Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-14 i Star

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, has called for an urgent overhaul of South Africa’s building regulations and approval systems to fast-track infrastructure development, saying bureaucratic red tape continues to delay projects and undermine economic growth. Speaking at the 2025 National Construction Summit on Thursday, Macpherson said it was unacceptable that developers and government entities were still forced to wait up to two years for construction plan approvals. He warned that such delays were slowing down the momentum required to boost economic growth and meeting the country's infrastructure needs. With the summit attended by more than 2 000 delegates from government, business, and labour, Macpherson said consensus was emerging around one priority: accelerating delivery by cutting red tape. "We know that further work needs to be done to remove…

When Siya Kolisi ran onto the field for his 100th Test, he carried more than a rugby ball. He carried the hopes of a nation — one that has struggled for decades to reconcile excellence with equity, history with hope. But this milestone wasn’t his alone. It was the shared triumph of a partnership that quietly rewrote what leadership looks like: Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus. One, a young man from Zwide township who learned to fight for every meal. The other, a maverick strategist from the Free State who saw genius where others saw risk. Together, they didn’t just win two World Cups. They showed that transformation — when done authentically — is not a buzzword. It’s a competitive advantage. The Partnership Principle Having worked with leaders across five…

Virgin Active, the global chain of health clubs and gyms controlled by JSE-listed investment holding company Brait, is making an operational turnaround, and its revenues are growing strongly across all territories. Brait has a strategy of unlocking value and optimising its assets to return capital to shareholders and has previously hinted at listing Virgin Active. In Brait’s results for the six months to September 30, released on Thursday, Virgin Active’s UK business reported revenue growth of 12%, South Africa 15%, Italy 7%, and APAC 13%. Brait’s net asset value per share was up 5% to R3.21 from R3.06 reported for the 2024 financial year. Its share price slipped 4.2% to R2.06 on Thursday afternoon. Membership growth increased marginally despite club refurbishment closures and higher terminations in some territories. Capital expenditure…

The Music and Lifestyle Expo Some of Mzansi’s biggest acts will light up the stage at this two-day event which celebrates music, trade and food. Those who will perform on the first day will be the Major League DJz, The Muffinz, Thandiswa Mazwai, Lwa Ndlunkulu and Ndu Shezi. Day two will feature headline appearances by Ringo Madlozi, Lira and Dr. Jonathan Butler. One of the event’s other highlights will be the scores of market stalls to visit as well as educational seminars on lifestyle and business trends. There will also be several food activations as well as opportunities to explore the fashion-forward displays that showcase the latest trends in style. Where: The Sandton Convention Centre. When: Today and tomorrow from 12pm to midnight daily. Schalk Bezuidenhout’s Krismis Bonanza The renowned…

Standard Bank’s historical involvement in several high-profile infrastructure transactions has come under renewed public scrutiny following ongoing discussions around governance, transparency, and the role of financial institutions in state-linked investments. Among these transactions are deals connected to Harith General Partners, one of Africa’s largest infrastructure investors, which manages significant assets on behalf of the PIC, the continent’s biggest fund manager. Harith led a consortium that, in 2012, acquired 100% of Lanseria International Airport, one of South Africa’s key privately owned airports. The consortium’s shareholding included the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) through the PIC, alongside a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partner, Acapulco Trade and Investment. Acapulco is currently involved in legal proceedings with the PIC over a compensation award of more than R411 million, following the collapse of a financing…

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to South Africa, Wu Peng, yesterday addressed the Global South Media Think Tank High-Level Forum and China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, where he hailed the “remarkable rise of the Global South” as one of the defining features of the modern era. The event was attended by key panelists including the Chairman of Independent Media and co-chair of the BRICS Media Forum, Dr Iqbal Survé; Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Dada Morero; Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang; and Lv Yansong, Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency. “Today, the Global South accounts for over 40% of the global economy and contributes 80% to global economic growth. It has become a key force in safeguarding global peace, driving global development, and…

