Star -julkaisun 2025-08-04 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

The National Treasury has partnered with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) in a collaborative effort to bolster cross-border infrastructure across Africa. Treasury and the AfDB convened the inaugural consultative meeting on the “South Africa’s Legacy Initiative: The Ubuntu Approach” in Pretoria last week. The focus of the meeting was to furnish a platform for representatives from various African nations and regional economic communities (RECs), allowing them to delve deeper into the Ubuntu Initiative. This ambitious initiative echoes one of South Africa's pivotal contributions under the G20 Infrastructure Working Group—including the development of a comprehensive Toolkit aimed at alleviating the primary obstacles to planning, financing, executing, and maintaining cross-border projects. Participants included senior officials from 15 different countries, the African Union Commission, eight recognised AU regional bodies, and the African…

Sustainability focus as half of South Africa’s small enterprises may not survive the next year A new survey has unveiled alarming insights into the sustainability of small businesses in South Africa, indicating that without immediate financial support, half of the nation’s small enterprises may not survive the next year. Titled the Small Business Growth Index (SBGI) and released on Friday by Absa, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci), and the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at Unisa, the survey said that South Africa’s small business ecosystem has revealed a sector under extreme pressure, with rising operational costs leaving more than half in decline, distress or at risk of closure. “Most report they may not survive beyond 12 months under current conditions, underscoring the urgent need for targeted…

The South African automotive industry has responded positively to the recent announcement of a 25 basis point interest rate cut by the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb), following its latest Monetary Policy Committee meeting this Thursday. The repo rate now stands at 7%, resulting in a new prime lending rate of 10.50% for commercial banks. This decision has been hailed as a significant relief for both consumers and businesses navigating an increasingly challenging economic landscape. Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), expressed optimism regarding the implications of the rate reduction. “As a result, the prime lending rate for commercial banks drops to 10.50%. The NADA welcomes this decision, which offers meaningful relief to consumers and businesses alike in a persistently challenging economic climate,” Cohen said. “Lower…

The pending 30% tariff on South African exports to the United States (US) require calm, frank and honest leadership by government and key stakeholders. They necessitate an understanding of the damage this will do to these exporters, their employees and their families. These require thoughtful interventions to address the causes and impacts of these tariffs. The solutions will not be found in slogans, temper tantrums, hate speech or the avalanche of fake news on social media. Cosatu like other sober organisations is deeply concerned about the devastating impact the tariffs will inflict upon an economy limping along at 1% annual growth since 2008, battling dangerously high unemployment of 43.1% and youth unemployment of 72%, entrenched levels of poverty and inequality as well as crime and corruption. We fear…

AngloGold Ashanti’s share price continued a 12-month rally on Friday, gaining a strong 6.39% after it reported a 151% increase in second-quarter profit on record gold prices and higher production. The share price rise to R877.96 added to a more than 74% rally in the price over 12 months. A second quarter dividend of 80 US cents per share was declared, substantially up from 22 cents at the same time last year. The group has since 2021 returned about $1.2bn to shareholders, and the total dividend for the second quarter amounted to $406 million. The gold miner’s headline earnings increased to $639m in the three months to June 30, from $255m in the same period a year before. "This is another strong result that demonstrates our focus on cost control…

Bobby Blanco has come a long way since his days of being on the celebrity reality show Boity: Own Your Throne. He has gone on to diversify himself into a name that generates income. Blanco, real name Bob Sithole, was born in Hammanskraal and raised in West Rand, is a creative, culinary chef, event curator, DJ and social media personality, making it in the City of Gold. “For someone like me from Hammanskraal to come into Sandton and make a name for himself, let me tell you something; it’s amazing,” he told IOL in an interview. “When you put Bobby Blanco, just put different streams of income. I’m very creative, I’ll think of an idea and I always execute my ideas. I love teaching. I love cooking, everything that I’m…

Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi yesterday released several reports following multiple investigations into serious offences and improper behaviour across multiple departments. He said the investigations covered a wide range of misconduct, from criminal acts to minor breaches of conduct. “The reports we are presenting today will be accessible to all the members of the public once the State Law Advisory Services finishes redacting personal details and reviewing the changes,” said Lesufi. “Protecting whistleblowers is essential for transparency and justice. They risk their safety to expose corruption and abuse of power, helping ensure accountability and ethical governance.” On the relocation of heads of departments, Panyaza said his reshuffle follows recommendations from the Gauteng Ethics and Advisory Council (GEAC). “It would take me long if I have to go through every department.…

The High Court in Limpopo has granted a forfeiture order for a cash amount of R446 000 and a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which were seized by police. The Hawks’ asset forfeiture investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority’s asset forfeiture unit (AFU) worked tirelessly to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the vehicle. “This emanates from the arrest conducted by members of the South African Police Service attached to Musina in 2024. On 4 July 2024, police conducted a stop and search operation along the N1 road in Musina,” said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. During the operation, the police officers stopped the Toyota Fortuner which was driven by a foreign national. “During a search, police found a plastic bag that…

The Gauteng Department of Health is ramping up efforts to combat the persistent measles outbreak in the province with the launch of a large-scale Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign targeting over four million children. The campaign will officially launch tomorrow, at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm. It aims to immunise over four million children, who are aged between six months and 15 years, across schools, crèches, and communities in all five health districts. Gauteng’s MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms. Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will lead the launch of the campaign. “The campaign comes as Gauteng continues to respond to a persistent measles outbreak that has affected all districts since 2022, with over 370 confirmed cases recorded since January,” said the department. The MR vaccine was introduced into the public immunisation…

The unity of black people with their Colored counterparts and the return of land to rightful owners were some of the hot topics during a gathering of community-based organisations, including members of the Operation Dudula Movement, Black Entrepreneurs Alliance, and the Soweto Alliance. The dialogue was held at the Anchor Comprehensive School in Orlando West, Soweto, on Saturday. uMkhonto weSizwe MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa, said that for poor black South Africans to regain their land, which was stolen through conquest and legislation, the unity of black people across all ethnic groups needs to be paramount. “The only way we resolve the issue of land dispossession is for us as Black people to unite against those who have a problem with us, which is those who own the land that belongs…

The Democratic Alliance has sounded the alarm over what it calls a “growing health crisis” in Gauteng’s public hospitals, where an increasing number of patients are reportedly contracting new infections due to unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and neglect. This revelation follows a DA inquiry in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, which revealed that 7,743 patients acquired nosocomial infections while receiving care in public hospitals in 2024, many of them antibiotic-resistant and potentially life-threatening. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, explained that the infections, known as nosocomial infections, occur when patients contract illnesses during their hospital stay that are unrelated to their original condition. He pointed out that Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJH) had the highest incidence, with 1,473 out of 12,940 patients in 2024 contracting nosocomial infections, an alarming 11%,…

A total of 1 276 marimba players from South Africa and Zimbabwe lit up the GrandWest Grand Arena in Cape Town on Saturday, August 2, as they set a new world record. The aim was to have the largest group of marimba players assembled and playing together in one place. The previous world record was 550 players, at a Guatemala event, EWN reported. The feat has reportedly been verified by Guinness World Records. The ensemble brought together talented musicians aged between eight and 62, and represented over 70 schools from South Africa, and two from Zimbabwe. The driving force behind this achievement was Marimba Jam founder Kiara Ramklass, who has spent the past decade introducing marimba music to schools across the country. “This event is more than just breaking a…

Build one South Africa (BOSA) expresses deep concern over the imposition of 30% tariffs on most South Afri can imports to the United States, which will come into effect after a seven-day window. This marks a serious escalation in trade tensions between SA and the US, and represents a direct threat to thousands of South African jobs in key export sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. The outcome is not solely the result of an increasingly protectionist White House. It is a self-inflicted wound caused by years of incoherent and ideologically driven foreign policy from the South African government. What should have been a moment for skilled diplomacy and strategic engagement has instead become a textbook case in diplomatic failure. Key opportunities to repair and restore trust with…

