Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-07 i Star

South Africa's private sector has emerged from a difficult downturn, recording a slight uptick in sales that has reignited activity and employment. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released on Tuesday reported a rise to 50.0 in April—a neutral mark that separates growth from contraction—marking a notable increase from last month’s figure of 48.3. This signals a shift after four consecutive months spent in negative territory. Key to this recovery has been the much-anticipated improvement in sales, resulting in increased new orders, output, and employment figures. David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said the PMI print in April was better news for South African businesses as the second quarter began. Owen said that a sustained decline in operating conditions across the first quarter suggested…

Moody’s Ratings agency has lowered South Africa’s growth forecast for 2025 on the back of expected slow global growth, driven by tariff uncertainty and trade tensions. The ratings agency on Tuesday said South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2025 will only grow by 1.5%, a 0.2 percentage points decrease from its previous forecast. This growth forecast is in line with the 1.7% estimate from the SA Reserve Bank partly to subdued demand, and partly to lingering supply-side fragilities, but more optimistic than the downwardly revised 0.8% forecast by the International Monetary Fund last week. In its Global Macro Outlook 2025-26 Update, Moody’s said global growth slowdown was underway as policy uncertainty added risks to the global economy. “Policy uncertainty weighs on a global economy that was already slowing. Uncertainty…

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to construct a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) to handle fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo at the Port of Durban. TNPA on Monday said that the RFP will be for the appointment of a terminal operator to design, develop, fund, construct, operate, maintain and transfer an MPT handling fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo for a 25-year concession period at the port. “The issuing of this RFP is in accordance with Section 56 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 to enhance the port's efficiency and competitiveness,” it said. “This brownfield development is earmarked for the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port, which has its landside area dedicated…

Access to reliable electricity remains a significant challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas. Expanding grid infrastructure is often prohibitively expensive and impractical due to difficult terrain and large distances from urban centres. As a result, millions of people rely on costly and polluting diesel generators or go without electricity altogether. Off-grid solar solutions have emerged as a transformative tool in bridging this energy gap. These decentralised energy systems have improved access to power for households, businesses, healthcare facilities and schools, driving socio-economic development. However, solar energy is inherently intermittent, dependent on sunlight availability. Energy storage is crucial to ensuring reliability, but traditional battery storage solutions are expensive and require frequent maintenance. A game-changing solution Green hydrogen storage offers an innovative and environmentally sustainable solution to the intermittency challenge…

The financial position of South African households improved slightly in the fourth quarter, but real disposable income per person for 2024 continued its decline from 2022, when the interest rate raising cycle increased. This was according to economist Dr Roelf Botha, who commented on the release on Tuesday of the Altron FinTech Household Resilience Index (AFHRI) for the fourth quarter of 2024. He attributed the modest improvement to three 25 basis point cuts in the repo rate between September 2024 and January 2025, which lowered the prime overdraft rate to 11% from a record high of 11.75%. Consumers also benefited from year-end bonuses, two-pot pension payouts, and temporary jobs in the holiday period, particularly in the tourism and retail sectors. “The data clearly shows that while we’re seeing some recovery,…

Pantomime doyen Janice Honeyman adds her Midas touch to Malo and the Moon Maiden, an enchanting, family-friendly cirque-theatre production. Malo the Clown's unwavering devotion to the celestial Moon-Maiden, Melodia Luna, is central to this story. Their tale unfolds in a once-glorious circus that has since faded into obscurity. A captivating narrative of affection, yearning, and optimism unfolds, leaving audiences spellbound by stunning aerial feats, whimsical acrobatics, lighthearted comedy, and deeply moving narration. It stars Daniel Buckland as Malo, bringing depth and charm to the lovelorn clown, alongside Claudia Moruzzi as the radiant Melodia Luna, whose celestial grace captivates the heart. Yahto Kraftrevels is cast as the evil ringmaster Ratchett who dares to stand between these two loves. A lively chorus of circus performers, featuring singers, dancers, and aerialists, enhances the…

