Table of contents for 2025-04-24 in Star

CONSUMERS reliant on credit may have to endure an extended period of restrictive monetary policy before the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) considers cutting interest rates later this year, despite recent data showing inflation has plummeted to its lowest level in nearly five years. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Wednesday showed that inflation surprised on the downside and cooled for the first time in five months on the back of lower fuel and education. Stats SA said the headline consumer price inflation (CPI) fell sharply by 0.5 percentage points to 2.7% in March from 3.2% in February, mainly on account of food and non-alcoholic beverages and fuel prices. This better-than-expected inflation print marked the lowest reading since June 2020, falling below the lower bound of the Sarb’s…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stark warning that over one-third of countries are set to experience an increase in public debt by 2025, compared to the previous year. The concerns arise amidst escalating uncertainties and significant policy shifts that are altering economic and fiscal landscapes globally.. According to the IMF’s Fiscal Monitor report released on Wednesday, these economies collectively represent about 75% of global GDP and included major players— China and the United States—as well as Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The Fiscal Monitor projects global public debt to increase by 2.8 percentage points this year—more than twice the estimate for 2024—pushing debt levels above 95% of world gross domestic product. Vitor Gaspar, IMF director…

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has said that the 2025 Africa Travel Indaba (ATI) was expected to surpass the figures it drew last year and generate more than R300 million for the economy of KwaZulu-Natal. De Lille on Wednesday announced that more than 1 200 exhibitors were confirmed for this year’s gathering taking place at Durban ICC on 13-15 May – a powerful testament to the vibrancy of the African tourism sector. She explained that this year’s motto transcended mere branding. "It is the essence of this all-important gathering because Africa’s Travel Indaba is not just a trade show. It is a celebration of who we are," De Lille said. "A declaration of what we believe. It is a declaration that we want to think and act without limits.…

A business plan is never set in stone. It should reflect the realities of your operating environment, especially considering how quickly economic conditions seem to be shifting in 2025. While some economists remain optimistic, predicting growth of up to 2.1% this year, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently trimmed its 2025 forecast down to 1.7%, citing ongoing supply constraints and weak demand. With the effects of global trade tensions, rising costs and looming tax increases already being felt across the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector, it may be necessary to revisit your business plan. Here are five signs that your plan may no longer be fit for purpose in today’s economic environment: 1. Your revenue assumptions haven’t changed If your plan still assumes consistent or growing customer demand…

High costs could inhibit benefits of high gold prices for South African producers of the precious metal although there is optimism that its auto makers will register growth this year, analysts at Fitch Solutions said on Wednesday, highlighting a mixed outlook for exports this year. South Africa exports automobiles, metals and minerals as well as other manufactured products to markets such as Europe, China and the United States among others. With South Africa falling out with the US, analysts have been weighing up the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Analysts at Fitch Solutions said on Wednesday that the US tariffs on South Africa would affect its agriculture and auto sectors the most. “The country will face an effective tariff rate of 9.5% according to our calculations and this will…

Vedanta Resources, is considering a US public listing for its Zambian unit Konkola Copper Mines as one of its options to try to raise about $1 billion for mine development, three sources familiar with the details, told Reuters. The miner, owned by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, has hired Barclays and Citigroup to advise on the plans for an initial public offering, said the sources, who declined to be named due to sensitivity around the discussions. Vedanta is considering New York as one of the options to list KCM, as the Zambian unit is known, the sources said. They said the discussions were at an early stage and a timeline had yet to be finalised.A spokesperson for Vedanta Resources declined to comment beyond saying various options were under consideration. "We continue…

