Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-14 i Star

Vukile Property Fund’s Spanish subsidiary Castellana Properties, through its 70%-owned subsidiary Caminho Propício has reached an agreement with DWS Grundbesitz, a German company, to acquire for €63.32 million (R1.36 billion) the shopping centre known as Forum Madeira, located in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. The acquisition is Vukile's fifth retail asset in Portugal since it entered the country last year, following seven years of growing its Spanish retail portfolio from its South African base. Caminho will purchase all the shares of the property-owning company and the company housing the operations – namely, DB Real Estate Investment Madeira – Sociedade Imobiliaria, and DB Real Estate Investment Madeira – Sociedade Imobiliaria, Unipessoal Lda. Forum Madeira is a shopping centre on the island of Madeira, Portugal, comprising a lettable area of 21 472 square metres.…

Uncertainty isn’t a distant storm - it’s a Category 5 hurricane battering our doorstep. Global markets tremble, geopolitical tensions boil, and in South Africa, a stalled VAT hike signals deeper economic fragility. After years of steering risk governance and strategy, one truth stands firm: the future belongs not to those who shrink from chaos but to leaders who master it. Strategic risk management has evolved from a back-office function into the frontline of survival - a lifeline for organisations on the brink. The evidence is undeniable. PwC’s 2024 Pulse Survey reveals that companies embracing advanced risk strategies have cut the financial impact of disruptions by 20% - translating to millions in saved revenue for large enterprises - while boosting operational efficiency by 15%. Deloitte’s 2024 Global Risk Management Survey adds…

Volatility in share, bond, and exchange rate markets is set to prevail for a long time. The sudden back-paddle of President Donald Trump's tariff calls, by decreasing tariffs to most countries back to only 10% (except for China), was, as expected, a sign that he called the bluff of all the countries over the past few weeks. Analysts also feel that his administration may not have expected the backlash from US citizens as a gloomy high inflation rate, a potential US recession, and increasing unemployment surfaced. The theoretical principles that higher tariffs will always lead to welfare losses for consumers has surfaced strongly. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said the US economy faces "considerable turbulence" against the escalating US-China tit-for-tat tariff announcements, which creates fear amongst consumers, investors, and businesses.…

Gemfields Group’s share price plunged 22% on Friday after it announced a $30 million (R577.8m) rights offer due to funding constraints caused by unrest in Mozambique. The share, which is also listed on the London AIM market, was trading at R1.16 on the JSE on Friday afternoon, and the day’s decline meant it has fallen 58.2% over a year. Shareholders usually do not like rights issues, as it dilutes their interests and indicates that the company requires additional funding. London-based Gemfields is seeking shareholder approval to issue 556,203,396 new shares to raise about $30m in a fully underwritten rights issue. “While our planning of Gemfields' growth program did not envisage the requirement of additional funds from shareholders, the scope and scale of the difficulties we have encountered have unfortunately necessitated…

A fiery war of words has erupted between self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, following pointed remarks made by Ndlozi during a lecture in Malawi. The clash has ignited fierce public debate, with many South Africans rallying behind Ndlozi and demanding accountability from Bushiri. The controversy began when a video surfaced online showing Ndlozi addressing an audience in Lilongwe on April 12, during a lecture titled “People Over Politics”. In the viral clip shared by user @sleekcliq on X (formerly Twitter), Ndlozi subtly referenced Bushiri, calling out individuals living in Malawi who are fugitives from justice in South Africa. “There is someone in this country who is wanted in South Africa,” Ndlozi said, drawing applause from the audience. “Whether you are a…

I first met the Above Normal founder, Masingita Masuta, on Facebook. Then, I met Masuta face to face last December at Southgate Mall. She is such a great conversationalist. It was a pleasure to meet her. During our lunch meeting, she told me a bit about herself. She's feisty, stubborn, opinionated and headstrong. A few years ago, she tested for a driver's licence and failed seven times. She was told to give up, but she never did, until she got her license. Now, she drives herself around. Masuta has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement, posture, and speech. When she speaks, one must listen very carefully. However, that has not stopped her from pursuing her goals with gusto and living her life to the fullest. For instance, she…

Just as relations between members of the fragile Government of National Unity (GNU) could not be more tense, news broke – via the Good Party’s Brett Herron – of the clandestine joint Democratic Alliance (DA) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) delegation visit to Israel. The same country that the South African government has taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where preliminary findings showed that Israel’s military action in Gaza can plausibly constitute acts of genocide. The court also found that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and must be dismantled according to international law. But is this visit out of sync with the values of the DA – and now the PA – and if not, how are we to contextualise the continuity of the parties’ pro-Israel/Western…