The engineering sector has historically been a male-dominated field, and to a large extent, it still is. However, this is changing, and the shift is gaining significant momentum as more women begin to take up leadership roles, spearheading innovation and driving inclusive growth. These women are reshaping the industry, driving innovation and change, and Women’s Month is an ideal moment to reflect on how far we have come, while recognising how far we still must go in ensuring equity, diversity and inclusivity. Stepping up to change the industry In recent years, the number of women studying engineering in South Africa has grown significantly across disciplines, including mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. This shows a promising pipeline of female engineers who will be entering the workforce in the future. Just as…

Departing Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was in tears and his team-mates threw him into the air on an emotional evening in his native South Korea on Sunday. Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul, but that was secondary to the farewell for the 33-year-old attacker. In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade at the club. He left the pitch to a thunderous ovation from nearly 65 000 fans, hugging his team-mates and even his opponents. The South Korean captain was caught offside twice in the early stages, as his team-mates tried to create opportunities…

Manufacturing activity in South Africa in July returned to positive territory for the first time in nine months, in a significant turnaround for the struggling economy. The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released on Friday indicated that the index edged above the 50-point mark and recorded an expansion, following eight consecutive months in contractionary territory. The last time the headline PMI was in the above-50 expansionary territory was in October 2023 at 52.6 points. According to Absa, new sales orders rose by 9.7 points to 55.9 in July, recording a third consecutive month of improvement and signalling a much stronger recovery in demand at the start of the third quarter. “Export sales also showed a significant increase, but at a low level, signalling that manufacturers remain cautious amid regulations and…

The engineering sector has historically been a male-dominated field, and to a large extent it still is. However, this is changing, and the shift is gaining significant momentum as more women begin to take up leadership roles, spearheading innovation and driving inclusive growth. These women are reshaping the industry, driving innovation and change, and Women’s Month is an ideal moment to reflect on how far we have come, while recognising how far we still must go in ensuring equity, diversity and inclusivity. Stepping up to change the industry In recent years, the number of women studying engineering in South Africa has grown significantly across disciplines, including mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. This shows a promising pipeline of female engineers who will be entering the workforce in the future. Just as…

South Africa’s middle class is vanishing, squeezed between opulence and poverty. In Johannesburg’s Sandton, where affluence defines the skyline, professionals are now allocating up to 20% of their monthly income just to get to work. Meanwhile, just 25 kilometres away in Diepsloot, informal workers, with little to no access to formal employment, live on a fraction of that income; far below the poverty line. Cape Town’s affluent Constantia offers 5-star healthcare just minutes from home, but in Khayelitsha, residents endure 4-hour waits for basic medical care in underfunded clinics. Once comprising 40% of the population in 2010, the middle class now accounts for only 35% of South Africa’s people, signalling a crisis not just of economic disparity, but of the structural inequities embedded deep within the country’s political and economic…

The late Dr Wole Adegboyega, a United Nations expert who served as my advisor on the first post-apartheid census of South Africa, told me of a story about questioning the integrity of census numbers. He was a consultant in Sierra Leone during a count and the number they presented was rejected off hand by the president who said, “My son you no sabi how to count. Plenty people dey de for forest and make you commot count em. I beg oo my son.” This means that there are more people in the forest that have been missed and not counted. That Trump fired Erika McEntrfer the executive of the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics (US BLS) is not new in the practice of official statistics, but it is…

The Brulpadda and Luiperd offshore gas finds, the only multi-trillion cubic feet gas discovery in South Africa, are national assets that can be profitably exploited and simply must be developed, said Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) CEO John Copelyn. He detailed HCI's progress on these gas discoveries in the latest integrated report, which was released on Friday. JSE-listed HCI is a well-diversified investment holding company with interests that include businesses in casinos, hotels, energy, mining, transport, property, and media. Last year all the international partners exited the gas project. HCI controls Impact Oil & Gas (IOG), which in turn will own 48% of Toronto-listed Africa Energy Corporation (AEC). AEC had held a 10% interest in the discoveries, Block 11B/12B, but it will become the operator after the international partners in 2024,…

The Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has conceded that the price of electricity is not sustainable and has ordered a review of the electricity tariffs. This comes as scores of electricity payers protested over soaring prices in Tembisa and elsewhere, while City Power has extended the registration of poor households for exemption. Ahead of the ANC NEC meeting at various venues in Gauteng, Ramokgopa revealed that South Africa is on the brink of “energy poverty” as the current cost of electricity is unsustainable, adding that South Africans can expect big changes to prices in the coming months. “Electricity is unaffordable. We cannot continue along this tariff path. We are getting into a situation here in the country with new dimensions of energy poverty. There are households there, as I…

In yet another blow for suspended Road Accident Fund CEO, Collins Letsoalo, the court on Friday refused his application for leave to appeal against his failed bid to be reinstated, which Letsoalo argued is vital as he claimed he was promised a second term to head the fund. His fixed-term contract of employment between himself and the RAF expires on Wednesday (August 6). One of the reasons Letsoalo had launched an urgent application for his suspension to be lifted was his belief that he would be reappointed. According to him, the fund’s board promised him a second term – something the then board vehemently denied. Letsoalo had applied for leave to appeal against the judgment issued by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria at the end of June, in which it…

The national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (AARTO) has been officially gazetted, after President Ramaphosa signed the Proclamation on Friday. According to the Government Gazette issued on August 1, most sections of the act will come into effect in major municipalities across the country on December 1, followed by the remaining municipalities on April 1, 2026. The remaining sections of the AARTO Act (26 to 28), which are believed to include the dreaded demerit points, are set to take effect on September 1, 2026. A total of 69 municipalities will implement AARTO from the beginning of December: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni, Mbombela, Polokwane, Durban, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Bloemfontein, Qgeberha, East London, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, George and Beaufort West. From April, the rollout will extend to 75…

A lawyer and an auditor were among motorists arrested for excessive speeding this weekend along the N2 near Park Rynie, as part of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s ongoing “Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense, and Alufakwa” road safety campaign. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, commended the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) team stationed at Park Rynie for their vigilance and commitment to curbing road carnage. “We wish to pause and commend the RTI team from Park Rynie working along the N2 for their vigilance and dedication towards ensuring road safety this weekend,” said Duma. Among those arrested was a lawyer who was allegedly clocked at 222km/h in a blue Mercedes-Benz while travelling from Umtata, nearly double the legal limit in a 120km/h zone. He initially failed to stop when…

The lifting of the gag order on Independent Media in the Artsolar litigation is a victory for press freedom. The importance of free speech and expression as a valuable characteristic in a democratic society cannot be underestimated. In their efforts to provide the public with information about controversial yet important events, journalists in South Africa face constant intimidation, sometimes brutal, deadly assaults, which constrict their ability to convey truthful information about cardinal and pivotal issues. It was Sir Winston Churchill, who in 1949, offered these profound words: “A free press is the unsleeping guardian of every other right that free men prize, it is the most dangerous foe of tyranny. Under a dictatorship, the press is bound to languish. A vigilant press will continue to be the fourth estate, the…

Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi feels that some of the Lions’ youthful exuberance showed in the ‘silly’ penalties the home side conceded in Saturday afternoon’s 40-19 bonus-point Currie Cup win over Western Province at Ellis Park. “Our youth is showing a little bit. We did one or two immature things. We conceded a yellow card, struggled with discipline issues that challenged us a little bit, and that broke the rhythm of the game. But I thought we were better in the second half,” the coach said at a post-match media briefing. “It’s not big fixes – Jarod Cairns putting his hands in the ruck once or twice for too long for (referee) Christopher Allison’s liking, then not rolling away, entering around the maul and we were offside around the edge. These…

