Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-13 i Mercury

THERE is a fierce battle under way for control of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Africa’s largest asset manager, entrusted with over R3 trillion in assets. According to highly placed sources, the tension reached a climax with the organisation severely divided over the suspension of its chief investment officer (CIO), Kabelo Rikhotso, earlier this week. On one side stands the established board of directors, and on the other, a challenging faction, reportedly linked to former spokesperson Adrian Lackay, which – according to insiders – is attempting to wrest control of the PIC through covert manoeuvres. The sources alleged that the “Lackay grouping” had actively intercepted communications involving senior PIC executives and was orchestrating a campaign to remove the current board and install a new one. “They have been intercepting internal…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed a new €11.5 billion (about R230 billion) investment package from the European Union (EU), describing it as a major step toward building South Africa’s “economy of the future” while strengthening long-standing trade and diplomatic ties with Europe. Ramaphosa said the package “opens new possibilities for trade and investment” and marks the start of “a new era of partnership and cooperation” between South Africa and the EU. The announcement was made jointly by Ramaphosa and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum at the European Commission’s headquarters last week. Ramaphosa said the investment would support growth in several priority sectors, including green hydrogen, renewable energy, critical minerals, electric battery manufacturing, and vaccine production. The package will also fund…

In Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fable, the emperor’s procession glitters with splendour only in imagination. His courtiers, sycophants and onlookers nod approvingly, unwilling to admit what is plainly visible: that the emperor is, in truth, unclothed. It takes the innocent honesty of a child to break the illusion. South Africa, too, marches in such a parade. The robes shimmer with acronyms, commissions and summits; the crowd applauds resilience even as data exposes fragility. The parade’s rhythm endures through ceremonies of promise and policies without consequence, while the nation’s foundations strain under the quiet weight of unfulfilled governance. Governance, at its simplest, is principled stewardship: transparency, meritocracy and accountability in action. Yet it has become the unseen tailor of our times, invoked, costed and praised but rarely enforced. The numbers speak…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Friday announced the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Package for South Africa to the value of €11.5 billion (approximately R229bn). This is a positive boost to our economy, jobs, local businesses, infrastructure, including energy. In simple terms this injection is equivalent to 10% of government’s annual budget. This is a welcome injection of liquidity into a struggling economy that has been stuck at 1% growth per annum since 2008 and battling to attract the domestic and foreign investments needed to reach the 3% growth rate needed to create jobs and tackle our dangerously high unemployment rate of 42.9%. The package commits to raising European investments in South Africa with approximately R173bn in a Just Energy Transition, including…

Newpark REIT, which owns four properties including the JSE Building, lowered its dividend 13.1% to 26 cents per share for the six months to August 31, but has raised its guidance for the full year. The JSE-listed company said the dividend was declared after funds from operations per share (FFOPS) declined 24.5% to 26.80 cents from 35.50 cents. However, it revised upwards its FFOPS guidance for the full year to between 41.50 and 48.50 cents a share, with total dividends per share expected to be in line with the FFOPS. Previously, the company had guided for FFOPS for the year to be between 39 cents and 46 cents. The forecast was revised after taking into account the sale of the Crown Mines property at an assumed transfer date of November…

When it comes to weight, we often focus on what we see in the mirror, pinching an inch of fat or struggling to fit into our favourite jeans. But what if I told you the most dangerous fat in your body isn’t visible? This hidden health risk is called visceral fat, and it’s silently wreaking havoc on millions of people worldwide. Let’s break it down: what is visceral fat, why is it so harmful, how do we accumulate it, and most importantly, how can we fight back? Visceral fat is the deep, internal fat that wraps around your vital organs, including your liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which sits just under the skin and is easier to see, visceral fat is buried within your abdominal cavity. Think of…

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said the Police Ministry will have to go to the Madlanga Commission on behalf of the late Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa to respond to allegations that he interfered in the work of police. Mthethwa, a former Police and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister was found dead at the Hyatt Hotel in Porte Maillot in Paris two weeks ago after he went missing for a day — he is believed to have died in tragic circumstances after falling from the 22nd floor of the hotel. Mthethwa was expected to be given a right of reply after he was mentioned in testimony by KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi told the commission that during his tenure as an acting national police commissioner in 2011, Mthethwa, in his…

Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has slammed the recent violent protests at the University of Fort Hare as “criminal” actions, warning that the academic year must be saved and that learning must resume within a week. This comes as reports indicate that the protest at the university caused damage that will cost an estimated R250 million to R500m to repair, with key buildings set alight and academic activities brought to a halt. The violent protests, which erupted last Monday, have seen students burning tyres, blocking roads, and setting fire to buildings at the Alice Campus. It has been reported that the students are demanding the immediate resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu, whom they accuse of corruption and of overstaying his tenure following an alleged unlawful extension…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has accused the government of failing to act against vigilante groups, preventing non-nationals and undocumented individuals from accessing public healthcare facilities across the country. This follows a Durban High Court decision to strike the Commission’s urgent application off the roll, which sought to stop groups like Operation Dudula and March and March from unlawfully blocking access to hospitals such as Addington. The court struck the matter off the roll on Friday, ruling that it was not urgent. Operation Dudula and March and March have consistently accused the government of failing to address South Africa's migration challenges and argue that foreign nationals are placing undue pressure on the country’s public healthcare system. They want foreign nationals to be denied medical care. In a statement…

The PSL have announced the fixtures for the Carling Knockout quarter-finals, with the spotlight firmly on Orlando Pirates as they prepare to face the defending champions, Magesi FC, at the end of October at Orlando Stadium. The encounter between Pirates and Magesi draws particular attention, not least because it falls on an unfavourable date for the Soweto giants. On the weekend before, Pirates will play the second leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie. In addition, Pirates have a Premier League match both before the CAF fixture and immediately after the Carling quarter-final. Pirates will be keen to turn the tide against their opponents, having suffered an unexpected defeat at the same venue in the last-16 round of the previous year’s tournament. That day still haunts Pirates…

Proteas netball coach Jenny van Dyk feels that the Test series against the Australia Diamonds has been an eye-opener, exposing areas they will have to work hard on if they are to challenge the best in the sport. The world’s top-ranked netball team claimed a 3-0 series sweep, culminating in a commanding 65-42 victory over South Africa in Adelaide, Australia, on Sunday. “One thing I can say is that the Aussie Test series was twice as hard as the New Zealand Test series,” Van Dyk admitted of the back-to-back series, where the Proteas failed to pick up a win, despite coming close in the final match against the Silver Ferns. South Africa started strong in the final match of the tour and kept the Aussies on the back foot in…

Lions supporters’ spirits must have sunk when Johan Ackermann returned to South Africa from England – not to save their team, but to take over from Jake White at the Bulls. Similarly, Swys de Bruin – Ackermann’s sidekick during the Lions’ heyday in Super Rugby – emerged from coaching isolation to lead the Springbok Women to World Cup success. Both these coaches are Lions legends, and either would be appreciated at Ellis Park right now. The Lions, in short, need a saviour. Another Currie Cup season ended in disappointment, despite fielding a full-strength squad, while the United Rugby Championship is off to a dismal start with three consecutive losses. They already look unlikely to make the Top 8, having never qualified for the play-offs since South Africa joined the URC…

South Africa and other member countries of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) have agreed to adopt market-based principles to tackle the persistent global oversupply of steel, which continues to pressure domestic industries through a surge of cheap imports. Ministers from steel-producing countries under the GFSEC met in Gqeberha on Friday and resolved to recognise “the importance of steel supply chains and the need for them to operate based on market” principles. Mervyn Naidoo, CEO of Actom and new president of the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA), said last week that the steel industry in South Africa will “advocate for procurement models and investment strategies that favour localisation, skills development and long-term” sustainability. South Africa’s steel manufacturing industry remains a key manufacturing cog and…

