to claim to fight on their behalf. The African youth who were born in the post-colonial years are subjected to poor governance, poverty, lack of education and economic opportunities, unending wars and conflicts. The decision by the 92-year-old, Paul Biya, to stand for presidency in the recent elections in Cameroon has proved that Africa is regressing in terms of adding youth leadership in its political ecosystem rather than electing old people who are collapsing their respective countries. It is clear that the Cameroonians were and are not happy…

Faisalabad had not had any international cricket for 17 years, but Pakistan and the Proteas served up a thriller in the first ODI yesterday evening. The hosts ultimately crawled over the line with two wickets and two balls to spare to draw first blood in the three-match series. Corbin Bosch had four runs to defend in the final over with Pakistan still three wickets in the hut, but lost Mohammad Nawaz with the scores level to increase the drama and intrigue. But a leg-bye off Bosch’s fourth delivery was enough to see Pakistan home. The series opener was in the balance throughout after the Proteas had set the hosts 264 on a surface that assisted the slower bowlers appreciably. Both innings were virtually a carbon copy of each other with…

Track speedsters Luan Munnik and Ryan Mphahlele, both past winners of the men’s elite 5km race in the Boxer Super Run series, will square off in the debut Joburg leg at Marks Park Sports Club on Sunday, while Glenrose Xaba chases a rare hat-trick of debut titles in the women’s elite race. The mouth-watering showdown between Munnik, winner of the 2024 Boxer Super Run Tshwane, and Mphahlele, who claimed the recent Durban leg, promises to be a showstopper, with both athletes eyeing gold. According to Munnik, the 5km distance is a perfect balance between speed and endurance. “It’s where a 1 500m track specialist like me can mix it up with the longer-distance road runners. It’s fast, tactical and tests complete fitness,” said Munnik. “My victory at the Boxer Super…

South African golf legend Gary Player’s recent and pointed critique of modern South Africa, specifically his condemnation of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Act and his bleak description of the country as a “land of squatter camps”, has sparked justifiable outrage. His observations, delivered from a perch of enormous privilege, betray a fundamental lack of historical introspection, raising the unavoidable question: how can a man who benefited so immensely from the very system that created the nation’s wounds now feel entitled to lecture about its ongoing recovery? Player’s argument is clear: BEE is inefficient, corruption is rife, and infrastructure is failing. Yes, corruption is rampant and the government has largely failed its people over the past 31 years. But this critique is delivered without recognising that the economic inequality he…

FlySafair will apply to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for a Section 150 intervention to expedite the resolution of a labour dispute, after members of the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) were locked out on Monday following failed negotiations. FlySafair confirms that the employer-initiated work stoppage commenced at midnight on Tuesday night, with no disruption to flights on Tuesday. The airline has secured full operational coverage over the upcoming roster cycle and remains confident that all services will continue as scheduled. Currently, more than two-thirds of FlySafair’s cabin attendants are committed to work, comprising both non-union members and union-affiliated crew who have formally accepted the company’s offer. Combined with the seasonally reduced November schedule, this allows the airline to fully protect its operations, FlySafair said. In…

How do we change our environment, life situation and political economy? This change can be achieved through education. By training our minds and achieving capabilities and capacity not only to change the current but to project into the future we can create an environment that is predictable risks notwithstanding. The aim will be to consistently design inputs and processes that derive change that must be for the better. Morena Mohlomi, a mentor to the king of Lesotho, Morena Moshoeshoe, makes a distinct difference in the definition of leadership. His definition reads thus the point that “a responsible leader pursues peaceful and productive alliances, accommodates stakeholders, and uses new instruments of power to create intergenerational value through integrated reporting.” To this end Mohlomi was a design thinker who designed a system…

As we reach the end of the year, motorists and businesses will enjoy a decrease in fuel prices across the board. This comes after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has announced the official fuel price adjustments for November. Both grades of petrol will decrease by 51 cents per litre, while diesel will go down by between 19 cents (50ppm) and 21 cents (500ppm). This means South Africans will pay R20.29 for a litre of 95 Unleaded petrol at the coast and R21.12 in the inland areas, where the cheaper 93 Unleaded will retail for around R20.97. This will bring petrol prices to their lowest levels in just over a year, and close to three-year lows. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel will fall to R18.42 at the…

