Índice para 2025-05-15 em Star

Stocks on the JSE defy local employment figures and rally to a fresh record high Stocks on the JSE defied disheartening local employment figures and rallied to a fresh record high on Wednesday, surging past the 93 000-points mark as the easing tensions between the US and China also buoyed global markets. The world’s two largest economies have agreed to cut the hefty import tariffs on each other's goods for 90 days whilst negotiations for a permanent deal are underway. The US will lower those tariffs from 145% to 30%, while China's retaliatory tariffs on US goods will drop to 10% from 125%. US President Donald Trump said weekend talks had resulted in a "total reset" in trade terms between the US and China. As the markets cheered the news,…

The Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Petroleum Resources has resolved to conduct an urgent oversight visit on Alexkor. This follows a briefing from the Equitable Access Campaign (EAC) on its petition for investigations into reports of general accountability failure, maladministration and corruption at State diamond miner Alexkor. This move comes in the wake of the EAC's insistence on launching a public inquiry to address the apparent collapse of accountability mechanisms over the past five years, during which Alexkor has continually received audit disclaimers. EAC's Gavin Craythorne, who this week addressed the portfolio committee after petitioning the Speaker of Parliament, told Business Report on Wednesday that several inquiries into anomalies at Alexkor were shut down without the public getting the answers. These include parliamentary appearances, a forensic investigatipon by Gobodo Consultants,…

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 930 000 primary agriculture jobs in South Africa, an 11% yearly decrease and a 1% quarterly increase. Strong activity in the livestock industries and the recovery of grains and oilseeds from the drought served as the foundation for the quarterly improvements. Many individuals are becoming more and more aware of the significance of the agriculture sector for the country's overall economy as well as for jobs and food security. This has been proven on a few occasions, including during the COVID-19 lockdown periods and in Q4 2024, when the sector kept the country's economy fromentering a recession. Therefore, it raises some concerns when the sector has a quarterly or annual reduction in employment. But depending on the nature of the sector, employment…

South Africa’s “VAT desert storm” may have ended, at least for now, after witnessing political theatrics and policy paralysis, that attempted to bring snow to a desert while bidding to solve the dry revenue generation period. It almost displayed itself through a public gallery with all the makings of a political thriller—multiple plot twists, frantic coalition bartering, and a final “U-turn of the century”—yet the real victims, township businesses and family-run businesses, are left wondering if it is going to rain cats and dogs or bring clear blue skies for VAT season. While the ANC, DA and EFF spar over “fiscal sustainability” versus “taxing the rich,” township spaza shops, clothing retailers and small cafés were caught in the crossfire. When President Cyril Ramaphosa attempted to patch his dripping VAT shack,…

Homes are continuing to increase in value, with a gain in cost averaging 2.2% year-on-year in April, which is the fastest pace at which housing has become more expensive in two years. The April figure represents an increase from the 2% recorded in the FNB House Price Index (HPI) for March. FNB projects house price growth to approach the 3% mark by 2026. In 2023, South Africa’s residential property market comprised 6.91 million properties and was valued at R6.789 trillion, City Mark data indicates. This is the latest information available to IOL. According to Statistics South Africa’s latest General Household Survey, a typical South African household had about 3.2 members. More than three-quarters of homes had four to five members or fewer, while only 13% of households contained six members…

The Free State High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a R32 million preservation order against Ace Magashule and others linked to the asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. Included in the court order is a luxury Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, allegedly purchased in cash for R2m – a symbol of the lavish lifestyle funded by illicit gains. According to the NPA, the seized assets are believed to be the proceeds of a web of criminal activities, including theft, fraud, corruption, and money laundering, orchestrated at the expense of the Free State Department of Human Settlements (FSDHS). “The involved individuals, companies, and trusts are alleged to have engaged in a complex web of financial flows, designed to strip the FSDHS of its much-needed resources,” said NPA national spokesperson Mthunzi…

