Table of contents for 2025-09-09 in Star

A new report by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) on Monday said that South Africa’s economic growth has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Economists have echoed similar sentiments. The report said that South Africa experienced a remarkable economic growth deterioration between 2005 and 2025. “This report uses a growth accounting framework to show that productivity shrunk and investment stagnated. Post-pandemic, productivity has recovered but not investment.” The report added that in short: a collapse in productivity growth led by inefficient state-owned enterprises which consumed a large share of savings without any benefit to the economy. “This largely reflects the impact of South Africa’s state-capture decade, in the years after 2010. This crowded out private sector investment, which has remained stagnant in real terms at around R500 billion a year…

Altvest Capital plans to rename itself Africa Bitcoin Corporation after an announcement on Monday that it will become the first Bitcoin Treasury company on the continent. The AltX-listed black-owned and managed SME financing and financial services company also announced an equity capital raise through the issue of 1 million Altvest shares at R11 per share. The share price fell 2.08% to R4.70 on the JSE on Monday morning after the release of the announcement. Other Bitcoin Treasury companies in the world include the US-based MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Marathon Digital Holdings. In February, the company told shareholders it had acquired 1.00464 Bitcoin (BTC) as part of its long-term treasury strategy, and that it would monitor its Bitcoin holdings in light of market conditions and regulatory developments. The aim of the purchase…

The latest Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report for the first half of 2025 released Monday indicates that South African consumers are curtailing their spending while increasingly engaging in gambling activities. This reflects not only shifting financial priorities but also the rapid transformation within the gambling sector driven by technology.. Isana Cordier, managing executive for the consumer sector at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, stated that the bank's internal data shows a 6% month-to-month decline in total card spending, coupled with an 8% fall in transaction volumes. “This aligns with historical trends, as internal data suggests that June typically experiences negative growth,” Cordier said. “Despite this decline, month-to-month, year-on-year performance showed a modest 2% increase, suggesting some resilience in consumer activity over the longer term. The average transaction value increased by…

There’s no doubt that Checkers Sixty60 is shaking the South African retail sector market. It has been reported that R18.9 billion in sales, a 47.7% increase year on year, now flows through the app. It’s interesting to note that Sixty60 sales represents nearly one-tenth of supermarkets RSA’s R213.5 billion turnover, according to Shoprite results in 2025. The e-commerce platform has become an important arsenal for the Shoprite group in retail wars with other major retailers. All the praise, however, has gone to a group of innovators elsewhere and conveniently ignored some of the key contributors to this important piece of technology. What is almost forgotten is that Checkers Sixty60 as a technology platform was built by young people from South African townships, one of them being Vutlharhi Donald Valoyi. The…

Pan African Resources on Monday announced its intention to transfer its listing from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to the main market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in a bid to tap into a larger pool of investors and breathe impetus into the stock’s liquidity. The shift comes at a propitious time as current elevated gold prices are proving beneficial for producers within the sector. Shares in the company surged 9.27% to R18.03 in afternoon trade on the JSE on Monday, extending the stock’s 11.94% and 11.34% appreciation in the past seven and 30 days, respectively. Gold prices on Monday rose to above $3 600 per ounce, a new high for the precious metal currently viewed as a safe-haven asset. Pan African Resources and other South African gold producers…

Who doesn’t love a good romcom? We grew up on them, and some of those films have clung to us like the unforgettable soundtracks they carried. There’s just something about those films that made us feel like life itself had a soundtrack, where every crush, every heartbreak, and every messy love story deserved its own montage. The romcoms of today can’t quite match the classics, but the nostalgia they spark is timeless, and that’s exactly the space Will Linley steps into with his debut album Don’t Cry Because It’s Over. The launch wasn’t your average “press play and vibe” moment. Linley gave us the full package. Songs that hit you right in the feels, paired with visuals that leaned into the kind of cheesy romcom tropes we’d usually roll our…

Lazarus Lito Anthonio, a 26-year-old who has confessed to murdering his ex-girlfriend, is now under investigation by police for possible involvement in other cases of gender-based violence and femicide. Authorities believe he may be responsible for the killing of additional women, raising serious concerns about a pattern of violent behaviour. Anthonio appeared briefly before the Temba Magistrates’ Court in Hammanskraal on Friday, where he abandoned his bail application. He remains in custody and faces multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and contravening a protection order. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that Anthonio fatally stabbed his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend, Kgaogelo Marota, on 21 August. The attack occurred at Dubai Tavern in Maubane Village, where Marota was socialising with a friend. This happened just days after a protection order was issued…

