Indice dei contenuti per 2025-10-01 in Star

African countries overhaul energy and gas regulations to attract investors, SA remains a laggard Many African countries have overhauled their oil and gas regulatory and policy frameworks to make it easier for international companies to operate, explore and obtain production licenses, but South Africa remains a laggard. This emerged on Monday, during the first day of the African Energy Week conference that was being held in Cape Town, where even the opening dancers were singing "drill, baby, drill", words that only two years ago might have seemed an anathema to energy conferences, because the focus then was on decarbonisation and the renewable energy transition. With renewable energy now seemingly at the tail-end of delegate discussions, Kosmos chief executive Andrew Inglis pointed out that oil and gas resources are key to…

South Africa’s formal sector shed 80 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2025, a 0.8% decline from March, raising renewed concerns about the country’s stubbornly high unemployment levels. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Tuesday that total employment fell from 10.59 million in March to 10.51 million in June. The sharpest losses came from community services, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport, and business services. Mining and electricity were the only industries to record gains. Year-on-year, employment dropped by 229 000 jobs, or 2.1%. Full-time employment also contracted by 44 000 jobs during the quarter, driven by losses in community services, business services, manufacturing, construction, trade and transport, while part-time employment fell by 36 000 jobs. Economists said the figures underline South Africa’s persistent jobs crisis. North-West University Business School’s…

Sibanye-Stillwater and its partners in the Castle consortium celebrated the significant milestone of the launch and commercial operation of its Castle wind farm project. The Castle is the largest private-offtake wind farm in operation in South Africa to date. The Group’s renewable energy programme is a key lever for decarbonisation, given that 92% of Group emissions originate from the power utility Eskom. Sibanye-Stillwater has developed a targeted 600 megawatt (MW) pipeline of solar and wind projects which, combined with other energy management initiatives, will displace 30% of current Eskom supply with low-cost, renewable energy by 2027. Sibanye-Stillwater said progress towards this target has been made through the construction of three wind and one solar project totalling 407MW of generation capacity that is expected to be in commercial operation by end…

The 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal laid bare a systemic crisis reflecting how on average, any South African city will be found wanting should such a disaster reoccur. Within a matter of days, heavy rains left 448 people dead, displaced over 20 000 households and caused massive infrastructure. eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality became a national case study in how climate-driven disasters collide with governance challenges. In the aftermath of the calamity, a recent report by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) shows that the impact of the floods was magnified by chronic underinvestment, historical inequalities, and a lack of enforcement of municipal legislation, policies and by-laws in eThekwini. The report was written to assess changes that have been made by the city following the 2022 floods, to plan for future such disasters. The…

Zimbabwe’s largest retailer, OK Zimbabwe, has reported a sharp slump in earnings, with full-year revenues to March 2025 plunging 53% to $240 million (R4.1 billion), pushing the group into a loss of $29.6m (R511 million). The retailer, which competes against Pick n Pay-branded outlets in a tightening market, said on Tuesday that the performance was impacted by supply chain disruptions, currency volatility, and increasing competition from informal traders. In the full year to March 2025, OK Zimbabwe performed a comprehensive impairment review of its cash-generating units (CGUs), recording an impairment of $10.3m due to “constrained operational capacity” which resulted in some stock-outs. The impairments were mainly a result of the recoverable amounts of certain cash-generating units being “lower than their respective carrying” amounts. Additionally, a net exchange gain of…

The Gibela Rail Transport Consortium has confirmed the appointment of Reggie Boqo as CEO, effective 1 October 2025, after acting in the position since April 2024. Before stepping into the acting role, Boqo was Gibela’s chief financial officer (CFO) from 2018, where he provided robust financial leadership and contributed to the company’s localisation strategy. Announcing the appointment on Monday, Gibela Rail board chairperson, Irene Charnley, praised Boqo’s leadership qualities and track record. “Mr Boqo has demonstrated the vision, leadership and integrity that we require to take Gibela Rail into its next chapter,” Charnley said. “Under his stewardship, Gibela Rail has continued to perform to our expectations. His permanent appointment signals our confidence in his ability to deliver on our long-term commitments and build on the strong foundation laid in…

