Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-01-20 i Star

The prestigious Raging Bull Awards, originally scheduled for January 27th, has been moved to Monday, February 17th due to popular demand, aligning with our commitment to deliver an evening that celebrates excellence in the investment industry. This adjustment aligns with our commitment to provide an inclusive event for all and create a successful Raging Bull Awards for 2025. We appreciate the input and support of our industry partners and attendees of the move to a more convenient date, to ensure an unforgettable experience that not only honours the outstanding accomplishments within the industry but also provides meaningful connections and insights for all participants. While the date has been adjusted, all other event details remain unchanged, including the venue and format. Current reservations will be valid for the new date and…

Sasol’s share price shot up 9.4% to R102.16 on the JSE on Friday after it said it was planning to revive its chemical business and explore options including finding additional shareholders and possibly even spinning it off in a separate listing. The petrol-from-coal and manufacturer of chemicals reported a loss before interest and tax of R27.3 billion in the year to June 30, compared to R21.5bn earnings before interest and tax in the prior year, due mainly to increased impairments, lower earnings, translation losses, and reduced derivative gains. It suspended dividend payments and was sitting with some R75 billion of debt at the financial year end. Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi, who took over the role in April, said in an interview with Bloomberg that they viewed the group’s Lake Charles…

Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO) and Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) welcomed Zimbabwe last week lifting the ban on the importation of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from some provinces in South Africa. This follows a notice issued by the Veterinary Services Directorate of Zimbabwe. The notice said on January 7, 2025, the Veterinary Services Directorate of Zimbabwe lifted the ban on the importation of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from South Africa, but with a significant caveat. “This lifting applies exclusively to animals originating from the provinces of Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape, and Western Cape. Exports from other South African provinces remain prohibited until further assessments are conducted.” The notice added that these precautionary biosecurity measures are a crucial component of Zimbabwe’s strategy to monitor…

Most global and South African financial markets started 2025 on the back foot as investors avoided risky assets and turned to the dollar and gold as safe havens. The possible introduction of tariffs on imports by the Trump administration in the coming months and the surge in oil and other energy prices have boosted expectations of renewed global inflation. Together with a better-than-expected US jobs report the previous Friday, market analysts began to anticipate that the current cycle of lowering the Federal Reserve’s interest rate may have reached its lowest point. Bearish traders on global stock markets pushed share prices downwards during the first thirteen trading days, making this one of the worst starts to a year since 2020. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 lost 3.4% from January 2,…

South Africa is set to benefit from an increase in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals this year as the currency’s relative stability, companies being sensitised to conflict in the Middle East as well as Russia’s war on Ukraine, and lower costs of borrowing. Herbert Smith Freehills’ partner in the Johannesburg office, Patrick Leyden, told Business Report that, although the volume of deals declined last year, the value improved, with the percentage gains of M&A value in Africa exceeding that of the rest of the globe. Of the deals made, South Africa accounted for 30% of the volume and 60% of the value last year, he noted. Leyden stated that borrowing was becoming cheaper as interest rates globally came down. In addition, he said there was a more stable global political…

Disney+ has added an intriguing title to its streaming library with the upcoming release of Nightb***h. Set to premiere on Friday, this highly anticipated film, adapted from Rachel Yoder’s critically acclaimed debut novel, promises to transport audiences into the surreal realm of contemporary motherhood. It is directed and written by award-winning director, writer, actor and producer, Marielle Heller. Set in the suburbs, the film follows a woman, played by award-winning actress, Amy Adams, who pauses her career to become a stay-at-home mom. She experiences a transformation that makes her feel like she is turning into a dog. ​ ​ Inspired by her personal journey, Yoder penned Nightb***h after encountering her own struggles with identity as a new parent. “I was by myself, a stay-at-home mom, something I never thought I’d…

