Tabla de contenidos para 2026-04-13 en Star

Marathon 21-hour negotiations reach dead end as US Vice President admits to sharp disagreements United States Vice President JD Vance on Sunday declined to address mounting concerns over the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following stalled Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, even as new data points to a deepening crisis in one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints. Speaking after a marathon 21 hours of negotiations in Pakistan, Vance confirmed that the US and Iran had failed to reach an agreement, with Washington insisting on firm guarantees that Tehran would not pursue nuclear weapons. “The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly…

South Africa has taken a significant step to expand its agricultural exports after reaching a new phytosanitary agreement with People’s Republic of China to amend cold treatment requirements for citrus exports, a move expected to improve efficiency and unlock further growth in a key market. The agreement, signed in Pretoria between Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng, has been widely welcomed by industry stakeholders, including the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa. Steenhuisen described the development as a major milestone in strengthening trade relations and expanding opportunities for South African producers. “It will cement our position as the biggest exporter of citrus to the PRC,” he said. The Department of Agriculture said the revised cold treatment protocols are designed to improve export efficiency, reduce costs for producers…

The applications of the Lehohla Ledger are vast and versatile. The Ledger demonstrates its capacity as a diagnostic tool for the two decade evasive phenomena from implementing the District Development Model (DDM). I selected three areas in South Africa and generated a schematic of Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) Map comparing Mitchells Plain, Soweto, and Nobody. This illustrates the diagnostic power of the 2752 instruments derived from my 3000 columns written over a career of twenty four years. These instruments diagnose and provide pathways to solutions that are driven by the quest and pursuit for intergenerational value. Through this South African 'Subterranean Mesh' we interrogate at three distinct metabolic states: the 'Dormitory Disconnect' of the Cape, the 'Relentless Pulse' of Gauteng, and the 'Traditional Stagnation' of Limpopo. Each…

Kumba Iron Ore has made progress on its R11,2 billion ultra-high dense media separation processing plant at Sishen, which aims to secure the life of mine to 2041 and significantly increase the volume of premium grade product, said the CEO Mpumi Zikalala. Writing in the annual report released Friday, she said 37% of the overall project was complete and 90% of all engineering work was done. Critical milestones for the main tie-in of the bulk materials handling systemwere scheduled to be reached for the second half of 2026. On the development of low-carbon steelmaking technologies, the group is working with an Anglo American team – and with industry bodies, suppliers and academia – to research and pilot feed strategies for lower-carbon steel technologies, and to develop a portfolio of…

Durban's uShaka Marine World's Wet 'n Wild will be closed for three weeks to allow for maintenance. eThekwini Municipality said the waterpark will be closed between May 4 and May 26 for the planned maintenance programme. "The timing of this maintenance has been carefully planned to coincide with the Waterpark’s low season to minimise disruption to visitors. The work will prioritise several key attractions, including the Waterpark’s three highest slides, the popular 5‑Lane Racer slides, as well as the resurfacing of multiple pools throughout the facility," the City said. Visitors can still visit the tourist attraction for the Sea World, Kids World, Sea Animal Encounters, and Dangerous Creatures sites. In February, the water park was closed following an unexpected pipe burst that led to significant flooding in the plant room,…

Why I love documentaries is simple: they dig into stories we think we already know, but then hit us with layers we didn’t even see coming. The ones that make you go, “Wait. So all that actually happened?”, even when you thought you already knew the headlines. Lamar Odom was once the headline magnet. Even if you only watched Keeping Up With the Kardashians at sleepovers, you know the moment his health crisis became global news. He was an NBA champion, a Sixth Man of the Year, and an all‑around court magician. Then came the world watching him nearly die on that Las Vegas motel floor, battling an overdose that left fans asking the same question: How did we get here? Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom on…

Nine police officers have been arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in connection with the alleged murder of three civilians and a fellow officer, Constable Mojalefa Borole, following an incident in Bultfontein in the Free State. The arrests, carried out on Saturday, relate to an incident that took place on September 22, 2024, in Phahameng township. The officers, attached to the Bultfontein Public Order Police Unit, are facing four counts of murder. IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Public Order Police members had responded to “a call of a domestic dispute in Phahameng township, Bultfontein in the Free State, where family members were allegedly involved in a fight”. He said it was further alleged that “as police officers tried to apprehend them, they locked themselves inside the house and…