John Whitmore is remembered as the pioneer of surfing in South Africa, a man whose influence shaped the sport for generations. Author Miles Masterson has captured Whitmore’s life in the self-published biography The Oom, tracing the journey of the man who discovered iconic surf spots such as Elands Bay, Jeffreys Bay and Bruce’s Beauties, and who introduced Hobie Cats and modern surfboards to South Africa. Whitmore also connected with California’s “Dana Point Mafia” in the 1960s, a crew of pioneering board-builders and wave-riders who shaped the global surf scene, and played a role in inspiring Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer. Masterson, who grew up on the Atlantic Seaboard and began surfing at Hout Bay in 1979, holds vivid memories of Whitmore’s influence throughout his early years of surfing. “We used…

The Tembisa Hospital scandal has ignited a firestorm of criticism against the Government of National Unity (GNU) and prompted urgent calls for accountability. As revelations of corruption and mismanagement surface, politicians and analysts alike are demanding that those responsible face criminal penalties, a sentiment growing increasingly loud amid characterisations of South Africa descending into a “mafia state”. This follows a damning Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report exposing the looting of over R2 billion at Tembisa Hospital, with companies allegedly linked to Vusi “Cat” Matlala and Morgan Maumela at the centre of the scandal. The scandal echoes the warnings of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran, who flagged R850 million in suspicious payments before she was gunned down in 2021. While many of the officials implicated in the scandal have quietly resigned, only 11…

The father of Constable Boipelo Senoge, 20, one of three police officers who went missing earlier this year and were later found dead in the Hennops River in Centurion, says the past five months have been incredibly difficult for the family. He said Boipelo was the sole breadwinner. Constables Keamogetswe Buys, 30, Boipelo, and Cebekhulu Linda, 24, were all reported missing before their bodies were recovered days later from the Hennops River. The trio, who were stationed in the Free State, drowned in April after their white Volkswagen Polo was swept into the river during heavy rains. Buys and Linda were part of Operation Vala Umgodi in Limpopo, a police task force targeting illicit mining activities. Buys served in the cybercrime division, while Linda worked in crime intelligence. Senoge was…

The South African Football Association must take full accountability for the monumental blunder that’s cost Bafana Bafana their top spot in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers. As a country, we watched with pride as Bafana delivered one of their best qualifying campaigns in 25 years, believing the team would book their place in North America with ease. Now, they face the massive task of winning both remaining games and praying other results go their way. Their fate was once in their hands. Not anymore. All because someone couldn’t keep track of yellow cards. It should have been flagged that Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to face Lesotho. Instead, Bafana’s 2-0 victory has been overturned into a 3-0 defeat. What a fiasco. If South Africa miss out on the World…

The US is once again staring down the barrel of a government shutdown, and the implications for investors in America and abroad are significant, warns the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organisations. Congress has failed to pass the necessary funding bills, with the deadline expiring tomorrow. Unless lawmakers strike a last-minute deal, large parts of the federal government will shut down. The standoff comes against the backdrop of soaring deficits, an economy already showing cracks, and political divisions that are as wide as they have been in decades. Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, comments: “Gold prices have already surged to record highs as investors move into safe-haven assets. Treasury yields are oscillating, with history pointing to declines during shutdowns, but the…

South Africa, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and led by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), has officially launched Africa’s first comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) to combat Substandard and Falsified (SF) medical products. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi addressed the gathering via Zoom, stating that the government of South Africa, in collaboration with the WHO and led by SAHPRA, is conducting a pilot on the NAP, a member-state mechanism whose success will inform the rollout of the NAP handbook to all UN Member States. He stated that the NAP is a coordinated five-year strategy to strengthen prevention, detection, and response mechanisms in tackling SF medical products, a growing global threat to patient safety and the integrity of the health system. He added that WHO…

