Sunday Tribune 2026-01-25

As Janu-worry comes to an end, consumers will not be given any reprieve in the form of an interest rate cut this month. The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be announcing their first decision on the repurchase rate (repo rate) this Thursday. Economists and analysts have predicted that the central bank will be moving with caution and keep the rate unchanged at 6.75%, translating to the prime lending rate also staying the same at 10.50%. Investec's lead economist, Annabel Bishop, said that the MPC meeting is not expected to see a change in interest rates, coming so soon after November’s -25 basis points cut. "With the repo rate currently at 6.75%, 325bp above the inflation rate, and with CPI inflation expected to fall below 3.0%…

South Africa has one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption per capita in the world, and our government has long used sin tax as a way to tackle the problem. By steadily raising the price of alcohol, the aim is twofold: discourage excessive drinking and generate revenue for public health. But while the intention is clear, the reality is more complicated. As prices climb, demand for cheaper alternatives has surged. This has created fertile ground for the illicit alcohol trade, a shadow market that brings its own dangers, not just for public health but also for workplace safety in high-risk industries such as mining, construction, and transport. When alcohol goes underground Raising alcohol taxes is not a new idea. However, history shows that restricting access to alcohol rarely eliminates…

In the face of persistent inequality and systemic exclusion, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) has issued a clarion call for the radical redesign of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Global South. As a notable voice in this crucial discourse, Charleen Duncan, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at AGOF, spotlighted the barriers that hinder entrepreneurs from marginalised backgrounds, suggesting that current systems favour a privileged few while sidelining the many. Addressing global delegates at the recent Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) Conference in Mexico, Duncan articulated a stark reality: “Prevailing global systems perpetuate exclusionary privilege and place unfair expectations on startup entrepreneurs from marginalised backgrounds to play by rules that were never designed to include them.” This inequity, she asserts, necessitates a transformative approach in which opportunities are normalised…

The Beckham family has been a hot topic this week following the explosive bombshell dropped by the son of British celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham. Brooklyn let his 16.2 million Instagram followers know that he does not want to reconcile with his family. In his lengthy tell-all, Brookyln, detailed his parents’ continuous efforts to undermine his relationship, starting even before his wedding. He made claims that his mother “hijacked” the first dance at the wedding, dancing “inappropriately” with him in front of guests, a moment he described as the most “uncomfortable or humiliated” he had ever felt. While the public might not get to see that video, the Beckhams over the years have appeared on screens and opened their lives to the public. Here are the shows in which…

Who remembers The Librarians with Noah Wyle, Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, John Harlan Kim and John Larroquette? Adventure fantasy aficionados eagerly consumed the film franchise’s four-season spinoff until it ended in 2018. Now, The Librarians: The Next Chapter reboot has hit the small screen with Callum McGowan (Vikram Chamberlain), Jessica Green (Charlie Cornwall), Olivia Morris (Dr Lysa Pascal), Bluey Robinson (Connor Green) and Caroline Loncq (Elaine Astolat) at the helm. As a fan of the original series, I couldn’t skip past the reboot. The series offers a swashbuckling action-adventure feel, but with a fresh twist: the characters navigate various time dimensions, each presenting them with unique challenges and backgrounds. I recently interviewed Green, whose character strongly reminds me of Rebecca Romijn’s Colonel Eve Baird. Charlie has a tough…

Penny Lebyane has been announced as a co-host for SABC 2’s new show, Eintlek Let’s Connect, which is set to premiere on February 9. Lebyane will host alongside Fran-Rico Lucas. Both are known for their experience in making shows lively and engaging. Eintlek Let’s Connect is designed to focus on trending topics and what South Africans are talking about, promising to bring people and communities closer through authentic voices and real discussions. The show will celebrate local cultures, shine a spotlight on specific people, and explore today’s hot topics by having the hosts on the road across the country, diving into the everyday South African experience. Lebyane, a seasoned presenter, has a long history in the media industry, having started at the age of 17. Her extensive career includes presenting…