Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-13 i Sunday Independent

With almost a decade in the insurance industry, Junior Mlondobuzi, founded his company Entresure; a pioneering digital platform dedicated to transforming how insurance is afforded and accessed by small businesses in South Africa. Often hailed as the lifeline of the economy, Mlondobuzi told Business Report that he spotted a gap in the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector. “I started Entresure because I saw a real gap, not just in the market, but in how small businesses are treated in this space. Too many entrepreneurs are running their businesses without insurance. Not because they don’t care but because the system was never built with them in mind,” Mlondobuzi said. He said the current system in the country is not tailored for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). “It’s complicated, expensive,…

Mattel, Inc. has announced the release of a Ken doll modelled after basketball superstar, author, activist, and philanthropist LeBron James. This milestone launch, in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation, marks the first time Mattel has created a Ken doll representing a professional athlete. It’s a celebration of James’s influence on culture, fashion, and community engagement. The recent success of Barbie the Movie has propelled the Barbie brand into a global cultural phenomenon, creatively reimagining the Barbie universe and introducing Ken to a broader audience. Recognising the growing demographic of adult toy collectors, Mattel is excited to unveil this new iteration of Ken in anticipation of his 65th anniversary in 2026. The initiative aims to honour influential individuals dubbed "Kenbassadors™," who inspire and contribute to positive global change.…

FREEDOM, as George Orwell once remarked, is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. Yet in today’s political arena, this fundamental democratic principle seems increasingly endangered. Professional politics has become less about substantive debate and more about performative spectacle – a troubling shift that raises urgent questions about the quality of contemporary leadership. When we compare our current political class to previous generations, the contrast could not be starker. We have entered what can only be described as an age of political pygmies – where short-term calculation trumps long-term vision, and where the notion of statesmanship appears increasingly foreign. This dramatic decline begs the question: What has happened to politicians of real stature – those rare leaders we could admire even when we disagreed with…

ELON Musk and the omniscient Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been thinking about visiting the legendary Bullion vault of the US. The government department known as DOGE, not to be confused with the cryptocurrency of homonymous moniker endorsed by the billionaire Musk himself when founded and largely of utility by charitable organisations, stated its intent unequivocally as to why it needed to visit the sanctimonious haunt. And that is to audit the US Treasury’s main bullion depository. President Donald Trump supported this move. Or stated differently, DOGE is a full expression of an elaborately complex and sophisticated political objective. As part of an eminently changing global context, Senator Rand Paul and his like-minded colleagues lent empathy to the president’s inquisitive imprimatur. The sublimely prevalent understanding, with specific or somewhat…

AS the world grapples with inflation, deglobalisation, and the aftershocks of political populism — exemplified by US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs — Africa faces a critical question: How do we develop with limited resources, mounting needs, and a rapidly growing population? The answer may lie not in more foreign aid or debt but in reimagining how the public and private sectors work together. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer an opportunity to leverage private sector capital, efficiency, and innovation to serve public interests — especially where states are financially or technically constrained. In Africa, where infrastructure gaps persist and development needs are urgent, PPPs can be transformative. But they are not a silver bullet. When mismanaged, PPPs can lead to bloated costs, corruption, service inequality, and long-term public liabilities. So, how…

IN a country still reeling from the historical injustices of apartheid, South Africa’s education system is a microcosm of the broader societal inequalities that continue to plague the nation. The latest findings from the Afrobarometer survey underscore the urgent need for reform as widespread corruption and significant disparities in educational attainment, as well as economic and racial inequities, hinder progress towards equitable education for all. Revelations from the recent Afrobarometer report indicate that a shocking one in ten South Africans who interacted with public schools last year reported being compelled to pay bribes for necessary services. This form of corruption, reported to “most often victimise the least educated and poorest citizens”, reveals the systemic rot that affects a system meant to uplift and educate. The report stated: “Among citizens who…

PATRIOTIC Alliance (PA) Deputy President Kenny Kunene has vehemently defended his party and the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) recent visit to Israel – shrouded in apparent veil of secrecy — saying the country’s Government of National Unity (GNU) needs to recognise that every participating party in the coalition has its own unique manifesto. A four-member delegation made up of two parliamentarians from the PA and two from the DA undertook a “fact-finding” mission to the Jewish state that has frosty bilateral relations with Pretoria. The four comprised the PA’s Ashley Sauls and Lerato Mathopa and the DA’s Nicholas Myburgh and Bridget Masango. Details about who funded their trip remain unclear, and so too is whether Parliament had prior knowledge of the controversial trip. South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide…

