Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-03-19 i Star

Tensions with the United States could propel South Africa to depart from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) agreement, a development that could also have regional ramifications and add to uncertainties dogging the government of national unity. Bilateral tensions have ratcheted up between South Africa and the US under President Donald Trump in the past few weeks. The US has cut aid advances to South Africa while there is increasing consensus that the simmering tensions will culminate in South Africa leaving Agoa. “Our baseline view is that South Africa Africa will exit Agoa (but) we can't however, tell you with any certainty when that will be the case,” said Gina Schoeman, South Africa economist for Citigroup, on Tueday. Scheoman added that South Africa was likely to exit Agoa next…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has shed light on significant discrepancies in the complaints management processes of South Africa's banking sector. This comes following a comprehensive thematic review aimed at measuring the alignment of these processes with established regulatory requirements. The findings reinforce the FSCA's unwavering commitment to enhancing industry practices while ensuring the fair treatment of financial customers. The FSCA is the market conduct regulator of financialinstitutions in South Africa manfated to protect financial customers bypromoting fair treatment of financial customers by financial institutions, including banks Conducted as part of the FSCA's ongoing supervisory efforts, the review assessed how effectively banks were managing complaints, particularly in relation to Conduct Standard 3 of 2020 (Banks). This pivotal standard, which came into force in July 2021, lays down rigorous expectations…

Transnet National Ports Authority said on Tuesday that it was moving ahead with the redevelopment and expansion of Bayhead Road to ease truck congestion and improve operations at the Port of Durban. This was revealed at a media engagement with Port of Durban acting manager, Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi. TNPA said it was also moving ahead with plans to start to build a second access road to Port Durban to the value of R3.2 billion. Johnny Mokheseng, programme director for mega projects at TNPA, said that a feasibility study for the expansion of Bayhead Road was currently underway. “We plan to complete the feasibility study by the end of the year and hope that construction for the expansion will start next year,” he said. “In the interim, we will do rehabilitation and…

South Africa’s renewable energy landscape received a significant boost this week as two major projects reached financial close. Red Rocket, a prominent renewable energy independent power producer (IPP), has finalised funding for the first phase of the Overberg Wind Farm, set to become South Africa’s largest privately developed single wind farm. Simultaneously, energy trader Etana Energy, in collaboration with developers Mulilo and H1 Holdings, secured financial backing for the 75-megawatt (MW) Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 project, marking a pioneering milestone in the nation’s utility-scale renewable energy market. Overberg Wind Farm The Overberg Wind Farm, located near Swellendam in the Western Cape, represents a flagship achievement for Red Rocket. With a total planned capacity of 380MW across two phases, the first phase will deliver 242MW, of which 230MW has been…

Super Group, the global logistics and mobility business, is facing significant challenges in its European markets and has decided to sell its InTime courier and freight business in that region. The group reported a 7.6% decline in revenue on Tuesday to R23.67 billion for the six months to December 31, driven mainly by weaker performances in the UK Dealerships and Supply Chain Africa commodity businesses. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation fell 5.2% to R1.85 billion and operating profit fell 13% to R959.8 million. Headline earnings a share were 24.2% lower at 104.8 cents. Nevertheless, the share price gained 3.43% to R28.34 on the JSE Tuesday afternoon, up from R25.71 a year ago. The Supply Chain Europe division, particularly InTime, saw a big drop in auto parts distribution volumes…

The Parlotones, one of South Africa's most beloved rock bands, continue their fascinating journey into the archives with the release of their latest project, Forgotten Songs EP 3 – Raw & Unheard. This third installment in their acclaimed Forgotten Songs series sees the band sharing an array of previously unreleased tracks and unheard demo recordings that have been carefully unearthed from an extensive collection of old hard drives and CDs. The band took to Instagram to announce the EP’s release, stating: “The Parlotones continue their captivating journey into the past with the release of Forgotten Songs EP 3 – Raw & Unheard. This third EP brings fans a collection of previously unreleased songs and unheard demo tracks, rediscovered from a treasure trove of old hard drives and CDs. Now, these…

