Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-05 i Mercury

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid a poignant tribute to the late Oupa Magashula, the former South African Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner. Magushula passed away at the age of 63 this week. According to his family, he died in hospital on Wednesday evening following a long illness. In his tribute, Ramaphosa said Magashula "devoted his life to the development of our economy and the stimulation of entrepreneurship among a new business generation." Ramaphosa said Magashula led Sars at a critical period during which South Africa's economy was affected by the global downturn of 2008, at a time when SA also relied on fiscal resources to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "Oupa Magashula was an astute, ompassionate leader whose mission at SARS was driven by the needs of the most…

South African agricultural organisations have raised urgent concerns over reports that an illegal Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine manufactured in Kenya is being smuggled into the country. Industry leaders warn that the unauthorised importation and possible use of the vaccine poses a severe biosecurity threat that could trigger new outbreaks and devastate the livestock sector. The Department of Agriculture this week confirmed it is aware of the risks, stressing that only the Botswana-produced Aftovaxpur vaccine containing SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3 strains is authorised for use in South Africa. “Importing any veterinary vaccine without proper authorisation is a serious biosecurity breach and criminal offence. Vaccines must be declared and imported under strict permit conditions, as they require cold-chain management and are classified as high-risk cargo,” said Moses Rannditsheni, the department's spokesperson. “We…

The JSE was one of the best-performing global stock markets in November with the FTSE/JSE Capped SWIX Index up 2.3% month on month (m/m); the only major bourse to outperform the JSE last month was the Brazilian Bovespa, up 6.4% m/m. The November rally pushed the FTSE/JSE Capped SWIX Index to a 51% year to date (YTD) gain when measured in US dollar terms. Only the Bovespa and the Spanish IBEX 35 (+53% and +64% YTD, respectively, in US dollar terms) have been able to do better thus far in 2025. Precious metal miners were back as the driving force of JSE returns in November, with gold and platinum miners up 13% m/m in aggregate, boosted by a re-acceleration in precious metal prices. Gold and platinum prices both rallied 6%…

Earlier in November 2025, the South African Reserve Bank announced that it would impose administrative sanctions on two finance companies for failing to comply with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). The greater of the two penalties, a R3 million fine, was imposed on Discovery Bank for failing to report 24 suspicious transactions on time. The other case saw eZI Remit (formerly Ezaga Remit (Pty) Limited) getting a warning for weaknesses in its FICA-related control measures.In both instances, the companies were reprimanded because their staff weren’t given adequate FICA compliance training. In the case of Discovery Bank, it was highlighted that 84 out of 155 new employees had not received training within 30 days of being appointed; 47 out of 109 of its employees had not received annual refresher training…

An investment firm is buying in with the Ackerman family selling down Pick'n Pay shares. Just after Pick'n Pay said the family’s holding fell from 25.4% to 16.8%, the company told shareholders that Allan Gray had increased its stake to 10.43%. The Ackerman’s sale down has reduced its ownership of the company to 16.8% as it continues to refund itself after ploughing R1.1 billion into the ailing company to right it. The family borrowed the cash and is now settling that debt by selling shares. That funding was prompted by the fact that Pick'n Pay was under strain because of weak operations and a number of poorly performing stores. As a result, it underwent a major reset, including new leadership, and the separate JSE listing of discount brand Boxer. CEO…

Former President Jacob Zuma lost his Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, bid to appeal the order that he has to pay back the R28.9 million bill for his private legal fees. Judge Anthony Millar yesterday turned down Zuma’s application for leave to appeal the pay-back judgment before a full court (three judges) or the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Judge Millar said that he is not persuaded that another court would come to a different conclusion. “To keep the doors of the court open indefinitely to a litigant who refuses to accept the judgment on a particular matter serves no legitimate purpose. All it does is serve to be a drain on scarce judicial resources and to strengthen the view that accountability can be deferred for as long as one has…

Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, who is on special leave, was taken to task over his decision to dissolve the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) with immediate effect through a letter dated December 31, 2024. This was during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he defended his decision, stating that the PKTT’s existence was not adding value to policing. He cited a 2019 work-study report recommending the task team’s disestablishment and absorption into a strengthened murder and robbery unit. When pressed about what he meant by “immediately”, he said, “This immediately is not like switching off.” However, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said: “When I was taught English in my younger days, they would say an adverb modifies a verb and an adjective qualifies a noun. So, ‘your’ immediately…

