Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-19 i Star

Domestic currency ending the year on a high note, supported by higher metals prices The rand has emerged as one of the more resilient emerging-market currencies in a year marked by global volatility, benefiting not only from improving domestic fundamentals but also from sustained weakness in the US dollar. This comes as the domestic currency is ending the year on a high note as it surged to its highest in three years this week, strengthening to R16.71 against the US dollar, the highest since mid-August 2022, supported by higher prices of precious metals, particularly gold. The rand was also strengthened by consumer inflation softening to 3.5% in November from 3.6% in October, moving closer to the SA Reserve Bank's (Sarb) new 3% target and strengthening the case for a rate…

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has participated in the signing of a landmark loan agreement for the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) Project in Angola, marking a key milestone that clears the way for full implementation of the strategic regional infrastructure initiative. The DBSA on Thursday said its involvement includes approved senior debt funding of up to $200 million, co-funded alongside $553m from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The project is sponsored by Trafigura, Mota-Engil and Vecturis. The financing agreement formalises international and regional backing for the rehabilitation and development of the Lobito Corridor, a major rail and logistics route linking Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The loan will enable upgrades to the railway’s track infrastructure, workshops, signalling systems, and rolling…

DRDGOLD has announced that planned strike action at its Ergo Mining (ERGO) operations has been suspended, allowing operations to continue uninterrupted. Ergo Mining is a major surface gold tailings retreatment operation extending from central Johannesburg to Ekurhuleni in the east, treating around 1.7 million tons of material. In a statement on Thursday, the gold producer said it had been notified late on Wednesday by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) that their members’ intended protected strike action would not proceed at this stage. The strike had been due to begin with the morning shift on Thursday. The notice followed the finalisation of picketing rules under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) earlier this month. The company…

Nkalakatha Fest ‘25 Some of Mzansi’s biggest acts will take to the stage at this event, which celebrates the life and legacy of late kwaito legend, Mandoza (real name Mduduzi Edmund Tshabalala). The line-up includes Mdu Masilela, Lady Du, Trompies, Boom Shaka, Mgarimbe, Arthur Mafokate, Professor and Pitch Black Afro. They will be joined by Bongo Maffin, Rethabile Khumalo, DJ Christos, Toss, Busiswa, Alaska, Mafikizolo and Ralf Gum. The music festival also seeks to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mandoza’s hit song, Nkalakatha, which transcended race and language barriers even after his death on September 18, 2016, following a battle with cancer. The proceeds from the event will go towards The Nkalakatha Bursary Fund, which supports young people through education. Where: The Nasrec Expo Centre. When: Tomorrow from noon. What…

It always starts the same way: a date, a city, a familiar name, and then the realisation that something big is coming back. This time, it’s Africa’s Grandest Gathering, which is returning to Cape Town. On March 27 and 28, 2026, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will once again take over the Cape Town International Convention Centre, launching its 23rd edition with a bold new visual identity and a first-wave line-up that signals confidence, ambition and global reach. Ranked as the fourth largest jazz and music festival in the world, CTIJF 2026 places Cape Town firmly back at the centre of the international jazz map. This is where the world comes to listen and where South Africa answers back. Leading the charge is seven-time Grammy Award winner Jacob Collier,…

A teenager was swept out to sea while swimming at uMdloti beach, north of Durban on Wednesday. According to a report from Marshall Security, the teen was with two others when all three got into difficulty. While the two young people were brought to safety, the other teen remained missing. It was reported that the National Sea Rescue Institute, Lifesaving club, Netcare911 and other first responders had conducted a grid search on Wednesday afternoon. The search operation resumed yesterday. The incident comes after the Durban Metro Police and Lifesaving South Africa urged holidaymakers across the country to adhere to rules regarding swimming and supervision when visiting beaches, pools and dams during the festive season to prevent drownings and other incidents. Lifesaving South Africa noted conditions during the period from the…

On the eve of Bafana Bafana’s journey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, head coach Hugo Broos has issued a stark warning about the road ahead. Following a narrow 1-0 victory against a determined Ghana B side at Dobsonville Stadium, which served as their final warm-up match, Broos emphasised the heightened challenges that await his squad. South Africa kicks off its AFCON campaign in Group B, facing Angola in the first match on 22 December. The group also includes African football heavyweights Egypt and regional rivals Zimbabwe, making for a demanding schedule. Despite the optimism stemming from an unbeaten qualifying run and a commendable bronze-medal finish at the previous AFCON, Broos made it clear that complacency must not set in. “The only thing we have to…

