Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-30 i Star

2025’s music scene has been one for the books. Something for every mood and moment. We got a bit of everything and more. From amapiano giants to R&B storytellers and global icons making a comeback, this year’s releases had range, heart and most importantly, real replay value. Sure, we had more album drops, but these seven albums stood out for different reasons: the penmanship, the production, impact or how they shaped the conversations online and in real life. These are the projects that truly defined 2025 in no particular order: 1. Shekhinah - Less Trouble Shekhinah’s return was long-awaited and her album reminded everyone why she is one of the country’s most consistent storytellers. Fans knew she would release her third project but what they didn’t know was when it…

South African politician Fikile Mbalula has recently shared his Top 10 songs of the year on social media, giving fans an insight into his music taste. Taking to his platform, he wrote: “This year was a great year in the music scene, and our artists produced really great music. There are so many songs I enjoyed this year, and am sure many of you did.” Mbalula’s list begins with Abantwana Bakho by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and Xduppy. The song has been a commercial hit, reaching over 30 million streams on Spotify and topping the South African Apple Music Songs Chart this year. Dlala Ka Yona by DJ Maphorisa, Enny Man Da Guitar and Xduppy is another track on the list. Part of the album Rough Dance, it features…

British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious road traffic collision in Ogun State, Nigeria, yesterday that left two people dead, local authorities and international outlets reported. Police said Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he was described as stable. The 36-year-old former world champion was travelling as a passenger in a Lexus SUV on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun when the vehicle reportedly collided with a stationary truck, according to Nigerian media and eyewitness accounts. Two of the vehicle’s occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while Joshua was extracted from the wreckage and transported to medical care. Videos circulating on social media showed bystanders and emergency responders assisting a visibly shaken Joshua as he was helped out of…

The Limpopo provincial government has warned that liquor outlets found selling alcohol to minors or allowing underage patrons on their premises will face immediate licence revocation and possible closure. In a media alert issued yesterday, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism said it viewed the continued violation of the Liquor Act with “great disgust”, particularly during the festive season when alcohol-related risks increase. Departmental spokesperson Zaid Kalla said liquor licence holders were legally obligated to prevent minors from entering licensed premises. “Liquor licence holders are, by law, required to prevent minors (anyone under the age of 18 years) from entering liquor premises for alcohol sales, consumption or any form of entertainment within licensed outlets,” he said. The department stressed that responsibility rests squarely with business owners to…

The City of Johannesburg has welcomed a recent judicial decision in the ongoing informal traders matter, acknowledging the court’s ruling to refer the dispute to mediation. Previously, The Star reported that the Gauteng High Court had instructed the city to fast-track the verification, registration, and allocation of informal traders who were removed from inner-city trading areas. That process, scheduled to run from November 4 to 18, was aimed at ensuring compliance with municipal bylaws and restoring lawful trading for qualifying traders. The court also ordered the city and trader representatives, including the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI), to enter into mediation to resolve disputes over trading rights and designated spaces. The ruling comes amid ongoing tensions following the city’s crackdown on traders operating outside designated areas. While the city maintains that…

In the latest development of Palestinians arriving in South Africa, a group called Al-Majd Europe is in the spotlight for orchestrating the two known journeys from Palestine to South African soil. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the unusual nature of the arrivals, noting that “it does seem like they were being flushed out” of Gaza. Gift of the Givers founder Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman echoed this concern, describing the movement as “forced migration of people” and suggesting it represented a process of “ethnic cleansing”. Sooliman alleged that a previous plane arrived with more than 170 Palestinians. But who is Al-Majd Europe, and why are people calling it a scam or sketchy? We do a deep dive using current investigations and our own into the site and organisation. First, we are going…

DUAN Jansen has credited his success on his Betway SA20 debut for Joburg Super Kings to his off-season move to the Titans. The “other” Jansen, twin brother of star Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen, has long possessed vast potential, having even played in the IPL for Mumbai Indians. But unfortunately, the 25-year-old’s career had stagnated over the last couple of years at North West, while his brother Marco’s has skyrocketed with the Proteas. However, with Marco joining the Titans from the Warriors, Duan also sought a new challenge and moved across from Potchefstroom to Centurion at the beginning of the 2025/26 season. The move has certainly reaped benefits, with Duan finding his mojo again by finishing as the leading wicket-taker for the Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge. It earned the…

ALMOST 100 000 fans went to stadiums to watch the United Rugby Championship’s round-eight action over the Christmas weekend as two derbies in Ireland, two in Wales, and one in Scotland caught the imagination. South Africa’s players were on holiday, with several posting pics of family time. André “The Giant” Esterhuizen frolicking in the waves at a Durban beach with his tiny daughter was special. But it is back to the grindstone this week as the Sharks prepare to host the Lions on Saturday at 3.30pm before the Stormers take on the Bulls in Cape Town in the late game (6pm). Fortunately for the SA teams, the five games played north of the equator have not changed the 16-team log too much and, of course, the SA teams have a…

