Índice para 2025-05-12 em Star

US President Donald Trump's administration is aiming to bring the first group of white South Africans to the United States via its refugee program as soon as next week, three people familiar with the matter said, a divisive effort given that Trump has been blocking refugee admissions from the rest of the world. The Trump administration aims to fly the initial cohort of about 50 Afrikaners into Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, two of the people said, requesting anonymity to share internal plans. The group would participate in a press conference at the airport and then board flights to their U.S. destinations, the sources said. The sources cautioned that their arrival had already been delayed a week and that the plans could change. As of Thursday afternoon, a charter…

Mantengu Mining (MTU) has filed a criminal complaint with the Hawks against several executives of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) regarding allegations of share price manipulation aimed at depressing its stock value, claims that the JSE has roundly denied. In a voluntary announcement on Friday, directors of the chrome miner said the filing of the criminal complaint followed about 18 months of investigative work by the company and its advisors. In response to questions from Business Report, the JSE said that the allegations directed at it, its employees, officers, and executives, were false and without merit. The JSE also denied any involvement in, or complicity with, illegal or unlawful activities. MTU had alerted the JSE to its concerns regarding the manipulation of its share price. The company claims the JSE…

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a worrying outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that is making its way beyond KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) into neighbouring provinces, including Mpumalanga and Gauteng. On Saturday, the department provided an update regarding the spread of this animal disease, which poses a significant threat to livestock farmers across the country. “Two new cases, outside of KZN have been confirmed. One farm in Mpumalanga which was identified as part of trace-forward exercises from a positive auction in Utrecht, KwaZulu Natal,” said the department. “Although these animals showed no clinical signs of disease, further investigations have confirmed that the virus has spread to adjacent camps on the same farm.” The department added that there were no indications that other farms had become infected, but veterinary services were…

Employment Equity is a necessary path to correct three and a half centuries of the most brutal forms of discrimination. This is precisely why the drafters, led by the African National Congress, of South Africa’s Constitution, one of the most progressive and internationally respected, stipulated that government is obliged to utilise its powers to address the legacies of the past and the inequalities of today. Any government which fails to live up to these ideals, can and has been taken to court. Political denialists who prefer a state that does nothing to address the injustices of society, past and present, need look no further than neighbouring Zimbabwe as to the real dangers and costs of such procrastination. This is a mistake that we would be wise not to repeat…

During his nine years living in Tennessee, Fahd, a Saudi national, found comfort and consistency at Dunkin Donuts, where he placed the same order every day. Now back in Riyadh, Fahd is doing something similar, highlighting the Saudi Arabian love affair with all things American that many find surprising. "When I came here, thank God, the same cafe and same order were here too," said the 31-year-old mechanical engineer, who did not want to give his family name. "I started living the same lifestyle here as I did in America." Saudi Arabia, often known for its religious austerity, is home to Islam's holiest sites, and welcomes millions of Muslim pilgrims ever year. It also has -- as just one example -- more than 600 branches of Dunkin Donuts, serving roughly…

Following its competitive screening at the Joburg Film Festival recently, Adam, a coming-of-age story, is now streaming on Showmax. Adam presents a moving narrative centred around the life of a headstrong teenager navigating the strict confines of a militaristic farm school named Prinsloo Bush School, drawing in audiences with its explorative approach to themes of masculinity, belonging and societal expectations. Rising actor Marko Vorster, known for his role as Francois in Donkerbos, portrays Adam, a boy grappling with the narrow definitions of masculinity imposed by both his surroundings and influential figures, particularly his idealistic teacher, played by Dirk Stoltz of 7de Laan fame. The cast is further enriched by talented actors such as Inge Beckmann (Wyfie), Antoinette Louw, (Spinners) and Paul Strydom (Reënboogrant and Spooksoeker). Written by Winford Collings and…

The trailer for season 3 of Izingane Zes’thembu has officially dropped, and there appears to be trouble in paradise for Tirelo Kale and Mpumelelo Mseleku. The new season, which is a spin-off of the popular show Uthando Nes’thembu, continues to follow the lives of the five older Mseleku siblings – Mpumelelo, Mpilo, Sne, Lwandle, and Abongwe – as they navigate the ups and downs of young adulthood. It is set to bring even more drama and explosive moments, and the trailer has already hinted at some major conflicts, one of which is Tirelo being fed up with Mpumelelo’s infidelity and is contemplating leaving the relationship. Mpumelelo seems to be on the same page, as he is seen telling his father, Musa Mseleku, that he no longer sees a future with…

