Star -julkaisun 2025-09-22 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

South Africans are stretching their finances further to afford cars as vehicle prices continue to rise faster than household incomes, according to a new Absa report presented at the inaugural DealerCon event on Thursday. Henry Botha, executive for strategy and product at Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance, said the vehicle finance market is expanding but affordability has deteriorated sharply. “Applications have increased by 65%, averaging 5% growth per year. Income levels have risen by 35%, and the value of vehicles being financed has grown by 54%. The catch, however, is that affordability has deteriorated,” Botha said. “Ten years ago, the average monthly instalment represented 14.3% of a customer’s income. Today, it’s 16.1%. That’s a significant shift. What does this tell us? It tells us that while demand is growing, consumers…

Despite the lowering of the US Federal bank rate by 0.25% last Wednesday and the sudden decrease in South Africa’s inflation rate in August to 3.3%, from 3.6% in July, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) still decided to keep the repo rate unchanged. The main reasons for the sudden decrease in the August inflation rate were that annual fuel prices decreased by -4.7% and decreased by -0.8% for the month alone. The contribution of the total transport sector to the annual inflation rate also came down by -0.2%. Food prices increased at a lower rate of 5.2% against the annual increase of 7.2% in July. Month on month there was a -01% decrease in food and non-acholic prices and it contributed 0.9% to the total inflation rate of 3.3% against…

Safari Investments (RSA) will pay out a final cash dividend of 40 cents a share for the 12 months to June 30 and is seeking access to further capital so it can shift strategy to also develop retail property. This will bring the total dividend for the year for the REIT whose assets comprise convenience and small regional centres mainly in Gauteng, to 74 cents per share, slightly lower than 78 cents in 2024. The distribution pay-out ratio remains 100%. Safari’s share price surged 4.9% to R7.50 in thin trade on the JSE on Friday, and the price was well up from R5.50 a year before. The company’s market capitalisation at year end had risen to R1.75bn from R1.44bn at the end of the 2024 financial year. “The Safari team…

JSE-listed Balwin Properties has launched the first of several vocational training centres that will be rolled out nationally. It said on Friday that the first training centre at Mooikloof Smart City, east of Pretoria, will train more than 300 candidates annually in bricklaying, tiling, plastering, plumbing, electrical, first aid, firefighting, and working from heights. Steve Brookes, the CEO and founder of Balwin, said, “The construction sector has lost a considerable number of vocational skills in the aftermath of the Pandemic. This initiative is aimed at empowering local communities as much as it’s about deepening skills in the sector, ensuring its long-term sustainability. Ultimately, it will lead to a higher-quality product for our customers, and cost-savings for Balwin by doing it right first time.” Nationally recognised vocational training The Balwin Training…

Critics argue that framing veteran politician and former Cape Town premier, Helen Zille, as a messiah for Joburg is misleading and unrealistic. The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) choice for Johannesburg mayor has sparked a political firestorm, with some detractors and analysts accusing the party of abandoning its strategy of “fronting” black leaders and instead exposing what they see as a blatant disregard for transformation, equity, and the democratic values it claims to uphold. The backlash was triggered on Saturday in Mofolo, Soweto, when the party unveiled its 74-year-old stalwart as its candidate for the city’s mayoral position in next year’s local elections. DA leader John Steenhuisen defended the shock announcement, claiming Zille’s candidacy would rescue Johannesburg from collapse and restore basic services. This comes as residents continue to endure water shortages,…

Emfuleni Municipality is facing fresh scrutiny after MMC for Public Works, Cllr Tumi Mochawe, allegedly promised positions in the newly established Water and Sanitation Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to political allies. In widely circulated voice note recordings, Mochawe can be heard speaking with another individual, named ‘Tso’, discussing how the World Bank had awarded them the internationally recognised “Utility of the Future” certificate. He reportedly said he was compiling a list of names to be sent via email, and in envelopes, adding that “Emfuleni is full of crooks.” The pair allegedly continued discussing the distribution of positions to political allies, with ‘Tso’ asking for the list to be delivered to his office. They named several of their allies who were allegedly already on the list. This is not the first…