The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by environmental demands, technological advances, geopolitical dynamics and changing consumer patterns. In light of supply chain vulnerabilities, climate change and growing energy inequality, the conventional model, which is centred on fossil fuels and centralised infrastructure, is no longer viable. These pressures have seen a global shift in priorities, reflected in the scale and direction of energy investment. Overall investment will reach an all-time high of $3.3 trillion (R56.9 trillion) in 2025, with clean energy technologies drawing in $2.2 trillion – double that invested in oil, gas, and coal. This reflects a positive shift toward climate goals, investment in renewables, and a growing focus on energy security. At the same time, fossil fuels continue to supply around 80% of global primary…

Kaizer Chiefs will be chasing a return to winning ways when they welcome AmaZulu to FNB Stadium tonight at 7.30pm in a Betway Premiership clash with plenty riding on it for both sides. Amakhosi had started the campaign brightly with a five-match unbeaten run that included four wins and a draw against champions Mamelodi Sundowns. But a shock defeat to Sekhukhune United and a frustrating draw with Marumo Gallants has checked their early momentum and left interim coach Ben Khalil Youssef calling for a response. Speaking ahead of the encounter, Youssef admitted that AmaZulu will pose a stern test. “I think AmaZulu is one of the best teams in the league and they play very good football with structure and DNA,” Youssef said. “We have a plan for the game…

SAFA and accountability are just like the parallel lines of a railway line, destined never to meet. This much has once again been proven by their reaction to the punishment meted out to Bafana Bafana for their having played a suspended Teboho Mokoena in that 2-0 defeat of Lesotho back in March. To the uninitiated, world governing body Fifa have – as per the rules pertaining to the use of defaulters – overturned that victory into a 3-0 win for Lesotho. As a result, Bafana have now dropped to second spot in Group C of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, behind Benin who have similar 14 points to us but enjoy a better goal difference. Having known for a while now that there was a balls-up on their…

Agriculture in South Africa sits at a crossroads. It remains the backbone of rural livelihoods, food security, and exports, yet faces mounting pressures - climate variability, declining soil health, global market volatility, and persistent inequalities in land ownership and productivity. The question we must urgently ask is: what does the future hold, and how can we steer agriculture towards resilience and inclusive growth? As climate pressures continue to escalate and food demand surges, South Africa's agricultural sector stands at a critical juncture. Recent modelling indicates that strategic investments in innovation paired with inclusive policies have the potential to transform farming into a catalyst for economic prosperity. Conversely, without decisive action, the country risks deepening its dependency on external resources, which could undermine agriculture’s long-term sustainability. The choices made today will…

Discovery Green, the renewable energy business of Discovery Limited, said on Tuesday that it has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with independent power producer Red Rocket for Tournee Solar Park, a 300 MW solar farm to be built in Standerton, Mpumalanga. Dan Ginsberg, the head of Actuarial and R&D at Discovery Green, said, “Tournee is an exciting benchmark in renewable energy projects. In terms of size, it is equivalent to 800 rugby fields and is designed for maximum efficiency and long-term reliability, delivering clean power at a scale that few projects have achieved.” Financed through a club deal arranged with Absa Bank, Standard Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Tournee is scheduled to begin operating in 2027. Andre Nepgen, the head of Discovery Green, said: “Tournee…

South Africa’s electricity transition is no longer only a national programme. Increasingly, it is unfolding at local government level, where resilience is being built through multiple interventions: expanding small-scale embedded generation (SSEG), adjusting tariff structures, and working with the private sector to increase access to affordable electricity while protecting municipal revenues. The national grid remains constrained and Eskom continues to dominate supply, but municipalities are showing that local action can reduce exposure, stimulate investment, and provide households, businesses, and indigent communities with a more reliable and affordable path forward. The core tools are not new: distributed generation, wheeling, microgrids, and storage. What is changing, is the willingness of municipalities to codify these instruments into tariffs, contracts, and policies that investors and customers can rely on. Cape Town has taken the…