In a decision which once again confirms the rights of pension funds to prioritise the financial needs of dependents over inheritance claims, the Financial Services Tribunal ruled in favour of a widow being the beneficiary of her late husband’s R7.6 million pension. The widow, only identified as Mrs G, faced the wrath of her two stepsons after they had lost out on receiving a portion of their late father’s pension. They turned to the tribunal and asked it to reconsider the Pension Fund Adjudicator’s determination to uphold the allocation of a death benefit by the Old Mutual Superfund to their stepmother. The deceased was a member of the fund from October 4, 1991, until his passing in February 2021. Following his death, a benefit of R7.6m became due and payable…

City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has expressed full confidence that the metro is “ready” to host the G20 Summit taking place next week. Morero has assured residents and delegates that the city is fully prepared to host such a major international event. He made the remarks speaking with IOL News on the sidelines of the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Johannesburg yesterday. “We are ready to host the G20 Summit. From a logistics point of view, everything is fine,” Morero said. “We are excited, for the first time on African soil, in South Africa in particular, to host such a big and important event.” The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held on November 22 and 23 at the Nasrec Conference Centre. The metro has launched extensive…

South Africa’s G20 leadership concludes with the apex G20 Leadership Summit taking place on November 22-23 in Johannesburg. It has been a roller-coaster ride from the get-go with the Trump 2.0 trade shocks, bullying SA and Nigeria in Africa’s G20 year, with the US downgrading its G20 commitments. This period was also marked by the intensification of civil wars and electoral violence on the African continent. Media narratives and coverage of G20 and reporting of G20 events have failed to connect their relevance to everyday struggles – from the high cost of living or need for AI regulation against social media harms, or climate finance and energy access. Brazil's 2024 G20 agenda was bold and managed to secure solid commitments on ultra-rich tax commitment and a Global Compact on Hunger…

Just like Rome, Bafana Bafana’s recent achievements weren’t built in a day. That’s why the team aims to maintain their momentum and continue growing in leaps and bounds. Bafana are arguably the most improved team on the continent. They’ve qualified for back-to-back AFCON tournaments under the same coach, Hugo Broos, for the first time in years, and have automatically secured their ticket to the 2026 Fifa World Cup – their first appearance since the 2002 edition. Their participation in the AFCON finals next month in Morocco will be different – this time, they’ll be among the favourites. That status follows their impressive third-place finish in the last edition in Ivory Coast. As such, they can’t afford to falter. They need to prepare thoroughly to ensure they surpass last year’s performance…

Just five months after lifting the ICC World Test Championship mace, Temba Bavuma and his Proteas team face arguably their toughest examination yet at the iconic Eden Gardens. It has been 29 years since the Proteas last won a Test at the citadel of Indian cricket, and 15 years since they triumphed anywhere across this vast country. None of the current squad has ever tasted the sweet success of a Test victory on Indian soil. At times during the intervening period, it has seemed as though South Africa were destined never to prevail there again, especially after the 3-0 humbling they suffered on their last visit in 2019. Bavuma was part of that disastrous tour, managing just 98 runs with a top score of 38 and an average of 16…

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka feels the club must block out outside distractions and stay focused as the London side sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League after 11 matches. The Gunners have collected 26 points from eight wins and two draws but were held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland last weekend, allowing Manchester City to trim the gap with their 3-0 victory over Liverpool. “We just have to win every game, that’s the mentality we go into the game with and see where it leaves us,” Saka told talkSPORT, in an interview published yesterday. “We cannot get carried away with what people are saying, because one day they say something and the next day they say something else. People’s opinion about us changes like the…

Tommaso "Tommy" Allan, the nephew of former Springbok hooker John Allan, says the Azzurri have worked ceaselessly to find a way to stop the green-and gold machine they tackle tomorrow in Turin. Allan is the son of William Allan, John’s brother and also a former hooker. William played for Glenwood Old Boys in Durban before seeking a fortune in Italian rugby. He made a success of his career in Italy and married a local lady. Interestingly, Tommaso played for the Scotland U20 team — his grandparents are Scottish — before pinning his colours to the Azzuri mast. “We know the Boks are in great form and that it will be a very tough game,” said Allan, who plays for the French team Perpignan. “We’ve been studying them all week —…