South Africa’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) system, which requires physical documents to be submitted to authorities, has come under scrutiny with allegations of bid-rigging and the disappearance of certain documents from bids, with digitisation as a suggested solution. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry recently heard how the City of Tshwane was taken to court by bidders because documents had gone missing from the bid submissions. This was in relation to the now-controversial R2.9 billion security tender, TMPD 02-2016/2017 which included two components: monthly payments for watchman services covering the 22 security companies and ad hoc services assigned as needed to suit the requirements of various municipal departments. The Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, asked Tshukudu Malatji, a Director for Asset Protection Services at the City of Tshwane Metro…

The ANC Greater Tshwane Region says it welcomes the interviews of witnesses from the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) who appeared before the Madlanga Commission. The organisation said it has long raised concerns about corruption and maladministration within the department and other institutions under the DA-led administration, which it says contributed to the collapse of governance in the city. Regional Secretary George Matjila said: “It has always been a worrying factor for the ANC on how this department and others would have been plunged into objects of malfeasance and the depth of corruption over the years under the DA led administration and those it governed with, and has led to the collapse of the entire governance system in the city.” The ANC Greater Tshwane Region said that in February it…

South African broadcaster and journalist Masechaba Mposwa has announced her immediate resignation as anchor of Newzroom Afrika’s Weekend Report. Mposwa confirmed her departure in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), bringing an abrupt end to her tenure on the early morning weekend news programme. “Dear all, I have decided to step away from my role as anchor of the Weekend Report on Newzroom Afrika with immediate effect,” she said. She also expressed gratitude to viewers and supporters who tuned in regularly. “To every viewer & to my supporters who woke up with me from 6am every Saturday & Sunday, thank you for making this show the success that it is.” No reasons were provided for her sudden exit. Mposwa is a seasoned media professional with a long-standing career in…

LAWYERS for Sean “Diddy” Combs urged an appeals court to overturn the US hip-hop mogul’s prison term of more than four years for prostitution-related crimes. Combs, 56, was sentenced in October after a salacious trial that detailed the alleged “freak-offs” he organised: sexual marathons involving hired male escorts and his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, and another unidentified woman. He was acquitted by a jury of the most serious charges against him – sex trafficking and racketeering – but convicted of two counts of transporting people across state lines for prostitution. The disgraced artist was not present at the Manhattan courthouse last week Thursday as defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro sought to persuade a three-judge panel that Combs’s sentence of four years and two months was unfairly long for his crimes. “The evidence…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has this week approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, seeking an order to reinstate criminal charges against members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and its former head, Major General Johan Booysen. Through its first deputy president and parliamentary leader, Dr John Hlophe, MKP had on April 7 furnished the court with a 54-page affidavit, which it obtained from the Rondebosch SAPS station in Cape Town. The party also wants Booysen and another Hawks officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Johannes Eugene van Tonder, to return an amount of money, which was given to them by the state as compensation for their unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution. Booysen received R1.3 million, while more than R1.2m went to Van Tonder. Cited as respondents in the MKP’s application…

Kaizer Chiefs combined momentum with maturity to finally snap a five-year winless run against TS Galaxy, securing a controlled 2-0 victory at FNB Stadium to strengthen their grip on a CAF Confederation Cup spot. Amakhosi arrived on the back of three consecutive wins and immediately imposed themselves on proceedings, dominating possession and territory from the first whistle. The result sees Chiefs move to 42 points, opening a three-point gap over fourth-placed AmaZulu, while still holding two games in hand — a significant advantage in the race for continental qualification. However, co-coach Cedric Kaze has urged his sides to remain grounded despite reaching this significant milestone, warning that recent progress will count for little without sustained focus. “We need to keep pressure, pressure on everyone, in training, out of training to…

