Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2026-01-14 in Star

Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) reported record volumes through 2023, while the expansion and investment of its logistics systems continued. JSE-listed trade corridor focused Grindrod said Tuesday the port handled a total of 32 million tons, a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year's 30.9 million tons. To provide an indication of the relative size of the port, the Port of Durban handles about 80 million tons a year, while Rotterdam's port in the Netherlands handled 435.8 million tons in 2023. "This performance reinforces the port's position as a key regional logistics hub and reflects the resilience and efficiency of the integrated port and corridor system," said MPDC CEO Osório Lucas in a statement. In Maputo Port, Grindrod operates and manages dry bulk and automotive terminals, handling exports and imports…

Taiwan has reached a “general consensus” with the United States on a trade deal, the democratic island’s negotiators said Tuesday, after months of talks. Taiwan and the United States began negotiations in April to hash out a trade deal after US President Donald Trump slapped a 32 percent tariff on Taiwanese exports, which was later lowered to 20 percent, as part of his sweep of measures against dozens of trade partners. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has pledged to boost investment in the United States and increase defence spending as his government tries to further reduce the levy on its shipments, as well as avoid a toll on its semiconductor chip exports. “The goal of the US-Taiwan tariff negotiations has always been to seek reciprocal tariff reductions without stacking tariffs, and…

Tharisa's share price surged 5.5% after reporting first quarter production as planned, while platinum group metal (PGM) prices averaged 13% higher. The JSE and London-listed chrome and platinum producer said Tuesday in a production report for its first quarter to December 31, 2022, that PGM recoveries improved at 78.8% from 61.7% in the first quarter of 2022, while chrome recoveries improved to 70.3% from 65.7%. The share price traded at R28.40 on the JSE in the afternoon, representing a sharp 88% increase in the price over 12 months. Planned risk mitigation was successful at the group in the quarter with double the rainfall and lightening events year on year. PGM prices averaged $2 208 per ounce versus $1615 for the 2025 financial year. The average chrome concentrate price was $276/t…

New year, new shows, and yes, people, we’ve got a lot of reviewing to do. First up on the radar: The Beauty, the latest international thriller from none other than Ryan Murphy. Murphy is the king of stylish, scandalous and often shocking TV. The Beauty dives straight into the dark underbelly of the fashion world. International supermodels are dying in gruesome, mysterious ways, and FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) are sent to Paris to figure out what is going on. Picture Totally Spies meets the stuff you wish you didn’t know about what goes on behind closed fashion doors. Things get even freakier. The team uncovers a sexually transmitted virus that transforms ordinary people into living visions of perfection but, spoiler, the consequences are…

The words “Nangu lomuntu,” meaning “here he is,” were allegedly spoken by murder accused Victor Majola moments before popular media personality DJ Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, was shot dead, a Johannesburg court heard yesterday. The details emerged during the formal bail application of Victor Majola, 44, who appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court facing charges of murder and premeditated murder. DJ Warras was shot dead on December 16, outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg. Majola was arrested last month in connection with the killing. His bail application, initially expected earlier, was postponed at the state’s request and resumed yesterday. Testifying for the state, investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi said the events leading to the killing stemmed from a dispute over the management of Zambesi Flats. Montwedi told the…

The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) unlawfully hiked levies on service and rest area developers and ordered the entity to go back to the drawing board. The ruling overturned a Gauteng High Court ruling that the increased levy was a commercial negotiation rather than administrative action. The court action followed a dispute between the Kasselman Trust and SANRAL over the operation of a filling station. The Trust turned to court after it lost its high court bid against the road agency. It wanted to construct and operate a filling station and rest facilities on the road between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad. Because SANRAL is the registered servitude holder of the road reserve next to that piece of road, the appellants negotiated with SANRAL during…

As the 2026 academic year starts today, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for a radical change in how school uniforms are provided, urging the introduction of a ward-based cooperative model to tackle unemployment and poverty. ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the initiative would leverage the country’s 13 million students in need of uniforms annually to stimulate local economies. “The ATM emphasises that education is a fundamental right, and affordability in schooling must be prioritised. “By promoting generic uniform designs and allowing multiple suppliers, we can empower parents to make informed choices that do not compromise their financial stability,” Ntshona said. Ntshona said the current high costs associated with branded uniforms disproportionately affect families, especially those from marginalised backgrounds. He said that the proposal aims to dismantle the…