General Manager of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Andile ‘‘Ace’’ Ncobo, has resigned from a TV show amid fraud and money laundering charges. Ncobo, who has been a host on the Extra Time TV show on Supersport, DSTV channel 202, for the past 13 years, announced his resignation yesterday. This comes after Ncobo and his wife, Salome, appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on Monday on charges of fraud and money laundering. The duo is alleged to have siphoned millions of rands meant for schools in the Eastern Cape. On his Facebook page, Ncobo had a special message for his viewers. “For the past 13 years, we've been together every Monday evening. We developed our love-hate relationship as real football people always do. You loved me when…

A suspect in a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery reportedly lost his leg during a failed heist in the early yesterday morning in Thokoza on the East Rand. According to reports, the incident occurred when a group of armed suspects attempted to bomb a cash van in Phola Park Extension 5. According to police, at least 10 suspects were involved in the failed heist. The vehicle was allegedly rammed by a silver BMW at the intersection of Khumalo and Murubisi streets. One of the suspects reportedly exited the vehicle with live explosives and attempted to detonate them near the cash van. The bomb exploded, allegedly causing the suspect to suffer a severe injury that included the loss of a leg. Images showing the aftermath, including a dislocated leg near the bombed vehicle,…

THE Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) is the latest contentious issue that has divided the two major parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The DA is taking legal action over a section of the amended Employment Equity Act, claiming it creates race-based employment quotas that will exclude and harm certain segments of the population. On April 15, the Department of Employment and Labour published two sets of Employment Equity (EE) Regulations following the commencement of the EEAA on January 1, 2025. These regulations include: * General administrative regulations: These provide standardised forms and templates for equity analysis and planning, enforcement tools, and processes for obtaining or withdrawing an EE Certificate of Compliance. * Regulations on sector numerical EE targets: These introduce five-year numerical targets for designated groups across…

South African runners stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the world on Sunday, May 4, as they took part in the Wings for Life World Run 2025, a unique global race with one goal: to run for those who can't. From Green Point in Cape Town to Irene in Centurion and Hobie Beach in Gqeberha, participants across the country ran not for a finish line, but to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries. This year’s event once again reinforced its place as the largest global charity run, with 310 719 runners across 170 countries. South Africans were proud to be part of this extraordinary movement, joining the rest of the world in real-time through the Wings for Life World Run App and official local App Runs. Each South African venue offered…

The trailer for season 3 of Izingane Zes’thembu has officially dropped, and there appears to be trouble in paradise for Tirelo Kale and Mpumelelo Mseleku. The new season, which is a spin-off of the popular show Uthando Nes’thembu, continues to follow the lives of the five older Mseleku siblings - Mpumelelo, Mpilo, Sne, Lwandle, and Abongwe - as they navigate the ups and downs of young adulthood It is set to bring even more drama and explosive moments, and the trailer has already hinted at some major conflicts, one of which is Tirelo being fed up with Mpumelelo’s infidelity and is contemplating leaving the relationship. Mpumelelo seems to be on the same page, as he is seen telling his father, Musa Mseleku, that he no longer sees a future with…

The cost of living in South Africa continues to escalate, leaving many households grappling with day-to-day expenses. While the nation has seen some easing in other economic sectors, the food market tells a different story. Recent findings from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity group reveal concerning statistics: the price of a basic food basket has climbed nearly R100 in just one month alone. The average Household Food Basket has now reached an alarming R5 420.30, marking a 1.7% increase since last month and 1.6% since the same time last year. This is pushing many families into hardship. The situation grows bleaker as we delve deeper. Specific food items have shown staggering price hikes: the price of potatoes has surged by 6%, tomatoes have rocketed up to a staggering 26%,…

