Sunday Tribune 2025-09-14

South Africa’s water crisis is no longer looming. It is already here. Ageing infrastructure, rising pollution levels and increasing demand are converging to create a national emergency. Clean, safe water is critical not just for public health but for economic development and social stability. To move forward, water treatment must become part of a broader infrastructure renewal agenda. This includes decentralised solutions, private-sector innovation and long-term investment. Infrastructure and quality in crisis Many South Africans still believe tap water is safe to drink. Yet according to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s 2023 Blue Drop Report, only 14% of the country’s water supply systems consistently meet good quality standards. This means that nearly one in two municipalities supply water that could pose a serious health risk. The picture is…

South Africa’s economy surprised on the upside in the second quarter of 2025, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 0.8% quarter on quarter and 0.6% year on year, buoyed by a rebound in mining and increased consumer spending. Abigail Moyo, spokesperson for the trade union UASA, described the performance as a welcome development. “The GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025 is promising news for the South African economy. This growth was supported by a strong recovery in the mining sector and increased consumer spending,” she said. Moyo added that while the outcome provided hope for lower inflation and reduced debt burdens, growth remained too low to tackle unemployment. “We cannot ignore that current growth levels are insufficient to offset population growth and rising unemployment,” she said. Thanda…

A major milestone in South Africa’s retail sector is on the horizon as the renowned US retailer Walmart gears up to launch its first branded stores in the country. Setting a clear agenda focused on affordability, local support, and employment generation, Walmart’s entry into the market heralds significant change for consumers and suppliers alike. Following a successful inaugural Growth Summit held in April, which welcomed suppliers from 12 African nations, Walmart is fast-tracking its plans to forge partnerships with small and medium-sized local businesses. These collaborations aim to provide a wealth of merchandise that reflects both global standards and local culture. Kath McLay, Walmart’s International President and CEO, expressed excitement about the upcoming stores, stating: “Walmart’s South African stores will offer a wide range of merchandise, including fresh groceries, household…

Tyler Perry’s sexual assault accuser has repeated his allegations against the entertainment mogul. Actor Derek Dixon has alleged during his first television interview since filing a $260 million (R4.5 billion) lawsuit that the alleged abuse inflicted on him by Perry, 55, started when the billionaire invited him to stay at his guest home. Speaking to ABC News Live’s Linsey Davis, Dixon described the difficulty of coming forward, saying, “It’s been hard to tell my truth. “It carries a lot of shame, but I don’t want to stay silent about it anymore.” Turning to his abuse accusations, Dixon added, “I got into bed, and I noticed he climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg. I jumped up out of bed and he said, ‘Turn around so…

MasterChef South Africa is returning to the small screen, but it is now moving from SABC3 to e.tv. The popular cooking reality TV franchise first aired on M-Net from March 2012 to May 2015. During that time, viewers enjoyed three seasons, which saw Deena Naidoo (season 1), Kamini Pather (season 2) and Roxi Wardman (season 3) emerge victorious. Of the three winners, Pather remained in the spotlight, bagging her own reality TV show, Girl Eat World, was a guest judge on Top Chef South Africa, released an e-cookbook, Eat Glocal, in 2021, and, more recently, dropped her All Dhal’d Up. Season 3 fan favourite, Siphokazi Mdlankomo, also made the most of her exposure on the cooking show. The former domestic worker bagged her own cooking show on Mzansi Magic, Let’s…

Since Friday, most viewers have been binge-watching Beauty and the Bester on Netflix. Aside from the massive interest around SA’s Bonnie and Clyde – Dr Nandipha Magudumana and Thabo Bester – the urgent court interdict to stop the three-part docuseries from airing only fuelled curiosity. The true-crime offering delves into Magudumana’s picture-perfect life, rubbing shoulders with Mzansi’s celebrities, and how it changed when her path crossed with Bester. The story, a shocking collision of love, manipulation and corruption, unfolds through courtroom footage and previously unseen investigative material. It culminates in a sensational incident that captivated global attention. Exclusive interviews with friends and family offer insights into the unsettling relationship between a respected doctor and her convicted criminal partner, Bester, as they try to comprehend their strange bond. I’ve yet to…