Deputy Minister for Defence Bantu Holomisa addressed critical concerns raised by Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, the Chief of the South African Navy, regarding the navy's status and defence capabilities. Holomisa, responding to questions posed by ANC MP Dakota Legoete in the National Assembly, confirmed that various governance structures have been established to ensure the effective management and expression of these concerns. Holomisa mentioned the Military Command, the Military Command Council and the Secretariat Council and Defence Staff Council. “These are bodies which bring together senior leadership of the National Defence Force. Recently, the department has reiterated to all services and divisions the importance of utilising these platforms fully, both to maintain institutional integrity and also to ensure that funding and state of readiness of our defence force is attended to,” he…

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced significant temporary road closures on the N3 Eastbound Carriageway at the M7 Pinetown off-ramp and the N3 Westbound Carriageway at the St James Avenue off-ramp. This action is part of an essential upgrade to the N3 aimed at improving traffic flow and safety along this vital route. According to Jason Lowe, KwaZulu-Natal Geometrics Specialist Engineer at SANRAL, “These closures are to facilitate the placing of bridge beams on the Langford Road bridge as part of the construction process for the N3 road upgrade between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange.” The temporary road closures are set to occur at various times from December 6 to 9, impacting traffic movements. Motorists should take note of the following schedule: Closure 1:…

Audi South Africa has significantly updated their S3 Sportback hatch and the Sedan with styling cues, an increase in power and mechanical revisions that give the pair a true hot hatch and sedan flavour. All about performance Two key changes make these vehicles game-changers in the segment. The first is under the bonnet with the familiar 2.0 TFSI engine upgraded to 245kW and 420Nm, an increase of 32kW and 20Nm. It provides smoother and stronger acceleration and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.7 seconds for both versions and a limited top speed of 250km/h. The seven-speed S tronic transmission has been tweaked for a sharper take-off and quicker shifts, while the turbocharger has been enhanced with pre-loading and optimised throttle response. The most significant change, especially for those who appreciate…

It used to be that naturally aspirated V8 engines were commonplace on our roads, but the world’s obsession with being greener, downsizing, using less fossil fuel and consumers looking for smaller, less powerful and thirstier vehicles has almost reduced them exclusively to the race track in most countries. V8 Mustang Locally, the only V8 available off the showroom floor is the Ford Mustang with its 5.0-litre Coyote engine. Before the latest Mustang was released, Ford dabbled with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, which buyers ignored like a stop sign on a quiet street, so they stopped importing them. Fortunately, America still bucks the trend and continues its avid love affair with the V8. You see, V8s are about a visceral experience that speaks to the soul as only a true…

Virgil van Dijk says Mohamed Salah's omission from Liverpool's team for a second successive match shows no player at the club has "unlimited credit". The Egypt international was an unused substitute for Sunday's win at West Ham and was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland on Wednesday. It was the first time in his Anfield career that he had not started in back-to-back league matches. The forward was brought on for the second half against the Saints but struggled to make an impact and is now goalless in five matches. Salah has scored just four Premier League goals for the struggling defending champions this season, in stark contrast to his haul of 29 last season. Liverpool captain Van Dijk was asked after the Sunderland draw…

Joe Root finally struck his maiden Test hundred in Australia while Mitchell Starc bagged another six-wicket haul as England and Australia shared the honours on the opening day of the second Test of the Ashes series in the Day/Night encounter at the Gabba in Brisbane yesterday. Root, who survived a difficult chance on the third ball he faced as Steve Smith failed to latch onto what could have been a stunning catch at second slip, was batting on 135 not out alongside Jofra Archer, on 32, as England, electing to bat first, reached 325/9 at stumps after another engrossing day of cricket in the five-Test Ashes series. The 34-year-old right-handed batter finally removed the anomaly from the pages of his illustrious career. He reached the 40th Test century of his…