Ashton Foods, safeguarding 3 000 jobs Tiger Brands has completed the disposal of its Langeberg and Ashton Foods (LAF) operation in the Western Cape, a move that has secured 3 000 jobs and paved the way for the reopening of its tomato purée and canned deciduous fruit business. The food producer announced on Tuesday that all conditions precedent for the transaction had been met, making the deal effective from 1 October 2025. “Shareholders are advised that all conditions precedent have been fulfilled and, accordingly, the Transaction is effective Wednesday, 1 October 2025. This marks a significant milestone for Tiger Brands and an exciting new chapter for LAF,” Tiger Brands said. LAF will now be owned by the Ashton Fruit Producers Co-operative and Norwegian development finance institution Norfund. The business was…

As South Africa’s iconic TV drama Generations: The Legacy enters season 34, new and old characters are set to spice things up. Local actors Sparky Xulu and Bheki Sibiya are set to join the cast while veteran actor Ronnie Nyakale reprises his role as Cosmo Diale. Sibiya will be playing G-Wagon. He’s described as “loyal to those he loves” but also “simple yet complicated”. “Joining Generations: The Legacy really does feel like coming back home. Having collaborated with the SABC on different productions over the years, stepping onto the set of the country’s longest-running soapie is truly special,” said Sibiya. He added: “It’s a real honour to be part of a show that has been such an important part of South African television and of so many people’s lives. I’m…

Following a successful run in Cape Town, CHICAGO The Musical is headed to Joburg. And if you are looking for a showstopper musical, this show, featuring a 23-member all-South African cast, an 11-piece band, and a crew and creative team, has already been receiving rave reviews for its sublime choreography, flawless execution, and jaw-dropping production value. Kiruna-Lind Devar plays Roxie Hart, a chorus girl turned murderess, while Samantha Peo takes on the iconic role of Velma Kelly, a renowned Vaudeville performer and fellow murderess. Tankiso Mamabolo portrays Matron Mama Morton, the tough yet savvy character. Meanwhile, Jonathan Roxmouth slips into the skin of the charismatic yet devious lawyer, Billy Flynn, Dean de Klerk plays Amos Hart (Roxie’s husband) and M.E. Marvey is cast as Mary Sunshine, an upbeat reporter. CHICAGO…

South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, has been found dead in Paris. The South African Government confirmed his passing, describing Mthethwa as a distinguished servant of the nation. Mthethwa, 58, was reported missing on Monday afternoon after his mobile phone was last detected near the Bois de Boulogne. The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated by French authorities. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Ronald Lamola, said: “I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community. “The Government of South Africa extends its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Ambassador Mthethwa, and to his friends and colleagues during this period of immense grief.” Mthethwa’s death brings a…

The standoff between Operation Dudula and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has escalated, with both groups trading accusations after the death of a one-year-old child who was allegedly denied treatment at the Alexandra Community Health Centre in Gauteng. Last week, the EFF announced it had opened a murder case against Operation Dudula and its leader, Zandile Dabula, accusing the movement of being responsible for the child’s death after his Malawian mother was allegedly asked to produce a South African identity document before receiving care. Dabula has rejected the claim, insisting no such case exists, and has now laid charges of her own against the EFF. She said: “Only law enforcers can open a case of murder. In this case, they were turned away. They went out there and labelled me…

