Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-08 i Star

The agriculture sector, alongside economists and trade unions, have expressed optimism following the recent announcement of a fuel price decrease in South Africa. Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, revealed on Friday that the reductions apply to all grades of petrol and diesel, with petrol prices seeing a reduction of 22 cents per litre and diesel dropping by as much as 42 cents per litre. An economics professor at the North-West University, Waldo Krugell, said even modest reductions in fuel prices can lighten household budgets. “In the macro picture, it also helps to keep the average inflation rate low. It is good news for households and businesses,” Krugell said. “In addition, we were worried about the impact of the VAT rate increase, but that is now off…

South Africa’s mergers and acquisitions landscape (M&A) is being shaped up by cross-border consolidation, portfolio optimisation by multinational corporations, and renewed private equity interest at a time there is fresh impetus across the African continent’s capital markets. In an interview with Business Report this week, Yvonne Ike, head of Sub Saharan Africa at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said capital markets in Africa “entered 2025 with cautious optimism”. Ike said this was due to the confluence of stabilizing macroeconomic fundamentals, greater foreign exchange flexibility in some economies, and improving debt sustainability. All this was “helping rebuild investor confidence” across regional markets, Ike said. “At the same time, governments are re-engaging with international capital markets after a prolonged hiatus, and local listings are regaining traction, particularly in sectors tied to infrastructure,…

Visitors mill around a bright red hilltop pagoda in southwestern China, gazing down at a sprawling cigarette factory whose deadly output has put an otherwise unremarkable city on the map. China is home to a third of the world's smokers and tobacco-related diseases are a major cause of death in the country -- a trend likely to worsen as its population rapidly ages. Beijing hopes to dramatically reduce that by the end of the decade, but even the government machine is struggling to achieve that as it clashes with a powerful state tobacco monopoly and local economies reliant on the crop. That contradiction smoulders in Yuxi, Yunnan province, whose nascent tourism businesses and local farmers thrive on its history of cigarette production. A mostly agricultural area where incomes lag behind…

With cross-border transactions already accounting for approximately 31.2% of all global online sales and projected to grow 219% faster than global e-commerce as a whole through 2028, the market is expected to reach $5.06 trillion in sales within the next three years. Despite this boom, cross-border trade remains a largely untapped opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “That is set to change with e-tailers bold enough to navigate the global landscape standing a chance to reap huge benefits in the years to come,” Gregory Saffy, managing director for Sub Sahara Africa at FedEx said. There are several important practices that businesses should keep in mind when wanting to expand outside of their home territory, Saffy told Business Report. These include: Localising for your target market – To boost global…

MTN Uganda navigated changes in the regulatory environment in the first quarter to end-March and it remains on track to meet medium-term guidance, the CEO Sylvia Mulinge said Wednesday. The business headwinds were cushioned by supportive macroeconomic conditions, a stronger shilling that appreciated 5.7% against the US dollar, and stable headline inflation which averaged 3.6%, only slightly higher than the 3.2% average in the first quarter of 2024, and marginally higher than the 3.1% of the fourth quarter of 2024. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 13.7% year-on-year supported by a resilient revenue performance and moderate 12.2% cost growth. MTN contributed over 13% of MTN Group’s EBITDA in 2024. Profit after tax was up by 20.6% to Ush 180.9 billion. “Despite the regulatory MTR (mobile termination…

President Trump’s latest salvo in his trade wars — a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films — has left even his own base scratching their heads. The move, framed as a defence of Hollywood, may be its death knell. Here’s why this policy isn’t just misguided — it’s dangerously self-defeating. 1. Hollywood’s Self-Inflicted Wound Let’s be real: Hollywood doesn’t need protection from foreign films. It needs protection from its own government’s economic illiteracy. The North American box office is already dominated by US productions — foreign films account for a sliver of the market. Slapping tariffs on them won’t “save” American cinema; it will only accelerate Hollywood’s decline by: ·Crushing indie theaters that rely on foreign art films. ·Pushing more viewers to streaming, where Netflix and Amazon already call the…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has announced a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli, with five suspects arrested in connection with their kidnapping and hijacking. The couple was reported missing on February 19, prompting a multi-provincial investigation by units from both Mpumalanga and Gauteng. As the search intensified, specialised SAPS divisions, including cybercrime, organised crime and serious and violent crime units, were brought in to support the investigation. “I am pleased to report that by this past Sunday afternoon, this team had already registered a breakthrough with the first three arrests and two more arrests later on Sunday evening,” said Masemola. The five suspects, all South African nationals, were apprehended in separate villages in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. They are…