The spat between police and labour union, the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa), over allegations regarding the blasting of shaft 10 at Buffelfontein Gold Mine near Stilfontein, continues. This was after Giwusa demanded that police allow a public inspection of the shaft and that this must include the right to document any findings. The union accused police of bombing shaft 10 in the abandoned mine. About 78 bodies, as well as 240 illegal miners, have been hoisted to the surface as part of a rescue operation after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ordered operations to commence last weekend. Giwusa released a statement on Saturday, stating that it was shocked to the core by the news that police bombed shaft 10 in Stilfontein. “There are miners, including Ayanda…

The Anglican Church of SA (ACSA) confirmed they have accepted the resignation from one of the inquiry panelists who would examine the activities of the serial abuser John Smyth in South Africa. This comes as Gauntlett reportedly faces his own allegations of sexual abuse of a teenage boy. The resignation and allegations are said to be unrelated to the Smyth case. In a statement by ACSA, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town accepted an offer from Advocate Jeremy Gauntlett SC KC to step down from the inquiry panel that Makgoba had set up. Makgoba said Advocate Gauntlett had proposed on Friday that he step down from the panel, following allegations unrelated to the Smyth case made in an email to the archbishop on Thursday evening. Archbishop Makgoba accepted the offer…

The ANC has resolved to reconfiguring the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng Provincial Executive Committees (PECs). ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa is said to have indicated that this will be done within ‘the parameters of the ANC Constitution’. According to media reports, these were Ramaphosa’s closing remarks at the end of the two-day NEC meeting on Sunday as the NEC decided against the option to disband the PEC’s. As things stand, this means that the leadership of the two provinces will be changed in a bid to strengthen the party following a disastrous showing at the May elections. This comes as speculation was rife over the possible dissolution of the two structures. Early on Sunday, ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri revealed that the party was now only considering two options in relation to…

The City of Tshwane is demanding urgent repairs from a contractor for the long-abandoned Soshanguve reservoir, which has been dormant since 2015, amid ongoing water shortages in local communities. The reservoir, located along the M17 route, was initially touted as a permanent solution to alleviate water shortages in local areas. The project stalled due to political interference, reportedly sparked by a local business forum demanding a stake in the final phase of the project. Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise said the Soshanguve reservoir cannot be put into operation in its current condition due to internal leaks that need to be addressed. He added that, regrettably, vandalism has also resulted in the theft of some reservoir components. However, he said, a technical team is currently assessing the damage to determine the necessary…

unite for South African concerts In an exciting musical collaboration that underscores the joy of unity and nostalgia, iconic South African kwaito band TKZee is set to join British reggae and neo-soul legends Soul II Soul in a special concert series this February. The ‘Intimate Evening Series’, a partnership between Liberty, Griza Enterprises, and Showtime Management, promises to deliver unforgettable moments filled with rhythm, connection and shared memories. On February 1, Soul II Soul will perform in Johannesburg, followed by a concert at Cape Town’s stunning Kirstenbosch Gardens on February 8. Known for their timeless classics such as “Keep On Movin’” and the chart-topping “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)”, Soul II Soul's influence on the music scene remains palpable, having reached number one in both the US…

How about Willie le Roux at flyhalf? That’s one of the options Bulls coach Jake White has placed on the table for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against an in-form Lions outfit at Ellis Park (2.45pm start). The Bulls emerged out of their dark hole of four consecutive defeats to knock over Stade Francais 48-7 at Loftus Versfeld to end their Champions Cup campaign on a high note, and qualify for the Challenge Cup round of 16 at least. But while White will have to juggle his resources cleverly when that playoff comes around in early April, the immediate task is solving his flyhalf conundrum after Johan Goosen went off with a knee injury in the 27th minute against Stade Francais. White explained that the extent of the 32-year-old’s latest…