AmaZulu’s fightback to earn a point away to Siwelele in Saturday’s Betway Premiership clash may have underlined their resilience, but it also reinforced a concern that is becoming harder to ignore – that the KZN side are increasingly reliant on being rescued. In the space of a week, Usuthu have dropped four points in matches where they enjoyed enough control to expect more. In a congested race, that is not simply a stumble; it is the kind of gradual drift that can quietly undo a Top 3 push. The 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein followed a now-familiar script. AmaZulu found themselves chasing the game before turning, once again, to the bench for a solution, with Mlondi Mbanjwa delivering a late equaliser after they were reduced to 10 men. On its own,…

Manchester City ignited the English Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea, as they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s teams produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday. Second-placed City are now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City are hitting form at just the right time. A…

South Africa’s sugar industry is set to accelerate efforts to diversify beyond traditional sugar production following the signing of Phase 2 of the Sugar Cane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030, with stakeholders placing innovation and new product development at the centre of the sector’s future. The agreement, signed in Durban under the oversight of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi, marks a renewed commitment by government, industry and labour to reposition the sector as a more dynamic and sustainable contributor to the economy. Godlimpi stated that the second phase of the master plan signals a turning point for the industry, moving it away from a prolonged period of instability towards a more growth-oriented trajectory. Central to this shift is a strong focus on diversification, particularly into…

For businesses, last week’s fuel price increase of over R3 per litre for petrol and R7 per litre for diesel, is a direct hit to operating costs, impacting supply chains, production lines and distribution networks. In sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining and logistics, where fuel is a core input rather than a discretionary expense, this is a hit which is difficult to absorb. With more petrol price increases on the horizon, fuel costs can become a trigger for financial distress across key sectors, so early intervention is important to protect the business and preserve value. South African businesses are well accustomed to operating under sustained pressure. Loadshedding, elevated interest rates, civil unrest, constrained demand and margin compression have become embedded features of the commercial environment. The ongoing crisis in…

South Africa’s agricultural machinery sales recorded their first decline in over a year in March 2026, signalling a pause in momentum amid rising input costs and ongoing uncertainty in the farming sector. According to data released by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association, tractor sales fell by nearly 8% year-on-year to 618 units in March, down from 671 units sold in the same month last year. Combine harvester sales also declined sharply, dropping to 29 units from 37 units a year earlier. Willie Human, chairman of the association, said the slowdown reflects a combination of external pressures weighing on farmers’ investment decisions. “On a year-to-date basis, tractor sales are now approximately 2% up on last year. Twenty-nine combine harvesters were sold in March, eight fewer than the 37 units sold…

The South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) recently released its report on its successes and challenges over the past year. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is encouraged by SARS’ steady turnaround and congratulates its 14 500 employees on their outstanding achievements, including surpassing R2 trillion in revenue collections and especially in exceeding 2024’s tax collections by 8.4% or R155 billion in taxes owed to the state. We are proud of these dedicated public servants, most of whom are members of COSATU’s affiliate, NEHAWU. The remarkable turnaround of SARS from being at the epicentre of the state capture project and that was systematically decapacitated, to once again becoming a centre of public sector excellence and ramping up the fight against tax evasion and customs fraud; confirms the state’s invaluable…

Standard Bank has reported a notable rise in consumer spending over the Easter 2026 period, pointing to continued resilience in household demand and growing digital transaction trends across South Africa. According to data released by the bank, total point-of-sale (POS) transaction values increased by more than 1% compared to the same Easter period in 2025. More significantly, transaction values rose by 18.82% year-on-year, while transaction volumes climbed by 19.87%, reflecting robust activity across sectors and regions. The bank said the figures, based on consolidated transaction activity recorded through its merchant acquiring platform as of 7 April 2026, provide a broad view of economic activity and evolving consumer behaviour during one of the busiest retail periods of the year. “These results highlight sustained momentum in trading activity and point to a…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and former head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU), Major General Wally Rhoode, have been accused of contravening the Criminal Procedure Act by failing to report the theft at Phala Phala farm to the local police station. International law Professor Andre Thomashausen said both Ramaphosa and Rhoode could have opened a criminal case at a local police station, allowing police to perform their duties as normal. The remarks came after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) found that the PPU, under Rhoode, abused state resources and invoked Ramaphosa’s name to shield their unauthorised and unlawful investigation into the 2020 theft at the Phala Phala farm. The report identified misuse of state resources, including vehicles, flights and accommodation, for what was treated as a private matter. Travel documents…

