Star 2025-08-12

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has voiced robust support for Eskom's plans to initiate the construction of a new nuclear power station in Duynefontein, situated adjacent to the Koeberg facility. This initiative signifies a critical move towards enhancing South Africa's energy security and is set to adhere to the highest standards of safety, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance, as previously demonstrated by Eskom at the Koeberg nuclear power plant. Necsa is keen on expanding its role in nuclear fuel manufacturing and, in April, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). In this context, the organisation on Monday welcomed the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Dion George’s announcement that Eskom has received environmental authorisation to proceed with the construction of…

Manufacturing sector will have a positive contribution to the overall gross domestic production MANUFACTURING output surged more than expected in June. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Monday said manufacturing production rose by 1.9% year-on-year in June 2025, quickening from a 0.7% increase in May, and overshooting market estimates of a 1% advance. This marked the second consecutive month of industrial growth, meaning that the manufacturing sector will have a positive contribution to the overall gross domestic production (GDP) for the second quarter. Lara Hodes, Investec Economist, said the outcome was ahead of consensus expectations. Hodes said this was in line with the movement of the seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ index (PMI), which picked up moderately in June, supported by some recovery in demand. "Accordingly, the sector will contribute…

The first convention of the National Dialogue is expected to go ahead on Friday despite growing concerns about the cost of the gathering. Intended to launch an extensive public dialogue process aimed at addressing the pressing socio-economic issues faced by citizens, the Convention is not without its detractors. While the National Convention Organising Committee remains optimistic, critics have voiced significant concerns over the financial implications and the efficacy of such discussions amidst a backdrop of unfulfilled promises from previous government initiatives. Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) said that South Africa was not a nation in the true sense and meaning of the word. “We are not even united in our diversity, plus we do not even have a unique identity that unifies us. Instead, we…

Trust is not just earned; it is governed. This governance imperative applies universally. From private corporations to State-Owned Enterprises, trust is the invisible currency that dictates whether an organisation thrives or collapses. It is the bedrock of reputation and the lens through which all governance actions are judged. Yet, for many boards, trust is spoken of only in the context of crises, not as a standing governance priority. An organisation can meet every regulatory requirement, produce clean audit reports, and still forfeit stakeholder confidence. Why? Because trust is built not through compliance alone, but through conduct, culture and consistency. The governance challenge is to make trust a conscious, measurable and strategic outcome rather than a by-product of other decisions. Stakeholder trust is a strategic asset, influencing whether investors commit capital,…

For those who don’t know and understand the continent, it’s easy to fall into the ‘Africa as a country’ trap. Yet, if there’s one place in the world where a one-size-fits-all approach is sure to fail, it’s Africa. On a continent of contrasts, success comes from understanding that every country, community, and individual has unique social, cultural, and economic contexts and frameworks. Drilling down even further will expose another truth. Africa’s women are taking their rightful place, no longer limited by gender stereotypes and societal norms. All they need are the tools to enable and empower them. So, how does this translate into supporting women on Africa’s digital transformation journey? The World Bank reports that women in low- and middle-income countries are 15% less likely than men to use mobile…

The inaugural report into the impact of foreign owned e-commerce retailers titled: Offshore e-Commerce Disruption in South Africa, makes for grim reading. This report, commissioned by Proudly SA and painstakingly compiled by the Localisation Support Fund (LSF), eloquently illustrates the deleterious impact that offshore e-commerce retailers have had on the South African economy and lays bare how these conglomerates have displaced the country’s manufacturing capabilities and cannibalised thousands of jobs in the retail, clothing, textile, footwear and leather (R-CTFL) industries which cumulatively employ over 212 000 people. Over the past five years, offshore e-commerce retailers have grown rapidly in South Africa’s R-CTFL e-commerce space and fundamentally disrupted established local value chains. In 2024, Shein and Temu collectively achieved approximately R7.3 billion in sales, accounting for 3.6% of the total R-CTFL…