Table of contents for 2025-12-08 in Cape Times

Industry experts have delivered mixed views after the Ports Regulator of South Africa approved a lower-than-requested tariff increase for the National Ports Authority (NPA), granting an average rise of 7.57% for the 2026/27 financial year, below the 9.61% initially proposed by the Authority. Ports Regulator CEO Mukondeleli Johanna Mulaudzi said the NPA submitted its tariff application on 1 August 2025 in terms of Section 72 of the National Ports Act, seeking allowable revenue of R16.73 billion for 2026/27 and projecting tariff increases of 9.61% for the following two years. After assessing the submission, public inputs, presentations, and updated inflation figures from the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the Regulator authorised a revenue requirement of R17.42bn. This includes an ETIMC allocation of R800 million, resulting in the weighted average tariff increase of…

PIC probes whether governance recommendations were falsely reported as implemented The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has instituted an investigation into whether the recommendations of Judge Mpati on governance improvements at the entity were falsely reported as implemented by the previous CEO to Cabinet, deputy finance minister and chairperson of the PIC, David Masondo, has said. Responding to questions in Parliament on Friday, Masondo admitted that the PIC had been led to believe the recommendations had been fully implemented, but after persistent questioning from Parliament, the corporation had to initiate an investigation when no record of implementation could be found. “The report that went to the DTIC Minister said the implementation had been 100% done, but thanks to the persistence of MPs on this matter, we had to check our records…

Science infrastructure is not just critical for the generation of new scientific knowledge and the development of researchers and scientists. Science infrastructure also has immense potential to drive socio- economic development for local communities and stimulate science tourism. Over the past three decades, as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, we have made significant and targeted investments in the building of key science infrastructure for South Africa. As South Africa, we are proud hosts of the Square Kilometre Array- the world’s largest radio astronomy project. Through the SKA, we have significantly enhanced our international collaboration in advancing the frontiers of discovery science on the back of cutting-edge infrastructure in the field of astronomy, computational technologies, fibre optics and engineering. Further to this, we have also been able to use…

I delivered a keynote address to the 5th SAIGA conference held at the Emperors Palace and asked the question, “Whither governance when Moses has broken the tablets at the foothills of Mount Sinai?”. When we stood before the nations in 1994, newly liberated but materially poor, we did not anticipate that the riches of the state would eventually afflict us, paralysing our human agency. That agency was once epitomised by the poor who triumphed over a labyrinth of apartheid laws and prisons. Yet today, we face a tragic inversion: the liberators have become the predators. Hani, Mandela, Biko, Sobukwe, Maxeke, Sisulu, and Tambo cannot sleep in peace, despite our songs wishing them eternal rest. They cannot rest because the "Covenant of Truth"—the tablet of governance—has been broken. We have mutated…

THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has been given until May 5 to finalise all municipal tariff applications as part of new court-imposed annual timelines. The order granted last week follows a Gauteng High Court, Pretoria judgment in October that Nersa’s approval of the implementation of municipal electricity tariffs without the use of proper cost-of-supply (COS) studies and public participation processes was unconstitutional. Judge Etienne Labuschagne at the time issued a rule nisi, calling on the respondents, including all 158 municipalities, to show cause, if any, why the order regarding the proposed timelines should not be made. The court has now imposed annual timelines on Nersa, Eskom, and all municipalities, which include that Eskom must submit its Retail Tariffs Structural Adjustments Application (ERTSA) annually by August 31.…

A quick-thinking sand castle builder became an unexpected hero when he used an NSRI pink rescue buoy to save a father and teenage daughter caught in dangerous rip currents at Brenton on Sea in Knysna. NSRI Knysna station commander Jerome Simonis said after 1pm on Saturday, NSRI Knysna duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress. Two people were reportedly in distress in the surf zone caught in rip currents. NSRI rescue swimmers and off-duty NSRI lifeguards responded to the scene while the NSRI rescue craft JayTee IV and Katharine were launched. Police and ambulance services also responded. “On NSRI rescue craft arriving on the scene, NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water and they swam ashore, with medical equipment, finding the 2 casualties, a…

ABDESLAM OUADDOU, the coach of Orlando Pirates, was celebrating Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s growth instead of lamenting the loss of an influential player in his squad. On the night when the young centre back played his final match for the Buccaneers by lifting the Carling Knockout trophy following a one–nil extra-time victory over Marumo Gallants, many were wondering just how Ouaddou was going to ‘replace’ the lad from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal. Mbokazi has been snapped up by American Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire and will be making the move to the US, after the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals in late January. But, having played the game himself, the Moroccan coach is only too pleased to see one of his players making the step up. “I cannot say he…

