Table of contents for 2026-01-22 in Star

Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa said on Wednesday his energy delegation has engaged with global and local CEOs of ferrochrome smelters at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in a bid to cushion and develop the industry for beneficiation. The intervention aims to sustain a proposed tariff of 62 cents per kilowatt-hour for smelters, as the sector faces retrenchments driven by high electricity costs. Ramokgopa said stakeholders — including government, Eskom, labour unions and smelters — had worked to restructure the tariff from R1.35 per kilowatt-hour to save jobs, and that the WEF was being used to facilitate high-level discussions. “We are here engaging global CEOs of some of these entities. We have already engaged domestic CEOs, and we are aligned. Of course, the details still…

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has defended the stability and governance of South African Tourism (SA Tourism), dismissing allegations that her intervention at the entity undermined its independence through questionable board appointments. SA Tourism has been under intense scrutiny following the dissolution of its previous board and the suspension of its chief executive officer, Nombulelo Guliwe, developments that have fuelled concerns about governance instability at the state-owned tourism marketing agency. Democratic Alliance spokesperson on tourism, Haseena Ismail, on Wednesday said she had written to Parliament calling for urgent intervention and oversight following serious concerns about SA Tourism’s handling of Meetings Africa. Meetings Africa is South Africa’s flagship Pan-African business events trade show, hosted by SA Tourism, and plays an important role in securing future business events for the continent. Ismail…

South Africa’s inflation rate edged slightly higher in December, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures released by Statistics SA on Wednesday. Inflation rose to 3.6% in December 2025 from 3.5% in November. Prices increased by 0.2% compared with November, meaning consumers paid slightly more for everyday goods and services during the month. Economists said the small rise was expected. Frank Blackmore, the lead economist at KPMG South Africa, said December CPI numbers, which came in at 3.6% for December 2025, are slightly higher than the 3.5% recorded in November. “Core inflation also rose marginally to 3.3% from 3.2% last year. The main contributor to this inflation was housing and utilities, which added one-third or 1.2 percentage points of that 3.6%, and most notably there it was obviously…

The new year may come with new music from one of South Africa’s most popular exported artists, Tyla. The 23-year-old singer had a standout run with her 2024 self-titled debut album, which helped her build a global fan base and delivered some of her strongest visuals to date. She followed that with a mixtape in July 2025, which also performed well on the charts, and later released her hit single Chanel, which continues her winning streak. Now, the Grammy Award-winning musician is giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from her highly anticipated sophomore album. According to Tyla, the project will lean more into fun with a touch of the feels, but “nothing too deep”, as she put it. The Shake Ah singer shared a clip of herself getting…

A worker caught with a roll of toilet paper allegedly belonging to his employer in his bag and subsequently fired received good news from the Labour Court when it not only confirmed that he must be reinstated, but he must be paid R120 000 in backpay. The Labour Court in Cape Town turned down an application by Mpact Operations, where Theodore April worked as a winder operator since 2009 until he was fired, to review an arbitration ruling that he must be reinstated. Acting Judge M Mkhatshwa ordered that apart from the backpay, which he must receive by the end of February, he must report for work on February 2. April was fired after he was found guilty at an internal disciplinary hearing after security found a roll of toilet…

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza is facing intense scrutiny amid reports linking him to the 2023 shooting of DJ Bongani Mfito and the June 2025 murder of City auditor Mpho Mafole. The allegations have prompted political parties to call on the Gauteng Serious Crimes Unit to launch an urgent and thorough investigation into Mfito’s shooting. Xhakaza has rejected the claims as baseless, dismissing them as a coordinated attempt to tarnish his leadership. Media reports allege a possible link between the incidents and Xhakaza, stating that a suspect apprehended in relation to the 2023 shooting of Mfito was also an accomplice in the June 2025 murder of Mafole, who was killed just days after submitting a forensic report that highlighted alleged irregularities in a R1.8 billion chemical toilet tender awarded by…