A simple error in a price tag has caused a setback for South African designer Hlumelo Nyaluza’s global luxury breakthrough, turning R19 500 into a staggering R1.95 million. What should have been a celebration of international success quickly turned into chaos, threatening to undo years of hard work. A misplaced comma in his e-commerce website’s pricing code drained his African luxury bag brand of millions over five months. Originally from the Eastern Cape and now based in Soweto, Nyaluza has always described his life’s purpose as helping others achieve their dreams through his imagination. His achievements include writing a book in reverse and developing the social media app HN Citipages, which topped the Google Play Store and received an endorsement from the South African Department of Communications. Nyaluza’s love for…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has opened a criminal case against the Operation Dudula movement, accusing the militant group of inciting violence and unlawfully targeting foreign nationals in South Africa. Yesterday, Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed to IOL that investigations are underway. “Police have opened an inquiry docket for investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the docket will be taken to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) for a decision,” said Masondo. On Saturday, EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga led supporters to the Alexandra Police Station, where the case was opened against Operation Dudula. According to the Julius Malema-led party, the case relates to the death of a one-year-old baby who was allegedly denied access to healthcare at a public health facility. Reports indicate that the…

Orlando Pirates delivered a statement victory against Lioli FC, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is seeking improvement ahead of the CAF Champions League second leg next Saturday. After a goalless first half at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, Pirates ran out 3-0 winners over Lesotho’s Lioli in the first preliminary round, first-leg clash. While the scoreline suggests a decisive result, Ouaddou viewed it as a missed opportunity for a bigger margin of victory. “I do not believe that Pirates are one step into the second preliminary round, because we have not finished the second leg,” Ouaddou insisted. emphasising his focus not only on winning but also on improving performance quality as Pirates prepare for the return leg at Orlando Stadium. Ouaddou highlighted a lack of clinical finishing that hampered the side in…

Among football’s most favoured clichés, the one about the league championship being a marathon is currently ringing true for Eric Tinkler, who could well have been a Comrades Marathon runner in his past. The man in charge of early pace-setters Sekhukhune United could be getting carried away like the “TV runners” who often enjoy the limelight as they set out like rabbits in that world-famous ultra-marathon in KwaZulu-Natal, only to be swallowed up two-thirds into the race and never seen again. He is a seasoned campaigner – local football’s most famous ginger– and, while all around him bask in the glory of their team’s unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership, Tinkler is preaching caution. Of course, he enjoys that they are setting the pace, in the knowledge that even pace-setters…

Gabriel Martinelli rescued Arsenal as the Brazilian’s last-gasp equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday when Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics backfired at the Emirates Stadium. With City clinging to the lead given to them by Erling Haaland early in the first half, Guardiola made a series of unusually cautious substitutions that left his side without a recognised striker on the pitch in the closing stages. It was the kind of rearguard action rarely associated with the attack-minded Guardiola, but his willingness to sacrifice purist principles for a more pragmatic approach came back to haunt him. A change made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta proved decisive, as Martinelli came off the bench to spare his team from a second defeat to a title rival after their loss at…

Trade Minister Parks Tau meets with US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Washington South Africa and the United States have agreed on a roadmap to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations, despite ongoing tensions over Washington’s 30% tariff on South African exports. The development comes amid growing concern at home over widespread job cuts across key industries that have been impacted by the US tariffs and the global trade uncertainty. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau met with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington on Friday, following three days of intensive talks between senior officials. The meeting, initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was described as cordial and constructive, with both sides committing to fast-track the resolution of priority issues. “I will be briefing President Ramaphosa on the…

High youth unemployment, inadequate retirement savings and a growing elderly population converge in South Africa to create an intergenerational dilemma, threatening both economic stability and social cohesion. Youth unemployment stands at 46.1% for ages 15–34, rising to 62.4% for those aged 15–24, while only 10% of South Africans have adequate retirement savings to maintain pre-retirement living standards. At the same time, 38% of those over 60 live below the poverty line and the population aged 60 and above accounts for 9.2%, projected to reach 15% by 2050. Many older workers remain in the labour market out of necessity, sometimes competing with youth for scarce jobs, while younger generations often support elderly relatives financially. These intergenerational pressures are visible not only in unemployment and poverty statistics but in the daily realities…

