Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-11 i Star

A new study conducted by researchers at Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa and Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, has indicated a concerning decline in South Africa’s agri-food trade with the European Union (EU). The decline is attributed largely to increasing trade barriers and ongoing disputes that are reshaping the trade landscape. Published in the journal Agrekon, the study provides a thorough analysis of how the EU’s agri-food import practices are deteriorating the competitiveness of South Africa’s agricultural sector. The researchers categorised agri-food products into four distinct groups: bulk commodities, processed intermediate goods, horticultural products, and consumer-ready goods. Among these, citrus, grapes, wine, apples and pears, and avocados emerge as the top five agri-food exports to the EU. The findings highlight a striking trend, with nearly half of total…

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has announced the launch of phase two of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a provess that boosts tourism from India and China to South Africa. This adds another 45 vetted and approved tour operators to the existing 65 operators that have participated in the programme since its launch in February 2025. TTOS was conceptualised by Schreiber to address the long-standing challenge faced by tour operators in bringing large tour groups from the burgeoningsource markets of India and China to South Africa. It replaced manual, inefficient and paper-based processes that required prospective tourists to travel long distances justto apply for a visa, which then often took weeks to process and required a return trip for collection, with a new online system whereby…

The All Share index on the JSE recorded once again a record-breaking week. The index reached 101 034 points in intra-trade on Friday, gaining 0.2% on the day. The index improved over the week by 3.2%, advancing by 19.7% for the year to date. Equities are boosted by precious metals as the gold, platinum and palladium prices surged. This despite the introduction of tariffs of 30% by the US Trump administration on a wide range of products imported from South Africa, which kicked in last Thursday. The current debate like the “inability” of the South African government trade negotiators is dominating the media. Despite this noise, South African financial markets are experiencing positive movements. Although with volatility, the Rand exchange rate ended last week flat at R17.70 to the dollar.…

Accelerate Property Fund (APF), which has Fourways Mall as the flagship in its portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties, has massively increased its credit losses to R1.05 billion due to the impairment of a related party agreement of R970.7 million. In the results for the year to March 31, rental income fell by 5.7% to R824.04m. Net property income was down by 8.3% to R494.74m. Including the expected credit loss, the taxed loss increased 103.2% to R1.27bn from a R624.74m taxed loss a year before. The big impairment related to a settlement agreement entered into in November last year, between APF and co-developer of the mall, Azrapart, that had lapsed due to suspensive conditions not being fulfilled in the requisite timeframe. Last month, Azrapart was placed into business rescue…

The transformative power of romantic relationships has for generations formed the premise of classic movies, the arcs of beloved television series and the inspiration behind hit songs. My Oxford Year, a new Netflix romantic comedy, is the latest offering which chronicles a love story so heartbreaking, you will be wiping your tears long after the credits have rolled. What elevates this production, which remains one of the streamer’s most popular movies since its release at the beginning of August, is the gut-wrenching plot twist which has sparked a fierce debate online. Its fresh cast of American and British talents have done an excellent job at portraying the vast range of emotions – from comedy to bliss and heartbreak – that the genre demands. Sofia Carson, the film’s leading lady, has…

The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR) is slated after awarding over R8.4 million to companies claiming to be owned by “military veterans,” despite records showing some directors were born in the 1990s. The Military Veterans Act of 2011 defines a military veteran as any South African citizen who falls into one of the following categories: 1. Those who rendered military service to any of the military organisations involved on all sides of South Africa’s liberation war from 1960 to 1994; 2. Those who served in the Union Defence Force before 1961; and 3. Those who became members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after 1994 have completed their military training, no longer perform military duties, and have not been dishonourably discharged from the military.…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a new phase of his Nasi Ispani programme, which will end the province’s reliance on the often ‘corrupt’ tendering system. Lesufi said his province will be the first to move away from the tendering system, with plans to train young people in various technical skills, including welding, painting, and bricklaying. Speaking during the Provincial Women’s Day celebration at the Union Buildings in the City of Tshwane on Saturday, Lesufi said the province is introducing a new approach to ensure young people benefit from infrastructure development and service delivery. “I am the one who is in charge right now. We cannot allow things to go the way we want them. We are introducing the next phase of Nasi Ispani. This round of Nasi Ispani is…