Controversial umpiring at the Ashes persisted even on Day 2 of the ongoing third Test at the Adelaide Oval as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc expressed his frustration and opined that the snicko technology ‘needs to be sacked’. Pat Cummins bowled a sharply directed short ball that climbed awkwardly on Smith, forcing him to hop and fend it defensively. The ball popped up towards first slip, where Usman Khawaja dived forward, prompting a loud Australian appeal for a catch. The on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs amid doubts over bat or glove contact and whether the catch carried. Replays showed the ball had struck Smith’s helmet, not his gloves, despite a Snicko spike. It also bounced before reaching Khawaja’s hands, leading to an eventual not-out verdict. Amid the snicko controversy, Starc,…

The Proteas will be looking to end off the India tour on a high with a victory during the fifth and final T20I match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and level the series 2-2. The Proteas have had a successful tour thus far in India. Coach Shukri Conrad’s side started the tour with a historic Test series victory, winning their first series in whites in India for the first time in 25 years with a 2-0 clean sweep. The side then moved to the One-Day Internationals, where they lost the first match and bounced back strongly in the second, but lost the third and final match, thus losing the series 2-1. In the shortest format, the Proteas currently trail 2-1, with the fourth match having been…

NEXT year will mark half a century since Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). It is a very long time without success for a country that has grown to become a force on the continent. But as the rest of Africa converge on the land of the Atlas Lions for the biennial, continental soccer showpiece starting this weekend until mid January, confidence abounds that the trophy will remain on home soil. A nation excitedly anticipates glory. And with good reason too. After all, theirs is a national team that has not been beaten in a very long time. Morocco are on a world record 18 consecutive international victories having only recently become the best African nation at the World Cup. They were the first team from the continent…

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has long been synonymous with unpredictability, chaos, and riveting emotional journeys. As players from Africa's most fervent football nations prepare for yet another fiercely contested edition of the tournament, hosted by Morocco starting Sunday, the football world can brace itself for the unexpected. Recent form points towards Morocco and its talented squad as clear favourites. However, history tells a different story—one in which the continental championship often defies pre-tournament predictions, leaving room for underdogs to script their own remarkable narratives. In a region where passion pulsates through stadiums, anything can happen, and previous editions bear testament to the thrill that defies expectations. The unpredictability of AFCON Throughout its storied history, AFCON has been a breeding ground for upsets, with underdogs unexpectedly rising to prominence.…

African governments will turn to unconventional ways to meet financing costs expected to reach almost $83 billion next year, the highest level since 2021, according to BMI. Sub-Saharan African nations typically plug their shortfalls through a mix of concessional financing, domestic securities, commercial eurobond issuances and, to a lesser extent, “unorthodox methods” including central bank financing, BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, wrote in a report. “While these options will still dominate, we expect novel instruments to become more commonplace in 2026,” the firm said. They include Sharia-compliant sukuk bonds to tap into domestic markets, sustainability-linked and ESG bonds for specific projects, and infrastructure-linked bonds and diaspora bonds, BMI wrote. To hedge against foreign-exchange risk, more African countries are likely to issue foreign-currency debt in currencies other than the dollar…

As 2025 draws to a close, the cryptocurrency industry can look back on a year that fundamentally redefined its relationship with traditional finance. Rather than operating in parallel to conventional markets, digital assets have begun to integrate into mainstream financial infrastructure. Price milestones Bitcoin’s performance throughout 2025 reflected maturation rather than speculation. The digital currency topped R2 million on Luno for the first time on 20 January - Trump’s inauguration day - just 11 months after crossing the R1 million threshold. The asset continued its ascent, climbing above R2.2 million before October brought significant volatility. The most notable correction came in early October when tariff announcements triggered a sharp decline to the current R1.47 million. Yet even this downturn revealed something important: the market’s response differed markedly from previous cycles.…

