Star -julkaisun 2026-01-15 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

The global unemployment rate is expected to hold steady in 2026, the United Nations said Wednesday, but cautioned the labour market's seeming stability belies a dire shortage of decent jobs. The UN's International Labour Organization said the global economy and labour market appeared to have weathered recent economic shocks better than expected. But the ILO warned that efforts to improve global job quality had stagnated, leaving hundreds of millions of workers wallowing in poverty, even as trade uncertainty risked cutting into workers wages. The global unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9 percent last year and the year before, and is now projected to remain at a similar level until 2027, a report from the UN labour agency said. That amounts to 186 million people out of work this year, it…

Minister Steenhuisen says vaccination is part of comprehensive state strategy to eradicate FMD Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed that government is moving ahead with a long-term plan to vaccinate South Africa’s entire national cattle herd as part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and restore the country’s FMD-free status. Steenhuisen delivered an update on the state of FMD during a briefing on Wednesday, acknowledging the severe impact recent outbreaks have had on farmers across the country. Already almost 2 million animals have been vaccinated since the importation of vaccines from Botswana began in 2025, and more than R72 million has been spent by government on these imported from Botswana. The minister emphasised that regaining FMD-free status was a monumental task that would not be achieved overnight.…

SA Canegrowers has renewed calls for the sugar tax to be scrapped, warning that a surge in imported sugar is displacing local production and placing the South African sugar industry under severe strain. Other agricultural organisations have echoed calls for the tax to be urgently reviewed, arguing that it is compounding the sector’s challenges rather than delivering measurable public health benefits. SA Canegrowers on Tuesday said the Health Promotion Levy, commonly known as the sugar tax, should be removed in light of sharply rising sugar imports, which are increasingly undermining domestic producers. The organisation warned that the sustainability of the industry — which supports more than one million livelihoods directly and indirectly across KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga — is at risk. “The local sugar industry supports more than one million livelihoods,…

It was a bittersweet moment when it was publicly revealed yesterday morning that Rikus Kylander had earned five distinctions in his matric exams. His hard work was clear for all to see, but sadly, the 18‑year‑old from Krugersdorp, Gauteng, cannot celebrate his achievements. He disappeared while snorkelling with friends off the coast of Mozambique in December, during a trip to mark the end of matric. After 22 days of searching along the coastline by sea, land and air – efforts that included rescue teams, volunteers and his own family – the official search was called off on Friday last week. Rikus, who was in matric at Noordheuwel High in 2025, went into the water with about 12 friends a week before Christmas and failed to return. The group had travelled…

The City of Tshwane’s aggressive revenue collection drive called Tshwane Ya Tima has landed prominent businessman Thami Ndlala in hot water after his properties in Arcadia were found to have been illegally reconnected to the grid. Mayor Nasiphi Moya said electricity supply to several Ndlala-owned properties – Thami Ndlala Mall and Apartments – was initially cut off in December for owing the municipality over R600 000. This week, Moya led his team to revisit the properties, only to find the supply had been unlawfully restored. “We were back because they illegally reconnected without settlement of the account. In addition, this property owes over R1 million for water,” she said. Moya announced that Ndlala’s accommodation facility in Pretoria CBD, Ndlala Dynasty, also owes Tshwane a staggering R2.3m in unpaid bills. The…

The EFF has called on the South African government to reject the recent extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), warning that the programme primarily serves US geopolitical and economic interests rather than advancing African development. The US House of Representatives recently approved a three-year extension of AGOA, a trade arrangement offering preferential access to US markets for African goods. While US officials frame the programme as a tool for economic development, the EFF insists it has historically constrained African industrialisation, promoted low-value exports, and failed to deliver meaningful economic transformation. “AGOA has always been conditional, designed to bind African economies to US foreign policy objectives,” the party said in a statement. “Renewing it serves Washington’s strategic interests, not those of African people.” The EFF pointed to a…

The SA Police Service (SAPS) has been ordered to pay R764 million to three service providers who sold intellectual property in the form of computer programs to it. The computer programs have been identified as the Firearm Permit System, the Property Control and Exhibit Management System and the Visual Analysis Anacapa Matrix Intelligence Solution System. According to papers filed at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, the companies, Forensic Data Analysts (FDA), Investigative Software Solutions (Pty) (Ltd) and Solve Forensics were claiming R644m from the SAPS following an oral agreement concluded on January 31, 2020 at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in the capital city. In terms of the agreement FDA sold the intellectual property in the three computer programs to the SAPS. In addition, the deal was that FDA would…