The Sharks step into one of the toughest arenas in European rugby on Sunday when they face French giants Toulouse in their opening Investec Champions Cup clash in Toulouse, and loose-forward Nick Hatton says the squad has arrived in France determined to produce a timely response to their poor early-season form in the URC. The Durban side have endured a frustrating start to their URC campaign, with last week’s 44-17 defeat away to Connacht marking their fourth loss in six matches. But Hatton says the mood in the camp has lifted since arriving in the south of France, where the conditions and change of environment have offered a timely chance to reset. “I think the conditions in Toulouse this week have been really nice,” Hatton said. “It’s been quite fresh…

Acquisition gives Vodacom control over its biggest African market with 62 million customers Vodacom Group will spend about R35.77 billion ($2.1bn) to acquire a further 20% stake in Safaricom, bringing its stake to 55%, as the Kenya government moves to raise additional capital instead of raising taxes or debt. The South African telecoms group said Thursday it will acquire 15% of the shareholding from the government of Kenya and 5% from Vodacom's parent, the UK-based Vodafone group. The deal gives Vodacom control over its biggest African market - Safaricom holds about 62 million customers, more than the 46.1 million customers Vodacom holds in South Africa, and roughly the same size of the group's 51 million customers in Egypt. The deal attracted widespread comment on social media. On "X", Lawrence Kitema…

South Africa stood at two remarkable crossroads last month. A continent-first G20 summit in Johannesburg put our nation — its people, institutions and hospitality — in the global spotlight. At almost the same time, I was in Barcelona at Workday Rising, where enterprise leaders explored the near-term reality of AI-driven, people-centred workplaces. The two experiences together crystallised a single, urgent point: South Africa can not only adapt to the future of work — it can lead it. First, the context. Global leaders arriving on our soil exposed us to the highest expectations in security, logistics, digital capability and service delivery. Coverage from international and local outlets praised South Africa’s delivery — our media centre, our event management and the warmth shown to delegates were singled out repeatedly. That goodwill is…

Global markets are pricing in a continued rally in gold next year, although geopolitical uncertainty could inject volatility into bullion prices, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). The rally in gold prices this year has provided South African bullion miners - among them Sibanye-Stillwater, Pan African Resources and Gold Fields - with prospects of bumping up revenues. However, for South African miners, a rise in costs has negated robust growth of production. Data from the South Africa Reserve Bank showed the country’s net gold exports in the third quarter 2025 slowing down from R150 billion in the same period last year to R149bn. Some South African gold producers are now planning production ramp ups which places them in position to benefit from the expected continued rally in gold prices…

As festive season promotions intensify across the country, the National Financial Ombud (NFO) has issued a strong warning to consumers to exercise caution when considering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offers. It says while these schemes are marketed as simple, convenient, and interest-free payment options, they carry hidden risks. In an economy where many households are already weighed down by debt, BNPL can easily worsen financial vulnerability and strain. According to the NFO, BNPL products are not regulated under the National Credit Act (NCA). This means consumers do not benefit from the usual safeguards such as affordability checks, transparent cost disclosures, or formal dispute resolution channels. Despite this regulatory gap, BNPL is spreading rapidly in South Africa, often leaving consumers exposed without fully understanding the risks. Nerosha Maseti, lead ombud…

Economists remain divided over Anglo American’s proposed tie-up with Canada’s Teck Resources, with some arguing that the transaction will unlock significant value for South African shareholders while others warn it signals the final unravelling of the miner’s South African legacy. This comes as shareholders are expected to vote in favour of the deal, touted by Anglo American as a merger of equals. The two resource giants also expect the deal to yield $800 million in pre-tax recurring annual synergies. However, South African economist Duma Gqubule, this week said the tie-up is not a merger of equals. In a report he compiled on the meger, Gqubule said the transaction will “provide a final death knell” for the Johannesburg and London-listed resource giant. Anglo American has been shedding its South African assets…

THE filling of critical positions in the eThekwini Municipality is being challenged in court following accusations by the opposition that the appointments are “not fit for purpose”. The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants the appointments to be reviewed and set aside. On November 13, 2025, the municipality appointed three senior managers to the following positions: Lindokuhle Mkhize was appointed as Executive Director of Operations Management. Bhekinkosi Mkhize was appointed as Executive Director of Public Safety. This position primarily handles Metro Police and other safety and security operations in the city. Ednick Msweli was appointed as Executive Director for Technical Services. This position deals mostly with trading services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. In the court papers, the DA is the applicant, the eThekwini council is the first respondent, the mayor…