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has declined to comment on ongoing investigations, but a WhatsApp message claims that Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola may soon be arrested. The message, reportedly from sources close to the investigation, alleges that IDAC has secured a warrant for Masemola’s arrest due to the misuse of slush funds from the crime intelligence secret service account. It is further alleged that Masemola conspired with Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, head of crime intelligence, to improperly acquire two properties in Pretoria and Midrand. Last month, EFF leader Julius Malema said a warrant of arrest was issued against Masemola but a press briefing held by KZN police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlamhla Mkhwanazi, who blew the whistle about infiltration within the law enforcement, caused the postponement of the alleged arrest. Malema added…

The African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni has elected its top leadership at the region’s 8th Regional Conference, capping nearly three years under a regional task team (RTT). The conference proceeded after a last-minute court dismissal of an application by six party members seeking to halt proceedings, arguing that the RTT lacked legitimacy to convene and that decisions since June 10, including branch meetings and preparations for the elective conference, were invalid. The court, describing the matter as not urgent, declined to stop the gathering, allowing delegates to vote. More than 90 branches participated in the election, as the region renews its organisational mandate under the conference theme “Advancing Organisational Renewal, Unity, and People-Centred Service Delivery through Good and Ethical Governance.” The newly elected Top 5 of the ANC in…

The Western Cape High Court will hold a special hearing in September after several civil society groups applied to join the case on the decriminalisation of sex work as amici curiae (friends of the court). The hearings are set to take place between 1-2 September. In 2022, the Decriminalisation Bill was introduced, but progress in legalisation has been deemed by those affected as too slow, sparking legal action. After years of delays and no clear timeline for change, a sex worker known as S.H., together with SWEAT (the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce), decided to take legal action. S.H. and SWEAT filed a case in May 2024 to challenge the laws that criminalise adult sex work, arguing that these laws violate constitutional rights like equality, dignity, safety, privacy, and…

Each year, National Science Week invites South Africans to reflect on the role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in shaping the nation’s future. But as we celebrate innovation and inquiry, we must also reckon with the fact that many young people across the country still experience STEM as a distant concept. At Seriti Institute, we see STEM not just as a field of study but as a lifeline for youth in under-resourced communities who are eager to unlock opportunity, purpose, and participation in South Africa’s changing economy. Our UNICEF-STEM: Awareness and Engagement Programme is one such intervention designed to bridge that gap. Despite growing recognition of the importance of STEM, South Africa continues to face deep structural challenges: Many public schools still lack essential STEM infrastructure – for…

The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is on the right path to acquire an Unqualified Audit outcome with no findings or a Clean Audit opinion. This, after the Department received an Unqualified Audit opinion for four consecutive years, with no material misstatements. In the report, the Auditor General has attributed the audit outcome of the department to the submission of statements that are credible, complete and free of material misstatements, which fairly present the financial performance of the Department. MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, said the audit opinion brings the department closer to acquiring a clean audit outcome; however, more work still needs to be done. “As a department that is supporting municipalities in the province, we must lead…

The Proteas were left to rue a crucial dropped catch in their 17-run loss in the opening T20I against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Sunday, wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton admitted afterwards. South Africa had been set a target of 179, after skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field first. The Proteas managed to peg back the hosts after a furious start, and appeared on course to chase down a modest total until some big hitting by Tim David took the game away from them. David smashed eight sixes in a blistering 83 from 52 balls to lift Australia to a competitive total. South Africa could only manage 169 for nine in reply, thanks largely to 71 from Rickelton. Young speedster Kwena Maphaka starred with…

Orlando Pirates’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed that it will be crucial for the team to bounce back from their defeat in the first game of the Betway Premiership season. Sekhukhune United handed Pirates a sour start to the league, beating them 1-0 away at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Siphesihle Mkhize scored Sekhukhune’s solitary goal early in the second half, burying home a rebound following a scramble inside Pirates’ box. That win ensured that Babina Noko showed early signs of living up to their “dark horses” tag this season, while the loss put Pirates’ plans into jeopardy from the outset. Pirates are expected to challenge for – and win – the Premiership this season, as the club have invested heavily in preparations and squad strengthening. Ouaddou conceded that they…