The latest Medium-Term System Adequacy Outlook (MTSAO) presents a complex view of South Africa’s electricity landscape between 2026 and 2030. Compiled by the System Operator in accordance with the South African Grid Code, the report evaluates whether the power system will have sufficient resources to meet demand over the next five years. Its findings reveal progress, but also serious risks that could undermine recent gains. Under the moderate demand scenario, national electricity demand is projected to grow at 1.4% per year, supported by GDP growth of 2.7%. Total energy requirements are expected to increase from 243 TWh in 2024 to about 264 TWh by 2030. These projections are modelled against assumptions for plant performance, new generation capacity, and the retirement of ageing stations. While the system remains technically adequate under…

UK-based Kore Potash, the pre-production fertiliser development company, has been approached by two parties, each of which is evaluating the acquisition of the company, according to Kore’s chief financial officer Audrey Maruta. Kore’s share price leapt up by 8.45% to 77 cents on the JSE Tuesday afternoon after the announcement of possible suitors. In June, the Australia, London, JSE and AltX-listed Kore announced that a high priority was to find suitable contract operator solutions and a mining partner with potash mining experience, and discussions were initiated with some potash industry players, Maruta said in an update. This led to certain of these industry players exploring the opportunity to acquire an equity stake in Kore. “Consequently, the company is reviewing all available options, including a possible sale of the company, and…

During a recent guest appearance on the SMWX podcast, Tony Forbes, father of the late award-winning rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, revealed that he has forgiven the men accused of killing his son. AKA and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were shot dead outside the Wish restaurant on Florida Road, Durban, in February 2023. Seven men have been charged with the murders. The men face trial in June 2026. “I have forgiven those people. I had not forgiven them before I knew who they were, but now that I know, I have forgiven them, but I’d like to see justice. I need to see justice. “I have not walked around in the last 2 to 3 years thinking about the case or being angry, because if I did, that’s all I…

Operation Dudula has been ordered to stop demanding passport or other identity documents from foreign nationals who want to access health and education services in the country. Yesterday, Gauteng High Court Judge Leicester Adams handed down a scathing ruling on the organisation, largely accusing it of using vigilantism in its operations. The judge declared that only an immigration officer or a police officer has the power in terms of section 41 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, to demand that another private person produce her or his passport or other identity documents to demonstrate their right to be in South Africa and that no private person has the power to do so, unless expressly so authorised by law. “The first respondent (Operation Dudula), the eleventh and twelfth respondents (Operation…

Gauteng province is “all systems go” to host the upcoming G20 summit, according to Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi briefed the media in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, yesterday afternoon, joined by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), executive mayors, and chief executive officers (CEOs) of key provincial entities. The G20 summit will take place from November 22 to 23, in Johannesburg. Lesufi said that earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa had expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the province. Earlier this year, IOL News Ramaphosa said he was “not impressed” with the state of Johannesburg, particularly during a G20 meeting held in the city. Despite his disappointment, Ramaphosa gave the province another opportunity to improve ahead of the final G20 gathering in November. South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency, with most…

A 23-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the drive-by mass shooting that claimed the lives of six people in Reiger Park. The six victims were killed and three others wounded in what police described as a drive-by shooting on the evening of November 1, in Williams Road in Reiger Park, Boksburg. “It is reported that in the afternoon of Saturday, November 1, 2025, two vehicles, a silver Polo and a black Polo, came to this area and started shooting randomly,” said Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi. Nevhuhulwi said the suspect was arrested on Monday evening following investigations conducted by Anti-Gang unit. She added that the motive was not yet known. The suspect is expected to appear in the Boksburg court today. Meanwhile, Major General Kekana has applauded…

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has hit back at the DA for claiming that the SA Local Government Bargaining Council’s ruling on Monday for awarding municipal workers a 3.5% backdated salary increase for the 2021 financial year is “legally flawed and financially ruinous”. The development follows a May 9 Labour Court ruling that sent the matter back to the bargaining council for a new hearing after the city had initially sought exemption from a 3.5% wage increase for the 2021/22 period. The court also ruled that the city is exempt from implementing a 5.4% wage increase for the 2023/24 financial year, citing financial constraints. Both Samwu and Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) have since approached the Labour Appeal Court, seeking permission to appeal the ruling on…

Financial experts are cautioning South Africans to think carefully before joining the Black Friday rush on November 28, warning that impulsive, credit-fuelled shopping could leave households battling long-term debt well into 2026. Economists and debt counsellors say while seasonal discounts can offer much-needed relief amid rising living costs, many consumers rely on credit to fund their purchases, a habit that often leads to missed repayments and what has become known as “Debt December” and “Januworry.” Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, said the event has become a double-edged sword. “Black Friday has the potential to offer real relief for many South Africans who are feeling the pressure of rising living costs,” he said. “At Debt Rescue, we understand that many families use these specials to stock up on groceries and…