Efforts to make smoke-free products more widely available could help South Africa reduce smoking-related deaths, industry players have said, as the government finalises new legislation for the tobacco sector. However, the affordability of these alternatives has become a key concern. With over 8.6 million smokers in South Africa according to the Global Action to End Smoking, the number of smoke related deaths remains elevated at about 32 000 per year based on statistics from Tobacco Control Data. Tobacco manufacturers such as Philip Morris International (PMI) believe that smoke-free alternatives will play a key role in ending smoke related deaths as consumers shift to non-combustible nicotine pouches and other alternatives. Smoke-free products are also seen helping to end drug-related problems afflicting SA and other African countries. However, organisations such as the…

The ongoing spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa has placed the country’s beef industry at a crossroads. Despite significant progress in controlling the disease in 2024, new outbreaks in 2025 across provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, and Free State are threatening the industry’s stability, export potential, and long-term growth prospects. The timing could hardly be worse. Just as the South African red meat industry was gearing up for its festive-season peak – a crucial period when national demand for steaks, roasts and braai favourites surges – new cases of FMD have been confirmed at a feedlot in Gauteng and Free State, with a possible case under investigation in the Free State. The progression of FMD outbreaks in South Africa from earlier in March to…

At 30, South Africa is in a dark place, none that any would have anticipated in April 1994. While April 1993 had cast a dark spell over the country, it was Madiba stepping up to be a de facto president and reassured the nation that whilst peace does not suggest the absence of violence, peace at all material times is the trophy we should pursue. Today, 30 years later, that dark spot of a suicide or assassin has revisited us. The question is will the leadership rise in this context and South Africa be granted respite to rise. When the news of Ambassador Nkosinathi Nathi Mthethwa’s death broke, I was not reminded of the story of the R22 million flag but rather one of a citizen-politician conversation that aimed at…

Standard Chartered is seeking to pivot on South Africa’s booming fintech sector to connect and bridge the country and the continent with international investors seeking exposure to the region. Bill Winters, Standard Chartered’s group CEO visited South Africa earlier this month as the bank views the country as a vital link to the rest of the continent. Standard Chartered recently told Business Report that there is renewed investor interest in South Africa’s renewable energy, IT, mining as well as finance. This was helping to shore up South Africa’s robust merger and acquisition activity amid rising regulatory scrutiny guided by public interest concerns. The country’s advanced financial sector and stability in the regulatory sector was also helping restore some certainty to investors seeking mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in the country.…

Are you feeling that familiar crick in your neck, the tightness across your shoulders, or that dull ache in your lower back? If you spend hours sitting in front of a computer, you probably know exactly what we’re talking about. Our bodies weren't designed to sit still for hours on end, and all that time in one fixed position can lead to serious tension. But don't just "push on through" the pain. Giving yourself a few minutes to stretch can make a huge difference, boosting your comfort and even your focus. And the best part is that you don’t need any special equipment. Here are three simple stretches that can help banish stiffness and get you feeling refreshed. For screen strain First up, let's tackle the strain caused by constantly…

Transnet SOC Ltd and the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) have welcomed the KwaZulu-Natal High Court judgment, dismissing Maersk's APM Terminals’ application to set aside the selection of an equity partner for the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2. Judge Mahendra Chetty delivered the ruling. Judge Chetty dismissed the application and said the parties should bear their own costs, including any costs reserved. In July 2023, Transnet chose Filipino based ICTSI as the preferred bidder for a 25-year joint venture with Transnet Port Terminals. This partnership aims to develop and upgrade the terminal, with due diligence confirming ICTSI’s financial viability. Pier 2 is the largest single container terminal at Transnet and handles 72% of the Port of Durban’s throughput and 46% of South Africa’s container volumes, making it…

President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson said a video showing him outside the posh Sandton home of Hangwani Maumela — a central figure in a massive corruption scandal involving the looting of over R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital — is purely coincidental. Ramaphosa has denied ever meeting Maumela, who was related to him through a previous marriage. Last week, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raided Maumela's home as part of an operation to seize assets linked to the alleged Tembisa Hospital looting. A recent SIU report found that Maumela allegedly led one of three major syndicates that diverted public funds meant for healthcare services through a complex web of fraudulent tenders, inflated prices and non-existent deliveries. Among the items confiscated were three Lamborghinis, designer furniture, expensive artwork, and other property. The…

