Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-12 i Star

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…

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,…

Every year, over 250 000 new mobile apps are launched across Apple and Google’s app stores. Yet research by Data.ai reveals that the average smartphone user interacts with only nine apps a day, with the majority of their time concentrated in just two or three apps - and almost always, WhatsApp is one of them. In fact, WhatsApp now boasts over 2.8 billion global users, and in South Africa, it holds near-total dominance in the messaging space, with penetration rates exceeding 93%, and the average user spending over 38 minutes a day on the app, according to SimilarWeb’s State of Mobile Usage Report 2024. In light of this, businesses need to confront a glaring contradiction: while consumers are actively consolidating their digital behaviour into a handful of core apps, companies…

The corporate travails at JSE-listed East European property group MAS took another twist on Monday when shareholder PK Investments (PKI) insisted its “voluntary offer” is fair, and the concerns raised by the MAS independent board were not material. PKI’s offer follows its earlier attempt to get MAS to sell all its assets, but this was thwarted at a shareholders' meeting. It also follows concerns expressed by nine minority South African institutional shareholders about aspects of governance in the MAS board. These shareholders, which together own 15% of MAS, include Meago, Sesfikile Capital, Ninety One, Catalyst, Eskom Pension Fund, and Stanlib. South African REIT Hyprop also earlier withdrew a bid for MAS, because MAS’s board and PKI allegedly failed to provide information. PKI has offered cash of €1.40 per MAS share…

Troubled retailer, OK Zimbabwe has secured a financial life-line pivotal to its revival bid under new management. The company, which competes in Zimbabwe’s retail sector against Pick n Pay, Spar and other smaller players, intends to raise as much as $30 million to revive its struggling retail operations. OK Zimbabwe’s battle for survival comes against the backdrop of wider wholesale and retail sector challenges that include monetary challenges and pricing distortions that are driving away suppliers. For OK Zimbabwe, the plan for revival plan includes securing a financial package to turnaround the company. This month, OK Zimbabwe raised $20m through a rights offer, the company said Monday. “The rights offer was fully-subscribed through a combination of shareholder take-up and shares taken up by the underwriters in accordance with the underwriting…

Grammy Award-winning artist Ed Sheeran has released his brand-new single A Little More alongside its official video. The new song is a part of his upcoming album Play, set to be released next month. Underpinned by the blues, A Little More holds sharp lyrics and carries a message of self-preservation and moral courage. Sheeran wrote the song alongside Blake Slatkin, Cirkut, Johnny McDaid and DAVE, whom he worked with on Nothing On You. This track is the follow-up to Sheeran’s single Sapphire, which he worked on with Indian singer Arijit Singh. The pair released a special version of the track last month, with Sheeran singing a chorus in Hindi and Punjabi and Arijit singing a verse in Hindi and Punjabi and a chorus in English. The result was a blissful…

Behind the tightly sealed doors of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in the East Rand last week, a storm was brewing. Sources with direct knowledge of the closed session say tensions reached a boiling point when NEC member Andile Lungisa called for the immediate disbandment of the party’s top leadership structure, accusing it of being “politically bankrupt” and incapable of leading the ANC through its deepest post-apartheid crisis. According to insiders who spoke to The Star on condition of anonymity, Lungisa’s intervention came during a heated exchange over the party’s poor electoral performance and the growing backlash against the Government of National Unity (GNU). “This NEC cannot unite the movement, it cannot reform the ANC, and it cannot be trusted to lead renewal,” Lungisa is reported to have…

The National Department of Health has slammed the ongoing anti-illegal immigrant campaign across South Africa’s healthcare facilities. This comes after the controversial Operation Dudula returned to the Lillian Ngoyi healthcare facility after their members were released on bail by the Orlando Magistrates Court yesterday, following their arrest for enforcing their campaign at the same facility on Thursday. The arrest was confirmed last week by Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, who said the suspects, aged between 49 and 60, were arrested on charges including contravention of the National Health Act and public violence. The arrest came after the three members were locked inside one of the Lillian Ngoyi wards following the enforcement of the movement’s anti-illegal foreigners campaign at Gauteng clinics and hospitals. This campaign, which has been ongoing…