In a shocking twist, police have arrested a close family member along with two other suspects in connection with the brutal murder of a 64-year-old Jane Furse nurse, Morudi Frank Phetla. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said a joint operation on May 5 led to the arrest of two suspects in Gauteng — in Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park, and Tembisa — while the third was nabbed in Limpopo. "During the operation, a 49-year-old African female suspect was arrested at an estate in Kempton Park. Meanwhile, a 42-year-old African male suspect was apprehended in Tembisa. The team then travelled to Limpopo, where a 60-year-old woman was arrested in Jane Furse." The arrests follow the March 16 incident, when Phetla was kidnapped outside his home in the Zamane Section of Jane Furse around…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed its exclusion from President Ramaphosa’s Johannesburg crisis task team, claiming it could play a key role in saving the city from further collapse. The party’s Gauteng provincial leader, Solly Msimanga, stated that the party could have played a meaningful role in the president’s initiative to rescue Johannesburg, had it been included in the process. “We want to be part of the solution. Our councillors are having the worst time ever, representing their wards but not getting responses from the council. So this is why it’s for us to be part of the solution,” he said. This is despite the DA refusing to be part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), accusing Premier Panyaza Lesufi of not wanting to work with them as well…

The EFF in Tshwane has criticised Mayor Nasiphi Moya for cutting power to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital over R1.2 million in unpaid bills this week, calling the decision unfortunate and demanding that she explain her actions. The party, which is part of the multiparty coalition government in Tshwane, cautioned against being painted with the same brush as coalition partners. EFF caucus chief whip Godwin Ratiwane distanced his party from Moya’s action during a television interview on Tuesday evening. He said, “We are not going to take collective responsibility on matters that we are not responsible for. We should be judged according to our actions in government and not necessarily that we are part of some collaboration.” He said the mayor must be held accountable for switching off the power supply at…

As the countdown to the national budget speech on 21 May begins, Build One South Africa (BOSA) makes its first and urgent appeal to the Minister of Finance: Do not cut a single cent from school feeding schemes. The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a vital lifeline for over 9 million poor learners across the country. In many cases, the meal provided at school is the only guaranteed meal a child receives in a day. We call on Minister Enoch Godongwana to ring-fence and look to increase funding for school feeding schemes. In addition, we must ensure that red tape, corruption, and fiscal pressure do not rob children of their basic right to nutrition, as has been the case in at least three provinces. Across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Northern…

The Iranian ring of fire, consisting of the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza and of course, Hezbollah from Beirut, Lebanon, have pretty much been crippled by very surgical Israeli air strikes and and a little bit of help from the Mossad, Israel’s brilliant counterterrorism group. In a recent operation, the SANAA airport in Yemen has been bombed by the IDF Air Force in another show of strength from the mighty Jewish nation. A ballistic missile fired by the Houthis recently made it through Israeli airspace and almost hit its Ben Gurion airport. What strikes me as extremely arrogant from these tyranical Middle Eastern nations such as Lebanon and Iran, is how they just keep on attacking Israel, hoping that somehow they will defeat the tiny country, but every single…

It’s a new car, a new track and a new challenge when the Toyota GR Cup heads into the third round of the National Extreme Festival at the Aldo Scribante Race Circuit in Gqeberha this weekend. The Toyota GR Cup Media Challenge manual GR Yaris’ have been put out to pasture after three seasons and two races in the current season, which means we’ll be behind the wheel of the updated and more powerful Toyota GR Yaris. First view It will be the first time the new versions will be seen in South Africa because they haven’t officially been launched locally. The first batch of six was scooped up by Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) to make our stripped-out racing cars. Our outgoing track weapons produced 198kW and 360Nm…

Daybreak Foods has initiated a search for the Public Investment Corporation's (PIC) approval to enter Business Rescue, a decision prompted by mounting financial difficulties which have been exacerbated by a shocking culling of underfed poultry and protests from employees demanding their overdue salaries. In an official response to Business Report on Wednesday, corporate affairs specialist Nokwazi Ngcongo confirmed that DayBreak Foods was grappling with significant financial constraints that have hindered its operational capabilities. Recognising the critical juncture at which the company finds itself, the board is exploring avenues to implement business rescue, pending the active participation and agreement from shareholders. "The Board has extensively communicated with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the company's shareholder, and made numerous requests for funding to support operations, including feed for birds and payment of…