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham is gradually making his mark after a slow start ahead of his return to England to face Manchester City today. Jobe joined Dortmund in the summer aged 19 for a reported fee of 30.5 million euros from Sunderland, among the most expensive transfers in Dortmund’s history. Jobe followed in the footsteps of his brother Jude, who moved to the Westfalenstadion five years earlier, aged 17. Jude became one of the most sought-after players at Dortmund and is now a true superstar after moving to Real Madrid in 2023. While Jobe has returned to England to play for the under-21s side he captains, today’s match will be his first on English soil for his new club. Like City, Dortmund sit in the top eight, having won…

On Saturday night, if selected to captain South Africa, Siya Kolisi will stride onto the same patch of turf where he lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for a second consecutive time just over two years ago – the Stade de France. However, this time around, it won’t be for a prestigious trophy, but the occasion itself is the prize: his 100th Test in the Springbok jersey. It’s a milestone few achieve in their careers – he will become the ninth player in green and gold to do it – and even fewer do so with the resilience and emotional weight that Kolisi carries. His journey to the milestone over 12 years has been anything but smooth sailing, despite achieving so much with the national team. The Bok captain has faced…

Zuko Godlimpi, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, while speaking at the annual Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA) conference in Durban on Tuesday, said that the aim of the conference is to attract international investors and bolster Global Business Services (GBS) to create 500 000 jobs by 2030. Godlimpi said one of the values you get from bringing international investors to a conference set up is that they listen to what you say, they listen to what you've done, and they tell you what the global market is looking for. “Global investors will tell you that South Africa, you've been doing well in this sub-sector of this industry, but these are the global trends that you should try to catch up on. The conference supports the government’s…

The city is still dark when her alarm sounds, a faint digital chime cutting through the quiet as her children sleep. Her day begins long before sunrise: a walk to the taxi rank, a crowded minibus ride, and the slow crawl through Johannesburg’s traffic. From her seat, she watches two worlds pass by: the one she leaves behind, where survival is a daily struggle, and the one she travels to, where high walls and manicured lawns signal comfort and security. During this journey, her mind is a ledger. The school fees are due next week. The price of maize meal is up again. Her mother’s clinic appointment cannot be missed. She mentally subtracts these costs from the R3,635 she earns each month, knowing that the true cost of keeping her…

The business case for modelling in climate policy is simple. We can’t resolve problems we don’t fully comprehend. Modelling helps turn uncertainty into informed choices — grounding climate ambition in sound, evidence-based decision-making. The energy, economic and social shifts required for a fair, low-carbon transition depend on clear evidence of what each pathway means for people, regions and industries. Focussed on achieving a just transition to a sustainable and low-carbon future, the Presidential Climate Commission’s work necessarily extends well beyond the climate system itself. The Commission’s collaborative analytical foundation lies in linking climate science with various spatial, technical, and socio-economic models that together capture the interactions between emissions, energy systems, economic structures, and social outcomes. This integration allows the PCC to situate climate ambition within the realities of employment,…

South African retailer Pepkor Holdings said on Tuesday it has completed the acquisition of several businesses from privately held Retailability, including clothing chains Legit, Swagga, Style, and homeware brand Boardmans, in a deal valued at around R1.7 billion. The transaction, , which represents roughly 1.7% of Pepkor’s market capitalisation, received all necessary regulatory and competition approvals and became effective on November 2, 2025, the company said in a statement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s Stock Exchange News Service (SENS). Pepkor said the acquired businesses will be integrated into its Pepkor Speciality and Pepkor Lifestyle units, adding 469 stores to its existing base of 979 speciality stores and expanding its reach in adult wear, particularly women’s fashion through the Legit brand. “The successful conclusion of this transaction marks the beginning…

Alphamin Resources, the Toronto-Canada and JSE-listed mining group, has declared a CAD$0.04 per share dividend and increased third-quarter tin production by 26%, from a phased restart on April 15 to June 30. The company, which mines tin concentrate from the Bisie Tin Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2019, on Tuesday declared a second interim dividend for its 2025 financial year along with the release of its third-quarter results to September 30, 2025. The production guidance for the full financial year was increased to between 18 000 and 18 500 tons, from 17 500 tons previously. The quarter’s production of 5 190 tons was in line with expectations as targeted quarterly production is 5 000 tons. The processing facilities performed well and above target – overall plant recoveries…

An 18-year-old who was shot in the leg and right ear during a mass shooting that claimed the lives of two teenagers in Westbury, Johannesburg, says he has not yet had the bullet removed and has been struggling with pain since the shooting. IOL News previously reported that the teenage boy, who cannot be named, was shot twice in the leg and once in the ear. At the time, he had been released from the hospital. “The bullet is still here. It’s so painful, I am even struggling to sleep at night because of the pain. I will go to the hospital next week to have it removed,” he said on Monday outside Johannesburg Magistrates Court. He said he has struggled to move freely in the area since the incident.…