There were several reasons to be grateful for the Proteas’ Women’s series sweep of Ireland at Boland Park yesterday. For starters it ended a run of bilateral series defeats for a team that has reached consecutive T20 World Cup finals. But on an individual level, it also displayed the value of Western Province duo Faye Tunnicliffe and Dane van Niekerk to the national team’s cause. Tunnicliffe has for a long period been among the leading run-scorers in domestic cricket, but due to a variety of factors has not been able to transfer that form to the international stage since her debut back in 2018 already. Her call-up to the squad for the Ireland series was almost seen as a last-chance saloon, and after Friday’s failure at her Newlands home ground…

Life keeps getting better for the unbeaten Stormers, who return to South Africa from their heroics in Bayonne to a massive boost in the form of three influential Springboks. Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Cobus Reinach are fit, fresh and eager to slot into the team for this weekend’s crunch Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle in Gqeberha. For the match against Bayonne, Stormers coach John Dobson used two Boks who were on the November tour — Ben-Jason Dixon and Ntuthuko Mchunu — while Zachary Porthen was with the team in France but not selected. Dobson was thrilled with his relatively inexperienced team’s gutsy 26-17 comeback win over Bayonne, who had not lost a home game in two years. “The first half was great – tactically really good,” he said.…

Arne Slot was still reeling from Liverpool’s latest stumble at Leeds when Mohamed Salah took aim at his coach and the club's hierarchy in a post-match rant that could mark the end of his legendary career at Anfield. The English Premier League champions are facing problems after a run of four wins in 15 games in all competitions and now have to contend with what could be a messy divorce from one of the club's all-time greats. Only two men – Ian Rush and Roger Hunt – have scored more than Salah's 250 goals for the 20-time English champions. The Egyptian has been key to two of those title triumphs, most notably last season when he swept the board of individual awards during a stunning campaign as Slot won the…

Moody’s Ratings has reaffirmed its existing view on South Africa’s creditworthiness following a periodic review completed on 27 November 2025, cautioning that while economic conditions have improved, deep structural constraints continue to weigh on the country’s long-term prospects. The review, which did not constitute a ratings action, maintains South Africa’s long-term issuer rating at Ba2 with a stable outlook. This comes after S&P Global Ratings has announced an upgrade of South Africa’s credit rating, the first increment in almost 20 years. This upgrade signified a recognition of the country’s improved economic trajectory, buoyed by stronger revenue performance, enhanced growth prospects, and a gradual easing of pressures that have long beleaguered state-owned enterprises. Moody’s said South Africa’s rating reflects chronically low growth potential linked to ageing infrastructure, a weak labour market,…

South Africa’s agribusiness confidence bounced back in the final quarter of the year, rising by five points to 67 in the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI), released on Friday. The improvement follows two consecutive quarterly declines and places the index firmly above the neutral 50-point mark, signalling renewed optimism across the sector. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), said favourable production conditions and strong export performance underpinned the rebound. “Favourable weather conditions, strong exports throughout the year on the back of ample grains, oilseeds, and horticulture harvests, as well as better port efficiencies, are among the key drivers of optimism in the sector,” he said. He added that government’s announcement of a nationwide foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign had also buoyed sentiment, given the long-running challenges…

As Walmart opened its first South African store at Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg and its second in Fourways Mall it enters a retail battlefield already dominated by some of the country’s most deeply entrenched supermarket brands: Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Woolworths, and Spar. Shoprite is currently the reigning giant in retail land and with its Sixty60 online offering is eating its competitors lunches although Pick n Pay is trying hard to turn its fortunes around. Walmart’s much-publicised Every Day Low Prices philosophy might sound good on paper, but in South Africa, price wars are nothing new. Local players have honed the art of affordability and loyalty across decades of economic turbulence, social diversity, and consumer nuance that even a global retail giant may find difficult to decode. The Local…

RMB Holdings (RMH), currently the target of an approach by the Atterbury Property Fund, said net asset value (NAV) decreased to R662 million by September 30, 2023, from R919m as at September 30, 2022. RMH said in its annual financial results Friday this decline was primarily driven by a 2% increase in the underlying NAV of Atterbury - Atterbury comprises 92% of RMH’s portfolio value - offset by an impairment of R272m; a R34m increase in the expected credit loss on the Integer shareholders’ loan; and the yield on cash not being sufficient to fully cover operating expenses. As at September 30, RMH’s market capitalisation came to R557m. The NAV per share fell to 47.5 cents by financial year end, 28% lower than 66 cents at the end of 2022.…

