Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-03-13 i Star

VAT will be raised by 0.5% this year and by 0.5% the year thereafter, but a range of measures have been proposed by the government to alleviate the impact of these increases on lower-income households. The National Treasury had earlier this year proposed a 2% increase from the current 15% VAT rate, but the proposal was shot down by the political parties in the Government of National Unity due to the potentially severe impact on lower-income groups. Consequently, the February Budget was postponed until Wednesday so that other ways could be found to increase government revenues. In addition, the government has decided not to adjust the personal income tax brackets and rebates for inflation in 2025/26, which will see employees paying more tax. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said in a…

There were angels lurking in the detail of South Africa’s delayed March 2025 Budget. While most attention focused on the scrapping of the 2 percentage point rise in the VAT rate proposed in February 2025 - replaced by a phased increase of half a percentage point this coming fiscal year and another half in the following year - some gems were hiding in the 273-page Budget Review. In my opinion, the standout revelation was the notable decline in irregular expenditure at the provincial level, dropping from R55 billion in 2022/23 to R20.7bn in 2023/24. Unauthorised expenditure also fell, from R3.1bn in 2022/23 to R2.2bn in 2023/24, while fruitless and wasteful expenditure decreased sharply from R626.6 million in 2022/23 to R193.1m million in 2023/24. Another major highlight is that the…

Economists saw the step-up 0.5 percentage point VAT increase over the next two financial terms as not only messy, but an indication of government running out of headroom for revenue generation. The increase, a compromise on an outright 2% VAT increase proposed in the deferred budget from last month, is proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to raise R28 billion in 2025/6. It included a VAT increase of 0.5% from May 1, 2025, with a further 0.5% increase from April 1, 2026. South Africa is not out of line with the global average VAT rate. Johann Els, the chief economist at Old Mutual Group, said, "Regarding VAT, the initial proposal of a 2% VAT rate increase has now been revised down to 1%, spread over two years - 0.5% from…

The private commercial property sector has agreed that the government could achieve savings through better management of its property portfolio, calling for an urgent audit to curb unwarranted and wasteful expenditure. This follows remarks by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee chairperson, Songezo Zibi, who said on Monday during a pre-budget economic cluster media briefing that the government was paying over the odds in rental costs. Zibi highlighted that departments in the government’s social cluster account for more than 50% of leased space, with these leases typically involving larger offices - exceeding 2000m² - primarily in central business districts (CBDs) and main centres, at an average rental rate of R126/m². Leases for departments in the Economic and Governance Clusters, meanwhile, range between 1 500m² and 1600m² at an average of R120/m². Just over…

The government’s tax revenue collection fell only R16.7 billion short of expectations from last year’s Budget forecast due in part to lower diesel import VAT receipts as load shedding subsided, and R1.85 trillion of tax revenue is expected to be realised. Although corporate tax receipts benefited from better-than-expected profitability, slower import growth led to underperformance in import VAT collections. Fuel levy receipts contracted amid falling demand and large diesel refund payments. Import VAT collections fell by more than 20 percent between 2022/23 and 2023/24 as nominal imports slowed sharply. While this has since moderated, tax receipts contracted by 1 per cent in the first 11 months of 2024/25 compared with the same period in the previous year. Volumes of domestic and imported diesel contracted as load-shedding subsided. Significant diesel refund…

Johannesburg’s beauty and brutality is set to take the spotlight in the new film, City of Gold, which is slated for release this year. Featuring top talents such as Bonko Khoza, Vuyo Dabula, Brandon Auret, Gaosi Raditholo and Given Stuurman, the action film is helmed by Fabien Martorell, who also directed Netflix’s Collision as well as Unbelief. Meanwhile, Lucky Rhino has produced the movie and one of its co-founders, Neo Baloyi, together with Martorell, are thrilled to take viewers into Jozi’s gritty and electrifying streets as the production is set to explore the city’s duality. “This movie is part of a slate of projects that we have as a business and it is a natural progression from our last film, Collision,” Baloyi explained during an interview with Independent Media…

