Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-20 i Star

Elon Musk’s SpaceX urged South Africa to consider an alternative to Black ownership rules for telecom companies that want to operate in Africa’s largest economy. SpaceX asked the authorities to allow it to operate using an equity-equivalent program as an alternative to the existing requirement that Black people have 30% ownership of businesses operating in the ICT sector, the company said in a letter to the government seen by Bloomberg. It wants such programs to be a standard for the industry, according to the submission. “Equity equivalent investment programs will provide much-needed regulatory certainty and foster investment in infrastructure,” SpaceX said. “Uniform empowerment regulation will motivate both current and prospective operators to expand their business activities and network reach.” South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has asked the…

This past week offered another clear example of the ongoing reluctance to cede control and allow the energy transition to unfold. It reinforced once again that the energy sector remains a source of political power and financial leverage. The case concerns Eskom’s decision to take the regulator, Nersa, to court over the issuance of trading licences to independent traders. The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has joined Eskom’s position, expressing concern that the move, taken without a comprehensive regulatory framework and adequate public consultation, poses a serious threat to the financial sustainability, constitutional mandate, and operational integrity of municipal electricity distribution systems. Salga argues that municipalities will be left with less revenue to cross-subsidise service delivery and will inherit a disproportionate share of defaulting customers. They also contend that,…

BHP, the diversified natural resources group met its guidance across its assets and set new production records in copper and iron ore, even though full year underlying attributable profit fell to $10.2 billion, well down from $13.7 billion. CEO Mike Henry said, however, the year to June 30 had been “another strong year for BHP,” marked by record production, continued sector-leading margins, and disciplined capital allocation. Copper production exceeded 2 million tons for the first time, up 28% over the past three years. The group maintained its position as the world’s lowest-cost major iron ore producer at Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), where it delivered 290 million tons – a new production record. A final dividend of 60 US cents per share was declared, also well down from 74…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the case against police officers who were acquitted in relation to the Marikana Massacre will be reinstated. The NPA said the docket has been compiled for the process to resume. This follows demands for accountability. The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri) said the NPA has failed to prosecute anyone for the deaths of mineworkers despite its assurance to hold those involved to account. August 16, marked 13 years since the tragic Marikana Massacre, when police shot protesting mineworkers, killing 34 in 2012. The mineworkers from Lonmin Mine went on a strike for six weeks, challenging their working conditions and demanding a wage increase. Seri said that without bringing prosecutions for the massacre, the state continues to fail the families of the deceased…

A coalition of activist groups is set to stage a protest today in Rosebank, Johannesburg, targeting Standard Bank and TotalEnergies offices for their alleged exploitation activities in Africa. The demonstration, part of a continent-wide Week of Action (August 18-24), calls on the bank to sever ties with the oil giant over alleged plundering and ecological destruction across Africa. Organisers have said the protest will begin at Standard Bank HQ and proceed to TotalEnergies’ local offices. It is timed to highlight what they describe as the financiers’ complicity in fossil-fuel projects that harm communities and the environment. Zaki Mamdoo, coordinator for the Stop East African Crude Oil Pipeline (StopEACOP) Coalition, issued a statement linking the action to a broader regional campaign. “As part of the continent-wide Week of Action, communities and…

The key witness in the high-stakes fraud trial of businessman Rushil Singh stunned the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court when he admitted under cross-examination that he may have confused crucial signatures forming the foundation of the State’s case. Testifying before Judge Venter, the witness, who had submitted three affidavits implicating Singh and his late sister Nishani Singh in defrauding Investec Bank, conceded that he was not qualified as a handwriting expert and may have incorrectly attributed one sibling’s signature to the other. This admission cast immediate doubt on the reliability of his testimony. Inside the courtroom, Singh remained composed in the dock, dressed in a black hoodie and matching track pants. With a notebook in hand, he took detailed notes as the case against him appeared to weaken. The…

The African National Congress (ANC) is set to take disciplinary action against two of its senior members, Malusi Gigaba and Senzo Mchunu, following their recent remarks that the party claims undermine its unity and operational integrity. The decision to pursue actions against the two was announced through a statement released on Monday night by Mahlengi Bhengu, the National Spokesperson for the ANC. Bhengu asserted that both Gigaba and Mchunu acted outside the sanctioned organisational structures, making statements that deliberately disparaged the ANC. “There should be no doubt we reject the views of any intimate structure of the movement and must be seen as an opportunistic assault on the collective image, credibility, and cohesion of the African National Congress,” Bhengu said. This controversy was ignited after former Minister Gigaba remarked at…