Political analysts and unions in the education sector say the state of education in black communities has deteriorated since the advent of democracy in 1994. The analysts and unions made these remarks in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address at the Bana Pele Early Childhood Development Leadership Summit on Monday, where he admitted past failures in education reform. Ramaphosa said as an effort to correct the legacy of Bantu Education, 30 years ago, the government should have closed schools for two years to re-educate teachers and reform the system. During apartheid, schools in black communities were severely underfunded and lacked resources, while schools for white South Africans received significantly more funding and resources. Writing in his weekly newsletter earlier this month, Ramaphosa said: "One of the most damaging effects…

In a devastating turn of events, police in Limpopo have arrested two alleged livestock thieves following the disappearance and tragic murder of a local farmer. Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, reported that on the afternoon of February 27, a 62-year-old farmer, David Netshilaphala, went to his kraal at Xikundu village to check on his cattle. Upon arrival, he discovered that three of his cattle were missing. Thakeng stated that two days following the incident, Netshilaphala was reported missing at Saselamani SAPS. In response, outraged community members began setting fire to the homes of those believed to be responsible for the disappearance. “Two days after the incident, 62-year-old David Netshilaphala was reported missing at Saselamani SAPS. Members of the community gathered and started to burn the houses of the…

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development, has commended whistleblowers for their role in exposing corruption within the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). Following tips from whistleblowers, four SASSA officials were arrested at the Johannesburg local office on Friday, March 14, 2025. This arrest follows the earlier detention of three SASSA officials at the Idutywa local office in the Eastern Cape earlier in March. IOL previously reported that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) brought more serious charges against five SASSA officials implicated in a R260 million grant scheme. After their arrest on Friday, the accused made their first appearance in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court on Monday, where their charges were escalated to over 1,300 counts of cybercrime, fraud, and theft. The officials facing these charges include Phumelele Myeza, 37,…

AFTER more than nine months aboard the International Space Station, a pair of astronauts are finally set to depart for Earth early on Tuesday, ending a prolonged mission that has captivated global attention. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams flew to the orbital lab in June last year, on what was supposed to be a days-long roundtrip to test out Boeing's Starliner on its first crewed flight. But the spaceship developed propulsion problems and was deemed unfit to fly them back, instead returning empty without more major problems. Ex-Navy pilots Wilmore and Williams, 62 and 59 respectively, were instead reassigned to the Nasa-SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which saw a Dragon spacecraft fly to the ISS last September with a team of two, rather than the usual four, to make room for the…

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) continues to elevate its already stellar line-up with two powerhouse international acts—Incognito and Masego — joining the bill, along with Cape Town’s own rising star, Muneeb Hermans. Bringing their signature blend of jazz, funk and soul, British acid jazz pioneers Incognito are set to ignite the stage with their dynamic and timeless sound. Since their inception in 1979, the band has defined the acid jazz movement, delivering global hits like Still a Friend of Mine and their legendary rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Don't You Worry ‘Bout a Thing. Their performances are nothing short of electrifying, blending intricate musical arrangements with infectious grooves that transcend generations. Having wowed South African audiences before, their return is set to be a major highlight of the festival.…

THE Sedibeng District Municipality has revealed that R23.5 million has been stolen in its licensing department, including by mayor Lerato Maloka’s stepson, Kgotso Mkhize. The theft was revealed by Sedibeng municipal manager Motsumi Mathe in response to questions from the DA posed to Gauteng Gauteng cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Jacob Mamabolo, who detailed the widespread looting. Mkhize is accused of stealing R5.5m from one of the municipality’s drivers’ license centres in December last year. According to Mathe, fraudulent transactions were performed on the eNatis system but off site and the money was not banked. ”It was done on the user number and password of the cashier,” he explained, adding that the matter was reported to the Hawks. The municipality suspended Mkhize but he has not yet been…

Taiwan’s recent statement – purporting that South Africa has “repeatedly violated international norms” by insisting on its sovereign right to relocate Taiwan’s representative office – is not only misleading, it smacks of political manoeuvring rather than credible concern. First and foremost, South Africa’s decision to rename and relocate the so-called “Taipei Liaison Office” is a matter of national sovereignty. As any independent nation would insist, Pretoria retains the right to manage its foreign representations as it sees fit. The claim that this decision amounts to a violation of international norms is not only unfounded – it’s a deliberate distortion aimed at undermining South Africa’s dignified exercise of self-determination. Even more egregious is the reference to South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, being declared “persona non grata” by…