The Health Ombud has exposed serious clinical and ethical breaches in two separate investigations. One at Limpopo’s Rethabile Community Health Centre (RCHC) and Pietersburg Provincial Tertiary Hospital (PPTH), and another at Johannesburg’s Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC). Both cases resulted in preventable patient harm, including death. In the first case to investigate an alleged avoidable death and falsified records at RCHC in Limpopo, the Ombud found that Pitsi Eliphuz Ramphele, nephew of struggle icon Dr Mamphela Ramphele, died on November 28, 2024, after seeking emergency care for severe abdominal pain. Findings at RCHC indicate that Ramphele waited nearly four hours just to get a patient file. Despite worsening symptoms, no doctor examined him. At 3.30pm he was referred to a doctor, but none were available. Security staff told him…

Knysna has ramped up its drought response by moving to level four water restrictions, as the municipality formally declared the Garden Route town a water-stressed zone. The move comes ahead of the busy holiday season and follows months of dwindling supply, mounting infrastructure strain and repeated water emergencies. Mayor Thando Matika said the declaration was necessary to open the way for national and provincial intervention while the municipality works to stabilise its own systems. “The Knysna council at its meeting [on Tuesday] declared the greater Knysna municipality as a water-stressed area," a statement from the municipality said. Matika, in the same statement, said Knysna’s water infrastructure, especially in town, has been under “tremendous pressure”, with teams working around the clock to deal with constant callouts. “The Garden Route District Disaster…

After more than 6 000 kilometres of relentless testing, the Defender Dakar D7X-R is ready to make its debut in the 2026 Dakar Rally starting in January in Saudi Arabia. They will be competing in the new Stock category, launched for 2026, which stipulates what must not be changed from the production vehicle, as well as what and how modifications can be made. The Defender Dakar D7X-R adopts the same D7x body architecture, transmission and driveline layout as the Defender OCTA. The rally version will also be powered by the OCTA’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine – another element that cannot be modified – and will run on an advanced sustainable fuel. Crews will endure more than 80 hours of competitive driving over two weeks and around 5 000 kilometres of…

This wasn’t a partnership. It was the privatisation of power SOUTH Africa’s policing crisis is no longer just about crime. It’s about the quiet, dangerous shift of state authority into private hands. Across the country, municipal police departments and private security companies now operate in overlapping, often competing spaces. When that relationship isn’t tightly policed, it corrupts the very foundation of public safety. It blurs the line between official authority and private interest. And it opens the door to the kind of abuse that the Constitution simply cannot withstand. The scandal in Ekurhuleni is not an isolated embarrassment; it is the clearest warning sign yet. On November 11, Deputy Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi was suspended following jaw-dropping testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption in the criminal…

Bafana Bafana’s 2010 Fifa World Cup frontman Katlego "Killer" Mphela is positive about the current team’s chances of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 edition ahead of the group stage draw on Friday (7pm start) in Washington DC. Bafana are in Pot 3 for the draw, and while much still depends on the draw procedure itself, one thing is certain: Bafana will not be in the same group as any of the eight other African teams that have automatically qualified for the showpiece in North America. South Africa’s return to the World Cup has restored national pride, especially given that it will have been 16 years since they last played at the event — they were hosts in 2010 — and 24 years since they last qualified automatically. While…

Lando Norris will battle his own nerves as much as his rivals’ speed, as he bids to end Max Verstappen’s four-year reign as F1 world champion in Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After two weekends of self-inflicted setbacks, championship leader Norris and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri need an error-free event to ensure Red Bull’s number one cannot complete a spectacular end-of-season recovery in glorious style. For the first time since a four-way scrap at the final race in Abu Dhabi in 2010, the title will be decided by a contest involving more than two drivers, with McLaren, in particular, nervously glancing in their mirrors for Verstappen. Norris has a 12-point lead on Verstappen ahead of the finale and a 16-point advantage on team-mate Piastri, and needs to finish…