The global economy could splinter, stagnate or rebound sharply by 2030 depending on how geopolitical tensions and the pace of technology adoption evolve, according to a new World Economic Forum (WEF) white paper released this month. In Four Futures for the New Economy: Geoeconomics and Technology in 2030, the WEF outlines four distinct scenarios that could define the next phase of global growth, trade and investment, warning businesses that long-held strategic assumptions are becoming increasingly fragile. The report argues that two forces will be decisive over the rest of the decade: the stability of the geopolitical order and the speed and breadth with which technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced connectivity are adopted across economies. Under the most optimistic scenario, dubbed “Digitalized Order”, geopolitical stabilisation and rapid, widespread…

When you think of George Clooney, what comes to mind? Hollywood’s quintessential charmer, suave romantic leads, and yes, those iconic on-screen kisses. But in a surprising move, the two-time Oscar winner has revealed he’s officially retiring from locking lips with female co-stars. The decision stems from a heartfelt conversation with his wife, Amal Clooney, and a broader reflection on his age and career. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Clooney, now 64, shared his new perspective: “I’ve been trying to go the route Paul Newman did. ‘OK, well, I’m not kissing a girl anymore’.” The revelation marks a significant shift in the career of one of Hollywood’s most beloved heartthrobs, sparking curiosity and admiration from fans and peers alike. But why does this decision feel so personal, so relatable,…

Early yesterday morning, a bus authorised to carry 65-seater passengers began its cross-border journey from Gauteng. Provincial traffic officers intercepted the bus and discovered it was overloaded by 11 passengers. The Star has copies revealing that a fine of R3 000 was issued. The bus was subsequently released to continue its nearly 2 000 km journey to Malawi – a trip estimated to last approximately 28 hours. When the vehicle arrived in Limpopo via the N1, authorities spotted the bus travelling near Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The same bus was now carrying 117 occupants, including 15 children. Officers initially stopped the bus after noticing it appeared unroadworthy, and upon inspection, they confirmed it was severely overloaded, narrowly averting what could have been a disastrous incident. The bus was detained…

A Mpumalanga woman, Nonhlanhla Portia Nkosi (30), has been sentenced to 57 years in prison for the brutal murder of Sifiso Lucky Kubheka, whose body was discovered in the Roodebank River with his hands bound in cable ties and his legs tied to a rock. Nkosi was also convicted for the kidnapping and assault of another victim, highlighting the heinous nature of her crimes. The sentence was handed down by the Evander Magistrate’s Court following a thorough investigation into the disappearance of Khubeka, who was reported missing on 21 April 2024. Provincial spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said police investigations uncovered a criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, intimidation, cybercrime, and robbery-related offences. “Nkosi has been sentenced to 57 years’ imprisonment for her role…

At first glance, the building looks merely neglected: broken windows patched with cardboard, a security gate welded shut, a tangle of illegal electricity cables draped across the façade like vines. But behind the locked doors of many inner-city buildings in Johannesburg, a highly organised criminal economy is at work, one that property owners, investigators and housing advocates say is generating billions of rand a year while hollowing out South Africa’s cities. The death of DJ Warras, gunned down in broad daylight outside the Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg earlier this week, is alleged to almost certainly be a hit believed to be linked to building hijackers. His death brought into focus the issue of hijacked buildings throughout South Africa, and in Joburg especially. Joburg Transport MEC Kenny Kunene said: “we are…

The City of Cape Town has denied allegations that Christian symbols were removed from this year’s Adderley Street festive lights display, insisting that religious elements such as angels, Mary and baby Jesus are still present. According to The Star’s sister paper, Cape Argus, this follows growing public criticism from political parties and religious groups, who claim the exclusion of Christian imagery reflects a lack of transparency and cultural sensitivity. In a formal response to media enquiries, the City said the annual festive lights along Adderley Street – a tradition spanning over five decades – continue to feature a blend of symbols celebrating Cape Town’s heritage, landscape, and diverse communities. “The Festive Lights are themed each year to incorporate various icons representing Cape Town’s unique features, including Table Mountain, penguins, the…

Proteas Women’s wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta reflected fondly on the year the team has had, highlighting the ICC Women’s World Cup final as the standout moment for her and the team as the squad heads into the last fixture of the year this year. What a year the Proteas Women have had. It has been a rollercoaster, having been bowled out for 70 odd in their first game of the World Cup, bringing back all the demons and traumas of South African cricket in ICC events, to going on to reach their first ever ODI World Cup final in Navi Mumbai last month. Both as a team and individuals, there have been standout performances, moments the country will remember for many years to come. Who can forget Tazmin Brits’ five…

