Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-18 i Star

Groundbreaking research says Africa-focused green investments can outperform global benchmarks The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has released groundbreaking new research showing that Africa-focused green investments can outperform global benchmarks while generating significantly more jobs and long-term economic value than traditional sectors. The paper titled “Scaling Institutional Capital for Green Jobs in South Africa” was developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and published on Monday ahead of the G20 Leadership Summit. It forms part of the PIC’s Perspectives: G20 Dialogues series and is the fourth such research contribution this year. With the right policy environment and coordinated public-private action, the paper argues, South Africa can position itself as a continental leader in green finance, job creation and industrialisation while delivering competitive returns for long-term investors. The study finds that…

The United Nations, alongside leading South African and global business figures, on Monday launched the South Africa Business Initiative for Impact (SABII)—a new platform aimed at accelerating sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, and job creation across the country. SABII is South Africa's national anchor of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI). It brings together business, the United Nations, and government through four pillars or national priorities: Energy Transition, Digitisation, Human Capital Development, and Food Systems Transformation. The partnership includes the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, the UN Global Compact, business champions including Naspers as founding partner, and the South African government. SABII is the first country-level platform under the UN’s GABI and is designed to strengthen local entrepreneurship, expand South African business access to African and global markets, and attract foreign…

Good governance has always been described as the framework that holds organisations together. Yet beneath the visible structures of committees, policies and disclosures lies something less tangible but far more decisive. It is the culture that determines whether governance principles are lived with conviction or performed by routine. Culture is the invisible architecture of governance, shaping how people behave when no one is watching. Culture gives substance to governance. It is the shared set of values, beliefs and habits that influence decisions long before policies are consulted. A board may approve sound strategies and establish strong controls, but if the prevailing culture tolerates inconsistency, division or silence, governance weakens quietly from within. In every organisation, culture becomes the unwritten code that defines how power is used, how mistakes are handled…

No matter where you look, South Africa has been enjoying what seems to be great technological advancements. In the very near future, South Africans will have a digital ID, which will enable ease of access to government services. On the AI front, Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has made significant progress with its landmark project to establish Africa’s first network GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offering. As the first preferred NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) in Africa, these secure data centre facilities, located across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco, will mark the company's long-standing leadership in providing world-class digital solutions on the continent. The Minister of Telecommunications has been criss- crossing the tech events landscape to express the country's appreciation of these tech advancements. At the same time,…

MTN Group’s previously loss-making Nigeria subsidiary reported positive retained income and net equity positions and resumed dividend payments, the telecoms group said in a third-quarter trading update for the nine months to September 30, on Monday. Group service revenue was up a strong 22.6%, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 41.1%, while the EBITDA margin increased by 6.7 percentage points to 45%. Subscribers increased by 5.8% year-on-year to 301.3 million. “We are particularly pleased to have crossed a formative milestone in connecting over 300 million customers across our markets,” they said. Data revenue was up 35.4%. Revenue from the group fintech businesses was up by 23.1%. The number of active data subscribers increased 9.1% to 165.8 million. Data traffic was up 26.6%. MTN SA’s service revenue…

Naspers, the JSE-listed ecommerce group with investments that cater to over 2 billion consumers worldwide, said on Monday it expects core headline earnings per share to increase between 20.8%-27.8% for the six months to September 30. The board considers core headline earnings a useful indicator of operating performance, as it adjusts for non-operational items. Headline earnings per share for continuing operations were expected to rise between 5.6%-12.6%, the directors said in a trading statement on Monday. “Both of the above measures are driven by strong revenue growth and profitability of our consolidated ecommerce businesses and our equity-accounted investments, particularly Tencent. Core headline earnings per share also benefited from the exclusion of foreign currency translation losses, which are included in headline earnings,” the directors said. A 30.2%-37.2% increase in earnings per…

