Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-27 i Star

Beleagured sugar producer is poised to emerge from tumultuous shadow of its past Tongaat Hulett, the beleaguered South African agro-processing firm, is poised to emerge from the shadow of its tumultuous past, thanks to new leadership and a significant restructuring initiative. Gavin Dalgleish, the company’s new CEO, has expressed optimism about the path towards stability following a protracted period marked by scandals and heavy debt that once threatened its existence. Dalgleish was appointed as CEO with effect from 1 June 2025, marking a significant step in the final phase of implementing the approved Business Rescue Plan and setting the stage for a seamless transition of Tongaat Hulett’s business, assets, and people to Vision, the consortium acquiring the group. In a recent interview, Dalgleish detailed the pivotal changes occurring at Tongaat…

Thungela Resources management on Thursday said coal production in South Africa during the six months to June 30 was bolstered by incremental underground production. However, the opencast operations, primarily at Isibonelo and Khwezela, were impacted by higher-than-expected rainfall, the chief financial officer Deon Smith said in a pre-close statement. In Australia, production and export saleable product qualities in the first half were affected by challenging geology. Smith said Thursday that production is expected to improve in the second half of the year. The share price fell by 4.81% on the JSE to R82.91 in the afternoon, continuing a decline from R111.46 a year ago. Smith said they remained disciplined in executing strategy amid a challenging operating environment, characterised by volatile coal prices and fluctuating foreign exchange rates. In South Africa,…

Farming associations across South Africa are cautiously optimistic following Brazil's announcement earlier this week that it has declared itself free of the recent avian flu outbreak. This declaration comes in the wake of the Department of Agriculture lifting its ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from Brazil, though only partially. The ban had initially been enforced after the outbreak was contained to one state in Brazil. South African meat producers on Thursday raised red flags, however, cautioning that despite this promising news, a shortage of Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) was still anticipated in the local market. Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said Brazil would need to provide sufficient evidence on their Avian Flu health for the department to completely lift the ban on…

TelCables, the South African unit of Angola Cables, is pursuing agreements to roll out interconnectivity to countries within Southern Africa, an expansion of its metropolitan networks in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Samuel Carvalho, Angola Cables’ chief marketing officer, said in an interview on Thursday that South Africa was becoming a major interconnection hub for global connectivity. Angola Cables specializes in digital and connectivity services such as wholesale interconnectivity and cloud computing among other enterprise IT solutions. Its South African unit, TelCables interconnects South Africa and metropolitans such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. TelCables is now pursuing agreements to expand its interconnectivity solutions into neighboring southern African countries after expanding to East Africa last year. “We now interconnect Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. From Teraco Cape Town to Teraco Durban and…

Apple Inc. is poised to offer further App Store changes to appease European Union antitrust watchdogs who issued an ultimatum after doling out a €500 million (R10.5 billion) fine. The iPhone maker’s proposal - due by June 26 - would make it easier for third-party developers to direct customers away from the Apple ecosystem to make software purchases, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The pledge, following weeks of tense discussions with EU regulators, would potentially ward off future penalties for failing to fix alleged violations of the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, which led to the fine in April. Apple has said it plans to appeal the penalty through the bloc’s courts in Luxembourg. The European Commission had been readying a formal charge…

This week marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s democratic journey as the nation commemorates the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter. A landmark in the struggle against apartheid, the Charter was drawn up and endorsed by thousands of South Africans during the historic Congress of the People in Kliptown, Soweto in 1955. To honour this momentous occasion, a national dialogue is taking place at Freedom Park in Pretoria. Hosted by the government and attended by youth leaders, civil society organisations and representatives from democratic institutions, the event is unfolding under the theme “From Charter to Constitution, Bridging Generations.” It is both a celebration and a moment of reflection. Seventy years ago, roughly three thousand delegates gathered in a dusty field under the watchful eye of the…

A man who beat and kicked his partner to death in an alcohol-induced rage will continue to serve his 20 years imprisonment term after his appeal against his sentence failed in the Western Cape High Court. The repeat offender, who had previously also served prison sentence for murder, argued that he was provoked and could not foresee the death of his girlfriend after the violent assault which occurred after a night where the couple had consumed alcohol. Bafana Khumalo, co-executive director at Anti-GBV NPO Sonke Gender Justice, said they welcomed the court’s decision and said there is no justification for violence. Khumalo said they welcomed the seriousness with which the court handled the matter and for denying the appeal against sentence. “This indicates the seriousness that the court considered this…