SAPS national head of crime intelligence, Lieutenant-General. Dumisani Khumalo testified that businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was funding Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s delegates in ANC events, while Brown Mogotsi worked underground to leak classified police information to Matlala. Khumalo told the Madlanga Commission on Monday that Matlala made payments directly to Mogotsi in a bid to frustrate criminal investigations against him. This was a clear explanation of how the Big 5 cartel managed to infiltrate the political sphere, control the SAPS, and also influence the judiciary. “In return, Mogotsi uses his influence within the SAPS and the Ministry to manipulate SAPS processes to frustrate criminal investigations into Matlala. Also, leaks highly confidential or classified information of the SAPS to Matlala,” Khumalo said. This is the same Mogotsi that Mchunu denied knowing…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has defended comments made by ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe and President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying the party is not afraid to confront its own weaknesses in public. The remarks, made separately by the two senior leaders, sparked surprise and concern from both within the party and among members of the public. Mantashe recently said that the ANC lacks capacity to manage municipalities, stating: “We are very good on singing, but very bad on capacity.” He was addressing ANC councillors during the party’s nationwide “roll call” event, aimed at accelerating service delivery with accountability ahead of the 2026 local government elections. “I know that we have a lot of singing councillors, but we have no councils. We all sing well, but capacity dololo,” Mantashe said. “That is the…

Over the course of my career in education, which spans over 40 years and has taken me from classroom to corporate, from teens to toddlers, I’ve learned that true leadership is not about position, it’s about purpose. It’s about using your voice, your influence and your courage to challenge bias, dismantle outdated thinking and build inclusive spaces where women and girls are seen, heard and valued. My greatest teachers have often been the youngest. Children aged one to six, with their disarming honesty and insatiable curiosity, taught me the power of listening – really listening – and that joy and learning go hand in hand. “Nothing without joy,” said Reggio Emilia pioneer Loris Malaguzzi, and that has become my professional mantra and compass. Women dominate the education sector numerically, but…

Tried and tested combinations must work for the Springboks on Saturday as they look to seal back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time. Head coach Rassie Erasmus made only one change to the starting XV for the return duel at Twickenham against Argentina, with Ox Nché stepping into his familiar loosehead prop position. The minimal changes, with three more on the replacement bench, show the intent of the Boks as they look to seal the title in style following this past Saturday’s 67-30 victory over Los Pumas. Nché will add extra firepower in the scrums, and he will be frothing at the mouth to stamp his authority in the set-piece after missing the previous game with a niggle. Erasmus also confirmed a clean bill of health for players like…

South African football is once again in crisis — not because of the players, but because of those who are meant to serve them. Fifa’s three-point deduction for fielding Teboho Mokoena while he was suspended, has dragged Bafana Bafana back into a familiar mess. And while team manager Vincent Tseka must shoulder responsibility, it would be dangerously simplistic to make him the sole scapegoat. The hard truth is that Bafana have lifted their game under Hugo Broos. This is a team that reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, pushing Nigeria all the way in a penalty shootout. In World Cup qualifying, they have been consistently competitive, winning crucial matches home and away and positioning themselves strongly in Group C. The players have responded to…

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau on Tuesday said he remained optimistic about the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), despite uncertainty around its timing and duration. Agoa provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for more than 1 800 products, in addition to the more than 5 000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences program. There has been widespread uncertainty about the continuation of the Agoa after US President Donald Trump imposed hefty tariffs on goods imported to the US, including fruits, wine and other commodities from South Africa. South Africa has been trying to push the Trump administration to extend the Agoa for another five years when it expires at the end…

When 5G first arrived, it was hailed as the technology that would reinvent our lives. We were told to imagine remote surgery performed across continents, cars driving themselves on city streets, and factories humming with robotic precision, all powered by near-instantaneous connections. In South Africa, headlines celebrated Vodacom and MTN switching on their first towers in 2020, and the excitement was infectious. This was meant to be more than just faster downloads, it was the dawn of a new digital era. Five years later, the revolution still hasn’t shown up. The 5G bars on our phones rarely translate into transformative experiences. In reality, the technology has been more evolutionary than revolutionary. The hype ran ahead of the reality. Why 5G Fell Short Part of the problem lies in the infrastructure.…

After a drop from 45 to 41 in 2Q2025, the First National Bank/ BER Civil Confidence Index recovered partially to 43 in the third quarter (3Q) of 2025. The current reading means that close to 55% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions, FNB said. The uptick in sentiment contrasts with a significant decline in activity. Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, senior economist at FNB, said, “While the activity index weakened considerably in 3Q2025 compared to the previous quarter, it remains close to its long-term average. Importantly, the index has held relatively high levels in recent quarters. Since it reflects annual growth, base effects may explain the lower reading. However, if this weaker level persists over the next two or three quarters, it would be cause for concern.” According to Statistics…