South African rapper Da L.E.S, whose real name is Leslie Jonathan Mampe Jr., has moved to the US to recuperate under the care of his mother and to take advantage of its superior healthcare options. Responsible for hits like Lifestyle and Summer Time, Da L.E.S is a renowned icon, rapper, songwriter, and producer. With a career spanning over two decades, the North God artist has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the local hip hop scene. The Heaven hitmaker suffered a stroke on July 26, 2024, on the morning of his birthday and was hospitalised. This also resulted in the rapper not attending his birthday celebration, which was scheduled for that day. His family later released a statement saying that while he was in a stable…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has highlighted the vital role of its K9 unit—the unsung heroes— in strengthening efforts under Operation Vala Umgodi. This comes after significant progress since the launch of the operation in December 2023, as authorities intensify efforts to crack down on illegal mining activities nationwide. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk stated that the K9 unit's exceptional sense of smell and acute hearing play a vital role in operations, aiding in the detection of explosives and narcotics. “Today, the SAPS is shining a spotlight on the skills and capabilities of K9 dogs and the vital role they play in supporting Vala Umgodi operations. With their extraordinary sense of smell and acute hearing, SAPS K9 dogs assist during VALA UMGODI operations to locate explosives and…

THE major upgrade and maintenance work that is being carried out at the Kings Park swimming complex in Durban has been welcomed by Swimming South Africa which said the facility played an important role in the sport. Mafata Modutoane, spokesperson for Swimming South Africa (SSA), was commenting after the eThekwini Municipality’s revealed that the facility was undergoing a R42 million upgrade. The municipality said the upgrade aims to ensure it remains a world-class swimming destination. The complex has a 50-metre indoor pool and a 25-metre, 6.5-metre-deep outdoor diving pool. It is the only swimming facility in South Africa with International Swimming Federation (Fina) accreditation, allowing it to host international water sports competitions. The rehabilitation efforts focus on repairing infrastructure damaged by strong winds last year. Key improvements include the installation…

The facelifted Audi A3 Sportback and Sedan models, as well as their fire-breathing RS 3 counterparts, are heading our way soon with a fresh look and enhanced equipment. With the order books now open for South Africa, it is evident that the A3 has taken a step upmarket, with pricing starting at R808,200 for the 1.4 TFSI S Line Sportback and R823,200 for the Sedan equivalent. Audi is also offering a pair of Black Edition models, priced at R834,500 and R849,500 respectively. This raises the entry price of the range significantly, given that the standard spec level, which now falls away, previously started at R682,100, but even the S Line has risen significantly from its previous R722,100 starting price. The facelifted Audi RS 3 now starts at R1,498,200 for the…

Rassie Erasmus says he is encouraged by the positive dynamics between the younger and older players at the alignment camp that ended in Cape Town on Wednesday because the player load will be shared by all during the 15-match season. The Springbok coach added that his plan to use the skillset of all the coaches and management team members to contribute to a well-oiled machine, is already bearing fruit. The invited players assembled in Cape Town on Monday night and participated in two days of gym and boardroom sessions, which followed on a productive coaches’ workshop last weekend. “The purpose of the alignment camps are to get everyone on the same page about what the year looks like, to set our goals, and delve into what we are expecting from…

Ireland prop Andrew Porter has defended himself against accusations of foul play after Antoine Dupont suffered a season-ending knee injury during France's Six Nations win in Dublin on Saturday. French captain Dupont, widely regarded as the world's best player, ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the 42-27 win, which put Fabien Galthie's men firmly on course for title. France were furious with the incident that caused the injury, with Galthie branding it "reprehensible" as he announced his intention to refer Ireland pair Porter and Tadhg Beirne to the citing commissioner for possible retrospective punishment. Leinster loosehead Porter, who, in addition to Beirne, is free to feature in Saturday's round-five fixture away to Italy, said he had "no malicious intent". "He can say what he wants, see how far it gets…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso says he has his focus fully on Orlando Pirates following their convincing win against AmaZulu on Tuesday. Sundowns regained their 18-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership log with a 2-0 win against Usuthu at the Lucas Moripe Stadium as the Buccaneers were held to a 0-0 draw away against Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night. Both sides are set to meet in what could potentially be a title decider at the FNB Stadium on Sunday (15:30 kick-off). The Portuguese mentor has been steadily steering the Sundowns ship since taking over from Manqoba Mnqithi to what looks like a likely eighth consecutive league title. And through a few storms and persistent winds, his team has conquered all the challengers and their…