The University of South Africa will host globally acclaimed economist Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs for its 2025 Founders’ Lecture on November 20, followed by a gala dinner at the ZK Matthews Great Hall on the Muckleneuk Campus. The lecture, titled “Solidarity, Social Justice and Reclaiming Futures: The Roles of Universities in Contested Geopolitics”, comes just days before South Africa hosts the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23, giving the event significant national and international relevance. The lecture will be hosted by Unisa’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula*, who highlighted the importance of universities contributing to debates that shape the future of society. Since its inception in 2004, the Founders’ Lecture has grown into one of Unisa’s most prestigious intellectual events, attracting scholars, policymakers, business leaders,…

The University of South Africa will host globally acclaimed economist Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs for its 2025 Founders’ Lecture on November 20, followed by a gala dinner at the ZK Matthews Great Hall on the Muckleneuk Campus. The lecture, titled “Solidarity, Social Justice and Reclaiming Futures: The Roles of Universities in Contested Geopolitics”, comes just days before South Africa hosts the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23, giving the event significant national and international relevance. The lecture will be hosted by Unisa’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula*, who highlighted the importance of universities contributing to debates that shape the future of society. Since its inception in 2004, the Founders’ Lecture has grown into one of Unisa’s most prestigious intellectual events, attracting scholars, policymakers, business leaders,…

A 43-year-old Mpumalanga man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his elderly mother. The Regional Court in Amersfoort handed down the sentence to Thami Sydney Mnyandu, following a thorough police investigation into the death of his 75-year-old mother, Ntobizodwa Masina. According to police, the incident took place on July 25, 2024, at around 10.35 am in Sinqobile, near Daggakraal. Officers were called to a scene where an elderly woman had been severely assaulted. “Upon arrival, officers found the victim lying unconscious in the yard with serious facial injuries,” said provincial police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe. Inside the house, police found Mnyandu, who confirmed that the injured woman was his mother. He allegedly told police that they had argued and that he lost his temper and…

Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, has issued a stark warning that decisions to drastically reduce the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) workforce is effectively asking the defence force to implement its own version of what KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi once revealed before the Madlanga Commission about the closure of the Political Killings Task Team. “For our Cabinet to approve the reduction of the SANDF work force or strength is actually nothing far from telling us (to) implement a defence version of what General Mkhwanazi has disclosed in the Madlanga Commission with regard to the closure of the Political Killing Task Team,” Lobese said while addressing the Chief of the Navy’s Prestige Charity Ball at St George’s Hotel in Tshwane. Lobese made the…

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has revealed that he met United States President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Junior, during the American businessman’s private vacation in Zambia – a friendly encounter that comes just as the United States confirmed it would not attend the G20 summit hosted by South Africa. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hichilema said Trump Jr. “experienced the beauty of our country” and that the leader of Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) conveyed “warm regards” to the US president, while reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Washington. “We were delighted to meet @DonaldJTrumpJr during his private vacation in Zambia, where he experienced the beauty of our country,” Hichilema wrote. “We conveyed our warm regards to his father, US President @realDonaldTrump,…

As the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco draws ever closer, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has outlined his plans for the tournament and the careful considerations for finalising his squad. The Belgian tactician has firmly stated that his team will play only a single friendly match before the continental showdown, opting for a more streamlined, focused approach to preparation. The African football festival kicks off next month, with South Africa drawn into a challenging Group B alongside heavyweights Egypt, Zimbabwe and Angola. Having reached the semi-finals in the previous tournament, expectations are buoyant for a repeat performance, if not an improvement, from the national side. Broos, who has led Bafana Bafana since 2021, expressed his reluctance to schedule additional friendly matches against African teams, suggesting that his…

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick did his best to remain diplomatic about the red card epidemic affecting the team this season, but he could not hold back at a Dublin media conference, saying the Springboks are being treated “unfairly.” The red card suffered by Franco Mostert against Italy last week was the final straw in a season marred by contentious send-offs for Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, and Makazole Mapimpi, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels missed the tour following a bizarre no-evidence ban after a Bulls game against Connacht. The Boks face Ireland on Saturday and may yet have the services of Mostert, who could be exonerated when his hearing takes place today or tomorrow. De Jager, meanwhile, has appealed against his four-match suspension. “As a team, we are just disappointed with…