With Kwena Maphaka, South Africa witnessed an unrivalled rise to the highest level. Maphaka went from playing in the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup to becoming a fully fledged, all-format Proteas player in less than 12 months — a rise the country has arguably never witnessed before. At 18-years-old, Maphaka became the youngest ever Proteas Test cricketer, breaking Paul Adams' record, which had stood for almost three decades. With sheer pace, accuracy, and consistency, Maphaka broke into the Proteas' 2025 ICC Champions Trophy squad, albeit as a travelling reserve. South Africa made it to the semi-finals of the tournament, and even though Maphaka did not play a single game, he would have gained invaluable experience that could benefit South Africa in the future ... and more immediately in the upcoming…

Welsh rugby could not be in darker times as the national team sits on 17 consecutive defeats but a ray of sunshine is the performance of Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The team from the Welsh capital is sixth on the URC standings and this weekend hosts the Lions. One of the stars of the Cardiff revival is wing Harri Millard and his story is a microcosm of what is going in the Principality. Back in 2023, Millard was left wondering whether his career was coming to an end when he was released by Cardiff amid the contractual uncertainty in Wales. For some four months, he was without a job and considering what to do for a living. But then Cardiff came in with a new offer and…

African Rainbow Capital Investments (ARCI), part of the broader African Rainbow Capital group owned by well-known businessman Patrice Motsepe, plans to delist from the JSE and A2X markets via an offer to buy all the shares. ARCI’s share price increased 4.7% to R9.14 on the JSE Tuesday morning. ARCI has offered its shareholders R9.75 a share cash, which is a 12.6% premium to the closing price of R8.66 on March 14, and a premium of 21% to the R8.06 per share 30-day average price. ARCI’s board said they wish to delist because there is limited liquidity in the shares, and the share price does not reflect the “true value” of the investments in the ARC Fund, so investors in ARCI are not receiving the true value of their investment. The…

David Masondo, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Finance, on Tuesday warned of Africa’s spiralling debt crisis, urging the development of “tangible, actionable solutions” to shift the continent from distress to “long-term financial resilience and sustainable growth”. Speaking at the Group of Twenty (G20) International Financial Architecture Working Group Debt Side Event in Pretoria, he told African representatives, international financial institutions, and private lenders that rising debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratios, a pivot to private creditors, and structural weaknesses demand faster debt resolution. Africa’s debt has ballooned, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where World Bank data shows nominal public debt tripled since 2010 to $1.1 trillion (R20 trillion) by 2022. The median debt-to-GDP ratio in SSA jumped from 32% in 2010 to 57% in 2022, fuelled by weak debt management, poor…

Sean Summers, the CEO of Pick n Pay, is swiftly advancing the retailer's turnaround strategy, as he unveiled enhanced benefits for customers through an expanded partnership with FNB's eBucks programme. Pick n Pay’s partnership with eBucks, launched only three months ago, is set to roll out even greater benefits. As of April 1, this expansion will significantly increase the number of eligible FNB customers who benefit from the partnership from 1.4 million currently spending at Pick n Pay to the full FNB base of 6.4 million active eBucks members. "The partnership will now extend to FNB’s Personal Segment, which spent R57 billion on groceries last year. From April 1, Premier FNB cardholders will now also earn up to 30% back in eBucks on Pick n Pay’s asap! service and up…

Rwanda and Belgium have expelled each other’s diplomats amid growing tensions over the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The diplomatic spat follows accusations and counteraccusations between the two countries regarding their involvement in the DRC crisis, which has seen decades of instability fueled by armed groups, including the M23 rebel movement. The tension escalated when Rwanda was accused by several Western nations, including Belgium, of supporting the M23 rebels in their offensive in eastern DRC. The M23, a militia group primarily composed of ethnic Tutsi fighters, has been linked to Rwanda, although the Rwandan government has consistently denied any support for the rebels. Belgium, a long-time international partner of Rwanda, became vocal in its criticism, accusing the Rwandan government of exacerbating the violence in the DRC.…