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has raised concerns about what he believes is a growing decline in the quality of football in the Premier Soccer League, with more teams favouring a negative, conservative approach. Arrows are coming off a narrow 1–0 defeat in the KwaZulu-Natal derby against AmaZulu. Despite the progress they have shown in the early stages of the season — and the positive brand of football they have been trying to play — results have not always aligned with their performances, including in the derby defeat to Usuthu. Football, however, remains a results-driven sport, and the reality is that teams are ultimately judged by what they deliver on the scoreboard and history rarely remembers those who finished second. Mngqithi believes more sides should adopt a progressive mentality similar…

South Africa’s construction sector posted a strong rebound in the third quarter of 2025, with the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) recording a double-digit quarterly increase and signalling a marked improvement in industry activity. The ACI, a composite measure of building and construction activity compiled quarterly by economist Dr Roelof Botha for Afrimat, rose 10.2% quarter-on-quarter, far outperforming the country’s 0.9% GDP growth over the same period. Construction sector activity outperformed the GDP by a healthy margin during the third quarter, although it lagged behind overall economic activity compared to the third quarter of last year. Importantly, the index also broke a long-running downward trend in its four-quarter moving average, registering a slight upward turn for the first time in several quarters. Dr Botha said the latest results were driven by…

Expat South Africans who are returning from abroad for the festive period would do well to add estate planning to the list of things to catch up on while home with family for the holidays. Having estate planning discussions face-to-face is a good idea, and recommends making time to talk in between enjoying the South African sunshine and festive fare. There is a court case that happened in the Western Cape High Court, a matter of Anderson and Another v Du Plessis N.O and Others. In 2001, a couple in Germany signed a joint will, pooling (‘massing’) their South African estates into a single joint estate and naming their children as ultimate heirs. Years later, after the husband had remarried, signed new wills overseas and built up assets in Germany,…

A new report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows that businesses across multiple sectors are reaping the benefits of the rapidly expanding green economy, now the world’s second-fastest growing market after technology. The report titled "Already a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Market: A CEO Guide to Growth in the Green Economy", reveals that the global green economy has already reached an annual value of $5 trillion and is projected to exceed $7trln before 2035. In this report, the green economy refers to commercial solutions with a clear environmental purpose or solutions that are a direct response to environmental challenges. This covers both mitigation and adaptation and resilience, from advanced clean technologies to nascent agri-tech solutions. Despite global economic uncertainty and uneven policy environments, investment…

South Africans are increasingly turning to credit to survive the rising cost of living, a trend that is deepening indebtedness and leaving millions exposed to loan sharks, says Jack Halfon, founder and CEO of Atlas Finance. In an interview with Business Report on Thursday, Halfon said formal micro-lenders were calling for stronger policy implementation and tight regulation. Halfon said South African consumers are “taking loans to cover gaps in their spending as the cost of living rises” despite inflation trending down from the highs of the past few years. But South Africans are also borrowing for unseen expenditures such as burst geysers or new tyres for their vehicles. However, for many South Africans, the current state of the South African micro-lending industry also means that they have significant exposure to…

The much-anticipated appointment of retired Judge Takalani Joseph Raulinga as the first ombud for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) remains on hold. The delay is attributed to a section of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act that governs his employment, which is yet to be operational. Raulinga’s appointment became known when IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson told the Ad Hoc Committee last month that he was appointed as the inspecting judge on October 11 for a five-year term. Former minister Ronald Lamola started the process after consultation with Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, who supported the appointment in October 2024. Responding during a question-and-answer session, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Section 228 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, which is yet to commence, provides for a retired…

Suspended Ekurhuleni acting metro police chief Julius Mkhwanazi said he prayed for tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to secure a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract, claiming Matlala had promised him a lucrative business future and early retirement. Testifying at the Madlanga Commission yesterday, Mkhwanazi said he welcomed the idea, noting the close personal relationship he had with Matlala. “We were close like that,” he told the commission, adding that he had repeatedly received money from Matlala. He elaborated: “In fact, even on top of that, we had this arrangement with Ngamla [boss in this context].” “When this SAPS thing gets approved, I will make you happy. I want you to resign. We had that…and I prayed for him, you see,” he said Matlala told him this. While Mkhwanazi…