Inácio Miguel is an honest footballer, and that’s why he feels the players, himself included, haven’t done enough to help Kaizer Chiefs this season. Miguel arrived at Chiefs last winter and quickly demonstrated leadership qualities, which led to him being appointed one of the club’s vice-captains. His season, however, has been inconsistent, contributing to Chiefs missing out on the MTN8, Carling Knockout, and Betway Premiership titles. They could still claim silverware if they beat arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (kick-off 3.30pm). Miguel and his teammates will head into that game on a low note after losing to Pirates in the league last Saturday — a result that further dented their morale. A win for Chiefs in the final would…

The Bulls may be coming off arguably their finest win since the 2022 semi-finals, but they are not carried away with that momentum in their United Rugby Championship title quest. Beating Glasgow 26-19 at Scotstoun Stadium on April 25 provided some satisfaction following last season’s final defeat to the Warriors at Loftus Versfeld. But it doesn’t mean that the URC trophy is now suddenly in Pretoria – something that Jake White’s team can only secure on June 14. After a week off, though, there is the danger that the Bulls might feel that Cardiff will be pushovers in Saturday’s clash at Loftus Versfeld (4pm start), especially having beaten Glasgow and Munster in Limerick. The Bulls can’t afford any slip-ups as they are still able to finish second on the log…

Did you know that the last South African to be chosen as the world’s best Under-20 player was Juarno Augustus? Yes, the same big No 8 that starred for the Northampton Saints in last weekend’s epic Champions Cup semi-final triumph over Leinster in Dublin. The former Junior Springbok stalwart was the player of the tournament at the Under-20 Championship in 2017, which took place in Georgia. So good was Augustus that he won his award despite the Junior Boks going down 24-22 to England in the semi-final. They at least won the third-place playoff 37-15 against a French side including current Test stars such as hooker Peato Mauvaka, utility forward Alexandre Roumat, flyhalf Romain Ntamack and utility back Mathieu Jalibert. South Africa were captained by Ernst van Rhyn, and several…

Ministry is pushing for the sale of components of Amsa business to identified buyers The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Parks Tau, said on Tuesday that the government was pushing for the sale of components of Arcelormittal South Africa (Amsa) business to identified buyers following a substantial R1.2 billion bailout from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Answering an onslaught of questions from members of the portfolio committee on trade and industry in Parliament, Tau explained the scenario facing the automotive sector, which has expressed concerns over Amsa's troubles. Tau said the automotive sector had individually and through the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) indicated that with Amsa doing defunct, the industry would have to follow suit as importing long steel would not be viable. "We can't as a…

Industry players are urging the South African government to prioritize policies to curb illicit trade through the crafting of an anti-illicit trade strategy, strengthening border controls and utilising technology in securing supply chains. This follows the release of the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) report reviewing South Africa’s fight against illicit trade this week. The report, released in conjunction with Business Unity South Africa (Busa), highlights how South Africa’s economy continues to be threatened by illegal trade, specifically in sectors such as alcohol, tobacco, food items, pharmaceuticals, agri-chemicals, counterfeiting, mining, and wildlife trafficking. It notes that illicit trade in tobacco and alcohol alone was costing South Africa as much as R30 billion a year in lost revenue. “Illicit trade deprives the government of critical revenue, fuels organised crime,…

We’ve had a dramatic start to the year – DeepSeek’s disruption of the artificial intelligence (AI) narrative, a seismic shift in defence and infrastructure spending out of Germany and of course “Liberation Day”. As a result, we initially witnessed significant divergence in performance across and within asset classes and, more recently, a severe correction. As always, we need to take a step back to gain some perspective. We’ve talked a lot in recent years about a major shift in the investment regime driven by a rejection of the political consensus which dominated Western policy from the 1990s onwards; a focus on fiscal rectitude combined with loose monetary policy and a highly globalised economy. The challenge with this model, particularly in the 2010s as interest rates moved to zero or negative…