South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) Governor Lesetja Kganyago has warned that preliminary assessments suggested that South Africa's growth was being modestly affected by the United States' tariffs and other external economic factors. Kganyago on Friday said that despite the US being a significant trading partner, it was Europe, China, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that still held the most weight in South Africa's export dynamics. "In South Africa, our preliminary assessment is that tariffs and the other uncertainties in the global economy are causing modest damage to growth while leaving inflation broadly unchanged," Kganyago said. "Our exports to the US mostly consist of commodities − some of which are exempted− and manufactured products such as cars. Some parts of the agricultural sector are exposed, but total agricultural exports…

The Minister for Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, made an important call this past week for the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) to develop recommendations on how electricity can be made more affordable. Since 2006 when loadshedding first creeped into South Africa, electricity prices have increased by nearly 700%, or a four-fold increase in real terms once consumer price inflation is taken into account. This has bled the meagre wages of the working class, plunging them into suffocating debt and poverty, and impeded their ability to take care of their families or provide a better life for their children. It has stifled economic growth as consumers have had to shift their limited cash towards buying electricity. It has made it difficult for SMMEs to grow or…

ASP Isotopes Inc (ASPI), the Nasdaq-listed company that plans a JSE listing, intends to begin uranium enrichment at the Pelindaba nuclear facility through an agreement with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa). ASPI, which is in the process of a share-for-share transaction with Renergen, the only onshore helium and liquid natural gas producer in South Africa, said in a pre-listing statement on Friday that the agreement is to collaborate on research, development, and ultimately the commercial production of advanced nuclear fuels. The company plans a secondary JSE listing on August 27. “We believe the U-235 we may produce using QE (quantum enrichment) technology may be commercialised as a nuclear fuel component for use in the new generation of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU)-fueled small modular reactors that are currently under…

Donald Trump and his US administration are facing significant criticism over what has been called a ‘third country’ scheme to send criminals to Africa. Activists, analysts, and human rights organisations are concerned about the security dangers that the deportation of hardened convicts could pose to Swaziland itself and the Southern Region. The mountainous Southern African kingdom borders South Africa and Mozambique. Without sharing their names, Washington, through its Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, last month confirmed the five convicted nationals were from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen. Kelly Stone, Senior Consultant, Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted that Trump’s actions appear to be focused on identifying more authoritarian leadership styles and exploiting the desperation or instability of certain countries. She suggested…

Former President Thabo Mbeki has shed light on the reasons behind his foundation’s withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government-led initiative aimed at bringing South Africans together to discuss the country’s biggest problems. According to Mbeki, one of the primary reasons for the withdrawal was the uncertainty surrounding the R700 million earmarked for the National Dialogue. Mbeki’s foundation, along with other prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and FW de Klerk Foundation, withdrew from the National Dialogue Convention scheduled to kick off on Friday. The foundations cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal. “We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed,”…

Following a two-day delay caused by adverse weather conditions, a South African Police Service (SAPS) search and rescue team successfully recovered the body of an unidentified man. The operation was conducted in the Thaba Bosiu mountains in the Free State, near the KwaZulu-Natal border in Bergville. Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said police helicopters and the Sasolburg Search and Rescue Unit were deployed to retrieve the body of an unknown male discovered by local hunters between slippery cliffs on August 5. “From Wednesday to Friday, police airwing pilots from the Free State and Gauteng worked tirelessly to assist Namahadi police in removing the decomposed body from the mountain,” Mophiring explained. “The operation was initially delayed for two days due to poor weather conditions, making it difficult to…

In a groundbreaking judgment regarding the distribution of death benefits, the Constitutional Court on Friday held that dependency must be assessed based on facts at the date of a member to a pension fund’s death, not at the time distribution decisions are made. Every year, South African retirement funds distribute billions of rands upon the death of their in-service members to persons who were “dependents” of a deceased member. These benefits are distributed in terms of section 37C of the Pension Funds Act. This application related to the equitable allocation and distribution of death benefits held within a pension fund. The Constitutional Court noted that it is particularly important in the context of South Africa’s high incidence of employment precariousness and dependency on a single breadwinner. Pension fund benefits provide…