Justice has caught up with two sexual predators, thanks to the relentless work of Seshego’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. One offender will spend the rest of his life behind bars, while another begins a 15-year prison sentence. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that in the first case, 44-year-old Kgadi Joseph Lekgwara was sentenced to three life terms after being found guilty of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl in October 2021. According to court proceedings, Lekgwara took advantage of moments when the victim was alone at home, attacking her on three different occasions in what was described as a calculated and deeply disturbing pattern of abuse. “The heinous crimes began on Friday, 01 October 2021, when Lekgwara entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted…

The KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development and Tourism MEC Reverend Musa Zondi has assured Ithala customers that they would soon be able to access their money. Ithala bank was expected to resume its full operations today following the Pietermaritzburg High Court’s Friday ruling which set aside the Prudential Authority’s (PA) decision to freeze the bank’s accounts. The PA had hired the Repayment Administrator (RA) earlier this year to freeze the accounts pending the finalisation of the liquidation application, which is in court. Yesterday, Zondi described the ruling as vindication of the provincial government’s view which had argued that the PA was wrong in freezing the bank accounts despite the bank agreeing to stop deposits in compliance with the non-renewal of the exemption. Zondi said because of the decision to disable the…

The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has labelled the letters, purportedly signed by president Jacob Zuma threatening to fire five KwaZulu-Natal party legislature members, as fake. The letters started circulating on social media platforms on Friday and directed five party legislature members to, within seven days, state why they should not be expelled from the party. Yesterday, national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela dismissed the letters as fake, adding the party does not know the origin of these letters. In the letters, the five MPLs were accused of secretly hatching a plot to derail the government of provincial unity by working with the ANC and forming a new coalition. According to the letters, the MPLs were doing this without the blessing or the consent of the party, which aroused Zuma’s anger. “These letters…

Soweto Fashion Week, which ended at the weekend, showcased creativity and style. From breathtaking designs to vibrant energy, this event captured the essence of African fashion…

If you rely on your morning coffee to kickstart the day, there might be a way to make it work even harder for you – and it involves adding just one common kitchen ingredient. Health expert Dr Karan Rajan and nutritionist Corey Rodriguez recently shared a tip on TikTok that combines coffee with cocoa for a potential brain boost. The idea is based on the concept of “food synergy” – the way certain foods can complement each other to enhance their health benefits. Corey explained that mixing cocoa into your coffee could lead to greater mental clarity and improved mood. That’s because caffeine (found in coffee) and theobromine (a compound in cocoa) work together to sharpen focus and elevate alertness. Cocoa or cacao – what’s the difference? While many of…

As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of energy policy, infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement, I have seen firsthand how critical energy access and reliability are to economic growth. In Africa, where energy poverty remains a persistent barrier to prosperity, the conversation about new infrastructure often focuses on traditional generation and distribution. But we should also be asking: Are data centres a viable catalyst for economic transformation and greater energy security on the continent? I believe the answer is yes – if we think strategically. At first glance, data centres might seem like a luxury reserved for highly developed economies. After all, they are energy-intensive facilities built to serve digital economies that depend on cloud services, financial transactions, logistics, and communications. However, framing data centres…

Newcastle took a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League as Sandro Tonali inspired a vital 2-0 victory over top five rivals Chelsea yesterday. Tonali put Newcastle ahead after just two minutes at St James’ Park before Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman late in the first half. Bruno Guimaraes struck in stoppage-time to secure the Magpies’ seventh win from their last nine league games and lift them into third place in the Premier League. Eddie Howe’s side, aiming to feature in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, are one point above fourth-placed Manchester City and three clear of fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Aston Villa. League Cup winners Newcastle travel to Arsenal next weekend, before hosting Everton in…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said dropping points against bottom side Southampton in a 0-0 Premier League draw on Saturday will result in a nervy final two games of the season in his side’s pursuit of a Champions League place for next season. Southampton’s hard-earned point not only means they avoid being the joint-worst team in Premier League history but also a tougher finish for City, who must hold off the chasing pack of Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. “The result, of course, it’s a missed opportunity today, we know that,” said Guardiola, who failed to beat a bottom team for the first time in his nine seasons at City. “It happened. Now, prepare the (FA Cup) final, less time (for) Bournemouth and then Fulham,” he added,…