Dashcam footage from the truck involved in Monday’s fatal crash that claimed 12 lives shows the minibus travelling in the oncoming lane with enough time and space to avoid the crash, but failing to do so. The footage shows the truck travelling steadily while other vehicles safely pass in the opposite lane. Moments later, the taxi suddenly enters the truck’s path. In a last-ditch attempt to avoid the collision, the school transport veers right while the truck moves slightly left. However, the manoeuvres come too late, resulting in a violent head-on crash. Other taxis driving in the opposite direction moved over to give the school transport driver room to avoid the crash, but he didn’t take the opportunity. The accident, which occurred on the R553 near Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal,…

South Africa utilised last week’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to showcase the African continent’s energy generation opportunities and position itself as a future energy exporter. President Cyril Ramaphosa participated in the summit’s heads of State panel and spoke extensively about Africa’s significant opportunities in energy generation, highlighting the continent’s potential to contribute to the global energy landscape. “We have one of the greatest endowments in the world – the sun, the wind, and our mighty rivers. So, a combination of all three, as well as our minerals, gives rise to those opportunities where we can generate energy,” he said. He noted that Africa’s 600 million people who still lack energy present an opportunity to leverage the continent’s mineral resources, rather than viewing it as…

Residents in Cape Town remember Day Zero all too well: the empty reservoirs, dry taps and lining up for water were a reality for many in 2018. But it could come back, and this time, Cape Town will not be the only city affected. A study published in Nature Communications warns that Southern Africa is emerging as a primary hotspot for unprecedented, human-induced water scarcity, which could make “Day Zero” a daily and permanent reality rather than a one-off crisis. The research, titled “The first emergence of unprecedented global water scarcity in the Anthropocene”, introduces a terrifying new metric: “Day Zero Drought” (DZD). Unlike traditional droughts caused merely by a lack of rain, a DZD is a “compound extreme event” triggered by the simultaneous collision of prolonged rainfall deficits, depleted…

Sekunjalo chairman Dr Iqbal Survé has called for closer collaboration between government, business and society to strengthen South Africa’s image as an attractive investment destination, saying the country’s future success depends on stakeholders working together. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Survé welcomed the tone and substance of speeches by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, saying they reinforced the message that South Africa is moving in the right direction. “I think they were really good speeches by the ministers,” said Survé. “They reaffirm South Africa’s trend towards becoming a more investment-friendly destination. That’s good for the country and good for South Africa’s brand image.” As a leading figure in the private sector, Survé emphasised…

Each January, the World Economic Forum meets in Davos under its motto: “Committed to Improving the State of the World”. The discussions are serious, the attendance influential, and the logistics immaculate. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are everywhere. I have been here 16 times. Those drinks matter more than they seem because they are irrefutable evidence of what is wrong with the WEF. The WEF could start with a simple measure: invite all corporate members, all UN organisations, all universities and all governments present in Davos to share ten cents on every cup of coffee, tea, and cocoa they consume, serve or sell, and transfer the funds to the producers. The proposal is modest. Ten cents would be barely noticed by WEF delegates, corporations, or institutions. But at the other…

Ford Racing has unveiled the Mustang Dark Horse SC, the most extreme interpretation of the Dark Horse yet. Unfortunately for local enthusiasts, the supercharged V8 Pony Car has not been confirmed for South Africa yet. Positioned between the standard Mustang Dark Horse and the exclusive GTD, the Dark Horse SC is the product of Ford Racing’s growing effort to align its road cars more closely with its global motorsport programme. Development The Dark Horse SC was engineered using lessons learned and data from the Mustang GT3 and GT4 race programmes, as well as technology developed for the GTD flagship. Ford says nearly every dynamic system was reworked, including the powertrain, suspension, braking, aerodynamics and cooling. “Mustang Dark Horse SC draws directly on what we’ve learned at the very top of…

Cedric Kaze is finally standing up for the under-fire Kaizer Chiefs technical team, knowing they are not everyone’s cup of tea and that Rome wasn’t built in a day, while insisting they will bask in the glory of their success at the end of the season. Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have been steering Chiefs’ ship since the early part of the season. Their appointment was bizarre, given that the club decided to retain them after sacking their superior and head coach, Nasreddine Nabi. They have done their bit to show that they are the right men for the job, guiding Amakhosi to third place in the Betway Premiership with 16 games to go, as well as qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. Still, they have attracted more…