American rapper Offset is currently recovering after being shot near a casino in Florida and is also dealing with a casino debt of $100 000 (R1.64 million) According to TMZ, the MotorCity Casino Hotel is suing the rapper, claiming he opened a $100 000 credit line with the casino so he could keep a night of gambling fun going back in March 2024. A representative for Offset , whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, told TMZ: “We are working toward a resolution.” According to documents obtained by TMZ, the casino couldn’t reach Offset and tried to withdraw the money directly from his account, per the agreement when he opened the credit line. However, allegedly, there wasn’t enough money in it to pay off the debt. The casino is suing…

President Cyril Ramaphosa is under mounting pressure to act decisively against National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, following confirmation that he has been served with a court summons linked to the controversial Medicare24 police contract. Masemola is expected to appear in court on April 21, a development that has intensified scrutiny over the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and raised urgent questions about accountability at the highest level of policing. The pressure comes amid widening controversy around Masemola, including explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry by suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya. Sibiya has alleged that Masemola was fully aware of, and had discussed, plans to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), contradicting claims that the national commissioner was caught off guard by…

South Africa is on the cusp of decriminalising sex work, as the government moves closer to the final stages of decriminalising the trade in South Africa. The justice department told IOL last week Thursday that a bill to decriminalise adult sex work was being finalised. This follows a meeting in Pretoria between deputy justice minister Andries Nel and sex worker organisations, including the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, or Sweat. The meeting, held Wednesday last week, was to provide an update on progress after more than a dozen government departments took part in workshops to hammer out the details of a new regulatory framework. At present, selling sex, buying sex, or earning money from it in any way is illegal in SA. The government has already backed decriminalisation, and…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has used the conviction of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament Visvin Gopal Reddy to send a strong warning about the dangers of political rhetoric, stressing that even words alone can carry criminal consequences. Reddy was sentenced in the Durban Regional Court after pleading guilty to incitement to commit public violence, in connection with remarks he made during a March 2024 political rally in Shallcross, south of Durban. But beyond the sentence, a R30 000 fine or ten months’ imprisonment, half suspended, the NPA emphasised a critical legal principle: that incitement is judged not by whether violence actually occurs, but by what could reasonably happen as a result of the words spoken. In his plea, Reddy admitted that his statements, in which he…

There is a particular kind of moment in history when the powerful, in their arrogance, do something so naked, so unfiltered, that the mythology holding power together cracks in real time. The US’ war against Iran has been that moment. Not because the US has never behaved this way before, it has, consistently and for decades. But because Donald Trump does not do subtlety. Where previous administrations conducted the same foreign policy through carefully worded press releases and diplomatic euphemism, Trump announces it on Truth Social in all-capitals. He posted that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again”, unless Iran met his demands. He didn’t create a new American foreign policy. He simply made the old one visible and once you’ve seen it, you cannot…

Gerda Steyn may have extended her remarkable reign with a seventh consecutive Two Oceans Ultra Marathon title, but the South African icon made it clear after Saturday’s victory in Cape Town that she is far from finished. Her latest triumph reinforces her status as the dominant force in the race, yet Steyn struck a notably reflective tone – balancing deep satisfaction with an honest acknowledgment that time is beginning to creep into the conversation. “The goal (Saturday) for me was first of all to win a seventh consecutive Two Oceans in a row, so for that I’m very happy and I feel like I’ve achieved what I set out to do,” she said. While the result adds another layer to an already glittering legacy, Steyn’s focus is no longer just…

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has included 10 uncapped players in a 34-player squad for the team’s first alignment camp of 2026, which started yesterday. With a demanding season ahead – including the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in May, two home Tests against the US in July, and a September clash with New Zealand’s Black Ferns – De Bruin has prioritised integrating new talent into the national set-up. A total of 14 Tests are scheduled for the year, making early alignment a key focus for De Bruin. The inclusion of 10 new players is a notable feature of the squad, offering emerging players an opportunity to stake a claim alongside more experienced internationals at the camp, which ends tomorrow. Their call-ups come partly in response to the absence…