Saks Radio, an online radio station broadcasting from Sharpeville, has pledged its support for King Khoisan SA’s nationwide campaign to mobilise support for recognising the Khoisan as South Africa’s first nation. The campaign, which will likely culminate in mass action later this year or early next year, seeks to advocate for Khoisan rights, land ownership and the abolition of the term “coloured”. King Khoisan SA’s recently revealed his determination to push forward with his demands and comes after a five-year protest at the Union Buildings lawn was cut short due to an eviction in February, following a Gauteng High Court order. Despite this setback, he remains resolute in his pursuit, stressing the importance of recognition and rights for the Khoisan people. Phankha Sakoane, station manager at Saks Radio and founder…

National Convention spokesperson Rev Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu has clarified that the widely discussed R700 million budget for the national dialogue was not a government allocation but a draft figure prepared by the preparatory task team. The National Dialogue is scheduled to take place on August 15 to 16, in Pretoria. Speaking at a media briefing at UNISA yesterday on the state of readiness to host the first Convention on National Dialogue, Nevhutalu stressed that the initiative is a “people’s project” and not solely a government undertaking. The clarification comes after the estimated R700m price tag ignited a wave of criticism from trade unions, political parties, academics, and sectors of civil society, especially in a context of austerity measures, service delivery failures, and deepening inequality. “You see, the budget that people were…

The City of Johannesburg has announced significant progress on the much-anticipated rehabilitation project on Lilian Ngoyi Street, with 86% of the construction work now completed. The road has been closed since July 2023, after a devastating gas explosion which claimed the lives of over 15 people and left others injured as it ripped up the key route into the CBD. The explosion resulted in the collapse of approximately 450 metres of the road between Harrison and Kruis Streets. The incident also caused substantial damage to vital underground infrastructure, including stormwater and electrical networks. The initiative has been a collaborative effort between the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and local stakeholders. JRA officials have confirmed that the first phase is poised for completion by the end of August. Residents and commuters alike…

THERE were two moments in the opening T20I in Darwin that opened the door to the heart that burns within Kwena Maphaka. The fact that the 19-year-old could bowl fast is well-documented. He has shown that skill countless times, and once again when he uprooted Mitchell Owen’s off-stump with his fourth ball on Australian soil before going to claim a record-breaking 4/20. But this was a different contest altogether when the teenager opted to head straight into a bare-knuckle contest with the 1.96m Australian slugger Tim David. “There was a bouncer earlier in the over that was wide, and so the second ball was a little bit shorter. It was around chest height, and he went to the umpire and he was asking about it,” Maphaka said of the incident.…

Liverpool have splashed out to defend their English Premier League crown but face stiff competition from an Arsenal side desperate to shed their “nearly men” tag and a rejuvenated Manchester City. After storming to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, Liverpool have looked to build from a position of strength during a summer marked by tragedy. Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother last month, plunging the club into mourning. Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season, with “Forever 20” — his shirt number, now retired — printed on Liverpool’s jerseys. The Reds have already spent £260 million (about R6.2bn) on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, after the departures of Luis…

While much of the speculation ahead of this weekend’s kick-off of the English Premier League has focused on champions Liverpool’s title defence and their massive spending spree, there has been little attention on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Most analysts seem to have written off the Citizens as title contenders, but given their recent history, that would be premature. City have won six Premier League titles since the Spaniard took over, including four successive wins from 2020 to 2024 — a first in the history of the EPL. The last time they surrendered the championship to the Reds, in the 2019/20 season, they bounced back emphatically to reclaim the title. It seems strange, then, that last season’s runners-up Arsenal and Chelsea, who finished fourth, are more frequently listed among Liverpool’s strongest…

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…

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…

If there was ever a doubt that podcasts matter, last week's developments in South Africa have proven that they do. Lately, some podcasters have influenced national debates that resulted in legal challenges. There’s even a feeling that there’s a need to regulate podcasts. Is this an ideal approach? A closer look of the global state of podcasts shows that they are unstoppable and it's too late to regulate. Here’s why… Podcasting has been around for over a decade, but it’s in the last few years that it’s gained massive traction. According to recent data from GWI, over 60% of internet users worldwide now listen to podcasts at least once a month - up from just 45% in 2020. Podcasting is now filled with talking heads who discuss all sorts of…