Mamelodi Sundowns(1) Mokoena 45+1 Kaizer Chiefs(2) Duba 57, Du Preez 88 Kaizer Chiefs’ days of returning to championship glory are just one match away, as they reached the Nedbank Cup final after beating Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday night. Chiefs have fallen from grace in recent years, enduring a 10-year barren run that made a mockery of their ‘Cup Kings’ tag. The wait, could soon be over, however, should they manage to beat the defending champions and arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final. This result means that Chiefs are now one match away from not only winning the trophy, but also qualifying for continental football next season. The result might also offer coach Nasreddine Nabi a lifeline, as he has been under pressure to deliver, with his team…

Oscar Piastri powered to victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday from George Russell's Mercedes with the Australian's McLaren teammate Lando Norris in third. Pole-sitter Piastri kept his calm in an incident-packed race to give McLaren their first ever win in Sakhir at their 21st attempt. Max Verstappen's trying weekend at the desert track ended with the four-time world champion only managing sixth place. Norris leads the drivers' standings on 77 points, with Piastri overtaking Verstappen and into second ahead of next weekend's race in Jeddah. "That should be one hell of a party tonight. Mega weekend everyone. That was pretty damn fun," Piastri said, after marking his 50th start in perfect style. Taking the chequered flag under floodlights on a balmy Sunday evening in the Gulf kingdom was…

US-South Africa tensions escalate The spectre of diplomatic strife between South Africa and the United States looms heavily over the upcoming Presidential G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg later this year, particularly as the diplomatic tensions between the two countries continue to harden. Over the weekend, US President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express doubts about the participation of the US delegation in the summit. While he described the G20 meeting as “very important”, Trump coupled this endorsement with unfounded allegations concerning violence against white farmers and land confiscation in South Africa. The G20 membership not only boosts the national prestige of South Africa on the world stage but provides a useful platform for the government to coordinate global policy approaches on a wide range…

Smallholder farmers in rural north KwaZulu-Natal have been given a boost to supply their crops and produce to the broader consumer market witht he help of the government and the private sector. On Friday, the Department of Agriculture launched the Jozini Smallholder Farmer Programme in Jozini in northern KZN focusing on cultivating herbs and spices, leveraging local resources to create a sustainable supply chain. Minister for Agriculture John Steenhuisen said that the agricultural and agro-pressing masterplan has one of its key pillars: how the department can include small scale farmers into the value chain. “This will help grow the agricultural sector and bring in more smallholder farmers into market access. This is crucial as when we do projects we need to ensure that they are sustainable, viable, and profitable. Being…

General George Patton, a World War figure, would say, "knowing what killed the dead can save the living." In 2016, when Dr Maletela Tuoane told me she intended to leave Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) for a job at the World Bank, I asked her to attend a meeting on a Saturday with the aim to persuade her from leaving the mighty organisation. However, ultimately after a day-long deliberation, she still had decided that she had made the right decision. Eleven years later, on 24 March, when I penned, “Mourning Statistics: The consequences of Trump’s policies on global health" in Business Report, it brought to mind the significant contributions she had made to Cause of Death statistics at StatsSA. Little did I know that I had played "The Murder She Wrote."…

Kumba Iron Ore ended its year to December 31 with almost 20% less employees following a significant restructuring of its business and job losses that were forced by the continuing poor logistics performance by Transnet, and low iron ore prices. The mining group’s integrated annual report released Friday said while there had been no forced retrenchments from the restructuring, the group did facilitate the creation of more than 3 000 non-mining jobs across various sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing and tourism. The group’s total number of employees by the end of the year stood at 14 766, compared with 18 334 employees at the end of 2023, a difference of 3 568 - the 2023 figure was restated to include non-mining contractors of 3 686 (2023:6 722). There were…

Singer-songwriter Lloyiso is gearing up to sweep London off its feet with his highly anticipated first-ever headline show, I Am Lloyiso. The city’s music scene is about to be elevated by Lloyiso’s powerful vocals. On Tuesday, the Eastern Cape-born songbird will be performing at the iconic Camden Assembly, a legendary venue that has played host to some of the biggest names in music such as Coldplay and Adele. For the High hitmaker, this moment is years in the making, as London has always felt like “home away from home” to him. “Performing here for the first time on my own is a dream come true. I’m honoured to share this experience with my UK fans and bring my energy and sound to a place that’s full of so much music…