A Johannesburg man’s ambitious plan to transform a rental property into his future home has resulted in a significant legal defeat, as a court has denied his claims for reimbursement for renovations made while renting. The saga began in January 2010 when the tenant entered into a two-year lease with his landlord, setting an initial rent of R20 000 per month, along with utilities, and stipulating a minimum 10% escalation upon renewal. However, both parties opted to delete certain clauses from the lease contract, which later proved pivotal in the ensuing disputes. The landlord said this was done to remove any obligations he may have toward the leasing agent, Jawitz Properties. Meanwhile, the tenant claimed that they had reached an oral agreement that he would put in an offer to…

The Johannesburg Deeds office is operational and services are being provided, although not at full capacity, despite reports that the office has been closed since February. This was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, under which the deeds office falls. It was, however, in March announced that the office will relocate to another premises due to occupational and health safety issues. This has not yet happened and departmental spokesperson Linda Page said it is not sure at this stage when they will relocate. “We are still awaiting a decision by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure,” she said. The department earlier this year predicted that the office would relocate to a suitable location around September. Karla Strydom, a member of the Johannesburg Attorneys Association’s…

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is under fire for defying a court order to pay over R9 million to the Insika Foundation, one of its former implementing agents in the Community Work Programme (CWP). Legal experts now say that key department leaders – including Minister V.K. Hlabisa, Director-General Mbulelo Ntshangama, Deputy Director-General Pankie Matomela, and CWP Finance Authority Mawande Skenjana are complicit in contempt of court. Despite a binding High Court ruling and a failed appeal attempt, the Department has refused to pay the money owed, effectively collapsing the Insika Foundation and severely disrupting a programme that supports thousands of vulnerable South Africans. Insika Foundation approached the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2024, seeking a ‘mandamus’ – a court order compelling COGTA to pay…

Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea. Here’s what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and “wellness” influencers: What is matcha? The word matcha means “ground tea” in Japanese and comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte. Green tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early ninth century, and was first used for medicinal purposes. Matcha came much later, in 16th century Kyoto – part of the tea ceremony tradition developed by tea master Sen no Rikyu. Today, there are different grades of matcha…

The South African Secular Society (SASS) expresses its outrage and alarm at revelations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse perpetrated by members of yet another religious organisation. A recent online article has brought to light the abuse of an appalling number of members of a secretive Christian “church” named the Two-by-Twos. Most of the victims are children, and the abuse has been going on in the US, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and elsewhere for decades. SASS calls on the Commission for the Promotion & Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious & Linguistic Communities (the CRL Rights Commission) to hold an enquiry into the activities of this church, amid the allegations of harm perpetrated on young South African victims. SASS points out that the South African Bill of Rights…

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, referring to the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, stated: “It became clear that that’s the worst failure of our intelligence and operational forces since the establishment of the state of Israel.” Moreover, after internal reviews, Shin Bet security chief Ronen Bar concluded that, had the agency acted differently, “the massacre would have been avoided.” Given these admissions, was it necessary to reduce Gaza to rubble, kill over 55 000 Palestinians, displace more than 90% of the population, and cause widespread hunger in an attempt to destroy Hamas and prevent another attack like October 7? Could this suffering have been avoided by undertaking meaningful reform of Israeli security practices? As former Israeli army commander Yehuda Shaul asserted: “I don’t believe you can…

The popularity of audiobooks has surged in recent years, with more readers turning to this convenient format for their literary needs. With a diverse range of genres and talented narrators, audiobooks are transforming the way we experience literature. Here are three noteworthy titles to consider: The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer Narrator Phil Dunster (from “Ted Lasso”) Masters, a large cast in Belinda Bauer’s mystery novel. The story centres on the Guillemot egg, a pear-shaped ruby-red egg laid by seabirds on rocky ledges, connecting two plots. In the 1920s and 30s, a ruthless egg trafficker crosses paths with Celie, who plucks the eggs from Yorkshire cliffs. One of those eggs reaches present-day Wales, where a young boy named Nick and his friend Patrick discover it in an attic, leading to…