THE Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a couple from Soshanguve, north of Tshwane, for killing their one-year-old child. Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, said 25-year-old Mozambican national Joseph Molwana and 20-year-old Zanele Njobe were sentenced for the horrific murder of their daughter. “Molwana was sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of his one-year-old daughter, Sphesihle Nonlanhla Njobe. Zanele Njobe, who was a minor at the time of the offence, was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for the same offence, in terms of the Child Justice Act,” said Mahanjana. Both parents were further sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment for child abuse. In addition, Molwana received a two-year direct imprisonment sentence for being in South Africa illegally. “The court ordered that…

More than 150 employees at the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) have been referred for lifestyle audits, Human Settlements Department Director-General Alec Moemi said yesterday. Moemi said the employees are required to explain their financial income. Briefing the Human Settlements Portfolio Committee, Moemi said the lifestyle audit started in 2024 after a directive by former minister Mmamoloko Kubayi across the entities of the department. “We asked (initially) three of the six entities and the others have since been asked to start,” he said. The Special investigating Unit (SIU) has completed the lifestyle audit at the Community Schemes Ombud Service. “We are expecting the SIU this week to do the referral. We are yet to receive the report,” Moemi said. The NHBRC’s lifestyle audits were not finalised and not ready…

As South Africa grapples with the stark reality of youth unemployment, the Future of Jobs Summit is gearing up to present a strategic response aimed at igniting job creation and enhancing digital skills among the country’s young population. Organised by a coalition of technology leaders, including SAP, Adcorp, DP World, Workday, and FNB, the summit seeks to unite the country’s most influential minds in both the public and private sectors. Future of Jobs Summit founder, Nik Eberl, emphasises that this initiative transcends mere discussion. “It is not another policy talk shop; it is a high-impact platform for action and alignment,” he states, underscoring the urgency of collective efforts to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment. Eberl believes that “youth unemployment is the greatest threat to our democracy and the…

In a further diversion from its original plan to go electric-only by the end of this decade, Volvo has partially revealed an all-new plug-in hybrid SUV. The newcomer, which was designed primarily for China, but which is also under consideration for other markets, revives the XC70 nameplate that was used for butched-up versions of the V70 estate car between 2003 and 2016. The new XC70, on the other hand, is a fully fledged SUV that resembles a scaled-down version of the recently introduced EX90. Despite the likeness, the XC70 is built on a new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) that will underpin future extended-range plug-in hybrid models. The XC70 will be Volvo’s first “extended-range” plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Volvo claims an all-electric range of up to 200km for the new model, which…

As so often happens in South Africa, there’s lots of banter around a braai fire as well as discussions, heated arguments and occasionally, there’s even a challenge thrown in which, more often than not, is forgotten when the fires have died down. This was pretty much the case when adventurer and content creator Danie Botha from Wild in SA and a couple of mates came up with the idea of beating the official South African 24-hour Endurance Record for commercial vehicles. The challenge Enter the JAC Motors’ T9 2.0L Cti and 4 084 kilometres later at an average speed of 170.1km/h at Gerotek, just outside Pretoria, that record is now held by a Chinese bakkie. The 15-year-old record was previously held by Isuzu with their KB300 TDi averaging 169.3km/h and…

THE Kagiso Rabada drug ban is now a thing of the past. The fast bowler apologised to the public in his statement, followed all the rules set out by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS) in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and served his one-month suspension in April. As a result, all-format coach Shukri Conrad and Test captain Temba Bavuma included the 29-year-old in the Proteas squad for next month’s World Test Championship final against Australia at the home of cricket. However, what stings the most to some around the country, and certainly to former Australian captain Tim Paine and perhaps to the Australian media, is how the fast bowler’s situation was not publicised on April 1st or soon after, when the player received the positive…

SuperSport United interim coach Andre Arendse could lead his team closer to safety if they beat Stellenbosch FC in the Premiership on Saturday. SuperSport are languishing in the bottom half of the standings with 26 points, three ahead of Cape Town City, who hold the playoffs spot. Matsantsantsa a Pitori have four games to play before the end of the season, something that could yield 12 points and safety if everything goes their way. They have to put their money where their mouth is, though, by ensuring that they grind results in their next games, building on their recent 2-0 win over Chippa United. Arendse, after being put in charge of the team following the sacking of Gavin Hunt in March due to a string of poor results, expressed his…