At the 2nd Voice of the Global South Summit hosted virtually by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 17th November 2023, one key focus area was on “Sustain the momentum of exchange and sharing of ideas and best practices between member countries...” At the 3rd Summit also hosted by the Indian PM on 17th August 2024, there was a focus on “...challenges of new technologies and need for South-South Cooperation co-operation for technology transfers...” Of the four-fold Global Compact put forward by PM Modi, one is on technology sharing. Thus, it is clear that as a responsible voice of the Global South, India is willing to share its knowledge and expertise acquired in governance and other fields, which accelerate development, and is also keen to learn from other nations. India’s…

It is rare for our law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to receive commendation for their work, as the daily crime statistics often subject them to criticism. However, when they perform exceptionally, they deserve recognition. Earlier this month, the Kimberley Division of the High Court delivered a significant blow to the rampant corruption in our nation. Two directors of Defensor Security Services, Claudius Gerald Peterson and Gert Renier van Rooyen, along with the entity itself, were found guilty of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) 56 of 2001. The group, which initially surrendered in October 2021, included Steven Jonkers, the former HOD of the Department of Health, who was acquitted of all charges. The allegations stated that…

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane is in a race to find the right balance in his squad during the early stages of the 2025/26 season, and will be hoping to use their Betway Premiership clash against Marumo Gallants today to lay a solid foundation for that project going forward. The Durban-based club are eager to build on last season’s Top 8 finish, which marked their best league performance in three years. Since taking over last season, Zwane has injected positivity into the Usuthu ranks. His leadership and tactical approach helped the club finish strong last season, but their inability to consistently convert chances into goals remains his team’s Achilles’ heel. Despite creating the second most chances in the division last campaign, finding the net proved a struggle at crucial moments.…

When Washington’s 30% tariff on South African goods took effect on August 7, outrage was the easy emotion. The better response is discipline. Within days, Pretoria set out a five-pillar plan that blends firm diplomacy with market diversification and practical support for businesses. If we execute with urgency and transparency, this shock can become the push we needed to reset and broaden our export mix. Keep talking, not shouting The first pillar is engagement, not escalation. Cabinet has approved a revised offer that answers the issues highlighted by the US Trade Representative in its 2025 National Trade Estimates. The logic is straightforward: clear the technical hurdles, keep negotiations alive, and create room for the tariff to be reduced or removed. That is not capitulation. It is the work of professional…

In the Eastern Cape, the automotive industry sustains thousands of families and anchors the provincial economy and our country’s automative sector. The province is home to the largest automobile industry in the country, with four major vehicle manufacturers and even more vehicle component manufacturers. It produces 46.5% of light passenger vehicle in South Africa, as well as 53% of the light vehicle exports (NAACAM, 2023). But right now, it faces its most difficult challenge to date. Global trends are reshaping the automotive industry at an unprecedented pace. The automotive sector drives the province's economy, contributing to manufacturing employment and millions of rands to gross value added. However, the global shift towards New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), which require fewer parts and different manufacturing processes, presents both opportunities and challenges. At…

In a mid-season technical review of operations, Tongaat Hulett, which is in business rescue, said that three of its South African sugar mills are outperforming expectations, with the latest performance data showing continuous improvement at the halfway mark of the 2025 sugar season. Since entering business rescue in 2022, and thanks to funding support by the Industrial Development Corporation, the company has implemented a R1.45 billion rehabilitation programme aimed at stabilising and modernising operations across its Maidstone, Felixton, and Amatikulu mills, as well as its central refinery. Both Maidstone and Felixton mills have significantly reduced lost production time caused by equipment failure and unplanned breakdowns, marking a clear turnaround in mechanical reliability since the start of business rescue. Maidstone’s Lost Time % has dropped from 33.5% in 2021 to just…

The South African red meat industry is currently facing a pressing challenge with the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, characterised by a notable shortfall in available vaccines. However, industry leaders have assured stakeholders that there is no cause for alarm, as the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that more vaccine imports are on the horizon. Dewald Olivier, CEO of the Red Meat Industry Services, on Tuesday said that the current FMD outbreak was being managed, but it cannot yet be described as fully under control. “Outbreaks remain localised in certain areas, and containment zones together with movement restrictions in place to limit further spread. What is important is that industry and government are working more closely than in previous years, which has improved coordination of the response,” he…

