Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-30 i Star

The PayInc Net Salary Index, which tracks the average nominal net salaries of approximately 2.1 million earners in South Africa, increased for the sixth consecutive month in September 2025. This steady increase aligns with the gradual improvement in economic activity and reflects the labour market’s resilience over recent months. Shergeran Naidoo, the head of Stakeholder Engagements at PayInc, said, “The PayInc Net Salary Index reached R21 428, which was 0.3% up on August’s level and 2.3% higher than a year ago.” The average net salary continues to strengthen, showing a 4.3% rise in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024. According to a PayInc Net Salary Index analysis of the number of salaries paid, just more than 175 000 additional salaries were disbursed during…

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) has raised concern over another increase in the cost of household food baskets, warning that poor and low-income households are being pushed deeper into food insecurity. According to PMBEJD’s October 2025 Household Affordability Index, the average cost of the household food basket rose by R61.18 (1.1%) month-on-month, from R5 379.42 in September to R5 440.60 in October. Year-on-year, the cost increased by R91.95 (1.7%) from R5 348.65 in October 2024. The rise in household costs comes despite recent data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showing that food inflation slowed for the second consecutive month, easing to 4.4% in September 2025 from 5.2% in August. Mervyn Abrahams, PMBEJD director, said several staple foods saw notable price increases during October. “Foods in the…

In April 2025, South Africa assumed the leadership of the Startup20, an official Engagement Group of the G20. For a continent long brimming with entrepreneurial energy, this was more than a symbolic appointment, it was an opportunity to show that innovation is not imported to Africa; it is built here. Over the past six months, Startup20 South Africa brought together founders, policymakers, investors, and ecosystem enablers with a shared mission: to strengthen the role of Startups and MSMEs in driving sustainable growth. The engagement group is structured around five key Taskforces, Foundation and Alliances, Finance and Investment, Inclusion and Sustainability, Trade and Market Access, Township and Rural Entrepreneurship, each addressing real-world barriers faced by entrepreneurs. These taskforces explored crucial areas such as access to early-stage funding, inclusion of women and…

After working on several hit documentaries, including Tracking Thabo Bester and Devilsdorp, South African film-maker Nikki Comninos is thrilled for the nation to delve into her latest project, Unspoken War. The local documentary, which will premiere on Showmax on November 12, reopens some of the nation’s deepest wounds. The six-part show chronicles the nation’s covert war across Angola, Namibia, and within its own borders between 1966 and 1989. Often referred to as the South African Border War, the Angolan Bush War or the Namibian War of Independence, the production aims to give a voice to those who could not speak for themselves at this time. Comninos explained that one of the reasons she decided to helm this series was because no formal declaration of war was ever made. In addition,…

The newly launched “Home Affairs at Home” campaign by Minister Leon Schreiber, aimed at delivering passports to South Africans abroad, has come under fire, with ActionSA accusing the department of prioritising “luxury for the diaspora” while citizens at home endure poor service. The “Home Affairs at Home” campaign seeks to spare South Africans living abroad the hassle of repeated embassy visits by having passports delivered directly to their doorsteps. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the move, noting that citizens have long been forced to make multiple costly trips to embassies and Home Affairs offices, first to apply and then again to collect their documents. According to the DA, the passport delivery rollout officially kicks off on November 1, where it will allow citizens in 18 major cities worldwide, including…

The 2025 graduation ceremony of the International Peace College South Africa (IPSA) was a celebration not only of academic success, but of intellect, faith, and human purpose. Families, scholars, and leaders gathered under one roof to honour those who came to witness the beginning of a new generation’s journey into a world demanding wisdom, integrity, and innovation. Professor Muhammad Haron, a respected scholar and long-standing academic mentor at IPSA, reminded graduates that education carries a sacred responsibility. He urged them to “let knowledge serve as light, not pride and to anchor learning in humility and community.” His words echoed the central theme of the day: that intellectual achievement is most meaningful when joined with moral purpose. The graduation ceremony’s commencement speech and keynote address was delivered by Dr Iqbal Survé,…