JOHANNESBURG - Nonkululeko Mlaba rushes off into a corner, hands her canteen of silverware to Proteas Women’s team media liaison Lita Gqirana, and calls on her personal make-up artist. “We’ll be on camera right? … Okay, just give a few minutes to top up,” Mlaba says ahead of our interview. The left-arm spinner is not just an outstanding cricketer, but she's also a fashionista that looks splendid in her gold gown that’s fitting for South Africa’s newly-crowned Women’s Cricketer of the Year. “So, this dress was made by my friend. I went to school with her,” before admitting she had overcome a fashion faux pas on the night. “Actually, I had side arms on the side, but then I was celebrating my friend's award winning. And then I don't know…

Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma says the team aspires to have the same impact as the Springboks, both in South Africa and on the global stage. Following the Proteas’ historic victory at Lord’s in the World Test Championship final, cricket has seen a resurgence in popularity, with fans across the country rallying behind the sport once again. Despite this renewed support, Bavuma and his teammates understand that there’s still a long journey ahead to reach their ultimate goal: achieving the same level of national and international esteem as the Springboks. “I think within rugby, all of us look at the rugby guys – whenever they go to a world event, there’s proper belief that the guys can go all the way. We’ve seen it countless times, so that…

Langelihle Phili came off the bench to haunt his former club and seal Stellenbosch’s place in the MTN8 semi-finals with a 3-2 extra-time victory over AmaZulu at the DHL Stadium on Sunday. The 20-year-old winger, a product of the Usuthu academy, emerged as the hero deep into extra-time after the tie had finished 2-2 in regulation. With both sides locked in an intense back-and-forth battle, it was Phili’s powerful finish in the 108th minute that proved decisive. AmaZulu, featuring several new faces after a squad overhaul, struck first through debutant Keagan Allen in the 19th minute. The former Moroka Swallows centre-back capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the hosts, staying alert after a set-piece. A clever pass from defensive partner Sandile Mthethwa found Allen unmarked, and he bundled the…

The South African automotive industry in July delivered its highest new vehicle sales in nearly six years on the back of improving consumer confidence, favourable credit conditions, and a steady recovery in disposable incomes. This comes as export volumes for July 2025 eased by 677 units, or 1.9%, from the 36 056 units exported in July 2024 to 35 379 units exported in July 2025. The sector is also absorbing confirmation of the reimposition of a 30% tariff on general South African exports to the United States, set to take effect from 07 August, following the initial implementation of the 25% Section 232 tariffs on automotive products in April. The Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) on Friday said though vehicle exports have displayed notable resilience despite the effects of the US…

As winter grips South Africa, Eskom on Friday noted significant strides in stabilising its power system with an improved Energy Availability Factor (EAF) ensuring reliability during peak electricity demand. Since May 15, the power utility has not resorted to load shedding, a significant turnaround for a company long synonymous with national power shortages. The latest data reveals that Eskom's generation fleet is steering towards greater stability, with more than half (57%) of its 14 coal-fired power stations now functioning at an EAF exceeding 70%. Notably, three of these stations have surpassed an impressive 90% operational efficiency. Reflecting on the current state of the power system, unplanned outages are reported to be at 8 525MW—marking the lowest figures in recent history. This is a significant improvement from last year, when outages…

This week there was significant uncertainty about the implementation of American President Donald Trump’s 30% tariff on South African exports and in the end it was delayed by one week to August 7. We also saw a major shift in our inflation targeting regime with the Reserve Bank announcing that future Monetary Policy Committee' (MPC) decisions would be anchored around the lower bound of the 3-6% target band. The indicators to keep an eye on were June PPI numbers, Absa and the Bureau of Economic Research’ Purchasing Managers Index, and new vehicle sales data for July. At Thursday’s MPC meeting the repo rate was cut by 25 basis points by a unanimous decision. The repo now stands at 7% and the prime lending rate at 10.5%. In their statement the…