Dis-Chem Life CEO, Greg Smith, has said that the new entrant was carving out a bold new path grounded in ready accessibility, smart technology, and deep integration within South Africa’s largest pharmacy and healthcare retail network. The pharmaceutical company recently acquired about 50% of OneSpark, an insurtech startup, for R155.9 million. The merged Dis-Chem Life entity launched in February this year, gearing to capitalise on Dis-Chem’s expansive footprint across South Africa. Smith told Business Report in an interview this month that business has been steady over the first few months of operation as Dis-Chem Life. He also disclosed that the company is looking to expand from within the Dis-Chem ecosystem. “Our growth starts from within...the biggest growth is within our own network. Now with over 350 Dis-Chem stores across the…

There are concerts, and then there are moments – moments that feel suspended in time, where music becomes more than melody and lyrics, and turns into an atmosphere. Last week, the Durban International Convention Centre became that kind of space, as gospel powerhouse Xolly Mncwango staged day two of her The Unusual Encounter concert. The buzz had been building for weeks. Fans arrived draped in their Sunday best, voices ready, hearts expectant. The stage was lit in blue and red colours. And when Mncwango stepped into the spotlight – elegant, poised, every inch the queen she is – the room erupted. “These shows are unusual because they are not just concerts,” she told the crowd early in the evening. “They are encounters with God. It is worship, it is testimony,…

The leadership of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) is facing tough times, with two senior members caught in a scandal. A political analyst has warned that “trust is one of the most critical currencies in politics.” This comes in the wake of the resignation of the party’s deputy president and former transport MMC, Kenny Kunene, and a storm over Patriotic Alliance leader and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s use of the K-word in a recent live video and older social media posts, sparking public outrage and mounting calls for his removal. McKenzie has confirmed that he will undergo an investigation following his controversial tweets and has issued an apology. “I can never be guilty of racism, try some other take down, but never racism. I did tweet some insensitive,…

To pay maintenance to a divorcing spouse – even if it is only interim payments as per a court order pending a final divorce – is a legal obligation, the court reminded a husband based in Switzerland, who blamed a skiing accident for his non-payment. The Western Cape High Court did not accept his excuses and ordered the man to pay R277 000 in arrear maintenance to his wife. This must be done within 15 days and if he failed, his wife was granted permission to immediately launch contempt of court proceedings against him. The wife, who lives in Cape Town, turned to court as she wants her husband, from whom she is not yet divorced, to honour his maintenance obligations as per a previous court order. The court, in…

Convicted former Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) chairperson Rubben Mohlaloga will have to serve his 20-year jail sentence for his role in defrauding the Agri-Broad-Base Black Economic Empowerment Fund (AgriBBBEE), which was established to assist previously disadvantaged farmers. The Supreme Court of Appeal turned down his appeal against his conviction and sentence, and Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane, who wrote the judgment, had strong words regarding the conduct of Mohlaloga. Mohlaloga, formerly ANC Youth League deputy president, turned to the SCA after the high court rejected his appeal bid. He was earlier convicted in the regional court of fraud and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). The regional court sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count and ordered that he serve an effective 20 years’ imprisonment.…

Sakeliga has informed President Cyril Ramaphosa and several of his ministers that it will seek personal cost orders against them – unless they urgently take direct responsibility for recovery of the collapsed Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West Province. According to the organisation, the president and his national executive are in gross violation of their constitutional duties to resolve Ditsobotla’s implosion of water services, electricity provision, and basic administration. It has given the government until August 15 to provide written confirmation of the steps they are taking or intend to take to intervene. Sakeliga has informed the premier of North West and his provincial executive that it will also be seeking personal cost orders against them if they do not immediately withdraw their opposition to Sakeliga’s litigation. While this…

Make a start. Get out of your comfort zone. Have a clear vision and mission, and be intentional as well as consistent. But most importantly, back it all up with hard work! These are the wise words of Andrika Petlele, who heads up the Engen One Stop in Plettenberg Bay. She is also the only female petrol station owner in the Southern Cape Region. Now she wants to mentor young women in the region and share what she has learned. Andrika describes her leadership style as empathetic, disciplined and community-focused. She is also very hands-on and believes in leading by example and imparting knowledge wherever she can. “I am passionate about teaching, and that helps me stay resilient even when staff don’t perform as expected,” Andrika says. “I delegate based…