Coach Robbie Deans wants his Barbarians to play with flair while giving the Springboks as tough an outing as they can before their Test season starts in July. For the first time, the invitational side will play a match in South Africa, and according to Deans, his players should have no fear and “have a crack” at the world champions when they lock horns in the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (5.10pm start). “I hope it’s a close contest, for our sake,” Deans said with his team announcement on Thursday. The New Zealander selected seven All Blacks, four Frenchmen, two Irishmen and two South Africans in his match-day 23 that will look to maintain their winning record over the South Africans. In their eight matches, the Baabaas have won four,…

Orbit College have completed a fairy-tale run by winning the Premier Soccer League Promotional Playoffs, earning a well-deserved spot in South Africa’s top-flight Premiership next season. After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) – finishing just five points behind league winners Durban City – the Rustenburg-based side made the most of their second chance in the playoffs, showing remarkable consistency and composure under pressure. Their playoff path was anything but easy. Orbit were pitted against the vastly experienced Cape Town City and a battle-hardened Casric Stars side – both accustomed to the rigours of high-stakes football. Yet despite the odds stacked against them, they relied on their strong campaign momentum and superior tactical discipline to outlast their opponents in what was essentially a sprint…

ANRICH Nortjé’s long-awaited return to the green-and-gold Proteas colours has taken another hit, as the fast bowler missed out on South Africa’s T20I squad for the upcoming Tri-Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand from July 14-26. Coach Shukri Conrad made it clear he wanted Nortjé to return during last summer’s inbound tour of Pakistan, with the hope of featuring him in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. The fast bowler couldn’t make his return, however, due to an injury. Similarly, the 31-year-old has missed out on the upcoming Tri-Series due to a stress reaction. Conrad told the media yesterday that Nortjé would have been in the squad had he not picked up the injury. Another key player in wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has not been included, while spinners Nqaba…

Tshepiso Moahloli has been appointed as the Director-General of the New Development Bank (NDB) Africa Regional Centre (ARC), effective from 20 June 2025. This decision follows an international competitive recruitment process, signalling the NDB’s commitment to harness talent to enhance its operations across the continent. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the bank as it embarks on its next decade of operations aimed at fostering sustainable infrastructure development across Africa. Moahloli’s responsibilities will encompass the management of the NDB’s African regional operations. Her role will involve leading efforts in project origination, preparation and implementation supervision, acting as the vital interface between the bank and key stakeholders such as governments, private sector players, and civil society. As the NDB celebrates a decade of existence, it has already made strides in…

Biovac, a biopharmaceutical company in South Africa, and Biological E, a Supplier of vaccines globally from India, have signed a groundbreaking technology transfer agreement to manufacture and distribute a vaccine against pneumonia across Africa. Pneumococcal infection, which the vaccine protects against, is a cause of significant disease, being a leading cause of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and sepsis. The World Health Organisation estimated that in 2005, pneumococcal infections were responsible for the death of 1.6 million children worldwide and while this has reduced significantly over time, newer and better vaccines are still needed. The agreement aligns with the African Union Commission and Africa CDC’s 2022 commitment to ensure that 60% of vaccines used in Africa are manufactured on the continent by 2040. Currently, Africa produces only about 1% of its…

The latest Financial and Production Statistics Report, released by Stats SA on Thursday, painted an optimistic picture for South Africa’s agricultural industry. This as total income for the sector reached an impressive R491.7 billion in 2023, reflecting a 6.8% annual increase compared to the R332.0bn reported in the 2017 Census of Commercial Agriculture (CoCA). The main drivers behind this growth were the farming of animals, which accounted for R186.1bn or 37.8% of total income, followed closely by mixed farming with R115.9bn or 23.6%, and horticulture contributing R103.5bn or 21.0%. Additionally, Stats SA noted a positive shift in the agricultural services and fertiliser production segments, with their share of total income rising from 1.1% in 2017 to 2.5% in 2023. Despite these gains, there was a notable decline in the farming…

Sirius Real Estate’s share price increased 3.18% on the JSE Thursday after the owner of branded business parks said it had acquired a light industrial property in Geilenkirchen, Germany for €12.9 million (R267.4m). The acquisition was in line with Sirius’ “strong acquisition pipeline,” the group management said in a statement. The share price increased to R23.37 on the JSE in the afternoon, continuing a rise in the price over three months, when it was trading at R20.19. The acquisition comes a day after Sirius announced it had secured a new €150m unsecured revolving credit facility, with an initial three-year term, and with the option to upsize by up to an additional €100m. The additional funding would allow the company to continue to take advantage of current market conditions and its…