Dewald Brevis has scored 194 runs for Pretoria Capitals thus far in Betway SA20 Season 4. With his auction purchase price having been a record R16.5 million, it equates to just over R850 000 per run. Even without the credentials of an investment banker, that does not seem like a strong return on expenditure. Personally, the price tag doesn’t make the player for me. Franchise auctions are a lottery at the best of times, and fortunately for Brevis the numbers fell right for him. My concern is more about how Brevis goes about his business. Is he learning after every innings, or is he guilty of the same mistakes? It has become clear that Brevis will be targeted by the short ball, and that orthodox spin will take a backseat…

Never mind Rassie Erasmus getting into people’s heads with the help of The Cranberries, Stormers centre Wandisile Simelane says he takes to the field with defence coach Norman Laker present between his ears. Simelane knows he will be asked questions on defence by the strong-running Sharks midfield of Andre Esterhuizen at the Cape Town Stadium, but he is confident he will do the job. “Defence has more to it than meets the eye, especially when you are tasked with running the show from 13,” said Simelane. “Ruhan Nel helped me a lot, and Norman prides himself on our defence — trust me, when you put on that Stormers jersey, Norm is in your head. “Norm and I worked very hard on my defence, and I am grateful to be in…

GAVIN HUNT has used the refrains “we should have won the match” or “we should have scored more goals” so much in his post match media addresses that to hear him say anything else gets one doing a second take. It has become somewhat of a cliché really, an expected statement from a coach even when the reality of proceedings had been different. It was thus somewhat of a shock when Hunt’s maiden post-match address as coach of Stellenbosch FC did not include those lines. Perhaps most surprising was to hear the multiple championship-winner admitting his team were lucky to win their Betway Premiership tie at Sekhukhune United 1-0. Tsheogatso Mabasa scored on debut for the Cape Winelands outfit he joined this week on loan from Orlando Pirates to help…

Minister de Lille says SA’s presence in Davos is meant to reposition tourism economic growth Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has urged international investors to look into South Africa as a potential destination for global meetings, conferences and entertainment events, and thus replicate the Club Med model across the country. Club Med SAS, commonly known as Club Med and previously known as Club Méditerranée SA, is a French travel and tourism operator headquartered in Paris, specializing in all-inclusive holidays. The multinational hospitality group is opening a R2.5 billion beach and safari resort in KwaZulu-Natal in July, the most expensive destination-scale tourism venture in the country’s history and reinforcing economic prospects in critical logistics infrastructure in the province. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting…

Karooooo, the JSE and New York-listed owner of vehicle telematics and fleet management company Cartrak, accelerated its growth in the three months to November 30 even as it continued to build distribution capacity, CEO and founder Zak Calisto said yesterday. Cartrack's quarterly subscription revenue increased 20% to R1.24bn and ARR (annual recurring revenue) increased 22% to R5.11bn, representing a significant acceleration in growth, compared to the 2024 third quarter, where subscription revenue and ARR each increased 14%. There were record Cartrack subscriber additions of 111 478, versus 86 617 in the third quarter of 2024. Third quarter ARR growth of 22% also accelerated compared to 20% in the previous quarter, and ARR increased 28% in US dollars to $298 million. "This growth, and growth in earnings, came even though we…

Despite an improvement in investor confidence in South Africa, a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Empowerment organisation has highlighted concern about a R350 billion SME funding gap that persists because many businesses are not funding ready. CEO of SME Empowerment organisation, Unconventional CA, Hiten Keshave, said the funding gap is most visible among smaller, micro businesses and informal traders. “Formal micro enterprises account for more than 86% of SME funding applications and contribute over 80% of SME job creation, yet they are the least likely to secure funding approval.” Keshave added that there are growing signs that business and investor confidence is beginning to stabilise in South Africa. “Inflation has eased, energy supply has improved, and economic forecasts point to modest growth following several difficult years marked by weak demand,…

The ton is buzzing with news of a new arrival, and it is time to officially meet the woman who has captured the heart of our favourite bohemian Bridgerton brother. Yerin Ha has been cast as the leading lady for the upcoming fourth season of Bridgerton, where she will step into the role of Sophie Baek. While the character is known to book fans as Sophie Beckett, the series has updated her name to honour Ha’s own heritage, adding a layer of personal connection to this much-anticipated debut. Ha is a talented 27-year-old actress who was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She comes from a family with roots in the performing arts, as her grandmother is a well-known actress in South Korea, and her parents actually met while attending…

