Table of contents for 2025-09-01 in Star

Sasol, a leader in the energy and chemicals sectors, has announced an important expansion in its Mozambique operations and locally, extending the timeline for South Africa's transition to liquid natural gas (LNG). The company's President and CEO, Simon Baloyi, revealed in an integrated report released on Friday that the gas production plateau has now been extended to the end of its 2028 financial year with additional investments, offering a crucial reprieve to South Africa's industrial gas users who had been anxious about potential shortages in the country. Previously, concerns had arisen when Sasol indicated that its gas reserves in Mozambique would be depleted by 2028. However, through its innovative solutions, the company is now poised to offer a bridging strategy that incorporates methane-rich gas, which will be redirected from their…

Alibaba Group Holding reported a surge in revenue from China’s AI boom, helping assuage investors nervous about the fallout from a worsening battle with Meituan and JD.com Inc. in internet commerce. China’s e-commerce leader reported a triple-digit percentage gain in AI-related product revenue as well as a better-than-anticipated 26% jump in sales from the cloud division - the business most closely tied to the post-DeepSeek artificial intelligence boom. Its shares gained more than 6% in pre-market US trading, after investors looked past a disappointing 2% rise in revenue and 3% decline in operating income to 35 billion yuan ($4.9 billion). Alibaba’s AI wing - considered among the frontrunners in Chinese artificial intelligence development - helped gloss over concerns about an intense price war with JD and Meituan in the giant…

The All Share index on the JSE on Friday ended lower, but for the week in line with global equity prices given the uncertainty if the US will still lower its’ Federal Bank rate in September. This after the dovish speech the previous Friday by Federal Reserve chairperson, Jeremy Powell, at the annual US Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole, where he has indicated that there is now a greater possibility for US interest rates to be cut at Fed’s next meeting in September. The more profound US inflation measure the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) price index that was released last week showed an increase of 2.7% in July and is now much higher than the 2.0% target of the US Federal Reserve. Global share markets now expects…

MAS, the JSE-listed owner of retail and commercial properties in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), increased net rental income by 6.6% on a like-for-like basis, driven by a good operational performance and strong rental and service charge collections. The company generated a total shareholders’ return of 12% for the year to June 30, the results showed Friday. Distributable earnings came to 9.53 eurocents a share, 27.7% higher than in 2025. Of this, 4.44 eurocents a share related to the second half, within the previous guidance range of 4.28 to 4.70 eurocents a share for the six months to June 30, 2025. The company said Friday there was a significant contribution from the Development Joint Venture (DJV) in the year to June 30, which is the property development joint venture between…

As tensions between the taxi industry and e-hailing operators continue to escalate, South Africa is preparing to implement a landmark regulatory shift. The National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTA), which comes into effect in just a week, seeks to formally regulate e-hailing services, promote fairness in the transport sector, strengthen commuter safety, and curb the violent clashes that have increasingly unsettled communities across the country. Earlier this month, the country saw violent clashes between e-hailing drivers and taxi operators. In Soweto, an e-hailing driver was shot dead, his car set on fire, and two others were injured outside Maponya Mall, sparking widespread protests. Last Wednesday, in KwaDabeka, KwaZulu-Natal, two e-hailing drivers were shot and attacked by taxi operators after being confronted and told to leave the area. During the confrontation,…

Two teenagers accused of the attempted hijacking and attempted murder of three Democratic Alliance Members of Parliament have abandoned their bail application. Lisolethu Klaas, 18, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, made their second appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court last week Thursday. The matter was postponed to 25 September for further investigation. Both remain in custody. The pair were arrested following an attack on 19 August near the intersection of New Eisleben and Govan Mbeki Roads in Philippi. Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron and his colleagues Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell were ambushed when bricks were hurled at their vehicle, breaking some of Cameron’s teeth and fracturing Gotsell’s skull. Cameron described the ordeal as “horrific”. “They threw bricks at the…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has welcomed the hate speech conviction handed down to EFF Leader Julius Malema. The Western Cape High Court handed down the judgment last week Wednesday. In a statement, the SAHRC they would fully engage with the next phase of legal proceedings. The Commission stressed that this judgment addresses only the merits of the complaint, with the relief process still to follow. “The Commission will engage this process fully, guided by the principles of justice, accountability, and the need to uphold constitutional values in a diverse and democratic society,” the SAHRC said. The court found that statements made by Malema at a political rally in Cape Town in October 2022 constituted hate speech under South Africa’s Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination…