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (1)(1) Shalulile 13’ AS FAR RABAT (0)(1) Zauhzouh 83’ Mamelodi Sundowns are synonymous with their ‘seven sign’ as they reached the Caf Champions League quarter-final for the seventh season in succession. The Brazilians finished second in Group B with nine points, one behind log leaders AS FAR who held them to a draw in Pretoria last night. While they’ll be disappointed by their finish, they’ll, nonetheless, join fellow SA based side Orlando Pirates in the quarter-final of the premier African football…

Ryan Rickelton is certainly putting his best foot forward for a starting berth at the ICC Champions Trophy next month. The flamboyant opener returned from a bout of Covid19 - “I was a man down for four or five days” - to the MI Cape Town starting XI with an explosive 39-ball 89 at a rousing Newlands on Saturday evening. Rickelton’s love affair with the majestic ground at the foot of Table Mountain has been raised to new levels after his mammoth 259 in the New Year Test against Pakistan earlier this month there too. The 27-year-old has yet to feature in a major ICC tournament though after failing to crack a game at last year’s ICC T20 World Cup in the US and Caribbean. But considering his red-hot form…

Eskom on Friday said it has reached 296 consecutive days without implementing loadshedding since March 26 last year. “On Monday 20 January at midnight, Eskom will reach 300 days of loadshedding suspension for the South African economy, a milestone not seen since June 2018,” it said. The power utility added that this performance has also resulted in year-to-date diesel savings of R16.42 billion (on a year-on-year basis), which is about 62.9% less than the R26.09bn spent during the same period last year, as a result of the continued execution of the Generation Operational Recovery plan. In a separate statement, Eskom group chief executive Dan Marokane has announced the appointments of Dr Candice Hartley as chief people officer and Rivoningo Mnisi as group executive: renewables, which it says completes “the utility’s…

‘The 2024 growth actually was slower than we had projected earlier,’ says IMF’s Deniz Igan The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has nudged down below 1% its growth forecasts for South Africa for 2024, citing significant setbacks in the agricultural sector as a key factor affecting the nation’s economic outlook. In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) report released on Friday, the IMF revised its 2024 GDP growth projection for South Africa to a modest 0.8%, down from a previous estimate of 1.1% made in October 2024. This projected decrease follows a concerning 0.3% contraction in South Africa’s GDP during the third quarter of 2024, largely triggered by a staggering 28.8% decline in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry. The downturn is attributed to diminished economic activity, particularly affecting field crops,…

America is being (not so) secretly run by a cabal of South Africans (Elon Musk, Patrick Soon-Shiong, David Sacks, and Peter Thiel (ok born in Germany and grew up in Namibia, but close enough). Donald Trump thinks he is the most powerful human, and perhaps for a hot minute he will be, but four years from now he will be gone. He would have created some chaos, as is the way of American presidents, but I don't think his influence will be anywhere near as lasting as we all think. Musk on the other hand has already changed the world in everlasting ways and his gamble to back Trump will ensure his influence lingers for generations. The First Bro is an unusual oligarch because he has actually earned his money…

As the Cosatu, we are deeply concerned about the impending closure of the Newcastle furnace of ArcelorMittal (Amsa). This decision has far-reaching implications for the livelihoods of thousands of workers, the local economy, and the steel and motor manufacturing industries as a whole. It is imperative that we take immediate action to mitigate the devastating consequences of this closure. The closure of the Newcastle furnace will result in the loss of over 1 300 direct jobs, with an estimated 2 200 indirect jobs at risk in the surrounding communities. This will exacerbate the already dire unemployment situation in South Africa, particularly in the rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. The economic spin-offs of the closure will be felt far and wide, with local businesses, suppliers, and service providers also…

Merafe Resources said on Friday that its share of production from its joint venture with Glencore only marginally grew in 2024 despite a dip in output for the quarter to end December at a time analysts say projected expansion of the stainless-steel industry will drive growth of the ferrochrome market in the outlook. Despite the upbeat outlook for ferrochrome, South African producers of the commodity have been facing operational and production hurdles. Merafe Resources CEO, Zanele Matlala, said last year that the company and its South African joint venture partner, Glencore, were looking at ways to mitigate power supply, energy costs and logistical constraints impacting mining companies in the country. Merafe mainly derives its revenues and operating income from the Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture, which produces ferrochrome at a total installed…