Tshwane Metro Police Department chief, Commissioner Yolande Faro, is embroiled in allegations that she failed to declare a substantial amount of cash as a gift from some wealthy individuals. The allegations came to light during a July 31 council meeting at Tshwane House, where councillors discussed the matter behind closed doors due to the confidential nature of employer-employee disciplinary actions. It is alleged that Faro and her team of senior officials were invited to a festival in Sun City Resort, North West province, in February, accompanied by their spouses. They were allegedly given a huge amount of money estimated to be between R400 000 to R450 000 on their way back to Pretoria. The allegations have since been brought to the attention of the council, which has asked City Manager…

As the nation battled with wild podcasters and exposing racial tensions, the latest politician to be exposed is suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) Deputy President Kenny Kunene. This comes after old tweets from Kunene’s X (formerly Twitter) page resurfaced. The tweets, which refer to women in derogatory terms, stem from February 2012 and April 2013. Most tweets refer to women as cheap and their genitalia are constantly mentioned. The tweets were shared by @ChrisEXcel102 and the caption read: “Kenny Kunene was 43 years when he tweeted these. It’s not like he was young & stupid. This is who he is (sic)” The tweet, which has since gone viral, has been reposted over 1 500 times and over 7 800 likes. This comes after PA leader and Minister Gayton McKenzie was also…

The Somali Association of South Africa (SASA) has distanced itself from an individual posing as its chairperson following claims that he attempted to bribe Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya to reopen a foreign-run shop in Mamelodi that was closed for violating municipal by-laws. Moya had posted a recorded conversation with an individual on X last month, sparking widespread condemnation. Abdikadir Mohamed, SASA national director, said the organisation received backlash over the unfounded allegations and wants to clarify that the individual in question does not represent the organisation. “The individual claiming to be the chairperson of the Somali community board of South Africa has no affiliation with our organisation,” he said. He said the association responded to the mayor’s post, correcting the record and stating they had no knowledge of the cash…

The South African Communist Party (SACP) pays respects to all women in South Africa in commemoration of the pivotal 1956 Women’s march against the apartheid system. The SACP reaffirms that our struggle is not only a struggle for gender equality but also a struggle to eradicate patriarchy as a system and root out discrimination based on sex, as well as eliminating gender-based violence and femicide. This struggle is a cornerstone of the National Democratic Revolution. The 1956 Women’s March was an integral component of the Struggle against colonial oppression and apartheid. The national struggle for emancipation of the oppressed encompasses women’s movements that directly confront patriarchal societal relations exacerbated by the capitalist system. The phenomenon of “triple oppression” – racial oppression, class exploita tion, and gender oppression – had the…

As the Springboks prepare to kick off their Rugby Championship title defence against Australia at Ellis Park this Saturday, head coach Rassie Erasmus finds himself navigating some complex choices that could significantly influence the outcome of the match. Among the most pressing questions is whether to deploy his infamous Bomb Squad — a potent bench packed with impact players capable of turning the tide in the second half. For the Bok guru, there are several positions he would’ve thought long and hard about ahead of naming his team on Tuesday. A Bomb or Nuke squad bench is the first to weigh up. Then, there’s the eighth man position with Jasper Wiese still suspended. Wilco Louw and veteran Vincent Koch are in line for the tighthead jersey; however, youngster Asenathi Ntlabakanye…

The Bulls were their worst enemies in that opening 10 minutes when they had the Pumas under massive pressure during their Currie Cup defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon. While the first half was a tight affair between the two sides, the visitors dominated the second half for a 41-7 victory, scoring six tries, of which five came after the halftime whistle. Despite the heavy defeat, Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo remains upbeat about their campaign after they started with two strong victories. “We tripped (in this game) a bit; we didn’t fall,” he said about the loss. “It is now up to us to get together and ensure we are better by the next time we train to know what we have to fix. We were poor, and…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says they need to get their Betway Premiership title defence back on track after a disappointing result in their opening game. Sundowns drew 1-1 with Chippa United in the opening match of their league campaign at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. Despite dropping two points, it was a huge result for Chippa, who will want to build on the momentum throughout the course of the domestic campaign. The same cannot be said for Sundowns. The result stung, as they were clear favourites for the game given their depth, experience, and title aspirations for the season. Cardoso is not crying over spilled milk, though. He has urged his troops to turn their focus to their next league game at Loftus Versfeld against…