There will be no complacency from the Bulls as they head into the final round-robin match of the United Rugby Championship (URC) against the Dragons on Saturday in Pretoria. That was the vow of hooker Johan Grobbelaar, who has been a pillar for the second-placed Pretoria side this season. The clash at Loftus Versfeld (3pm start) will give the Bulls the opportunity to finish second on the official URC log, and they only need a single point from the duel to secure the spot. It will put them in a position to play a home semi-final should they make it past the quarters, but they’ll only know at the end of the final round who they’ll be facing in the first knockout clash. According to Grobbelaar, there will be no…

South Africa's agricultural industry has highlighted its resilience in the face of many challenges at the 2025 Nampo Harvest Day conference, which entered the second day on Wednesday in Bothaville in the Free State. Brendan Jacobs, head of agribusiness at Standard Bank South Africa, said agriculture was under pressure from rising input costs, extreme weather events, tightening margins, and trade agreement challenges. “Nampo Harvest Day 2025 arrives at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s farming sector. This year’s Nampo is more than an exhibition; it is a rallying point for real-world, farmer-led solutions. "From mechanisation and market access to financial tools and agri-tech, the event brings together farmers, agribusinesses, and financiers to explore what it will take to sustain growth and resilience across the sector.” Jacobs said the discussions at…

South African small businesses are continuing to display resilience, demonstrating remarkable resilience and optimism for the future in the face of political and economic uncertainty. A recent report, The State of South African Small Business 2025, conducted by the global small business platform Xero reveals that a staggering 83% of small businesses witnessed revenue growth over the past year, while 90% expressed confidence in their prospects for growth moving forward. Despite concerns that loom over the business landscape—nearly two-fifths of the surveyed entrepreneurs were worried about political instability, and more than a quarter anticipated service delivery challenges such as load shedding—small businesses are showing optimism for the year ahead. According to the report, within the next year, 42% of small businesses plan to invest in upskilling their staff, while 40%…

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economic growth revisions of South Africa to a meagre 1,5% in 2025 and just 1,8% by the end of the decade should be, and is, cause for alarm. This as growing tensions expand between one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, the US, which saw its new President impose, and then walk-back from, the hefty 30% tariffs inflicted on all imported goods from South Africa. Coupled with rising internal tensions threatening the Government of National Unity, the IMF’s assessment is a call to act. It is with this in mind that the Presidency was recently engaged to strongly emphasise the need to breed more home-grown startups and unicorns, which are businesses that surpass the $1-billion in valuation. Go1 was the first from our shores, followed…

Dipula Properties is on the hunt for additional retail properties, ideally convenience, rural or township shopping centres north of the Orange River, CEO Izak Pieterse said Wednesday. Dipula, the black-managed property group that celebrates two decades of operation this month and which has 61 retail, office, industrial and residential properties mainly in Gauteng, intends to sell its residential rental units, which represent 4% of income. This is to re-allocate capital to the retail and industrial sectors that are core to its business, he said. Speaking at the release of results for the six months to February 29, Pieterse said a few opportunities may close in the short term. The property portfolio’s value increased by 5% to R10.3 billion. Distributable earnings a share (DPS) increased 4.2%, on track with full-year…

enX Group, the JSE-listed manufacturer and distributor of power equipment and chemicals, saw its share price shoot up over 10% on Wednesday after it confirmed a strategy to grow its businesses and dispose of them if opportunities become available. The share price increased by 10.89% to R4.99 on the JSE Wednesday afternoon, but the price is much lower than the R9.20 it traded at a year ago. The net asset value per share was R8.65, compared to R9.06 on August 31, 2024. The company had paid a special distribution of R1.55 per ordinary share on April 7, 2025, amounting to R283 million. In its results for the six months to February 28, the company directors reported a good performance in the Chemical segment; however, with almost no load-shedding in the…