May Day as annually observed globally is more than just a rededication to the struggles for workers’ rights, but about the centrality of the global work force’s need to secure the future of work. The theme for this year being “Industrialization, Trade, and Decent Work for Social Justice" highlights the importance of using industrialization and trade as tools for generating decent employment, promoting economic growth, and ensuring equity and dignity for workers. As we seek and find solutions to greatest threat of our times- climate change, we do so with the full appreciation that there is an energy transition and green revolution currently underway and already altering the labour market with the associated workforce disruption in high-emission industries, with mining and electricity generation bearing the first brunt. Workers Day…

JSE-listed Renergen has won a "legal victory" that frees its onshore helium and natura gas production from operating under National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regulations, and the ruling adds regulatory clarity to South Africa's petroleum sector. The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, did, on May 2, 2025, rule in favour of Renergen’s owned subsidiary Tetra4's request for a declarator that the Gas Act of 2001 does not apply to production and incidental activities related to upstream petroleum activities, including a requirement for licensing of trading, construction, and operation of liquefaction facilities outside the piped gas industry. "This judgment is a landmark win for Tetra4 and the entire upstream gas industry. It affirms that upstream gas production and related activities, including on-site liquefaction, are outside the scope…

Former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana and Member of Parliament has publicly challenged the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) application to attach his assets, claiming the tax claim against him is unfounded and politically motivated. The dispute revolves around an R46 million tax assessment SARS sought to recover from Montana. The tax authority's application, filed in the Pretoria High Court, also seeks to declare Montana insolvent. SARS alleges that Montana owes this amount in taxes, penalties, and interest from assessments dating back over a decade. The case is currently before the court, and the proceedings are expected to shed light on the validity of SARS’s claims. Montana’s Defence and Public Statement Montana, who served as the CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), vehemently denies that he owes…

Civil rights group AfriForum has rejected the City of Tshwane's proposed cleansing levy, calling it unlawful due to double taxation and arguing it would unfairly burden the City's already overtaxed residents. The proposal is part of a draft budget for the 2025/2026 financial year set to take effect on July 1. The proposal targets gated communities and shopping malls without existing city waste accounts but using private waste collection services, with a proposed monthly tariff of R194. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, recently explained that some shopping malls are being targeted because they often have multiple bins but only pay for one. He cited that areas like Wonderpark Estate and malls such as Menlyn Mall are among those targeted, as they use private…

Emoji interpretations and sexual connotations in message exchanges came under the spotlight as forensic and legal linguist and researcher Dr Zakeera Docrat took the stand at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing into sexual harassment complaints against Judge President Selby Mbenenge. Yesterday, Docrat testified on conversation exchanges between complainant Andiswa Mengo and Mbenenge, which the linguistic expert described as starting courteously and professionally but “slowly degenerated” as emojis used in the message exchanges became sexual and flirtatious. Docrat prefaced her evidence concerning knowledge of interpreting emojis after Griffits Madonsela SC, counsel for Mbenenge, said they did not dispute her qualifications and expertise; however, they disputed “her expertise in emojis”. Docrat submitted that she had, since 2018, researched how emojis are used and related this to the South African context, which is…

As South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) charts its course despite challenges, the spotlight remains on delivery, and few areas are as urgent or promising as infrastructure. The stark reality is undeniable: despite years of investment and policy reform, much of South Africa’s economic infrastructure continues to underperform. As President Cyril Ramaphosa candidly acknowledged in his State of the Nation address this year, “In many cities and towns across the country, roads are not maintained, water and electricity supply is often disrupted, refuse is not collected and sewage runs in the streets.” These challenges are evident in three key sectors: Energy infrastructure Eskom has shown modest improvements but continues to grapple with significant operational challenges. A recent report by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research shows that load…

Martin Odegaard has urged Arsenal to "stick together" after their recent failures as they aim to defy the odds in tonight's decisive Champions League semi-final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners head to the Parc des Princes faced with the daunting task of having to beat the French champions to reach the Champions League final for the second time in their history. Mikel Arteta's side trail 1-0 from the first leg after Ousmane Dembele's winner in north London. PSG have already eliminated Premier League champions Liverpool in the last 16 and Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, after beating Manchester City in the group phase. Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, are on the brink of becoming PSG's latest English scalp this season after a disappointing first leg that…