England wrapped up their flawless World Cup qualifying campaign with a record-setting 2-0 win against Albania on Sunday. The Three Lions, who took maximum points from their eight games, became the first European team to win every one of their World Cup qualifiers without conceding a single goal in a campaign lasting at least six matches. Here, we look at three key factors that can help Thomas Tuchel’s side triumph at next year’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico: Tuchel’s tactical acumen After a slow start to his reign, Thomas Tuchel has gradually revitalised England over the last 11 months, with his astute tactical moves proving especially influential. Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate was often criticised for his cautious gameplan and slow response to situations that demanded substitutes to change…

Brad Binder ended his 2025 MotoGP season with an eighth-place finish in Valencia, bringing to an end what has been a tough year for the Red Bull KTM rider. Binder finished the riders championship in 11th place, a difficult step back after ending the previous campaign in fifth. It is the first time the South African has ended a season outside the Top 10 since 2020, which was also an eleventh-place finish, with the last four years ranging from a high of fourth to a low of sixth. The season was marred by poor qualifying, and that trend continued this past weekend, in stark contrast to teammate Pedro Acosta, who managed to out-qualify Binder for the entire season after moving up from the Red Bull Tech3 team at the start…

The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has welcomed the United States’ decision to exempt South African citrus, particularly oranges, from import tariffs, saying the move restores competitiveness and opens the way for growth in the 2026 season. South Africa exported 4.3 million 15kg cartons of oranges to the US in the past season. While the 2025 season has already concluded, the CGA on Monday said the exemption will significantly benefit exports from April 2026 onwards. The CGA said the exemption once again makes South African oranges competitive in the US market, a market that holds opportunities for increased exports and local job creation. The 30% tariff on South African citrus imports only came into effect in August 2025, near the end of the export window, limiting its impact…

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has welcomed the government’s decision to revive the country’s Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme, saying it marks the beginning of a new era in reactivating the full nuclear fuel cycle and restoring South Africa’s leadership in advanced nuclear technologies. This follows Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s announcement on Sunday that the PBMR will be lifted out of care and maintenance and formally transferred from Eskom to Necsa. The move brings back to life one of the country’s most significant scientific and industrial assets, mothballed since 2010. Necsa Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe said the decision represents a major milestone for the country’s nuclear innovation pathway. “Nuclear energy remains central to achieving a low-carbon, sustainable energy mix that supports industrial growth and job…

South Africa’s business community and leading economists have welcomed S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade of the country’s long-term foreign and local currency credit ratings — the first upward revision in nearly 20 years. S&P lifted South Africa’s foreign currency rating from BB– to BB, while the local currency rating improved from BB to BB+, reflecting stronger fiscal performance, a more stable economic environment, and improving investor sentiment. North-West University Business School economist, Professor Raymond Parsons, said the upgrade, though widely anticipated, marks an important vote of confidence in the economy. “It recognises the extent to which certain recent positive economic developments have improved SA’s fiscal position and growth outlook, and which have strengthened investment sentiment,” Parsons said. “The S&P decision has now opened the way for SA to eventually extricate itself…

A commenter on my first YouTube Short, dubbed “McKinsey Uses ChatGPT. So What Are You Actually Paying For?”, told me I had "no idea what I was talking about." He then proceeded to explain McKinsey's AI strategy to me with the confidence of someone who'd just discovered it. A bit of sleuthing reveals he might be a senior manager at a boutique enterprise tech consultancy specialising in Oracle solutions, with undergraduate and master's degrees in IT from a university Forbes ranks 114 in the US. In other words, someone who'd actually know his way around enterprise AI deployments. The irony being that my 3-minute riff on AI disrupting consulting was based on months of research, multiple conversations with ecosystem players, and a 1,200-word piece I'd published days earlier examining exactly…