LIFE Fest Some of the nation’s top musical acts are set to take to the stage in the first-ever LIFE Fest. They include Matthew Mole, Majozi as well as Desmond & The Tutus. The family-friendly event fuses music with sport and community spirit. It will also include food stalls and family zones. Attendees will also get the chance to watch the Springboks take on the Barbarians as the game will be broadcast live on a big outdoor screen. Where: Benoni Northerns Sports Club. When: Tomorrow from 12pm. Mpho Popps’ Birthday Show This annual comedy special, which has become a highlight on the Joburg comedy calendar, is a celebration of renowned comedian Mpho Popps’s birthday. The show will feature Popps, some of the funny man’s comedy friends as well as surprise…

Former President Jacob Zuma’s battle to remain an ANC party member has again been thrust into the spotlight after he hauled president Cyril Ramaphosa and his former party to court yesterday. Zuma, who is the former president of the ANC and now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) launched a court application in a bid to challenge his expulsion from the party. His decision to take the ANC and its leader to court came after the party’s disciplinary committee expelled him in July 2024 for publicly endorsing the MKP ahead of the general elections. He argued that the disciplinary steps that the ANC followed in 2024 were illegal and violated his constitutional rights. In a surprising revelation, Zuma admitted that he wants to remain in the ANC to take…

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) firefighting crews have mobilised to respond to a fire incident at South African Breweries (SAB) in Soweto. ‘‘The blaze reportedly began when grass in a nearby field caught fire. This soon spread quickly and ignited storage crates on the premises,’’ said the Media Liaison Officer, EMS City of Joburg, Xolile Khumalo, in a statement released yesterday. As of now, there have been no reported injuries, and emergency teams are actively working to contain the fire. Witnesses and users on social media reported seeing thick plumes of smoke rising from the brewery, which prompted immediate concern among locals about the potential devastation. An EMS spokesperson reiterated the urgency of the situation, urging residents to steer clear of the area to ensure their safety and to allow emergency…

Two South African provinces, grappling with high crime levels, lack the basic resources to investigate and put criminals behind bars. Responding to questions put forward by BOSA’s Musi Maimane, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the South African Police Service (SAPS) has a staggering 2 344 vacancies among its detectives. This, BOSA said, means thousands of criminal cases are going cold, with no follow-up investigations, no arrests, and no justice for victims. “As more and more files pile upon the desks of detectives, criminals are not being brought to book, and justice is not being served for victims. “Detectives are responsible for investigating serious crimes, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building cases that lead to arrests and successful prosecutions. Without them, crimes remain unsolved, gangsters operate with impunity, and public trust…

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza yesterday rebuked three deputy ministers and four ordinary MPs for failing to declare their financial interests within the stipulated deadline last year. Didiza made Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, and Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa, along with MK Party MP and national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela, and ANC MPs Mluleki Dlelanga, Mzoleli Mrara, and Masetshego Mofokeng stand up like schoolchildren when reprimanding them at the start of the plenary sitting. Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Moropene Ramokgopa tendered her apology because she is on an international trip, but she will be reprimanded on her return to the House. Didiza rebuked the deputy ministers and MPs after the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests…

The countdown is on to the 2025 Manufacturing Indaba, the continent’s leading platform for industrial growth, innovation, and collaboration. With a powerful mix of exhibitions, high-level conferences, CEO-led workshops, and networking, this year’s event will bring together Africa’s top manufacturing minds to shape the future of “Made in Africa.” The event will play host to key business engagement platforms aimed at growing African Manufacturing, including: Discover Africa’s industrial value chain – from cutting-edge machinery and automation to logistics, components, and green manufacturing. Companies will showcase innovations and practical solutions driving competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability. Hear from manufacturing CEOs, policy leaders, trade experts, and investors as they tackle the pressing challenges and opportunities facing African industry. Key themes include: Financing industrial growth Skills and workforce development Critical minerals and industrial beneficiation…