The North-West University (NWU) has received an unprecedented surge in applications for the 2026 academic year, leaving tens of thousands of qualified matriculants without places due to capacity constraints. The university said it had received more than 420 000 applications across its eight faculties on three campuses, far exceeding the number of students it is able to admit. “We can admit only 11 800 first year students (contact and distance) for the 2026 academic year in terms of the enrolment target(s) approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training,” the institution said. Despite strong academic performance among applicants, NWU acknowledged that limited capacity has forced it to turn away many candidates who meet minimum entry requirements. The university said approximately 90 000 applications submitted before the August 31, 2025,…

After 12 years of hard work in the classroom, the Class of 2025 has finally finished their education. The National Senior Certificate pass rate for this cohort was an impressive 88%, compared to 98.31% for their Independent Examinations Board counterparts. Our intention is not to draw comparisons between these two exams, but rather to highlight and celebrate the collective success of these young minds. This well-deserved success was not easily won. Many learners had to overcome significant challenges, ranging from the disruptions of load shedding to the profound social pressures of poverty and health issues. It is only through their remarkable perseverance that they have reached this important milestone. These graduates are fuelled by diverse dreams and ambitions, aspiring to become the next generation of doctors, engineers, educators, and pharmacists.…

MI Cape Town’s Reeza Hendricks has not given up hope that the defending champions can still sneak into the playoffs. Robin Peterson’s side suffered a demoralising 53-run defeat to Pretoria Capitals at Centurion on Monday night which has left MI Cape Town’s campaign in tatters. They currently have 10 points from eight games and are rooted to the bottom of the table. With only two matches remaining - both against Sunrisers Eastern Cape - in the group phase, MI Cape Town virtually need a full house of two bonus point victories to potentially lift them to 20 points if they are to reach the knockout stages. Hendricks, who played a lone hand against the Capitals with 68 not out off 50 balls, steadfastly believes the fight is not over yet.…

The honeymoon phase is officially over. Three years into South Africa’s northwards migration, the novelty of the United Rugby Championship and the glamour of the Champions Cup have been replaced by a cold, hard reality check. While we’ve seen some incredible highs – the Stormers’ early URC title and the Bulls’ run to various finals – the European experience has been, let’s be honest, a bit of a rollercoaster. Lately, it’s been the kind of ride that leaves you feeling more bruised than exhilarated. Competing with Europe’s elite in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup isn’t just about showing up with Springbok pedigree and a “never-say-die” attitude; it’s a logistical and tactical puzzle that we haven’t quite solved yet. The most glaring issue is the one we can’t change: geography.…

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 will convene in Davos next week against what organisers describe as the most complex geopolitical backdrop since the end of World War II, with rising global tensions, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change shaping discussions at the start of the year. Unveiling key details of the meeting during a press briefing on Tuesday, WEF President and CEO Børge Brende said the gathering comes at a pivotal moment for the global economy, which has proven more resilient than many expected. “Despite the geopolitical challenges, the global economy has been very resilient,” Brende said, adding that growth of more than 3% is expected this year, an improvement on the more pessimistic outlook seen in 2025. However, he cautioned that sustaining growth would depend on…

Global growth continued to improve throughout 2025, with the latest reading of 3.4% according to the Bloomberg economics global GDP tracker. US growth continues to lead the charge, with the initial estimate for the third quarter 2025 coming in at a very strong 4.3%, well above trend growth. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecast for the fourth quarter has deteriorated to a still very strong 3%. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill should continue to support US GDP into 2026, particularly in the first half as tax refunds will support both consumers and businesses. Other developed economies are also expected to be strong in 2026 as fiscal stimulus and rate cuts flow through to the underlying economy. Europe’s defence spending kicks into gear in 2026 but really comes in from 2027 onwards,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal is refusing to remain locked away in the political closet, resurfacing yet again as ActionSA prepares a legal challenge that could force fresh scrutiny of events the state has tried to seal off from public view. In a statement yesterday, ActionSA National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont, said they had begun preparing legal papers to challenge the Independent Police Investigating Directorate’s (IPID) decision to classify its investigation report as “Top Secret”. The party’s action follows an appeal lodged last month, which IPID failed to respond to. ActionSA said the silence forms part of a broader pattern of obstruction that has marked its efforts since April 2025 to obtain the report. Those efforts were repeatedly delayed, including explanations from IPID that its email systems were down. The…

