Table of contents for 2026-01-05 in Star

Idris Elba has officially been knighted by King Charles III in the 2026 New Year Honours list. That's right, you can now address him as Sir Idris Elba! While we all adore him for his mesmerising performances as Stringer Bell in The Wire, the gritty detective John Luther, or even his turn as Heimdall in the Marvel Universe, this knighthood isn't just about his acting roles. Sir Idris was specifically honoured for his outstanding services to young people. For years, Elba, alongside his wife Sabrina, has been a vocal advocate against knife crime and a champion for youth empowerment. Their Elba Hope Foundation has been doing incredible work, providing opportunities and a beacon of hope for young individuals. Now, he's being recognised by the very institution that once offered him…

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has confirmed that it is forging ahead with its intention to participate in the ANC’s January 8 celebrations, even as tensions between the two political allies rise. Scheduled for Saturday, January 10, at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, the event marks the anniversary of the ANC’s founding in 1912 and traditionally features messages of support from various alliance partners, including the Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the SACP itself. However, the relationship between these two longstanding allies has been strained by recent political maneuvers, most notably the SACP’s decision to contest the forthcoming local government elections independently. This move was met with a hardline response from ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who announced that SACP members would be barred…

After the United States seized Venezuela’s leader, who will run the country? According to President Donald Trump, the answer is: his own administration, the South American country’s vice president, and not Venezuela’s democratic opposition. Trump also made clear that US companies would profit from the oil of Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven reserves, after US forces attacked the capital Caracas and seized leftist leader Nicolas Maduro in the dead of night. Trump, who for years condemned what he called failed US nation-building, said bluntly that the United States will manage Venezuela, a country of nearly 30 million people, at least temporarily. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump told a news conference at his Florida…

South Africa is entering a volatile weather period shaped by La Niña and a potential switch to El Niño, with major implications for agriculture, water security and disaster preparedness. This comes as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) this weekend issued a severe weather alert. SAWS issued an Orange Level 5 warning for extreme thunderstorms over the eastern Free State, eastern North West, Gauteng, western Limpopo, and the Highveld of Mpumalanga. Heavy downpours and strong damaging winds are expected to cause flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, as well as damage to infrastructure. A Yellow Level 2 warning covers the extreme north-eastern Northern Cape, western Free State and North West, western KwaZulu-Natal, and the escarpments of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Here, thunderstorms are likely to bring localised flooding and damage,…

The Christmas decorations have gone down, and the shops are decked with back-to-school advertorials, a clear indication that the reopening of schools is imminent. The Department of Basic Education has published the 2026 school calendar and schools in both coastal and inland regions will start at the same time. This began in 2024 and will continue in 2026. The 2026 school year has four terms and 200 school days, plus 28 school holidays and five public holidays. A special school holiday on Monday, June 15, has been created, preceding the Youth Day public holiday on Tuesday, June 16. Term 1: Duration: (12) January 14- March 27 Number of weeks: 11 Number of days: 53 (55) Number of public holidays: 0 Actual number of school days: 53 (55) Term 2: Duration:…

BULLS coach Johan Ackermann admitted the pain was still raw after his side’s narrow 13–8 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday, a match that once again slipped away despite a brave effort. The Pretoria side, currently on a six-game losing streak, was right in the contest until the end, but a combination of individual errors, missed chances, and a powerful Stormers maul proved decisive in the United Rugby Championship (URC) north-south derby at the DHL Stadium. “It’s obviously disappointing at the moment. We’re all emotional, and it hurts to lose like this,” Ackermann said after the match. The coach felt that small moments and fine margins went against his team, adding to the frustration of coming so close without reward. “I feel sorry for the players because…

IT took four seasons for a Zimbabwean to make an appearance in Betway SA20, but Sikandar Raza is fast making up for lost time. The Zimbabwe T20 captain followed up his stirring debut on Friday night at Boland Park with a match-winning performance at Newlands last night. The 39-year-old bagged 4/13, and with the assistance of seamers Nqobani Mokoena (2/10) and Ottneil Baartman (2/8), routed MI Cape Town for just 88. This excellent bowling performance after MI Cape Town won the toss and elected to bat for the first time in five matches saw the Royals romp to a bonus-point seven-wicket victory. “It’s nice to win the game and know your contribution in a win feels more special,” Raza said. “I’ve heard great things about this tournament but due to…

Pape Gueye scored twice as much-fancied Senegal came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 on Saturday and seal a place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, while 10-man Mali edged Tunisia in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Champions in 2022, Senegal are seen as the biggest threat to hosts Morocco’s dreams of winning a first AFCON title in half a century. It would have been a huge shock had the Lions of Teranga lost in Tangiers to a Sudan side almost 100 places beneath them in the FIFA rankings. Sudan reached the Cup of Nations knockout stage for just the second time since lifting the trophy in 1970 despite the country being ravaged by civil war for almost the last three years. However, an upset was on the…