THE refrain ‘there are no more minnows in football’ has been used way too many times by the so-called analysts; it has become slightly tiresome, clichéd almost. After all, haven’t we witnessed many a match whose outcome even a non-football fan would correctly predict — the gap in quality so huge that to term the particular encounter a contest would be a mockery of the word? But for once, the phrase is appearing justified. At the current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals hosted by Morocco, the competition has been so tight that the pundits are being served large helpings of humble pie. Prior to yesterday’s Matchday 3 encounters at the 35th edition of the biennial, continental showpiece, just three of the 24 countries had a perfect two-out-of-two record. Algeria,…

After the massive floods in Centurion on December 21, the area has been left with countless potholes and damaged infrastructure, but in true South African spirit, the rebuild has begun with some good humour thrown in. Tragically, there were a number of deaths reported as a result of the floods – a delivery driver drowned as well as two members of the public who were trapped in the vehicle as they were swept away in the Hennops River. It’s not unusual for flooding in Centurion during the rainy summer season, and the majority of the residents get on with their daily routines during the festive season. On Theuns van Niekerk Street in Roohuiskraal North, a recurring pothole has once again opened up. By the end of the rainy season, it…

As a Dobsonville family in Soweto continues to receive outpourings of support from city officials and organisations, the tragic circumstances surrounding their loss become more clear. The Collen Mashawana Foundation has stepped in to assist the family after a double-storey house collapse claimed the lives of three relatives, including a one-year-old. City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero confirmed that the building was illegally constructed and never approved. “This place in itself was an illegal structure, which was not supposed to be there in the first place,” he said, underscoring the deadly consequences of illegal settlements in unsafe areas. The tragedy claimed the lives of three family members, 60-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman, and a toddler. Six people were inside the house at the time of the collapse, Johannesburg Emergency Management…

Limpopo police are investigating a murder case following the discovery of a man, estimated to be in his 40s, who was found stabbed to death in Thohoyandou in the early hours of Sunday morning. The chilling event unfolded around 2am at Sibasa, near the local taxi rank, where the man’s lifeless body was located lying on the ground next to the road. “Upon arrival at the scene, the body of an unknown African male, estimated to be about 40 years old, was found lying on the ground next to the road. The deceased had sustained stab wounds on the upper body, allegedly inflicted with an unknown sharp object,” said provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. Ledwaba said medical services were also called to the scene and declared the man dead,…

Experts have warned that many teenage pregnancies in South Africa are actually statutory rapes, and society needs to be vigilant and report “the so-called blessers” who are destroying the lives of young girls, if the country is to win the war against the scourge. They were reacting to the recent stats by the Department of Health that on Christmas Day alone, showing that more than 130 teenagers gave birth, compared to 90 on the same day in 2024. Experts said that while one day’s data cannot, on its own, confirm the “normalisation” of early motherhood, it does raise important psychological and social questions about how teenage pregnancy is increasingly experienced in certain communities. Bafana Khumalo, co-executive director of NGO Sonke Gender Justice, said many of these teenage pregnancies are actually…

South Africans are buying fewer locally produced vehicles than ever before, sparking fears of deindustrialisation as the market’s appetite for affordably priced imports grows. Although the growing array of Chinese brands offered locally is usually seen as the greatest threat to local manufacturers, the vast majority of South Africa’s imported cars actually originate from India, according to the latest data from Lightstone. 36% of all the vehicles sold in South Africa in 2024 were imported from India, Lightstone said, while 37% were locally manufactured. Chinese imports accounted for just 11% of vehicle sales last year. When we exclude the bakkies and light commercial vehicles, India’s share grows to almost half of our market. Lightstone figures for the first five months of 2025, shared exclusively with IOL, show that 49% of…

The SA economy has ended 2025 in a stronger and better position than it was a year ago. In the past few months, a number of positive developments have created what could be a turning point in the business cycle. Based on the latest data available, the economy enters 2026 on a “note of caution optimism” about the outlook for next year. SA has indeed been in an economic recovery phase this year, and a cumulative set of favourable factors promises better economic traction in 2026. SA’s economic fundamentals therefore look firmer, and the groundwork for durable growth is being laid. In the third quarter of 2025, the economy showed its fourth consecutive rise in economic activity, albeit off a low base. The GDP growth forecast for next year is…

ZIMBABWE2 (1) Maswanhise 17’, Modiba (OG) 73’ BAFANA BAFANA3 (1) Moremi 7’, Foster 50’, Appollis (p) 82’ FINALLY, with the help of VAR, Lady Luck smiled on Bafana Bafana as they beat Zimbabwe 3-2 at Stade de Marrakech last night in their final AFCON group-stage match to qualify for the last 16. Oswin Appollis scored the winner from the penalty spot in the dying minutes after Bafana’s leads — established through Tshepang Moremi and Lyle Foster — were cancelled out by Tawanda Maswanhise and an own goal from Aubrey Modiba. Referee Mustapha Kechchaf awarded the spot-kick after consulting the VAR team and pitchside monitor, following the ball striking the hand of a Zimbabwean defender during an attempted clearance. The VAR decision will please Bafana and their supporters after they felt…