In the shadow of a flawless facade, the Coal family’s empire is crumbling. Their rooibos farm in Clanwilliam – a legacy forged through blood, sweat and generations – is under threat from within and without. Luna Parks’ fragile marriage stumbles on a powder keg of secrets and betrayals, and the arrival of an unwelcome guest sets off a chain of events that could tear the family apart. Meanwhile, the Fletcher family’s sinister grip on the town continues to tighten, forcing Cameron Coal into an impossible choice: can love save the farm, or will it be its ultimate downfall? These are the haunting questions that drive The Advocate, the highly anticipated new novel by award-winning South African author Jackie Phamotse. The book, a sequel to The Tea Merchant, is set for…

THE alleged collusion by some of the country’s top banks and their international counterparts to manipulate the Rand resembles a classic example of a transnational cartel, says Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC. “They targeted our sovereignty – our rand – driven by profit. We are the only ones who have an interest in prosecuting them,” said Ngcukaitobi SC, acting on behalf of the Competition Commission. The commission is appealing the majority of the findings of the Competition Appeal Court (CAC), especially the fact that the CAC found that the commission did not have jurisdiction over the majority of the international banks. The Constitutional Court yesterday heard arguments from the commission and the hearing is expected to last until Friday. An important issue which served before the court is the extent of…

Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has slammed a violent clash between West Ridge High and Hoërskool Roodepoort learners on Monday, August 18, which left the Roodepoort principal stabbed while trying to intervene. Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said that the violence followed an earlier clash between the two schools’ learners on August 15, which went viral on social media, and escalated on Monday when West Ridge students reportedly sought revenge. “Preliminary reports state that this violence follows an earlier altercation between learners from the two schools on Friday, 15 August 2025, which went viral on social media. On Monday, 18 August 2025, the situation escalated when a group of West Ridge learners, allegedly seeking revenge, went to Hoërskool Roodepoort, where they attacked learners and pelted cars with stones.”…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has outlined measures aimed at addressing the delays in magistrates’ courts, which result in cases taking months and even years to be resolved. Kubayi said her department has convened the National Case Backlogs Committee, comprised of members of the judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority, Legal Aid South Africa, the Office of the Chief Justice, the SAPS, the Department for Correctional Services, the Legal Practice Council, and officials from the department’s court administration branch. “This committee is tasked with addressing blockages experienced in the courts, which lead to delays and postponements that contribute to growing case backlogs in the courts. “This committee has at its core an understanding that the cooperation and collaboration of every role player in the criminal and civil justice system…

Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane has drawn criticism after accusing anti-migration group Operation Dudula of racial profiling and scapegoating immigrants. “Immigration is a global issue,” said Maimane. “What Dudula is doing, in my view, is bordering on racism. They go out and identify people illegally. What power does Dudula have to verify immigrants’ papers?” He argued that the group unfairly blames immigrants for systemic government failures. Operation Dudula secretary-general Zodwa Booi responded by accusing Maimane of indirectly encouraging illegal immigration. “Why do people jump the borders? Why don’t they apply like everybody else? He says we must find ways to give them legal status when they get here,” she said. Booi further claimed that undocumented immigrants were often linked to criminality in townships, a statement that has…

Mathatha Tsedu’s credentials as a principled journalist are beyond reproach. As a doyen of the craft, he has for decades fought against racism in the media and the marginalisation of black journalists. Unafraid to speak truth to power has not been a mere cliché for Tsedu, but an expression of his relentless pursuit of justice. On Palestine, he recently endorsed the view of the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Amir Mottley, who said that “Principle only means something when it is inconvenient to stand by it”. Tsedu underpinned this when he wrote that South Africa’s support for Palestine was and is correct, in the context of America’s bullying and pressure to have SA drop its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He wrote in his eloquent…

First ODI, Cairns South Africa: 296/8 Markram 82, Bavuma 65, Breetzke 57, Head 4/57) Australia: 198 all out Marsh 88, Dwarhuis 33, Maharaj 5/33, Ngidi 2/26 w South Africa won by 98 runs, lead series 1-0 The Proteas registered an emphatic victory over hosts Australia in the first ODI in Cairns yesterday after Keshav Maharaj claimed his maiden five-wicket ODI haul. The 98-run triumph, with Australia bundled out for 198 in response to the Proteas’ 296/8, was the visitors’ fourth consecutive ODI victory over the Baggy Greens. Such an outcome looked utterly out of the question when Australia’s openers Mitch Marsh and Travis Head had fast-forwarded to 60/0 after just seven overs. But Australia were utterly undone by their opponents’ decision to field three spin bowlers, all of whom played…