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is shifting into a growth trajectory following the recent stabilisation of its business operations, as CEO Jabu Mdaki revealed at the Transport Forum in Durban on Tuesday. This rally comes after the terminal operator adopted a multifaceted approach, which is now beginning to yield significant results in the freight and logistics sector. TPT has earmarked a substantial R3.4 billion for new equipment acquisitions in the 2025/2026 financial year, demonstrating its commitment to modernising infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiencies. Key initiatives include a thorough review of loading cycles in the container sector, upgrading rail infrastructure and agricultural capacity at the Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal, and the anticipated delivery of a third tippler to Saldanha’s Bulk Terminal operations by October 2025. Historically, underinvestment in equipment alongside adverse weather…

Transnet and the United National Transport Union (UNTU) are gearing up for critical negotiations this week in an effort to stave off a potentially debilitating workers' strike. The discussions come on the heels of an unresolved wage dispute that has led UNTU to indicate that workers could legally embark on industrial action. Last month, negotiations between the two parties faltered, prompting the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to issue a certificate of non-resolution. UNTU general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren, on Friday said that the CCMA convened an urgent Section 150 facilitated session on Thursday, 08 May, to address the ongoing salary and wage dispute between UNTU and Transnet at the Transnet Bargaining Council (TBC). “Recognising the strategic economic importance of Transnet and the potentially devastating impact of industrial…

The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has reported a significant upswing in agricultural machinery sales, marking a breath of fresh air for farmers and agricultural experts alike. Latest figures reveal that the sale of tractors and combine harvesters surged in April 2025, reflecting a growing confidence in the agricultural sector. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), noted that tractor sales were up by 5% year-on-year, with 527 units sold in April, continuing a positive trend observed over the past four months. Even more remarkable were the figures for combine harvesters, which soared by 77% year-on-year, with 46 units moving off the shelves. These robust sales have alleviated concerns regarding the quality of crops, particularly in light of heavy rains that have…

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), launched in 2021, offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unite 54 nations into a thriving common market, igniting an African industrial revolution with the potential to echo across global trade systems. For South Africa, often regarded as the continent’s economic engine, this is a pivotal moment to lead with intention, conviction and pride. As global powers set their sights on Africa’s critical mineral reserves, lithium, cobalt and a demographic advantage expected to represent nearly 40% of the world’s population by 2060, the AfCFTA provides a path toward prosperity on our own terms. “Africa isn’t just rising; it’s ready to lead,” declared IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. This leadership, however, will depend not on rhetoric but on execution—on the collaborative efforts…

AngloGold Ashanti’s headline earnings soared by 671% to $447 million following a 22% increase in production in the first quarter to end March, good cost management and a rising gold price, the group said Friday. In addition to these numbers that indicate a very strong performance, AISC (all-in sustaining costs) increased by only 1%, while free cash increased by 607% to $403m. The previous guidance for the remainder of the year was reaffirmed. "This is a very strong start to the year, particularly at our managed operations," CEO Alberto Calderon said in a statement. An interim dividend of $63m or 12.5 US cents a share was declared for the first quarter, in line with the new quarterly dividend policy. AngloGold’s share price had traded higher by 2.94% on Friday afternoon…

Comedian, radio host, businessman and now reality TV star, Felix Hlophe is a jack of all trades with a knack for entertaining and engaging audiences. In a recent interview, the multi-talented Durban-based personality opened up about what fans can expect from his family’s dynamics his new reality TV show, Life with Felix. What makes Life With Felix different Local television is filled with a lot of content, especially reality shows. “We are a young family, we are ambitious, we are on the up and up. We are blended and we are attempting a polygamous union,” he said. Hlophe has been married to his wife for seven years, and they have two kids together. However, he also has four premarital children, and he is introducing a new person, who has…

THE People’s Republic of China has suspended imports of cloven hoofed animals and related products following foot and mouth disease outbreaks in KwaZulu- Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Local government authorities understand that China’s stance was not radical, but a precautionary step that some nations opt to take. This follows the confirmation of two new FMD cases outside KZN. A farm in Mpumalanga was identified as part of trace-forward exercises from a positive auction in Utrecht, KZN. Although the animals showed no clinical signs of the disease, further investigations have confirmed that the virus had spread to adjacent camps on the same farm. “There are no indications that other farms have become infected, but veterinary services are continuing with clinical inspection and testing of livestock on farms in the area,” said…