WeBuyCars Holdings lifted its final dividend 20% to 30 cents a share following another year of growth and market share gains in South Africa’s tempestuous car market. The company that listed on the JSE in April last year said revenue was up 13% to R26.4 billion and core headline earnings increased 15% to R937.6 million for the year to September 30. The company bought 180 576 vehicles and sold 179 006 in the year, representing increases of 7.7% and 8.4% respectively. “Despite a tough economic environment, we delivered robust results by focusing on what matters most – our customers, our people, and our technology. We have significantly expanded our capacity and invested ahead of the curve in people and technology. These steps position us well to reach our goal of…

Two of our favourite things are crashing together, and honestly, we didn’t see it coming. Rapper Ice Spice, yes, the one who had us all vibing with Munch (Feelin’ U) and then went mysteriously quiet, is making her film debut in the latest SpongeBob movie. And before you roll your eyes, yes, a music artist stepping into an animated film isn’t exactly headline news … but there’s something about this combo that just works. Recently, Paramount Pictures dropped the official trailer for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, and fans got their first peek at the rapper’s character. Her animated fish has a bright orange Afro, which mirrors her signature real-life look. And let me just say, this natural hairstyle has inspired so many (including me), so if this fish…

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has warned against calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, saying that it would be a “massive mistake” for the ANC to remove him as party leader and the country’s President. McKenzie argued that under Ramaphosa’s leadership of the Government of National Unity (GNU), inflation is at its lowest in years and nearly 300 000 jobs were created in the third quarter. He said these signs show the GNU is moving the country in the right direction. His remarks follow growing speculation that Ramaphosa may resign after the upcoming G20 summit. Addressing his supporters on Facebook live on Sunday, McKenzie said tensions within the ANC were escalating. “Patriots, let me tell you tonight: there’s war. The war has started,” he said. “If you…

Operation Dudula has moved to set the record straight following a wave of online reports linking the brutal killing of its former national deputy chairperson, Daniell Radebe, to the organisation. Radebe was killed on November 15 but claims that he was shot by Dudula members at a Johannesburg hospital while confronting foreign nationals have sparked outrage, and confusion. The movement says the rumours are not only false, but deeply disrespectful to Radebe’s grieving family. Operation Dudula secretary-general Zodwa Booi said the organisation is mourning his passing and called for sensitivity during a difficult time. “We express our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and pray that his soul rests in eternal peace,” Booi said. She dismissed circulating reports as misinformation, saying they distort the circumstances surrounding his death. “Mr Radebe…

The African National Congress’s (ANC) electoral committee, chaired by former President Kgalema Motlanthe, will hold a media briefing on preparations for the 2026 local government elections. The briefing will also outline the criteria and required qualifications for ANC candidates, including mayors, speakers and chief whips. The committee will announce the provincial list committees that will oversee candidate selection in all provinces. The briefing will take place at the ANC headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, at 11 a.m. “The briefing will outline the criteria for the selection of ANC candidates for the 2026 local government elections, including the qualifications and skills required for mayoral, speaker and chief whip candidates,” the statement added. According to the party, the electoral committee will also announce the provincial list committees, which will…

The United States will have to send officials to South Africa if Washington wants to be formally handed the reins of the G20, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has said. The US is set to take over the G20 Presidency from South Africa and host the summit in 2026. However, Washington’s decision to stay away from this weekend’s Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg raises questions about the ceremonial handover. Lamola delivered the update during a media briefing at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec yesterday, where he was joined by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The summit, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, will mark the culmination of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. “If they want the ceremonial handover, they must come.” Lamola said South Africa…

The UK government yesterday threatened visa bans on three African countries unless they accept the returns of irregular migrants, as the interior minister was set to announce sweeping changes to the asylum system. Britain said it would stop granting visas to nationals from Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo unless the countries accepted the return of “their criminals and illegal immigrants”, the interior ministry said in a statement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was expected later to unveil what the government has touted as the “most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times”. Immigration has become a bitterly divisive issue in Britain in recent years, fuelling support for the hard-right Reform UK party. Mahmood’s hardline rhetoric and measures is aimed at curbing asylum seekers crossing the…