SOUTH Africa has emerged as one of the most affordable countries in the world to build a home, presenting a compelling opportunity for prospective homeowners and investors amid rising global construction costs. With competitive land prices and lower building expenses compared to many international markets, the country is attracting attention from both local and foreign buyers seeking value for money. “South Africa offers some of the most competitive land and building costs globally, and the KZN South Coast is a prime example of the value to be found here,” said Reece Daniel, developer of Serenity Hills, an eco-focused estate. “Those who choose to purchase a plot and build in secure estates are getting incredible value for their money.” According to the Turner & Townsend International Construction Market Survey 2024, average…

ESKOM raised grave concerns over the escalating municipal debt crisis during a briefing session with the Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform, and Mineral Resources. Despite acknowledging progress in stabilising operations and reducing load shedding, the committee highlighted persistent challenges, including the crippling municipal debt that jeopardises the state-owned power utility’s financial sustainability. Eskom reported that municipal arrears surged from R74 billion in March 2024 to R98.5bn by February 2025, with significant growth in debt attributable to provinces like Free State and Mpumalanga. The power utility expressed serious concerns about the implications of this trend on its financial sustainability, noting that gains from the debt relief programme aimed at reducing its overall debt from R400bn to R250bn could be neutralised within three years if the rising municipal debt trajectory was…

FOLLOWING the outcome of the 2024 general election which did not produce an outright winner, South Africa was set on a new political path. The ANC which had won every election with a convincing majority since 1994 failed to reach the fifty plus one threshold, only managing 40.18%. On the other hand, the DA, which has been the official opposition political party until the sixth administration was unable to capitalise on the ANC’s weaknesses. This unprecedented situation tested the leadership prowess of both the ANC and the DA. Although the ANC failed to get an outright majority, it still had more seats compared to other political parties – obtaining 159 seats in the National Assembly. It had several options at its disposal. The first option was to form a Grand…

IN THIS age of trade wars, tariffs and geopolitical posturing, the global economy seems to have become a chessboard, and the US and China are the grandmasters. But with the pieces shifting and power play unfolding, one thing has become glaringly obvious: the old rules can no longer govern the game. On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs, starting with a 10% baseline, on about 60 trade partners. The rates were even higher for several countries, including 34% in China. The reality is that the US tariff war is here to stay. As such the issue isn’t only about China; it’s about the future of the entire global trade system. Since 2016, the US has been acting as the WTO’s troublesome big brother. It has vetoed WTO…

The Bulls were their own worst enemy right from the start as they slumped to a disappointing 34-28 Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Edinburgh yesterday. Not even a second-half rally from the replacements could rescue the Pretoria side from a 24-7 halftime deficit as Jake White’s team missed out on an opportunity to claim some silverware. But the damage was done in the opening 40 minutes as a questionable eighth-minute yellow card to Zak Burger, a leaky defence and unforced errors on attack all combined to make life difficult as nothing seemed to go right for the visitors. The Bulls were on the back foot as early as the second minute when scrumhalf Burger – who was outstanding in last week’s win over Bayonne – dropped the ball cold from…

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane believes his side has made meaningful progress this season—but admits missed opportunities have cost them a spot in the Betway Premiership’s top three. Zwane, who initially shared the dugout with Vusimuzi Vilakazi following their joint appointment in October, took full charge in February after Vilakazi’s exit. Since then, the former Kaizer Chiefs boss has guided Usuthu to seventh place on the table with 33 points from 25 matches—a respectable position considering where the team stood when they took over. “When the season started, at some point people saw us as a relegation team, but now, we have failed in five attempts to be in position three. “Five attempts!” Zwane reflected this week. “So you can imagine if we took advantage (of our opportunities in previous…

This past week global markets were sent through an economic whirlwind as US President Donald Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff chokehold engulfed the world. Following Trump’s sweeping announcement of wide-spread tariffs for many nations, that was set to kick off on Wednesday, the White House announced last Monday that 50 countries approached the US to negotiate for better tariff deals. As trade officials scrambled, China stood fast in a stance opposing Trump’s announcements, and on Wednesday said it would impose its own tariff against US goods, setting it at 84%. Later in the day, in a shocking announcement, Trump said that 75 countries had stepped forward with intentions of negotiating for better tariff deals, and placed a three-month pause on the tariffs he announced the previous week, but hit back at…