AUSTRALIA’S world-leading ban on under-16s joining social media sites cleared a big hurdle on Friday as a trial found digital age checks can work “robustly and effectively”. Sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and X could face fines of up to Aus$50 million (about R584m) for failing to comply with the legislation, which was passed in November. They have described the law – which is due to come into effect by the end of this year – as vague, rushed and “problematic”. There has been widespread concern over children’s use of online platforms as evidence shows that social media can have negative effects on children’s mental and physical health. Digital age verification systems – which would be critical to the ban – can work, said the interim findings of an…

Dear Mr President, The past weeks have revealed a series of lies to Parliament by Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. She has used a strategy of lying to Parliament to try and cover up her tracks, after she made a brazen ANC cadre deployment appointment to the boards of the Sectoral Education and Training Authorities. South Africans were rightfully outraged about this. Once exposed, and once public pressure mounted, Minister Nkabane made an effective admission to her infringements by withdrawing the appointments. Her ANC cadre deployment had been exposed, roundly criticised, and she had to admit defeat. What followed was a series of lies. Her first lie to Parliament, to underplay her involvement, was that an “inde pendent panel” had chosen the successful ANC cadres, deflecting attention from her. But the vague…

Despite their early exit from the Fifa Club World Cup, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said it was “absolutely marvellous” to witness his players perform at the highest level against Brazilian giants Fluminense. Sundowns shocked everyone by holding the highly fancied Fluminense to a goalless draw in Wednesday’s Club World Cup Group F clash at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This outcome meant that Sundowns’ ambitious stint at the Club World Cup came to an end, as the South African champions needed a victory to advance past the group stage. After the match, Cardoso reflected on the experience of his players competing against such esteemed opposition. He expressed pride in his team’s performance in challenging match conditions. “Everybody had the chance to watch 22 players playing at the highest…

Inter Milan powered into the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Wednesday, scoring a stormy 2-0 victory over River Plate that sealed the Argentinian club’s exit. Teenage striker Francesco Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni scored the goals to settle a physical contest which saw River finish with nine men. The final whistle was marred by an ugly melee which saw players from both sides clash as they sprinted off the pitch, with missiles being thrown by River’s fans at Seattle’s Lumen Field. “We got the job done: that’s the most important thing,” Inter manager Cristian Chivu said afterwards. “That game was very tough for us. In the first half, they had a lot of aggression, a lot of intensity. But in the second half, we controlled the game better,…

JESSICA Motaung says Kaizer Chiefs are not a mid-table team, and the club have been having hard conversations with regards to finding ways to moving up to the top, where they belong. Having finished out of the top eight in the past two seasons and only ending what has been a decade-long trophy drought by winning the past campaign’s Nedbank Cup, the Amakhosi have lost their shine as the country’s Glamour Boys. But Motaung, the club’s marketing director and daughter of chairman Kaizer, says they are intent on changing all that in the upcoming campaign. “Ninth and 10th (positions) is not great for us, and part of the hard conversations we’ve had is that we cannot find ourselves there (again),” Motaung told media at the club’s Taung Village in Naturena,…

Mamelodi Sundowns emerged as the stand-out African club at the Fifa Club World Cup, which saw all four African representatives failing to advance to the knockout stage. On Wednesday night in Miami, despite a gripping 0-0 draw against the Brazilian football powerhouse Fluminense, Sundowns fell just one point shy of reaching the last-16 round. At the start of the tournament, Masandawana were overshadowed by the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. However, they quickly transformed into a team that captured the imagination of the fans while demonstrating their mettle on the world stage. Their presence in Group F became a narrative of inspiration and unexpected brilliance since very little was known about the South Africans before the tournament. Travelling to the USA to represent South Africa alongside African heavyweights like…

Household finances in South Africa are expected to remain strained on the back of accelerating unemployment rate and rising debt levels, resulting in slow expenditure trends. According to the Quarterly Bulletin released by the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) on Thursday, growth in real gross domestic expenditure (GDE) eased to 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025 following an increase of 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Real final consumption expenditure by households increased at a slower pace in the first quarter of 2025 but nevertheless contributed most to growth in real GDP. By contrast, real final consumption expenditure by the general government and gross fixed capital formation contracted further, alongside a further deaccumulation of real inventory holdings, albeit at a slower pace. “Growth in real final consumption expenditure…