The phrase “truth is stranger than fiction” forms the premise of the new documentary, Trainwreck: P.I. Moms where real-life events were so dramatic, they could easily pass as a telenovela. The Netflix series, which premiered in July, is one of the latest in the streaming giant’s Trainwreck franchise. But this offering stands out for its shock value as it centres around working moms whose noble desire to inspire women across the globe, as the show notes, was “undone the deeds of a few men”. This explosive doccie has also been captivating viewers with its harrowing tale of rampant criminal activities, internal sabotage and police corruption as it delivers of a neatly compressed but highly entertaining roller coaster ride. Directed by Phil Bowman, Trainwreck: P.I. Moms takes viewers back to the…

BET Africa this August will be debuting its latest telenovela, Black Gold, which features an all-star ensemble. The series promises a gripping tale of betrayal, legacy, and the fight for power in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal. At the centre of Black Gold is Nomalanga Shozi, who plays the role of Amandla Zungu, a principled daughter of the soil whose life is shattered by betrayal. She is joined by two of South Africa’s most revered performers: Safta-winning actress Dawn Thandeka King as the calculating Florence Zungu, and the legendary Sello Maake kaNcube as Tom Motsepe, a mining magnate with a dangerous past. In an interview with IOL, KaNcube broke down his newest character, Tom Motsepe, who is a mine CEO, married and a father to three children – Zakhele, Andile…

US President Donald Trump and his policies are a danger to the world and should be removed from power, says Julius Malema.. The EFF leader issued the warning while he was addressing the party’s third Central Command Team (CCT) meeting in Bela Bela, Limpopo, on Saturday. The CCT is the highest decision-making body in-between national people’s assemblies and the meeting took place against a backdrop of national turmoil, including the looming US 30% tariffs wall on South Africa’s exports. Malema, who called for his party to force Africa to cut ties with imperialist powers, said the EFF would work with allies to remove Trump from office. Trump showed visuals of the firebrand chanting “shoot the boer” – as he sought to substantiate false claims that there was a “white genocide”…

Informal traders in Marabastad have threatened to resist future City of Tshwane operations aimed at clamping down on businesses that are non-complaint with municipal by-laws. The Unified South African Traders, an informal traders’ organisation, issued the statement after the city’s mayor, Nasiphi Moya, led an operation that resulted in the closure of the Marabastad Retail Market last week. The organisation’s chairperson Ramodike Morena said: “We have had enough. We will challenge her (Moya) next time she comes leading an operation. We won’t be oppressed by ActionSA, which is using by-law enforcement as a pretext for electioneering.” The city said the market was closed because traders operated without a certificate of acceptability to handle food. Morena slammed the city’s decision to shut down the fresh produce market, citing that the closure…

The Constitutional Court, in an unanimous judgment, found that Parliament failed to comply with its constitutional obligation to facilitate a reasonable public participation process in the appointment of new members for the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). Corruption Watch, which launched this application, submitted that the public participation process was defective due to insufficient information on the shortlisted candidates being made publicly available. Furthermore, they submitted that the opportunity for public participation was restricted to 2 000 character submissions and only 14 days were provided for written submissions. Corruption Watch contended that the opportunity for public participation was unreasonable and inadequate. It also argued that the Portfolio Committee misinterpreted the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), leading to unnecessary restrictions on candidate information. In doing so, the Portfolio Committee wrongly…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is implementing a wide-ranging, victim-centric strategy to ensure that high-profile acquittals do not deter victims of gender-based violence (GBV) from reporting cases or seeking justice. In light of public concerns regarding the effectiveness of prosecuting GBV and high-profile crimes, particularly after the acquittal of Pastor Timothy Omotoso despite serious allegations and years of trial, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi revealed this information. In response to parliamentary questions from the EFF’s Sixolisa Gcilishe, Kubayi addressed concerns about how the department prevents high-profile acquittals from discouraging GBV victims from coming forward. Kubayi said the NPA acknowledges public concerns and the potential wider implications for prosecuting GBV and other high-profile cases following Omotoso’s acquittal. Key interventions include: Delivery of GBV public awareness campaign; Expansion of Thuthuzela…