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has been added to the names of witnesses expected to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing serious allegations of corruption, political interference, and mismanagement within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The committee was established following bombshell allegations made on 6 July by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who publicly accused senior political and police officials of obstructing sensitive investigations and attempting to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team in KZN During his briefing, Mkhwanazi presented digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats allegedly extracted from mobile devices, which he claimed revealed coordinated interference by high-ranking individuals. He specifically named suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, his associate Brown Mogotsi, and businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala as central figures in the alleged effort. In a media briefing…

Around 82% of young South Africans earn less than R6 000 per month, with a quarter of their income going toward rent or accommodation. This is according to a new evidence-based study that examines how young people in SA think about money, what they earn and spend and how they manage to make ends meet. “The ZAKA Index shows that young people aren’t careless with money and making impossible trade-offs in a high-cost environment,” says Leana de Beer, chief executive officer of WaFunda. “The task now is to translate these insights into practical, continuous learning and targeted support that builds small buffers, improves decision-making and opens pathways to opportunity.” Blackbullion South Africa, in partnership with Sanlam Foundation, announced the launch of the ZAKA Indexl last Friday last week. The first…

The Johannesburg Metropolice Police Department (JMPD) has denied claims made by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg, accusing the department of failing to ensure the safety of its two trainees, who recently died after undergoing intensive training. This comes after the DA in Johannesburg said it has written to the MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the circumstances that led to the deaths of two trainee candidates. It is reported that the two recruits died following a JMPD physical fitness assessment session on Thursday, August 28. The two trainee candidates, Michael Nyambi (24) of Rabie Ridge and Zwelethu Tekete (26) of Braamfischerville, were part of the JMPD’s training process of recruiting and selecting 500 metropolitan police officers for the 2025/2026 financial year.…

A massive search grid has been set up and rescue teams continue to search for missing kite-boarder, Graham Howes. The 38-year-old was last seen kite-boarding offshore of Eden on the Bay in Bloubergstrand, on Sunday. Unconfirmed reports claim that rescuers have found his kite almost 10 metres from Robben Island. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said Howes, aged 38, was last seen on a blue and black kite-board with a white kite sail with red writing. He was wearing a black wet suit at the time. “Graham was last seen at around 1pm on Sunday afternoon. He failed to return later that day and the NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew was activated just before 8pm on Sunday night,” Lambinon said. He said teams conducted patrols along the shoreline…

With just a few days to go before the launch of the three part documentary true-crime series, Beauty and the Bester, convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester is heading to court today in an urgent bid to stop Netflix from releasing the much anticipated series. The matter has been set down before the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where Judge Sulet Potterill is expected to hear the matter. Bester wants the court to interdict Netflix from releasing the documentary on Friday, claiming that the series contains inaccurate, defamatory and unsubstantiated claims and violates his and his life partner Nandipha Magudumana’s constitutional rights. Both Bester and Magudumana are behind bars, awaiting trial on several charges after they were arrested in 2023 in Tanzania. Netflix has meanwhile widely advertised its three…

An online petition has called for Tiffany Meek to be released on bail to receive fair treatment and be declared innocent until proven guilty. This comes after Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, was denied bail in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on July 29. Meek, who is accused of murdering her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, is expected to appeal the bail decision. She also faces charges of crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. It remains unclear as to who started the online petition that has garnered over 300 signatures. According to the petition, Magistrate Annelin Africa “denied her (Meek) bail in a manner that went beyond legal requirements, relying on untested allegations and casting doubt on her innocence before…

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad is happy with the overall batting performance of the team in the three-match ODI series against England, despite Sunday’s record 342-run defeat in Southampton, with the series already wrapped up. He will be hoping that they can carry this form, and their momentum from the previous white-ball series in Australia, into the crucial T20 Internationals against the hosts in Cardiff tomorrow, Manchester on Friday and Nottingham on Sunday. Conrad struggled to explain the batting collapse that saw the Proteas skittled for 72 in pursuit of 414. “I think we were definitely off (on Sunday), and against a top side like England, when you’re not on top of your game you do get exposed the way we did,” he said in his post-match analysis. “A similar…

