Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-31 i Star

Minister for Electricity and Energy, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has emphasised the urgent need for a fundamental reconfiguration of the global energy finance architecture. Speaking at the third Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, he called for a transition from pledges to tangible execution, particularly in light of recent commitments exceeding R1 billion towards the implementation of JET programmes. Ramokgopa asserted that the credibility of the global transition hinges on the timely and effective mobilization of financial resources to where they are most needed. "Finance must become a tool of inclusion, not a barrier to participation. Scaling up climate and energy finance is not only urgent, but also central to closing the infrastructure gap, addressing energy poverty, and driving structural transformation and industrialisation," Ramokgopa said. "We must shift…

The July 2025 Household Affordability Index unveiled a complex landscape for South African consumers as the average cost of a staple food basket slightly decreased to R5,442.72, a modest dip of R0.41 from June 2025. Despite this month-on-month improvement, a stark year-on-year increase of R190.57 (3.6%) painted a troubling picture for households relying on basic foodstuffs. Compiled from 44 basic food items across 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in regions including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, the report reflects a nuanced reality. It showed that of the tracked foods, 17 saw price increases while 26 experienced reductions. Only one food item remained unchanged, presenting a slightly positive note for consumers grappling with financial pressures. Price variability: the details behind the numbers Individual price movements revealed significant fluctuations within the basket.…

In June this year, the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Strasbourg Plenary deemed South Africa successful in “substantially completing” its 22-item Action Plan for removal from the FATF greylist. This has set the stage for an authorised onsite visit in October when FATF will determine whether South Africa can finally be scrubbed from the greylist. Despite the considerable progress we have made, this is “not a time for complacency”, as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has cautioned. FATF will not be satisfied by a box-checking exercise and will expect to see signs of sustainable improvement in South Africa’s compliance culture. All stakeholders in the financial system face a huge task to surmount this hurdle of delisting. The onsite assessment: a key milestone in the journey towards greylist removal FATF’s…

If you’re an entrepreneur, chances are you chose this path to build a better future for yourself and your family by turning your passion into a business. It’s a bold and rewarding journey, but one that often comes with unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to financial administration and tax compliance. What begins as a dream can quickly become overwhelming as the day-to-day realities of managing finances take hold. It’s not a lack of drive or talent that holds business owners back, it’s the weight of spreadsheets, scattered receipts, and time-consuming manual processes. To truly thrive, entrepreneurs need more than just tools; they need guidance, visibility, and systems designed to grow with them that simplify complexity and support them at every stage of the journey. These challenges can stall momentum…

Diversified mining resources group Glencore reviewed its industrial asset portfolio in the six months to June 30, identified $1 billion of cost savings to be realised by the end of 2026, and closed two ferroalloys smelters in South Africa. “A comprehensive review of our industrial asset portfolio recognised opportunities to streamline our industrial operating structure, to optimise departmental management and reporting, and to support enhanced technical excellence and operational focus,” CEO Gary Nagle said at the release of a production report on Wednesday. The review of the sustainability of the ferroalloys smelting operations was done. The Boshoek and Wonderkop smelters in the North West Province were indefinitely suspended in May and June 2025, respectively, "pending sufficient recovery in the ferrochrome market." Operations at the Lion smelter, in Limpopo, were temporarily…

American singer Kehlani is still on cloud nine after teaming up with the iconic Mariah Carey on her latest single Sugar Sweet, which also features Jamaican singer-songwriter Shenseea. The Folded hitmaker took to her socials to gush about the experience and shared how Carey has always been an inspiration to her. Kehlani revealed that she has been obsessed with Carey’s music since she was little, and Hero was one of the first songs she ever learned. “Nobody speak to me. I got a song with the one and only @mariahcarey. The earliest video of me singing and the first song I ever learned was Hero and everybody who knows me knows this is one of my heroes,” she wrote. “This woman is the definition of an icon. To have given…