A captain in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is expected back in court on Wednesday. The police captain faces a charge of rape. He was arrested by members of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) last Wednesday. According to the Ipid spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, the police captain is alleged to have raped a trainee at the Police Academy in Pretoria. The case before the court states that last Tuesday, the 20-year-old trainee was walking with her platoon members to their sleeping quarters when she was called by the police captain to come to his office. “Once in the office, the police captain allegedly locked the door and told the trainee that if she did not sleep with him, he would write a misconduct letter regarding an incident that allegedly…

The Police Ministry has expressed its shock and disdain after an 18-year-old was allegedly raped in KwaZulu-Natal. The rape took place on May 4, and the accused in the matter is a 54-year-old Inkosi of the KwaBhidla area. An Inkosi is a chief or chieftain. According to police, the suspect gave the young woman a lift from the eGqumeni area, but he allegedly refused to drop her off, instead, he drove her to a remote and isolated bush area where he allegedly raped her. The suspect made a brief appearance in the Hlanganani Magistrate’s Court on Friday. National Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu condemned the rape. “This vile act, allegedly committed by someone who holds a position of leadership and authority – is a betrayal of the moral, ethical, and societal…

The City of Tshwane has denied claims that more than 80 workers at a Region 3 waste management depot are idle daily due to insufficient resources and vehicles. The claims emerged during an oversight visit by Member of Mayoral Committee for Agriculture and Environment Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, who found workers playing games at the facility last week. In their interaction with Ramabodu, workers claimed that they played games to pass the time because they had no actual work to do. Initially, Ramabodu estimated in a social video clip that over 80 city workers were idle at the depot, but one of the workers’ leaders told him there were more than 50 workers. Ramabodu described the situation of workers coming to the depot without tasks as “shocking”. The workers informed him…

We’ve all been teenagers before. It’s easy to remember the growing pains, emotional outbursts, and moments when we felt misunderstood. But what happens when it’s your turn to parent a teenager, especially one struggling with emotional and behavioural challenges? It’s a reality many South African families face, and it comes with its own set of difficulties. Parenting is often described as one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it’s also one of the most challenging. When your child is troubled, the weight of it can feel unbearable, especially in family dynamics that are already stretched thin, like single-parent households or child-headed families. The stigma surrounding mental health can make things worse, leaving parents feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn. When a teenager is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, it’s…

Endometriosis is more than just a medical condition – it’s a constant, invisible battle that affects nearly 1 in 10 women worldwide. Despite being a prevalent disease, it often goes undiagnosed for years or is misdiagnosed, leaving countless women to suffer in silence. The endometrium, the tissue that typically lines the inside of the uterus, begins to grow outside the uterus in women with endometriosis. This growth can occur on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, and other pelvic organs. In rare cases, it even spreads beyond the pelvic region. Yet, its impact reaches far beyond physical symptoms – it affects relationships, mental health, career, and self-image. Endometriosis is painful because the tissue growing outside the uterus behaves like the lining inside it – thickening, breaking…

On International Press Freedom Day, Caroline James published an article about how investigative journalism platform amaBhungane joined Independent Media to challenge a Durban High Court judgment. However, rather than focusing solely on press freedom issues, James opened her piece with a pointed attack against Independent Media’s Chairperson, Dr Iqbal Survé. The article’s arrogant, racist and paternalistic undertone was impossible to ignore. James begins by deliberately insulting Dr Survé, stripping him of his title and referring to him by his first name–something the media never does with figures like Koos Bekker or Johan Rupert. “There are few people who hate us more than Iqbal Survé, the chairperson of Independent Media,” James opens her cynical piece, continuing with: “So why would we spend the limited resources we have fighting to defend Independent…

Nasreddine Nabi says lifting the Nedbank Cup with Kaizer Chiefs may have bought him time to prove he’s the right man to lead the club beyond this season. The Tunisian tactician guided Amakhosi to a dramatic 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, ending the club’s painful 10-year wait for silverware. “My first objective for the club is to place Kaizer Chiefs back in its natural position,” he said at the post match press conference. “I’m happy for this trophy because it is going to help me continue my process, and it is going to give the fans a lot more confidence in this project,” Nabi said. Gaston Sirino put Chiefs ahead from the spot before Evidence Makgopa equalised shortly after…