Durban City find themselves at crossroads as their eventful first season in the PSL comes to its conclusion. On one hand they have a spot in the final of the Nedbank Cup and on the other, a chance to finish in the Top 8 of the Betway Premiership. That’s two huge opportunities for a team as green as Durban City, both of which come with immense pressure. And for the first time this season, the Citizens have started look like the pressure is getting to them. From failing to create any scoring chances against Sundowns at home, to being outplayed by provincial rivals Golden Arrows, City’s recent form suggests a slide in concentration and energy levels. This was evident in the first half of the Arrows encounter; there was simply…

South Africa’s two major trade unions in the metals and broader industrial sectors have thrown their weight behind Eskom’s 62c/kWh electricity tariff agreement with key smelting companies, describing it as a critical intervention to safeguard jobs, stabilise the sector and support long-term industrialisation. This comes as Eskom last week concluded a 62c/kWh electricity tariff for Samancor Chrome and Glencore–Merafe Chrome ferrochrome smelters after threats to the industry’s survival and jobs. The power utility said the deal will provide it with predictable sales volumes for up to the next five years and protects public investments made in the utility, as well as its ability to support reindustrialization and economic growth. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and Solidarity over the weekend both welcomed the development, although from slightly…

South Africans are facing a growing food security emergency on multiple fronts, with skyrocketing red meat prices, combined with transport cost pressures on all food necessitating urgent government action before the situation worsens. A severe Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, which has been widely reported, has led to widespread cattle slaughter across the country, driving red meat prices up and pushing many meat protein products beyond the reach of millions of low-income households. Concurrently, conflict in the Middle East is inflating fertiliser costs, which in time will drive up grain and animal feed prices, impacting everything on supermarket shelves, from vegetables to meat. Additionally, pork prices are rising due to outbreaks of African Swine Fever, resulting in targeted culling. Rising diesel costs, the largest single increase in South African history,…

According to the IMF, the global economic outlook for 2026 has weakened significantly due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, specifically the war involving Israel, the US, and Iran. While global growth was initially projected to be steady, it is now under severe pressure from the largest energy supply disruption in history. n The OECD projects global growth of 2.9% for 2026, down from previous estimates of more than 4.0% due to energy shocks. n Some analysts warn that a prolonged conflict, specifically a six-month closure of the Strait of Hormuz, could tip the global economy into an outright contraction (recession), with world growth falling as low as 1.4%. The announcement by the US that a ceasefire between the US/Israel and Iran was introduced last Tuesday brought some calmness to…

In a significant development for the national flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA) has officially accepted the resignation of Group Chief Executive Officer, Professor John Lamola. Effective from the end of April 2026, this decision follows a recent Board meeting attended by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, who serves as the shareholder representative. Creecy and the Board extended their heartfelt appreciation to Professor Lamola for his dedicated service during a transformative period for SAA. He initially joined the organisation in July 2021 as a Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Board, later assuming the role of GCEO in May 2022. Leading SAA through a tumultuous chapter marked by the airline's emergence from business rescue and the continuing fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, Lamola’s guidance has been hailed as…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and former head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU), Major General Wally Rhoode, have been accused of contravening the Criminal Procedure Act by failing to report the theft at Phala Phala farm to the local police station. International law Professor Andre Thomashausen said both Ramaphosa and Rhoode could have opened a criminal case at a local police station, allowing police to perform their duties as normal. The remarks came after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) found that the PPU, under Rhoode, abused state resources and invoked Ramaphosa’s name to shield their unauthorised and unlawful investigation into the 2020 theft at the Phala Phala farm. The report identified misuse of state resources, including vehicles, flights and accommodation, for what was treated as a private matter. Travel documents…