Theatre lovers have a fantastic selection of shows to choose from this week, ushering in the new year with exciting new productions. Following a highly successful run at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town, the legendary musical CATS is making its way to Joburg. Bolstered by Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic score, this international smash-hit offering is also bursting with energy. The enchanting choreography, along with the superb costumes and striking sets, is another highlight. Even more impressive is the local main cast of Cindy-Ann Abrahams as Grizabella, King B as Old Deuteronomy, Dylan Janse van Rensburg as Rum Tum Tugger and Che-jean Jupp as Munkustrap. The supporting cast includes Stephan van der Walt as Admetus/ Macavity, Sibusiso Mxosana as Alonzo, Sipesihle Ngamlana as Bill Bailey, Tatum Coleman as Bombalurina,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal is refusing to remain locked away in the political closet, resurfacing yet again as ActionSA prepares a legal challenge that could force fresh scrutiny of events the state has tried to seal off from public view. In a statement yesterday, ActionSA National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont, said they had begun preparing legal papers to challenge the Independent Police Investigating Directorate’s (IPID) decision to classify its investigation report as “Top Secret”. The party’s action follows an appeal lodged last month, which IPID failed to respond to. ActionSA said the silence forms part of a broader pattern of obstruction that has marked its efforts since April 2025 to obtain the report. Those efforts were repeatedly delayed, including explanations from IPID that its email systems were down. The…

The Government Employees’ Medical Scheme (GEMS) is facing threats of legal action over its decision to increase member contributions by 9.8% this year. The Public Servants Association (PSA) has indicated that the increase implemented by GEMS was not agreed upon with the unions at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) and that the medical aid scheme merely consults and then implements unilaterally. The union has told its members that it has held numerous meetings held to discuss GEMS’ increase, with the last meeting held on December 18. “GEMS had tabled the revised increase from 9.8% to 9.5%, subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), which was rejected and sent back for reconsideration. “Sadly, during the meeting of December 18, GEMS reported that, upon considering all factors,…

A tragic shooting incident unfolded at a business complex in Westville, Durban, yesterday, leaving a woman dead and her partner fatally wounded. According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, emergency services were dispatched to the scene after reports of gunfire. Initial information indicates that the couple had been involved in a domestic dispute. “It is alleged that the man produced a firearm and shot the woman before turning the weapon on himself,” Jamieson said. Paramedics found the woman suffering from critical gunshot wounds and rushed her to hospital for emergency treatment. She succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. The man was declared dead at the scene. This is a developing story. | IOL News…

As the school year approaches, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has issued a decisive ultimatum to scholar transport operators across the province: comply with safety regulations or face immediate consequences. In a bid to ensure the safety of students, the department has announced that unroadworthy vehicles and those lacking valid operating permits will be promptly impounded. The schools reopen today. Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, MEC for Roads and Transport, stated that the safety of students travelling to and from school is non-negotiable, and the government will not tolerate operators who put children’s lives in danger. “For the next nine months, millions of children will depend on drivers to get them to school safely. Every time a child gets into a vehicle or walks near a road, their life is…

Venezuela’s oil industry is one of the most striking illustrations of how politics can both create and destroy economic prosperity. Endowed with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela should, in theory, be among the most prosperous energy economies globally. Instead, it has become a case study in how political choices, institutional decay, and misaligned incentives can cripple a strategic sector and, by extension, an entire national economy. At the heart of Venezuela’s political economy lies oil. For nearly a century, petroleum has shaped the country’s fiscal structure, foreign policy, social contract, and political power dynamics. The state’s dominance over oil revenues transformed government into the primary allocator of wealth, embedding rent-seeking behaviour deep within political and economic institutions. Over time, this created an economy heavily dependent on oil rents…