Bafana Bafana have grown in leaps and bounds over the years, which is why there wouldn’t be a better time to settle the on-field beef between them and Nigeria. Bafana will host Nigeria in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier at Toyota Stadium tonight (6pm kick-off). The South Africans are at the top of Group C with 16 points, six ahead of third-placed Nigeria. A win for Bafana would put them on the brink of qualifying for the global showpiece in North America – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – as they would be nine points ahead of their rivals with two games to play. A Bafana victory would also eliminate Nigeria from the race for automatic qualification, which would sting for the West Africans if they ultimately fail…

In today’s world, influence is a form of currency. Young people often trust social media influencers more than traditional advertising or even official government communication. They see them as relatable, aspirational and authentic. This trust has turned influencer marketing into one of the most powerful tools of persuasion in the modern era. But when influence is left unchecked and accountability is missing, the same platforms that inspire dreams can also create danger. South Africa is now facing this reality. The latest controversy is the Russian “Alabuga Start” programme, which was promoted on social media as a chance for young South Africans to study and work abroad. Behind the glossy Instagram reels and persuasive TikTok videos, however, are disturbing allegations of human trafficking and forced labour. For a country where youth…

Agricultural Machinery Sales indicate that August tractor sales of 700 units were 22% more than the 572 units sold in August last year. There have been welcome reactions from agricultural associations about the increase in machinery sales. Willie Human, the chairman of the South African Agricultural Machinery Association, said year-to-date tractor sales are now approximately 23% up on last year. “ Five combine harvesters were sold in August, the same number as were sold in August last year. On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales are now almost 26% up on last year.” Human added that sentiment in the market remains positive, and this is reflected in the good sales of tractors and combine harvesters currently being experienced. “The recently released winter crop estimates indicate that production of all these…

When Russell Southwood first landed in Africa in 2000, he had "almost no contacts." Armed with yellow pages and a British passport, he would look up internet service providers, turn up at their offices, and introduce himself as a London-based journalist interested in Africa's internet potential. Imagine. What followed was a 25-year journey of weekly observation that would chronicle one of the continent's most significant transformations, whilst raising persistent questions about perspective, privilege, and who gets to define African progress. "There were almost nobody involved in the internet," Southwood recalls of those early days during a yet-to-be-released African Tech Roundup Podcast conversation. "The numbers of people involved in or interested in the internet were in the hundreds or the thousands." His now-discontinued weekly newsletter created what he calls "a village…

Radial truck tyre recycler, Mathe Group, has commissioned a multi-million-rand investment in new equipment to extract hundreds of tons of “clean steel” for export to India and South Korea. Mathe Group CEO, Dr Mehran Zarrebini, said on Monday that the clean steel investment, which includes the installation of a new clean steel mill with an automated packaging line and several de-beading machines, will boost the group's earnings. This initiative is projected to significantly enhance the company's earnings by tapping into the potential of steel, which constitutes roughly 30% of each radial truck tyre. Previously discarded as a by-product, this steel is now set to become a valuable second income stream for Mathe Group. Radial truck tyres are processed by removing the walls which are supported by a steel ring (known…

Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula has come out swinging against Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF, after it condemned the movement’s stance on foreign nationals accessing healthcare in South Africa. In an interview with IOL News, Dabula said South Africa would not be dictated to by outsiders and rubbished Zanu-PF’s claims that Operation Dudula was promoting colonial-era divisions. “We will not be dictated to by foreigners on how to run our country. We have the Constitution that is supposed to be guiding us, we have immigration laws that we use as guiding documents,” Dabula said. Her comments came in response to Zanu-PF’s director of information, Farai Marapira, who earlier told IOL that Operation Dudula’s campaign against undocumented migrants was “a betrayal of Ubuntu” and a continuation of colonial-era tactics of dividing Africans.…

South Africa’s domestic work sector has been dealt a severe blow, with nearly 400 000 jobs lost over the past five years. This is according to SweepSouth’s Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions Report, which warns of mounting hardship as rising costs continue to outpace wages. One of the main reasons for job losses is families moving, with most of those who moved having emigrated overseas. Other families are simply cutting back on spending. SweepSouth CEO Lourandi Kriel said that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were about 1.2 million domestic workers in South Africa, but this number has now dropped to just over 839 000 in the second quarter of 2025. “So the decline in domestic workers is due to a multitude of factors. The economy hasn’t grown, and…