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is gearing up for its landmark event, welcoming jazz lovers from across the globe to what is known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering. Scheduled for April 25 and 26 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), this year’s festival embraces the evocative theme Legacy Meets Tomorrow, honouring the rich heritage of jazz while also looking forward to its evolving future. This year, festival-goers will be treated to an invigorating atmosphere across four stages: Kippies, Manenberg, Rosies and Moses Molelekwa, featuring a remarkable line-up of 33 local and international artists. Among them, the Rosies stage stands out for its intimate setting and deeper dive into acoustic jazz, catering specifically to serious jazz aficionados. Rosies stage: an intimate experience Particularly for jazz purists, the Rosies…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has asked the SAPS to allocate additional resources to investigate the disappearance of Pretoria-based journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu, last seen on February 18. Lesufi visited the Ndlovu family in Ga-Rankuwa yesterday, offering words of comfort to the journalist’s mother, Mam’uNdlovu, who expressed her anguish over her son’s unknown whereabouts. Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, were reported missing on February 18, prompting SAPS to launch a search operation. Mdhluli was last spotted in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, while Ndlovu was seen leaving his Mamelodi workplace at Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi wearing blue jeans, a blue and white long-sleeve shirt, and Nike sneakers. Ndlovu was a journalist and founder of an online radio, Capital Live SA 99.0 FM. Since Mdhlul’s case is handled by Mpumalanga police and Ndlovu’s by…

The 2025 Easter long weekend marked a significant turning point for road safety in South Africa. Thanks to a multi-sectoral approach involving civil society, law enforcement, and the taxi industry, there was a notable decrease in road accidents and fatalities. The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has praised these efforts, emphasising the vital role of shared responsibility in safeguarding lives on the road. This successful result is due to the shared responsibility of all parties involved, including civil society organisations, commuters, patrollers, drivers, vehicle owners, law enforcement, and government departments and entities, Santaco said. The council recognised the leadership of the National Department of Transport and its #ItBeginsWithYou campaign. This initiative effectively promoted shared responsibility and emphasised the importance of safe and responsible road use. Santaco believes the taxi…

As he indicated his willingness to be the next president of the African National Congress (ANC), Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the focus should be on rebuilding and not campaigning. This comes in light of the party currently only enjoying 40% of the electoral support, which puts it at risk of not surviving the next elections. Mashatile told journalists in Soweto on Tuesday that the ANC has suffered a setback since last year’s elections and it was time for the party to regain people’s confidence. He was in the area to honour freedom fighters killed by police in July 1987. For the first time since democracy, the ANC failed to win the elections. This led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). “Now we have gotten 40%…

The Masque theatre presents Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet in a fresh new production that will resonate with all, from high school learners to Shakespeare enthusiasts. Directed by Yuri Behari-Leak, Hamlet will be presented at The Masque from May 9 to 17. This gender-swapped adaptation follows Hamlet, a young director at a modern film production studio just before the premiere of her latest film, as she tries to avenge her mother’s death. The production stays true to Shakespeare’s text as the heroine grapples with her identity and morality, adding the layer of how Hamlet can bring the perpetrator of gender-based violence to justice while staying on a feminist path. The play explores how people remain true to themselves in a world of fame, celebrity, and social media, where appearance often eclipses…

When you go onto YouTube or any news channel lately, what do you see? If it's not a hoo-ha being made of the EFF in Orania, it's the Joslyn Smith court case which is demanding everyone's attention. Just like Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal, which got buried very quickly and drowned out by other, alternative news events, so too the ANC's perceived involvement with Hamas and Iran since 2023 before the elections, is already dead and buried- all forgotten! How did we, as a democratic, uniquely diverse nation, allow ourselves to get to this point where nothing we see or read in the news anymore can be believed or trusted? The ANC have seemingly become masters of distraction by diverting our attention away from any of their hundreds of failures, by…

With South Africans travelling far and wide during the upcoming long weekends, queues at the various toll gates on our journeys are assured as much as potholes will be on secondary roads. Traditional payment methods on toll roads have been inconvenient for motorists and vulnerable to abuse and fraud. With little effort fraudsters were able to abuse the system in various ways and as a result losses to fraud have been escalating year on year. Hotspot The South African Banking Risk Information Centre has identified toll gates as one of the main hotspots for card cloning. The most common method is skimming, where a skimmer is used to copy the magnetic stripe data. Shimming uses a very thin device placed inside a chip reader to read and steal data from…