For South Africans, a car is more than a convenience; it’s a lifeline. For many, it’s how we get to work, take children to school, or keep small businesses running, especially with public transport often falling short. Yet, misconceptions about vehicle servicing and maintenance can put drivers, passengers, as well as other road users at risk. With South Africa’s horrendous road statistics and the holiday season beckoning, the National Automobile Dealers’ Association has come up with the most common car-servicing myths and the truth behind them to keep our roads safer and mobility more reliable. Five myths busted 1: “I don’t need to service my car once the warranty ends.” Myth buster: Regular servicing is essential for safety, reliability, and resale value. NADA insight: Keeping up with maintenance protects both…

George Linde could not hide his satisfaction after a somewhat experimental South African side brushed aside Pakistan in the first T20 International in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The Proteas were missing a number of first-choice players like openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, but posted a commanding 194/9. Pakistan never got going in their chase as they were all out for 139 as the visitors romped to a 55-run win. Spinner Linde, who returned figures of 3/31, said it was good to see the Proteas have the confidence to field a number of fringe players. South Africa’s Exciting Depth and Quinton de Kock’s Return “Obviously, we’ve got a lot of depth in South Africa, and all the players here are very exciting,” said Linde after the match. “I think about the…

These really are amazing times for South African cricket. On the back of the men’s team lifting the World Test Championship crown earlier this year, the Laura Wolvaardt-led team have now become the first senior Proteas Women’s side to forge ahead to a 50-over ICC World Cup final. In beating, nay dismantling previous tormentors England last night in Guwahati, the Mandla Mshimbyi-coached team brought to an end decades of disappointment and semi-final trauma. The final margin of a 125 runs was an accurate reflection of their dominance from the moment Wolvaardt creamed Lauren Bell’s first ball of the match through the covers. Wolvaardt, and her Proteas team, never looked back from that moment even when England tried their utmost to claw their way back into the contest. But this glorious…

Barcelona midfielder Pedri will be sidelined for several weeks with the torn bicep leg injury he picked up in a 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid this weekend, his club announced. The 22-year-old Canary Islander was sent off in Sunday’s game and would have missed next Sunday’s league match against Elche, but will likely also miss a match away at Celta Vigo before the international break. “The approximate recovery time will be determined by the evolution of the injury,” Barcelona said. Barcelona face Club Brugge in the Champions League on November 5. Pedri joins Joan García, Marc Ter Stegen, Gavi and Raphinha in the Barca sickbay while Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have returned to training. Barcelona are second in La Liga, five points behind leaders Madrid. Meanwhile, Brazilian forward Vinicius…

Sydney Cricket Ground, 2015. AB de Villiers goes berserk. He had done something similar a month earlier at the Wanderers when sporting a pink ensemble smashed his way to 149 from 44 balls. But here on the World Cup stage, he went even one better, bludgeoning 162 not out off only 66 balls against the West Indies. It included the fastest 50, 100, and 150 in ODI history at the time. Kolkata, Eden Gardens, 2023. With the Proteas reeling at 24/4 in the World Cup semi-final, David Miller delivered under pressure with a superb century to lift the Proteas to a competitive 212. It was not enough to keep the mighty Australia at bay, but Miller showed the BMT (Big Match Temperament) that many of his teammates lacked. I was…

The National Treasury has unveiled a bold plan to strengthen South Africa’s carbon credit market, paving the way for greater private investment in emissions reduction and low-carbon projects as part of the country’s transition to net zero. The consultation paper, Developing the South African Carbon Credit Market, released on Wednesday outlines a comprehensive framework to expand the carbon offset system and improve market integrity, regulation, and liquidity. It aims to make South Africa a leading destination for climate finance in Africa by modernising market architecture, clarifying the legal status and financial regulations of carbon credits, linking domestic trading with international carbon markets and stimulating investment in South Africa’s low-carbon projects. By reducing administrative barriers and enhancing the role of financial institutions and regulatory bodies, Treasury believes that these reforms would…

What does it say about South Africa’s financial services sector when, in searching for a CEO for one of the country’s top investment firms, only 14% of the candidates are women, and even fewer are black? Despite two decades of transformation policy, the female leadership pipeline remains worryingly thin. And while the gender imbalance is not new, the urgency has intensified. Succession challenges, the emergence of new banks, and a rapidly evolving consumer landscape have created a real scramble for leadership talent…and the pool is not deep enough. This is not just a gender issue, it’s a broader talent crisis. Over the past five years, South Africa’s financial services sector has undergone a quiet but significant shift in how it sources and evaluates leadership. The traditional pipeline, once dominated by…