Competition Commission report lauded as heralding a new era for local journalism and media sustainability In a landmark moment for the South African media industry, the Competition Commission unveiled the final report of its Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry on Thursday, heralding a new era for local journalism and media sustainability. This comprehensive report not only details the challenges the industry faces but also promises transformative support, encompassing a substantial R688 million Media Support Package over the next five years, the culmination of an agreement with tech giants Google and YouTube. This will fund national, community and vernacular media through a combination of content licensing, innovation grants, and capacity-building initiatives. It includes support for newsroom innovation, contributions to the Digital News Transformation Fund, and funding for vernacular-language training…

Economists and analysts believe a 25 basis point interest rate cut is likely when the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets next week This comes as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday confirmed that government had officially lowered the inflation target from the previous 3–6% range to a single-point target of 3%, in line with global best practice. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, on Thursday said the new target represented a “significant structural shift” that could improve household financial stability over time. “We at Debt Rescue see this as a significant structural shift that has the potential to improve long-term financial stability for households. A lower target aligns South Africa with global best practice and, over time, should translate into lower borrowing costs and stronger…

Cross-border payments provider Verto has hailed the recent Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement presented by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The statement not only marks a significant reaffirmation of South Africa’s commitment to financial stability but is seen as a strategic move to fully utilise the credibility gained from the country’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. James Booth, Verto’s Head of Revenue, said, “The Minister has met the moment.” He emphasized that the country’s removal from the grey list represented an essential regulatory victory, paving the way for further fiscal and monetary strategies designed to stabilise the economy. In his address, Godongwana announced a commitment to cap government debt at 77.9% of GDP and introduced a new inflation target of 3% with a tolerance band of…

Cell C Holdings’ offer to qualifying investors has opened, with the JSE listing date for the South African telecom operator set for November 27, 2025. The offer includes up to 173.4 million shares, along with an additional 9.52 million shares, which features an allocation of up to 68 million shares to a new empowerment ownership structure. The offer, representing 54% of Cell C’s shares, opened on Thursday and will close on November 21, according to a pre-listing statement. Proceeds from the listing are expected to reach up to R6.5 billion, which includes an allocation of shares valued at approximately R2.4 billion to an empowerment vehicle. The market capitalisation of the listing is estimated to be between R10 billion and R12 billion, with the offer price range set between R29.50 and…

Toya Delazy, real name Latoya Nontokozo Buthelezi, is demonstrating her unwavering passion for music and entertainment, regardless of where she finds herself. The South African-born artist recently took to TikTok to share a video of her performing on the streets of London, where she is actively spreading the Afrorave gospel and introducing more people to this vibrant music genre. During her performance at Brick Lane, near the iconic Big Ben, Delazy collaborated with a Japanese drummer, stating: “Afrorave is all about collaboration.” Since relocating to the UK in 2017, she has pursued her career as an independent artist and explored new spiritual paths. Upon her arrival, she made waves with her mixtape Jetlag and her album Uncommodified. Afrorave, a subgenre of Afrobeats, blends African rhythms with global sounds and was…

Independent Media executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé has called for a more inclusive world order and a strengthening of the partnership between Africa and China. Speaking at the opening of the two-day Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg yesterday, Survé described the partnership between Africa and China as a “beacon of what genuine cooperation can achieve”. He said the partnership was grounded in mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive world order. “It is this spirit of partnership that must guide our collective efforts in reforming global governance to reflect a more equitable and representative system,” Survé stated. According to the businessman, the theme for this year’s forum, “Reforming Global Governance: New Roles and Visions for China-Africa Cooperation,”…

The Teddy Bear Foundation (TBF) and SECTION27 have urged the court to step in, demanding that authorities uphold their constitutional and legal responsibilities by properly maintaining the National Child Protection Register (NCPR) and ensuring all educators are thoroughly vetted and reported against it. This follows a 2022 case in which SECTION27 represented a learner sexually assaulted by a school caretaker in the North West province. SECTION27 said the school’s governing body and the North West Department of Education (NWDoE) failed to take all necessary steps to hold the caretaker accountable. After intervening successfully in the Mahikeng High Court, SECTION27 secured a mandatory order compelling education authorities to act in line with their constitutional and legislative duties. “We sought a mandatory order against various education authorities to act in accordance with…