Watching him charge into the opposition, you would think that there’s little that scares Marcell Coetzee. But a bout of concussion that took him longer to recover from than usual this year has given the Bulls loose forward a fresh perspective on his career. He turns 34 in early May, but the way he has been playing since returning to the pitch makes him appear 10 years younger. The Springbok talk won’t go away either, although Coetzee earned the last of his 31 Test caps in 2022 already. His outstanding form, perhaps the best of his career, certainly warrants another look from Bok boss Rassie Erasmus – especially following Deon Fourie’s season-ending broken leg sustained last weekend. Coetzee set a new Bulls URC record 31 tackles in the tense 16-13…

CAF president Patrice Motsepe held court on Wednesday, lauding Kaizer Chiefs who are closer to qualifying for the Confederation Cup next season. Chiefs will face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final of the Nedbank Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10. By virtue of being finalists, Chiefs could play in continental football next season should Pirates finish in the top three in the Betway Premiership log. And with Pirates’ spot all but inevitable as they are gunning for the No 1 spot, Chiefs’ continental qualification is secured according to the boss of African football. Motsepe, was speaking on the sidelines of CAF’s partnership renewal with Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for their major tournaments. “I am proud to see Kaizer Chiefs. Like I said, SA football requires a successful Chiefs,”…

South African fund managers are preferring a high gold positioning as the country’s economic growth outlook and confidence in reforms dim, Bank of America (BofA) data showed on Wednesday. Confidence in South Africa’s economic growth prospects has been dimming on the back of disagreements within the government of national unity (GNU). Geopolitical risks were also weighing in as the US and China tariff wars entrench although President Donald Trump this week hinted at a climb-down. BofA’s latest South Africa Fund Manager Survey nonetheless reflected a “high positioning relative to history in gold, banks and bonds. This comes as a “growth and reform hopes dim” with the top risk being “political shifts” to the left. BofA noted “a net 38% see 'reform slowing' (against peak reading of a net 56% September…

There are concerns that MTN Group may have misled its shareholders about the nature of ongoing terrorism litigation in the United States in the recently published Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Annual Financial Statements names five active legal cases related to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) against MTN Group in US courts, and its Director's Report declares that each of those cases has “been assessed as remote and therefore no contingent liabilities have been disclosed.” The Annual Financial Statements were authorized by the MTN Board of Directors on 17 March 2025. The Chairman of the MTN Board is Mcebisi Jonas, the newly appointed South African Special Envoy to the United States. Professor Jeffrey Breinholt of George Washington University helps to shed light on why the…

BankservAfrica's much-anticipated Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) is set to reveal a small dip for March 2025, marking a slight retreat in the wage landscape of South Africa. Nonetheless, analysts at BankservAfrica asserted on Wednesday that the overall trend remained upward, buoyed by improving economic conditions in recent months, challenging the prevailing headwinds of escalating global trade tensions and increasing political uncertainty at home. Earlier this month, BankservAfrica showcased its Economic Transaction Index (BETI), which displays the standardised value of all economic transactions in the South African economy at seasonally adjusted real prices (2005=100). Notably, the BETI indicated a modest recovery in March 2025, with some crucial adjustments accounting for recent fluctuations. Shergeran Naidoo, BankservAfrica’s Head of Stakeholder Engagements, reported that the BETI rose to an index level of 137.1 for…