Amid soaring living costs and household budgets stretched to the limit, the SPAR Group has opened its first revamped SaveMor store in Limpopo, Polokwane, a bold step aimed at easing the burden on South African families and tackling the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis. SPAR’s SaveMor format aims to ease the financial strain on households by offering quality everyday essentials at affordable prices, while also driving economic growth in rural and township communities. In line with the SPAR Rural Hub initiative, which helps small-scale farmers break into the formal food value chain, the SaveMor model also powers economic upliftment in rural communities, home to nearly half of SPAR’s business. Around 90% of SPAR’s private-label products are sourced locally, creating opportunities for small businesses and farmers while ensuring money continues to circulate…

It is with deep sadness that Build One South Africa (BOSA) has learned of the passing of Neil De Beer, founder and president of the United Independent Movement (UIM), who succumbed Saturday morning after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Neil De Beer dedicated his life to South Africa’s political and democratic project. He served in various roles within the ANC and in government, most notably as the former ANC National Security Advisor to Nelson Mandela and as an intelligence agent for Umkhonto we Sizwe. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane worked closely with Neil in a spirit of partnership, where their organisations, OSA and UIM, collaborated to educate citizens about the importance of direct elections and to recruit and support community activists in standing for public office. Neil was a…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi faced a challenging atmosphere after sensing his team’s mood at half-time during their Premiership clash with Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Despite leading Chiefs to a narrow 1-0 victory, Nabi noticed a downbeat mood among his players in the dressing room during the break. The Tunisian mentor took it upon himself to rally the squad, urging them to focus and reignite their passion as they sought to convert their efforts into goals. “I think the first half we didn’t create too many opportunities to score, we didn’t have chances to score,” Nabi said after the match. Recognising the fatigue in his squad after a demanding encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns, he reassured them, “Not to worry, more focus, more demand. I need…

Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin and Player of the Match Libbie Janse van Rensburg could not hold back the tears of emotion when they described what beating Italy last night meant to the team. “We have achieved something special," fly-half Janse van Rensburg said. “It just is amazing. A huge shout-out to the team. We had a job to do, and we came out knowing we had to be direct. “This is what South Africa is about,” she continued. “People feel us when we are on the field, and we appreciate all the support. This is massive. We spoke about changing history in South Africa for women’s rugby, and we have,” Janse van Rensburg continued.“Every single person here is a part of that; every single lady here is part…

Bafana Bafana’s preparations for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have taken a hit, as head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his disappointment regarding the poor state of the Free State Stadium pitch in Bloemfontein. South Africa is scheduled to host their neighbour Lesotho on Friday, before facing a challenging match against Nigeria four days later. In a recent announcement of his 23-man squad, Broos did not hold back his criticism of the venue, which was expected to be in optimal condition following the COSAFA Cup held there in June. “I am a bit disappointed. I was in Bloemfontein and I saw the pitch,” he stated. “They had six weeks to fix it. I have observed the efforts made by other cities – Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Polokwane.…

In a dramatic post-match scene, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made a strong statement to his critics following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC on Saturday at Athlone Stadium. The outcome elevated Sundowns to the top of the Betway Premiership table and came as a much-needed boost for Cardoso, who has faced mounting pressure after a lacklustre goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs in their previous outing. Amidst the palpable tension, Cardoso cut short his interview just moments after delivering an impassioned defence of his team and himself, stating: “This team needs peace, needs support, and the true Mamelodi Sundowns fans should support the team.” His abrupt exit left the interviewer brimming with questions, particularly about striker Peter Shalulile's goalscoring feat. The win was not just crucial for the points;…