Eighteen years of litigation and yet the “Please Call Me” saga has not ended, with a new fight by litigation funders who want a 40% share of Nkosana Kenneth Makate’s Vodacom payout. While the fight with network provider Vodacom for fair compensation for his Please Call Me (PCM) invention came to an end last month when a secret settlement was reached — now said to be in the region of R700 million compensation — Black Rock Mining wants what it says is its share — 40% — of the money. Makate has subsequently agreed to retain 40% of the money pending the outcome of legal proceedings by Black Rock in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to ensure that this money is kept in a trust pending the outcome of arbitration…

Kia played it safe with the first-generation Seltos compact SUV, perhaps a little too safe, but that caution goes to the wind with the all-new model that’s set to make its global debut on December 10. The second-generation Kia Seltos, judging by this first drop of official teaser images, takes a somewhat more daring approach with its ultra-wide grille that now incorporates the headlights, while slim vertical “Star Map” daytime running lights flank it on each side. Crafted around Kia’s so-called “Opposited United” design language, the new Seltos has a sleek new shape that seems to take inspiration from the EV4 electric crossover, complete with flush door handles. Love it or hate it, the redesigned Seltos certainly looks a great deal more modern than the current version. Details remain thin…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says his biggest challenge in 2026 will be getting the balance right between maintaining winning momentum and ensuring his top players are relatively fresh for the 2027 World Cup. The Bok boss hinted that he is prepared to make a few sacrifices next year in terms of the relentless need to win every game, so that the Boks are in the best possible condition for the World Cup. Erasmus used boxing parlance to describe the challenge that 2026 presents. He said the team may need to take a few uppercuts, so that some players do not end the year punch-drunk. It will be fascinating to see how Erasmus tackles a year in which the Boks contest the inaugural Nations Cup, with games against England, Scotland, and…

The Springbok Sevens will be hoping that another debutant can have a huge impact at the HSBC SVNS Cape Town this weekend, after including uncapped utility-back Nabo Sokoyi in the squad that will run out at Cape Town Stadium this weekend. Last year, Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman named Zander Reynders in the Cape Town squad, and it paid dividends as they reclaimed the title last won at the inaugural event in 2015. Reynders has since played in every tournament and will be in the squad again this weekend as they aim to defend their crown in the second round of the season. The 23-year-old Sokoyi, who was born in Upington and schooled at Grey College in Bloemfontein, will take the place of Mfundo Ndhlovu in the only change to the…

The Springboks’ old World Cup habit — dropping a pool match early and then storming through the knockout stages with their backs against the wall — won’t be part of the Rassie Erasmus playbook this time. A revamped tournament format has stripped away that margin for error, meaning South Africa will have to treat every fixture, from the opening whistle in Pool B to the final in Australia, as must-win territory if they hope to claim an unprecedented third straight title and a record fifth crown overall. Under Erasmus in 2019 and the 2023 World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber, the Boks were able to lose a pool game and still go on to win the trophy. Every match after those losses — to New Zealand in 2019 and Ireland in…

Khalil Ben Youssef has downplayed Kaizer Chiefs’ title talks, saying they have to crawl and walk before they can run. That’s why they remain focused on the “steps,” not the final product. The Amakhosi have had a decent start to the season – they sit fifth on the Betway Premiership standings with 23 points and five behind leaders and arch-rivals Orlando Pirates. Their stats could have been even better had they not been their own worst enemies at times, dropping points they could have collected with ease. They were also held to a goalless draw by Chippa United on Wednesday, despite creating chances and dominating possession. Nevertheless, the points they have collected and the impressive performances they’ve put on have convinced some supporters that the team could mount a serious…

As South African football celebrates a momentous year, marked by a return to the Fifa World Cup and qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, deeper issues threaten to overshadow progress on the field. Under the stewardship of coach Hugo Broos, the nation’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage for the first time in World Cup history have taken centre stage. Yet, the shadow of instability within Safa looms large, as financial and leadership crises continue to plague the organisation. One key incident that has aggravated tensions was Fifa’s sanction of a points deduction, following a yellow-card blunder involving Teboho Mokoena. This sanction came at a precarious time, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning Safa’s leadership and their ability to represent South African football effectively. In light of these…