BY all accounts, South Africa’s conundrum that is the Government of National Unity (GNU) will likely fester into a debilitating wound before it gets healed anytime soon. The revelation of the DA and Patriotic Alliance (PA), two of the mainstays of the GNU, undertaking what looks like a clandestine trip to Israel ought to shake the substance that has kept the unique ruling alliance together since the outcome of the May 2024 elections, in which no single party garnered an outright majority. There are simply more questions than answers in the wake of the revelation made by the GOOD party about the trip to what the PA’s national spokesperson Steve Motale refers to in a media statement as a “trip to the Holy Land”. Clearly, if the fanfare with which…

A political analyst has described the difference of opinion on handling the fate of the DA in the Government of National Unity (GNU) between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile as part of a divide towards the ANC’s national conference to be held in 2027. Professor Andre Duvenhage said there were fundamental differences between Ramaphosa and Mashatile. “The deputy president is aligning himself with the radical and populist grouping trying to exclude the DA from the GNU. That is part of a strategy to the ANC conference in 2027,” Duvenhage said. He also said there was a huge pressure from the business community and groupings within the ANC for Ramaphosa to keep the GNU together. “The concern at the moment is if there is a motion of no…

AS Angola grapples with mounting fiscal challenges and structural imbalances, its appeal to Western investors has waned sharply. The Angolan government has announced a 50% increase in the price of diesel fuel, the second significant increase over the last year in a country where the population is already suffering from the cost of living. Once hailed as a post-war success story with rapid gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the southern African nation now faces a confluence of economic pressures — from dwindling International Monetary Fund (IMF) support and contentious subsidy reforms to a hostile investment climate exacerbated by corruption and oil dependency. How do these factors undermine the confidence of foreign investors, leaving Angola increasingly isolated in a competitive global market? In 2024, the IMF intensified its calls for Angola…

SOUTH Africa stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the highest youth unemployment rates in over a decade. With a reported 50% of the nation’s workforce aged 15 to 24 unemployed, there is a pressing need for actionable solutions that can reverse this disheartening trend. The Afrobarometer’s latest report underscores that the South African government’s National Youth Policy 2015-2020 (NYP) must be aggressively implemented to not only address unemployment but also to empower young people for a sustainable future. According to the Afrobarometer survey, nearly half of young South Africans had repeatedly identified unemployment as “the most important problem facing the country” since 2000. In 2011 alone, “48% of young citizens” cited unemployment as their top concern — a sentiment that has only intensified in recent years. This growing alarm…

CHARACTERISED as “The new Oil of the 21st century”, pundits agree that whoever controls semiconductors holds the key to the future of AI, defence, and economic influence; in short, whoever controls chips controls the world. In an article by senior BBC Asia correspondent Suranjana Tewari titled US-China Chip War: America is Winning, the author argues that the fight for dominance in the semiconductor sector will reshape the global economy. Tewari further argues that China wants the technology to produce chips. But the US, a source of much of the technology, is cutting Beijing off. An iPhone, for example, has chips that are designed in the US, manufactured in Taiwan, Japan or South Korea, then assembled in China. India, which is investing more in the industry, could play a bigger role…

TODAY’S Nedbank Cup semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld is more than just a game; it is a clash of ambitions. On the stage set for a riveting clash, Chiefs will be aware that every tackle and every pass will carry the weight of their history at a time when it is disappearing into obscurity. The club is frequently reminded about the nine-year trophy drought. Today's match offers a last glimmer of hope of salvaging a trophy this season. Chiefs are under immense pressure, and the glittering Nedbank Cup trophy is the last chance to provide a much-needed spark for the squad to build on heading into next season. Having faced numerous challenges throughout the season, Chiefs view this match as a last-chance saloon for silverware…

The Toyota Easter Festival, South Africa’s premier equestrian event over 10 days, has attracted over 5000 entries and takes place at the Kyalami Park Club in Johannesburg. Scheduled to start on Saturday through to Monday, 21 April, the festival has placed South Africa on the international equestrian map. The event features a variety of competitions, including show jumping, dressage, and eventing, catering to riders of all ages and skill levels. This diversity ensures that spectators can enjoy thrilling displays of skill and grace. The stakes have been upped for the 2025 showpiece because the Olympic discipline of dressage is being added to the showjumping portfolio. Riders will target their training regimes to encompass the technical demands of dressage and the thrilling agility required for showjumping. For those talented riders from…