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has assured stakeholders that the Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was making steady progress despite earlier setbacks. Mpho Brown, Public Relations Manager of LHDA, last week outlined the project's foundational objectives, which initiated with Phase I to address water demands in Gauteng, while simultaneously enhancing Lesotho’s energy independence. “LHWP phase 1 came about due to South Africa needing water for mining operations that were ramping up in Gauteng, and Lesotho had a need for energy sufficiency and there was a need for electricity in Lesotho, and there was a need for the Government to generate revenue,” Brown said. “It was decided that both Lesotho and South Africa would share the cost of LHWP. It was decided that Lesotho would receive…

as construction advances at Polihali Dam The chief resident engineer of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) has given assurances to government ministers in South Africa and Lesotho that good progress was being made on the construction of Polihali Dam. This was revealed in a media tour to check on the progress of the Phase II of the water project hosted by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority in Lesotho last week. Ivano Vanzaghi, the chief resident engineer who is the supervising consultant for the construction of the Polihali Dam under Matla a Metsi Joint Venture, said that the Polihali Dam was being constructed just downstream to get the benefit of the two catchment areas Khubelu River and Orange River. “We have the advanced infrastructure construction we originally planned for 1…

Cosatu presented its submission in support of the Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health this week. This is a critical Bill to reduce the number of lives lost every year to lung cancer and tuberculosis, as well as to safeguard the legal tobacco industry, its value chain and jobs from the explosion of the illicit tobacco trade. Cosatu has championed this long overdue Bill as a critical tool in the campaign to reduce smoking and the exposure of non-smokers and young people to smoking. The Federation has engaged extensively on this progressive Bill at Nedlac and now in Parliament. Whilst we are disappointed it took so many years to reach Parliament, we are pleased it is finally there. It will take some…

Recent platinum group metal price appreciation is offering some relief to the PGM sector, but it is still not yet at a level to support sustainable mining across the industry, and certainly not the much-needed development of new operations, according to Northam Platinum CEO Paul Dunne. “We are in the envious position of controlling high-quality, well-capitalised and long-life assets,” he wrote at the release of Northam Platinum’s results for the year to June 30, on Friday. Dunne said the PGM market had tightened, and their view remained that the factors underlying this were fundamental and unlikely to correct in the medium term. The company declared a R2 a share final dividend for the year, which Dunne said reflected their confidence in the future of the group. The final dividend brought…

A 27-year-old serial rapist received three life sentences plus an additional 300 years for a series of rapes he committed in and around Tembisa between April 2014 and June 2019. Musa Maicana was sentenced on Friday by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for 43 counts ranging from rape, kidnapping, pointing of a firearm, robbery with aggravating circumstances, to possession of a dangerous weapon. This comes after South African Police Service (SAPS) registered more than 12 dockets with the same modus operandi in which women were attacked on their way home in the streets of Norkem Park and Tembisa. Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said that the perpetrator approached the women from behind, making identification impossible. “He then used a firearm or knife to force them…

The Polokwane Regional Court has sentenced 40-year-old Simon Andile Nyathi to 15 years imprisonment for theft of a motor vehicle, and contravention of the Immigration Act. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said Nyathi was arrested in May 2024 near a fuel station situated along N1 freeway. “Members of the Limpopo provincial tracking team, in collaboration with Mighty Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation, received positive information about a stolen vehicle, a silver Isuzu double cab,” said Ledwaba. “The vehicle belonged to the SAPS crime intelligence unit, and it was reported stolen in Soshanguve, Gauteng province, on 2 May 2024.” When the vehicle was recovered, police arrested Nyathi and charged him with theft of a motor vehicle and contravention of South Africa’s Immigration Act. The docket was assigned to Sergeant…

A shared identity number with a man who had meanwhile died caused a correctional services officer a multitude of problems – not only was his salary stopped because he was presumed dead, but he also felt that he was perceived as being a fraud. Madimetja Johannes Ledwaba (plaintiff) as a result instituted a damages claim against home affairs for defamation. He told the Limpopo High Court, sitting in Polokwane, that the department spread the word about his “death” to other entities, such as to the National Treasury and to his work. The department, on the other hand, said it has a legal duty to report a death to the other authorities. Ledwaba, who works for correctional services in Polokwane, was not paid his monthly salary in June 2010. Upon enquiry,…