The standoff between the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) CEO Lucky Montana shows no signs of cooling down, after he denied owing the revenue service any money. “I do not owe SARS even a cent,” Montana has said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, after Sars in an unusual move publicly revealed details of his tax affairs in a media briefing. This came after the revenue service had warned Montana to retract his allegations of fraud within 24 hours or face public disclosure of his confidential tax information. Sars therefore revealed that Montana has an outstanding tax debt of over R55 million and that he had submitted a R5.4 million settlement offer in August. “A prerequisite in terms of the…

zelda.venter@inl.co.za Discovery Insure maintained that in rejecting the claim of one of its clients after her car was stolen, it acted fairly and in terms of the agreement it entered into with all its customers, that the mandatory tracking device in these insured vehicles must be in working order. Nicole Hoolsema (plaintiff) recently turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where she claimed an amount from Discovery Insure for her stolen vehicle. Discovery Insure, however, refused to pay her as it claimed the tracking device in her vehicle was faulty. While the main matter must still serve before court, Hoolsema at this stage turned to court to amend her particulars of claim to include that, as far as she was aware, the tracker was in working order. “The claim, submitted…

zelda.venter@inl.co.za An acting judge, in dealing with a tug-o-war between divorcing parents regarding the custody of their child, urged parents to respect each other when it came to decisions regarding their children. Acting Judge Ceri von Ludwig, sitting in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, remarked that it is a heavy burden on a court to have to decide what is best for a child when that child's own parents are unable to do so. “It is a responsibility for which we must be grateful because the parents have turned to us and said, ‘help us’. It is not always an abrogation of the parents' responsibilities by the parents. It is the parents saying, ‘I know what I think is best’, but it does not concur with what the other parent…

Being close enough to the corrupt gives you the responsibility to act PROXIMITY is complicity. These words came to mind as I lay awake contemplating the president’s nephew’s Lamborghinis as they become the newest symbol of corruption as people perish in hospitals. I was thinking of the role of friends, family members and particularly the churches’ role in a corrupt society. If we knowingly enjoy the perks of proximity with those who enjoy stolen wealth without calling them out, that makes us complicit. As complicit as the white people who defend their gains from apartheid and colonial wealth that came because of black deaths, thefts and pain. One injustice justifies another. How many white churches, for example, do you know who have come out to renounce past injustices and committed…

Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Sunday that he would one day like to coach the France national team but did not specify if he was eyeing the job once Didier Deschamps steps down. Zidane, who famously scored twice in France’s 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, previously led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles during his only senior coaching tenure. “I’m sure I’ll get back into coaching,” Zidane said at an event organised by Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen now, but what I want one day is to coach the national team.” The 53-year-old remains the favourite to replace Deschamps when the 2018 World Cup-winning coach steps aside after next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has praised midfielder Sipho Mbule for his growing influence in the national team setup and revealed how a simple half-time message sparked his second-half revival against Zimbabwe. The 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier, played in front of a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night, ended goalless – a result that dented Bafana’s qualification hopes. Though officially designated as the away team, the Warriors hosted the clash in Durban due to none of Zimbabwe’s stadiums meeting Fifa accreditation standards. Despite the frustrating result, Broos found reason for encouragement in Mbule’s display. The Orlando Pirates midfielder, affectionately known as ‘MasterChef’, has worked his way back into the national picture after missing out on several squads earlier this year. His recall came during the September international break,…

After a lukewarm display in his United Rugby Championship (URC) debut, Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will not be available for the Bulls’ next game against Connacht this weekend. Head coach Johan Ackermann confirmed that Pollard is heading back to South Africa to support his wife, who is due to give birth soon. That rules him out of the next Irish clash and the third tour match against former champions Glasgow Warriors.E Pollard, along with the rest of the Springbok reinforcements, failed to make a significant impact against Ulster, who claimed a convincing 28-7 win over their visitors. Following the defeat, critics were quick to speak out, but Ackermann insisted the team wouldn’t be distracted by outside noise. The focus now shifts to fixing key issues ahead of a tough assignment…