South Africa’s municipal planning season is in full stretch as local governments carve out their respective development plans for 2025/2026. A lot is a stake for the elected public officials, with just about a year to go until the next local government elections. The Integrated Development Plan is an essential blueprint for a municipality that informs its overall framework for socio-economic development. IDPs play a fundamental role to direct municipal councils on how to allocate resources as well as how political officials aim to aid development of their areas. They are prioritised given their ability to integrate a municipality’s strategic goal and force all relevant departments to be on the same page. One can say that, over the past years if not decade, respective IDPs developed across South Africa’s municipalities…

Absa Group chairman Sello Moloko’s decision to step down as chairman represents a continuation of a number of changes on the board in recent months. The bank announced Wednesday that Moloko, who turns 60 in July, will step down as independent non-executive director on July 15, and he will be succeeded by independent board member René van Wyk, who had also been the interim CEO in 2019. Moloko intends to work with Van Wyk over the next few months for a smooth transition. Frequent and unexpected board changes to the board often indicates to investors that there might be instability in the management of a company, or different views among them on strategy. “Moloko, who has led the strategic work of the board, will be handing over the reins for…

Miss South Africa 2024 Mia Le Roux attended the Metro FM Music Awards, where she made a red-carpet appearance. During her interview on SABC1’s black carpet programme for the music awards, she was asked by presenter Mpumi Mlambo who her favourite artist was. Her answer and the question itself opened up a huge online discussion. In a statement, Le Roux addressed the online talk that has been happening since the awards took place on May 3, revealing that this is one of her “biggest insecurities.” “Within the deaf community, everyone experiences music differently. Some perform entire songs in South African Sign Language (SASL). Others feel music through rhythm and vibration. “Some dance by counting beats. There are deaf musicians and artists which I am in awe of, because I can…

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has unveiled a turnaround plan aimed at revitalising the city’s economy, improving service delivery, and ensuring financial sustainability. The plan, which was presented during the State of the City Address (Soca) yesterday, seeks to address the City’s challenges through a series of drastic measures. Morero has been under fire in recent months after opposition parties demanded answers for the state of the Johannesburg city centre, which has become a shadow of itself with high crime and a state of decay. It has been nearly two years since a gas explosion tore down Bree Street, now known as Lilian Ngoyi Street, in central Johannesburg, but it has yet to be fixed, prompting opposition parties to demand answers as to why the street’s rehabilitation has stalled. The…

R9.4 million blown on security — yet the Sebokeng Driving Licence Testing Centre ( DLTC) is a wreck. The vandalised, abandoned site has become a symbol of wasteful spending and failed oversight. This information was revealed by Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, who confirmed that a total of R9 420 295.68 has been spent on securing the Sebokeng DLTC since 1 June 2019, in response to questions tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL). From 2019 to 2025, over R9.4 million was spent on security for the site, with annual amounts of R966 000 in 2019/2020 R1 102.290 2020/2021 R1 088 858.16 2021/2022 R2 053.800 2022/2023 R2 063.400 2023/2024 R2 145 947.52 2024/2025 Despite this hefty expenditure, the facility…

The road between Wolmaransstad and Schweizer-Reneke, a critical artery connecting North West and Gauteng provinces, has been plagued by potholes for years. This deplorable condition affects not only the residents of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region but also commuters, businesses, and the economy at large. As we delve into the historical context, economic impact, social implications, and potential solutions, it becomes clear that this issue demands urgent attention and collective action. “My car's front windscreen cracked due to the poor condition of the road between Wolmaransstad and Schweizer-Reneke. I also had a close call with a tyre blowout. To avoid the risk of an accident, I now take the longer route through Bloemhof when travelling to Gauteng.” Orapeleng Matshediso said Historical Context The Wolmaransstad-Schweizer-Reneke road has been in disrepair for…

The city of gold is melting, and its illustrious sparkle is fading at an alarming rate. Johannesburg, once a beacon of hope and prosperity, is slowly suffocating under the weight of neglect and crime, sending a distress signal loud enough for anyone to hear. Strolling through areas once bustling with life, now echoes of despair reverberate through the streets, affirming that the city is on the brink of collapse. A meandering walk from End Street to Ntemi Peliso Street starkly reveals the disarray. Roller doors that once bustled with activity now stand permanently closed, an epitaph to well-known brands that have fled in the wake of rampant crime and decay. The exodus of businesses is no mere coincidence; it is a poignant reflection of government inaction, as leadership appears either…