Infrastructure investment received R46.7 billion in additional government funding in Wednesday’s Budget, which will form part of R1.03 trillion planned to be spent over three years. This investment aims to speed up economic growth, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said R402bn will be spent on transport and logistics, R219.2bn on energy infrastructure, and R156.3bn for water and sanitation. In transport, the SA National Roads Agency will spend R100bn to keep the roads in good condition. Big infrastructure spending plans have been a feature of the government’s Budget in recent years, but delivery has fallen far short of the plans. This has severely reduced activity levels for the engineering and construction sectors, contributing to the steady degradation and backlogs in infrastructure. According to the Budget Review, between…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced that the National Treasury will embark on a significant overhaul of the nation’s budget process. This initiative aims to reassess the foundational assumptions that guide budget allocations, with the goal of optimising public expenditure and ensuring it aligns more closely with the current needs of the country. The announcement comes amid concerning projections regarding the country’s financial health, with gross government debt expected to reach R5.69 trillion - approximately 76.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP) - this year. The debt levels are anticipated to stabilise at 76.2% of GDP by the fiscal year 2025/26. In tandem, debt-service costs are projected to surge from R389.6 billion in 2024/25 to R478.6bn by 2027/28, comprising roughly 21.7% of revenue in 2024/25. Godongwana said the proposed budgetary…

Metair Investments, a South African automotive components and energy storage group, saw its shares rocket 15.86% to R5.99 on the JSE by 10.35am on Tuesday, after it unveiled a long-awaited capital restructuring plan. The stock has fallen by a whopping 45.28% in the year to date. The announcement, ahead of a March 31 deadline flagged last year, offers a lifeline to the debt-laden firm, with the market’s exuberance signaling confidence in the firm's strategy to deleverage its balance sheet amid a challenging automotive landscape. The restructuring, greenlit by Metair’s board and lenders on March 10, pivots the group’s net debt of around R5.5 billion into a more manageable structure. Although Metair reported in the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, that its net debt was R5.5bn, this was reduced by…

An Africa Expert Panel, chaired by former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, has been established by South Africa's Presidency of the G20 from the beginning of December in an effort to raise initiatives to tackle the unprecedented debt crisis among many African countries. South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from December 2024 until the end of November 2025. The G20 comprises 19 of the world's most systemically important countries and includes the African Union and European Union. The Presidency means that the G20 meetings, such as the G20 Finance Minister and Reserve Bank Governor meetings held in Cape Town last month, are being held on African soil for the first time and provide an opportunity for South Africa to focus the G20 on issues pertinent to Africa. The government said Wednesday…

South Africa’s Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, garnered the attention of the property sector as he delivered his 2025 National Budget Speech on Wednesday. His announcement of planned government spending on infrastructure drew praise from industry leaders who see a direct correlation between infrastructural improvements and economic growth. Dr Andrew Golding, the CEO of the Pam Golding Property group, said, “It was positive to note that the critical need for infrastructural improvements has been highlighted in the National Budget, as investment in sound infrastructure with a focus on energy, clean water supply and effective sanitation, well-maintained roads and other transport facilities, as well as affordable and effective broadband connectivity, promotes economic growth, and fosters employment opportunities.” “It also ultimately attracts new businesses and both residential and commercial property development and helps…

The family of comedian Ebenhaezer Dibakwane has released a statement regarding the death of the comedian who died on Friday. The statement revealed that Dibakwane had died by suicide. “The past few days have been excruciating for us as we battle to deal with his loss. Preliminary evidence suggests that Ebby died by suicide, which we expect will be confirmed by the post-mortem examination. “Poignantly, Ebby was well-known for the talent of making people laugh and yet he struggled with depression for a number of years. “While his passing is devastating for us and many who loved him, it is our prayer that this tragedy may remind all of us including seeking professional help where necessary.” Many celebrities and fans have paid tribute to Dibakwane and shared the special…

Netflix has confirmed that Running Point will return for a second season, weeks after the first season premiered on February 27 Running Point is a sports comedy about Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a former party animal who wants to prove that she has turned her life around by managing her family’s professional basketball franchise after her brother is compelled to resign from the presidency of the Los Angeles Waves Basketball team. However, for Gordon, running and being a president of a pro sports team comes with a lot of hurdles along the way that she is not ready to face. Taking to X, the streaming giant compiled a video with comments from fans of the show who were demanding the second season to be released, with a video of Hudson…

ActionSA has praised the City of Tshwane for its efforts in revitalising several previously neglected sites following a recent tour. Michael Beaumont, ActionSA National Chairperson, stated that the party visited various areas in the City last year, where residents endured long-term, severe service delivery failures—from sewage spills in backyards to communal spaces turned into dumping grounds. Beaumont said the scale of their findings from the fact-finding mission in September 2024, coupled with the starkly varied experiences of service delivery across the City, prompted ActionSA to reassess its position in the governing multi-party coalition at the time. “Today, we returned to these areas to assess the progress made under the leadership of ActionSA Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and her coalition team. This follows a series of engagements with Mayor Moya,…