While thousands of students still struggle to secure funding, NSFAS says billions remain unpaid by former beneficiaries – and it’s now demanding graduates start repaying their loans. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) CEO Waseem Carrim has revealed that the scheme is owed R45 billion in outstanding student loans. Carrim said the loans date back to 2018 and earlier, and were granted by NSFAS and its predecessor, the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA). NSFAS was established in 1996 to provide financial assistance to students. Initially, it was run by TEFSA, a non-profit organisation set up in 1991. TEFSA administered the fund until 2000 and was officially converted into a statutory body in 1999, becoming NSFAS. Carrim admitted that NSFAS has struggled with recovering debts over the years. “It…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, Paul Mashatile, are among the many South Africans paying tribute to esteemed journalist Tshidi Madia, who died at the age of 42 following a short illness. Her employer, Primedia Broadcasting, confirmed that she died last week Wednesday in a hospital, leaving a significant void in South Africa’s media landscape and among her colleagues, friends, and followers. Ramaphosa expressed his deepest condolences to Madia’s family, friends, and supporters, describing her as a “beloved newswoman” whose love for South Africa informed her tough questions and hopeful vision. “My thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of journalists, political commentators, radio host, and moderator Tshidi Madia, who has passed away in the prime of her life,” said Ramaphosa. “We shall continue to work for Tshidi’s South…

On behalf of the Democratic Alliance (DA), I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the United Independent Movement following the passing of its President, Mr. Neil de Beer. In Neil de Beer’s passing, South Africa has lost a powerful voice for change. With his uncompromising and often confrontational style, he upset many, but he also spoke for many. His convictions and fearless personality made him a force to be reckoned with and a valuable partner to the Multi-Party Charter. For his role in bringing the Charter about, the DA will remember him fondly. Our condolences and prayers go out to his loved ones. In life, he was a man of restless energy. May he now find eternal rest.…

The death of Neil de Beer, leader of UIM, has gripped many of us with a deep sense of shock. As we grieve, we thank Almighty God for the memorable years that he gave to this beloved purveyor of justice and humility. His death gives us cause to ponder how he touched our lives. His commitment to accountability and the dignity of the human person will be gratefully remembered. The political world pays tribute to his immense and unique contribution to peace and justice and his emphasis on the dignity and worth of every individual from conception to the grave. His courage in denouncing maladministration and his relentless fight against corruption over the years will be remembered by many generations to come. We are devastated to lose our national symbol…

Societal issues confronting women, including strategies for achieving equity and overcoming barriers that hinder their advancement to executive positions, have been and continue to be important topics of discussion. Every year in August, we celebrate Women’s Month. But, I sometimes think we focus too much on the individual achievements of women, as praiseworthy as they may be, instead of what is holding multitudes of other women back from scaling the same heights, and what is everyone’s responsibility. As we end celebrating Women’s Month through the theme “Building Resilient Economies for All,” I can relate to this theme. It is one I endorse. Additionally, this year my mantra is “Protect, Defend, Grow.” Resilience and creativity As a lifelong serial entrepreneur and as a trained healthcare professional, I have seen firsthand…

We have the makings of a closely-contested championship race on our hands, South Africa! For the first time in years, South Africa’s traditional top three are showing real fight — and with Sekhukhune United in the mix too, the 2025/26 Betway Premiership is shaping up to be a tightly contested thriller. As the league pauses for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the log tells a story of genuine competition. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and surprise pace-setters Sekhukhune United are all firmly in the hunt. Eric Tinkler’s Sekhukhune lead the standings with 13 points from five games, just ahead of Chiefs, also on 13 but behind on goal difference. Sundowns sit third, two points adrift, while Pirates have surged to fifth on nine points — level with…

Dominik Szoboszlai's brilliant free-kick fired Liverpool to a dramatic 1-0 win over title rivals Arsenal, while Manchester City suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Brighton that extended their troubled start to the season yesterday. Szoboszlai curled a sublime set-piece past Arsenal keeper David Raya with seven minutes left at Anfield in a tense clash between the two leading contenders for the Premier League crown. The Hungary midfielder's gem was enough to seal a third successive league victory for champions Liverpool as Arsenal lost for the first time this term following consecutive wins. Arsenal finished as runners-up behind Liverpool last season and the clubs have been engaged in an expensive arms race since the end of the season. A host of high-profile signings aimed at tilting the balance of power in…