Star College Durban has once again reinforced its standing as a leader in academic excellence after learner Diya Hargoon emerged as KwaZulu-Natal’s top matric achiever in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, earning an outstanding 11 distinctions and a 93% aggregate. Hargoon, who completed a demanding subject load including English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Advanced Programme Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Tourism, Religion Studies, and Life Orientation, attended the Provincial Awards ceremony, where she was recognised for her exceptional academic performance. Reflecting on her achievement, Hargoon said she approached matric without unnecessary pressure. “I didn’t treat matric as something overwhelming. I took it as just another year,” she said. “My advice to the class of 2026 and future matriculants is simple: don’t stress and don’t let pressure get…

South Africa’s growing presence in international motorsport received another boost this week with the inclusion of 15-year old Gianna Pascoal in a global high-performance driver development programme aimed at producing the first female Formula 1 world champion. Pascoal has been selected as one of five new drivers to join the More Than Equal Driver Development Programme, a data-driven initiative that identifies and nurtures elite female racing talent from around the world. She is recognised as one of the country's most promising young drivers, recently making history as the first female driver from South Africa to secure a seat in the FIA Karting Academy (Senior). Her selection follows an extensive global talent identification process that assesses drivers across performance metrics, physical capability, psychological readiness and long-term development potential. The young South…

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chiefs promised an “affordable and inclusive” Games on Tuesday as they prepared to open registration for a lottery to buy tickets. LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said one million tickets to the Olympics and Paralympics would be priced at $28 (about R459), while a third of the roughly 14 million tickets due to go on sale would cost $100 or less. “From the beginning, we’ve been clear: access to these games, because these games belong to everyone,” Wasserman said. “These games have to be affordable and inclusive.” Wasserman was speaking in the shadow of the historic Los Angeles Coliseum on the eve of the first step towards tickets going on sale. From yesterday, at 7am local time, fans around the world wwere be able to register for…

Such have been Gerda Steyn’s remarkable achievements on the road that you’d be forgiven for thinking anything less than a record-breaking run would be considered minor by the darling of South African running. While victories and records mean a great deal to the “Smiling Assassin” from Bothaville – they are, after all, the stuff of legacy – the Hollywood Athletics Club star has dominated the country’s ultra-marathon scene for over half a decade by valuing the same milestones that social runners strive for. Take the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Blue Number Club (BNC), for example. Open to runners who have completed the 56km race ten times, the BNC is a dream for many but achieved by few. Steyn is yet to run the “world’s most beautiful marathon” 10 times, but…

Marumo Gallants have moved swiftly to reinforce their squad ahead of the second half of the season, announcing a trio of new signings as preparations intensify for the league’s resumption. The additions follow the high-profile departures of Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane, who both completed moves to Orlando Pirates this week. With the Betway Premiership set to restart in less than a week, Gallants have acted decisively to address the vacancies left by the duo, strengthening their attacking options ahead of a crucial clash against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on January 21. Leading the new arrivals is Romaric Dognimin Ouattara. The 21-year-old Ivorian centre-forward joins from Algerian side Olympique Akbou and brings a formidable physical presence to the Gallants’ frontline. Standing at 1.90m tall, Ouattara is regarded as a…

Geoeconomic confrontation has emerged as the most pressing global risk for 2026, underscoring a world increasingly shaped by rivalry, fragmentation and economic weaponisation, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2026 released on Wednesday. The report, now in its 21st edition, warns that geopolitical tensions, rising economic volatility and accelerating technological change are converging to create an era of heightened uncertainty. Half of the more than 1 300 global leaders and experts surveyed expect the global outlook over the next two years to be turbulent or stormy, while only 1% anticipate a period of calm. Geoeconomic confrontation — defined by the use of trade restrictions, sanctions, industrial policy and economic leverage to advance national interests — climbed eight places to top the near-term risk rankings for 2026.…

China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a sharp drop in shipments to the United States was offset by surging exports to other major markets. Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump reached a tentative truce to their fierce trade war when they met in late October, agreeing a pause to painful measures that included lofty tit-for-tat tariffs. Exports have served as a key economic lifeline for China as trade and relations with the United States and others have fluctuated in recent years. That has helped temper a prolonged debt crisis in the country's vast property sector and sluggish domestic spending, which have weighed on growth and are among the most pressing issues facing Beijing. Exports climbed 5.9 percent year-on-year…