Recent food poisoning cases should remind us that the industry’s claws, greed, and incompetence continue to jeopardise our safety. The 2018 listeriosis outbreak, which claimed over 209 lives, is a tragic reminder of this reality. The families of the victims are demanding justice from Tiger Brands, South Africa's largest food and beverage company. Recent evidence suggests the company was likely accountable for the outbreak, mainly spread through their polony products. Six years later, there have been sporadic reports of food poisoning across different parts of the country, with some victims tragically succumbing to their injuries, while others requiring hospitalisation. The Gauteng Department of Health has recorded approximately 207 cases, with 10 children unfortunately losing their lives as a result. Only after a significant number of deaths were recorded was an…

And, just like that, my first race in the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Cup Media Challenge is over. Not just the first race in the GR Cup, but also my first real race and my first time on Killarney international raceway in Cape Town. Arriving in Cape Town on Thursday night there was an air of expectation and a lot of nervous banter among my fellow racers and media colleagues. There are six of us vying for honours and making our debut, myself, (Independent Media/IOL), Charl Bosch (Citizen), Lawrence Minnie (Auto Trader), Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive), Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) and Nabil Abdool (SuperSport). It was a struggle to get a good night’s sleep as I nervously played out various scenarios through my head, watched YouTube videos of the track again…

Just over a year after landing on local shores as a somewhat interesting and rugged-looking alternative to the Toyota Fortuner, the GWM Tank 300 is finally available with the diesel engine that most buyers in this segment demand. Priced from R699,900 in Super Luxury 4WD guise and R739,900 as an Ultra Luxury 4WD, it undercuts the equivalent 2.0-litre turbopetrol models by R26,000 and R36,000 respectively. The new 2.4-litre turbodiesel offers up 135kW and 480Nm, while paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. GWM claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.7 litres per 100km. For what it's worth, the turbopetrol engine produces 162kW and 380Nm, and drinks a claimed 9.5 l/100km. The diesel comes with the same off-roading credentials as its petrol sibling, including a Torque On Demand four-wheel drive system…

Jose Riveiro was honest personified after Orlando Pirates’ draw with Stellenbosch in the Betway Premiership at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night. Riveiro initially conceded in the post-match presser that they didn’t make enough strides in their title aspirations as they dropped two vital points. And he was right. Pirates visited Stellies to a stalemate which saw them remain second on the log with 40 points, 18 adrift of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates could trim that gap to just six points if they win all their four games in hand which happened due to various postponements. But with the rescheduling of those matches yet to be confirmed, Pirates must do their bit in ensuring undowns drop points going into the last games of the season. The Sea Robbers can cut…

Brad Binder will look to repeat his heriocs at the Argentina MotoGP this weekend, like he did in the 2023 sprint race, after sweeping through the field that year to claim an unlikely victory. He will not, however, want a repeat of the main race when he finished a lowly 17th. The 29-year-old finished P8 in the opening race of the year in Thailand last week, as he still finds himself adjusting to his new package. Two seasons ago, during the Saturday sprint at Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina, the Red Bull KTM rider started the race in 15th, but ended up piping Marco Bezzecchi by 0.072s to claim victory, and one record of the highlights of the year. Franco Morbidelli of Yamaha took the early lead by about…

GAVIN Hunt was not on the bench when SuperSport United lost 3-1 to TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership in Mbombela on Tuesday night. Unfortunately for him, the world of football and especially coaching, works a little differently. When we read Matsatsantsa A Pitori’s performance record for the 2024/2025 season, we will put his name opposite that loss which was a 10th for the Tshwane side in the league this season. He will understand, he should understand. After all, he is Gavin Hunt, the most experienced gaffer in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) with over 1000 games to his name in over two decades. You don’t go that long a journey without finding yourself understanding a few things along the way, now do you. After all, Hunt, who was serving…

GDP growth has averaged less than 2%, far below the level required to meet our expanding list of needs Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered a pivotal Budget Speech aimed at steering South Africa towards economic recovery and inclusive growth amidst fiscal deterioration and rising debt levels. With the country grappling with stagnated economic growth and pressing social needs, Godongwana’s address presented a mixed bag of fiscal discipline, significant infrastructure investment, and unpopular revenue-enhancing measures. Godongwana said the reality of a mere 0.6% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024 and the expectation of a 1.8% growth over the medium-term stressed an urgent need for structural reforms and macroeconomic stability. “A bigger, faster growing economy, and the larger fiscal resources that comes with it, would give us more fiscal room to…