The Soweto Derby, as a cup final, is the dream of every company that chooses to sponsor local football. After all, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are the biggest clubs in the country, and to have them meet on the ultimate stage of your competition is the stuff of dreams. You are guaranteed a full house. Such encounters are rare, though. So rare, in fact, that since the unification of SA domestic football back in 1978 — when black and white players began competing against one another — there have only ever been four meetings between the South African giants in the country’s premier knockout competition, our own version of the FA Cup. Prior to 78, the clubs met four times, with Chiefs winning three of those encounters, starting in…

Nottingham Forest's bid to qualify for the Uefa Champions League suffered a setback as they were held to a damaging 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday. Nuno Espirito Santo's side needed a victory to keep pace with their top five rivals. But Eberechi Eze's second-half penalty put Palace ahead and, although Murillo equalised soon afterwards, Forest left south London outside the Champions League places. Sixth-placed Forest's attempt to appear in Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 1980/81 is now out of their hands. They sit two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle, with third-placed Manchester City three points ahead of Forest. Forest have three games left, with winnable fixtures against Leicester and West Ham before what could be on a final-day shootout against Chelsea. "We…

Gus Parker was all smiles following his stunning win at the prestigious Erinvale Golf Club in Somerset West recently — a victory that not only secured him the title but also an all-expenses-paid trip to Antalya, Türkiye, for the World Golf Cup Amateur Series final, courtesy of Turkish Airlines. “You know, it was such an experience for me to win this thing,” Parker said at the time. “I’m looking forward to it (the trip to Türkiye).” Parker showcased his skills at Erinvale in April, which had hosted the South African Women’s Open just a week prior, closing with a winning score of 42. Commenting on the condition of the greens then, he was clearly impressed: “I think the course was in really good nick. The greens were the fastest I’ve…

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has expressed confidence in its decision to grant trading licences to private electricity operators, despite Eskom’s legal challenge. Eskom contends that Nersa violated its own regulations by issuing these licences without the proper industry rules, potentially jeopardising the integrity of the electricity supply chain. At the core of the dispute is Eskom’s frustration over licensing that permits private operators to trade electricity, diverging from the traditional path of virtual wheeling agreements. The challenge suggests a fear that these new entrants might cherry-pick the best-paying customers, leaving Eskom burdened with slower-paying clients. Nersa chairperson Thembani Bukula on Tuesday said the dispute Eskom had with the traders revolved around certain areas that traders will take the best paying customers and leave the utility with…

The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has raised its alarm over the alarming decline of sorghum farming, a crop that once held promise for various applications including cereals and biofuels. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agbiz, on Tuesday highlighted the paradox facing the sorghum industry: despite its nutritional benefits and the potential for biofuel production, consumer demand remains dismally low, stunting growth and profitability. “Despite all these benefits, the sorghum industry has not taken off. The challenge is not that farmers refuse to plant it. This is due to its weak demand—consumers are not buying sorghum products like other staple grains,” Sihlobo said. “The issue of weak demand partly gave farmers hope that using sorghum in biofuels would provide a much-needed market for farmers. But this venture…

The cause of last week's massive power outage in Spain and Portugal remains unclear but it has shone a spotlight on solar and wind energy, which critics accuse of straining electricity grids. The rise of renewables presents a challenge for power grids, which must evolve to adapt as countries move away from fossil fuels. Maintaining stability Grid operators must ensure that electricity is constantly balanced between demand and supply. A metric of this balance is the frequency of the electricity flowing through the grid, set at 50 hertz (Hz) in Europe and 60 Hz in the United States. If that number drifts too far off, it can jeopardise the grid. Historically, the electricity system has relied on conventional power plants - gas, coal, nuclear and hydroelectric -- that use spinning…