Over the last two decades, we have entered a profoundly different period in global history, the era of a multipolar world. The emergence of the BRICS grouping, which represents around 40% of the world’s population and GDP, is significant because, for the first time, it offers people from the Global South a genuine opportunity to benefit from the growing wealth of the world. I have never seen BRICS as being opposed to the West. On the contrary, for many years, BRICS has supported globalisation. Remembering Thomas Friedman’s The World Is Flat, the sharing of information, resources, knowledge, and technology has the potential to create immense wealth for the entire world. This is the promise of BRICS and of a multipolar world. The BRICS Heads of State Summit One of the…

The highly anticipated two-day Wonderboom Airshow & Avian Career Expo 2025 is set to kick off at Wonderboom Airport in Tshwane today, promising heart-stopping action and unforgettable experiences for thousands of aviation enthusiasts and industry players. The event is happening after the city parted ways with Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the former service provider, following the 2024 airshow edition. The two parties had entered into a three-year memorandum of understanding, which expired last year in July, and it was never renewed. In April, city spokesperson Lindela Mashigo explained that the Aero SA Exhibition cannot be replicated since its rights are privately owned by Messe Frankfurt. However, he said, the city has partnered with private entities to host a new airshow and a military conference at Wonderboom Airport. Tlangi Mogale, Member…

The Competition Commission has released its final report on the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI), presenting key findings and binding remedies to foster fairness and sustainability in South Africa’s media landscape. Following two months of negotiations, the Commission secured a broad remedial package designed to support the media industry’s recovery. Competition Commissioner Doris Tshepe handed the report to Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) Parks Tau at an official launch in Sandton. Tshepe urged the minister to seriously consider the recommendations, noting the importance of supporting struggling media houses. “I commend all media players, including Google, who agreed to some remedial actions,” Tshepe said. “It is vital to provide a lifeline for the media sector.” Chairperson of the Inquiry, James Hodge, underscored the monopolistic power of major…

“Love and Peace” – the timeless Kaizer Chiefs slogan – has long embodied the spirit of a club built on pride, unity, and resilience. And this season, those words ring louder than ever. In a campaign where belief has returned, Amakhosi stand tall once more in the Betway Premiership, with their revival and momentum being felt across the entire local football scene. It isn’t only their current third-place standing that breathes life into their faithful; it’s the sense of redemption after years of pain and drought. Even a place in Africa’s secondary competition has felt like gold. Sweeter still, their neighbours and rivals, Orlando Pirates, bowed out of the CAF Champions League, while Amakhosi’s story carried on into the group stages. For all their history and stature, league glory has…

“Even when people mocked me, saying football was my girlfriend, I kept going because I knew what I wanted.” When you speak to Aubrey Modiba, you don’t just hear a footballer; you hear a man who understands what it means to chase a dream that, for many around him, once seemed impossible. His voice carries the calm confidence of someone who has walked through doubt, ridicule and rejection – and turned them into the rhythm of victory. From the dusty fields of Mentz, just outside Polokwane in Limpopo, to the floodlights of Loftus Versfeld and the national pride of the Bafana Bafana jersey, Modiba’s story is one of belief forged through hardship and hope. It’s a tale that stretches far beyond football – a reflection of what it means to…

When Audi joins Formula 1 in 2026, it will mark one of the most anticipated manufacturer entries in recent memory. The German automotive giant isn’t merely arriving as a sponsor or engine supplier — it’s entering as a full factory team, taking complete control of Sauber Motorsport and rebranding it as Audi F1 Team. Backed by the vast resources of the Volkswagen Group, Audi’s project represents a major long-term commitment, with ambitions to fight for championships by 2030. Audi’s entry into Formula 1 will officially come through its acquisition of Sauber Motorsport AG, the Swiss-based outfit currently racing as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. From 2026, the Hinwil operation will become Audi’s official works team, competing under the Audi name with a completely new chassis and in-house power unit. Sauber’s…