A father received a temporary lifeline during an urgent application when the court stopped his R300 000 car from being auctioned off over R21 000 outstanding maintenance debt. The man told the Limpopo High Court, sitting in Thohoyandou, that he is disputing that the child for which he has to pay maintenance, is in fact his. He reasoned that if his car is auctioned off to foot the bill for the outstanding maintenance towards a child which is not even his, he will suffer irreparable harm. The man and his wife are embroiled in divorce proceedings and the husband was ordered by a court to pay interim maintenance. As the husband is disputing his paternity to the child he stopped paying the interim maintenance as per the court order. He…

More than 30 years ago, South Africa took its bold first steps into democracy. It was a moment of unprecedented hope, not just for political freedom, but for the transformation of society in all its dimensions. As the country reflects on passing its three-decade milestone, it’s an opportune time to assess the progress made by women in science, technology and innovation (STI). While the road has been uneven, the strides that have been made are undeniable. This year marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global agenda for advancing women’s rights which includes their access to education, technology and leadership. As we mark just over 30 years of freedom and reflect on 30 years of global gender advocacy since the Beijing resolution,…

The continued erosion of ethical governance under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership is a betrayal of the democratic values South Africans fought to uphold. Research from a 2013 study on South African local government (ResearchGate) underscores a persistent pattern of ethical lapses among public officials, a crisis that has only deepened under Ramaphosa’s watch. The recent controversy surrounding Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s failure to declare a diamond gift from a dubious businessman, coupled with Ramaphosa’s refusal to demand accountability, exemplifies a leadership void marked by impunity. Even declarations made in Parliament seem weak and ineffective at holding people accountable, except for just being a mere “slap on the wrist.” This echoes the unresolved Phala Phala scandal, where millions in hidden cash exposed a troubling lack of transparency. Cabinet ministers from Ramaphosa’s…

Orlando Pirates’ new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is relishing the pressure that comes with the expectations of challenging for all the trophies up for grabs this season. Ouaddou ushered in a new era at Pirates on Saturday afternoon, following the departure of his predecessor Jose Rivero. And that got off to a flying start as his side beat Polokwane City 2-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final and reached a fourth successive semi-final in the competition. It was a crucial win that saw them take a step closer to winning a record-extending fourth Wafa Wafa crown, following three successive triumphs under Riveiro. Winning cup competitions is expected to be a standard for Ouaddou, after Riveiro’s strides, which is why bagging the league is the ultimate target for the Moroccan. The last time Pirates…

Lando Norris trimmed McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s lead in the drivers’ world championship to just nine points on Sunday when he switched tactics to lead him home by just 0.698 seconds in a thrilling finish to the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 25-year-old Briton, who moved from a two-stop strategy to one, held off series leader Piastri — on fresher tyres — over the closing laps of a strategic contest to claim McLaren’s 200th victory and a record 13th win in Hungary. It was Norris’s first win at the Hungaroring in the event’s 40th edition, avenging his 'team orders' defeat in 2024 when Piastri claimed his maiden success. It was Norris’s fifth victory of the season and the ninth of his career. The dominant McLaren pair finished 22 seconds clear of…

Springbok Women’s performance coach Swys de Bruin feels Saturday’s emphatic 41-24 victory over the Black Ferns XV was proof that they have got their combinations and spine right, with the Rugby World Cup in England 18 days away as of Monday. The South African women’s rugby team overturned the 34-26 defeat from last weekend, outscoring the victors by seven tries to four in a power-packed performance at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. “I think we are now close to where we wanted to be a few weeks out from the Rugby World Cup,” said De Bruin, after the match. “The team really played well and executed the tweaks we made very well, and that delivered not only a winning result, but also a boost of confidence to the squad and…