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Doctor Khumalo has voiced his support for Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule, backing him to play a key role for South Africa at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana will open their tournament campaign against Angola on Monday at the Stade de Marrakech, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm. Drawn in Group B, South Africa will also face Egypt and Zimbabwe as they look to take an early step towards what would be just the second AFCON title in the nation’s history. The 2023 edition of the tournament, where Hugo Broos and his charges sent a strong message across the continent, has seen expectations rise significantly ahead of this campaign, including belief that the team can go all the way. The Belgian coach has been…

The ongoing India-South Africa series remains fiercely contested, with two possible outcomes before the final game: South Africa drawing level at 2-2 or India winning it 3-1, and former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn opined that India have ‘been the better team’ so far in the three games played. The fourth T20I of the series was called off on Wednesday without a ball being bowled due to heavy fog in Lucknow. This delay means the series’ outcome will be decided in the final game, scheduled for today the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Steyn reflected on the hosts’ outings and South Africa’s overall tour of India, praising their performances across formats while also highlighting moments when they narrowly missed opportunities. “I think it’s been a great series, and South Africa…

MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson may give his Stormers counterpart John Dobson a ring about scrumhalf Imaad Khan’s availability for the Betway SA20 Season 4. Jokes aside, Khan, 22, who recently scored a try on his Champions Cup debut, was certainly the most impressive batter on show at Newlands on Tuesday with the young No 9 smashing the ball both sides of the wicket. “The scrumhalf, he spoke a big game and backed it up. He warmed into it with a few defensive shots before going big,” Peterson said at Newlands after the net session between his MI Cape Town players and the Stormers rugby team. “It certainly reminded me of years ago when I played for the (Cape) Cobras. We used to play a cricket game against them…

Nedbank has concluded the sale of its stake in Nigerian lender Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) to Bosquet Investments for R1.8 billion and will pencil in a R7bn cumulative loss on its books from the investment. The sale of the 21.2% stake has been approved by the requisite regulators, and the disposal was concluded on December 17, 2023. Bosquet Investments is the private investment vehicle of Alain Nkontchou, the managing partner and co-founder of Enko Capital Management, an Africa focused asset management company. Nedbank first invested in ETI in 2011, when it acquired a 20% stake for about R5.4bn at the time, as part of a strategic alliance between the two banks. Nedbank said Thursday the disposal will have no impact on the headlie earnings a share (HEPS) forecast it made…

The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) has highlighted the significant challenges faced by the livestock industry in 2025 due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, while outlining the role organised agriculture has played in supporting affected producers. This comes as the Department of Agriculture announced it is intensifying efforts to combat the disease, which continues to affect large parts of the country. Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the National RPO, said organised agricultural bodies are often questioned about why they do not intervene more directly during outbreaks. He explained that FMD is a state-controlled disease, which limits the scope for direct industry intervention. “In short, the easy answer is that FMD is a state-controlled disease. This, however, does not mean that we did not do everything in our…

BP has announced the appointment of Meg O’Neill as its next CEO, effective 1 April 2026, marking a major leadership transition at the UK-listed energy major. The company said current CEO Murray Auchincloss stepped down from his role and from the board on Thursday, 18 December. Carol Howle, bp’s executive vice president for supply, trading and shipping, will serve as interim CEO until O’Neill formally takes up the role. Auchincloss will remain in an advisory capacity until December 2026 to support a smooth handover. O’Neill joins bp from Woodside Energy, where she has served as CEO since 2021. During her tenure, Woodside grew into the largest energy company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. She also led the transformational acquisition of BHP Petroleum International, creating a geographically diversified portfolio of…

Mzansi has endured a difficult week, with the nation mourning the loss of some celebrities while others grieve the passing of their loved ones. From the brutal killing of DJ Warras to the passing of former Springboks Women’s captain Lusanda Mduke and the Sama’s leaving netizens unimpressed, it has been a whirlwind week. Let’s explore this week’s celeb buzz: 1Tributes pour in for Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, murdered at 40 The entertainment industry was left reeling after the tragic news of DJ Warras’s fatal shooting at the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Tributes poured in from friends, fans, political figures and media colleagues, who extended profound condolences to Warras’s family. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed his death, revealing that the motive behind the shooting is still unknown and…