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) convened its Central Committee (CC) over the past week. The CC is a policy mid-term review convened by Cosatu to assess work done by the Federation, successes and challenges. It’s a chance for Affiliates to raise key issues facing the working-class and most importantly, what the solutions should be. The CC is a workers’ parliament. A chance for a municipal worker to raise the plight of colleagues who go unpaid for months. It is an opportunity for clothing and motor manufacturing workers to raise the alarm bells about the impact of the 30% tariff duty imposed on South African exports to the United States. Cosatu was founded during the darkest days of apartheid. The Federation’s principles of…

Does a mother always know what’s best for her son or is she just refusing to allow another woman in his life? This has been the premise of many Hollywood productions, including the acclaimed 2005 hit Monster-in-Law . Several other television shows and films have also explored the complex dynamics between a mother and her son’s partner. The Girlfriend, the brand-new series on Amazon Prime Video, is the latest intoxicating production which had me glued to my screen. With its excellent casting and unexpected twists and turns, this psychological thriller will keep you enthralled. And while there are many comedies around the tumultuous challenges which emerge when two families converge, what elevates this six-part show is that it takes a more serious look at the extraordinary lengths loved ones…

South African actress Thuso Mbedu stars in Task, a new drama series from Brad Ingelsby. Mbedu plays Aleah, who is part of a task force trying to put an end to a string of violent robberies. In a clip shared by HBO Max, Mbedu and her co-star Alison Oliver, who is Irish, talk about transforming their accents into the Philadelphia one. “Just coming into the American accent itself, because I’m originally from South Africa and there are certain things that my tongue doesn’t want to do. So just playing with that has been super interesting.” In an interview, Mbedu shared how she is always challenging herself to see if she can actually act or got lucky with a previous casting. “With Task, it is unlike anything I’ve ever done. It…

A 42-year-old serial rapist will spend the rest of his life behind bars after he was handed five life sentences plus 165 years. The Polokwane High Court sentenced Ramoadi William Minyuku for a reign of terror that saw women in Zebediela kidnapped, raped, and violated in their own homes. Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said Minyuku’s spree of violent acts dates back to November 2014, when he broke into a home and raped a 12-year-old girl. The nightmare continued between May and June 2016, when he repeatedly stalked the same child, threatening her with a knife and raping her on separate occasions as she ran everyday errands. During this period, he also targeted another young girl, viciously raped her and struck her with a beer bottle, leaving a trail of…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is set to take the stand at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, September 22. Confirming the development yesterday, Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said Masemola’s testimony will be open to the public and widely accessible through various media platforms. “We can confirm that the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, will testify before the Commission of Inquiry on Monday, September 22, 2025,” Michaels said. “The public will be able to follow the hearing via livestream on the Commission’s website as well as various other radio, television, news and social media platforms.” The hearings are being held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, where members of the public will also be allowed to attend proceedings. “We would also like, to remind…

The City of Tshwane has vowed to tackle air pollution, which is a growing concern that affects the health and well-being of its residents. Vehicle emissions, stack emissions, and fuel-burning appliances are some of the main culprits contributing to poor air quality. Spray-painting activities, often overlooked, have also been named as contributors to the city’s air pollution. Obakeng Ramabodu, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment & Agriculture Management in Tshwane, said the implementation of the city’s newly amended Air Quality Management By-law, will safeguard residents' health by regulating various activities that negatively impact air quality. He said the updated by-law introduces enhanced measures to curb air pollution and protect the health of residents. He said one key highlight of the by-law is the “duty of care” principle, which emphasises…

As South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, it is timely to reflect on the largely untapped value of university heritage collections. Across the country’s 26 higher education institutions, fewer than eight are estimated to have museums or galleries, and less than half do not provide public access to their collections. These inherited collections, often accumulated over decades or even a century, reflect the past, present, and future traditions of their institutions, yet they remain largely unknown and under-researched. University museums are not merely repositories of objects – they are social constructs that contribute to civic society, provide spaces for teaching and learning, and serve as instruments for preserving and interpreting academic heritage. In a South African context, recognising and leveraging these collections offers a crucial opportunity to engage with local and…