As the festive shopping season kicks into high gear, our screens light up with tempting offers, urging us to act fast, snag deals and buy more. The promise of savings, paired with the festive cheer, is hard to resist. But beneath the glittering sales banners lies a deeper psychological story, one that shapes our spending more than we might realise. We live in a world of instant gratification and endless choices, and the practice of conscious consumerism offers a refreshing pause. It’s not about guilt-tripping or restraint, but about reclaiming control, aligning what we buy and how we give with what we truly value. The psychology of festive shopping: why can’t we resist the deals? So, what’s really happening in our brains when we see a deal? “Humans are wired…

EXPOSING names of politicians who are involved in illegal mining could get one killed, says Mining analyst and researcher at Bench Marks Foundation, David van Wyk. He made the remark in response to reports that Marius van der Merwe, who was a witness at the Madlanga Commission, sent a voice note to anti-crime activist and ENCA journalist Yusuf Abramjee, requesting a platform to disclose more details about the body of an illegal miner that was buried in Benoni on the East Rand. Van der Merwe’s murder is also suspected to be linked to his efforts against illegal mining, especially as he was apparently preparing to expose more details about the operations and their links to state officials. He claimed to have intelligence on the event and its aftermath…

THE Khanyile family had eight of its members shot when gunmen stormed the Saulsville hostel home, west of Pretoria on Saturday morning. Three of their children aged 3, 12, and 16 were among the 12 people killed in the mass shooting while 14 others were wounded. The police have launched a manhunt for three suspects and are investigating 12 counts of murder and 14 of attempted murder. Sabelo Khanyile's sister, the owner of the tavern, was shot three times and is receiving treatment. "Although she sustained injuries, she still responded very well to the treatment," Sabelo said, adding that he was in the dark about the motive of the shooting. He said the three children, who were shot dead, were asleep when the killers stormed the drinking establishment. Another family…

A 64-YEAR-OLD former police officer became the country’s first recipient of a fully internal bone transport and limb-lengthening reconstruction at Tygerberg Hospital. This is the only case of its kind performed in the country across both the state and private sectors. In partnership with Stellenbosch University, the hospital now stands among only a few centres worldwide with the capability to perform this advanced limb salvage technique within the public sector. The patient had lived with the long-term consequences of a severe gunshot injury sustained in 2018. Despite multiple surgeries elsewhere, he continued to struggle with chronic pain, an unhealed fracture, and a substantial difference in leg length that affected his quality of life. Surgeons reconstructed a 50 mm bone defect and corrected a 30 mm limb-length discrepancy. The fully internal…

Kristoffer Reitan overcame what he described as “excruciating pressure” to become the first Norwegian winner of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player at Sun City yesterday. Reitan took a five-stroke lead into the final round and withstood strong challenges from South Africa’s Jayden Schaper and England’s Dan Bradbury to win by a single stroke on 17 under par with a closing 72. Schaper and Bradbury shared second place on 16 under par, with respective final rounds of 68 and 66. “It feels amazing,” Reitan said, after the second DP World Tour victory of his career, which now ties him with countryman Viktor Hovland as the Norwegian player with the most wins on the DP World Tour. “This is an amazing tournament, an incredible golf course and a…

Lando Norris claimed his maiden drivers’ championship yesterday to complete McLaren’s first title double since 1998 with a perfectly judged drive to finish third behind Red Bull’s winner Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. A tearful Norris won the title by two points ahead of Verstappen, who relinquished his crown after four consecutive years, in a tense and emotional season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix dominated by strategy and tactics. After crossing the line his team engineer told him: “That’s it mate, you are world champion, world champion!” “Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true,” he replied. “I haven’t cried in a while, I didn’t think I would cry but I did,” Norris said, on the podium in the desert night at the floodlit Yas Marina circuit. “I…

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has raised concerns that last week’s court judgment in its legal dispute with AfriForum over municipal electricity tariff timelines encroaches on the powers of the Minister of Finance as set out in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Nersa also noted that the ruling was delivered without the National Treasury’s participation, despite its central role in municipal budgeting processes. Nomfundo Maseti, full-time regulator member for piped gas and acting member for electricity, said Nersa is likely to appeal the judgment but must, as a courtesy, inform the Minister of Finance of its implications, particularly the new court-imposed timelines, which she said are misaligned with MFMA requirements. "The court has made out these orders without an opportunity for those that are given powers…