Carlos Alcaraz won the ATP Cincinnati Open title after defending champion Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to illness in the opening set. World No. 1 Sinner began the final feeling unwell, dropping the first seven points before conceding at 5-0 down in hot, 30°C conditions. The contest lasted just 22 minutes, with the Italian calling for the doctor after losing the fifth game before shaking hands with Alcaraz. Sinner will now focus on his recovery ahead of the US Open, which begins this weekend. He is also scheduled to play in the tournament’s revamped mixed doubles on Tuesday, but his participation remains in serious doubt. “I’m disappointed, I didn’t feel great from (Sunday),” Sinner said afterwards. “During the night I thought I would recover a bit better,…

Tendai Ndoro, the Zimbabwean striker whose speed and finishing lit up South African football, has tragically passed away at 40. Known as Fire, Ndoro starred for Orlando Pirates, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Highlands Park, and other clubs. Here are five defining moments and qualities that captured his career and the legacy he leaves behind. 1. Extra-time heroics against Mamelodi Sundowns In the 2016 Nedbank Cup, Ndoro scored his fifth goal of the tournament and provided an assist as Orlando Pirates defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 after extra time at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Buccaneers had played much of the match with 10 men following Edwin Gyimah’s dismissal, and Ndoro’s finishing and calm under pressure earned him hero status, propelling Pirates into the semi-finals and further cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.…

As South African steelmaker Arcelormittal (AMSA) vacillates on a crucial three-year contract, Assmang's Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine in the Northern Cape has found itself in dire straits, reflecting broader challenges within the mining sector. With a staggering R3.6 billion impairment loss annually and ongoing production declines, the mine is exploring drastic corrective measures, including the potential retrenchment of over 700 jobs. This comes as Assmang, the operator of Beeshoek Mine, has issued a notice of retrenchment to its employees and is conducting a consultation process with labour on the possibility of saving the threatened 700 plus jobs. In a notice on the retrenchment, Assmang notified its stakeholders that an approved recovery plan hinging on AMSA committing to a three-year deal to off take at least 2.2 million metric tons per…

Eskom has shifted its focus from merely addressing the crippling issue of loadshedding to positioning itself as a sustainable and competitive player in the energy market. In a bold move, Eskom on Tuesday announced the launch of its first Renewable Energy Offtake Programme, inviting large power users to submit bids for the procurement of 291MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at transitioning Eskom's generation mix away from its coal-dominated past towards a more diverse blend that includes a growing share of renewable energy sources by 2040. The acceptance of bids comes on the heels of the South African government's approval of six large-scale solar plants, totalling nearly 1.3GW, under the seventh bid window of its national renewable energy procurement programme. This…

Aveng’s share price shot up over 7% on the JSE after it announced it is in talks to sell its South African asset, the Moolmans contract mining company, as its strategy to create two independent businesses progresses. CEO Scott Cummins said Tuesday that although the talks to sell Moolmans were fairly advanced, he was not yet in a position to disclose when it might be finalised. Aveng’s other operating brands, MacConnell Dowell, which does infrastructure and construction, operates in Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, while the building segment, branded Built Environs, operates in New Zealand and the states of Victoria. Aveng's share price traded at R5.15 on the JSE on Tuesday morning, this after drifting from R10 a share a year ago. Cummins said in an…

Kid Cudi isn’t holding anything back in his highly anticipated new memoir, Cudi: The Memoir. The Grammy-winning rapper, actor and designer delves into some of the most challenging periods of his life, revealing the struggles that accompanied his rise to fame and how he ultimately found a path back to himself. The memoir is a raw and fearless account of survival through depression, addiction, isolation and self-doubt. Cudi charts a deeply personal journey, offering hard-earned lessons on vulnerability, reinvention and the courage to keep moving forward even in the darkest times. For years, Cudi has been open about his mental health, but the book takes that honesty to a new level. It tells the story of a kid from Cleveland who found purpose amid the darkness and emerged as a…

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has pledged to assist the family of Siyanda Mvelase with the transportation of his remains from Gauteng to his home in KwaZulu-Natal. The 27-year-old e-hailing driver was brutally killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto last week. He was shot and burned. Police have not arrested anyone in connection with his murder and are investigating counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson. Speaking at a media press briefing yesterday morning, Santaco President Abner Tsebe said they would assist in transporting Mvelase’s remains in partnership with a funeral parlour. Mvelase’s murder is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. His distraught family told the media that he had started working as an e-hailing driver just…

One of the two men who had kidnapped and raped a 13-year-old girl was recently sentenced to life imprisonment by the Atamelang Regional Court. Mohau Jan Mogale, 30, and Thabo Isaac Molusi, 29, were found guilty of rape and kidnapping after they had accosted their minor victim in Ottosdal, North West, in 2017. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said the convictions and sentencing stem from a tragic incident on November 10, 2017, when the girl was accosted by the two men while on her way home. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges proffered against them. “Investigations revealed that Mogale grabbed her by her hand while Molusi threatened her with an empty beer crate that was in his possession, ordering her to accompany them forcefully. The court…