South Africa has confirmed that all its citizens in Venezuela are safe amid heightened tensions following recent United States military action in the country. Clayson Monyela, South Africa’s Head of Public Diplomacy, said the South African Embassy in Caracas remains in direct contact with South African nationals on the ground. “The South African Embassy in Caracas (staff is safe) is in touch with all SA nationals in that country (mostly teachers) ... about 23. All accounted for and safe,” Monyela said. He added that authorities would continue to closely track developments as a precaution. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation which is currently reported as calm,” he said. The confirmation comes after the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela, escalating tensions in a country already grappling with…

A 59-year-old childminder on Saturday was arrested in Jeffreys Bay, after a two-year-old girl was found with open wounds to her upper body in the early hours of New Year’s Day. According to Eastern Cape police, they were called to a house in Govan Mbeki Street in the Tokyo Sexwale area in the early hours of last week Thursday morning (4am) after a complaint about an injured toddler. When police arrived, they found the girl with wounds to her upper body. According to police, it’s unclear how the child sustained the injuries as the female childminder was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. The child was taken to hospital, where she was admitted for medical treatment. The woman has been charged with child neglect and assault with intent to…

Food insecurity continues to be a growing crisis at universities across the country, with many underprivileged students struggling to afford proper meals as they embark on their journey to attain education. According to the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) that was conducted last year nearly 63% of households in the country lack reliable access to food, with a staggering 17% facing critical under-nourishment. According to reports studies have also revealed that hunger among students in the country is on the rise. At the University of Free State, 64.5% of students are at risk of hunger, while 65% of UKZN students face a similar risk. According to UKZN’s Student Support Services, more than 50% of UKZN students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Furthermore, up to 75% of the university’s…

A devastating lightning strike hit the Mphebatho Troop Festival, also known as Diturupa, in Dertig village, North West, on Saturday, resulting in two fatalities and injuring more than 150 people. The incident left the community shaken after a lightning bolt ripped through the crowd, sending panicked revelers fleeing for shelter. According to authorities, a total of 150 patients with lightning-related injuries from the event were treated at Mathibestad clinic, with 49 subsequently admitted to Jubilee Hospital. A social media video showed the moment panic set in at the village carnival as attendees scrambled for safety amidst a downpour. “People got struck, two collapsed,” a shocked onlooker exclaimed, as others clutched umbrellas in the rain. After the deadly lightning strike organisers called off the remainder of the event amidst growing panic…

BY THE time you read this, we fervently hope our talented team has secured their place among the top eight, thereby avoiding the dreaded early exit. This continental showdown is not merely a sporting event; it serves as a crucial benchmark of South Africa’s footballing prowess and readiness for next year’s worldwide spectacle, where they will share the stage with Mexico, South Korea, and a fourth team yet to be announced. With a promising roster dotted with skilful players, Bafana Bafana possesses the talent and potential to carve through opposition defences. At the helm of this hopeful campaign is Manager Hugo Broos, who carries a unique history into this crucial match against Cameroon. Having previously coached the Indomitable Lions in 2016 and 2017, Broos’s appointment to lead Bafana Bafana saw…

LIONS coach Ivan van Rooyen commended his team for the way they dealt with the adversity of losing forward Ruan Venter to a yellow card that was later upgraded to red in the gripping one-point victory against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon. Venter was sin-binned for head contact in a tackle on Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi late in the first half of their United Rugby Championship clash, and the yellow was later upgraded to red. While similar setbacks may have seen the Lions buckle under the pressure previously, they held their nerve at the Shark Tank this time to snatch the 23-22 win after the hooter. “I don’t think it (the head contact) was intentional, I think it was a little bit of timing out. But I…

Arsenal fought back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday, stretching their lead at the top of the Premier League, at least for a day, as Aston Villa extended their winning run at home. A goal from Gabriel Magalhaes and two from the returning Declan Rice sent the Gunners six points clear of second-placed Villa and seven ahead of Manchester City, who were still to play Chelsea at home yesterday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the character of his team, singling out Rice and Gabriel, whose sloppy pass set up Bournemouth for the opening goal. “I love the character of Gabriel, the way he overcame that situation...,” he told Sky Sports. “The team found a way to beat them and it’s a massive win.” The Spaniard said…

It’s shark week in the Investec Champions Cup, and JP Pietersen’s charges won’t have long to nurse the deep wound inflicted on them by the Lions in the United Rugby Championship this weekend, with a mouth-watering clash against the Sale Sharks looming next Saturday. The Sharks head coach tasted victory in his first match in charge of the Durban franchise with an impressive 28-23 home win over a powerful Saracens side in round two of European rugby’s premier competition, and he will be desperate to rediscover that winning formula when his team travels to the CorpAcq Stadium in Manchester. Saturday’s one-point defeat to the Lions at Kings Park was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly after the hosts showed resilience and attacking intent in a fiercely contested derby. Pietersen was…