Tiffany Meek, accused of murdering her son, Jayden-Lee Meek, plans to appeal her no-bail ruling. Even though Magistrate Anneline Africa found the 31-year-old woman to be “dishonest and deceptive”, Meek believes that police failed her. On Tuesday, during her appearance at the Roodeport Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Africa denied Meek’s bail application. In delivering her decision, Africa said granting Meek bail would not be in the best interest of justice as there were still unanswered questions around Jayden-Lee’s murder. Furthermore, the court found that Meek can influence witnesses. “If convicted, she may face life imprisonment, which is inducement enough for her to evade trial,” the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) explained. NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, said Meek is accused of killing Jayden, who was reported missing back on May 13.…

Non-profit organisation Open Secrets wants to force the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to probe and prosecute corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa). In papers filed at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Open Secrets wants to declare invalid, review, and set aside, under the promotion of Administrative Justice Act or the principle of legality, the failure of the Hawks to complete their investigations, within a reasonable time, into the unlawful contracts concluded between Prasa and two companies, Siyangena and Swifambo. The organisation also wants to declare invalid, review, and set aside the corresponding failure of the NPA, which has assumed a guiding role in the Hawks’ investigations, to ensure completion of the investigations and to decide whether to prosecute. In addition, Open Secrets wants to…

Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, has addressed the hot topic of foreign nationals living in RDP houses, which in law are meant for economically disadvantaged South African nationals. Yesterday, Simelane told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that there is an upheaval of complaints from community members about RDP houses occupied by foreign nationals. The minister clarified that an RDP house can be sold, but only to a deserving South African national. “What does our policy say? Our policy says yes, after 10 years of occupation you can sell the house, but you need to sell it to a South African who is part of the policy cover,” said Simelane. She said being South African does not mean any citizen can also buy an RDP house. She alluded that the government is…

The Hyundai Tucson has always been a solid and dependable player in the midsize SUV space. But despite its sportier looks, the latest generation model has failed to match the popularity of its predecessor. That’s not altogether surprising, given that in these tough times many buyers have gravitated towards more affordable vehicles, such as the locally-produced Toyota Corolla Cross, and the proliferation of new cut-price offerings from China. Hyundai SA has responded as best they can, releasing a facelifted model earlier this year, which brought a R39,000 price cut to the base version, with the 2.0 Premium petrol model now costing R559,900. And while many rivals have ditched diesel power, Hyundai still offers its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine in the other two Tucson models, but these are a little on the…

TEMBA Bavuma is set to complete a year of huge achievement when the Cricket SA Awards will be held at Emperors Palace this evening. Bavuma had an outstanding year both as leader and player. Although the Proteas’ epic World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord’s last month does not fall within the judging period – May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 – Bavuma was still a standout performer and is the favourite to be crowned SA Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Fan’s Player of the Year. He was splendid during the Proteas’ march to the WTC Final with 609 runs at an average of 60.90, which included two centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bavuma also boasts a 100% captaincy record…

Trump administration refuses to give feedback on the Framework proposed by South Africa The Business 20 (B20) South Africa has expressed confidence in negotiations between South Africa’s government and the United States amidst freezing diplomatic and trade relations ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg later in the year. This comes as US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he might skip the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in South Africa in November and send someone else to represent the United States, citing his disapproval of South African policies. B20 Sherpa, Cas Coovadia, said on Wednesday they were ramping up efforts to foster collaboration among nations, with the US taking a central role. Coovadia said recent discussions led by B20 representatives have underscored the undeniable…

South Africa’s sugarcane growers are expecting a significantly improved harvest this season, following a rebound in rainfall after last year’s drier-than-normal conditions. The current estimate for the 2025 season stands at 17.7 million tons of sugarcane, up from 16.47 million tons in the previous year – which was the lowest crop in eight seasons. While this recovery in yield is welcome news, the industry’s economic outlook remains under serious threat due to delays in adjusting South Africa’s import tariff, the flood of cheap imports into the country and the looming 30% tariff from the United States on South African sugar exports. The delay in adjusting our own sugar import tariff to reflect current global realities is undermining the competitiveness of local producers. At the same time, the US tariff threatens…