Gauteng Department of Health says it is intensifying system-wide interventions to reduce a surgical backlog of approximately 30 600 patients awaiting operations across the province’s public hospitals. The department said it is implementing a combination of digital innovation, expanded surgical capacity and targeted reforms to improve efficiency and patient-centred care in hospitals. “The estimated backlog currently stands at approximately 30 600 patients awaiting various surgical procedures. This figure represents a consolidated provincial baseline and continues to be refined through an ongoing process of hospital-level verification to strengthen planning and accountability,” said the department. Of this total, approximately 29 969 cases are classified as legacy backlog cases, while 631represent current cases awaiting scheduling under routine service flow. The department said the backlog reflects sustained system pressures over time, including increased referrals…

Fresh government data shows that President Trump’s changes to refugee policy have significantly altered both the number of people admitted into the US and the countries they hail from. President Trump’s overhaul of US refugee policy has significantly changed both the number of people admitted to the country and where they come from, according to the latest government data. From October 2025 to March 2026, 4 499 refugees have been resettled in the United States, the Refugee Processing Center reports, with all but three of them (Afghans) hailing from South Africa. By comparison, during the final full fiscal year of Joe Biden’s administration, just over 100 000 refugees were admitted. Last year, Trump suspended all refugee admissions (including those from war zones), but made an exception for Afrikaners – a…

Last May, a legal matter thirteen years in the making was again in the courts after the executor of an estate instituted a R750 000 claim against the City of Ekhuruleni when a motorcyclist hit a pothole “and sustained serious injuries”. In the ruling, the judge said: “The Municipality had a legal duty towards all members of the public to attend to the proper upkeep and maintenance of public roads within its area and that it was negligent for failing to repair the pothole”. Even though Marius Botes died a year after the pothole incident, the court noted that “provided that the deceased would, but for his or her death, have been entitled to maintain the action and recover general damages, the action survives for the benefit of the deceased’s…

Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee, the nephew of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol, delivered a haunting and blistering testimony last week Thursday at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into TRC cases, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the legal “sideshows” that he says are continuing to traumatise the families of apartheid victims. Cajee, who has spent three decades pursuing the truth behind his uncle’s 1971 death in police custody, told the Commission that watching constant court applications for recusals and legal manoeuvring has a “devastating effect” on families still dying for closure. “I would just like to plead to the President ... please take into consideration that we as victims, as affected parties, must sit and watch these proceedings and it is very painful,” Cajee said, urging the President not to…

Helen Zille is exactly what South Africa needs. Helen Zille is exactly what South Africa doesn’t need. And somewhere in the middle lies the truth. I listened several times to the interview with Zille, and I am always impressed by her ability to deliver crisp, cutting replies – whether right or wrong. There is no hesitation or self-doubt. Criticism is combatted, and critique is dismissed. But there is very little unpacking of the issues that move the dialogue towards Zille’s philosophy of the rational centre. Instead, there is simply the constant aura of potentially explosive combativeness. She is a politician with a base to answer to – one who has moved beyond people-pleasing. Zille’s second coming to party leadership has been difficult, given the fallout following the unceremonious exit of…

There is an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu creeping into Orlando Pirates’ title challenge — one that points directly back to the painful lessons endured by Kaizer Chiefs in the 2019/20 season. Back then, Chiefs did not implode overnight. They remained competitive, continued picking up results, and stayed in the race deep into the campaign. But as the pressure intensified, small slip-ups proved costly — and Mamelodi Sundowns were ruthless in capitalising. Pirates now find themselves in that exact position. Following their recent slip against Richards Bay FC on Friday, the Buccaneers are walking a tightrope with just six games remaining. The title is no longer in their hands — and that shift, subtle as it may seem, changes everything. In isolation, Pirates’ recent form is not alarming. Across their…

While it will take a collective effort from all four South African franchises to maintain their unbeaten runs in the United Rugby Championship (URC), they will still look to key individuals to lead the charge in their respective clashes. The Stormers, Bulls, Lions and Sharks all secured back-to-back victories in the last two URC rounds, and they will be eager to keep that momentum going this weekend. Here, we highlight four players who could prove pivotal to their teams’ fortunes. Chris Smith | Lions The flyhalf will once again be central to the Lions’ hopes as they look to upset log leaders Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park on Saturday. He has been a consistent figure for the Johannesburg outfit, and that is unlikely to change. Smith remains the…