Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-03 i Star

The National Treasury, following consultations with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, said on Tuesday it will make up to R2.2 billion available to enable the repayment of depositors of Ithala. The payout process will start on December 8, 2025. Depositors will first need to be verified to ensure payments go to the correct recipients. Once verified, payments will be processed within approximately two days. More than 250 000 Ithala Bank customers have been in limbo since 2023, when the South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority (PA) took control and froze all the bank accounts. The PA declared the bank insolvent and applied for a provisional liquidation. First National Bank (FNB) has been appointed as the payout bank for Ithala depositors and will facilitate access to their funds. This arrangement is intended…

Damning audit by Auditor General reveals profound shortcomings across 59 municipalities More than 20% of South Africa's 257 municipalities spent around R2.32 billion on water tankering services in the 2023/24 financial year, with R420 million of that classified as irregular expenditure. A damning audit conducted by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) has revealed profound shortcomings in the management of the country’s water resources across 59 municipalities. The AGSA's Water Sector Report outlines a grim picture for Water Service Authorities (WSAs), who reported an astounding R14.89bn in water losses for the 2023-2024 year, attributed largely to inadequate maintenance of infrastructure. Briefing Parliament on Tuesday, AGSA officials warned of a steady deterioration in wastewater treatment, driven by poor water management and weak demand management systems. They reported that 90% of…

South Africa has now concluded its tenure as Chair of the G20, an extraordinary opportunity for a country that often sits at the intersection of global economic ambition and the lived realities of a developing agricultural sector. As the chairship winds down, one thing is clear: South Africa did not simply occupy the position; it shaped it. At a time when global food systems are strained by climate pressures, geopolitical conflict, erratic markets, and the lingering aftershocks of economic instability, South Africa’s leadership managed to push agriculture higher up the G20 agenda than it has been in years. And it did so with a deliberate focus on the Global South, reframing long-standing questions around food security, climate-smart farming, and inclusive growth. As we reflect on what this means for the…

At the conclusion of the 30th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) , when I ultimately bid farewell to the City of Belem, I felt a sense of relief and hope. A sense underwritten by the promise of what we had achieved from the negotiations and the conference - an outcome which signalled a commitment to action in the face of escalating climate crisis. Just as the news broke that the Brazilian presidency had released a final package coined as “global mutirão” – a name meaning “collective efforts”, after an all night negotiations in city of Belem, I thought “maybe, the Amazon never sleeps”. The Brazilian Presidency’s’ compact was an earnest attempt to pull together nations on controversial issues that had…

The Competition Tribunal has approved a major manganese-sector merger that will see ManganExx, a newly created subsidiary of Exxaro Resources, acquire significant mining and marketing interests from Ntsimbintle Holdings and its partners. Earlier this year, Exxaro diversified its portfolio, sinking up to R14 billion into the acquisition of manganese assets in the Northern Cape. The approval is subject to information-exchange conditions designed to safeguard competition in the market. Under the transaction, ManganExx will acquire: • Ntsimbintle Mining from Ntsimbintle Holdings and OMH (Mauritius) Corp; • Ntsimbintle Marketing and Trading, the Singapore-based global marketing arm, from Ntsimbintle Holdings; and • A shareholding in Mokala Manganese from Ntsimbintle Holdings. Once implemented, the transaction will place all target firms under the control of ManganExx, strengthening Exxaro’s footprint in the manganese sector. Exxaro, listed…

Shaftesbury Capital has gone through another period of positive performance with its London West End portfolio seeing high occupancy, footfall and sales volumes, chief executive Ian Hawksworth said Tuesday. He said in a trading update for the period July 1 to October 31, 2025, that 367 transactions have been completed year-to-date, well ahead of ERV (estimated rental value) and previous passing rents. On the JSE in the afternoon, the share price was 0.49% lower at R32.22 - the price traded at R31.37 a year before. "As customers continue to prioritise the highest quality locations, enduring demand for our exceptional portfolio together with strong performance and a healthy leasing pipeline give us confidence in our medium-term targets," he said. The 367 leasing transactions representing £30.2 million of new contracted rent in…