The Startup20 (SU20) midterm engagement was, by all accounts, a success. It brought together taskforce members, youth leaders, global partners, and policy stakeholders in a high energy environment designed to move beyond rhetoric and into action. There was a shared sense of urgency and commitment to shaping meaningful, global policy proposals ahead of the G20 Summit in November. In her address, Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams highlighted the significance of South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the theme "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability," calling for urgent reform of global trade and financial systems to better serve vulnerable economies and communities. She stressed the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving inclusive growth, innovation, and resilience, particularly within underserved rural and township communities. The Minister underscored the need…

AECI’s strong 132% increase in headline earnings a share to 604 cents in the six months to June 30 is unlikely to be repeated in the second half due to slightly slower progress on a strategy to optimise the global mining, chemicals, and agri-health business. Revenue from continuing operations fell 2% to R15.69 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) from continuing operations increased by 24% to R1.58bn. A 100 cent a share dividend was declared - no dividend was paid out at the same time last year. “Despite some setbacks in strategy execution, particularly under the value unlock pillar, our strategy remains intact, with clear progress against key milestones in the period. Going into the second half, I look forward to continuing our international growth while…

Northern Cape base metals developer, Orion Minerals, is now focused on project financing and concentrate offtake agreements following share placement and share purchase schemes this month as the company further develops its copper projects. Orion’s latest capital raise comprised of a placement of 289 million shares and an agreement to convert outstanding loan amounts to equity through the issue of 233 million shares for R67 million. Additionally, the copper mine is undertaking a share purchase plan “to be offered to provide eligible shareholders with the opportunity to subscribe for as much as R355 000 in in new shares” to raise A$4 million. The share purchase plan opened this month and will close next week. Funds raised from the share placement and share purchase plan “will be used principally to partially…

Songwriters, who are often overlooked and underappreciated, are the true heroes of the pop music industry. Thanks to Netflix’s new reality show, Hitmakers, viewers get an inside look at the creatives behind some of the biggest songs on the planet. The series opens with a catchy phase that perfectly encapsulates its premise: “You may not know us, but you definitely know our song.” The show is produced by Done and Done Productions, the same company that gave us Selling Sunset and The Hills. The aim is to shine a light on these talented individuals by showcasing their mastery in crafting songs for some of the biggest names in music, including John Legend, Usher, Shaboozey and Lisa from Blackpink. The show offers plenty of creative chaos, emotional stakes and personal breakthroughs…

Although US President Donald Trump said he did not plan to attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, analysts believe that despite his continued hatred for the country, his presence would likely become a focal point for media coverage and overshadow other important discussions. The analysts added that Trump’s announcement regarding his potential absence from the summit raises several important considerations. Trump on Tuesday announced that he did not plan to attend the G20 Summit and that he would send someone else to represent the US. This is despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s request for Trump to attend the summit, which is expected to take place in November. Trump has claimed that the South African government is adopting discriminatory policies against white residents. He took aim at South Africa early this…