As AFCON Morocco 2025 unfolds, four of Africa’s top five-ranked teams have reached tonight’s semi-finals. The distinguished teams that have successfully advanced include Egypt (seven-time champions), Nigeria (2013 champions), Senegal (2021 winners), and the hosts, Morocco, the 1976 winners. Morocco is particularly motivated to secure its first title in 50 years. With such a long wait, the stakes for the host nation are higher than ever, promising an exciting race to the final. Indepedent Media takes a closer look at tonight’s blockbuster semi-finals. Senegal vs Egypt Egypt secured their place with a riveting 3-2 victory over the defending champions, the Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, Senegal advanced to the final four with a disciplined 1-0 win over Mali. Both nations are pinning their hopes on their star players. For Egypt, Mohamed…

ADRIAAN Wildschutt wants to set the Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K alight yet again like he did last year, but this time the America-based athlete from Ceres in the Western Cape needs some help. “It wasn’t ideal running alone for most of the race last year,” Wildschutt says of his stellar solo effort which saw him setting a new South African record of 27:28 having led from the 3km mark. His time has since been improved by Maxime Chaumeton who ran a 26:55 in Romania and Wildschutt is now looking to become the first athlete to clock a sub-27 minute 10km on African soil. The fastest verified 10km time on the continent belongs to Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei who ran a 27:16 at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K…

South Africa walking a diplomatic and economic tightrope after the US House of Representatives approves extension South Africa is walking a diplomatic and economic tightrope as the proposed extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) moves from the US House of Representatives to the Senate, with analysts warning that the country’s full participation in the trade pact is far from guaranteed. The US House this week overwhelmingly approved a bill extending Agoa to 2028, a move welcomed by African exporters but clouded by lingering political tensions between Washington and Pretoria. At the heart of the uncertainty is South Africa’s insistence on maintaining an independent foreign policy, even as it faces growing pressure from the US over its geopolitical positioning and strategic partnerships. Relations have been strained by South…

Primary Health Properties (PHP) will pay out a 40.276 cents (1.825 pence) per share cash first quarterly dividend to its South African shareholders, following a positive rental growth outlook for 2023, the JSE-listed UK-based private healthcare facilities group said Tuesday. The 30th year of consecutive dividend growth had marked a transformational period, with the combination between PHP and Assura successfully delivered, creating a £6 billion healthcare REIT, the company remarked in a trading update for the 12 months to December 31, 2023. Some 60% of £9 million of synergies identified at time of the deal had already been delivered in the 2 months since Competition and Markets Authority clearance, and integration moves forward "at pace", CEO Mark Davies said. Rent reviews generated an additional £8.3m, a 6.8% increase over the…

The words “Nangu lomuntu,” meaning “here he is,” were allegedly spoken by murder accused Victor Majola moments before popular media personality DJ Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, was shot dead, a Johannesburg court heard yesterday. The details emerged during the formal bail application of Victor Majola, 44, who appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court facing charges of murder and premeditated murder. DJ Warras was shot dead on December 16, outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg. Majola was arrested last month in connection with the killing. His bail application, initially expected earlier, was postponed at the state’s request and resumed yesterday. Testifying for the state, investigating officer Captain Abe Montwedi said the events leading to the killing stemmed from a dispute over the management of Zambesi Flats. Montwedi told the…

In honouring Gauteng’s top-performing schools, Education MEC Matome Chiloane singled out Lufhereng Secondary School, a no-fee township school, for its outstanding performance. “Last year, Lufhereng Secondary achieved a 100% matric pass rate, with 97% of learners earning Bachelor passes,” Chiloane said. Lufhereng Secondary learners travel long distances, study under immense pressure, and face challenges that few can imagine. This year, the school surpassed even its previous achievements, becoming the top-performing township school in Gauteng with 98.4% Bachelor passes, a 1.4% improvement on an already outstanding result, all while operating entirely from mobile classrooms. Chiloane also announced a milestone in the school’s development: “During my budget vote last year, I committed that we would reward and encourage excellence. Today, I am proud to announce that the contractor is on-site, and we…