As the festive season rolls in, there’s just something about curling up with a good romcom that hits differently. Maybe it’s the warm lights, the holiday chaos, or just the craving for a little romance to balance the festive madness. For fans of local drama with a sweet dose of love and family, the upcoming miniseries Ek, Hy en Jy looks set to deliver exactly that. The story centres on Soefie (Reandi Grey), a woman who has spent 16 years putting her younger sister Katrien’s needs ahead of her own. Since losing their parents, Soefie has carried the responsibility of looking after Katrien (Blyde Smit) and, in the process, has quietly sacrificed her own dreams. Enter the holiday-season dilemma, her pilot boyfriend Nicolaas, played by André Lötter, has an incredible…

Matome Chiloane, Gauteng Education MEC, has expressed deep concern that some parents whose children attend fee-paying schools fail to pay school fees while spending money on expensive school transportation, trips, and driving luxury vehicles. Chiloane brought up the issue during a crucial meeting with principals and School Governing Body (SGB) members from all fee-paying schools in the province. The principal and SGB of each school were present to ensure broad engagement on key issues affecting fee-paying institutions. During the meeting, Chiloane presented the Gauteng Department of Education’s financial position and provided an update on subsidies owed to schools in line with norms and standards for school funding. Discussions also covered the growing problem of non-payment of school fees and other pending matters that affect schools’ effective functioning. “Well, as fee-paying…

Two Mozambican nationals have been arrested after police recovered two firearms stolen from officers who were shot dead in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, last week. National spokesperson for the South African Police Service, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said an intelligence-driven operation led to the recovery of an SAPS-issued 9mm pistol and an R5 rifle, both positively identified as the weapons taken from Sergeant Rapetsoa and Constable Montja before they were killed last week Friday evening. Following the murders, SAPS mobilised specialised units, including Crime Intelligence, the Sedibeng Tactical Response Team and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – also known as the Hawks – to track down the suspects and the missing firearms. The raid led officers to Tembisa and Mamelodi East, where the two weapons were found along with several rounds…

The Department of Social Development (DSD) has warned South Africans to be on high alert after a fraudulent message claiming government has launched a new “National Family Support Allowance” began circulating widely on social media. In the fake post, scammers allege that President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe to open applications for a three-month allowance worth R1 682. The Department has flatly rejected the message as false. The Department says it categorically dismisses this information as fake news, stressing that “there is no such programme, no new cash allowance, and no registration process linked to any ‘National Family Support Allowance’.” According to the Department, the message appears to be designed to mislead the public and harvest personal information through fraudulent links. “The message is a scam…

Sustainability took centre stage at the STADIO School of Fashion’s Worn & Reborn showcase, where creativity met conscience in a celebration of circular design. Held on November 29 at 012Central, a revitalised industrial space in Pretoria’s CBD, the event marked 30 years of STADIO’s fashion education and excellence. The showcase highlighted the school’s commitment to challenging the traditional “take-make-dispose” model by keeping resources in circulation and transforming waste into innovative, expressive fashion. Students from various programmes demonstrated how pre-loved garments, production offcuts and discarded materials could be reborn as cutting-edge collections, proving sustainability and high fashion can coexist seamlessly on the runway. According to the school, this philosophy came to life on the Worn & Reborn stage, where each cohort presented a sustainability-led collection celebrating creativity, responsibility and craftsmanship.…

Proteas One Day International captain Temba Bavuma has expressed his satisfaction with the emerging talent in the team over recent years and the additional options their versatility has provided. South Africa will face India in the second ODI at the Shaheed Singh International Cricket Stadium today (10am SA time), aiming to claim their first win of the series after a 17-run defeat in the opener on Sunday. Bavuma will return to the squad after missing the first match due to illness. Despite his absence, several players stepped up, including Matthew Breetzke, who impressed with a top score of 72, while Marco Jansen (70) and Corbin Bosch (67) also contributed significantly. Under coach Shukri Conrad, the Proteas have rewarded consistent performances, and with a surge of young talent providing depth across…