The South African government finds itself embroiled in a fresh diplomatic storm following revelations that representatives of the sanctioned M23 rebel group recently attended a high-level African peace dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, without proper vetting or detection. This, after reports emerged last week that just months after deadly clashes in Goma between M23 rebels and peacekeepers resulting in the deaths of 14 South African soldiers, an M23 delegation made its way to South Africa for peace talks. However, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ronald Lamola, swiftly denied this move, claiming the government was unaware of their presence. However, former Dirco deputy minister Marius Fransman has sharply criticised the government’s handling of the matter. In a pointed statement issued on Sunday, Fransman called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister…

In an incredible win for South African creativity, makeup artist Queen Motlatle, the founder of House of Queen Makeup, has just won Best Hair and Makeup for her work on Shaka iLembe at the Septimius Awards 2025 in Amsterdam. This international recognition is a huge deal for the talented artist and for the show itself. It highlights the incredible effort and detail that went into creating the visual world of the historical epic. Shaka iLembe is a highly acclaimed South African series that tells the powerful story of the legendary Zulu king, Shaka kaSenzangakhona. The show, which stars Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi, takes viewers on a journey through the 18th century, exploring themes of war, love, betrayal, and royalty. It has been widely praised for its high production quality…

IT IS often said that “the most dangerous threats oftentimes come wearing a friendly face”. It seems this is the case for South Africa, where human trafficking has been ravaging our society of late. Mere weeks ago, it was widely reported that more than 200 South Africans were currently stranded in Thailand, after having been lured into a sophisticated human trafficking ring with the false promise of employment in Myanmar. This past week, various South African influencers were entangled in a national uproar after promoting the Alabuga Start programme, which was found to be a human trafficking scheme luring countless young women in with the promise of Russian-based work and education. What this has actually highlighted is that social media has become a whole new frontier for traffickers, and now…

While Rassie Erasmus says he has not pushed the panic button in picking a brand new backline to play the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, some of his selections were performance-related. The Boks lost 24-17 in Auckland last week, and for the return Test, only Cheslin Kolbe remains in his position, although Canan Moodie also continues, shifting from left wing to outside centre. Aphelele Fassi replaces Willie le Roux in a selection that appears form-related; Ethan Hooker comes in on the wing for Moodie; the Old Firm centre pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende makes way for Damian Willemse and Moodie; and in the half-backs, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu take over from Grant Williams and Handré Pollard. Erasmus was pressed on which of those changes were…

As South Africa and Nigeria prepare for one of their most important matches in recent history, the weight of a controversial Gabonese referee, Pierre Ghislain Atcho, looms large, adding another layer of tension to the already high-stakes affair. Fifa has made the contentious decision to appoint Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to officiate the critical World Cup qualifier clash tonight in Bloemfontein. Since the announcement on Sunday, Nigeria’s football-mad population have been uneasy because of Atcho’s reputation. For a country hanging on by the thinnest of threads in Group C, the choice of referee has sent ripples of concern across Africa’s most populous nation of 237 million people. Atcho, a mere 31-years old, is already well-known in football circles, particularly in West Africa, for his controversial officiating decisions. His reputation…

Manchester United are looking leaner and meaner after being stripped to the bone and rebuilt in the recent transfer window. It seems the fallen giants have finally broken the shackles that have weighed Old Trafford down for years – a legacy of bloated squads, misfiring stars, dressing-room disharmony and a muddled recruitment plan often at odds with the managers’ philosophies. Rúben Amorim, now in his second season at the helm, can no longer lean on those crutches. The firesale of unwanted assets and a raft of carefully structured loan exits has finally cleared the path for him to implement his style of play – something he spoke about at length last season as United bumbled their way to a nightmare 15th-place finish. Failure to secure European football, along with United’s…

The MultiChoice Group, the parent company of satellite television DStv, has firmly rejected calls from Ghana’s Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, for a 30% reduction in subscription fees. This comes as George characterised DStv’s pricing in Ghana as unfair, highlighting the stark contrast between the premium bouquet price of $83 (R1 461) in Ghana compared to $29 (R510) for the same package in Nigeria. On Sunday, MultiChoice South Africa's corporate affairs executive, Litlhare Moteetee-Muranda, referred to a statement that further clarified the group's position where MultiChoice Ghana acknowledged the establishment of a Working Committee aimed at resolving the discrepancy but stressed that no agreement had been reached regarding price reductions. "We continue to engage with the Minister in a bid to find an amicable solution that…