Koeberg Alert Alliance files appeals against authorisation, demands reassessment Environmentalists and civil society advocates are gearing up for a critical meeting to address the government's contentious decision to uphold Eskom's 2017 Environmental Authorisation for a new 4 000MW nuclear power station in Duynefontein. The decision has sparked intense criticism, particularly due to reliance on outdated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, which raised alarms about the risks posed by high seismic activity and dense human populations in the area. The green light for the nuclear project comes after environmentalists, led by groups such as the Koeberg Alert Alliance (KAA), filed appeals against the initial authorisation, arguing that recent developments since 2007 necessitate a reassessment. However, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on Friday upheld the decision granting…

South Africa's manufacturing landscape revealed a modest improvement in production capacity utilisation for large enterprises, as new data from Stats SA indicates an increase to 77.7% in May 2025 from 77.6% in May 2024. Economists are interpreting this 0.1 percentage point rise as a positive indication of resilience within the sector. According to Stats SA, six out of the ten major manufacturing divisions recorded increases in production capacity utilisation compared with the same month last year. Notably, the glass and non-metallic mineral products sector led the way with a significant rise of 2.5 percentage points, followed by textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear which saw an improvement of 1.8 percentage points. Three divisions notably surpassed the critical threshold of 80% capacity utilisation in May 2025. The food and beverages sector topped…

A Mark Twain dilemma has beset South Africa in as far as the quest for a national dialogue is concerned. The Foundations which were instrumental in galvanising the idea have decided not to be present at the launch on the 15th of August. Former president Thabo Mbeki had also released a statement a few weeks ago on what would determine the outcome of a dialogue as the credibility of its constituent composition. President Cyril Ramaphosa is going ahead with or without the Foundations. A national dialogue under the prevailing circumstances, especially those of guaranteed incumbency after an election was certainly going to be problematic because interests will have been entrenched. Mindful of this difficulty, on the 19th of December 2024, I penned an article titled, Next year’s elections should…

Zimbabwe and the UK are rekindling diplomatic ties after almost three decades of tension, driven by a global surge in demand for critical minerals that’s led the former colonial power to pursue $1 billion in deals with the resource-rich nation. In June, the UK dispatched Minister for Africa Lord Ray Collins of Highbury to meet Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior leaders. The trip marked a rare encounter between the two nations’ officials after years of deteriorating relations, especially under former President Robert Mugabe - a vocal critic of Britain’s 90-year colonial rule of the southern African nation. Collins described his visit as a “mission for economic growth” that would lead to “a win-win situation” for both countries. The British Embassy in Harare echoed that sentiment in the past…

Socialite and social media personality Nandipha Mlombi returns to Mzansi screens on a new reality show, Nandi and The Rev, this August. Queen Nandi, as her fans affectionately call her, was first introduced to Mzansi on the reality show The Pastor’s Wives. Since then, she has amassed a following on social media. She now returns to screens on Nandi and The Rev, her reality show which features her husband Reverend Mawuzole and their children. Speaking to IOL, Mlombi shared that having a reality TV show of her own is an answer to her prayers. “It took a lot of convincing to get Boo on board, as he had suffered a lot from taking part in Pastor’s Wives,” she said. Mlombi had an honest conversation with her husband about him filming…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced two separate cash rewards of R150 000 each for information leading to the arrest of suspects responsible for the brutal killings of three police officers in two separate shootings over the weekend. This follows the brutal killings of Warrant Officer Vuyisile Sintwa and Sergeant Simon Masenya from the Johannesburg Trio Task Team, who were ambushed on August 8 while escorting awaiting-trial prisoner Jabulani Moyo from Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court back to prison. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola stated that the Hawks are leading the investigation, relying on witness testimonies and evidence collected at the filling station near Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court where the shootings occurred. He added that questions have been raised about whether the awaiting-trial prisoner was handcuffed. On August 9, Sergeant…

A police officer has allegedly fatally shot his wife, a fellow police sergeant, sparking outrage as the enraged community sets him ablaze in a violent act of vigilante justice. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba reported that Hlanganani police in Mopani District responded to two horrific murders on August 9 at around 3 pm, at Nkuna Kraal Mall in Nkuzana village, where a police sergeant reportedly fatally shot his estranged wife in the presence of their 6-year-old child. “According to the reports, the female victim (Sergeant) was out with two adults and her six-year-old child when her husband, with whom they had been separated for around seven months, approached her.” Ledwaba added that a heated argument reportedly erupted between the couple, after which the husband allegedly grabbed a service firearm…