The next generation of South African football talent will be tested on the continental stage later this month as Amajita head to Egypt for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates youngsters at the heart of Raymond Mdaka’s squad. Kaizer Chiefs’ highly regarded Mfundo Vilakazi and Orlando Pirates’ breakout star Mbekezeli Mbokazi headline the 21-man final squad announced by Mdaka this week, along with four additional standby players. The tournament, which kicks off on April 26 and runs through to May 18, serves as the qualifying pathway to the Fifa U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year, with only the top-four sides securing tickets. Placed in a difficult Group B, South Africa will battle it out with hosts Egypt, Morocco, and perennial…

The Royal AM saga has been a bruising chapter in South African football — a mix of mismanagement, financial scandal, and embarrassing headlines. While Royal AM itself has crumbled and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) has fought to recoup millions in unpaid taxes, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is the biggest loser. The league’s reputation, integrity, and ability to enforce its own rules have all been severely undermined. Royal AM’s downward spiral was clear for months. After Sars placed the club under curatorship due to a R40 million tax debt, things rapidly deteriorated. Players went unpaid, training halted, and they failed to honour fixtures after December 2024. Furthermore, the club was hit with two Fifa transfer bans and in November, they were booted out of the DStv Diski Challenge…

Central banks are expected to lower cash rates gradually in 2025. With inflationary pressures moderating and economic challenges persisting, monetary authorities are expected to prioritise gradual rate cuts as we move through the remainder of the year. This deliberate pace reflects a balance between stimulating economic growth and avoiding financial instability. For example, the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank may follow similar trajectories, ensuring financial markets remain stable while supporting growth. Emerging markets could also adopt a more measured approach, leveraging lower rates to foster domestic investment without risking currency depreciation. Historical precedents, such as the response to the 2008 financial crisis, underline the importance of cautious monetary easing in sustaining long-term recovery. Bonds to deliver real yields As inflation retreats, bonds are positioned to deliver attractive real…

The man who allegedly paid R130 000 for the assassination of ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba, has been charged again for conspiracy to commit murder and murder of the hitman he hired to kill Mlaba. The accused, Duncan Patrick Mzamo Mlaba is the cousin of Mlaba who was gunned down in Cato Ridge at Wareing's Shopping Centre, outside his office on October 21, 2021. Duncan is mainly known as Mzamo. On Friday he made his first appearance at uMlazi Magistrates Court for the murder of Mncedisi Gwala. According to the plea of Fortune Dlamini - who was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Camperdown Regional court for the murder of Mlaba (Zibuse) - they worked together with Mzamo and Gwala to kill Mlaba. Mlaba was once the provincial deputy chairperson…

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said her department is working towards ensuring that the regulations for the Basic Laws Amendment Act (BELA) are finalised in time before the start of the 2026 academic year. Gwarube said the department was aiming to publish the regulations, norms and standards for public comment by the end of June 2025. “The introduction of the national regulations, norms and standards and policy required to support implementation of the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act, both as amended by the BELA Act, will not occur during the 2025 school year. “The Department of Basic Education (DBE) will, however, work tirelessly towards these being introduced in time for the start of the 2026 school year,” she said. Gwarube revealed this when she was…

WHILE the winds of change sweep across Africa, they carry both promise and peril. As the continent grapples with the relentless march of climate change, its workforce stands at a pivotal juncture — one that demands urgent, strategic action to avert economic devastation and harness the opportunities of a green future. This was the message from a high-level side event at the Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD), where policymakers, economists, and development experts convened to dissect the findings of the Economic Report on Africa 2023 and 2024. The report paints a stark picture: Africa’s labour market is under siege from climate-induced disruptions, yet it also holds the seeds of a transformative green revolution — if leaders act decisively. Nadia Ouedraogo, economic affairs officer at…

THE Public Investment Corporation (PIC), managing more than R2.6 trillion in assets, faced intense scrutiny during a parliamentary engagement with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa). The meeting, chaired by Rise Mzansi’s Songezo Zibi, delved into the PIC’s investment practices, particularly concerning funds managed on behalf of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Compensation Fund (CF). Concerns were raised about billions lost in underperforming unlisted investments, governance failures, and discrepancies between committed capital and current market value. As of the latest reporting period, the PIC had committed R23.6 billion for the UIF and R3.1bn for the CF, yet the current market values stand at only R11bn and R1.7bn, respectively. This staggering gap has drawn sharp criticism from Scopa members. The MK Party’s Thalente Kubheka questioned why the PIC…