The Springbok Women’s Sevens are refusing to get carried away by their near-flawless display in the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup in Nairobi, where they outplayed hosts and main contenders Kenya in Sunday’s final to defend their continental title and maintain an unbeaten record in the competition. “This is the first step in the right direction for us. Now we are going to recover and refocus for the SVNS Division 3, where we want to qualify for Division 2 and get back into the global series,” skipper Nadine Roos said after the victorious campaign in Nairobi, where the team scored 214 points without conceding a single point. Roos (48) scored the most points for the team and was also named player of the final. Maria Tshiremba (7), Simamkele Namba (6)…

Kagiso Rabada did not bowl a ball in anger at Eden Gardens. But there was arguably nobody happier the moment Aiden Markram claimed the catch that gave the Proteas’ their first Test victory in India in 15 years. Rabada, seemingly forgetting about his rib injury that kept him on the sidelines, charged onto the field and was the first to embrace captain Temba Bavuma and the team. “It’s quite nerve wracking on the side and just itching to want to get out,” Rabada said. “But yeah, I mean, I don’t know what to say. It’s just, it’s just like an emotional roller coaster. That was typical Test cricket. I mean, like, just the ebbs and flows of the game. “We found ourselves on the back foot and then somehow managed…

Derbies often show little respect for form, reputation or past history, the best-laid plans often dissipating in the heat of drama, raw emotion and chaos that accompany these grudge matches. The north London derby rarely arrives without baggage, but this weekend’s meeting carries a particularly intriguing narrative: Arsenal, the would-be champions, against Tottenham, the project under reconstruction after the woes of last season that Uefa Champions League qualification could not disguise. The stakes feel bigger than ever. Not only can Arsenal reclaim pride after the frustrating draw with Sunderland, they can also land a statement blow in the title race against Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s men have been on a charmingly consistent run this season, blending youthful exuberance with defensive solidity. The problem? The 2-2 draw against Sunderland before the…

In a significant move aimed at bolstering labour rights and ensuring compliance with employment regulations, Minister of Employment and Labour, Nkosazana Meth, has announced plans to petition the National Treasury for additional funding. This funding is intended to increase the number of labour inspectors across all nine provinces of South Africa. The move comes as the Department reports persistent non-compliance in workplaces across the country, with non-compliance rates ranging between 13% and 66% across provinces and sectors over the past five years. Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, the Department conducted 1,265,135 workplace inspections and received thousands of complaints regarding non-compliant workplaces. During the same period, a total of 1,662 labour inspectors were employed. In a parliamentary reply to questions posed by Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi, Meth said that the Department…

This is a big week for South Africa, as we host the leaders of many of the world’s biggest economies at the G20 meetings, while business leaders from across the world meet at the B20 Summit. This comes hot on the heels of an upgrade in our sovereign credit rating by S&P Global from BB- to BB, which maintains a positive outlook. These provide both the opportunity and the evidence to demonstrate to the world that South Africa is back in business. We have a government that is starting to regain control of the nation’s finances and turning the trajectory toward sustainable, growth-supporting fiscal management. The medium-term budget policy statement last week showed continued fiscal discipline, with Treasury on track to deliver another primary surplus despite weak growth. We have…

Building on her early successes, Kerry Janse van Rensburg has become a driving force in South African retail technology, leading initiatives that bridge operational efficiency with customer-centric innovation. “Change is a constant in retail, especially in the digital space. It can be daunting, but embracing it is essential if you want to remain relevant and competitive,” van Rensburg said. Under her leadership, Pick n Pay has introduced AI-driven insights to better anticipate consumer demand, personalised digital shopping experiences, and improved supply chain responsiveness. These innovations have not only enhanced customer satisfaction but also set a benchmark for the industry. van Rensburg’s approach to leadership is grounded in empowering teams. She prioritises creating a culture where experimentation is encouraged, and successes are celebrated. “Our teams are the heart of digital transformation,”…