The vibrant and often chaotic family dynamics of an all-women household comes to life in extraordinary fashion in the Mzansi Magic reality show The Matshai Sisters. It chronicles the daily lives of five sisters and their mother. They are 43-year-old Thoko, the family’s feisty eldest child who is convinced their family is cursed and is on a mission to heal their fractured bonds. It also features Phumzile, 41, who is ready to step into her own power after sacrificing for her family, 35-year-old twins Zanele and Zandile and Busi, 25, the youngest sister. They are all held together by the family’s matriarch Ntombi Matshai, 68, who frequently gets caught in the storm of her daughters’ relentless disputes. The women are all bold and candid as they take viewers on their…

THE Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, overturned a final protection order granted by a magistrate in terms of the Protection from Harassment Act, following claims that a 9-year-old boy squeezed his friend's testicles and thus harassed him. The central characters are two boys, M and C. They are represented by their parents. C’s father is the appellant, while M’s mother serves as the respondent in the appeal. At the time of the alleged harassment, both boys were at the same school in grade 3. Both were 9 years old. They had been firm friends since grade R and regularly visited each other outside of school, even after the alleged incidents that were the subject of the harassment claim. At the time, C’s father was a deputy principal and director of boarding…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently conducted a readiness oversight visit to Erasmus Monareng Secondary School in Ekurhuleni and expressed deep concern over the state of the school's infrastructure. According to DA, the school was originally constructed as a primary school but is now being utilised as a high school, leading to significant infrastructure strain. In February last year, the school applied for additional classrooms and furniture. However, they have not received a response from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). During the site visit, the DA highlighted several pressing issues affecting the school’s functionality. These included a severe shortage of furniture, persistent roof leakages, and an insufficient number of classrooms to accommodate the growing student population. In a statement, the party added that due to the shortage of furniture, children…

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is set to picket against the retrenchment of mine workers and other industrial job losses. The party said the picket would amplify the voices of workers and youth affected by corporate ‘greed and policy failures’. The youth league will also demand urgent action to halt de-industrialisation.The picket is scheduled for January 24. This comes after ArcelorMittal announced the closure of its steel business, including its Newcastle and Vereeniging plants as well as its rail and structures operation. This would affect 3,500 jobs. ANCYL secretary general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle said the party was concerned about the ongoing erosion of South Africa’s industrial base and the threat of de-industrialisation, particularly in the steel manufacturing sector. “Recent developments, including the decision to mothball or shut down production at Newcastle…

The School Governing Body (SGB) of Die Hoërskool Menlopark (SGB) will now turn to the Supreme Court of Appeal after it failed in its bid to halt the proposed high-density residential development, earmarked to be erected across the school in Menlopark, Pretoria. The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, last year turned the governing body’s application down for an order overturning the decision by the City of Tshwane to give the green light to the developer to have the area zoned for residential purposes. But the governing body is not giving up the fight and it has obtained leave from the court to now take the fight to the SCA. According to the governing body, it argued that Judge Elmarie van der Schyff erred both in law and on the facts when…

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES OF CARCASSES BELOW Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has warned communities around the Gluckstadt areas in northern KwaZulu-Natal to be vigilant following lion sightings. Additionally, communities have been urged to report any sightings immediately to the local traditional leadership or police station. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said: “There have been three recently confirmed sightings of lions in the Gluckstadt area, which is under the AbaQulusi Municipality. The sightings have been reported in the areas under Inkosi Zondo and Inkosi Zulu. Additionally, three cattle have been reported killed by lions in the Gluckstadt area recently. “These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of both residents and their livestock.” Mntambo highlighted a recurring challenge in the area. Many livestock owners leave their animals in grazing areas day and…