Ford South Africa has lifted the cover off the new Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Rally-Raid Championship Ranger for the 2025 season with a new livery and also renewed their partnership with Castrol EDGE lubricants. “Motorsport is one of our key brand-building pillars for the Ford Ranger, emphasising this proudly South African-built bakkie’s exceptional capabilities, quality and reliability, along with its ongoing sales success in the popular double-cab segment. "It captures the essence of our Live the Ranger Life brand proposition that embodies living without limits, driving innovation and technology, and embracing Ford’s community of passionate Ranger owners in South Africa,” said Tarryn Knight, general manager of marketing at Ford South Africa. “For Castrol, the 2025 season reunites this legendary lubricants brand with NWM at the highest level of rally-raid competition.…

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze says it’s time for Amakhosi to deliver, as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 pm. The final marks Chiefs’ first domestic cup final appearance in six years. Pirates, on the other hand, are chasing a historic third consecutive Nedbank Cup title under head coach José Riveiro. With silverware on the line, pressure is mounting on both benches — but particularly on Chiefs', who are desperate to end their long-standing trophy drought. Kaze, speaking ahead of the clash, used a vivid analogy to describe the team’s long and difficult campaign. “We understand very well the frustrations of the fans and we share those frustrations as well,” he said. “But coming into this…

Hansi Flick's brilliant young Barcelona side won hearts in this season's Champions League and re-established themselves at Europe's top table, but fell agonisingly short of reaching the Munich final after one of the competition's greatest semi-finals. Dusting themselves down from their painful elimination at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday, Barca will take pride in knowing the club are closer than ever to ending their decade-long drought in the continent's premier competition. Barcelona lost 4-3 in extra-time in Milan, with the Italians progressing 7-6 on aggregate after a thrilling rollercoaster of a match in which they threw away a 2-0 lead. For the first time since 2019 the Catalans made the final four, but they were dreaming of more -- a first Champions League trophy since 2015 and a…

The South African government has decided to zero-in on municipalities in a bid to accelerate the implementation of structural economic reforms for inclusive long-term growth in the second phase of Operation Vulindlela. Operation Vulindlela II, which was launched on Wednesday, will be focused on strengthening local government and improving the delivery of basic services, harnessing digital public infrastructure, and creating dynamic and integrated cities to enable economic activity. Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and support economic recovery by modernising and transforming network industries, including electricity, water, transport and digital communications. The Presidency’s director of strategy Saul Musker said the deteriorating performance of local government was a major constraint on growth as it was affecting businesses and…

Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, has reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing internet connectivity across rural and disadvantaged communities in a bid to bridge the digital divide. Speaking at the South Africa Internet Governance Forum held in Durban on Wednesday, Gungubele stressed the significance of this initiative as the nation prepares for the World Summit on Information Society review process. “Digital governance is a global factor that our regulatory, ethical and social frameworks can often keep in place. We are here as South Africans and as global citizens to reflect on the challenges we face. We are here to respond to students, to ensure that they are free and free in the context of research,” he said. Gungubele added that the government has made significant strides…

In his second of several budget speeches this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced two increases in the standard rate of VAT over two years, prompting businesses to spend quite a lot of time and money preparing for their impact. The increase was hotly disputed both in and outside the GNU, with legal opposition against the plan briefly uniting the DA and EFF. The VAT hike was ultimately reversed just six days before the 1 May effective date. Now there’s a third speech, coming up on 21 May, where Godongwana will show how he intends to make up the roughly R75 billion he’d hoped for from the tax. Meanwhile, businesses are spending quite a lot of time and money reversing their previous work. Edward Kieswetter, who is having to manage…

Sabbatical, a homegrown Mother’s Day movie, hits the big screen tomorrow. In an interview with writer-director Karabo Lediga and producer Kagiso Lediga, they discussed how the difficult mother-daughter dynamic in their work captivates viewers, immersing them in a world where personal grounding, not wealth, defines success. The film opens with Lesego (Mona Monyane), a high-flying corporate climber on the cusp of a promotion to CEO at LouwFin. Her life takes a tumultuous turn when she becomes entangled in a financial scandal involving the misappropriation of a miners’ pension fund. As such, she retreats to her childhood home in the township in Pretoria, where she is forced to face the harsh reality of her career being over while being abandoned by so-called friends. She also has to face her mother Doris…