South African SMEs navigate a complex business landscape, juggling daily operational demands with the urgent need to adopt rapidly evolving digital technologies. Historically, advanced technologies like AI have been largely inaccessible to SMEs, putting them at a distinct disadvantage compared to larger corporations. However, a new wave of innovation, mirrored by developments in the Global North and championed by companies like LeanTechnovations locally, demonstrates how the strategic integration of AI with proven methodologies like Lean can empower SMEs and foster a more equitable competitive environment. In economies across the Global North, we've seen AI transform SME sectors. In Germany, the Industrie 4.0 initiatives have enabled smaller manufacturers to automate production lines, optimise supply chains, and personalise products, previously the domain of large enterprises. In the United States, AI-powered marketing tools…

African Bank has embarked on a new journey that empowers its own permanent workers with the launch of the iKamva Lethu (Our Future) Employee Share Ownership Scheme (ESOS) in 2024. The bank on Wednesday said this was a symbolic move towards realigning its mission of being a bank for the people, by the people, for the betterment of all South Africans. This initiative allocates a significant 10% ownership of African Bank Holdings Limited (ABHL) shares to its permanent employees, fostering a culture of inclusivity and shared responsibility among its workforce. In a bid to ensure equitable access to ownership, the ESOS provides all employees—regardless of race, age, tenure, or seniority—with a stake in the company’s success. This significant decision aims not only to enhance employee retention and commitment but also…

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is all about the music, the energy, the people, and yes, the fashion. What started in 2000 as a relatively small gathering of jazz lovers has grown into one of Africa’s biggest music festivals, drawing international stars and local legends to the heart of the Mother City. Every year, fans flock to the city not only for the sounds, but for the vibes and that includes planning the perfect outfit. It’s a weekend escape, a reason to dress up, unwind and soak in the culture. And trust me, people don’t play when it comes to their style choices. The festival has become a catwalk of its own – where cool meets comfort, and where your outfit needs to work for both daytime grooves and…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it has appointed a senior counsel to evaluate and advise on the possibility of appealing the Timothy Omotoso judgment. NPA national spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said the decision to consider appealing the Omotoso case is based on the gravity and complexity of the case, as well as the fact that the State can only appeal an acquittal under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act. “This team is studying the transcript and the three other relevant decisions that were handed down in the course of this trial and will provide a memorandum of advice and opinion on the appeal ability of the judgment,” said Mhaga. “The NPA will announce its decision, taking into account the memorandum of advice from the NPA team…

Another fire has broken out at the Tembisa hospital in Ekurhuleni in the early yesterday morning with emergency services personnel having already attended to the blaze. It is unclear what caused the fire, which comes days after the first fire which gutted the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit on Saturday afternoon. It is reported that emergency services from the City of Ekurhuleni mobilised resources to contain the fire that struck the hospital’s main Outpatient Department (OPD). According to the department, the OPD is situated close to the Accident and Emergency Unit that was severely damaged by fire just days earlier. The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed the incident via spokesperson Motaletale Modiba. Modiba’ stated further that authorities have cordoned off a section of the hospital to facilitate an ongoing investigation…

The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday denied claims that it approached former president Jacob Zuma or the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) to join the Government of National Unity (GNU), dismissing the allegations as “unfounded and misleading”. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party has "not approached Zuma or the MKP to join the Government of National Unity. No such discussions have taken place”. “These claims, if indeed attributable to Jacob Zuma, are unfounded and misleading,” Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement. “The ANC has conducted all GNU engagements transparently, in good faith, and in line with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.” The ANC also stressed that all GNU negotiations have been transparent and aligned with constitutional principles, dismissing any notion of secretive…

The Pan-African Bar Association of South Africa (Pabasa) issued a stern warning to the Legal Practice Council (LPC), cautioning the regulatory body to resist attempts to weaponise disciplinary proceedings for narrow personal or political agendas. This comes amid the LPC’s recent decision to charge advocate Dali Mpofu SC, one of the country's most prominent legal figures, with bringing the legal profession into disrepute. In a detailed letter dated April 17, addressed to LPC Chair Advocate Pule Seleka, Pabasa’s National Executive Committee (NEC) expressed deep concern over what it described as “spurious charges” aimed at intimidating Mpofu SC and potentially tarnishing his reputation unjustly. “We reiterate that the LPC is the appropriate regulatory body empowered to ensure legal practitioners comply with the Code of Conduct. Our concern is that these charges,…