South Africa’s major property groups remain cautiously optimistic about growth prospects in the year ahead, citing interest rate cuts in 2025, subdued inflation and improving economic fundamentals as key drivers of renewed activity in the housing market. Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of Pam Golding Property Group, said a series of interest rate reductions, together with easing price pressures and significant fuel price cuts through 2025 and early 2026, had meaningfully improved household finances and bolstered activity across the national housing market. “Notably, there was a discernible strengthening in national sales activity both in terms of volume and, more particularly, value during the second half of last year," he said. While acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in forecasting, Golding said the outlook for 2026 appeared constructive. He expects the pace of…

Fatal Seduction is set for a dramatic return on Netflix with its third season, bringing with it a fresh cast. The new faces will join the ongoing saga of seduction, steamy moments, mystery, suspense and betrayal. While Netflix has not yet released a trailer or a definitive release date for the next season, fans are already anticipating the events of Fatal Seduction season 3, based on the previous instalments. This incredibly steamy South African thriller series, created by Steven Pillemer (known for The Brave Ones), features a cast including Kgomotso Christopher, Prince Grootboom, and Thapelo Mokoena. The plot centres on a couple tangled in a web of secrets, betrayal, seduction, and crime. South African actors Hope Mbhele, Thando Thabethe, Lorcia Cooper Kumalo, and Kevin Smith are set to join the…

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has taken a troubling turn, with a tidal wave of fans from all corners of the globe allegedly cancelling their attendance amid safety concerns linked to US immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, The Star has discovered. Reports indicate that over 16 800 tickets have been cancelled thus far, and if the current trend continues, that number is likely to climb. Videos and accounts of confrontations involving the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have proliferated online, fuelling anxiety among prospective international attendees. The recent ICE incident, which killed a 37-year-old mother of three in Minneapolis earlier this month, has sent shockwaves worldwide. What began as isolated incidents of cancellations has spiralled into a worldwide protest against travelling to the United States, leading…

What should have been a morning of excitement, new uniforms and proud smiles turned into one of heartbreak for thousands of families across Gauteng as the 2026 academic year began yesterday. While many learners walked through school gates for the first time this year, about 3 000 children were left at home, still without school placements. Most of those affected are Grade 1 and Grade 8 pupils. Outside the Morningside district education offices, tired and anxious parents lined up from the early hours of the morning. Some stood with their children beside them, holding folders of paperwork, waiting and hoping someone would help them find a school place. For many, the first day of school became a day of anxiety and uncertainty. However, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona…

Midvaal Local Municipality Mayor Peter Teixeira is offering bursaries to the matric class of 2025 residing within its boundaries. The municipality announced that it has once again opened applications for the Mayoral Student Financial Aid Programme, which was launched in 2024 to support students pursuing higher education qualifications. The programme is now in its third year and assists with tuition and registration fees, as well as essential study resources such as laptops and textbooks. “Since its inception in 2024, the fund has disbursed over R1.5 million, benefiting over 57 students and supporting them on their academic journeys. “In response to the continued high demand for study assistance, R750 000 has once again been allocated for this academic year,” the municipality stated. It also reiterated its commitment to the mayoral undertaking…

Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has denied that he was removed from office because of corruption, telling Parliament that his suspension by the then-Police Minister Fikile Mbalula was unlawful and baseless. Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption in Cape Town yesterday, Phahlane said the widely held view that he was forced out over graft allegations was misleading and inaccurate. Instead, he painted a picture of a rushed, informal and legally baseless decision taken by Mbalula at the height of damaging media coverage. Phahlane told MPs he was summoned to Cape Town in 2017 after receiving a call from Mbalula’s office instructing him to travel to meet the minister. He said no reasons were provided in advance. Upon arrival, he waited for more than three hours…

Life is sometimes full of little surprises and while being picked up in a GAC M8 Master probably wouldn’t have been my ultimate choice for a first chauffeured drive to dinner, the end result was rather pleasant. Yes I know, not many people have heard about GAC, never mind the M8 Master, but trust me, once you see it, you won’t forget it. GAC is the fifth largest automotive retailer in China and GAC Motor’s investments in South Africa are backed by the global Salvador Caetano group. They currently have 28 dealerships and intend to grow their footprint to 40 this year. GAC has positioned the M8 Master not as a people mover, but as a premium alternative to full-size luxury SUVs. And as a plug-in hybrid, it’s also the…