A Venezuela-style operation on the continent is unlikely, but South Africa is still concerned about United States international behaviour. However, a caution is raised regarding Africa’s historical susceptibility to Washington-backed regime-change tactics. “I don’t foresee that the US can execute a Venezuelan military style against South Africa,” according to political analyst and international relations expert Dr Gideon Chitanga. In a risky operation that has infuriated people worldwide, US military forces apprehended President Nicolás Maduro and his wife over the weekend and transported them to the US to face criminal charges. Gideon cited Libya as a warning example and stated that the US has frequently used non-military means to weaken governments it does not support, such as economic pressure, political discrediting, and destabilisation. South Africa’s democratic legitimacy, he said, remains its…

A 39-year-old man has died after allegedly being attacked by two pitbull dogs in Vryburg, North West. According to police, officers responded to a report of an inquest from a local hospital last week Thursday. Upon arrival, they were directed to a surgical ward, where the man was found lying in a hospital bed with no signs of life. The deceased sustained multiple wounds and scratches to his hands and legs, which police believe were caused by dog bites. He was transported to the hospital by Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) at around 02:30 last Thursday morning and later succumbed to his injuries last Friday evening. The man is believed to be a Pakistani national who was either renting a room or residing as a tenant at the premises where…

South Africa has seen a troubling rise in kidnappings in recent years, with victims often subjected to unimaginable psychological and physical trauma. The ordeal of being kidnapped is not only a violation of one’s freedom but also a deeply traumatic experience that leaves lasting scars on the survivor’s psyche. Amanda Rykaart, HPCSA Registered Counsellor (Trauma) and BWRT® practitioner, sheds light on the psychological impact of kidnapping and how victims can navigate the long road to recovery. The psychological toll during the ordeal Kidnapping is a sudden, unexpected and out of the ordinary event that shatters a person’s sense of safety and control. During the ordeal, victims often experience intense psychological reactions. Initially, there is shock, disbelief, and a sense of unreality. Physical symptoms such as fainting, vomiting, or bladder voiding…

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that it has processed all 2026 funding applications ahead of the start of the academic year. A total of 893 847 applications were received from first-time entering students, of which 609 403 qualified for financial aid, 49 538 were rejected, 218 043 remain incomplete due to missing documents, and 16 863 were withdrawn or cancelled. The scheme has faced criticism in recent years for delays, mismanagement, and administrative errors. In response, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has proposed abolishing NSFAS and directing student funding straight to universities and colleges, a move that has been welcomed by ActionSA. The party said the approach could finally end the corruption, chaos, and chronic mismanagement that have long plagued student funding, ensuring that money reaches students…

This article is written in response to claims that cross-border military force may be justified by domestic criminal indictments or disputed elections. Such arguments, if left unchallenged, risk normalising a dangerous erosion of the United Nations Charter’s authority at a moment when conflicts in Ukraine and rising tensions around Taiwan already place the international system under severe strain. The purpose of this piece is not to defend any government, but to defend the legal framework that protects all states from coercion by the powerful. There is one rule that prevents the world from sliding into permanent instability: states may not use force to settle political disputes. That rule sits at the heart of the UN Charter, drafted after two world wars to stop power, not…

ORLANDO Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng says the pressure he has faced in recent times is something he has learned to live with, using it as fuel to maintain high standards in his performances. Mofokeng and his Pirates teammates remain firmly in contention for the Betway Premiership title and look well placed to launch a serious challenge for the crown for a second successive season. A product of the Buccaneers’ youth development system, the 21-year-old has risen swiftly through the ranks and is widely viewed as one of the most exciting prospects in South African football. With competition for places at both club and international level, Mofokeng has not been a guaranteed starter in recent months, a situation compounded by an injury earlier in the campaign. However, the attacking midfielder believes…

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson never doubted that his team would pull off a win against the Bulls on Saturday in Cape Town as they racked up victory number eight in the competition to remain unbeaten and atop the United Rugby Championship (URC) log. It was a pulsating north-south derby clash, albeit one marred by errors from both teams and the match officials. However, the spectacle delivered by the arch-rivals suggested that more fireworks are to come when the rematch takes place in Pretoria. While the Cape side kept their dominance over local sides in the tournament, winning 13-8, they know the tense ending to the match – where a rolling maul try by prop Ntuthuko Mchunu saved the day after the scores were deadlocked at 8-all – showed…

In the aftermath of their shock victory against Tunisia in Morocco on Saturday night, Mali reportedly splashed out 3 million francs on their ‘magic man’ to ensure that fortune swings in their favour in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Mali seemed doomed when Woyo Coulibaly was shown a red card in the 26th minute, leaving Mali to play with 10 men for most of the match against the higher-ranked Tunisia. After Tunisia took the lead in the 88th minute, Mali’s mystical effort came to the fore seven minutes into stoppage time with a sensational penalty to force the match into extra time. Mali’s conquest was one of the intriguing talking points at AFCON. Herculean drawcards In an extraordinary achievement, Mali has reached the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025…