As a South African living in Shanghai, I’ve found myself immersed in a transformation that feels both exhilarating and deeply rooted — a phenomenon I call China’s modernisation with a heartbeat. China’s modernisation, often described as “modernisation with Chinese characteristics,” is a dynamic blend of cutting-edge progress and deep-rooted tradition. It’s not the Western model of development I grew up reading about, nor is it a carbon copy of South Africa’s post-apartheid rebuilding. It’s something uniquely Chinese — a journey of advancement that doesn’t erase identity but amplifies it. As a South African, this resonates deeply, as it echoes our aspirations to modernise while holding fast to who we are. When I arrived in Shanghai almost two years ago, I was dazzled by the city’s skyline — a forest of…

Omoda has launched its C5 X Series in South Africa, sporting improvements to the design, practicality and driving experience. This is essentially a facelift that has not been applied to the entire range, with the new Lux X and Elegance X replacing the previous Lux and Elegance models but they do come at a significant price saving. The new C5 Lux X is priced at R425,900, which is R52,000 less than its predecessor, while the Elegance X, at R465,900, represents a saving of R42,000. At the lower end of the range, the existing C5 1.5 Street and 1.5T Style continue as before, priced at R329,000 and R364,900 respectively. The C5 X ushers in a new frontal design that’s likely to be less controversial than the large, sweeping borderless grille seen…

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have confirmed that its long-standing commercial partner, Momentum, will conclude its sponsorship of the Proteas Women’s team at the end of April. This partnership, which has flourished over the past 13 years, has played a pivotal role in the revitalisation and professionalisation of women’s cricket in South Africa. Throughout the duration of their collaboration, Momentum has been instrumental in nurturing young talent and fostering growth within the women’s game, aligning closely with CSA’s values of access and inclusion. This commitment is evident through their support across various programme pipelines, ranging from boys’ schools to community cricket initiatives, and notably sponsorships of the South Africa U19 women’s team, which has paved the way for the emergence of the Proteas Women. CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki expressed…

MOHAU Nkota. Relebohile Mofokeng. These two youngsters have fond memories of their last three visits to north Africa this season. As such when Orlando Pirates navigate their last pathway to the CAF Champions League final all eyes will be on them. Pirates will face Pyramids at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Friday (8pm) in the semi-final second leg on the back of a stalemate in Orlando a week ago. The Sea Robbers need to win the game or at least play to a scoring draw to sail to the last hurdle - the final of the competition since 2013. But given that they’ll have Nkota and Mofokeng at their disposal that will be a double-dose of boost on top of the fact that Pyramids do not have an away…

Governance issues remain as PIC sets conditions for public interest to be addressed The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has accepted Saudi Arabia-based Zahid Group’s $1.3 billion (R23bn) bid for Barloworld Group, but has set conditions to address its public interest concerns around the deal. The Zahid Group has proposed a R120 per share offer, which was a 30% premium on the share price at the time of the offer, but shareholders initially voted against the bid amid claims of governance irregularity, due to the participation of its CEO Dominic Sewela as part of the takeover consortium and claims of lack of transparency in the transaction, and despite the group’s assertion that there were now governance breaches. However, in terms of the standby offer made in February, engagements took place between…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Wednesday said the 2025 Budget process has instilled important lessons, relating to improving transparency in decision-making processes and that the current budgetary process is not transparent and inclusive enough. The 2025 Budget has brought into sharp focus the government's revenue-raising and expenditure measures after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana proposed a controversial 0.5 percentage point increase in the value-added tax. Speaking at the 2025 Budget Roundtable discussion, Mashatile said a transparent process was one that allowed for public participation, scrutiny, and informed decision-making, ultimately leading to better resource allocation and improved service delivery to the citizenry. "In fact, the foremost lesson we have learned is that we need to return to the concept of the people's budget, this was advocated by Ben Turok, and Joanamarrie…