South African MotoGP rider Brad Binder did not finish the French MotoGP after he crashed the RC16 at turn 14 of the Bugatti Circuit. Red Bull KTM Racing confirmed that he was okay after the crash, but his Championship fight slipped further and further away from him. Binder’s teammate Pedro Acosta took home a superbly raced P4 for the team, their highest of the season so far, and some valuable points towards the team championship. Italian racer Johann Zarco stunned the MotoGP world to pull off an incredible victory at home, robbing team Ducati of the opportunity to rewrite history. But while Ducati leads the way, Red Bull and Binder have yet to find their way this season. The South African started Sunday’s main race from P13 and did well…

This follows a welfare emergency currently unfolding at two of Daybreak’s breeder farms Workers at Daybreak Foods' farms have laid down a series of demands that centre on the immediate termination of Chief People Officer Tshepo Yvonne Mosadi's contract, alongside a comprehensive overhaul of the company's board and management structure. This demand comes as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Friday injected a further R74 million into the embattled farming establishment in a bid to pay for outstanding salaries for April, buy chicken feed supplies, and for specific essential operational expenses. The R74m, which is part of the R250m financial support requested by Daybreak in February, was initially earmarked for capital expenditure. On Friday, the Daybreak Workers Union issued a letter detailing their demands and expressed deep concerns over past…

Once again, US President Donald Trump is dominating global headlines—this time with economic policies that carry broad global consequences. His focus on aggressive tariff strategies has injected sharp volatility into markets, with abrupt sell-offs followed by relief rallies, reflecting the unpredictable nature of current trade dynamics. South Africa, deeply integrated into global trade networks, has not been immune. The South African economy faces both direct exposure and second-order effects from tariff-related tensions, particularly given that two of its largest trading partners are the United States and China. These developments have rattled investor sentiment and highlighted the structural vulnerabilities of an interconnected global economy. In such environments, traditional investment strategies often falter. Hedge funds, however, are uniquely positioned and well-equipped to thrive from such volatility. Their ability to employ active, tactical…

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, which supplies batteries to Tesla, said Friday it will target 10,000 job cuts worldwide as part of efforts to boost profitability. The cuts, which represent around four percent of the group's workforce of nearly 230,000, will be implemented mainly in the current financial year to March, it said. Panasonic said it would "thoroughly review operational efficiency at each group company, mainly in sales and indirect departments". It will "reevaluate the numbers of organisations and personnel actually needed", a statement said. "This measure targets 10,000 employees (5,000 in Japan and 5,000 overseas) at consolidated companies," and will be executed "in accordance with the labour laws, rules, and regulations of each country and region". Panasonic became a global household name in the latter half of the 20th century,…

The contentious buyout offer for Barloworld has been extended by more than six weeks because some brokers and financial services companies are delaying selling their clients’ Barloworld shares in support of the offer. The stand-by offer for Barloworld shareholders to accept the R23 billion offer by Saudi Arabian firm Zahid Group in concert with Barloworld CEO Dominic Sewela, closed on Friday, again with insufficient shareholder support, but Barloworld’s independent board has extended the offer to June 30. The initial offer for the international heavy industrial equipment and food and ingredient solutions group was first made in February 2024, but shareholders raised issues about transparency, possible conflicts of interest due to the CEO’s participation, and some shareholders wanted a better offer than R120 per share, while the shareholder vote failed. “Barloworld…understands…

In a controversial turn of events, US officials from the Departments of State and Homeland Security are preparing to welcome 49 white Afrikaners to Washington, DC, as refugees starting today. According to reports, US officials were trying to arrange a charter flight to land at Dulles International Airport, with commercial flights being assessed as an alternative. A total of 54 individuals initially applied for asylum, but five were red-flagged due to criminal records. The decision, which has stirred both support and outrage within South Africa, comes amid growing concerns over the legitimacy of their claims, as critics argue that South Africa does not meet the conditions that would warrant refugee protection for any ethnic or political group. This comes in the wake of the migration of 49 Afrikaners to the…

The Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) has faced significant challenges in obtaining a new machine, leading to a staggering backlog of over 700 000 cards awaiting processing. The Department of Transport (DoT) is actively seeking an interim solution to resolve this critical issue. The department was responding to the statement made by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) following the department’s announcement that the machine had been repaired and operations resumed. Outa said the machine was not a solution to the driving licence crisis because it is prone to regular breakdowns and is bound to break down again. The organisation said the machine also lacks modern security features. Outa said it is still waiting for the department to provide a solution to this problem. This was the 160th time the…