MUNICIPAL debt is a pressing issue in South Africa, with local governments facing significant financial distress, which has resulted in a cycle of financial instability that threatens the delivery of essential services. The debt owed by municipalities amounts well over R100 billion, according to reports, with local governments owing substantial amounts to various entities, including water boards and the embattled state-owned power utility, Eskom. Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina recently revealed that water boards had an outstanding municipal debt of about R130bn, while National Treasury figures show that municipal debt to Eskom had surged to almost R110bn. “Such high levels of municipal debt mean that municipalities may be at risk of being unable to provide basic services, maintain infrastructure or upgrade facilities. Similarly, they may also not have…

THE state of the SANDF is under intense scrutiny. The debacle in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) captures the crisis. Engulfed since 1994 in multiple crises including corruption, political interference, budget challenges and poor operational performance, what should be done to transform the force for it to effectively execute its Constitutional mandate? First, it is useful to clarify the purpose of the SANDF. Its primary mission is to defend South Africa against external aggression. In doing so, it is guided by the Constitution and the principles of international law regulating the use of force.​ It has secondary domestic responsibilities, primarily to assist the authorities in maintaining or restoring law and order. The purpose of the Department of Defence is to oversee the SANDF and to enable,…

AFRICA has suffered a series of blows since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the US in January. First, it was the ruthless liquidation of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) an entity that had, notwithstanding its shortcomings, come to play an important role in Africa’s development trajectory leading important interventions in health care, food security, education, gender justice, and sanitation programmes to mention a few. Its dismantling was a huge setback to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa whose 2030 deadline is fast approaching. The latest blow is the April 2nd announcement of unilateral trade tariffs by the Trump administration which have effectively upended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) and jeopardised the growth prospects of several countries in the continent. Aggrieved that…

Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing yet an unprecedented treble while Kaizer Chiefs are desperately clinging to the possibility of silverware and salvation as the Nedbank Cup takes centre stage. When these two giants clash at Loftus Versfeld today at 6:00 PM in the semi-final, it won’t just be about the badge or the bench, it is expected to come down to moments and individual battles. Football writer Smiso Msomi takes a look at five duels that could shape the complexion of this encounter: 1. Thabo Cele vs Jayden Adams Chiefs have finally found a heartbeat in midfield, and it’s wearing the number 21. Thabo Cele, with his composure on the ball and European seasoning, offers Amakhosi a blend of bite and ball progression. But against Jayden Adams, he meets a player…

South African football is on the brink of continental history as Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates navigate separate paths in the CAF Champions League semi-final round. The semi-final draw has kept Sundowns and Pirates apart and raises the prospect of an all-South African CAF Champions League final. The prospect of these two local powerhouses clashing in the Champions League decider has sparked widespread excitement amongst local football fans. It is the dream Champions League final every South African is wishing for. For one part of this dream final to materialise, Sundowns need to continue their winning form against formidable opponents Al Ahly. Known for their fierce rivalry, the last encounter between Sundowns and Al Ahly was in the inaugural 2023 African Football League, in which the South Africans triumphed 1-0…

The revelation that incumbent Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese is likely out for some of the 2025 international season is unfortunate, but the silver lining is that Rassie Erasmus has a good opportunity to examine the pecking order in the position. The Bok coach has said that 2025 is the most important year for the Boks in terms of testing depth in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup. The neck injury suffered by Wiese opens the door for leading contenders such as Stormers star Evan Roos and Cameron Hanekom of the Bulls to solidly state their case. Wiese confirmed via a statement from his Japanese club, Urayasu D-Rocks, that his club season is history. “I have to return to South Africa to get an operation on my neck,” Wiese…

There is still an outside chance for all four South African franchises to reach the playoffs of the United Rugby Championship (URC) when the tournament hits the business end next weekend. While the Bulls and Sharks are the pacesetters of the local teams in the top four, chasing defending champions the Glasgow Warriors for second place, the Stormers and Lions have work to do in their final four games to get into the top eight. The Cape side is in a more comfortable spot than the men from Ellis Park, who must hope for a few results to go their way while winning all their final games, to break into a knockout spot. Bulls While fighting in the Challenge Cup, the Jake White-coached outfit will have one eye on catching…