There is a familiar, almost ritualistic intensity that envelopes a camp preparing for a cup final. For Orlando Pirates, that intensity was unmistakable as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s Carling Knockout final in Polokwane. And yet, beneath the controlled tension, there was a notable measure of confidence – perhaps even quiet conviction – that this could finally be the year the Buccaneers end their long-standing drought in the competition. Pirates, despite their rich history, have curiously failed to lay hands on this particular trophy for years. It is a fact Sibisi acknowledged with a mixture of honesty and resolve. Addressing a packed media room at the Rand Stadium, he did not shy away from the gravity of the occasion. “This is…

The Competition Commission has referred a complaint against eight cargo shipping companies to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution for alleged price fixing. The eight cargo shipping companies, respondents, are Maersk South Africa, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), CMA CGM Shipping Agencies South Africa, Pacific International Lines South Africa, Mitsui O.S.K Lines South Africa, Evergreen Agency South Africa, COSCO Shipping Lines South Africa, and K Line Shipping South Africa. The Commission said in a statement on Tuesday that the respondents are global container shipping liners involved in shipping cargo for import and export purposes across the globe, including South Africa. They are alleged to have engaged in the fixing of the rates called General Rate Increase (GRI) charged to customers for the shipment of general cargo enroute from South Africa to Asia…

In a resounding testament to the growing dominance of digital commerce, Peach Payments announced a staggering 93% uplift in sales processed during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend compared to 2024. The South African payments platform reported that over four days, it handled more than 2.69 million transactions totalling a remarkable R1.86 billion. Chief Executive Officer and cofounder Rahul Jain shared that the most significant individual transaction during this weekend was an impressive R1.09 million deal in the Travel & Accommodation sector. This highlights not only consumer confidence but also the increasing reliance on online transactions in various sectors. The Retail sector was a notable success story, boasting a remarkable 154% increase in its share of online sales compared to last year. This surge reflects a broader consumer trend…

If you have driven through the Eastern, Western or Northern Cape recently, you may have seen convoys of trucks transporting massive wind turbine blades. They are difficult to miss; long, narrow and striking against the red Karoo dust. For many, these vehicles are just another road delay. For us, they are a signal that the centre of gravity in South Africa’s energy system is shifting. Wind energy is scaling up. Quietly, consistently and with far less fanfare than solar, it is becoming the most important contributor to our future electricity mix. Based on the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, South Africa’s installed wind capacity is anticipated to grow from around 4 gigawatts today to 34 gigawatts by 2039. That is almost nine times increase over the next 14 years, which compared…

Araxi Limited (previously Capital Appreciation) attracted new clients, secured long term contracts, diversified revenue sources and increased market share in the six months to September 30.The JSE-listed company delivered a resilient performance amid ongoing low business confidence and sluggish economic growth.CEO Bradley Sacks said a "very healthy underlying performance" was masked by prior-period restatements, that increased prior-year headline earnings per share (HEPS) by 29%. Current year profitability, with HEPS at 7.82 cents, nevertheless kept pace, and exceeded this growth, he said in an interview. The interim dividend was held steady at 4.5 cents a share. This strong performance was evidenced by normalised EPS, which removes the largest once-off restatement, as well as one-time restructuring costs in Software, and indicates underlying EPS and HEPS increased by 59% and 58%, respectively. Asked…