THE JOBURG Super Kings side is licking its wounds going into tonight’s encounter against Paarl Royals at Boland Park. This follows the Super Kings’ defeat to MI Cape Town over the weekend - their first of the season. Perhaps what stung more about their defeat at Newlands was how they allowed MI Cape Town to chase down 173 runs inside 16 overs. However, the Faf du Plessis-led side has had a good start to the tournament, winning a rain-affected encounter at home against MI Cape Town and one away fixture against Durban's Super Kings. Batting coach, Albie Morkel, spoke about how the team was outplayed at Newlands and that they won't look too deep into the seven-wicket loss. The 43-year-old also highlighted that it is better to identify the team's…

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen alluded to the fact that the X-factor that had been missing from much of the Lions’ season thus far was finally evident in Saturday’s 60-10 Challenge Cup demolition of the Dragons at Ellis Park. The Joburg side roared into the round of 16 with the win over the Welsh visitors who were level on five points with the Lions in their pool before the mauling. The free-flowing performance at home went a long way to erasing memories of last week’s painful trip to France to face group leaders Montpellier, and of a pool stage that had delivered one win in the first three matches. “Obviously, we were disappointed by the way we played last weekend,” Van Rooyen said at the post-match media conference. “There was…

JOSE RIVEIRO might be new to continental football, but the Spaniard is shrewd enough to know not to get carried away by good results. As The Ghost excitedly celebrated Orlando Pirates’ progression to the quarter-final of the CAF Champions League and many among the Buccaneers’ faithful already foreseeing a second star above the club’s crossbones and skull insignia, Riveiro was staying grounded. Speaking after Pirates’ 2-1 defeat of record champions and current holders Al Ahly in Cairo on Saturday night, the young coach rather focused on his team’s performance than the result. The interviewer asked the Buccaneers coach if Pirates topping the group by going unbeaten in the six matches was a clear message to the rest of the competitors that the South Africans are serious contenders. “No,” was his…

South African banks’ profitability is expected to remain strong this year, supported by higher credit growth, non-interest income, and lower provisioning, according to credit rating agency S&P Global. S&P’s South Africa Bank Sector Outlook for 2025 said banks will likely benefit from improved economic conditions, with prospects boosted by the improving economic reform momentum driven by the Government of National Unity (GNU), combined with continued progress to address infrastructure deficiencies. Other reports show South African banks remained profitable last year, but they traded through difficult operating environments. For instance, a PwC South Africa report found that headline earnings of the biggest banks for the first half of 2024, only increased by 2.5%. And on the JSE, the Banks Index has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 12 months, but has…

The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), an independent research organisation, said it disputes Statistics South Africa’s calculation that agricultural performance decreased by 28.8% in the third quarter of 2024. As a result, BFAP said that they will join the Agriculture Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), Agri SA, and the Department of Agriculture to form the SA Agricultural Condition Assessment Committee that will assess the state of agriculture in South Africa and release insights on their discussions. BFAP said that they took issue with a StatsSA report that the agricultural sector contracted by 12.2% in the final quarter of 2023. “Our own calculation put the decline at a far more modest 2% to 5%. In a “Perspectives” publication, the BFAP disputed StatsSA’s calculations, particularly on farm inputs which…

The seeming innocuous question asked by Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, on the eve of the matric results for 2024 revealed her deep concern as a teacher, a parent of society. Buried in the two-minute question were critical analysis of South Africa's education system AND reveals a deepening crisis beyond matric results, highlighting racial disparities and systemic failures in post-school education. Last week, on the eve of the National Senior Certificate results and amid the usual disinformation about their meaning, I laid the groundwork for their interpretation, particularly in the context of South Africa’s deepening human resource crisis. While the numbers of candidates and their results are verifiable, the policy focus makes the annual spectacle frustrating. Successful students must be congratulated and…