In a world being transformed by AI and an unrelenting war for skills, South Africa stands on the brink of an unprecedented opportunity: to become not just a source of talent, but a global talent hub. For too long, we’ve watched our brightest minds leave in search of opportunity, recognition, or growth. But what if South Africa could flip the script? What if we became the place the world looks to when it needs digitally savvy, globally minded, socially conscious professionals. That future isn’t a fantasy. It’s a strategy. And it begins with reframing our national identity — not as a country struggling with unemployment, but as a country brimming with untapped human capital that is ready to lead the industries of the future. The Case for South Africa as…

Growthpoint Properties has upped its distributable income per share (DIPS) growth guidance to 2% to 3% for its 2025 financial year due to improved performance, better property fundamentals in South Africa, continued outperformance by the V&A Waterfront, and lower interest rates. The largest JSE-listed South African Real Investment Trust had reported DIPS growth of 3.9% at the half-year stage, compared to the initial full-year 2025 guidance of a decrease in DIPS of 2% to 5%. In March, the full-year guidance was updated to DIPS growth of 1% to 3%. But a strong performance, as indicated by Thursday's trading statement, resulted in the guidance being lifted once more. Growthpoint management said growth would be offset somewhat by lower offshore income due to the sale of their stake in Capital & Regional…

JSE-listed specialist retail fund Hyprop reported a strong performance for the five months ended May 31, 2025 and is well positioned to make new investments. There had been a “sturdy performance” from the properties in South Africa and Eastern Europe for the five months to May 31, 2025, which “reflects the dominance and resilience of our portfolio despite geopolitical challenges,” CEO Morné Wilken said in a pre-close update. “We continue to look for organic and new growth opportunities... Hyprop is confident of delivering strong growth in the coming year” he said. This would be driven by improved performance by the portfolio, solar and energy project benefits, lower interest costs and benefits of deploying capital. Hyprop recently offered to buy control of MAS to expand in East Europe, for which R808m…

In an era where both mental well‑being and environmental consciousness matter more than ever, shared workspaces are gaining ground across South Africa. What started as a trend for freelancers has evolved into a new way of working that benefits entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the planet alike. For many small business owners, working from home can be isolating. The long hours spent alone can hamper creativity and dampen productivity. Shared workspaces help to break down those walls, creating a sense of belonging and collaboration. Being surrounded by other entrepreneurs and professionals encourages conversation, sparks ideas and can help build a strong support network. It’s not uncommon for a casual chat over a cup of coffee to lead to new collaborations or referrals, making these spaces ideal for start-ups and growing businesses…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly criticised the persistent failure of government departments to fully use their allocated budgets, calling it a betrayal of the public trust. Addressing members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during a session in Cape Town, Ramaphosa did not mince words, describing this trend of underspending as nothing short of “treason” against the citizens of the country. The president’s comments came in response to a series of oral questions from members of the NCOP, with service delivery once again dominating the agenda. Ramaphosa expressed deep frustration that, despite South Africa’s many urgent needs, several provincial and municipal departments continue to return unspent funds to the National Treasury year after year. “This is a matter of serious concern,” he said. “When money is allocated for housing,…

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to tackling gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), highlighting that the fight extends beyond policing and requires coordinated action across government and communities. Mchunu was briefing the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus yesterday, outlining current challenges and government efforts to curb GBVF, which he described as “one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation.” “The country is gripped by GBVF because of its prevalence and reaching distressing levels throughout the four corners of our country. It is a scourge that threatens the safety, dignity, and well-being of women and children, and it requires decisive action,” Mchunu said. He stressed the importance of addressing both the pre-incident and post-incident phases of GBVF, noting, “The first part requires the whole…

A delegation of Afrikaner leaders and interest groups has returned from a visit to Washington with a proposal aimed at restoring and improving relations between South Africa and the United States. The visit, which included representatives from the Freedom Front Plus, agricultural organisations and business groups, focused on addressing tensions that have developed in recent years over trade, security and governance issues. While the details of the talks remain partly confidential, members of the delegation have confirmed that several conditions were discussed as part of a proposed framework to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two nations. One of the key concerns raised by the US side, according to the delegation, is the current state of security in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. The American representatives reportedly expressed unease…