Public relations (PR) and marketing are often terms that are used interchangeably. In business, both functions are critical in building a successful brand. This makes understanding the difference between them difficult, especially for small business owners. However, these functions serve different purposes and understanding the difference can be a game-changer for growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The rising implementation of PR by businesses is becoming more evident across Africa. Recent research by the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) found that 38% of business leaders now rely more heavily on PR counsel, a 31% increase from 2024. Although sometimes the objectives, goals, and even some tactics used in PR and marketing may be closely related, marketing is all about promoting products…

Google has announced a R49 million funding through Google.org to support AI skills development, education, online safety and cybersecurity in South Africa. Google said in a statement on Wednesday that the announcement was made at AI Expo Africa, the continent’s largest business-focused artificial intelligence and smart technology event, which brings together thousands of enterprise buyers, suppliers and innovators each year. The funding builds on Google’s AI skilling work announced earlier this year and focuses on expanding the country’s AI talent pipeline while strengthening community safety through support for leading non-profit organisations and academic institutions. Kabelo Makwane, the country director for Google South Africa, said the funding reflects a long-term commitment to supporting the country’s digital transformation. “This is about building capacity where it matters most, in our classrooms, our communities…

Primary Health Properties (PHP) has confirmed that UK authorities have raised no competition concerns regarding its proposed £1.7 billion (R22.61 billion) acquisition of Assura plc. The London and JSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) said on Wednesday that, following this decision, the requirement by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to keep PHP and Assura financially and operationally separate, is expected to conclude shortly. PHP first announced its firm intention to acquire Assura on May 16, 2025. Assura develops, invests in, and manages healthcare facilities across the UK, while PHP focuses on purpose-built properties for healthcare practitioners and other primary care providers—primarily NHS-backed tenants. PHP aims to capitalise on the fact that more than one-third of the UK’s primary care estate requires modernisation or replacement. PHP believes that limited…

With the spooky season here, it’s the perfect time to dive into some spine-tingling classics and new horror hits. Monster: The Ed Gein Story This is the third instalment of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters series, as it delves into the life of Ed Gein, who murdered at least two people and stole the bodies of many more from their graves. Gein was an object of intense fascination in the middle of the 20th century, his crimes serving as inspiration for Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. * Streaming on Netflix. Get Out This is a classic psychological horror film about Chris, a young African-American man, who visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend. He is uneasy about this visit as he is worried about how his girlfriend’s family will…

Gauteng police say they are continuing to investigate the social media abuse case opened by former Cabinet minister Lindiwe Sisulu against activist Goolam Vawda, as Vawda finds himself in a spat with the Sunday World newspaper over a “reneged contract”. Sisulu laid a criminal complaint on July 21, 2024 at the Roodepoort police station, accusing Vawda of cyberbullying, hate speech, and publishing defamatory content targeting her and others via social media. A year later, there have been no reported arrests or developments, despite the fact that Vawda has taken to X (previously known as Twitter) that he had signed a binding sales agency agreement with Fundudzi Media (Sunday World). Vawda claims that he had a six month contract with the newspaper, which was recently purchased by new owners which include…

The Tsakane Regional Court has sentenced a 47-year-old man from Tsakane Extension 13 to four life terms for four counts of rape of a 13-year-old girl. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently and ordered that his name should be added on the National Register for Sexual Offenders. He was further declared unfit to work with children. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said from December 2015 until April 2016 on four different occasions the child went to her grandmother’s place to assist her with house chores. Mahanjana said the man, who is also a family friend and a trusted neighbour, would call the child to his place, rape her and threaten to kill her if she told anyone about the rape incidents. “In October 2016…

A former Shoprite Checkers employee is in a legal battle to access his pension fund after he was dismissed for alleged theft, fraud, and corruption. Hendrik Johannes Petrus Visser’s tenure with the retail giant spanned from January 1999 to June 2018, when his employment was terminated following an employer-led investigation that deemed him guilty of gross dishonesty. In the wake of his dismissal, Shoprite escalated matters by filing not only criminal charges but also a civil case against him in the Western Cape High Court, seeking recompense that reportedly exceeds R33 million from Visser and several of his co-workers. The heart of the matter lies in Visser’s attempt to withdraw over R2m from the Retail Provident Fund, a claim that was summarily dismissed, prompting him to seek intervention from the…