RIVERS of Living Waters Church leader Bishop Bafana Stephen Zondo will be back in court on Wednesday when it will be revealed whether he will step into the witness box to present his defence against the host of rape charges against him or whether he will fight the refusal of a judge to grant him a discharge. Zondo applied for the court to clear his name at the end of the State’s case, as he claimed that the State had produced insufficient evidence to prove its case against him. Thus, he argued, there was no case for him to answer to. This application followed after the prosecution had closed its case against him, after calling a host of witnesses. Zondo claimed that the witnesses —mostly alleged victims—lied in court that…

As part of the ongoing initiative to transition beneficiaries from Gold Cards to Black Cards, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Postbank have launched a home visit programme to assist bed-ridden beneficiaries with the migration process. This announcement comes ahead of the March 20 deadline. Postbank CEO Ntomboxolo Mbengashe made the statement during a joint media briefing with SASSA on Monday in Pretoria. As part of the home visits programme, SASSA and Postbank teams will assist beneficiaries directly at their residences, including private homes and nursing facilities, to ensure seamless access to their grants. Mbengashe urged the public to stay informed about the home visits and emphasised that strict criteria would be applied during the process. “We advise social grant beneficiaries and the public to be fully aware…

The director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urges US President Donald Trump to reverse significant cuts to global health funding, warning that the disruption could cost millions of lives worldwide. “We ask the US to reconsider its support for global health, which not only saves lives around the world, it also makes the US safer by preventing outbreaks from spreading internationally,” Ghebreyesus said during a media briefing on Monday. Ghebreyesus cautioned that the two HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress, leading to more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and 3 million HIV-related deaths, more than triple the number of deaths last year. The call comes after Trump froze all US foreign aid, including substantial assistance for global health, affecting countries like…

South Africa, 18 March 2025: South Africa, get ready to run for a cause! The Wings for Life World Run returns on May 4, 2025, uniting runners and wheelchair participants from across the globe for its 12th edition. In this unique race, there is no traditional finish line; instead, a Virtual Catcher Car will be on your heels, and it’s up to you to stay ahead for as long as you can. Where to Join: Cape Town: Start at Vlei Road by Green Point Athletics Track, with a stunning route through Green Point Park and the stadium forecourt. Centurion: Meet at the ARC farm in Irene for a 6km lap on tarred roads, with plenty of space to test your endurance. Port Elizabeth: Participants will start on the lawns…

In South Africa, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) was introduced to redress economic imbalances caused by apartheid. A central element of this policy is the BEE premium, an additional amount the government must pay when awarding tenders to businesses based on their BEE credentials, regardless of whether their offer is the best value for money. The rationale behind BEE premiums is to ensure businesses meeting BEE requirements are given preferential treatment. If two companies submit similar bids, the one with the higher BEE score wins the tender, even if their price is higher. Under current rules, contracts under R50 million can carry a 25% premium, while those over R50 million are capped at 11.1%. In practice, BEE premiums have failed to improve the lives of most South Africans. While some black…

The blitzkrieg of American transactional inside-looking coercive policies since the turn of Donald Trump at the White House risks plunging international relations back to a world of interest-driven anarchy, and conflictual alliances. Since the end of the Second World War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, a new world order informed by the need to forge cooperative world relations emerged from the ashes of war and severe suffering. The imperfections of the liberal world order singularly dominated by Western powers raised calls for its democratisation to create inclusive multilateralism rooted in cooperation and interdependence on the back of the significant role of emerging powers. A new era of interdependence and cooperation recognising the national sovereignty and independence of all states, however big or small, as canonised in the Charter…

For Sharks forward coach Philip Lemmer, an advancing scrum is a “thing of beauty” because it requires eight players to work in perfect unison. Even better for Lemmer is seeing a backline player accelerating through a gap and scoring a try thanks to the space created by front-foot ball from the forwards. As he says, “The forwards are like parents that must provide food for their children.” But Lemmer, a former prop and professional wrestler, knows the other side of the coin and says it was painful to experience a heavy defeat a few weeks ago at Ellis Park, his home ground before he joined the Sharks. He is speaking of the Lions’ big win in the first leg of a home-and-away mini-series with the Sharks in the United Rugby…