Rachel John is apparently shaking up the Springboks WAG ecosystem, with Mzansi’s former first lady of rugby, Rachel Kolisi, also in the heat of the matter. This comes after Siya’s soon-to-be ex-wife dropped a cryptic bomb on Instagram – and fans are convinced it’s aimed squarely at John. In an eyebrow-raising Instagram Story, she posted: “Those fake checkups don’t work on me. I’m good. Mind your business … Kind regards.” If the subtext wasn’t loud enough, the timing had social media detectives sprinting. Why? Because just as she hit “unfollow” on Saskia Snyman – once one of her closest WAG allies – John has slid into the spotlight, forming new friendships and stepping confidently into the Springbok wives’ inner circle. And, according to fans, she’s not just stepping in ……

Two former State Security Agency (SSA) members have been arrested for allegedly misappropriating state funds to the tune of approximately R12 million. The duo was arrested on Sunday by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) of the National Prosecuting Authority, working closely with SSA. Patrick Mshothola, who acted as Project Manager on various projects within the Chief Directorate Special Operations (CDSO) of the SSA, together with his co-accused, Thulani Dlomo who held the position of Deputy Director: Counterintelligence within the SSA, are being charged on allegations of theft, fraud, forgery and uttering. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the pair made their first court appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Monday where they were released on R20 000 bail each. “The conditions include them surrendering their travel…

What began as ordinary kitchen chores beside her mother, peeling potatoes, chopping onions, tasting broth, has blossomed into a remarkable culinary ascent. From the vibrant streets of Mamelodi to the refined kitchens of Pretoria East, Zinhle Skosana’s journey is a stirring testament to passion, perseverance, and the courage to chase a dream one dish at a time. Now, at just 25, Skosana is fast becoming a rising force in South Africa’s culinary landscape. Her story, rooted in humble beginnings and seasoned with hard-earned skill, is as rich and layered as the sauces she so effortlessly creates, proof that greatness can grow from the simplest ingredients. In 2023, Skosana took a bold step in her culinary journey by enrolling at Capsicum, South Africa’s leading culinary institution. She graduated as a qualified…

Tens of thousands of matriculants, together with thousands of parental homes, schools and teachers, are tensely awaiting the announcement by the Minister of Basic Education of the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination. In many ways, the NSC directs a learner’s opportunities and life chances on the road going forward, and the anticipated announcement is probably one of the most important events on the path of the Grade 12 school leaver. Admission to further study, opportunities in the world of work, and the licence to pursue aspirations – for every individual, these depend on the announcement that is about to be made. Every school leaver has dedicated 12 years or even more to preparation for the examination and has shown tenacity in pursuing this sought-after qualification. During…

Boks brace for 2027 World Cup pool draw in Sydney Two years out from the next World Cup, the bookies have the Springboks as hot favourites to defend their title once more, but that will not mean coach Rassie Erasmus will be holding thumbs when the pool draw is made in Sydney today (start 11am). The Springboks have shown the rugby world this year that they fear nobody, while in 2019 and 2023 they equally showed that, however tough their pool might be, they have the courage and gameplan to overcome in the end. In 2019, they lost to New Zealand in a pool game and defied the odds to become the first country to lose a pool game and go on to win the Webb Ellis Cup. They did…

Durban City FC have moved swiftly to identify a successor after parting ways with head coach Gavin Hunt, with sources revealing that Rulani Mokwena, Simo Dladla and Roger de Sa are all being considered. Hunt’s departure – confirmed on Monday by “mutual agreement” following a technical review – has triggered an urgent strategic rethink at the newly promoted Betway Premiership side. Chairman Farook Kadodia thanked the four-time league champion for his professionalism, but the focus has now shifted towards securing a permanent replacement during the Africa Cup of Nations break. Assistant coach Pitso Dladla will lead the team on an interim basis when they face Orbit College today in the Betway Premiership (kick-off 7.30pm). City head into that encounter in eighth spot, having collected 19 points in the 14 games…