AS the calendar year draws to a close, Kaizer Chiefs can look ahead to the new year with cautious optimism, knowing that greater unpredictability may yet define their campaign. The Soweto giants will be relatively satisfied with how they have closed out the year, having produced encouraging performances in both the league and the CAF Confederation Cup. While it would be premature to suggest that all the pieces are firmly in place, there has been a noticeable number of positives for co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef to build on as the season enters its second phase. Given the disruption caused by the departure of head coach Nasreddine Nabi earlier in the campaign, Chiefs have coped reasonably well in navigating what has been a challenging and at times unstable…

Where are the TLC fans hiding? More specifically, the 90 Day Fiancé crowd who swear they’re “just watching one episode” and then suddenly it’s 2am and their life choices are under review. Because if you’ve been following Chantel Everett’s saga, you already know the tea has never been lukewarm; it’s always boiling. Everett and Pedro Jimeno’s relationship was one of the franchise’s messiest slow burns. What started as long-distance love quickly spiralled into family feuds, cultural clashes and enough side-eyes to fuel multiple spinoffs. By the end, many viewers were genuinely hoping the chaos was scripted, because surely no one lives like that on purpose. Post-divorce, Everett somehow remained firmly glued to the TLC universe. Why? Because messy reality TV is her brand, and we keep watching. Growth is great,…

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has submitted a formal complaint to the Public Protector, requesting an investigation into possible abuse of state resources by former Minister Dion George and his former staff. The complaint names George’s former advisor and acting chief of staff, Shelton Mollentze, and the Minister’s then-personal assistant, Traverse le Goff. In a statement issued by the department, it said that the complaint was lodged after Aucamp assumed office, during which he became aware of an investigation into his private business affairs. Aucamp said he felt the investigation appeared to be politically motivated and aimed at falsely linking him to the lion breeding industry, with which he has no association. “I will not shy away from my duty as minister and will act…

A packed SUV became a death trap at the weekend when it overturned just outside Uniondale, killing two children – including a five-year-old boy – and leaving five others fighting for their lives. The Toyota Fortuner, carrying eight people, crashed on the R341 shortly after midday on Sunday. The boy and a 16-year-old girl were declared dead at the scene by emergency workers. ER24 and other emergency services rushed to the wreckage, where several occupants were found seriously injured. Police spokesman Warrant Officer Chris Spies said officers arrived to find the Fortuner overturned on the road. “Preliminary information available suggests that emergency services personnel responded to an accident after a Toyota Fortuner with eight occupants overturned,” Spies said. “Upon arrival the police found the vehicle and seven occupants were taken…

A white South African man who sought asylum in the United States has been held for nearly 100 days in a federal detention centre in Georgia after arriving on a tourist visa and requesting protection on arrival, according to The New York Times (NYT). In September, Benjamin Schoonwinkel, 59, an Afrikaner from South Africa, boarded a flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta and told US border officials that he was seeking asylum. However, he did not enter through the refugee programme designated by the US government. Instead, he travelled on a tourist visa and applied for asylum at the airport. According to the NYT, Schoonwinkel was placed in handcuffs on arrival and transferred within two days to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, where about 2 000 people detained under…

While we remain in the middle of the festive holidays, preliminary data collected between December 1 and 21 shows that Gauteng may be turning the tide on road fatalities. According to statistics from this period, there has been a 15% decrease in road accident deaths compared to the same period last year. Nationally, Gauteng is one of only three provinces currently recording a decrease in fatalities during this festive season, a trend we are determined to maintain through the New Year. It is worth noting that this figure might change slightly owing to delayed recording of deaths in some incidents, while other victims might succumb to injuries at a later stage. However, it is important to take note of what the data is telling us – and what more needs…

UNAI Emery returns to the scene of one of his few managerial failures tonight, aiming to land a huge blow to former club Arsenal’s ambitions of a first Premier League title for 22 years. Dismissed by the Gunners in 2019 just over a year after succeeding Arsène Wenger, Emery’s second spell in English football has been a very different story. The Spaniard has awoken a sleeping giant in Villa, transforming the Birmingham-based club from battling relegation to contending for their first league title since 1981. An impressive 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday extended Villa’s winning run in all competitions to 11 — their longest streak of victories since 1914. That form has taken Emery’s men to within three points of Arsenal at the top of the table, despite failing…

UGANDA and Tanzania will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with neighbours Kenya, and the countries are getting a sense of how much progress they must still make on the pitch at the ongoing edition in Morocco. The East African nations have long struggled to compete with the major continental powers, and both face early elimination from this AFCON in decisive group games today. Uganda face Nigeria and Tanzania meet Tunisia, with both the Cranes and the Taifa Stars almost certainly needing wins to have a chance of making the last 16. Uganda have recorded just one victory in nine matches across three separate AFCON tournaments since reaching the 1978 final. Tanzania are appearing at just their fourth Cup of Nations and have never won a game. The sides…