The Proteas Women have been provided with a stark reminder of the challenge they face at the upcoming ICC World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Mandla Mashimbyi’s team may have already clinched the on-going series against Pakistan 2-0 ahead of tomorrow’s final ODI, and his team’s top-order batters, particularly Tazmin Brits with successive centuries, are in fine form, but there is still plenty of work to do if they are to go head-to-head with the heavyweights of the women’s game. Hosts India and Australia have laid down an emphatic statement during their thrilling ODI series, which culminated in a record-breaking decider in Delhi on Saturday. Defending world champions Australia ultimately triumphed by 43 runs after equalling their highest-ever ODI score of 412 – which they famously made back at…

Veteran Willie le Roux will be part of the Springboks’ preparations for the crucial Test against Argentina in Durban until Wednesday. After initially being dropped from the 33-player squad ahead of the final two matches of the Rugby Championship, Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus has decided to call on Le Roux’s experience to help prepare the players for Saturday’s clash at Kings Park (kick-off 5.10pm). The Boks face Los Pumas in the coastal city before heading to London for the final Test at Twickenham next Saturday – a match that could likely decide the Rugby Championship title. Le Roux linked up with the world champions on Sunday after being released by the Bulls. He will return to the Pretoria side following the conclusion of the Boks’ training block on Wednesday…

The outgoing chairperson of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), David Nicholls, has backed Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s decision to dissolve the entity’s troubled board and appoint a new one, following a string of resignations and disputes over executive pay. Appearing before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on Friday, Ramokgopa confirmed plans to appoint a new board within three weeks. Ramokgopa remarked that recent events within Necsa indicated a concerning trend where board members prioritised salary discussions over critical strategic issues that affect the mandate of the organisation. The board had disintegrated because of controversy surrounding the increase in CEO Loyiso Tyabashe's salary. Some board members had raised questions about the way salary increases had been implemented by Tybashe, resulting in an internal audit being…

The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has welcomed the easing of food inflation as South Africa's consumer price index for food has declined to 5.2% in August 2025 from 5.5% the previous month, according to recent data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, said the easing marks the first slowdown after six consecutive months of rising food prices. He noted that cereals, fruit, nuts, and vegetables were the main drivers of the moderation, supported by South Africa’s abundant harvests. However, Sihlobo said a key product that many are watching is meat, which has remained elevated, although slaughtering has resumed in major feedlots across the country. “Initially, panic buying, not necessarily a shortage of product, was the main driver of meat prices.…

On the 19th of September I was one of the panellists who participated at the launch of Geospatial Information Management Strategy led by the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). This was held at Diep in die Berg in Pretoria. Human activity manifests itself in space and yet the ability to capture this central and prime mover that defines and explains the trajectory of human interaction with their environment has not been at the center of interpretation of development. Efforts over time have been partial and at times half hearted. Countries that advanced on this front were in Latin America and notably Brazil. Its Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), established in 1936, was a key institution in the genesis of geographical data collection and analysis. This…

Mustek raised its dividend a massive 83.3% to 13.75 cents in the year to June 30, but the payout is still below historical trends. The ICT distributor and technology solution provider, which only declares a final dividend after evaluating its funding requirements and opportunities to repurchase shares, paid out 7.7 cents a share in the 2024 financial year, and the dividend payout ratio was maintained. But in 2023, the dividend was 77 cents a share, it was 76 cents in 2022, while the 90 cents in 2021 was the group’s biggest dividend over 10 years. In terms of the annual results released Friday, the much higher dividend followed a sharp increase in the total income for the year, to R42.31 million from R21.85m the previous year. The group is currently…