Outrage is brewing across Johannesburg after City Power announced plans to convert all non-vending prepaid residential customers to postpaid billing, a move that has particularly alarmed residents with solar power. This follows City Power’s confirmation that customers with solar photovoltaic (PV) installations currently using prepaid meters will also be migrated to postpaid billing. The utility said the decision is aimed at ensuring accurate accounting of electricity imports and exports, improving network management, and aligning solar users with the appropriate billing framework. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the decision, warning that it unfairly targets compliant solar users and risks pushing them onto significantly more expensive accounts. “City Power also informs customers with solar photovoltaic (PV) installations currently on prepaid meters that they will also be converted to postpaid billing accounts.…

Learners who did not achieve the outcomes they hoped for in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations must not be written off or abandoned, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has warned. Earlier on Monday, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced that the Class of 2025 achieved a record 88% pass rate in the NSC examinations – the highest in South Africa’s history. In a statement reacting to the release of the results, UDM acting secretary-general Zandile Phiri said the futures of learners who fell short of passing should not be ignored, despite the overall improvement in national pass rates. “No young person should be abandoned at the point of disappointment,” Phiri said, adding that the government had a responsibility to ensure meaningful post-school pathways for affected learners. The party…

In a powerful triumph over adversity, Dopsenville Forte Secondary School in Soweto has set a new standard for excellence, recording a staggering 99.61% matric pass rate for the Class of 2025, despite ongoing power outages in the school and surrounding community. Under the leadership of principal Mukhosi Mudavhi, the school has built a culture where excellence is not aspirational but expected. In 2024, Forte recorded a 100% matric pass rate. In 2025, the school came heartbreakingly close to repeating the feat, achieving an outstanding 99.61% pass rate, with just one learner failing Grade 12 out of 258 candidates. “For us, one child failing is one child too many. We would have wished that the learner had passed. When you are used to 100%, anything less than that feels like failure.”…

South Africa’s long-term economic competitiveness depends on how effectively it embraces digital transformation. Across the globe, industries are rapidly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation into their operations, with technology changing how people work, how decisions are made, and how businesses compete. For South Africa, the challenge is not only technological adoption but also workforce readiness. Without a deliberate national effort to build digital capability, the gap between technology and people will continue to grow. This gap threatens productivity, innovation, and ultimately, economic growth, and it is reaching a critical point. In a global economy moving at digital speed, failing to adapt is not an option. The human element of AI should not be seen as a threat to jobs but rather as a tool that enhances human performance. When…

Dewald Brevis never refuses to acknowledge a young fan requesting an autograph. It goes back to when he was just a child with a beaming smile asking his heroes for a moment of their time. But on Monday evening at Centurion, Brevis had to decline for he had an important matter to attend to. “I remember the little kid asked me to sign and I said, wait, I need to take a catch now. And then literally the next ball. So that was quite funny,” Brevis said. It was the first of two outstanding catches that swung the Betway SA20 clash in the Pretoria Capitals’ favour. After already contributing a crucial 34 off 19 balls during an explosive 69-run partnership off just 34 balls with Sherfane Rutherford (53 off 27…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a thorough investigation into incidents of misconduct that marred the closing moments of two crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final matches. The events unfolded during matches between Cameroon and Morocco and Algeria and Nigeria, prompting concerns about player and official behaviour and the integrity of the tournament. In an official statement, CAF revealed it has collected recent match reports and video evidence indicating “potentially unacceptable behaviour” involving players and officials. The football governing body emphasised its commitment to upholding professional conduct at all CAF events and has referred the findings to its Disciplinary Board for a detailed examination, stating it will take swift action if wrongdoing is confirmed. The violation of expected standards became acutely visible after Algeria’s 2-0 loss to…

Fifteen years after his acrimonious departure from Orlando Pirates, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Teko Modise has revealed how he finally made peace with club chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, bringing closure to one of South African football’s most emotive fallouts. Modise left the Buccaneers in 2011 to join rivals Mamelodi Sundowns following a breakdown in his relationship with then coach Ruud Krol and growing frustration over limited game time. At the time, the midfielder admitted feeling more like “an asset” than a valued member of the squad, a sentiment that fuelled a bitter exit marked by disciplinary hearings and accusations of going AWOL. Pirates eventually allowed Modise to leave, with Khoza confirming that the club would not stand in his way, bringing an end to a turbulent chapter at the Soweto…