From no-hopers and the butt of jokes in Mzansi to potential qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, it has been a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Bafana Bafana under coach Hugo Broos. And the exciting journey continues over the next week, as South Africa face Lesotho on Friday and Benin next Tuesday in two vital World Cup qualifiers. While the wily old mentor Broos has been praised for being a straight-talker – often standing up to club bosses and even Safa officials when things are not what they are supposed to be for Bafana – one major factor that stands out for me is his team selections. Unlike some of his predecessors, the 72-year-old Belgian doesn’t subscribe to the ‘big-club mentality’ when he picks his squads. You don’t have…

The importance of soccer matches is often overestimated. Clashes between teams — be it at club or national team level — are invariably described as ‘do-or-die’ or ‘must-win’ affairs until it all becomes slightly tiresome. Yet, when there is a place at football’s ultimate stage — the Fifa World Cup — at stake, every match takes on that stature. Even for countries ranked lowly and usually adding to the numbers, the World Cup dream ensures they approach matches with the seriousness of a heart attack. It is for that reason that Hugo Broos is taking nothing for granted as he prepares for the next round of qualifiers for the global showpiece, scheduled for the Americas — US, Canada, and Mexico —in 2026. Bafana Bafana host Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba…

Credit ratings agencies have warned that South Africa’s national government debt will stabilize higher in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) than anticipated by the National Treasury during the 2025 Budget tabled last week. This comes as the gross government debt is projected to reach R5.69 trillion or 76.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana last week forecast that the debt ratio will peak in the coming fiscal year, before gradually declining from fiscal 2026-27 given primary surpluses. Godongwana said the government projected that gross debt-to-GDP will stabilise at 76.2% of GDP in the 2025 fiscal year, compared with 76.1% in 2024, before declining gradually thereafter. The budget forecasts the fiscal deficit will fall to 3.5% of GDP by fiscal 2027/28, a slight worsening compared…

The current outbreak of the Asian Influenza virus in poultry may mutate to humans as has been the case in the US with 70 cases reported and one fatality. This was a warning from a microbiologist on Tuesday as the South African government is accused of dithering on a comprehensive poultry vaccination and bio-security drive rather than culling, which was unstainable without compensation. Industry experts said on Tuesday the poultry industry has suffered losses estimated at R1.8 billion due to the culling and associated disruptions. Major poultry producers like Astral Foods have reported significant financial losses, with operating losses reaching R621 million. The outbreak has also hiked prices of eggs, which surged by 19% between September and October 2023 alone, reflecting supply shortages caused by the Avian Influenza outbreaks. At…

As global air travel surges, the aviation sector finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. Aviation currently contributes roughly 3% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, underscoring the urgency to address climate change. Stakeholders across the aviation value chain are racing to reduce carbon footprints, yet a truly comprehensive decarbonisation strategy must extend beyond the airport’s perimeter for meaningful societal change. Currently, global CO2 emissions exceed 37 billion metric tonnes annually, with South Africa ranked 11th in per capita emissions at 5.65 tonnes per person. This is primarily driven by the country’s reliance on coal for energy, which powers approximately 85% of our generation and transportation. The Paris Agreement’s 2030 targets call for reducing the global average CO2 footprint to 2.3 tonnes per person, making South Africa’s energy transition a critical…

Old Mutual is looking forward to another year of strong growth after reporting a solid 14% increase in adjusted headline earnings in 2024, which supported a 6% higher final dividend. Adjusted headline earnings per share increased by 17%. Operating profits increased by 4% to R8.7 billion. Funds under management grew 10% to R1.5 trillion. CEO Iain Williamson said in an interview that the group has maintained a strong growth trajectory since 2020, continuing into 2024. "Since our primary listing on the JSE in 2018, we have returned R89bn to shareholders. We have also made substantial investments in building future capabilities and funding growth businesses, including the launch of OM Bank," he said. The Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority has confirmed that OM Bank had fulfilled its license conditions and the bank…

In July, Prime Video will premiere the highly anticipated third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, a heart-warming drama series based on author Jenny Han's best-selling novel trilogy of the same name. For those unfamiliar with the series, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows the story of Isabella “Belly” Conklin, played by Lola Tung, a young girl who spends her summers at the beach with her family and the Fisher brothers, Conrad, played by Christopher Briney, and Jeremiah, played by Gavin Casalegno. Belly is the main leading actor, a seemingly ordinary girl who experiences a transformative summer at Cousins Beach. Belly, who had just turned 16 that summer, blossomed into a beautiful woman, attracting attention and navigating the complexities of her newfound beauty and popularity. As Belly…