Astral, the integrated poultry producer that lifted its 2025 dividend by 112% to 1 100 cents per share, plans to maintain a strong balance sheet due to the volatile environment, to fund a large pipeline of capital projects and to even possibly consider acquisitions, CEO Gary Arnold said. Speaking in an online presentation on Monday, Arnold said the group staged a good financial recovery in the second half of its year to September 30, after earnings came under pressure in the first half. The group has been on a turnaround path since 2023, when its financial position was badly impacted by load shedding and avian influenza. He said the group would reach volume production capacity at the end of this month and, “we have a good pipeline of strategic projects,…

Barloworld, which last week announced cleared a last hurdle in its takeover by a consortium of Saudi investors, ahead of its delisting from the JSE, said on Monday that its headline earnings fell in the 12 months to September 30. Group headline earnings per share (HEPS) fell 21% to 810 cents. Excluding Barloworld Vostochnaya Technica (VT), the loss-making subsidiary in Russia and Caterpillar dealership, group HEPS declined by 14%. Free cash flow for the industrial processing, distribution, and services group, which has two primary focus areas—industrial equipment and services, and consumer industries (food and ingredient solutions)—reported group revenue lower by 10% to R37.7 billion. Excluding VT, revenue declined by 4.7% compared to the prior period. Net debt improved by 37% to R884 million, and net asset value per share grew…

Dalom Kids released their new single, Girl Child, on Friday. The track features collaborations with HarryCane, Eeque, Lowsheen and Droppa, showcasing the group’s continued commitment to creating music that connects across generations. For more than three decades, Dalom Kids have remained a staple of South Africa’s Afro-pop scene. Their performances combine infectious rhythms and powerful vocals, celebrating African culture while evolving their sound to resonate with both long-time fans and new listeners. The group, a female vocal trio, was originally formed in 1989 by the late music legend Dan Tshanda as part of his Splash band. Known for blending gospel-style chants with electronic disco beats, Dalom Kids sing primarily in Tswana, carrying forward Tshanda’s musical legacy. Over the years, the line-up has evolved, mixing original members with new talent, ensuring…

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has warned against calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, saying that it would be a “massive mistake” for the ANC to remove him as party leader and the country’s President. McKenzie argued that under Ramaphosa’s leadership of the Government of National Unity (GNU), inflation is at its lowest in years and nearly 300 000 jobs were created in the third quarter. He said these signs show the GNU is moving the country in the right direction. His remarks follow growing speculation that Ramaphosa may resign after the upcoming G20 summit. Addressing his supporters on Facebook live on Sunday, McKenzie said tensions within the ANC were escalating. “Patriots, let me tell you tonight: there’s war. The war has started,” he said. “If you…

Bullying in Gauteng schools has reached a deadly tipping point, a crisis now tragically captured in the final words of 16-year-old Lerato Mochadieane, who took his own life after years of torment at El-Shaddai Christian School in Vaal. Months before his death, Lerato wrote a chilling note revealing the weight of the abuse he endured daily, a desperate warning the system failed to hear. His family says the bullying began in 2022 and escalated into sexual, emotional and physical harassment. Despite repeated reports to the school, including an earlier suicide attempt that landed him in ICU, the family said no decisive action was taken. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) awaits a formal report from the school. The tragedy comes as Gauteng faces an alarming surge in bullying cases, intensifying…

Madlanga Commission said it would hear testimony from two witnesses linked to the 121 dockets moved from the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) to national police headquarters in Pretoria. The transfers, first exposed in July 6 by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, sit at the centre of a widening controversy inside the SAPS. Mkhwanazi has alleged the dockets were irregularly removed from the PKTT and left “collecting dust” in the office of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. He further suggested the move shielded individuals implicated in the politically sensitive investigations. Sibiya has rejected the claims, insisting he acted on formal instructions to temporarily house the dockets, and later told Parliament’s ad hoc committee he had followed a directive issued by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. Masemola subsequently…

Lobby group AfriForum has called on G20 countries to use the upcoming summit in Johannesburg and subsequent diplomatic engagements with South Africa to urge the government to respect property rights and take stronger action to address farm murders. The organisation stated that it had written to the embassies of G20 member states, outlining concerns about what it described as the erosion of property rights and the rise in violent attacks on farmers, and had also presented what it called practical solutions to both issues. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel stated that the lack of progress in addressing these matters had already impacted the G20 summit, pointing out that the United States had decided to boycott the gathering due to such concerns. “G20 countries can play a constructive role in stabilising both…