MicroFinance South Africa (MFSA) has warned that the unchecked rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) credit services is exposing millions of South Africans to unsustainable debt, hidden costs, and financial exploitation, and is urging regulators to act swiftly. MFSA CEO Leonie van Pletzen said the largely unregulated system is particularly concerning for low-income workers, young consumers, and an already over-indebted population. “Without urgent intervention, this growing shadow credit system could lead to devastating consequences,” she said. BNPL lets shoppers pay for products in instalments over a set period, often interest-free and without service fees. While promoted as a modern, convenient payment option, van Pletzen said it is “in reality ... credit that is not subject to the core protections of the National Credit Act (NCA)”. MFSA has found individuals…

There was a time when Rassie Erasmus took orders from Joe Schmidt, and the Springbok coach admits he is nervous going up against his old master when the Springboks host the Wallabies on Saturday at Ellis Park. Schmidt is the man respected for building the Ireland rugby dynasty, and Erasmus says he learned from him when he and Jacques Nienaber were coaching Munster in 2016 and 2017. “I’m not one to suck up other coaches because it doesn’t help your team perform better on match day, but Joe is a great coach,” Erasmus said, after naming his team for the opening Test of the Rugby Championship. Schmidt has picked the Wallabies up off the scrapheap – they could not get out of their pool at the last World Cup –…

National netball team coach Jenny van Dyk feels that the versatile players chosen to travel to New Zealand and Australia, to take on the two top-ranked sides in the world in September and October, will compensate for a lack of depth in some key positions. Van Dyk named the Spar Proteas squad for the daunting clashes on Monday. With the likes of Boitumelo Mahloko out injured and Syntiche Kabuya unavailable for selection, defenders Entle Futshane, Nozipho Ntshangase, and Juanita van Tonder join the squad for the first time after impressing in this season’s Telkom Netball League. Veteran defender Karla Pretorius also remains unavailable for selection this season, but the team will welcome back another experienced campaigner in Shadine van der Merwe, who has been playing in England’s Netball Super League.…

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…

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…

Three weeks ago, my wife Sithabiso and I were at a private medical facility in Jakarta, marvelling at what might be the most efficient care I've ever experienced. Following streamlined pre-consultation rituals and a thorough half-hour session with a passionate dermatologist, my niggling adult eczema in beast-mode was properly diagnosed and treated, clearing completely within a week and leaving me with empowering education about my condition. The UK's National Health Service (NHS), competent though they were in serving me, had managed the same through frustratingly cautious, iterative protocols over several weeks. Our business trip was interrupted by devastating news: my father had been rushed to hospital after suffering what we would later discover was heart failure. The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, accessing impromptu premium private care…

Italtile said ceramics market trading conditions have continued to deteriorate and it predicted only a marginal 0.1% to 5.2% increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the financial year to June 30, 2025. The manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, and bathroom accessories said it expected HEPS to be between 123.1 cents and 129.4 cents, compared with 123 cents that was reported last year. The group's directors said in a trading statement on Monday that intense competition, over-capacity, and subdued demand has exerted pressure on tile manufacturers. The South African economy showed almost no GDP growth, resulting in depressed consumer confidence and low spending in the building and construction sector. “Consumers remain price-conscious and constrained by tight budgets while searching for trusted quality and good value,” Italtile’s…

The deliberate Israeli airstrike that killed five Al Jazeera journalists near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City has sent shockwaves through the global journalism community, highlighting the growing dangers faced by reporters covering conflict zones. Among those killed were correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. The Israeli military has admitted to “deliberately killing” al-Sharif and four other staff members in the strike, a claim that has intensified calls for justice and accountability worldwide. According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli military admitted to “deliberately killing” al-Sharif and four other staff members in the strike. It is believed that the journalists had been threatened for months before the incident. Before his untimely death, Israeli authorities accused al-Sharif of being affiliated with Hamas’s…

Three men, including two Mozambican witchdoctors, are set to appear in separate courtrooms this week in connection with the horrific murder of 20-year-old Gontse Makhubela, whose mutilated and partly burnt body was found at a refuse dump in November 2023. The suspects were apprehended following a meticulous investigation by the North West police’s District Serious and Violent Crimes Team. The arrests and forthcoming court appearances were confirmed in a statement by the South African Police Service. Makhubela was reported missing by her family before her badly decomposed body was discovered at a dumping site in Elandskraal, Brits, on November 23, 2023. Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone says she was allegedly lured to her death by one of the suspects. “The victim was tricked and lured to death by the 29-year-old…

DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is against the MK Party and the EFF joining the Government of National Unity (GNU). Steenhuisen made the remarks yesterday in Johannesburg, as the DA unveiled its proposed changes to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Act, the Employment Equity Act, and the Expropriation Act – legislation the party has long criticised as problematic. The DA, which is the largest partner in the GNU, has opposed several key policies introduced by the African National Congress (ANC), which leads the coalition. Tensions between the two parties have persisted since the GNU’s formation, with the DA at times threatening to withdraw. His comments come after the ANC indicated plans to expand the GNU, with ongoing discussions involving other political parties, including the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe…

In a press statement published on the 6th of August, DIRCO has registered “its strong objection and concern regarding circumstances around the recent visit of an eminent South African leader, former South African President Mr Jacob Zuma, who is the Leader of the Umkhonto We Sizwe Party, to Morocco on the 15th of July.” Whilst recognising and respecting the sovereign right of Morocco to invite individuals and groups, DIRCO stated that “it strongly protests the use of South African national symbols, in this instance the use of the South African National Flag, in the meeting between Mr Jacob Zuma and the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco.” This statement, which has been published three weeks after the visit, uses the excuse of the flag previously mentioned in the ANC…

Japanese boxing officials will hold an emergency meeting today as the sport in the country faces intense scrutiny following the deaths of two fighters in separate bouts at the same event. Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, fought on the same card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2 and died days later following brain surgery. The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), gym owners, and other boxing officials are under pressure to act and will hold an emergency meeting today. They are also expected to have talks about safety next month, local media said. “We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport,” Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told reporters on Sunday. “We will take whatever measures we can.” Japanese media highlighted…

In South Africa, a new generation of children is growing up in a world where the digital and physical are inseparable. From smartphones in their pockets to online classrooms, social media, and biometric data collection at school gates, children’s lives are increasingly shaped by technology. Yet our laws and policies are glaringly out of sync with this reality, a dangerous oversight that puts their safety, privacy, and access to education at risk. The digital world The digital revolution is not on the horizon, it is here. Globally, internet usage has surged past five billion people. In Africa, over 590 million people are online, and children make up nearly a third of all internet users. South Africa mirrors this trend, with growing access to smartphones and online platforms reshaping childhood experiences.…

Orlando Pirates’ push for a strong start to the Betway Premiership hit an early stumbling block as they fell 1-0 at home to Sekhukhune United – a result that underlined the urgent need to settle their new arrivals into the squad. With title ambitions high after last season’s close finish, the Buccaneers must put the disappointment behind them quickly as they travel to the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium to face Marumo Gallants tonight (7.30pm kick-off) in what will be a must-win encounter to steady their early-season wobble. This season has been earmarked for a strong title challenge, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and several new recruits got their first taste of league action on Saturday – the defeat a sharp reminder of the challenge of building cohesion. Missing key players and…

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana came good with a 2-1 win over Guinea in their Chan Group C clash at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday. After their hard-fought 1-1 draw against group favourites Algeria on Friday, Bafana managed a win in their second group clash by scoring a goal in each half. Bafana Bafana aimed to end Guinea’s unbeaten record against South Africa, which had lasted through five matches since their first encounter in March 2001. The Elephants, as Guinea are nicknamed, have a record of two wins and three draws and had yet to concede a goal against South African opposition. The scoring jinx was finally broken, 24-years later, by captain Neo Maema with a ninth-minute goal after an innocuous upfield kick from deep inside the…

Siwelele FC coach Lehlohonolo Seema is pleased with how his side have started life in the Betway Premiership but warned that there is still a lot of work ahead. The team announced themselves in fine style with an impressive 3-1 victory over Golden Arrows at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in their season opener. Their next challenge takes them to Orbit College’s temporary home at Dobsonville Stadium tonight (7.30 pm kick-off), as the North West-based outfit remains unable to use the Olympia Park Stadium for late matches due to ongoing floodlight repairs. Seema, making his return to the top flight after parting ways with Sekhukhune United midway through last season, was pleased with his team’s performance but insisted there is still room for improvement ahead of the away trip. Coming…