South Africa has entered a period of lower maize prices, offering relief to consumers, livestock farmers, and poultry producers following a bumper harvest that has boosted domestic supplies, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz). Agbiz chief economist, Wandile Sihlobo, said the decline in prices marks a favourable phase for households and key food-producing sectors. “Looking at South Africa’s white maize spot prices they are down by over 35% from a year ago, trading at R3 595 per ton. In the case of yellow maize, the spot price is down by over 20% from a year ago, trading around R3 450 per ton,” Sihlobo said. He said the notable drop reflects improved supply conditions in the domestic market. “We have a sizable harvest in the 2024-25 season.…

The Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative (Saai) recently brought together farmers from across the globe, convening the G20 Farmers Dialogue. The discussions at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Stellenbosch University aimed to forge a path towards a farmers’ declaration for the upcoming G20 Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg in November. Saai said that the event attracted delegates and digital participants from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, ensuring that the authentic voice of farmers was represented in global policy debates. Saai added that the dialogue focused on four central themes: family farming; digitalisation, innovation and AI; livestock and proteins; and trade and food security. Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti in Italy, said family farming is crucial. “Family farmers are the pillars of agriculture globally. They produce most of the…

Despite some uncertainty about world equity and bond markets around the US economy and the way forward for interest rates after the US government shutdown remains, share prices on the JSE remain bullish. The all share index broke through the 110 000 point level a few times last week and closed on Friday at 110 296 points. This is an improvement of 0.5% for the week and the sixth consecutive record Friday close. The prices for gold, platinum and palladium remain strong but have moved sideways since last Thursday. The gold price ended the week still above the $4 000 (about R69 900) level ($4 009) and $123 per ounce for the week, from $3 885 the previous Friday. Platinum ended flat on $1 617, but the palladium price shot…

There are early signs of greater urgency around infrastructure, education, and digital transformation in South Africa’s Government of National Unity, which plays into the strengths of JSE-listed ICT group Mustek. This was according to the group’s CEO Hein Engelbrecht, who said in the annual report released Friday that they were heading into the new financial year to June 30, 2026, with “cautious optimism,” a sharpened cost base, a more focused portfolio, and an active pipeline of business. This was after the relatively stable demand experienced by the group for the past financial year was only interspersed with worse-than-expected procurement delays and administrative uncertainty in the public sector, which resulted in lower device sales and slower delivery on major contracts. “We have every reason to believe that this is a temporary…

Sappi’s share price nudged up 5.1% on the JSE on Friday after investors likely took heart from an update on the global paper and packaging group's actions since it released weak third quarter results. The share price closed at R21.65, which is a far cry from the R50.39 it traded at a year ago, but the low price is also symptomatic of the financial positions of at least two global paper and packaging groups, Sappi and Mondi, which have both recently posted weaker financial results due to a sector that is at the bottom end of a structural adjustment and price cycle. Mondi’s share price of R105.29 on Friday was also over 41% lower than a year ago. In August, Sappi reported a $33 million (about R577.3m) loss for the…

ANC leader Bheki Cele has taken the public to task over how it reacted to the death of the former Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa. Cele said the engagements on social media indicate that South Africans are devoid of “humanity and conscience”. He was speaking at the memorial service in Durban last week. Mthethwa died in France more than a week ago; his body returned to the country last week, and he was laid to rest in Richards Bay yesterday. Mthethwa’s name has been mentioned several times in the Ad Hoc committee investigating the infiltration of police by criminal activity. The KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mthethwa, mentioned Nathi Mthethwa in two incidents: one was the alleged interference in a police investigation, and the second was that a perimeter wall at…

Accredited South African pharmacists can now legally prescribe certain HIV medicines, significantly improving access to life-saving treatment for hundreds of thousands of people living with or at risk of HIV. This is the result of a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling after nearly three years of litigation between the Independent Practitioners Association Foundation (IPAF) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) over the council’s Pharmacy Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (PIMART) programme. The initiative allows accredited pharmacists to prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and first-line HIV therapy for prevention, treatment, and management. According to the judgment, the initiative is aimed at increasing patients’ access to antiretroviral medicines for PrEP and PEP as HIV infections remain persistently high in South Africa. The IPAF consists of members who are…

Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has condemned corruption within the police ranks after four officers were found on the wrong side of the law. Hadebe was reacting to the arrest of four officers alongside a civilian in Mpumalanga, in connection with a house robbery. Provincial corporate communication and liaison head, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said the suspects, aged between 29 and 41, were arrested in Lydenburg following a police response to a house robbery in Mashishing last Thursday. “According to preliminary reports, the victims, all Ethiopian nationals, were asleep when they were ambushed by a group of armed suspects,” Mashaba said. He said it is reported the suspects used three vehicles: a grey double-cab Toyota bakkie with Limpopo registration plates, a marked SAPS VW Golf GTI belonging to the…

All eyes will be on suspended deputy police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, who will come under the spotlight when he testifies at the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament, which is probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the police service. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in his testimony before the committee and at the Madlanga Commission, implicated Sibiya in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). Sibiya was also mentioned when National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola gave his testimony, and he faced a search and seizure raid which took place at his home last Thursday. Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee is investigating allegations made by Mkhwanazi, who said Sibiya allegedly went ahead with plans to disband the PKTT despite being advised not to do so by Masemola,…

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has raised the alarm over the ‘pervasive financialisation of healthcare’, a concept that he argues is transforming health from a fundamental public good into a profit-driven commodity. Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Drakensberg Inclusive Growth Forum 2025 at the weekend, Motsoaledi highlighted the shortcomings of current health financing models, not just in South Africa but across the globe, and underscored their dire implications for public health. Motsoaledi was speaking about managing the complexities of the health system and resources. “The problem is what we call financialisation of healthcare,” Motsoaledi said. He said there is a growing influence of financial markets, investors and corporate interest in the healthcare sector. “This phenomenon is transferring health care from a public good, which it is, and a social…

THE chickens are coming home to roost. It started with controversial businessman Hangwani Maumela. Then followed General Shadrack Sibiya. One wonders … who’s next? The Asset Forfeiture Unit is on a determined stride, and the nation watches with a mixture of suspense, amusement, and disbelief. Every day in the hearing room feels like a live broadcast of a national drama where the stakes are reputations, integrity, and sometimes, careers. Step into the hearing room and you feel the weight of history pressing down. This is more than a legal exercise; it is a national mirror reflecting our collective character. Familiar names enter with the confidence of seasoned veterans, only to falter under questions that demand more than rehearsed statements. Furrowed brows, long pauses, carefully constructed evasions – it’s a national…

With their World Cup qualifying hopes hanging by a thread, Bafana Bafana must defy the odds against Rwanda on Tuesday while praying for Nigeria’s support. In a campaign rife with ups and downs, Bafana Bafana find themselves at a critical juncture as they prepare for their final Group C game of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda on Tuesday. After a frustrating goalless draw against Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the South African team faces a daunting challenge where fortune must finally favour them. They need not only a win but also significant help from Nigeria to keep their World Cup ambitions alive. The disappointing result against Zimbabwe in Durban, where Bafana hit the woodwork twice and suffered a dramatic goal-line clearance, has left them in dire straits.…

Four PSL teams – Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Stellenbosch FC – will resume their journeys in the CAF club competitions next week, all playing away matches that could define their continental aspirations. It will be history in the making as both Chiefs and Pirates set out on their first joint overseas venture, heading to Lubumbashi in the DRC for their CAF club competition second-round ties. They will play at the same venue, on different days. For Pirates, their journey will see them face St Eloi Lupopo on Saturday. Lupopo recently knocked out Sudanese side Al Merrikh, securing a surprising goalless draw in Libya after a wobbly first leg in Lubumbashi. Pirates are gearing up to relive their glory days in the African Champions League and will look…

While the Stormers started their opening overseas tour of the United Rugby Championship (URC) in fine fashion, they will have to be careful about getting overconfident ahead of their Italian job starting this weekend. The Cape side blanked a second team this past Friday, scoring a 34-0 victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli and are one of three unbeaten teams in the tournament. After the Bulls’ loss on Saturday, they are at the top of the URC log thanks to a significant points difference. A duel against Zebre awaits in Parma, and after the Italian club already toppled one South African side – the Lions – the inaugural champions will be wary of them. They also need to remain on top of their game as their final tour match against…