I recently found myself in a local salon, getting my daughter and niece ready for the upcoming school term. It was supposed to be a routine visit; just a little back-to-school grooming, but as I settled into the comfortable chair and watched the buzz of women working around me, something far more meaningful unfolded. The salon owner, Sibongile, moved confidently between her clients, her voice calm, her hands assured. As someone who works with entrepreneurs, I’m always alert to stories that don't make headlines but quietly shape our communities. Sibongile’s story, as she shared it while gently parting my niece’s hair, struck me deeply. She began her business in 2015 with two chairs, one mirror, and a dream. The garage where she started has since transformed into a vibrant hair…

Capitec, the digital bank with more than half of South Africa as clients, increased headline earnings 30% to R13.7 billion as its diversification initiatives over recent years started to unlock value for its clients and the bank. The share price surged 7.1% to R3 350.77 on the JSE Wednesday afternoon after the release of the results for the year to February 28, while the JSE All Share Index was only up by 0.28%, which indicated that investors were also optimistic about the bank’s prospects. Over the past five years, the bank's journey has included the introduction of business banking, value-added services (VAS), Capitec Connect, and insurance under its own insurance licence. This diversification leveraged the group’s active client base, which now exceeds 24 million, with 13 million of the clients…

Shares in South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare dropped more than 30% on Wednesday, a day after the company issued a profit warning over what it called a “material contractual dispute”. Aspen alerted shareholders to the dispute after the close of the local stock market on Tuesday. It said it related to a manufacturing and technology agreement with a contract manufacturing customer for mRNA products, saying details were subject to contractual confidentiality. Normalised earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from its manufacturing business could be R2 billion lower than last guided in its full-year results, it added. By 14h10 on Wednesday its shares were down about 32%. On a Wednesday call, Aspen said the dispute had come “from left field” and management was not aware of it at the time of…

There’s something strangely satisfying about watching childhood classics being flipped into horrors. Aladdin is the latest to get a terrifying reimagining, and no, there’s no magic carpet ride to save the day in this version. Titled Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw, the film swaps out the sunny streets of Agrabah for modern-day London, where the story follows a man named Aladdin who inherits an ancient monkey’s paw said to grant wishes. But as with most things that seem too good to be true, there’s a catch. Every wish comes with a soul-shattering price, and the evil it unleashes doesn’t go quietly. It’s a far cry from the 1992 animated musical that many grew up on, or even the polished 2019 live-action remake. This time, the tone is unapologetically sinister, more nightmares…

Discussions around bilateral relations and expanding bilateral cooperation, and the exploration of cooperation in support of efforts to build lasting peace, will be on the agenda when President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on an official visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today. According to the South African Presidency, Zelenskyy’s visit will be the first by a Ukrainian head of state to South Africa. On June 16, 2023, Ramaphosa visited Ukraine as part of the Africa Peace Initiative to Ukraine. The presidency said the visit will allow South Africa and Ukraine to discuss bilateral relations and expand bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, and education, and explore areas of cooperation in support of efforts to build lasting peace. However, in a recent…