A scholar transport driver was arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers after a crash where 12 learners were injured. Superintendent Xolani Fihla, JMPD spokesperson, said on Monday morning, officers responded to a serious single-vehicle accident on Westpark Drive in Montgomery Park, Randburg. “A white minibus Toyota Quantum, operating as scholar transport, was allegedly attempting to overtake another vehicle when the driver lost control, resulting in the collision,” said Fihla. “Twelve learners sustained injuries and were transported to various medical facilities for attention.” The driver of the Toyota Quantum was found to be under the influence of alcohol. “He has been arrested and will be detained at Sophiatown SAPS. He faces charges of reckless and negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Fihla. On Monday,…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has come under scrutiny after declaring two luxury properties with a combined value of R65 million, despite earning just over R3m annually. His declarations include a R28.9m valued Constantia estate in Cape Town, a property he previously claimed was owned by his son-in-law’s company. Within a year, Mashatile declared at least two properties, including a Cape Town estate in Constantia, which he had previously denied owning. Mashatile listed the properties, one in Constantia, Cape Town, and another in Waterfall, Midrand, Gauteng, in the latest Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interests. What has further raised eyebrows is that in last year’s register, Mashatile declared smaller properties: a residential plot in Midrand measuring 1 000 by 1 200 square meters, and another in Sandton, measuring 600 by 800 square…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says that with the electric vehicle white paper and the incentive programme, the country has committed to a stable, predictable and supportive framework for companies to be able to invest and grow in South Africa. Speaking at the BMW plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, with the theme “A strategic vision for South Africa’s automotive future”, he was quick to praise the company for the work they have been doing. BMW South Africa manufactures the X3 range of SUVs, exporting them to more than 24 different countries around the world. More importantly, they are the sole manufacturer for the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid. Transformation “We are on an exciting journey of transformation, change, and development in numerous ways, and your efforts have been pivotal in driving this transformation forward.…

The Formula 1 season continues to thrill, with McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a fierce battle for the championship. Heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri holds a slender 16-point lead over his teammate following a dominant win in Belgium – but according to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, the fight between the two is too close to call. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Brown admitted that there is little to separate Piastri and Norris on current form, with the team having secured 10 wins from 13 races so far this season – most of them one-twos. “They both do because they’re winning a lot and getting one-twos,” Brown said, when asked who currently holds the momentum. I think Oscar was a little disappointed with qualifying in…

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat has this far done its work in developing updated cutting edge policies, including those of digital trade and digital identity for people and goods, throwing the gauntlet to governments to commit finance and practical trade across the continent, AfCFTA Director for Coordination and Programmes Tsotetsi Makong said on Wednesday. Speaking at the 2025 TIPS Forum, which seeks to deepen understanding of the implications of the AfCFTA and regional integration on industrial development in Southern Africa, Makong said the continent continued to lose capital as traders preferred to travel to China, Turkeye, Dubai and other destinations to buy goods resold in the African market. He said the continent still faced challenges on the digital divide with an assessment that it needs about 700…

As youth unemployment in South Africa hits a staggering 44.6%, an increasing number of young South Africans are no longer waiting for job opportunities that may never materialise. Instead, they are proactively creating their own paths through entrepreneurship. This trend is not merely a solution to economic necessity; it also embodies a spirit of innovation and a desire for meaningful impact, wealth-building, and the continuation of family legacies. In recent months, statistics have shown a 3.5% surge in youth entrepreneurship, even as traditional employment avenues continue to dwindle. “We’re witnessing young people embarking on entrepreneurial journeys earlier than ever before,” said David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited. “For many, the drive stems from the harsh reality of scarce job opportunities. But for others, it’s…

Consumer take-home pay, tracked in the BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI), held steady in June 2025, after three months of moderation, due to the favourable inflation rate and expectations of an interest rate cut. However, while average salaries might increase by 5% this year based on current conditions, future earnings and unemployment levels may be adversely impacted by external factors impacting on the economy, an economist has warned. “The nominal average take-home pay of R17 310 in June 2025 declined marginally by 0.1% on May’s R17 325. However, it was still well above the R15 514 level a year earlier,” said BankservAfrica’s Head of Stakeholder Engagements Shergeran Naidoo. He said the economic outlook had deteriorated in recent months even though the first six months of data from the index signaled…

A transgender prisoner serving a life sentence at Johannesburg’s “Sun City” Prison will turn to the Equality Court in a bid to receive gender-affirming care, in the form of hormone replacement therapy. The prisoner, only identified as NM, said in an affidavit that she was assigned the male gender at birth, and although her identity document still reflects her birth name, she asked the court to hear her application under her chosen female name. She is asking the court to declare that the prison authorities are unfairly discriminating against her in not allowing her to wear her female clothes in prison and for refusing her to use cosmetics. NM also wants to be addressed as a female and for the officials to use the pronoun her/she in addressing her. She…