The SAPS Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, has accused the Hawks and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) of obstructing and defeating the ends of justice at the Sandhurst home of murder-accused businessman, Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe, on December 06, 2024. Khumalo was testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the allegations of collusion and corruption between politicians, senior police, prosecutors, intelligence operatives, and elements of the judiciary. He told the commission yesterday that the Hawks team was allegedly activated under the pretence of police impersonation to disrupt the genuine operation. This was after the Hawks team, under the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) attached to the Hawks, went to the home of Molefe, where a takedown operation was under way by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence…

South Africans can look forward to some relief at the pumps from today, November 5, but the savings won’t be as significant as had been expected, thanks to a slight uptick in international oil prices towards the end of October. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced the official fuel price adjustments for November. Both grades of petrol will decrease by 51 cents per litre, while diesel will go down by between 19 cents (50ppm) and 21 cents (500ppm). This means South Africans will pay R20.29 for a litre of 95 Unleaded petrol at the coast and R21.12 in the inland areas, where the cheaper 93 Unleaded will retail for around R20.97. This will bring petrol prices to their lowest levels in just over a year, and close…

In the Tawila camp for displaced persons in Darfur, eight-year-old Sundus sits surrounded by burlap sacks and an ocean of sand. The horrors of war have made her understand more than a child should. There are no toys to play with, no school lessons to attend, no little dreams to share with her family or peers – only the daily struggle of displacement under the echo of gunfire and death, according to a report published by the United Nations in mid-August. Sundus recounted to the UN how she and her family fled the besieged city of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, after surviving for weeks on nothing but millet. “Hunger forced us to leave,” she said, explaining that shells kept falling on the city where “only hunger and bombs…

As urban environments grapple with escalating risks from climate change and infrastructural pressures, a transformative approach to disaster risk management is taking shape. The 4th Annual Southern African Drone, AI and GIS Conference, taking place in Durban, showcases how cutting-edge technologies are redefining preparedness, response, and recovery strategies worldwide. This groundbreaking conference, hosted by QP Drone Tech in collaboration with South Africa Flying Labs, WeRobotics, and Esri, unites a diverse group of stakeholders, from government leaders and SADC dignitaries to drone operators, GIS specialists, academics, and civil society, who are committed to exploring innovative solutions to common challenges. Delegates from countries across the SADC region demonstrated how technological advancements have helped combat disaster-related challenges. From rapid aerial mapping during floods to AI-driven predictive modelling for drought management, these examples highlight…

As frail as he appears, Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, the 86-year-old second deputy prime minister of Uganda, recently danced while running for the East Moyo County seat he aims to contest in the 2026 general election. One could understandably feel sympathy for the octogenarian, as he should be residing in a retirement community or enjoying his remaining years with loved ones. Sadly, this man still harbours political ambitions to become a national official. Due to age-related speech impairments, he struggles to communicate clearly. He cannot walk unaided and is always accompanied by helpers to ensure they catch him if he loses his balance. He is not alone, however, as he is among certain African leaders who seem committed to holding on to power until the very end. Paul Biya of…

The King Zwelithini Stadium will be the stage for one of the standout midweek fixtures in the Betway Premiership when two of the most in-form and entertaining sides, Lamontville Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates, lock horns today at 7.30pm. Both teams come into this encounter playing some of the most attractive football in the country – a blend of tactical structure and creative freedom that has delighted their supporters. It’s a meeting between two coaches who believe in expressive, attacking football: Manqoba Mngqithi’s fluid Golden Arrows and Abdeslam Ouaddou’s revitalised Pirates. Arrows are enjoying a fine spell of form after dispatching Marumo Gallants 2-0 at the same venue over the weekend – their fifth win in six matches across all competitions. The victory has propelled them to the edge of…

Proteas Women’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, highlighted an increase in support from South Africa as a feat that gave them the strength to break records in the recently concluded 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. Wolvaardt led the Proteas Women’s team to the country’s first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup final, where they fell short by 52 runs against hosts India women in Navi Mumbai this past Sunday. However, the Proteas Women – coached by Mandla Mashimbyi – achieved record-breaking results at the showpiece event. Behind their success, Wolvaardt highlighted support from South Africa as what gave them the strength to push the boundaries. Wolvaardt added that having such a successful tournament helps inspire young girls and boys to pick up the sport of cricket, a feat that is of…