Our driver’s epic journey from crashes to comebacks After seven thrilling rounds of the Toyota GR Cup, I’ve hung up my gloves and helmet. It was a bittersweet moment as I piloted my GR Yaris into the pits and switched it off for the last time at the Extreme Festival at Swartkops Raceway this past weekend. It was a weekend of highs and lows that included some fast times but also a crash into the tyres and a race-stopping red flag. The weekend would be a little different from the others, with us out first early in the morning for practice one, and we would also be qualifying on the same day. That meant four outings, well, turns out it was just two and a bit for me. Practice one…

Audi South Africa is embarking on a new journey with the appointment of Markus Schuster as the new country lead, effective September 2025. Schuster brings with him a wealth of experience, boasting over two decades in the global automotive arena across key markets including Germany, Italy and Singapore. Most recently, he served as the managing director of Audi Singapore, where his innovative leadership transformed the subsidiary into Audi’s inaugural direct-to-customer franchise globally. In his own words, Schuster expressed his enthusiasm for the role: “I feel honoured to take on the role of head of Audi South Africa. South Africa is not only Audi’s biggest market on the continent but also offers a dynamic, sophisticated and challenging automotive landscape. “I look forward to working with our local team to continue building…

The Springboks are well aware of the tougher challenges that await them during their five-match November tour, but for now, all their attention is fixed on Japan this Saturday — and on laying a solid platform for the weeks ahead. Head coach Rassie Erasmus explained that the decision to open the tour with a Test at Wembley Stadium (6.10pm kick-off) was deliberate, allowing their available foreign-based players to get a proper hit-out before facing France next weekend. While the duel at the Stade de France will be one of the season’s most important fixtures as the Boks aim to complete another unbeaten year-end tour, Saturday’s replacement scrumhalf Grant Williams stressed that they cannot look too far ahead just yet. It will be the nippy No 9’s first match at Wembley…

Africa is losing billions of dollars every year through illicit financial flows (IFFs) from its mineral sector, undermining the continent’s potential to benefit from the global clean energy transition, according to a new report by Greenpeace Africa on Wednesday. The report, titled “Africa’s Critical Minerals: A Development Lifeline or a New Green Resource Curse?” warns that IFFs have become “increasingly widespread and complex,” allowing multinational mining companies to avoid paying taxes and depriving African governments of vital revenue. It estimates that South Africa has lost more than $10 billion (more than R170bn), while Nigeria loses more than $17bn every year through corporate tax evasion and profit shifting in the extractives industry. Citing the African Union’s African Minerals Development Centre, the report notes that since 1980, about $1.3 trillion has left…

South Africa’s food security is getting worse, despite the government spending billions to try to stop hunger levels rising. It is a losing battle, because the government strategy is flawed. Instead of policies that would reduce the number of poor people, it is throwing huge resources at efforts to make an increasing number of poor people less hungry. The result is that food security surveys regularly show that the number of hungry people is rising, and every quarterly jobs report shows that, even when percentages improve slightly, the actual number of unemployed people is going up. One of the world’s highest unemployment rates results in high levels of poverty, hunger and starving children. Even though South Africa is food secure at national level, producing enough to export, the situation…

MTN Ghana, a subsidiary of JSE-listed MTN Group, maintained its solid growth trajectory of the first half with service revenue increasing by 36.3% in the third quarter to end September 2025, compared with the same period last year. The number of mobile subscribers increased by 6.4% to 30.5 million. The number of active data subscribers increased by 11.4% to 18.9 million. The number of active mobile money subscribers increased by 4.1% to 17.7 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 41.6% to GHS10.2 billion. Profit after tax (PAT) increased 45.9% to GHS5.5bn. Total capital expenditure increased to GHS4.6bn from GHS3.3bn. “MTN Ghana’s performance was driven by the consistent execution of our commercial strategy, resulting in a 6.4% year-on-year (YoY) growth in our subscriber base and a…