The recent release of minutes from a closed-door meeting between the ANC and leaders from the Afrikaner community has reignited debate over race relations in South Africa, with critics accusing both sides of deepening divisions rather than building bridges. The meeting, held earlier this year but only now made public, brought together ANC representatives and members of groups, including AfriForum and Solidarity. The agenda included discussions on land reform, language rights in education, crime, and concerns over what Afrikaner representatives described as “cultural marginalisation”. According to the minutes, Afrikaner leaders expressed alarm over the implementation of the Expropriation Bill, which they claim threatens property rights and disproportionately targets white landowners. They also raised objections to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, arguing that it undermines Afrikaans as a medium…

Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has firmly denied that the recent shooting involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s convoy is being used to influence ANC succession debates or to justify increased spending on VIP protection. Speaking during a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) security cluster session on Tuesday, Mchunu responded to concerns raised by Democratic Alliance MP Nicholas Gotsell, who questioned whether the attack on Mashatile’s blue-light convoy would trigger a surge in state-funded VIP security. Mchunu refuted the insinuation, emphasising that the allocation of protection for government officials, including ministers and traditional leaders, was strictly based on formal threat risk assessments. “Then decisions get taken accordingly,” he said, highlighting that security decisions are grounded in established protocols rather than political considerations. The exchange follows a March incident where shots were fired…

AfriForum, South Africa’s Afrikaner civil society organisation, has issued a strong response to recent statements by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, concerning the role of the State Security Agency (SSA) in monitoring and acting against misinformation. During a National Council of Provinces session on Tuesday, May 25, Ntshavheni announced that the SSA would be taking steps against individuals and organisations spreading what the government considers misinformation about South Africa. She expressed concerns over claims by some minority groups alleging genocide activities by the South African government, assertions that experts and independent analysts have dismissed as misinformation, particularly relating to South Africa’s stance on Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, responded to these developments in an interview with IOL yesterday, strongly criticising the government’s approach. He…

Gauteng SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni handed over chessboards and marimba instruments to learners at Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School in a bid to combat bullying and gambling by engaging learners in positive activities. He thanked the Chinese business community for their generous donation, which included wheelchairs, printers, and 40 boxes of Typek papers. He advised learners to stay engaged in sports and positive activities to steer clear of crime. Mthombeni expressed disappointment after some learners were spotted gambling in class right in front of the police. “You are gambling, and you know this is a crime. We are having so many problems in terms of this type of activity in schools,” he said. He cited a recent incident in Pimville, Soweto, where a learner fatally stabbed another following a…

Many South African women choose to take time away from the workforce to raise children, which is often an undervalued role. This decision, while rooted in love and commitment, can come with serious long-term financial implications. According to the 10X Investments Retirement Reality Report 2023/2024, just 6% of South Africans are on track to retire comfortably. For women who step away from earning an income to focus on their families, this can mean facing retirement with little to no financial security, mounting anxiety, and limited options. Kim Potgieter, a financial planner who works closely with women, says it’s essential that stay-at-home mothers plan intentionally for their financial futures – even if they’re not currently earning. 5 things stay-at-home moms should do for financial security: 1. Find a financial planner you…

ISUZU has lifted the covers off their revamped MU-X SUV with an exterior and interior update, and also added a flagship ONYX XT 4x4 to the range. Exterior The exterior has received a significant upgrade over the previous model with a new bumper, restyled grille (the ONYX XT 4x4 giving off Mercedes G-Class vibes), redesigned Isuzu badge, LED headlights with bi-beam technology, LED daytime running lights and repositioned fog lights. Around the back it’s a lot more appealing than the outgoing MU-X with a mid-level spoiler, new badging and combination taillights linked by tailgate garnish. It also gets new wheel designs with multi-spoke 18-inch alloys for the LS and LSE models and black 20-inch rims for the ONYX XT. There are eight colour options with a new Biarritz Blue and…

A little over a month ago, Proteas batter David Bedingham suffered a broken toe in his first fixture of the season back with Durham in the County Championship, keeping him out of action. As a result, at some point, there was a concern about his availability for the World Test Championship final. However, all those concerns were put to bed when Proteas all-format coach Shukri Conrad included the 31-year-old middle-order batter in his squad this week for the June 11-15 final against Australia in London. “In my first game, I got hit by the ball on my toe, and it broke my toe. So, it’s been frustrating because I think the thing with the toe is you can’t do much rehab... there’s nothing you can do,” Bedingham told Independent Media…