Netcare is projecting adjusted headline earnings per share (HEPS) growth of 16% to 19% for the full year ending September 2025, underpinned by a forecast operating profit increase of at least 8.5%. The company on Tuesday cited robust growth in total paid patient days (PPD) and improved full-week occupancy as key drivers. Revenue for the period is expected to rise between 4.5% and 4.7%, with the company returning approximately R854 million to shareholders through share buyback program for the repurchase of 64.2 million ordinary shares at an average price of 1 324 cents per share. An additional 52.9 million shares were cancelled during the year. Netcare plans to release its full financial results next month. “Following strong growth in total paid patient days in H1 2025, consistent with expectations and…

Gospel singer and preacher Danie Botha has apologised for his claims about the timing of the biblical rapture. The apology follows a week of social media discussions that have gone viral, where people debated predictions about the end-times event. Many social media users reacted with a mix of concern and humour as predictions spread online. The conversation began with South African self-styled messenger Joshua Mhlakela, who claimed the rapture would occur on Tuesday or Wednesday, September 23 and 24. Mhlakela shared his prediction during an interview on the YouTube channel CettwinzTV, saying he had received a vision. “I saw Jesus sitting on His throne,” Mhlakela said, “and I heard the words: ‘I am coming soon. I will come back to Earth.’” He emphasised that the rapture – a Christian belief…

Walter Kolade Spearheart, known professionally as Spearheart, has spent decades evolving as a musician, traversing continents and exploring the emotional and spiritual dimensions of music. His journey began in the early 2000s as a rap artist. Since then, he has developed into a singer-songwriter, therapeutic harpist and acoustic guitarist. Over the years, he has blended genres into an immersive sound that connects with listeners on multiple levels. Spearheart’s latest project, a five-track EP titled Awakening, has attracted international attention. The EP marks a new chapter in a career that began in Nigeria and has spanned Cape Town, London and Atlanta. His music integrates elements of soul, Afro-gospel, cinematic folk and inspirational rock. With a harp in hand, Spearheart channels the emotional resonance of Enya, the orchestral drama of Coldplay and…

South Africa’s 23-year wait for automatic qualification to a FIFA World Cup has been a mixture of triumphs and setbacks, and the final round of qualifying matches in October has become the most crucial step in Bafana Bafana’s pursuit of this long-awaited achievement. The setback came off the field on Monday, when South Africa were docked three points and their 2-0 win against Lesotho in March was overturned to a 3-0 loss. The South African Football Association (Safa), the custodian of football in the country, handed a R215 000 fine for negligence after team manager Vincent Tseka failed to account for midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s suspension. Mokoena was not supposed to play against Lesotho in March, having picked up two yellow cards in previous matches. For much of this campaign, coach…

A woman who was sentenced more than 29 years ago to 60 years’ imprisonment, with the judge ordering at the time that she had to serve at least 50 years behind bars before she is even considered for parole, has a flickering of hope that she may be released soon. Come January next year, Evilina Moloi will have been in jail for three decades. She has, over the years, tried to appeal this non-parole period stipulated by the now deceased judge. Moloi was faced with obstacles such as missing court records and limited legal support. However, a full bench (three judges) of the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, eventually came to her rescue and ordered that the part of the late judge’s order that she must remain in jail for at…

Police in Limpopo are investigating a shocking incident at Namakgale Shopping Complex, where a 45-year-old man attacked his wife, killing two and injuring a store manager. Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the incident occurred on September 28 at around 17:16 at Namakgale Shopping Complex, when police were called to a shooting inside a retail wholesaler. Officers arrived to find three people on the ground, bleeding and visibly injured. He added that the husband chased his wife into the wholesaler, where she tried to hide, but the armed suspect pursued her. “The victim sought refuge in the shop manager’s office, but the suspect fired two shots into the office, injuring the manager. He then dragged the woman out, stabbed her several times, and fatally shot her.” Mashaba revealed that after…