South Africa’s economy could still grow less than 1% this year despite optimism for a slight upsurge after gross domestic product (GDP) posted its fourth straight gain in the three months to September. Data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) shows that real GDP grew by 0.5% in the third quarter, slower than the revised 0.9% growth in the second quarter. Stats SA’s chief director for national accounts, Dr Bokang Vumbukani-Lepolesa, said the expansion was quite broad-based, with nine over 10 industries growing during this period. “The trade, mining and finance industries as well as government services were the most significant positive contributors to overall growth. Trade increased by 1% with positive gains in wholesale, retail, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverages,” she said. “Mining output increased by…

A new feasibility study has found that the South Africa–Europe iron ore shipping corridor could begin operating ammonia-fueled bulk carriers as early as 2029, positioning Saldanha Bay as a future global hub for green maritime fuels. The analysis, released by the Global Maritime Forum (GMF) and conducted with a consortium of partners including Anglo American, CMB.TECH, Freeport Saldanha, VUKA Marine and ENGIE, concludes that the route linking Saldanha Bay to the Port of Rotterdam could reach full decarbonisation by 2035. If realised, it would be one of the world’s first major green shipping corridors connecting the Global South to the Global North. Saldanha Bay, home to South Africa’s primary iron-ore export terminal, already has plans under way to develop green ammonia production and expand port infrastructure to handle bunkering operations.…

South Africa’s chrome mining sector has pushed back against government plans to impose a tax on chrome ore exports, arguing that the decline of the domestic ferrochrome industry is the result of crippling electricity tariffs rather than ore availability or pricing. The Glencore-Merafe JV ferrochrome smelter has started retrenchments while Samancor Chrome could also close down. The Minerals Council South Africa says high power prices, combined with logistical inefficiencies at ports and rail, have left smelters uncompetitive, even though transport conditions have marginally improved in recent months. Chrome miners face a government tax on chrome ore exports. In October, Cabinet made decisions aimed at reviving South Africa’s chrome industry and invited comments for on a proposal to “place chrome ore under export control by the International Trade Administration Commission” of…

The South African electricity sector has been exceptionally active during the final quarter of 2025. On 27 November, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved the Market Operator Licence submitted by the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA). This approval is a key step toward the establishment of a competitive electricity market and marks a shift from planning to implementation. Nersa has also approved the creation of the Electricity Market Advisory Forum (EMAF), a body tasked with guiding the rollout of the competitive market framework. EMAF will advise the regulator on the finalisation and implementation of the Market Rules and the Market Code. Its formation signals the beginning of structured oversight for market design, something long overdue. Earlier in the month Nersa approved the Grid Capacity Allocation…

Matome Chiloane, Gauteng Education MEC, has expressed deep concern that some parents whose children attend fee-paying schools fail to pay school fees while spending money on expensive school transportation, trips, and driving luxury vehicles. Chiloane brought up the issue during a crucial meeting with principals and School Governing Body (SGB) members from all fee-paying schools in the province. The principal and SGB of each school were present to ensure broad engagement on key issues affecting fee-paying institutions. During the meeting, Chiloane presented the Gauteng Department of Education’s financial position and provided an update on subsidies owed to schools in line with norms and standards for school funding. Discussions also covered the growing problem of non-payment of school fees and other pending matters that affect schools’ effective functioning. “Well, as fee-paying…

ANC leaders Mondli Gungubele and Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, have vehemently denied allegations that they are planning to overthrow ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa. Both members issued separate statements on Monday evening, distancing themselves from the alleged plot. The denials come as reports of a renewed plot by some “disgruntled” ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members to remove Ramaphosa have surfaced, just days before the party’s National General Council (NGC) meeting. The NGC is scheduled for next Monday, December 8-12, at the Birchwood Hotel. The statements from Phaahla and Gungubele followed closely after three key ANC structures – the Youth, Women’s, and Veterans’ Leagues – each released statements publicly backing Ramaphosa’s leadership amid the circulating rumours of his removal. Gungubele dismissed the allegations on his X account, stating:…