South Africa’s 2025 Budget Review revealed a mild near-term fiscal slippage, with a weakening in the government’s debt-to-GDP projections and fiscal deficits, before reverting to previous forecasts of fiscal consolidation. Gross government debt is consequently now projected to stabilise at 76.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025/26, up slightly from the earlier estimate of a peak at 75.5% in the same year, as outlined in last year’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). The rand showed little reaction, hovering around R18.40 against the dollar following the Budget announcement. The budget deficit for 2025/26 is now estimated at -4.6% of GDP, widening from the prior forecast of -4.3%, though it is expected to narrow to -3.5% by 2027/28. VAT has risen by 0.5%, with no adjustment for fiscal drag. The National…

Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s largest listed real estate investment trust (REIT), reported a better-than- expected 3.9% rise in distributable income per share (DIPS) to 74 cents for the six months to December, buoyed by robust rental growth and falling vacancies in its logistics and industrial portfolio. The interim dividend climbed 3.7% to 61 cents per share, reflecting a 6.2% jump in South African net property income to R2.9 billion. The standout performer was the V&A Waterfront, a flagship Cape Town asset co-owned with the Government Employees Pension Fund, where net property income surged 16.6% on a like-for-like basis. “V&A delivered a 16.6% like-for-like increase in net property income, due to increased tourism and the positive impact this had on retail, hotels and attractions,” the company said. In line with the…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana took centre stage on Wednesday, tabling the 2025 Budget before the National Assembly with a clear message: South Africa’s state-owned enterprises are getting a lifeline, but not a free ride. Godongwana spotlighted logistics parastatal Transnet as a key focus of new public-private partnership (PPP) regulations set to kick in on June 1, 2025. These rules, finalised after much anticipation, aim to slash red tape, boost capacity for managing PPPs, and lay down clearer guidelines for unsolicited bids while tightening fiscal risk oversight. Godongwana said the regulations will allow national departments to set up sector-specific PPP units, driving private sector participation (PSP) to shore up the balance sheets of struggling state firms. Transnet and the Department of Transport are already eyeing market engagement on PSP projects, targeting…

The National Treasury has set aside R11 billion to pay for early retirement of at least 30 000 government employees over the next two fiscal years in a bid to manage the public sector wage bill. The early retirement incentive was first announced in the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) as a measure to reduce compensation costs while rejuvenating the public service. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told Parliament on Wednesday that the government was reactivating early retirement of public sector employees without penalties to help manage wage costs. Godongwana said the plan was to manage headcounts by incentivising employees over 55 years-old to retire and moderate compensation spending as new recruits join the public service at entry-level salary grades. He said the early retirement initiative was thus allocated R4.4bn…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana made major cuts to social grants over the next three years to finance the extension of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant for a year. The cuts will affect over 8 million South Africans on the SRD grants and millions more on other types of grants. During his 2025 budget speech innie Kaap yesterday, Godongwana said the cuts had to be made after the decision to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) by two percent was scaled back to a 0.5% increase for the next two years. Godongwana said the social grants were allocated R284.7 billion in the new financial year. The grants will be increased as follows in April: The old age and disability grant increase by R130 to R2 315; Child support grant…

Four days after his tragic passing, the family of comedian Ebenhaezer Dibakwane officially broke their silence, confirming the heartbreaking news in a statement released on Tuesday. In the statement, the family revealed the heartbreaking news that Dibakwane's passing was due to suicide. “It is with heavy hearts that we have to come to terms with the tragic death of our beloved Ebenhaezer ‘Ebby’ Dibakwane, who passed away on Friday, 7 March, at the age of 31. “The past few days have been excruciating for us as we battle to deal with his loss. Preliminary evidence suggests that Ebby died by suicide, which we expect will be confirmed by the post-mortem examination.” The family shared that Dibakwane had been battling depression for years, and his tragic passing serves as a reminder…

MISSING Joshlin Smith’s class teacher, Edna Maart, revealed that her mother, Kelly, had claimed that the child had been taken by boat to West Africa. The teacher said the day after the six-year-old went missing, Racquel “Kelly” Smith told her that she had received a call from a Nigerian man. The mom faces kidnapping and human-trafficking charges alongside her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn. They appeared again in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha, yesterday morning. Maart took the stand and dropped the bombshell that Kelly knew of her daughter’s whereabouts after receiving a call from the strange man. “We were at a petrol station before helping with the search for Joshlin. I was shocked when Kelly came…