The late Robin Williams delivered an excellent set on the comedic absurdities of golf in his Grammy award-winning one-man show back in 2002. It had the Broadway audience in stitches, and has since garnered over seven million views on YouTube. Even golfers appreciated Williams’ spoof of their beloved game, with current Masters champion Rory McIlroy and South African legend Gary Player among those who sent heartfelt condolences upon Williams’ death in 2014. This past week, I watched another Robin Williams closely at the Turkish Airlines Open — but this was no laughing matter. Here was a young man, just 23-years old, playing for his livelihood among some of golf’s biggest names at the Regnum Carya Golf Club. The former Fortress Rookie of the Year on the Sunshine Tour in 2023…

Trade unions and other experts have raised concern about South Africa's unemployment rate rising to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.9% in the final quarter of 2024 . According to Statistics South Africa, youth unemployment is currently at 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Matthew Parks, parliamentary coordinator for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), said job numbers typically increase during the festive season as sectors like retail and hospitality thrive. Parks said this decrease in employment was extremely worrying. “We cannot continue to normalise an economy where four out of 10 South Africans cannot find work. Our unemployment levels and the inability of an economy stumbling along 1% growth annually to absorb new labour market entrants must be treated as the existential threat…

South Africa is standing at a critical crossroads. The recent headlines have been dominated by the outcry over a few dozen South Africans, described loosely as "Africans," who accepted an opportunity to relocate to the United States in search of a better life for their families. This has been treated as a national scandal, a media frenzy that conveniently diverts attention from the harsh reality millions of South Africans face daily. While we debate the choices of fifty-odd individuals, the true scandal lies in the staggering unemployment rate in South Africa, which now hovers just under 33%. That is one in every three people without a job. For our youth, the situation is even more dire, with nearly two-thirds of young South Africans locked out of economic participation. This is…

In a country like South Africa, where approximately 2.6 million small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) are competing for the attention of the same pool of cash-strapped customers, building a memorable brand is critical for success. Without it, you risk blending into the noise and being chosen based on price alone – a race to the bottom that no business can afford. The good news is that building a winning brand isn’t necessarily about big budgets or expensive ad campaigns. It’s about clarity, consistency and connection. Here’s how small businesses can create a standout brand in a crowded and competitive market: Start with what makes you different Every successful brand is built on a clear value proposition - a compelling answer to the question: Why should a customer choose you…

Tongaat Hulett’s Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) said they had received confirmation from the lenders, most South African banks, that they had received the balance of the funds owed to them by the Vision Consortium, the company that is taking over the struggling Southern African sugar group. This follows the Vision Parties confirming to the BRPs in April 2025 that they had secured credit approval to meet the payments of the balance of their obligations owed to the Lender Group, to enable the Vision parties to complete the acquisition of the claims and security. “This represents a significant step forward in the successful implementation of the BR Plan and reinforces the BRPs’ confidence in its ongoing viability,” the BRPs said in a statement. The BRPs said they were continuing to implement…

Panning a movie like Juliet & Romeo is a little like kicking a puppy. A puppy that chews the furniture, soils the rugs and projectile vomits on the guests but a puppy nevertheless. This maladaption of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet only wants to please its target audience of early-middle-school girls by replacing iambic pentameter with lots and lots of pop songs, swooning with plastic sentiments and machine-tooled harmonies. Replace the Bard with a Top 40 production team and his soliloquies with sub-Swiftian lyrics (Taylor, not Jonathan) and you can imagine the results. This isn’t a movie, it’s a prom theme. It’s also preferable to sitting through English class, I guess, although any parents shepherding a group of 11-year-olds to a showing may find Juliet & Romeo a very special…