Oscar Piastri powered to victory at an incident-packed Dutch Formula One Grand Prix yesterday, with home favourite Max Verstappen claiming second place as Piastri's McLaren teammate Lando Norris suffered a dramatic breakdown late in the race. Piastri led from pole to chequered flag at the Zandvoort circuit in a race that saw the safety car deployed three times to stretch his lead over Norris to 34 points in the championship race. Racing Bulls' 20-year-old French rookie Isack Hadjar finished third to become the fifth youngest podium finisher of all time. It was Piastri's sixth Grand Prix victory of the season and cemented the Australian's status as the man to catch in this year's drivers' championship. "I felt like I was in control of that one and just used the pace…

Government Pensions Administration Agency says it will conduct a forensic investigation over source of leaked documents The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) has confirmed it will conduct a forensic investigation to uncover the source of leaked internal documents, a move that has ignited fierce criticism from employee representatives who deem it a “witch hunt against whistleblowers.” The embattled agency has been rocked by allegations of serious financial mismanagement of pension funds amounting to more than R500 million after an audit being prepared for the financial year-end flagged administration issues. The GPAA has written to the chairperson of the price quotation committee seeking approval to appoint Nexus Forensics to conduct an investigation on the allegations of unethical conduct of the removal of confidential information without authorization. This comes after Business Report’s…

South Africa is a nation that knows both endurance and despair. The economy limps along at 0.6 percent growth, unemployment traps more than 32 percent of the labour force and infrastructure strains continue to test confidence. Against this backdrop, it is easy to assume that competence is absent and that leadership has collapsed into permanent decline. And yet, beneath the headlines of failure, there are pockets of renewal. Quietly, and often under immense pressure, a generation of leaders across state-owned enterprises, corporates and new ventures have demonstrated that South Africa is not short of excellence. These stories do not erase wider challenges, nor are they immune to fragility. But they show that discipline and consistency can deliver measurable turnarounds even in the hardest conditions. Few expected Airports Company South Africa…

A technology platform can be and is a perfect stage of the Tower of Babel. One of human beings seeking to establish who and why God exists. But before achieving proportions of godly wrath and destruction, the story of David against Goliath of our times mitigates such an eventuality. Poverty can be history because information technology has removed substantial barriers of access that increase the effort price to access. By removing friction between a many-to-many access, the effort price, a characteristic of physical goods has been wiped out. That we now can access literature in electronic Encyclopaedias that would have circulated amongst a few elites when these were paper, is but an example of how liberating technology and, in particular, internet technology with its ubiquitous reach can be. Access to…

Toys R Us and Babies R Us South Africa has sealed a landmark deal to acquire 13 Toy Zone stores in Gauteng and Durban. The move will retain jobs, expanding its national footprint to 61 Toys R Us and Babies R Us outlets, and accelerating growth in both the toy and baby goods categories. The transaction was approved this week by the Competition Commission. The Toys R Us and Babies R Us brands in South Africa is privately owned by Michmir Investments, which operates locally through Amic Trading under licence from Toys R Us Global. Dr Phumla Mnganga, the chairperson of Toys R Us South Africa, said, “This acquisition is a milestone for Toys R Us and Babies R Us South Africa, giving us an even stronger platform to grow…

The Cancer Alliance and Section27 have welcomed the Supreme Court order delivered by the South Gauteng High Court in relation to the Gauteng Health Department’s (GDoH) decision to update the cancer backlog list, which has ensured that patients get treatment in public or private facilities. Salomé Meyer, of the Cancer Alliance said that the court’s order was immediately enforceable. “We argued that exceptional circumstances exist in this case in that this is a matter of life and death for cancer patients who will suffer irreparable harm if the order is not immediately enforced. “We also argued that providing radiation oncology services to patients who meet the criteria for the treatment is a Constitutional obligation of GDoH. “The respondents challenged this, but the judgment confirms Cancer Alliance and Section27’s position and…

Five people have died and two others were injured in a devastating crash early on Saturday at Ysterberg Mountain, within Polokwane Municipality, Capricorn District. The victims were burned beyond recognition as the vehicles caught fire. The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed that the accident occurred when two sedans collided head-on. Department spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said that four of the deceased were burned beyond recognition, while the two injured – a driver and a passenger – were taken to a nearby hospital. “Preliminary reports indicate that one of the vehicles attempted to overtake,” Chuene said. “Although the South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating, recklessness cannot be ruled out.” Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Susani Violet Mathye, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.…