When it comes to Nurburgring lap records, there’s only one that grabs the headlines. Fastest of this. Fastest of that. Quickest hypercar. Best time for an EV. And so on. But until now no one has ever celebrated the slowest time achieved on the storied 20.832km German circuit. That distinction now belongs to French automaker Ligier. Two automotive journalists, Nicolas Meunier and Martin Coulomb, have taken a diesel‑powered Ligier JS50 quadricycle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a time of 28 minutes and 25.8 seconds, setting a record that now stands in the books for leisurely pace, Motor1.com reported. Unlike the high‑performance cars usually associated with Nurburgring lap records, the JS50 is a microcar, or quadricycle, classified in the same lightweight segment as vehicles such as the Citroën Ami. Power comes…

Paarl Royals hero Sikandar Raza is hoping he can do more “magic things” for his team as they push for a place in the Betway SA20 playoffs. The Zimbabwean T20 captain has been inspirational since joining the Royals midway through the competition with the allrounder joint top of the wicket-takers leaderboard with 11 scalps. But on Tuesday evening, with the game on the line against Durban’s Super Giants, Raza elevated his new-found cult hero status at Boland Park to the next level, by smashing the last ball for six to see the Royals home in thrilling fashion. “Alhamdulillah, to finish the game, it feels nice. Yeah, we needed six of six and we got one of one. So initially, it was just trying to hit the pockets well and then…

Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) strengthened in 2025 and is expected to pick up further over the next two years, supported by easing inflation, improving financial conditions and stronger investment and exports. This is according to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects: Sub-Saharan Africa regional report released on Wednesday. The bank said growth in the region is estimated to have risen to 4.0% in 2025 from 3.7% in 2024. The improvement was driven in part by moderating inflation and higher-than-expected commodity prices, particularly for gold, other precious metals and coffee, which boosted fiscal revenues in several countries. However, the report notes that performance across the region remained uneven, with growth slowing among some industrial commodity exporters while strengthening in others. Divergent trends were evident among SSA’s three largest economies.…

Northam Platinum Holdings performed well in the six months to December 31, 2025 after platinum group metals 4E (PGMs) produced from own operations increased by 3.7%, a production report showed. The mining group's shares surged 5.63% to R404.06 in early trade on the JSE after the report was released on Wednesday morning - the price has increased markedly from only R110.75 a year ago. Chrome concentrate production increased by 14.8%, compared to the corresponding 6-month period ended December 31, 2024. "Our operations performed well. Zondereinde is benefitting from logistics decongestion from the ongoing shift of UG2 stoping from the western to the higher-yielding eastern portions of the mine, as well as an increase in mining productivity from focused Merensky stoping in the Western extension," group directors said in the report.…

Last year around this time, Netflix’s blockbuster to kick off 2025 was Back In Action, which saw Cameron Diaz returning to our screens alongside Jamie Foxx. For January 2026, the global streamer gambled on People We Meet on Vacation, its brand-new comedy drama. With its interesting cast – which features heartthrob English actor Tom Blyth and My Lady Jane star Emily Bader in the leading roles – as well as a quirky and emotional tale told through multiple exotic locations, this film offers some sweet escapism as you ease into the year. While it won’t be walking away with major awards and won’t go on to redefine the genre, there are some genuinely heartwarming moments that will tug at your heartstrings. The chemistry between the cast, which also includes Jameela…

As the city of Johannesburg attempts to recover over R10 billion owed, it has launched a dramatic crackdown on electricity defaulters. Summit is one of Hillbrow’s busiest nightspots. The club has gone dark due to an unpaid electricity bill totaling R2.6 million. The shutdown was part of a larger operation that also targeted a shopping complex with residential flats, all of which owed nearly R25m, highlighting the scale of nonpayment in Johannesburg’s inner city. On Tuesday, City Power, alongside EMS and the Building Control Unit, carried out targeted inspections and disconnections along Claim, Esselen, and Edith Cavell streets in Hillbrow. The operation, part of the city’s High-Impact Service Delivery Programme, aims to enforce compliance, recover outstanding revenue, and safeguard critical electricity infrastructure. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena explained that Summit…