A Limpopo pharmacist accused of orchestrating a brazen medical aid scam that cost the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) nearly R1 million has been released on R5 000 bail. According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, GEMS opened a fraud case in April 2024 against a 40-year-old suspect. This followed allegations that the man promised medical aid members cashback and Green Cross shoes in exchange for their details, which were later used to submit fraudulent claims. Ledwaba revealed that Tinyiko Gift Mangolele, the owner of a pharmacy in Malamulele, went as far as unlawfully using the identities of unsuspecting medical doctors to file fraudulent prescription claims. These deceitful actions were carried out without the doctors’ knowledge or approval, exploiting their professional credentials to orchestrate an elaborate scheme. “Furthermore, Mangolele,…

The case between the State and 22-year-old Bafana Mahungela, who is accused of the murder and rape of his former teacher Kirsten Kluyts, has been postponed once again. This time, the matter has been moved to June 12 to allow the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to consider Mahungela’s representation for a withdrawal of charges. “This matter has been postponed to June 12 for the Director of Public Prosecutions to respond to your representations and you, Mr Mahungela are to remain in custody. If your legal counsel wants to apply for bail, he knows the procedure for that process and they (legal counsel) will do what needs to be done for that to happen,” Judge Rean Strydom said. The former student, who appeared in positive spirits and chatted with his…

The ANC has demanded an urgent parliamentary probe into what it calls a “shameful” visit to Israel by MPs from the DA, PA, and ACDP — slamming the trip as a disgraceful and a constitutionally reckless act that defies South Africa’s official stance on the conflict. Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, ANC MP Fasiha Hassan delivered a scathing rebuke of the delegation, describing the trip as “irresponsible” and “a betrayal of South Africa’s constitutional values and its historic solidarity with the Palestinian people.” In a moment of fierce condemnation, Hassan declared, “shame on you,” to the MPs involved. The visit occurred amid the ongoing war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 60 000 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of millions. “What ‘facts’ were these MPs looking…

Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said his hands are tied in revoking the parole of Janusz Walus, who killed former SACP general secretary and Umkhonto weSizwe chief of staff Chris Hani. This emerged when Groenewald made a presentation on the process leading to the revocation of parole for parolees to the Correctional Services on Tuesday. EFF MP Carl Niehaus said the release of Walus meant that he was not placed under permanent control of the Correctional Services system. Niehaus noted that he was allowed to be deported to his home country in Poland within two years after his release. “If he breaks the parole condition as any other lifer would have done and is returned to prison, that would not happen.” Niehaus also said Walus had, in an interview after…

It was the closest racing yet seen in the Toyota GR Cup Challenge this season as we tackled the Aldo Scribante Circuit in Gqeberha. When we arrived at the track on Thursday, we were greeted by our new stripped-out racing GR Yaris replete with more power, new livery, roll cage, upgraded brakes, exhaust and a new eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT). New challenge Our first two outings in the six-speed manual GR Yaris were behind us and we were now faced with a new challenge; getting to grips with a completely new set-up. Leeroy Poulter and his team of technicians at Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa had pulled the proverbial rabbit out of a hat by stripping and converting six cars into GR Cup Media Challenge track weapons in a…

Jose Riveiro is leaving Orlando Pirates having earned himself legendary status, but he admits that if it wasn’t for hard work, he wouldn’t have made that lasting impression. Riveiro sat on the bench for his last match as the coach of Pirates when they beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on Tuesday night. That perfect end to Riveiro’s stint at the club was coupled with a handful of fans who braved the chilly Johannesburg weather to bid their ‘padre’ (father) farewell. Riveiro requested an early release from his contract, which was granted by the club, after already deciding against renewing his deal at the end of June. He leaves Pirates as a legend not only due to the five trophies he won and three successive second-place finishes in…

The South African Under-20 men’s national team have covered the hard yards in the ongoing Africa Youth Championship after reaching the semi-finals to qualify for the World Cup. Amajita beat the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 1-0 in extra time of the quarter-final at Suez Canal Authority Stadium on Monday night. That result, courtesy of a goal from Thabang Mahlangu, meant that Amajita will return to the global showpiece in Chile later this year for the first time since 2017. Amajita have coach Raymond Mdaka and his technical team to thank for their preparations, having also won the Cosafa Championship to qualify for Afcon, which is held in Egypt. However, while most of the job is done, the current crop of players will be eager to follow in the footsteps…