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) formally lodged a complaint against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging racist remarks aimed at black South Africans and calling for an urgent investigation and his removal. The complaint, submitted to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, centers on tweets the ATM said contain “racist slurs” directed at the black community. McKenzie is embroiled in controversy regarding old social media posts dating back to 2011, shared on X (formerly Twitter) during his time as a businessman. The posts revealed the use of highly offensive racial slur towards blacks. In one of his posts, he criticised the term ‘Black Diamond’ while using a racially charged term that many in South Africa consider reprehensible. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo…

On Women’s Day, South Africa’s inaugural AI-powered Living Evidence Map for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) was launched. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the Pan African Collective for Evidence (PACE). The platform is a groundbreaking digital tool developed to support Pillar 6 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP GBVF), which focuses on strengthening research and information management. This launch establishes South Africa’s most extensive, continuously updated, and centralised gender evidence base. It consolidates academic research, community insights, evaluations, and government data into a single, easily accessible platform. The Living Evidence Map is co-produced in partnership with researchers, civil society, and government departments and powered by ChatEIDM, an AI engine that allows users to interact…

As National Women’s Day was celebrated on Saturday, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has announced the introduction of a Sexual Harassment Policy for the South African Judiciary. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has described it as a historic step in safeguarding the integrity of the courts and protecting the dignity of all who serve within them. The OCJ said this policy reiterates the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to the Constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and justice. It said this sends a clear message that sexual harassment has no place in the halls of justice. As custodians of the Constitution, Judges and Magistrates bear a profound responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and South Africa’s own Judicial Codes of Conduct demand nothing…

South Africa’s renewable energy sector is entering a new chapter. After years of growth focused on building solar farms and wind projects, the spotlight is shifting, and the new priority is making sure these sites operate efficiently and reliably for the long term. This is where Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers are stepping in. By supplying skilled, reliable labour that can adapt to changing site needs, TES providers are helping energy operators keep performance high, manage costs, and support surrounding communities. From construction to long-term performance In the early days, renewable energy projects were all about construction. Teams were sent into rural areas to build the infrastructure, install panels and get everything up and running. While the construction phase sees the most action, it is once a project has been…

Kaizer Chiefs once again showcased their standing as Stellenbosch FC’s hoodoo team with a hard-fought 2-0 victory in their Betway Premiership match at Athlone Stadium on Sunday. This triumph marks a significant milestone for Chiefs, who have been nothing short of formidable against the Winelands team, securing five consecutive league wins against them. The result also meant that Chiefs ended their nine-match winless streak in the league at the end of last season. The capacity crowd was treated to a rousing start with end-to-end action. However, the mood shifted dramatically early in the first half when referee Eugene Mdluli red-carded Stellenbosch debutant Siviwe Nkwali. The young defender made a reckless challenge on Mduduzi Shabalala, who had skilfully navigated through a gap in the Stellenbosch defence and was heading goalwards. Nkosingiphile…

Guinea’s National Elephants and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will face off for the first time in the history of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Monday. This match, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the bustling city of Kampala, will not only add a new chapter to the tournament’s history but also mark an important moment for both teams as they aim to secure crucial Group C points. South Africa will become the 15th different opponent Guinea has faced in CHAN competition, while this fixture will represent the ninth team South Africa have met in the tournament. It will also be Guinea’s third outing against a COSAFA nation, having previously faced Zambia twice. Bafana Bafana’s coach, Molefi Ntseki, acknowledges the challenge presented by Guinea, who are known for their…

The Boland Cavaliers showed their Currie Cup mettle on Sunday as they subdued the Lions with excellent defence and a powerful scrummaging and lineout performance to claim a vital 29-10 bonus-point victory in Wellington. After two good wins, the Johannesburg side looked a shadow of the team they had been in the previous games, losing the physical battle, faltering in the lineouts, missing numerous tackles, and spilling their ball at scrum time. It was their counterparts who looked more dangerous, and the shock win in front of their home fans will give the Bolanders plenty of confidence as they continue a bright start to the tournament. Despite losing their captain early in the game, and copping a yellow card in the first five minutes, the Cavaliers started the game off…