An upward trend in intermediate input costs for South African miners is emerging, the Minerals Council said on Friday, even though overall input costs remain historically subdued. The Minerals Council said on Friday that the emerging trend of rising mining input costs is being driven by “higher prices for intermediate mining inputs, including iron ore—which is performing stronger” than a year ago. “These increases are putting pressure on costs where these and other minerals are used in intermediate processes. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in sawmilling and wood costs, electricity and water tariffs, and significant increases in road transportation costs,” said the Minerals Council. These factors, it explained, were collectively driving the upward trend in mining input costs that has been recorded over the past three months. Data…

The African National Congress (ANC), will be holding its National General Council (NGC) from the 8th to the 11th December. Whilst it is natural for a political party to spend time engaging upon politics, it is critical that this NGC of the ANC, gear its attention to the daily struggles that millions of workers experience, to give hope to the unemployed and to tackle the obstacles facing inclusive and rapid economic growth. Society wants to hear from the leading party in government frank self-introspection and most importantly for the ANC to emerge with concrete proposals on what needs to be done to ensure the state can fulfill its constitutional mandate to provide public and municipal services, to utilise public resources in the most effective way possible to stimulate economic growth…

Anglo American says its merger with Canadian miner, Teck Resources does not affect its obligations and interests in South Africa, with the enlarged entity geared to grow its investments domestically. Over the past few days, South African economist Duma Gqubule has said that the transaction will “provide a final death knell” for the Johannesburg and London listed resource giant. Anglo American has been shedding its South African assets under CEO Duncan Wanblad, with the company finalising its exit from Anglo American Platinum this year. Anglo American has said that its merger with Teck “does not change South Africa’s sovereignty, our operations and many other interests in South Africa or Anglo American’s obligations” in the country. “The merger with Teck is about building a stronger global critical minerals company that is…

SOUTH Africa is living through a violence epidemic so deeply woven into daily life that many people no longer recognise its weight. We see the posters, the awareness campaigns, the public statements of commitment from leaders. Each year during the 16 Days of Activism, we speak of “raising our voices.” Yet for millions of women, children, families and communities, the remaining 349 days look painfully familiar. Despite billions being spent on policing, crisis counselling, emergency medical care, shelters and public messaging, violence continues to rise. Gender-based violence (GBV) alone drains an estimated R28–R42 billion from the economy every year. Bullying in schools and workplaces continues to climb. Cyberbullying is increasing at twice the rate of in-person bullying. Femicide remains five times higher than the global average. It is not that…

There was an eruption of joy at a packed Cape Town Stadium yesterday after the Blitzboks came from behind to beat Argentina 21-19 to win the Cape Town Sevens. It was the first time a team had won the Cape Town event back-to-back, and there was an overflow of emotion as the South Africans triumphed before a kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and crazy outfits. Victory was especially sweet after the Blitzboks found themselves lagging behind the South Americans with only a few minutes to go. The Blitzboks rallied, however, scoring two late tries to inch over the line. Ultimately, it was Christie Grobbelaar’s try that secured victory, thanks to a brilliant turnover by Shilton van Wyk. After the final, a delighted Van Wyk said: “It was all about rewarding our…

The last time the Proteas faced India in an ODI prior to the recently-completed three-match series, they boasted a middle-order consisting of Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Fast forward two years to the series decider in Vizag, and it was only Markram that remains - and that is only due to Tony de Zorzi’s hamstring injury. That is a collective loss of 309 ODI’s worth of experience. The replacements Matthew Breetzke (12) and Dewald Brevis (9) have a sum of 21 caps. Klaasen has since retired from all forms of international cricket and both Van der Dussen and Miller will be 38 by the time the home World Cup arrives in 2027. It would be a fair judgement to assume that neither will be…

Ben Stokes refused to give up hope of winning the Ashes despite going 2-0 down in the five-match series after another heavy loss to Australia at the Gabba yesterday. England went into the series with many at home believing they had a real chance of regaining the Ashes. But after a two-day loss in Perth and Sunday’s eight-wicket defeat in Brisbane, those aims already look daunting. “The worst thing to do now is to not have hope and not realise that we still have the opportunity to do what we came out here to do,” Stokes said. “I haven’t lost hope, the dressing room hasn’t lost hope, and I’ll be doing everything I can as a captain to make sure that everyone is as positive as they possibly can be.”…