When Heidi Tarr was a teenager, she used a tanning bed several times a week with her friends because she wanted that celebrity glow. “It was just the thing to do – everyone wanted that nice, dark, tan skin,” the 49-year-old market researcher said. Then one day in her 30s, Tarr noticed a strange mole on her back. It was a melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer. She was lucky to have caught it early on, but has needed over a dozen biopsies to remove more moles. Now her 15-year-old daughter Olivia is seeing videos on TikTok of people showing off their tan lines – and is asking her mother how to get some. So Tarr was inspired to get yet another skin sample removed, this time to…

Waiting eight years to institute legal proceedings against the Minister of Health came at a high price for a nurse who was assaulted when a patient died under his watch; his R10 million claim was turned down because it was filed too late. Madala Mafuyeka was attacked in 2014 while he worked as a nurse at Thulamahashe Community Health Centre in Mpumalanga. A member of the public brought his relative to the clinic for medical assistance. The relative was already struggling to breathe upon her arrival, apparently due to underlying medical conditions. Mafuyeka was unable to resuscitate her, and she died. The man who brought her to the clinic turned on Mafuyeka and accused him of having caused her death. The security guards on duty had to jump in and…

Four National Traffic Police officers charged with the murder of Nigerian national Osinakachukwu Macus Onu have appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court yesterday where bail was denied. According to North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh, the officers were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Onu, 37, on the N12 in Klerksdorp in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The accused police officers have been identified as Inspector Rudolph Foromo, 29; Inspector Smanga Dladla, 31; Inspector Colani Senzo Dlamini, 34, and Inspector Vusumuzi Justice Simelane, 36. They face a charge of murder following an incident in which Onu was allegedly shot during a traffic operation on the N12. His vehicle was later found stalled in the middle of the road on the opposite side of the highway. The…

After nearly a week of dry taps, Midrand residents may finally see relief, with Johannesburg Water saying water supply is expected to be restored within the next 24 to 48 hours, despite ongoing system strain following planned maintenance by Rand Water. Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said recovery efforts were progressing, although Midrand remained the hardest-hit area in the city. “So we are on day four, and yesterday we did, the city manager did announce that within 24 to 48 hours more and more of our residents in the Midrand area should be receiving our water supply,” Shabalala said in an interview with the SABC. Parts of Johannesburg have already recovered, she said, but Midrand’s size and infrastructure complexity continue to slow the process. She explained that the reason the…

Christian Horner’s name is once again circulating around the Formula 1 paddock, with fresh reports suggesting Alpine could emerge as the most realistic pathway for the former Red Bull team principal to make a sensational return to the sport. While nothing has been confirmed, the idea of Horner linking up with the Enstone-based outfit has quickly gathered momentum as F1 looks ahead to a transformative 2026 season. Horner’s exit from Red Bull earlier this year brought an end to one of the most successful team principal tenures in modern F1 history. Across two decades, he oversaw multiple championship cycles and helped turn Red Bull into a benchmark operation. Any return, however, was always expected to come with conditions. Reports indicate Horner is not interested in a simple advisory role but…

For many folk, Saturday’s URC derby between the Sharks and the Bulls at Kings Park is a “Dance of the Desperados”, but JP Pietersen believes both teams are better than their log position suggests. The Sharks are 14h out of 16 teams after just one win in six games, while the Bulls are eighth, with three wins from their six fixtures, but it is their recent form that is a concern — they have lost their last four games across all competitions. “I think the Sharks and Bulls have played some good rugby this season, even though the results don’t reflect that,” Pietersen said. “Looking at the Bulls’ last two matches (against Toulouse and Northampton), they have scored some excellent tries. “I think both teams will see this derby as…

Premier League sides are preparing for their most intense spell of the season over the festive period, but many squads will be depleted by the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The tournament, hosted by Morocco, runs from December 21 until January 18 meaning clubs could be missing their African stars for six league matches plus the FA Cup third round. However, the disruption for some could provide an opportunity for others with leaders Arsenal among six clubs without any players departing. Here we look at who is participating and what the impact could be on the English top flight. Who has been called up? Mohamed Salah is the marquee Premier League name headed for Morocco, but his absence may not hurt Liverpool quite as much as previous versions of the…