South African gold miners are being weighed down by elevated costs, with the Minerals Council of South Africa saying on Tuesday that the sector recorded the highest increase in input costs. This comes as Gold Fields recently said all-in-costs for the 2025 March quarter grew by 6%. Bullion prices have been surging to record highs in the past few weeks although South African producers of the precious metal have largely not raised production due to higher costs. Andre Lourens, an economist with the Minerals Council said the gold sector has been experiencing higher input cost inflation. “In March, the gold sector recorded the highest average increase in input cost inflation, although benefiting from strong market prices - with gold averaging $2 986 per ounce. This underscores the ongoing cost pressures…

AngloGold Ashanti's share price surged 3.65% on the JSE Tuesday after it and Gold Fields announced they would pause their proposed Ghana joint venture plans. AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields have agreed to suspend discussions about a proposal to combine their Iduapriem and Tarkwa gold mines in Ghana. AngloGold’s share price increased 3.65% to R789.09 on the JSE Tuesday afternoon, driving its price even higher from the R431.38 that it traded at a year ago. Gold Fields’ share price was up 1.09% to R422.60. The gold price was up 5.29% to $3 389.75 per ounce. The companies proposed the combination of the neighboring mines in March 2023 and had spent much of the time since then in talks with the Ghana government to obtain the necessary approvals. “Over that…

In South Africa, stokvels are celebrated as crucial lifelines for many individuals, particularly women, yet they remain shrouded in misconception. Busi Skenjana, a seasoned marketer and stokvel expert, dives deep into this often misunderstood financial institution in her new book, Stokvel Voices: The Truth, the Illusions, and the Opportunities. Armed with over five decades of firsthand experience, Skenjana not only dismantles myths surrounding stokvels but also illuminates their role as catalysts for economic empowerment within black communities. Stokvel Voices: The Truth, the Illusions, and the Opportunities delves into the dynamics of how stokvels have adapted to modern challenges. With contributions from both seasoned stokvel members and digitally savvy newcomers, the narrative offers a multi-faceted look at how these groups are changing in a digital age, while still retaining their core…

A source in the Human Resources Department of the Ekurhuleni Municipality has revealed to The Star that 50% of middle to senior management at the municipality is underqualified or does not meet standard requirements. Accusations are also mounting against Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Dr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza over his perceived inaction in the wake of damning revelations surrounding the irregular appointment of Mr. Phakamile Mbengashe as the Head of Department (HOD) for Communications, Marketing and Tourism. Despite widespread allegations and formal challenges regarding Mbengashe’s academic credentials and experience, the mayor has yet to initiate or endorse any investigation — a silence that critics interpret as implicit protection of the embattled official. The uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, in a strongly worded media statement, called for a full-scale investigation into what it terms an…

A 44-year-old woman who allegedly murdered her disabled daughter’s rapist has been cleared of all charges. The Eastern Cape woman made a brief appearance in the Lady Frere Magistrate’s Court in the Emalahleni Local Municipality on Monday. She was arrested after the incident, which occurred early last month in Cacadu, and was later released on R 500 bail. Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who attended the court proceedings alongside Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta, welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision. “While we acknowledge the independence of the judiciary and respect the legal processes that were followed, we commend the NPA for its sensitivity and careful consideration of the extreme circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” said Premier Mabuyane. “This decision reflects a compassionate understanding of the context and…

Sewer overflows in Windsor West and East in Johannesburg are caused by ageing infrastructure and inadequate systems that cannot handle the area's growing population and urbanisation. This is according to Johannesburg Water, which responded to complaints by residents and a local councillor last week regarding constant sewage spills repeatedly reported to the entity. Nerissa Mema, a frustrated resident, has endured a constant foul smell from the ongoing sewage issue since moving to the area in 2018. She said the sewage starts flowing “like a river” around 6.30am, right after people wake up and start their day at 5.30am. Ward 98 councillor Beverly Jacobs said she has been pushing Johannesburg Water to upgrade the area’s sewer system for over seven years. She slammed Johannesburg Water for neglecting the community, calling the…