The motion of no confidence tabled against Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has been withdrawn by one of his predecessors, Al Jama-ah Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda. Gwamanda tabled the motion of confidence last month after the ANC had a fallout with minority parties in the Government of Local Unity. “I would like to take an approach and indicate and register with the council that an approach was adopted, and I am grateful for the fact that the executive mayor felt it important to take it upon himself to engage the affected parties, who then took a decision,” he said. Gwamanda added: “We would like to thank the Patriotic Alliance, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), as well as the APC (African People’s Convention) because those political parties assisted us in resolving, as the…

A group of men have been taken in for questioning after police learned that there was an alleged plot to assassinate key role players in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said a case of conspiracy to commit murder has been registered and under investigation in relation to the trial. According to Mathe, the South African Police Service (SAPS) received concrete intelligence indicating that these individuals were allegedly scouting for opportunities to eliminate key figures in the trial. “The SAPS has taken a group of individuals who attended proceedings this morning for further questioning and profiling,” said Mathe. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who is pivotal to the ongoing trial concerning the tragic murder of the former Orlando Pirates soccer player, appears to be the primary target of this…

The Department of Basic Education has revealed that 7 294 unqualified Grade R practitioners are currently employed in public schools across all nine provinces in South Africa, and that only 2 121 of them are eligible for qualification upgrades. These practitioners do not possess the minimum National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 qualification required to teach at this level. The figures were presented to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education yesterday during a briefing on the status of regulations to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act as they relate to Grade R admissions. The briefing also included updates on Sections 4 and 5 of the Children’s Amendment Bill of 2025. In August, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, gazetted the first two sets of regulations under the BELA…

I’m deaf, and I’m a social worker. For 23 years, I’ve been a member of Parliament, where I’ve been in the position to advocate for access for deaf people, including people with disabilities. I chaired the committee that moved to have the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities ratified. Year after year, we mark Deaf Awareness Month, and we have Disability Rights Awareness Month as well as 365 Days Against Violence and Abuse. Given all that, we would have thought that those in the medical profession would be more empathetic and understanding towards deaf patients. Time and again, I’ve come to see that many in the medical profession just do not know how to communicate with deaf patients. They do not have empathy for deaf patients. I…

The Lions are on an uncustomary roll after back-to-back victories in the United Rugby Championship, and forward coach Julian Redelinghuys feels they have the momentum to win Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash with Benetton at Ellis Park. But the former Lions and Bok prop says his team cannot afford to drop this home game and must cash in on significant URC defeats of Ulster and the Bulls. With just four pool matches determining playoff qualification for the Challenge Cup, Redelinghuys says there is no room for error. “You need to end high up in your pool to have a home round of 16 and quarter-final,” he said. “Benetton here, Newcastle away, Lyon here, Perpignan away — those games decide everything. We want Ellis Park hosting those knockouts.” The Lions are not…

The year 2025 was one of contrasts for South African athletics. While several individuals delivered standout performances, Team SA once again struggled on the world stage. A contingent of 49 athletes tried to end an eight-year medal drought at the World Championships in Tokyo but returned with just one medal – the 4x400m relay bronze – underscoring the ongoing challenges of aligning the domestic season with the global calendar. For athletes like Bayanda Walaza, the year ended in heartbreak as injury robbed the young sprint sensation of a realistic medal chance. Simbine: Early-season spark The year began brightly with encouraging signs from South Africa’s sprint king, Akani Simbine, who won bronze in the men’s 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on March 21. His fine early-season…

Arne Slot admitted yesterday that “superhuman” Mohamed Salah was unhappy about being omitted from Liverpool’s team for their vital 2-0 win against West Ham, but praised his attitude. The Egypt forward was an unused substitute at the London Stadium on Sunday as Liverpool boss Slot made changes following a terrible run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions. Misfiring Salah, 33, has scored just four Premier League goals this season – in stark contrast to his haul of 29 last season, a tally that won him the Golden Boot. Slot revealed that during his reign as manager at Anfield, Salah had been a “superhuman being” but that he had not been at his best in recent weeks. “As with all players around the world, there are phases in…