The last two decades have seen an explosion of corporate reporting. Annual reports, sustainability disclosures, ESG scorecards and integrated reports now fill board packs and investor portals. For many organisations, these reports have become the visible evidence of governance. Yet the question remains: are these documents proof of genuine sustainable value creation, or simply outputs that reassure stakeholders without changing the underlying reality? King IV reminds us that the purpose of governance is outcomes. Ethical culture, good performance, effective control and legitimacy cannot be delivered through documents alone. Principle 3 emphasises responsible corporate citizenship, and Principle 4 highlights the need for organisations to create value in a sustainable manner. Reporting is important, but it is only one part of the accountability cycle. True governance requires that boards ensure value is…

In the boardroom, we call it risk management. In HR, resilience. In marketing, futureproofing. What we all really want is accurate predictions on when what is going to change, and solutions on how to delay – or ideally, prevent – the impact of those predictions. When the advice to quell this fear-fuelled need for predictions is “you can’t prevent it, you have to adapt to it”, we however refuse to accept it. Instead, we lay the responsibility for adaptation at someone else’s feet, or we launch initiatives to figure out how to be the one company that withstands the storm and remain “resilient” while others experience ruin. Or we create and try to enforce preventative rules that simply result in busy work we can use to make ourselves feel more…

The share price of Clientèle, the JSE-listed insurance group, leaped over 10% on Monday after it reported a 100% increase in attributable headline earnings to R659.9 million for the year to June 30. The performance included the first-time reported earnings of 1Life of R132.5m, as well as positive earnings contributions from Clientèle Life, Clientèle General and CBC Rewards. The impact of the recently acquired Emerald on group operating results was insignificant at the year-end. The share price was trading at R14.88 on Monday afternoon, up from R11.25 a year ago. A dividend of 132 cents (125 cents) per share was declared. The company said there was a modest sense of optimism in the economy fueled by a reduction in load shedding, declining inflation and the improved stock market performance, particularly…

“It was a deliberate hit.” This is how Gauteng police spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi described the brazen daylight shooting of insolvency lawyer, Bouwer van Niekerk. Van Niekerk was killed in the boardroom of his Saxonwold, Johannesburg office last week Friday. The 43-year-old was at the time of his death reportedly working on high-profile cases, including a major insolvency case linked to an alleged Ponzi scheme. According to Nevhuhulwi, nothing was stolen. “Once inside the boardroom, gunshots were heard, and the assailants fled the scene,” she said. “The attorney was declared dead at the scene, with no items reported stolen, pointing to a deliberate hit. “Police are searching for four suspects, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive.” Justice and constitutional development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi condemned the attack. Speaking on behalf…

The Gauteng Provincial Government has recorded R4.2 billion in new irregular expenditure for the 2024/25 financial year, despite improvements in overall audit outcomes across departments and public entities. Finance MEC Lebogang Maile revealed this during a media briefing following the tabling of annual reports in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Tuesday, September 2. “In the 2024-2025 financial year, Gauteng Provincial Government departments incurred R4.2bn in new irregular expenditure. The province is dedicated to enhancing compliance with supply chain management regulations by automating supply chain management processes related to tenders and requests for quotations”, Maile said According to the MEC, 14 out of 19 public entities and eight departments achieved clean audit outcomes, reflecting what he described as progress in financial management and accountability. “This is an indication of stable…

The Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo has sentenced 28-year-old Tolerate Matala Makofane to 17 years' direct imprisonment after he was convicted of the rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl. The court also ordered that Mafokane’s name be registered in the child sexual offences register. “On 15 May 2024, at approximately 5pm, the victim was raped by the accused at a secluded area near Ikhwezi village in the Burgersfort policing area,” said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. “The incident occurred when the victim’s regular scholar transport was full, and the driver instructed her to seek alternative transportation. Tolerate (Mafokane), who operated as another school transport driver, agreed to transport the victim home.” After the teenager sat on the front passenger seat of his vehicle, Makofane made “inappropriate advances” toward the child.…