The City of Tshwane is set to leverage the C20 and G20 meetings in South Africa to showcase its capabilities, hospitality, and infrastructure in hosting international conferences. Member of Mayoral Committee for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, said the tourism sector is a vital component of the South African economy, and the city aims to boost job creation and economic growth by prioritising this sector. She highlighted the importance of tourism, citing its significant contribution to the country’s economy. “In 2024, tourism and travel contributed R618 billion to the South African economy – R117bn from international visitors and R430bn from domestic travel spending. “Importantly, the sector also provided employment to 1.8 million people in South Africa,” she said. The city recently co-hosted the 2025 Urban20 (U20) meetings with…

June is Youth Month in South Africa, a time to honour the fearless spirit of young people who dare to dream, act, and shape the future. While we commemorate the historic uprising of June 16, 1976, when Soweto’s youth stood resilient against an oppressive system, Youth Month is more than a reflection on the past; it’s a call to action for today’s generation. It’s a reminder that your ideas, no matter how small they seem, can ignite change that will echo across time and borders. Take inspiration from Enoch Sontonga, a young visionary whose creativity left an indelible mark on Africa. This Youth Month, let’s ignite that same courage and drive in you to turn your ideas into reality. The Legacy of Enoch Sontonga, A Young Dreamer’s Impact In 1897,…

The DA in North West opened criminal cases against the Ditsobotla mayor-pretender, Councillor Molefe Morutse (ANC), the Speaker-pretender, Councillor Manana Bogatsu (EFF), and the Municipal Manager-pretender, Mr Oloatse Bojosinyane, under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, for fraud, intimidation, coercion, and extortion. These criminal cases relate to the establishment of an illegal parallel Ditsobotla Council at a meeting held in March, where it is alleged that fraudulent resignation letters from the legitimate mayor. The speaker and the legally appointed Acting Municipal Manager were presented, and they were illegally removed from office. After this illegal parallel Council meeting, Mr Bojosinyane managed to gain access to the Ditsobotla municipal offices, resulting in two gunfights which saw two persons injured and the death of another. In addition,…

SUICIDE rates are often used to show how serious mental health challenges are in a country. In 2019, the World Health Organization reported that South Africa was among the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates globally, with 23.5 suicides per 100 000 people. In that same year, South Africa was ranked the third highest in Africa – recording 13 774 suicide deaths, the majority of which were men (10 861 compared to 2 913 women). More recently, suicide rates in the country rose by 18% in 2021, showing that the problem is getting worse, especially for men. According to World Population Review, South Africa continues to rank high in global suicide statistics. These numbers tell us something serious: South Africa is facing a mental health crisis, and men are…

The excitement around Kwena Maphaka is comprehensible. He sends down left-arm down thunderbolts that have touched the 150km/h mark. He is strong, mature, smart and ambitious, and hails from the same St Stithians College stock as Kagiso Rabada. The fact that he’s only 19 years old ensures he appeals to an entire generation unburdened by the country’s fractious past. In essence, Maphaka is the future of the Proteas cricket team on the field, and with a home World Cup on the horizon in two years’ time, he is the picture-perfect image Cricket SA are trying to promote off it. This is an almighty load to bear for anyone – let alone someone only recently eligible to obtain a driver’s licence – with even the great Rabada admitting to having suffered…

Max Verstappen leads Red Bull into their home Austrian Grand Prix this weekend hoping a major upgrades package can boost his title defence before it is too late. The four-time world champion, who still needs to avoid any on-track problems that could lead to a mandatory race ban, has won four times at the high-speed Red Bull Ring circuit in the Styrian Alps, and will be backed by his ‘orange army’ of fans. But he knows that combination may not be enough. McLaren’s championship-leading duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who collided in Canada, are hoping to return to form after that rare off-day in a forecasted heatwave on a circuit expected to suit their car. Last year’s winner George Russell of Mercedes, who took advantage of McLaren’s struggles in…

Orlando Pirates will head into the 2025/26 campaign with a clear objective — to close the gap on serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns and launch a more convincing bid for domestic supremacy. The Buccaneers have wasted little time in laying down a marker, moving decisively in the transfer market to rectify the issues that undermined their title challenge last season. While the Soweto giants finished 13 points adrift of Sundowns, that figure alone doesn’t accurately reflect their efforts throughout the season. Pirates were, for long stretches, the only team capable of forcing the reigning champions out of their rhythm. Although the final table shows a significant margin, the Brazilians were made to dig deeper than usual to retain their dominance. But pushing the champions and actually toppling them are two entirely…