South Africa's 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) struck a noticeably positive and pragmatic tone, signalling government's renewed commitment to fiscal sustainability and a pivot from consumption to growth-enhancing investment. The most significant takeaway from the 2025 MTBPS is National Treasury’s pledge to restore fiscal sustainability and stabilise government debt. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that government debt is expected to stabilise at an estimated 77.9% of GDP in the 2025/26 fiscal year. This marks the first time since the 2008 financial crisis that the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to stop growing, a reversal of a 15-year trend of debt accumulation. A primary budget surplus (where revenue exceeds non-interest spending) of R68.5 billion - or 0.9% of GDP – is expected in the current year. This surplus is forecasted to…

South Africa’s mining sector recorded modest growth in September 2025, supported largely by stronger output from platinum-group metals (PGMs), gold, and coal, according to Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) on Thursday. The data shows that mining production increased by 1.2% year-on-year in September, while seasonally adjusted mining output rose 2.5% in the third quarter compared with the second quarter of the year. Jean-Pierre Terblanche, principal service statistician at Stats SA, said the 2.5% expansion in the third quarter was mainly driven by platinum-group metals, which surged 6.7%, adding 1.7 percentage points to overall growth. Gold production also jumped 5.9% year-on-year in September, the strongest annual gain since July 2023, following a 3.6% decline in August. On a seasonally adjusted basis, gold production increased 6.6% in September, rebounding from a 3.6%…

German industrial giant Siemens reported record net income for a third consecutive year on Thursday, which company executives credited to growth in areas like software and artificial intelligence. The Munich-based group netted 10.4 billion euros (about $12.1 billion) in income between October 2024 and September 2025, up 16 percent over the previous year. "We achieved (record profits) in spite of substantial uncertainties all around the world: geopolitics, new tariffs and protectionism, slow consumer spending," Siemens CEO Roland Busch told reporters and investors. Adjusted for currency and portfolio effects, orders climbed five percent to 78.9 billion euros. Siemens forecast revenue in the next year to grow between six and eight percent. The industrial giant makes products that range from trains and turbines to advanced medical devices and software for factories. Busch…

A fire in Emfuleni exposes the municipality’s collapse in addition to destroying homes. With only one operational fire truck covering several towns and fire stations in ruins, emergencies have become a lethal waiting game between survival and ashes. The Star has learned from municipal insiders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, that Emfuleni’s firefighting service is nearing collapse. The municipality struggles to keep up with ageing fire stations and vehicles that serve Evaton, Sebokeng, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijlpark, and Vereeniging. Only one of the few fire engines that were once operational remains, and it is forced to rotate across three towns weekly. It’s estimated that Emfuleni has a population of nearly 800 000, with over 200 000 households. The Vanderbijlpark fire station has literally crumbled, while others stand as hollow…

Despite their questionable relationship and claims that former Ekurhuleni city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, protected him against all odds, suspended EMPD acting chief, Brig. Julius Mkhwanazi was caught on camera vowing to “take a bullet” for her in a ceremony. Yesterday, the Madlanga Commission played a video that showed Mashazi at what appears to be a Christmas party, surrounded by colleagues singing, clapping, and referring to her as “our mother who gave birth to us.” In the middle of the cheer, Mkhwanazi, dressed casually in a white T-shirt, points at her and declares: “We will die for you ... I will take a bullet for you.” Mashazi responded: “Thank you so much”. The video was provided by former Ekurhuleni HR head, Xolani Nciza who told the commission he obtained it…

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, briefed the media yesterday morning at Parliament in Cape Town on the outcomes of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. Among the topics of discussion was the much-anticipated G20 Leader’s Summit which will take place on November 22-23. Ntshavheni emphasised South Africa’s readiness for the summit and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to host the gathering despite the United States of America’s boycott and public repugnance of the country. “It is a nine-day countdown to the G20 Summit in Nasrec, Johannesburg. Cabinet is confident of the country’s readiness to host the first summit on the African continent,” she said. “Government is also ready to host in five days’ time the G20 Social Summit from the 18th to the 20th of November. She went on to say…