A cheating woman who had two children outside of marriage lost her portion from her ex-husband's Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) during a divorce settlement. The woman, whose identity has been withheld, sought relief in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane to overturn a decision of forfeiture which was made by the lower court during their divorce. The former couple were married in community of property in November 2015. At the time of their marriage, the woman was 30 years old, and her husband was almost 60 years old. They had one child in 2016. She left their matrimonial home in September 2019 and returned in 2020 but received a divorce summons during June 2021. She finally left again in October 2021 after her ex-husband threatened to shoot her.…

Earlier this year, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber sounded the alarm on what he described as a “silent crisis” gripping the country, as millions of South Africans continue to live without identity documents. This quandary has only been exacerbated as anti-immigrant groups like Operation Dudula and the March and March Movement demand that those seeking healthcare provide documentation before entering public facilities. “I say there is a silent crisis in the country of undocumented South Africans. There are children who are going to school who didn’t have their birth registered,” Schreiber told the National Council of Provinces. The minister warned that undocumented children are being denied access to essential rights such as education, healthcare, and social grants. When it comes to figures, undocumented South Africans are in the millions. Lawyers…

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said she will restore labour inspectors’ powers to enforce compliance by employers to pay pension fund contributions within seven days of deduction from employees’ salaries. Meth was responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Omphile Maotwe. Maotwe noted that the report by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) revealed that approximately 7 770 employers, including a large number of municipalities and companies in the security and cleaning sectors, failed to pay over pension fund contributions deducted from employees’ salaries as of December 2023. She noted that the non-payment resulted in a pension debt of R5.2 billion, affecting over 31 000 workers and severely undermining the implementation of the two-pot retirement system. Maotwe asked whether the Employment and Labour Department has undertaken any investigations into…

Women’s Month is a time to celebrate the trailblazers, innovators, and leaders shaping South Africa’s business landscape, and to inspire the next generation of female professionals. Five dynamic South African women share their hard-earned wisdom on how to thrive in the workplace, navigate challenges, and carve out your own space in the business world. Find your voice and trust it For Jacaranda FM media personality Rozanne McKenzie, confidence is one of the most powerful tools a young professional can develop. “My piece of advice for young business professionals would be not to be afraid of your opinion,” the host of Jacaranda FM’s ‘The Drive With Rob & Roz’ says. “If you are in a room and you feel you have something to say that is going to add value, don’t…

Hope was rekindled when new signing Kamogelo Sebelebele made an immediate impact at his new club, levelling the score for Orlando Pirates in their MTN8 semi-final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns this past Saturday. The goal was not only a significant milestone for the former TS Galaxy midfielder but also a timely boost for a team that had endured a lacklustre start to the season, restoring belief in what had been expected before the campaign began. While it is understandable that a new coach and several fresh faces are part of the equation, the reality remains that results are what ultimately matter. Heading into the crucial midweek clash against Stellenbosch FC at Orlando Stadium tonight (7.30pm kick-off), securing a positive outcome will be at the forefront of the team’s priorities.…

For most teenagers, a severe crash that breaks bones would be enough to step away from the sport they love. For Ruchè Moodley, it was simply another challenge to overcome on his journey in motorcycle racing. The 18-year-old, Eastern Cape-born racer made his return at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring in Austria this past weekend following a harrowing crash at Mugello, Italy, in late June, and the mid-season summer break. At Mugello, Moodley went down and was struck by riders behind him, breaking his scapula and a vertebra. Yet, the teenager displayed immense determination to return after a short recovery, completing the Austrian Grand Prix in P17, after starting in P19, in the Moto3 category. Moodley admitted that regaining confidence was a challenge, but said he now feels fit again in…

There are two things I didn’t have on my 2025 sports bingo card. The one is definitely the reemergence of the long throw-in in the English Premier League, a throwback play that was once reserved for bottom-half teams to bully the big teams’ prima donnas in their penalty area. Rory Delap even had a ball-boy dry the ball with a towel before the throw-in during those cold and rainy nights in Stoke … There’s something beautifully unrefined about a long throw-in. It’s unapologetically agricultural, designed for teams who can’t find a goal with beautiful, intricate passing. In an era of false nines, xG metrics, and inverted full-backs, the long throw is the sporting equivalent of putting a steak on a plate without any garnish – it’s primal, no-nonsense, and strangely…