The City of Tshwane’s public swimming pools will not be hosting Spring Day celebrations on September 1, dashing the hopes of many residents looking forward to a splashy start to the season. Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the delay in chlorine delivery by their service provider has impacted the pools’ readiness for opening. He said the opening of the city’s public swimming pools, initially set for September 1, has been postponed due to unexpected supply chain issues. “While the city had been preparing to mark Spring Day with the reopening of facilities, the delay in chlorine delivery by the service provider has temporarily affected readiness,” he said. The delay, he said, is due to the time required for the distillation process of the chlorine. “Although some pools have sufficient chlorine…

While some South Africans and political parties have welcomed National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s decision to return 121 investigation dockets to KwaZulu-Natal, President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly angry over the move. The dockets, central to allegations of political interference made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, were initially removed from the province and have now been returned to allow the local investigative team to resume its work. In July, Mkhwanazi accused the now-suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police operations, including ordering the disbandment of the high-profile Political Killings Task Team and the removal of the 121 dockets. He also alleged that Mchunu was protecting individuals implicated in politically motivated crimes. According to a City Press report, President Ramaphosa was upset about Masemola’s decision. He…

At Disney World, where fairy-tale castles, rollercoasters and parades create an atmosphere of magic, the idea of death feels entirely out of place. Yet, behind the scenes, former employees and long-standing rumours point to an unusual policy: technically, no one is allowed to die on Disney property. The topic resurfaced after Tom Cruz, a former Magic Kingdom employee, shared his experience in a TikTok video. He recalled working on a sweltering day when an elderly man collapsed while waiting in line for a ride. A doctor in the crowd rushed forward to administer CPR, but despite repeated efforts, there was no response. Cruz noted that paramedics continued resuscitation attempts for nearly 15 minutes, even though the man showed no signs of life. “I was like, ‘Man, this guy is dead,…

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has expressed his profound sadness at the passing of South African politician, anti-apartheid activist and Leader of the United Independent Movement, Neil de Beer. Mr. de Beer contributed immensely to the history and politics of our country through the various roles he played in a number of formations. Dean Macpherson: From his early days of political activism as a uMkhonto weSizwe operative during Apartheid, to his role as President Nelson Mandela’s National Security Advisor, to his leadership in forming the UIM, Neil served with loyalty, dedication and commitment. I was deeply honoured that Neil accepted my invitation to attend the Department’s budget vote in Parliament in July as my special guest. During the debate, I took the opportunity to celebrate his…

New damning evidence in the R150 million Digital Vibes unlawful National Health Insurance (NHI) and Covid-19 communications contracts case against the company, several others, and their directors, former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and his family members, will be introduced. This follows the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) being given the green light by the Special Tribunal to have its third supplementary founding affidavit by one of its investigators and global professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, confirmatory affidavit admitted in the main application, in which the SIU wants two contracts awarded to Digital Vibes reviewed and set aside for lack of compliance with the applicable constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions. According to the unit, the National Department of Health (NDoH) made payments to Digital Vibes totalling just over R150m, comprising over R25m…

They have done it! The Springbok Women are through to the quarter-finals of a Rugby World Cup for the first time after showing true South African grit to outlast Italy 29-24 in a dramatic Pool D match in York last night. The Boks needed to win two of their three pool matches to make it to the playoffs, and the defeat of Italy, combined with last week’s rout of Brazil, means they go through, regardless of the outcome of their final pool game against France next week. There were scenes of unbridled jubilation at the final whistle as the South Africans enjoyed a moment they had worked so hard for. In many ways, this game was about the pace of Italy versus the power of South Africa, and it was…

The Cheetahs went from virtual shoo-ins for a home semi-final in the Currie Cup to needing to win their last league game of the season next weekend to potentially secure a place in the playoffs, after their 40-10 thrashing by the Griquas on Friday that kicked off Round Six of the competition. Friday’s loss at the Free State Stadium left the Cheetahs in fourth place on 21 points. It also opened the door for the Lions to draw level on points with the Free Staters after their bonus-point 44-5 victory over the Bulls in Saturday’s crunch derby clash that shut the door on the Bulls’ slim playoff hopes. The Lions moved up one spot, to third in the table, thanks to a superior points difference. The biggest movers at the…