The ANC has met with the Afrikaner Leadership Network on Tuesday night, which includes the Solidarity Movement, Solidarity and AfriForum, in a surprise move facilitated by the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC). The meeting, described as ‘‘robust and frank,’’ aimed to discuss matters of common interest to the country but has left some within the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) dissatisfied with meeting the Afrikaner organisation. In March this year, the Afrikaner right-wing groups took a trip to the US, meeting with US President Donald Trump to raise concerns regarding SA’s Expropriation Bill. At the time, the organisations claimed that the South African government was ready to commit land grabs from Afrikaner land owners, which was widely seen as spreading disinformation. This was after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the…

ActionSA has raised serious concerns regarding the alleged negligence of a mother whose 12-year-old disabled daughter, Precious, reportedly suffered sexual abuse at the hands of multiple men. The harrowing situation came to light following reports from concerned community members who alerted ActionSA about the suspected ongoing abuse of Precious. According to the party, the mother has been arrested and now faces charges of child neglect and fraud. Pertinently, while Precious has not been attending school due to her disability, her birth certificate was reportedly misused to register her younger sibling in an educational institution. ActionSA’s ward councillor for Cosmos City, Sello Mabelebele, voiced frustration at the authorities’ failure to act swiftly, despite multiple pleas from concerned residents. “When the issue was brought to us, we engaged directly with the child’s…

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has delivered a landmark ruling regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law, finding that it is subject to judicial review. The ruling which was handed down this week requires Ramaphosa to submit a comprehensive record of the proceedings that influenced his decision to enact the NHI Bill. This submission must adhere to Rule 53 of the Uniform Rules of the Court and be delivered within ten calendar days from the date of the ruling. The ruling stems from a legal challenge initiated by the Board of Health Funders (BHF) and the South African Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF). The groups raised serious questions regarding the rationality of the president's actions, particularly following widespread dissent and critical constitutional…

AfriForum welcomes the Constitutional Court’s confirmation earlier today of a 2023 order by the Supreme Court of Appeal that Section 6(1) (a) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 is unconstitutional and invalid. The organisation describes thi week’s decision as a milestone for thousands of South Africans abroad who, based on this section, automatically lost their citizenship when they, without ministerial permission, acquired the citizenship of another country. “The ruling is a giant victory for every South African abroad who lost their citizenship through the application of this section,” explains Sue-Ann de Wet, Head of Diaspora at AfriForum. “Citizenship is incredibly important. It creates a sense of belonging and contributes to a person’s identity.” De Wet stresses that it is regrettable that it has taken the South African…

When it was first introduced just before the turn of the century (yes, that long ago), the BMW X5 set the standard for large luxury SUVs and, in fact, some consider it the pivotal model in the category. I know, I’ve said some unflattering things about SUVs in general, and I still maintain that a sedan or coupe will always be more attractive than any SUV but the buying public seem to disagree. The list of sedan cars that have stopped production continues to grow, and as quickly as they disappear, another SUV pops up. You only have to look at the continuing entry of new Chinese models, and virtually every one of them is an SUV. Which brings us behind the wheel of the BMW X5, or to be…

LOSING three consecutive matches is never a good look for any team; however, perhaps in this case, the Proteas women's team could accept it as a learning curve. Having gone on tour without experienced players such as Marizanne Kapp and Anneke Bosch was a big blow and the South African batting unit got exposed. However, the team got to understand the characters of the fringe players, such as the 20-year-old batter Miane Smit, who was calm at the crease on debut for her 39 runs batting at No 3. Losing Laura Wolvaardt due to an illness on Wednesday did not do the side a favour as that meant the likes of Annerie Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase, and Sinalo Jafta would come in to bat higher up the order than they would…

Throughout history, cities materialise at the nexus of geography, strategy, and vision. Few places exemplify this phenomenon as strikingly as Antalya, the jewel of Türkiye’s southwestern coast, whose origins can be traced back to the ambitious vision of King Attalos II of Pergamon. During the Hellenistic period in 159-138 BC, Attalos famously commanded his soldiers to, "go and find me heaven on earth," a quest that would lead to the foundation of one of the most splendid cities with a vibrant tapestry woven from its rich history. It is here where I find myself, under the sun-soaked skies of this splendid Mediterranean oasis, for the next week. I have been here before, back in late November 2023, when I covered the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup for Amateurs, which was…