The luxury goods industry is underpinned by long-term structural growth drivers. Rising wealth levels in emerging market economies such as China, India and the Middle East have driven growth, supported by demand from mature developed markets such as the US and Europe. Despite the long-term secular growth underpin, the industry is subject to cyclicality over the short term, driven by wealth effects and consumer appetite for luxury goods, especially amongst aspirant luxury shoppers. From surge to slump The Covid-19 lockdowns resulted in a boom period for the luxury goods sector as captive consumers, unable to travel and sitting on excess savings, splurged on luxury goods. Strong demand, in addition to the inflationary environment, resulted in aggressive price increases from the luxury goods companies. The subsequent consumer slowdown, exacerbated by…

Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) of Tongaat Hulett Limited (THL) said on Friday that they were continuing to advance the necessary steps for purposes of implementing the Adopted and Amended Business Rescue Plan, which was approved and adopted by the requisite majority of creditors on Thursday last week. The BRPs said they were focusing on the alternative transaction in accordance with the Plan, which contemplates the sale of the company’s business and assets as a going concern, as a group, to the Vision Parties. The asset transaction will entail the sale of the South African assets, including the South African sugar business and head office; and the shares in and claims against each of the subsidiaries in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana. THL, Vision Sugar South Africa, Vision Investments, the Vision Parties…

Disney’s Moana 2 might be one of the most anticipated sequels but the entertainment giant is facing a serious legal battle behind the scenes. Animator Buck Woodall has filed a $10 billion (R281.7bn) lawsuit against Disney, claiming they lifted key elements from his screenplay Bucky the Wave Warrior without his permission. The lawsuit alleges that Moana closely mirrors Woodall’s decades-old script, which was inspired by the Polynesian culture. According to documents, Woodall’s story and Moana share striking similarities, including a teen protagonist who embarks on a journey across Polynesian waters to save an endangered island. Both also feature “ancient spirits manifested as animals, which guide and guard the living,” a creative element Woodall insists was unique to his script. He also named production company Mandeville Films and Jenny Marchick, formerly…

A call to remove Eldorado Park SAPS commander, Brigadier Mkhacani Maluleke in Gauteng has been escalated to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. This was after Eldorado Park ward 18 councillor, Juwairiya Kaldine wrote to Mchunu seeking his intervention. In the letter, she also detailed allegations of wrongdoing against Maluleke. Kaldine’s request for the minister’s intervention was triggered by her “unlawful arrest” last Wednesday wherein she says she was wrongfully accused and targeted because of the #MalulekeMustGo Campaign which calls for the removal of the station commander. The councillor was arrested by Eldoradopark SAPS for charges of malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and later released. She alleged that she was wrongfully arrested even though there was proof that she was never in the…

AT least three provinces have indicated that they would need more than R7.7 billion to complete more than 260 housing projects that have stalled for various reasons across the country. Five other provinces have not disclosed the amounts to be budgeted to resuscitate their stalled projects, a move that sees the expenditure to be incurred totalling further billions of rand. This was revealed by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane when she was replying to EFF MP Marshall Dlamini, who inquired about the blocked housing projects in each of the provinces and the reasons the projects have stalled. Simelane said there were 271 blocked projects, comprising 262 blocked projects for Breaking New Ground housing units and nine distressed social housing projects. “These projects face diverse challenges ranging from contractor abandonment to…

A 51-year-old Congolese rhino poacher and money launderer has been sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Middleburg Regional Court on January 15. The suspect pleaded guilty to all charges during a court appearance on Wednesday. Meanwhile, 15 co-accused are scheduled to appear later this month in the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court in Mbombela. Dr Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, commended the court for the lengthy prison sentence, highlighting the importance of combating rhino poachers. The sentencing comes shortly after Dr George, attended a course at the Southern African Wildlife College. During which he acquired invaluable ranger skills but also gained critical insight into the complex challenges the country faces regarding poaching and the illicit trade of wildlife and its derivatives. “I can assure…