As South Africa gears up for the 2026 local government elections, the battle over illegal immigration is heating up, and political parties are clashing in their stances. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) warns against “xenophobic panic” over the issue, while the ANC Youth League links surging illegal immigration to escalating crime. The DA points fingers at government corruption for border chaos, and ActionSA sounds the alarm over undocumented foreigners and deep systemic failures at Home Affairs. With tensions mounting, the immigration debate is shaping up as one of the most explosive issues of the upcoming elections. EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo has rejected claims that South Africa’s immigration crisis will dominate next year’s local government elections, describing the so-called crisis as xenophobic and arguing that voters consistently refuse to reward…

Over the past week, two big announcements from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have drawn public attention. SASSA confirmed that social grant payments will continue despite legal and contractual woes and revealed an increase in grant amounts beginning in October. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, why it matters, and what recipients should expect. Key announcements: 1. Continuity of grant payments despite termination of service contract SASSA has confirmed that social grant payments will continue uninterrupted. This comes despite the Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Postbank being terminated. A recent ruling by the North Gauteng High Court dismissed Postbank’s urgent application to block the termination. The judge held that the matter was not sufficiently urgent and that Postbank had long been aware of SASSA’s intentions. SASSA CEO Themba…

As Heritage Month comes to a close, it’s a moment to pause and reflect on the threads that weave our nation together. This month, we celebrated the richness of our stories, our resilience, and the diversity that defines South Africa. From languages and music to food, traditions, and everyday acts of community, Heritage Month reminded us that our heritage is alive, not just in history books, but in the people we meet, the conversations we share, and the pride we carry in our roots. Heritage is not a day or a month on the calendar, it’s the heartbeat of our nation, present in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the communities we nurture. It lives in the laughter around a family table, the songs that echo across…

Sune Luus knows all about World Cup pressure, having been entrusted with the Proteas’ captaincy on the eve of the last tournament after Dane van Niekerk suffered a freak accident. There was little time to dwell on the responsibility, and Luus simply had to lead a Proteas side packed with senior players such as Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Mignon du Preez, Trisha Chetty, Masabata Klaas and Lizelle Lee. Having made her debut as a 16-year-old in 2012, Luus commanded the respect of her peers and guided the Proteas to consecutive semi-final appearances against England. The all-rounder developed into the role superbly, her measured leadership style complementing Van Niekerk’s more combative approach. Under Luus, the Proteas reached their first-ever T20 World Cup final the following year. Luus has since stepped down,…

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest Ballon d’Or winner in history last week at 18, and today’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain offers the ideal opportunity to begin staking his claim for next year. PSG star Ousmane Dembélé won the award for the world’s best player but is sidelined with injury and will miss the match at the Olympic Stadium, leaving runner-up Yamal centre stage. Last season, the then 17-year-old inspired Barcelona’s charge to the semi-finals, and despite two outstanding displays against Inter Milan, Hansi Flick’s side fell just short. They missed out on facing PSG in the final, as the French side crushed Inter to claim their first Champions League trophy. Yamal pledged to bring the cup back to Barcelona, who have not lifted it since…

The Spar Proteas will be hoping to apply the lessons from a hard-fought Test series in New Zealand, where they came agonisingly close to a win in the final match, to an equally challenging three-Test series against world No 1 Australia. The national netball team showed great fight against the Silver Ferns in the third and final Test of the Taini Jamison Trophy series in Invercargill on Sunday, before the hosts snatched a 57–56 victory in the dying seconds to complete a 3–0 series sweep. For the first time in 40 meetings between the two nations, the Proteas led the Silver Ferns in two quarters, thanks to their intensity, speed and all-round hustle. But errors in judgement and execution late in the match proved costly, as they struggled to sustain…