Afro-Trap sensation Sosoboy Fosho has officially launched his long-awaited EP, Pink Roses, under Asanda Empires, marking a bold new chapter in his career. The project fuses high-energy beats with soulful storytelling, showcasing his growth as an artist and his ability to connect deeply with listeners. Hailing from Mdantsane Township in the Eastern Cape, multi-talented director, composer, author, and vocalist Sonwabile Madonela, better known as Sosoboy Fosho, is steadily cementing his place in the South African music industry. Reflecting on Pink Roses, he describes the EP as a celebration of love in all its forms, the beautiful, the messy, and the hopeful. “Roses are universal, but pink roses represent admiration and gratitude,” he says. “I wanted to give people music that feels like flowers for the soul, a gift that carries…

Gambling in South Africa is bigger than ever – accounting for 1.6% of total household spending. The scale of the industry is staggering. Gross gambling revenue reached R59.3 billion in 2023/24, up 25.7% from the previous year, and nearly triple the R23.3bn generated just three years earlier, according to the National Gambling Board of South Africa’s latest annual review for the 2023 year. According to Old Mutual’s Savings and Investment Monitor, 20% of gamblers have had to borrow, use credit, or sell something to fund their habit. Nearly half of all working gamblers now play frequently, hoping to cover expenses or debt – a figure that has climbed sharply from 36% previously, the monitor showed. The rise is driven almost entirely online. Sports betting is the top draw at 61%,…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has condemned the evictions being carried out by municipalities, private security companies, and other state-sanctioned actors. These evictions, often executed without court orders and in clear violation of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998 (PIE), are described by the Commission as a “grave violation of the Constitution and a direct assault on the dignity of the most vulnerable in our society.” The SAHRC expressed serious concern about statements made by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who indicated that evictions in Gauteng “will be conducted in the dead of night even ‘at 02h00 AM’” as part of efforts to reclaim hijacked buildings and dismantle informal settlements. IOL previously reported that Lesufi announced plans to demolish illegal…

Every time a school removes pure mathematics, a girl who could have been an engineer, scientist or innovator is told: “This path is not for you.” Mathematics is more than a subject on the timetable. It is the entry ticket to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the very fields where South Africa struggles with skills shortages and where women remain underrepresented. When public schools, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities, quietly drop mathematics and offer only mathematical literacy, the impact goes far beyond curriculum. It is a structural decision that narrows opportunities, reinforces stereotypes, and undermines years of effort to encourage girls into technical fields. In my own research on the factors that encourage girls to choose STEM subjects, I found four critical enablers: early confidence through exposure,…

Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin and his management team are hoping their gamble to rest key players against France will pay dividends when they face the Black Ferns in Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The Bok Women opted to rest nine of their regular starters in their final pool match to keep them fresh and injury-free for what is their first-ever World Cup knockout appearance. Several other key players were also withdrawn at half-time. But the decision came at a hefty cost, as South Africa were thumped 57-10 by a ruthless French outfit in Northampton. It was their first defeat of the tournament, having previously beaten Brazil 66-6 and edged Italy 29-24 to secure their quarter-final spot. Now, they’ll face defending champions New Zealand – a side that’s…

History beckons for Orlando Pirates, who could become the only team to win the country’s Top 8 competition four times in succession. They will face Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night (6pm kick-off). Pirates made history last season when they beat Stellenbosch 3-1 in the final to win a record-extending third straight title. While the clash in Mbombela is an opportunity to set new records, it’s also a fresh start for Pirates’ new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou. The match will be his first cup final with the club, assuming he has recovered from a nasty injury sustained after their 3-0 win over Chippa United last Sunday. Ouaddou’s arrival at Pirates was met with mixed reactions. Some believed he was the right person to succeed Riveiro –…

The absence of Super Eagles’ prolific striker, Victor Osimhen, from tonight’s high-stakes encounter against Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium (kick-off 6pm) is sending ripples of concern through the Nigerian camp ahead of their Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifier. The 24-year-old Osimhen is not only a fan favourite but also the team’s leading goal-scorer, a role made even more significant following Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda. He sustained an injury during that match and has not travelled to South Africa. The implications of his absence cannot be overstated. His prowess in the forward line has been integral to Nigeria’s attack, making him one of the squad’s most valuable players. Without him, the Super Eagles may struggle to breach a well-organised Bafana Bafana defence. Their coach, José Peseiro, will…