A 52-year-old Detective Warrant Officer from the Polokwane Crime Intelligence Unit has been arrested for allegedly submitting fraudulent petrol claims. According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the State Security Agency (SSA) grew suspicious after detecting irregularities in petrol claims submitted by the officer. “The matter came to light when a report was received from the State Security Agency (SSA) concerning suspicious petrol claims submitted by the suspect. Upon reviewing the claims, it was noted that all attached petrol slips were photocopies, prompting immediate concern.” Ledwaba added that as soon as the matter was brought to the police’s attention, an investigation was launched immediately, and the officer was summoned to appear in court. “A case docket was registered, and the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit took over the investigation. Once it…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for urgent accountability after irregular expenditure within the Gauteng Department of Social Development surged to over R1.3 billion, severely affecting welfare services to the province’s most vulnerable citizens. An additional R210 million in irregular expenditure was incurred between April and December 2024, despite repeated warnings from the Auditor-General. No investigations have been initiated, and officials and politicians continue to act with impunity. “Despite the repeated warnings of the Auditor-General, no investigations have been launched into the Department’s financial mismanagement, nor has any consequence management been implemented. Officials and politicians act with impunity, as if the law does not apply to them,” said Alan Fuchs, DA Gauteng Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). The DA has accused Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Social…

Thembi Dunjana is one of South Africa’s most captivating jazz voices. A pianist and composer rooted in the rich musical heritage of Cape Town, she blends traditional African rhythms with contemporary jazz to create a sound that is both soulful and strikingly original. Thembi’s debut album, Intyatyambo (2020), was a bold two-disc exploration that seamlessly blended neo-soul, Cape jazz, and hard-swinging jazz elements. This ambitious project earned her two Mzansi Jazz Awards in 2021 for Best Female Artist and Best Jazz Song. Building upon this success, she graced stages at prestigious festivals, including the Oslo Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.​ In 2025, Thembi released her sophomore album, God Bless iKapa, a heartfelt tribute to Cape Town and South Africa. Thembi is set to perform…

During the apartheid era, there were many amoral sports stars, artists, speakers, academics and other supposed celebrities who infamously visited South Africa as guests of the racist Nationalist regime. To counter the sporting and cultural ban, “low-key” tours of South Africa were organised. Their intention in organising and participating in these events or tournaments was to break the sporting and cultural boycott against the regime. As an ardent cricket fan, I specifically remember the English rebel cricket tour of 1990 led by Mike Gatting, which had to be aborted due to massive protests against these mercenary cricketers. Like the delegation of South African parliamentarians who visited apartheid Israel on a very one-sided ‘fact-finding mission’, these Nationalist party supporters also reported via the mass media that they did not witness…

There’s something special and alluring about a Mini. Perhaps it’s the way it has grabbed the imagination of millions around the world since it was first introduced in 1959 and started a craze for cool small cars that’s been etched into the annals of motoring pop culture. It also helped that the Mini won the Monte Carlo rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967 that made people sit up and notice that it wasn’t just a cute little car. BMW took over the company in the mid 90s and thank goodness they continue to keep that fun element and have managed to keep the mini DNA running throughout the various models, something that Volkswagen failed to do with the equally iconic Beetle. Remembering Growing up in the 80s, a friend’s mom…

MAMELODI Sundowns are going to need a bit of magic to overcome Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League semi-final second leg clash in Cairo on Friday night. Tied at 0-0 after the first leg, the continental giants are evenly-poised as to their chances of reaching the final. As they look to add a second star above their club’s crest, the South African champions can do with some magical spark to overcome a Red Devils outfit seeking to rule the continent an unprecedented third successive time. And who better to provide it than the man who has been their talisman in recent years when they’ve dominated domestic football and competed admirably in Africa. Themba Zwane is nowhere near the player he used to be before he tore his Achilles' heel…

The Stormers never won a single Super Rugby title. Not even Bobby Skinstad’s legendary “Men in Black” team of 1999. In fact, they did not even get past the semifinals. The best result the Stormers achieved was runners-up in the historic 2010 Soweto showpiece. For many years my steadfast belief was the Stormers simply never had a flyhalf that could act as the puppet master. Someone who could pull the strings like he was in charge of the show. It certainly created heated debate in the office with our former sports editor Ian Smit championing Peter Grant’s capabilities against my assertions. And this from a man that held Michael du Plessis in reverence. I always pointed to the Crusaders’ championship winning teams who boasted Andrew Mehrtens and the great “DC”…