South Africa’s education system is facing a growing gender gap, with significantly more girls than boys completing matric in 2025, raising concerns among Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. The trend reflects a growing crisis: an increasing number of boys drop out between Grades 10 and 12, with many never returning, leaving the male child underrepresented in the matric cohort. Gwarube warned that this pattern is marginalising boys, citing repeated failure, loss of motivation, and complete withdrawal from school as key drivers. Even more concerning, she said, boys who leave school early are vulnerable to social ills, including recruitment into gangs. Departmental data shows that girls now make up 56% of matric candidates, compared to 44% boys, a gap that Gwarube attributes in part to stronger protective measures for girls, including…

NFP leader Ivan Barnes and supporters of senior party member Mbali Shinga exchanged blows at Durban’s Edward Hotel yesterday as simmering internal tensions spilled over into threats and acts of violence. Shinga’s disciplinary hearing over claims that she had violated the party’s instruction to vote for a motion of no confidence against KZN Premier Thami Ntuli was taking place at the hotel yesterday when her supporters stormed the hearing and demanded that the NEC of the NFP stop the process. It was then that Barnes and Manqoba Dlamini, the chairperson of the party’s uThukela district, became embroiled in a fist fight with the police intervening to separate the sets of supporters. Shinga’s supporters then left the building. The NFP’s national executive committee (NEC) had said it will leave the KwaZulu-Natal…

South Africa’s petrol and diesel prices hit four-year lows following January’s significant reductions; however, fuel costs could creep even lower in February. Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund shows strong over-recoveries for both petrol and diesel. But this comes with a big caveat. As it stands, the current month averages are pointing to petrol price decreases of around 85 cents and a diesel reduction of just over R1. However, the latest daily figures, showing over-recoveries of around 40 cents for petrol and 30 cents for diesel, imply that these projected decreases could be significantly eroded by month-end. Working in our favour is a strong South African rand, which has put on a stellar performance during the first two weeks of January, surging to its highest level against the US…

South Africa’s new vehicle market closed 2025 on a high, pushing past pre-pandemic volumes and delivering its strongest annual performance in more than a decade. After several years of suppressed demand, the recovery gathered pace through the second half of the year and culminated in total industry sales of 596 818 vehicles – a 15.7% improvement over 2024 and the highest annual total since 2008. According to data released by The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) the rebound was driven by a combination of easing financial pressure on consumers and a far broader selection of competitively priced vehicles. A cumulative 150-basis-point cut in interest rates since September 2024, record-low vehicle inflation of 1.5%, lower fuel prices and improved credit availability all played a role in restoring…

I write not only as a lawyer, but as a South African who has sat across the table from too many broken souls – people who once walked into workplaces with hope and left with humiliation. They do not arrive in my office speaking the language of diagnoses. They do not say “depression” or “anxiety”. They speak about their boss. About “the treatment”. About how each morning feels heavier than the last. Workplace stress is not simply about tight deadlines or long hours. It is about the slow erosion of dignity. It is about being shouted at in front of colleagues, having your work dismissed, your potential undermined, and your humanity reduced to a line item on a spreadsheet. It is about power – and what happens when power forgets…

When I watch the Bulls imploding in game after game this season, I have flashbacks to the Springboks’ Ellis Park nightmare against the Wallabies last year. In case your subconscious has blocked out that horror show, the Boks played sublime attacking rugby in the opening quarter to lead 22–0, but they ran themselves off their feet. In the second half, the Australians profited from the mistakes of the tiring Boks and ran in 38 unanswered points for a remarkable comeback victory. Ellis Park, of course, is where Johan Ackermann took the Lions to historic heights in Super Rugby. Ackermann and the brilliant attack coach Swys de Bruin had Warren Whiteley’s men playing exhilarating rugby, and three Super Rugby finals were the result – two under Ackermann before he left for…

Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, but winning the only major to elude him will be no easy feat with great rival Jannik Sinner standing in his way. Spain’s Alcaraz already has six major titles under his belt at just 22 years old, but success on the Melbourne Park hard courts remains a glaring hole in his résumé. He has failed to progress past the quarter-finals in four trips to Australia, losing at that stage in 2025 to Novak Djokovic, and to Alexander Zverev the year before. “It’s my first goal, to be honest,” Alcaraz said of Australia after winning the US Open last year – his second Slam title of 2025 after defending his crown at Roland Garros. “When I go into the…