Drunk driving remains a major crisis in South Africa, with alcohol linked to approximately 50-58% of road fatalities. Alcohol abuse is responsible for more than 65% of the deaths and injuries on South African roads, says South Africans Against Drunk Driving, based in KwaZulu-Natal. This figure, The Star has learned, far exceeds global averages and costs the economy billions annually. Despite strict legal limits of 0.05g/100ml and ongoing public awareness campaigns, the issue leads to thousands of arrests, particularly during holiday periods. Statistics indicate significant spikes in incidents during festive seasons, with a high involvement rate among younger drivers. While overall road fatalities for 2025/2026 have shown a decline, recent data reveals a substantial increase in drunk driving arrests, highlighting the continued severity of the situation. Now Parliament has had…

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Tshwane has urged the government to tackle the longstanding issue of “amaphela” – small cars operating as unlicensed taxis in townships. The call from Santaco follows Monday’s protest in Pretoria’s CBD by drivers against the impoundment of their vehicles by the Tshwane metro police. Protesters from Atteridgeville blocked traffic to draw attention to their demands, but they were prevented by the metro police who impounded five vehicles and arrested four of the drivers. Local Santaco spokesperson Ernest Bokaba distanced the organisation from the protest, stating that the individuals involved were unlicensed operators of small cars, colloquially known as “amaphela”, being used as taxis in townships. He emphasised that these operators are not part of Santaco’s membership, adding that according to the transport…

The discovery of another male body in the Ba-Phalaborwa area has brought the death toll from recent severe weather in Limpopo to 19, authorities said yesterday. The body is believed to be linked to recent drowning incidents caused by heavy rainfall across the province. The announcement follows the drowning of two boys, aged 15 and 17, in the Selati River at Mashishimale village on Monday, which contributed to a total of six missing persons amid the floods. Limpopo MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Basikopo Makamu, said preliminary confirmation indicates that the recovered body is likely one of the two boys swept away at Mashishimale. “Search and rescue operations continue in the hardest-hit areas, including Tshwinga in Vhembe District, and Mbaula and Ba-Phalaborwa in Mopani,” Makamu…

Former IPID head, Robert McBride, said he warned the suspended police minister, Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, against appointing Cedric Nkabinde as his chief of staff, citing what he described as Nkabinde’s uncontrollable love for money and questionable integrity. McBride made the disclosure while testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations of corruption, political interference, and criminal infiltration within the criminal justice system and the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Tuesday. “I had warned Mchunu previously, before he was appointed, that the guy is not to be trusted,” McBride told the committee, painting Nkabinde as a figure driven by greed and entitlement rather than public service. According to McBride, Nkabinde cultivated a lavish lifestyle that raised red flags within law enforcement circles. He alleged that Nkabinde was known for…

A former manager at a Gauteng food manufacturing company has been sentenced to an effective four years’ imprisonment after defrauding his employer of more than R2 million through a long-running invoice scam. Confirming the outcome, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Jans Daniel Naude, 44, was sentenced by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to seven years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of fraud or theft during the period of suspension. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. Naude, a former technical and production manufacturing facilities manager at Fanatics Trading (Pty) Ltd, was convicted on 23 counts of fraud involving more than R2m. He was employed at the company from 2014 until February…

France wants the G7 to build closer cooperation with BRICS to counter growing global “fragmentation,” President Emmanuel Macron said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday. In January, France assumed the rotating presidency of the G7. Speaking about the agenda for the group, Macron said Paris wants to restore effective cooperation within the G7 while also developing ties with the wider world. One of the objectives is “to build bridges and ... cooperation with the emerging countries, BRICS and the G20,” he said. Founded in 2006, BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation of nations that together account for more than a quarter of the global economy and nearly a half of the world’s population. It currently includes ten members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa,…

South Africans are being warned that what they share, send or record on digital platforms can and is being used as evidence in court. This can include your private WhatsApp chats, social media rants an even fitness app data. The warning comes after growing legal commentary, highlighting how courts are increasingly admitting social media content and app-generated data in both civil and criminal cases. The reality is that most communication now happens online, and the law has adapted accordingly. In simple terms, “online” does not mean informal and deleting something does not mean it disappears forever. Below is a breakdown of common platforms and what courts are likely to accept as evidence. WhatsApp What courts may use: Messages and group chats. Voice notes. Photos and videos. Timestamps and message histories.…