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Arts & Culture Trust, in collaboration with the City of Ekurhuleni, is set to unveil an AI-powered revolution in theatre. In the ever-evolving technological landscape, this groundbreaking initiative is designed to merge artificial intelligence (AI), mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR), and broadcast technology into live theatre, reshaping how South African creatives engage with the global stage. The launch of the Smart Theatre will be a collaborative effort between the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT), Soda World, and the Dumisani Masilela Theatre (DMT), with support from the City of Ekurhuleni and the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture. The Smart Theatre Programme will serve as an advanced training hub for performers, writers, directors, and technicians, providing them with essential tools to create, distribute, and monetise…

The President’s recent address at the Basic Education Lekgotla has reaffirmed the critical role of education in shaping South Africa’s future. His emphasis on foundational learning, technological adaptation, and vocational pathways reflects the urgency of aligning the education system with both global trends and national imperatives. However, while acknowledging the progress made, particularly in matric results, we must confront the stark reality that much work remains to be done to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. The Challenge of Foundational Learning The president rightly highlighted the alarming literacy and numeracy crisis in early education, with more than 80% of Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning in any language. This fundamental gap not only impairs future academic achievement but also perpetuates cycles of inequality and economic disadvantage.…

South Africa is car crazy, with many enthusiasts treating their vehicles as a blank canvas for modifications. From subtle accessory tweaks to downright ludicrous alterations, the passion for personalisation runs deep. We’re ranked ratio-wise as the top country globally for the uptake of performance cars such as BMW M, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Audi RS and Golf GTI. If you’ve ever attended a car meet where like-minded enthusiasts gather you’ll have an idea of what owners do to make their cars look better, go faster, sit lower, make more noise, handle better and generally make them one of a kind. Growing Industry According to the American International Trade Administration the last decade has seen a rapid growth in automotive aftermarket specialty equipment and accessories. “Accessorising and improving performance of vehicles…

Paris Saint-Germain's penalty shootout triumph over Liverpool on Tuesday in an epic Uefa Champions League tie is a statement win for the French club’s new project in the post-Kylian Mbappé era and confirms that they are serious contenders to win the trophy. PSG were once almost a laughingstock across Europe for their tendency to lose big Champions League knockout ties in improbable circumstances. Yet, this heavyweight last-16 showdown against the English Premier League leaders could not have contrasted more sharply with past implosions against the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. The Parisians were superb in last week's first leg but still contrived to lose 1-0, leaving them with an uphill task before heading to Anfield, where Liverpool had been beaten just once this season. However, Luis Enrique's…

Lewis Hamilton will look to lay down an immediate marker against world champion Max Verstappen when the Briton makes his highly anticipated Ferrari debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this week. The former Mercedes ace is bidding for a record eighth world title — and his first since 2020 — after being outshone by the Dutchman and his dominant Red Bull team in recent years. A bombshell move to Ferrari after a glorious 12-year spell at Mercedes has rejuvenated the 40-year-old, who is eager to apply the lessons learned from 162 laps of testing in Bahrain last month to race conditions. "I'm so excited to get to the first race in Melbourne. I can't wait to go racing with them," Hamilton said of Ferrari. "The passion here is like…

As a player for the Cheetahs and the Springboks, Frans Steyn was often startlingly honest, and this has extended to his new role as coach of the Free State Cheetahs. Steyn has stepped down from his position as acting CEO of the Cheetahs to take on the role of head coach, and he admits he fluffed his lines in the Cheetahs’ SA Cup opening-round defeat to Boland last week. The 38-year-old has promised to be better against the Leopards on Friday. The Cheetahs fell 19-0 behind after 23 minutes against the Kavaliers before fighting back to lead 29-25 in the second half of their match in Wellington. However, Lunathi Nxele’s third try put Boland back in front, and Garth April’s last-minute try sealed a 45-29 win for the team coached…

LOCAL is lekker, it is often said. A phrase that probably every adult South African has used at some point. The problem though is that at times this phrase is detrimental as we also tend to use it to support our decisions to “keep things local” even when it would do us a world of good to look externally. To cut to the chase - that is one of the problems facing South African football at the moment; domestic clubs are keeping it too local when it comes to the appointment of coaches especially in the Premiership. Yes indeed times are tough out there for anyone, especially not a journalist like myself who is living with endless job threats from AI and social media tools, to advocate for local teams…