The uMngeni Local Municipality and the DA in KwaZulu-Natal have welcomed the court’s decision to deny bail to one of the suspects in DA uMngeni chief whip Councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu’s murder. A second suspect was arrested and made his first court appearance on Wednesday. Both suspects have been remanded in custody until March 11. Ndlovu was killed in a hail of bullets in front of his wife and children on December 4, 2023. According to the DA, it is alleged Ndlovu was killed for speaking out against a criminal syndicate that was illegally selling state-owned land and then connecting illegal services, including electricity. He was seen as a threat for trying to deliver services and stopping the exploitation of residents. The uMngeni Municipality welcomed the Howick Magistrate’s Court’s denial of…

Tshwane Barekisi Forum, which advocates for the rights of street vendors in Pretoria, has expressed support for a recent anti-crime operation aimed at revitalising the inner city. On Friday, a joint operation by law enforcement agencies led to the confiscation of goods from informal traders who were allegedly operating without the required trading permits. Forum leader Mary Ngema yesterday said the individuals who had their goods seized during the operation were mainly foreigners without proper documentation or trading permits. She said prior to the operation, City of Tshwane representatives met with the forum to discuss the importance of the operation, which included addressing dilapidated buildings neglected by their owners. “With regard to those who are breaking the law and operating on the pavement, there is nothing we can do for…

In another twist, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has denied cancelling his traditional wedding to his third wife-to-be, Queen Nomzamo Myeni. A letter with the kingdom’s official letterhead and logo purportedly signed by the King claimed that Misuzulu had directed the director-general of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize, to withdraw Myeni’s security and other benefits as a result of him cancelling the wedding. The letter stated the reasons as the issue being beyond the royal family’s control but it did not elaborate on these reasons. In an exclusive telephone interview with both the king and queen on Sunday, the couple denied the authenticity of the letters circulating in the media and on social platforms, which purported to provide reasons for the cancellation of the wedding scheduled for next weekend. Myeni…

THE start of the new academic year brings financial challenges for households and with the rising cost of education, budgets are being stretched even further, according to Sebastien Alexanderson, Head of National Debt Advisors. Alexanderson said that a report by the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) has revealed that school fees have increased by an average of 2.6% above inflation annually since 2012. Factors that have pushed up the cost of school fees include: Above-inflation teacher salary increases Higher municipal rates A growing number of fee defaults, shifting financial pressure onto paying families “Education costs are rising at an unsustainable rate compared to stagnant household incomes. Over the past seven years, South African salaries have only risen by 1%, while inflation has surged by 40%, eroding real purchasing power,” Alexanderson…

Mfundo Vilakazi emerged as the hero for Kaizer Chiefs as they clinched a dramatic late 1-0 victory against Sekhukhune United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The 19-year-old substitute provided the much-needed spark, scoring the decisive goal just three minutes before the final whistle as he danced through the defence to curl a shot into the bottom corner. The match’s turning point arrived shortly before Chiefs found the net when Sekhukhune defender Vuyo Letlapa was sent off after receiving a red card in the 84th minute. With a man advantage, the Glamour Boys capitalised quickly, showcasing their determination to snatch all three points. This victory marked the second win in three matches for Chiefs, propelling them to fifth place in the Betway Premiership standings, a mere four points…

Carlos Alcaraz reached his second Australian Open quarter-final yesterday when his opponent Jack Draper retired injured when trailing 7-5 6-1. The third-seeded Spaniard was well on top in the afternoon match at Rod Laver Arena against the Briton, who exited the court for a longmedical time-out between the sets. “This is not the way that I want to get through to the next round. I'm just happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia," Alcaraz said on court. “But really sorry for Jack. He doesn't deserve to get injured. He couldn't prepare the start of the season well." It was the second time Draper retired injured against Alcaraz, having cut short their 2023 match at Indian Wells due to an abdominal strain. Alcaraz will meet a red-hot Djokovic, who thumped…