A 45-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Polokwane for raping a nine-year-old girl, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said. IOL reported that the incident occurred on December 24, 2023, during a wedding ceremony in Dennilton, where the accused man, the groom, was present, according to the NPA spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi. “The victim, her mother, younger sibling, and two aunts – part of the bride’s family – were offered a room to sleep at the bride’s residence after the celebration,” said Malabi-Dzhangi. “In the early hours, the accused entered the room where the victim was sleeping, carried her to an unoccupied bedroom, and raped her.” The little girl’s screams for help prompted the rapist to flee. Her mother found her naked and immediately…

Nzuzo Njilo, the ex-husband of influencer and media personality Faith Nketsi, has been dismissed by the State in his attempt to have his R1.5 million fraud case withdrawn, as he claims the State has a weak case against him. Njilo, the son of former Pietermaritzburg mayor and businessman Themba Njilo, made a brief appearance in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court yesterday morning to hear about the outcome of the representations he had made. State prosecutor Quentin Quarsingh said the representations have been declined by a senior public prosecutor (SPP) at the Durban Regional Court. The State is alleging that between February 2023, Njilo pretended to Khumbulani Cele that he was going to supply him with 1 000 tons of chrome. Cele then deposited R1.5m into Njilo’s Absa business account. “He…

Currently sitting in second place on the vehicle sales charts, it’s not for nothing that Suzuki has been hitting the lights out with their refreshingly cheerful portfolio. Chief among those is the Swift that’s dominating the passenger car market. Popular among first-time buyers It also helps that the brand is selling their cars in the price and categories that South African consumers are spending their money on, starting in the sub R200 000 region, with the most expensive evening out under R550 000. The B-segment hatchback Swift has also proven popular with first-time buyers, and I know of quite a few people who have bought one for their children going on to study further after school. We spent some time in the flagship 1.2 GLX, priced at R271 900, and…

The continued youth unemployment in South Africa is becoming a crisis and the government has not been adequately proactive in implementing measures to curb these ratios. 2024 statistics have been bordering close to under 50% and this has been the trend in the last few years. In the first quarter of 2025, the ratio recorded was over 60%. Between the years of 2014 and 2024, youth unemployment increased from 39% to approximately over 60%. The need to educate our youth with appropriate skills and knowledge has become an urgent economic measure, yet there have been 21 SETAS put in place to address this need. The SETAS were established in the year 2000 and 25 years later we still struggle with the same challenges that we had at the outset. Initially,…

Former Springboks scrumhalf Rudy Paige says Junior Springboks star Haashim Pead has all the attributes to become a star for the Springboks following his incredible performances at the World Rugby Under-20 World Championships. Pead won the Player of the Tournament award after the Junior Boks beat their New Zealand counterparts in the final to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012. The speedy No 9 scored six tries and assisted four during the tournament. He also surpassed France star Antoine Dupont’s record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232m from 15 carries during the pool stages. “When I met him, I really liked how he sees the game and his hunger to evolve as a player and go to bigger heights,” Paige said,…

When the Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs come calling, there are few players that can deny the temptation. So, when Fawaaz Basadien finally completed his move to Mamelodi Sundowns, as per Independent Media’s exclusive earlier in the week, over the past weekend it would have hurt the traditional big guns of South African football. But the reality was that the biggest competitor to Sundowns for Basadien’s signature had actually hailed from North Africa, according to the Bafana Bafana wing-back’s agent Basia Michaels of QT Sports. Furthermore, Basadien was keen to explore the prospect of moving abroad. Having interviewed Basadien regularly over the past 12 months, he spoke openly about how much he enjoyed Stellenbosch FC’s Caf Confederation Cup adventures last season, particularly the trip to Cairo when Stellies…