Trade union Solidariteit (Solidarity) and civil rights organisation AfriForum have sent another delegation to the US in what is being labelled as a further attempt to improve South Africa’s fractured diplomatic relations with that country, amid punishing 30% tariffs on local goods. This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa left for New York for “crucial” trade and investment talks with key players in the US. Solidarity claims that the purpose of its visit, which will see the delegation engage with various US government role players at the federal and state levels in the coming weeks, is to advocate for South Africa, its economy, and its working population. Yesterday, it revealed a proposed trade framework for the two countries. However, given that this visit is not in any way affiliated…

South African National Parks (SANParks) said it is studying the Mpumalanga High Court’s ruling related to an incident in 2019 when a 30-month-old toddler died following an attack by a leopard at Malelane quarters, in the Kruger National Park. We are studying the judgment for a more in-depth understanding of the findings as set out by Acting Judge Zodwa Gumede,” the park said in a statement. The court recently gave the parents of the child the greenlight to continue with its damages claim against SANParks. This is after the lawyer for SANParks raised a special plea in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). According to SANParks, the leopard attack constituted an occupational injury as the father was obliged to live in the park and he…

The City of Tshwane has sounded the alarm on its water crisis, warning that its distribution network may run dry within the next month or two if consumption patterns do not change. Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo warned residents and businesses that the current high consumption pattern is putting the city’s bulk water system under severe strain “and may lead to the municipality’s system eventually collapsing”. He said the real issue in Tshwane is not the water network itself, but rather the behaviour of consumers who ignore the city’s call for water conservation. According to him, Rand Water has identified Tshwane as the second highest consuming municipality in the Gauteng province. “As of last week Monday, September 8, 2025, Rand Water was pumping 926 million litres per day to Tshwane, when…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has welcomed the blacklisting of 40 contractors since the start of his term in July 2024. In a statement yesterday, the minister indicated that over the past year, his department has fast-tracked the blacklisting of errant contractors after the department had only blacklisted one contractor in more than 20 years. Macpherson said in light of the previous track record, this was a dramatic turnaround since 2002, with the minister saying the move by the Construction Industry Development Board (CID) delivers on his promise to act against non-performance and corruption. He said his department was refining its blacklisting processes to act faster and recover public funds as part of broader reforms to clean up the Department to ensure it supports job-creating economic growth.…

Kaizer Chiefs’ defeat to Kabuscorp in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Saturday night was not just about a narrow scoreline. It was a stark reminder of how damaging instability on the touchline can be for a club that has spent years searching for direction. The Angolan outfit, cheered on by their home crowd at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda, did what many sides have done in recent seasons – exposed Amakhosi at a moment of vulnerability. Chiefs were without head coach Nasreddine Nabi, whose future at the club is now effectively over as discussions over his exit continue. The Tunisian’s absence was glaring, not just tactically, but in the confidence and identity of the team on the pitch. This constant chopping and changing of coaches is proving…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed his admiration for Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende, describing his talent as “underrated” in South African football. After a 3-1 victory over the competitive Durban City on Saturday, Cardoso praised Allende’s contributions, highlighting his goal and overall performance. In Sundowns’ 4-2-3-1 formation, Allende partners Teboho Mokoena, creating a dynamic duo just in front of the four-person defence. Early in the match, he surged forward from his defensive midfield role to make a bold move into the striking zone. His shot took a fortunate deflection off a defender and found its way into City’s net for Sundowns’ first goal. Afterwards, Cardoso remarked on Allende’s potential and the need for greater recognition of his skills. “I think it’s important that South Africa, in general, understands the…

Max Verstappen showed the field on Sunday that he and Red Bull remain serious threats to both Formula One championships, producing a commanding lights-to-flag triumph at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Dutchman’s second consecutive win from pole position reaffirmed Red Bull’s competitive edge following the mid-season departure of long-serving team boss Christian Horner and highlighted the effectiveness of new chief Laurent Mekies’ softer, technically focused management approach. The race proved to be a cruel turn of fortune for McLaren. World drivers' championship leader Oscar Piastri suffered an early exit on the opening lap after locking up at Turn 6, ending his remarkable run of 34 consecutive points finishes. Teammate Lando Norris managed only seventh, missing a prime opportunity to narrow the gap in the drivers’ championship and secure a second…