A Cape Town mother is anxiously waiting for news about her four-year-old son, who is in critical condition after a pit bull attack. The dog's bite narrowly missed the child's heart by just a few millimetres and the family is awaiting information on whether he will need surgery. Little C’Jay Nell was at the dog owner’s home when he was mauled a week ago on March 12 in Chris Hani Park, Macassar. His mom Shireen said: “I wasn’t with him when this happened. He was at the house where the man had a pit bull. “The community members saved him and the dog was killed. I was only informed when everything was over. “My son is in critical condition at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital. He might have surgery, we…

Operation Kukula Shanela in Limpopo has delivered a major blow to crime, resulting in the arrest of 949 suspects and the recovery of 11 unlicensed firearms in a sweeping crackdown across high-density areas. According to Provincial Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the operation, which ran from March 10 to March 16, was a success. It involved various SAPS units, including the South African National Defence Force, Traffic Police, and the Community Police Forum (CPF). Thakeng stated that the operation targeted suspects involved in various crimes, including armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, car hijacking, illegal mining, immigration violations, and the illegal possession of firearms. “The suspects were charged with various offences, including two for armed robbery, four for murder and attempted murder, two for car hijacking cases, eleven for illegal…

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has expanded the Disease Management Area (DMA) in KwaZulu-Natal due to the discovery of new Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) cases in Newcastle. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is classified as a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), which mandates specific control measures, such as isolation and movement restrictions, enforced by Veterinary Services. Ministry spokesperson Joylene van Wyk said the FMD outbreak in KZN has not been successfully contained, with new cases recently detected in the Newcastle area. “The disease has now spread beyond the initial Disease Management Area (DMA) declared in 2021 when outbreaks of the SAT2 FMD strain first emerged in the province,” Van Wyk said. She said the minister has decided to expand the…

In a world constantly filled with information, warnings, and judgments, insecurities have a way of creeping into our minds, often without warning. These quiet doubts steal the moments that should bring us peace, joy, and connection, casting shadows over relationships, opportunities, and even our happiness. We live in a society that encourages us to be constantly vigilant and protect ourselves from dangers that may lurk around every corner. But we sometimes become so consumed with guarding against the unknown that we forget how to simply live in the present — how to truly experience joy. Insecurities are a natural part of being human. We all feel them to some degree. But when they begin to dominate how we view ourselves and others, they can distort everything. Instead of embracing a…

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has made a firm commitment that not a single South African will be deprived of access to anti-retroviral (ARV), drugs despite recent budget cuts to the United States-driven Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar). Responding to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces, Motsoaledi addressed concerns raised by the funding reductions and outlined measures his department is implementing to safeguard treatment for those living with HIV. “We called several workshops and meetings and issued a circular, advising the provinces to redeploy trained health officials to fill gaps left by Pepfar,” he said and explained initiatives for the distribution and collection of medication. Motsoaledi also said they believed the measures that have been taken will go a long way. “Anybody attending a clinic funded by…

Nizaam Carr has been one of the stand-out performers for the Bulls in recent months, but he accepts that he might not feature as much now that Cameron Hanekom is set to return from injury. But the 33-year-old No 8 – who has five Springbok Test caps to his name – knows that he can still add real value in the closing stages of a tight game. Saturday’s massive United Rugby Championship clash against Irish giants Leinster at Loftus Versfeld (5pm kick-off) is sure to be another hard-fought encounter, and Carr’s experience and leadership may be needed to guide the Bulls home. Young Bok upstart Hanekom was scheduled to return to training this week from knee and calf issues, and while the Bulls have yet to officially announce his availability…

A minor detour on the road to victory. Mamelodi Sundowns' road to their eighth successive league title took a wrong turn with their 2-1 loss against Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Sunday, but their destination is still within their reach. The Brazilians have been head and shoulders above the rest of the Betway Premiership, and they have also made their presence felt in the continent along the way. At the conclusion of the season, Miguel Cardoso and his chargers will be shifting their focus to the FIFA Club World Cup set to be hosted in the United States of America starting in June. Sundowns currently occupy a 15-point gap in the league over their closest rivals, Pirates, with only seven games left before their season draws to a…