A storm is brewing in the City of Ekurhuleni over the appointment of Phakamile Mbengashe as Head of Department: Communication, Marketing and Tourism, following serious allegations by former municipal communications executive Nhlanhla Cebekhulu. Cebekhulu, a respected public communications professional with nearly 30 years in government service, has accused the municipality of flouting both ethical norms and legal frameworks in appointing Mbengashe to one of the city's most senior and influential positions. Mbengashe is the former spokesperson to then-Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina and is believed to be linked to “big players” in the political arena. In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Ekurhuleni Council, Cebekhulu questioned the legality and transparency of the appointment process. He claims that Mbengashe, despite being recommended by the interview panel, does not meet the…

Two police officers from Mankweng Police Station, Limpopo, have been arrested for allegedly stealing cigarette boxes that were supposed to serve as evidence in a case. During a routine patrol on Friday along the R71, Mankweng Crime Prevention Unit members spotted a suspicious white Mercedes-Benz sedan. When officers attempted to intercept the vehicle, the driver sped off. According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the vehicle was later discovered abandoned in Ga-Magoa village, with no trace of its occupants. Thakeng stated that during the search of the vehicle, officers discovered a large stash of cigarette boxes. The car and its contents were then transported to the Mankweng Police Station for safekeeping as evidence. However, it was at the station where officers were seen taking some of the seized…

The rugby season is kicking off in schools across South Africa, and players, parents, coaches, and referees are preparing for exciting yet physically demanding matches. In many sports, injuries are an unfortunate, common occurrence. Rugby, inherently a contact sport, also carries the inevitable risk of head injuries, ranging from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The importance of early detection The early detection of head injuries is essential for effective treatment and preventing further complications. In many cases, the symptoms of a concussion or TBIs may not be immediately apparent, and athletes may continue playing, which can lead to further damage. Accurate diagnosis and management of head injuries require a combination of clinical evaluation and advanced imaging techniques. Dr Hofmeyr Viljoen, radiologist at SCP Radiology, talks about the…

The family of the slain anti-apartheid activist and human rights lawyer Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge has appealed to the people who confessed to his murder to reveal who had ordered a hit on him. In 1981, Mxenge was returning home from his legal office in the Durban central business district when he was kidnapped, brutally murdered and his body was found on a sports field in Umlazi, south of Durban. His son, Mbasa Mxenge, who was 15 years old at the time of his father’s death, said the family welcomes the reopening of the inquest and appealed to the assassins, who confessed their involvement in the killing to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, to reveal who had ordered them to carry out the killing. He said former Vlakplaas operative Dirk Coetzee,…

Orlando Pirates(1) 1 Dlamini 22 Marumo Gallants0 Vengeful Orlando Pirates turned the tables on Marumo Gallants to secure their place in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final with a 1-0 win at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. The victory served as retribution for their previous 2-0 defeat in the Betway Premiership a month earlier, and also secured the defending champions a place in the coveted 2025 final. Pirates dominated from start to finish, with Gallants only managing their first shot at goal late in the first half. From the kick-off, Pirates made their aggressive intentions clear with a vigorous high press. This allowed right-back Deno van Rooyen to surge goalwards and test Gallants’ defence, although his effort was confidently gathered by Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Gallants wasted no time countering the high…

The fortunes of aluminium component manufacturers in South Africa's aviation industry hang on a balance from ripple effects of global supply chain disruptions arising from the US import tariffs. The integration of the local industry is sturdy enough to take up opportunities arising from the US' as the industry waits on the wings on the 90 day period for the review. South Africa is a significant contributor to the manufacturing of aircraft with some local companies serving standing orders for manufacturing sections of the Airbus A321 Neo and another exporting popular recreational aircraft. Analysts over the weekend said South Africa could be affected by the tariff confusion risks delaying shipments, even if the industry has not been directly targeted for duties. Local companies that cannot be named because of sensitivity…

"Stablecoins are brilliant, especially in Africa. They solve cross-border payment issues and remittances, which can cost up to 20% in Africa. At a company I'm the Co-Founder of, Xago, we’ve built stablecoins for 6 different currencies (USD, ZAR, Euro, AUD, Pound and NGN), sending transactions in seconds for pennies," said Sonya Kuhnel, the managing director and co-founder of Bitcoin Events, in an interview with Business Report executive editor Philippa Larkin on Friday. The interview was held a week before Bitcoin Events upcoming virtual Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Summit. Bitcoin Events hosts several Web3 events including Africa’s first and largest blockchain conference, the renowned Blockchain Africa Conference. The inaugural event is testing the waters for discussions around Bitcoin as a national asset and is also a sign how far digital currencies…

Vladimir Lenin famously said, “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.” The year 2025 is proving to be such a year, not only for South Africa but for the entire world. Donald Trump’s election as President of the world’s largest economy, the United States, has brought many long-simmering issues for South Africa and its relationship with the US to the forefront, as well as for the US and its relations with the broader global community. If these issues, from geopolitical tensions to trade, are addressed strategically, they can help unlock badly needed economic growth for South Africa and reduce our staggeringly high unemployment and weak economic growth rates of 41.9% and 1%, respectively. If handled recklessly, they can inflict unnecessary pain upon the working…