A political fallout is imminent if Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero is removed from office, a move that could reverberate beyond the city council and threaten the stability of South Africa’s Government of National Unity. Morero, who was appointed through a fragile power-sharing pact between the ANC, DA, IFP, Patriotic Alliance, and smaller partners earlier this year. Insiders warn that if the DA, IFP, UDM, and PA decide to turn against Morero, the move could fracture the unity agreement brokered by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024. The PA, led by Gayton McKenzie and the IFP may hold the deciding votes. McKenzie had threatened to exit the GNU if former transport MMC Kenny Kunene, his deputy, was not reinstated. The ANC conceded, and Morero swiftly reappointed Kunene as MMC. The motion, formally…

South Africa is now the first country to officially robe court interpreters – a step taken to recognise the important role interpreters play in the justice system. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, this week launched the court interpreters robing programme at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria. She described it as a pioneering effort that positions South Africa as a leader in global attempts to professionalise court interpreting. “This is the first robing of court interpreters in the world, and it is happening here, in our country – a testament to our commitment to justice, dignity, and inclusion.” Kubayi stressed that court interpreters are not merely linguistic facilitators. They are guardians of constitutional rights, ensuring that every person, regardless of language, background, or ability, has meaningful access…

Police in Limpopo have opened a case of culpable homicide following the tragic death of a three-year-old girl who was found locked inside a car parked at Seshego Hospital on Monday afternoon. According to police, the toddler was discovered inside a blue Toyota Corolla Cross parked within the hospital premises. Reports suggest that she had been trapped inside the vehicle for several hours before being found. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said police received a complaint about a possible culpable homicide incident at Seshego Hospital at around 3:10 pm. Officers rushed to the scene, where a doctor pointed out the parked vehicle. “Upon arrival, the members found a medical practitioner who pointed out a blue Toyota Corolla Cross motor vehicle parked inside the hospital yard,” said Ledwaba. “Police were…

On Saturday, December 6, South Africa’s women-only concert Divas of Soul is set to make its return at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, since its debut in 2019, promising a night of unforgettable performances, glamour, and an all-encompassing luxury experience. Before the lights go down and the music takes over, guests will be treated to The Divas Experience: The Luxury Lounge, a celebration of self-love, glamour, and sisterhood. This pampering pre-show lounge, designed exclusively for women, offers indulgent moments of beauty and relaxation, including mini manicures and nail art bars, foot scrubs and relaxation stations, soft touch massages, and makeup glow corners for that perfect diva look. The experience also features a mini fashion show showcasing local designers who embody the Divas of Soul spirit: bold, elegant, and unapologetically feminine. Guests will…

The Changan brand launches in South Africa this week, with the Alsvin sedan, the CS75 Pro SUV and the Hunter bakkie spearheading the initial line-up, but the excitement does not end there. Among other products, importer and distributor Jameel Motors South Africa also plans to enter the new energy vehicle space with the Deepal S07 electric crossover and the Hunter REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle). The Hunter REEV is due to hit South African showrooms in early November, and while final pricing has yet to be announced, a source has told IOL that we can expect it to come in below the R800 000 mark. This will be South Africa’s first range-extended electric bakkie, aiming to offer the best of both worlds thanks to a petrol-powered generator. So how does it…

There should be no love lost between Durban City coach Gavin Hunt and his former employers, Kaizer Chiefs, when they meet in a Betway Premiership clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm kick-off). When Hunt took over the reins at Chiefs in 2019, it must have felt like a career-defining moment. Except his three-year stint didn’t even last a full season, as he was sacked in the lead-up to the CAF Champions League final, which his successor, Stuart Baxter, only took charge of it in the fianl which he went on to fumble and lose to Al Ahly. Hunt, whose illustrious career includes four league titles - with the now-defunct sides SuperSport United (three) and Bidvest Wits (one) - has admitted that being sacked by Chiefs remains one of…

So often, Mamelodi Sundowns have been the hunter – the ruthless predator that has feasted on its prey with the utmost brutality. Their reign as kings of the jungle, that is the Premiership, has been challenged countless times, yet rarely with substance, as all comers have been wiped out in their tracks. It has been an era of dominance, with the past eight consecutive seasons built on precision, power, and an unrelenting desire to remain at the top. The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season has already brought back that familiar storyline. Fifteen challengers have once again lined up to stake their claim, but few have truly looked the part. Many have shown flashes of potential, but not quite like the familiar foe from Soweto, who last season threatened but never quite…