ActionSA expressed its support for the intervention and clarification provided by Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya regarding the disconnection of the Weskoppies Psychiatric Facility in Pretoria. The power disconnection, which occurred due to long-overdue non-payment for services, has sparked public debate and concern over the impact on patient care. The incident unfolded on Monday when the City of Tshwane officials disconnected the power supply to Weskoppies Hospital, a vital public psychiatric facility, over an outstanding debt of R1 million. This move was part of the City’s ongoing Tshwane Ya Tima campaign, aimed at addressing the persistent issue of non-paying customers and improving revenue collection. Mayor Moya assured the public that the hospital’s backup power supply was operational and that patient care was unaffected by the disconnection. She emphasised that “disconnection…

THE DA's KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson, Dean Macpherson, has angrily denied corruption allegations levelled against him by his lesser-known former ally, Nhlanhla Mtshali, who has accused him of manipulating the selection process for public office bearers. In a leaked resignation letter, Mtshali claimed that Macpherson allegedly acted corruptly during some of the DA's selection of candidates for positions such as ward councillors and mayors, favouring individuals close to him. Mtshali, who joined the DA in 2016, previously served as Ward 58 branch chairperson and was a member of the party's provincial selection panel. ‘‘You, as provincial chairperson, have failed us. Since I joined the DA in 2016, the party has had no freedom, fairness, diversity, or equal opportunity for all,” said Mtshali. Macpherson labelled the accusations was without basis. “What this…

TWO record-holding dogs met eye-to-eye. Reggie, a 99cm Great Dane, was standing in his Idaho home. Pearl, a 9cm Chihuahua, was hoisted up by her owner. The height difference between the world’s tallest and shortest dogs didn’t stop the pair from sniffing each other and playing. Sure, there were hiccups when the dogs met last month. When Reggie shifted his leg on a couch to get comfortable, the leather moved and sent Pearl flying onto the floor. Later, Pearl tried to take Reggie’s toys, which were larger than she is. Despite the odd-looking pairing, they have a lot in common. They mostly interacted with each other as they would any other dog during a meeting that Guinness World Records organized. “She really just wants to love on everybody just like…

Every year on May 2, World Tuna Day draws attention to one of the ocean’s most ecologically and economically vital fish species. Tuna fish are more than just a prized catch – they are apex predators that maintain marine ecosystem balance, support global food security and drive coastal economies. Yet overfishing, climate change, and habitat degradation threaten their survival. As we observe this day, we must recognise the urgent need for sustainable management to ensure that tuna remain a thriving part of our oceans. Globally, tuna fisheries generate billions of dollars annually, making them a critical resource. However, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and bycatch (such as sharks and sea turtles) exacerbate population decline. There are 15 species of tuna, and their conservation status varies. Many face significant pressures;…

Who would have thought an educated athlete such as Kagiso Rabada would be involved in a drug-related issue? Yes, on the field, the 29-year-old has found himself in hot water that has seen him sit in a six-hour hearing in 2018 for physical contact with Steve Smith and was banned in England a year prior for a rather violent send-off of Ben Stokes. However, both those cases boiled down to the traditional fast bowler's passion after toiling for hours to get a wicket. On the other hand, the one-month ban for recreational drug use is, however, a different case altogether. Those who are intricately involved in the sport at the highest level would have heard of the many 'bad boy' stories about the fast bowler. Could this have been one…

Mamelodi Sundowns have once again proven their dominance this season and are now on the brink of making history. They turn their attention to Chippa United as they look to take another step towards yet another league title when the two sides meet at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening (kick-off at 7.30pm). With the title race firmly under their control, the Brazilians are closing in on a record-extending eighth consecutive Betway Premiership crown. They have managed to hold off a determined challenge from Orlando Pirates throughout the 2024/25 campaign. Pirates’ 1-0 defeat to Eric Tinkler’s Sekhukhune United last week further complicated their pursuit of the title. That result means their fate now hinges entirely on Sundowns dropping points — a scenario that looks increasingly unlikely given their current form.…