In a country where nearly seven out of every ten small businesses collapse before reaching their fifth anniversary, South Africa’s dream of building a thriving entrepreneurial economy remains under pressure. The high failure rate, revealed in research by the University of the Western Cape, highlights the fragility of the small business sector, a key pillar of job creation and economic growth. At the same time, the country’s youth are bearing the brunt of the unemployment crisis. Statistics South Africa reports that the jobless rate among young people aged 15 to 34 stands at a staggering 46%, while the rate of youth-led entrepreneurial activity remains worryingly low. The 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that in 2022, only 8% of South Africans aged 18 to 24 and 10.4% of those aged 25…

Afrika Mayibuye Movement president Floyd Shivambu has criticised South Africa’s political landscape, saying no party, including the African National Congress (ANC), which he claimed has the blood of the Marikana massacre on its hands, represents the interests of the people. Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon in Midrand, Shivambu said the ANC had become a platform for personal enrichment rather than service to the people. “It’s an association of people who want to get rich or die trying. That is what it is,” he said. “That is why you can have a Minister of Police (referring to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu) befriend criminals so that they can finance his presidential campaigns in the ANC.” Shivambu claimed that the ANC’s leadership had failed to act decisively on corruption…

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has undertaken that the city will continue to partner with China, its key municipal institutions, and thought leaders. Morero told delegates at the two-day Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg yesterday that Johannesburg plays a unique role in deepening the partnership between South Africa and China. He said relations between the two countries were evolving and impactful, and specifically, the growing partnership between Johannesburg and key cities’ institutions and thought leaders in China. According to Morero, the South Africa-China relationship was more than merely governmental. “It is economic, social, cultural, and people-to-people. In this moment of rapid global change, the Global South cooperation has become more crucial than ever,” he said. The mayor also called for stronger collaboration between South…

As the countdown to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) heats up, touring Zambia are gearing up for crucial friendly matches against South Africa tomorrow and Burundi on Tuesday. Head coach Moses Sichone has unveiled a formidable squad featuring 16 foreign-based players – a strategic move aimed at solidifying his team’s chances ahead of the continental showdown next month. The inclusion of high-calibre talent from leagues across Europe underscores Zambia’s ambition to make a deep run at the upcoming AFCON tournament. Having recently succeeded the experienced Avram Grant, Sichone is eager to make his mark on the Chipolopolo. The upcoming fixtures offer an excellent opportunity to assess his players and fine-tune tactics in preparation for AFCON. His approach mirrors that of South Africa’s Hugo Broos, who is similarly using these…

The Springboks have targeted the match against Italy as another opportunity to give some of their newly capped players a run at international level – a test to see if they can handle the pressure on foreign soil. Following last weekend’s brilliant 32-17 victory over France, the responsibility now rests on the shoulders of the 23 players selected to maintain that winning momentum against the Azzurri. With Italy coming off a strong win over the Wallabies, they’ll be playing in front of an expectant crowd at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow (2.40 pm kick-off), which should add to the spectacle. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to his starting XV, with only four players retained from last weekend’s run-on side. A rookie front row will lead the scrum, and…

Casric Stars have carried the sting of last season’s near miss in the PSL promotional/relegation play-offs into this campaign — and turned it into early momentum in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC). The Mpumalanga-based side came within touching distance of their top-flight dream but fell just short at the final hurdle, with Orbit College finding another gear to clinch promotion to this season’s Betway Premiership. Now, as the MFC pauses for the international break, the Bucs Mthombeni-led outfit sit proudly at the top of the league standings. Casric hold a slender one-point lead over second-placed Milford FC, who have shown notable growth after a promising 2024/25 campaign that saw them finish in the upper reaches of the table. Affectionately known as The Believers, Casric have already claimed a crucial win…

Springbok Women’s Sevens skipper Nadine Roos will once again be the heartbeat of South Africa’s campaign as they chase Rugby Africa Cup glory and a path back to the global stage in Nairobi this weekend. If composure under pressure wins tournaments, the Springbok Women’s Sevens are already halfway there. Their captain, Nadine Roos, has built her reputation on calm decision-making and fierce competitiveness — qualities that coach Cecil Afrika believes will be decisive when South Africa kick off the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in Kenya tomorrow. Afrika, leading the team in the absence of Renfred Dazel, said Roos’ leadership and standards have set the tone throughout the squad’s preparations in Stellenbosch and Pretoria. “The players selected have played in major tournaments before, and with the high standards she has…