The owner of a paved area in Waterkloof, initially intended as a private helipad but never used, has demolished the structure at the City of Tshwane’s instruction due to a lack of official authorisation. The City’s new administration had discovered the paved area in February, expressing surprise at its existence and deeming it an unauthorised helipad, leading to its subsequent demolition. Businessman Arnold Pistorius proposed the Waterkloof site as a helipad in 2016, but it was never used for that purpose. He reportedly said the facility was intended to facilitate business travel and provide emergency landing options for the surrounding community. Following his proposal the then-Tshwane administration granted conditional approval, however, the project stalled after Waterkloof Primary School declined to grant consent due to safety concerns. The unauthorised helipad was…

The tension within South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) reached a boiling point this week as the Democratic Alliance (DA) initiated court proceedings against the Department of Employment and Labour’s controversial Employment Equity Act amendments. This legal action is seen as a manifestation of long-standing policy disagreements among coalition partners, which political analysts argue were never properly resolved when forming the GNU. Unisa political studies lecturer Professor Dirk Kotze highlighted the absence of a comprehensive policy agreement when the coalition was formed. “What is happening now is that each of them, when they emerge, it becomes a dispute or crisis like it was with the Expropriation Act, the Bela Act, and the National Health Insurance because there is no new legislation now,” said Kotze. “It’s symptomatic of the fact…

Japanese gaming giant Nintendo has forecast that it would sell 15 million units of its hotly awaited Switch 2 console in the current financial year but warned US tariffs could hit its bottom line. The successor to the Switch – the third best-selling console ever behind Sony’s PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo DS – is set to hit shelves worldwide on June 5. While the “Super Mario” maker is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say. However, the unit sales forecast is more conservative than the 16.8 million expected in a survey of Bloomberg economists. The Switch, a handheld and TV-compatible device that became a must-have gadget during pandemic lockdowns, has sold around 150 million units…

The government is at risk of being hypocritical in trying to be the gatekeeper to protect us from exercising our freedom because of selective outrage. Khuselo Diko, ANC NEC Member and MP, in her role as Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Communications & Digital Technologies has summoned MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho, one of the podcast duo of Podcast & Chill, to explain the misogynistic and frankly crassly stupid remarks he made on a recent podcast about a female celebrity. Mukwevho’s Podcast & Chill Network, which hosts the podcast, also produces content such as “variety shows, insightful comedy and engaging celebrity interviews”, which apparently gets over 3.3 million weekly views, 2.3m unique users and has over 1m subscribers on YouTube. He has won awards and is worth millions. None of his considerable…

The Stormers are still to sit and talk with flyhalf Manie Libbok to work out a plan around his contract with the playmaker set for a stint in Japan next season. Firstly, they wanted the World Cup winner to get back on the field after a knee injury kept him out of action the last couple of months because they will definitely push on his button during the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs. They qualified for the knockouts on Saturday evening after dispatching the Dragons 48-12 in a wet but exciting duel at the DHL Stadium. Although Libbok’s contract runs until 2027 with the Cape side, director of rugby John Dobson said on Saturday he couldn’t say that Manie is ‘definitely staying’ in the Mother City. The flyhalf, who spearheaded…

The Lions’ slim play-off hopes were dealt a fatal blow with a hard-fought 32-19 loss against Scarlets in their United Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Sunday afternoon. The Joburg side was hit by the late withdrawal of star centre Henco van Wyk, who was replaced by Rynhardt Jonker. Youngster Kelly Mpeku took Jonker’s place on the bench. The home side started tentatively, with neither side able to land any telling early blows. Scarlets lock Sam Lousi was shown yellow for head-to-head contact in the tackle. Jonker was able to make a strong break off a ball to the tail of the line-out, but a failure to get numbers to the breakdown proved costly for the home side. Errors were starting to creep into Lions play and they were…

ANTALYA: After a week where Robin Williams showed that he could go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the game, the young South African’s challenge ultimately faltered on the final round here at the DP World Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open. The 23-year-old shot an even par to finish with an overall 273 (65, 70, 67, 71) 11-under-par. It saw him slip from second place heading into Sunday’s final round to an eventual tied 7th position, which earns Williams $63 690 (approximately R1,157,526.26 million). French rookie Martin Couvra, who is the holder of a historic South African Amateur Championships treble, claimed the Turkish Airlines Open title with an overall 267 17-under-par. “It’s still a great week. If someone told me I would play like this at the beginning of…