In South Africa, a customary marriage may begin with ancestral blessings, lobola payments and the union of two families – but when that union breaks down, tradition alone will not suffice. According to Cor Van Deventer, Director of Sandton-based law firm VDM Incorporated, while the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act (RCMA) gives full legal status to cultural marriages, it draws a firm line when it comes to divorce, as only a court of law can dissolve them. He pointed out that a customary marriage will automatically default to “in Community of Property” (COP). “A customary marriage carries the same legal weight as a legal marriage in South Africa; though registration is encouraged, a marriage can still be valid without it,” Van Deventer explains. He added that unless an antenuptial contract…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted signs of economic recovery in South Africa, pointing to improved employment figures, government finances, and structural reforms as the country prepares to host the first G20 summit on African soil. In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa said the latest data “point to the green shoots of an emerging economic recovery” despite recent economic challenges. The president noted that unemployment fell to 31.9% in the third quarter, down from 33.2% in the previous quarter, with nearly 250 000 more people employed, including around 130 000 in construction. Ramaphosa described these developments as encouraging and said the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement delivered last week “points to a sustained turnaround in government finances,” with the country on track to achieve a third consecutive primary…

The Man Who Fell From the Sky Anita Frank Narrated by Kristin Atherton Audible originals THE latest audiobook from Sunday Times bestselling author Anita Frank, tells a tale of forbidden love, secrecy, and sacrifice set in World War II. Narrated by the award-winning Kristin Atherton, this historical romance transports listeners to a time when passion flickered even in the darkest of circumstances. Set in March 1944, the story begins with a dramatic aerial battle over the English countryside. As a German bomber goes down, three parachutes drift against the dusk sky. Joan Marsh, on her family’s quiet farm in Somerset, witnesses one of them landing. Little does she know, this chance encounter will change her life forever. When Joan discovers that the man hiding in her barn is a…

Kaizer Chiefs return from the Fifa break facing three crucial fixtures that could define the trajectory of their season before the Africa Cup of Nations hiatus. Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Ben Khalil Youssef have steadied the ship in recent weeks – guiding the team into the CAF Confederation Cup group stages and winning back-to-back matches – but the upcoming stretch will truly test their structure, depth, and ambition. Amakhosi will restart their campaign with a daunting away trip to face Al Masry on Sunday at Suez Stadium. Beyond the opponent’s tactical discipline and home strength, the journey itself is a challenge, with the squad travelling the full length of the continent. Securing three points in Egypt would instantly shift the tone of their group-stage campaign. Just six days later, Chiefs…

The Proteas’ historic Test victory at Eden Gardens was significant for a number of reasons, but none more so than the culmination of the spinners’ revolution that has been unfolding. South Africa have traditionally endured an uncomfortable relationship with spin bowlers, often viewed as nothing more than a luxury possession – always “nice to have”, but never considered an essential element of attaining success. It is easy to understand the reasoning. Pitch conditions in South Africa have generally favoured the fast bowlers. Since 2000, in a sample size of 120 Test matches, fast bowlers have prospered the most with 3 083 wickets at an average of 28.30. It stands to reason, then, why South Africa’s top eight highest Test wicket-takers of all time are seam bowlers. Domestically, however, there has…

Jannik Sinner cut a delighted figure on Sunday after he finished a turbulent season in the best possible fashion, seeing off rival Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to retain his ATP Finals title. The Italian was roared to a 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 victory by supporters in Turin, who watched their idol cap a landmark season in which he became the first of his countrymen to win Wimbledon. “It’s an amazing season … This year making four Grand Slam finals, coming here, winning here, having this big streak at the end of the year, it’s amazing,” Sinner said afterwards. “But mostly I feel like a better player than last year; I think this is the most important. It’s all part of the process. I always say and believe that if you…