New bank loans in China rebounded more than expected in March, recovering from a sharp drop the previous month, as policymakers pledge to ramp up stimulus to buttress the world's second-largest economy against an escalating trade war with the US. Chinese banks extended 3.64 trillion yuan (R9.25 trillion.) in new yuan loans in March, according to Reuters calculations based on data released by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) on Sunday. Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted new yuan loans would rise to 3 trillion yuan last month, compared with a lower-than-expected 1.01 trillion yuan in February and 3.09 trillion yuan in the same month last year. For the first quarter, total new loans rose to 9.78 trillion yuan from 9.46 trillion yuan in the same period last year. "The…

The ANC is expected to abandon its push for a Value Added Tax (VAT) increase in the upcoming Budget, following intense opposition from its coalition partners in the Government of National Unity (GNU) and other political parties. This decision comes after a series of meetings between the ANC and various parties, including the DA, where it became clear that there would be little to no support for the VAT hike. The DA and ANC met on Saturday to discuss the ongoing Budget impasse in South Africa, aiming to find a solution to the country’s fiscal crisis. Although both parties described the discussions as constructive, the DA remains resolute that it will not back a VAT hike. The ANC recently passed the budget in the National Assembly with assistance from smaller…

The suicide of a 14-year-old rape victim who simply could no longer tolerate being at length cross-examined by the defence lawyers of her three alleged rapists ended in a victory for them, as they are now walking free due to a technicality in the case. Two of the men had their life imprisonment sentences overturned, while the third, who was a minor at the time, also had his 15-year jail sentence overturned. The Bloemfontein High Court found on appeal that the three are entitled to their freedom as it is their constitutional right to fully cross-examine their alleged victim. She, however, died before this could be concluded, and thus, their trial was rendered unfair. The teenage complainant testified during a protracted trial, which was endlessly postponed for numerous reasons from…

As vaping rates among South African teens surge to alarming levels, public health researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) are calling on the government to urgently enact the Tobacco Products & Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to curb what they warn could become a full-blown national epidemic. The bill seeks to regulate vaping products and shield South African youth from a growing nicotine addiction crisis. The call comes on the heels of a landmark study – the largest of its kind in South Africa – conducted by researchers from UCT and Utrecht University in the Netherlands and recently published in The Lancet’s eClinical Medicine. The study surveyed 25 000 pupils across 52 fee-paying high schools nationwide to assess the prevalence, drivers and addictive behaviours linked to vaping among…

As the Bulls made their way back to their home from home, Biarritz in France, they are likely to spend the two-and-a-half hours’ flight time wondering how they lost to Edinburgh. Saturday’s 34-28 Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat exemplified the old rugby adage of “a game of two halves”. The Bulls were asleep in the first 40 minutes, in contrast to Edinburgh, who were positively buzzing at Hive Stadium to run up a 24-7 half-time lead. The Pretoria-based side fought back in the second stanza, but ultimately lost 34-28. There were only two personnel changes to the starting line-up before the match, with Cameron Hanekom at No 8 and Ruan Nortjé at lock – although Marcell Coetzee shifted from No 8 to openside flank. But the worry was always there that…

The last day of the South African cricket summer has arrived, and the Lions require seven wickets to claim a successive CSA First-Class title at the Wanderers on Monday. The home team were utterly dominant on the fourth day of the showpiece final with their impressive bowling unit forcing the Titans to follow-on after the visitors were dismissed for just 123 in response to the Lions’ 413/7. With the Lions’ bowlers only utilising 47 overs to dismiss the Titans, captain Dominic Hendricks had no hesitation in asking his bowling unit to strap on their boots again. And although the Titans’ batters have fared much better second time around, heading to stumps at 118/3, they still trail by a mammoth 172 runs. Hendricks’ mainstays have been seamers Codi Yusuf and Lutho…

After being served a buffet of T20 cricket for the past 12 months, Proteas women’s batter Anneke Bosch is eagerly looking forward to dining on 50-overs in the upcoming ODI Tri-Series in Sri Lanka. The Proteas leave for the idyllic Indian Ocean Island this week to face the hosts Sri Lanka and powerhouse India in a triangular series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. It will be the first time the Proteas women’s team will be touring Sri Lanka. “The Tri-Series will be very exciting,” Bosch said. “I haven’t been there before. It will be a cool experience playing in those conditions.” Bosch has played just one solitary ODI - against England in Potchefstroom last December- since last June and is keen to get in some longer format preparation…