A quarter of a century is a long time, but for Defender and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, longevity has been earned the hard way across some of the most inaccessible parts of Africa. The two mark 25 years of continuous partnership this year, a relationship that began in 2 000 and has since supported more than 40 humanitarian and conservation expeditions. Every journey has been undertaken in a Defender, often far beyond the reach of conventional infrastructure and well outside the comfort zone of many vehicles. Outcome driven From arid deserts in the north to flood-prone equatorial forests and deep sand tracks across Southern Africa, the Foundation’s work over time has translated into tangible outcomes rather than marketing milestones. To date, the Kingsley Holgate Foundation has distributed more than 473…

The Bulls deserve a pat on the back for grinding out a gutsy Champions Cup win over classy Pau, who are second on the French Top 14 points table, but fans are not getting carried away just yet. Seven painful losses preceded the 26-24 win at Pau; the sentiment is that one swallow doesn’t make a summer, and only a win tomorrow evening in Edinburgh will convince fans and critics alike that the Bulls have turned the corner under Johan Ackermann. Encouragingly, the Bulls tightened up their defence last week. Until that match and excluding their tight, 13-8 tussle with the Stormers, the Bulls were conceding an average of almost six tries per game in their pursuit of a more attacking, adventurous style of rugby. The Bulls have, in fact,…

Dear Minister, Gayton McKenzie, I hope this letter finds you well. Let me start by saying that I am writing not only as a football scribe but also as a concerned and discerning supporter of the game, who is watching a leech — poor refereeing — slowly suck the life out of one of the brands that has become the pride of African football. So, here we go! As the main custodian of sport in this country — not just football — I am sure you have been following the Premier Soccer League (PSL) closely this season, especially since you took office. As such, you have not been immune to the league’s thrills, spills, and shortcomings. When reports emerged last year that the PSL had a significant 9% increase in…

German manufacturer Audi, which will make its Formula One debut this season after acquiring the Sauber team, unveiled its first-ever single-seater on Tuesday and declared its ambition to “win championships by 2030”. The livery of the car, named the Audi R26, features a predominantly grey colour scheme and displays the four rings of the German brand’s logo in red on its rear wing and was designed to be “the most elegant and striking on the grid”. Last year’s Sauber drivers Nico Huelkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will remain at the team in 2026 following the rebranding. Having paired up during Sauber’s final season in 2025, the duo provides a vital bridge for the German manufacturer’s transition into a full works team. Hülkenberg, a seasoned veteran, brings over a decade of technical…

“Champions League football starts in the knockout stage!” Those were the sentiments of legendary South African coach Pitso Mosimane a few seasons ago. Mosimane was suggesting that while teams may excel in the group stages of the CAF competition, their true character is only tested when the “real” contenders are separated from the pretenders in the knockout rounds. As it turns out, Mosimane was right. Many teams that dominate their groups often struggle against continental heavyweights later on, resulting in the usual “favourites” reaching the semi-finals. However, it seems Mosimane’s former employers, Mamelodi Sundowns, did not entirely heed his message. They sacked Manqoba Mngqithi early last season following a series of struggles, including a below-par start to their continental campaign after drawing their opening two matches. Enter his successor, Miguel…

The stalemate between the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Postbank over the former’s stipulation of a three-month extension of a master service agreement (MSA), affecting about three million beneficiaries, has landed before the Constitutional Court after behind-the-scenes disputes overtook a Presidency-appointed inter-ministerial committee (IMC) process. This follows the expiry of the three-month MSA extension at the end of December, while the IMC has yet to conclude its deliberations, leaving the fragile relationship to be resolved through submissions to the Constitutional Court. Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi confirmed in an update that the matter is currently before the Constitutional Court. “The Court ordered that the status quo be maintained pending further directions. “The passing of 31 December 2025 does not alter Sassa’s legal position, but since the matter is before…

UK wealth management company Quilter shares surged on the JSE Wednesday after it reported record net inflows of £9.1 billion for 2025 due to elevated client activity following speculation in markets about the UK Budget in November 2023. Directors of the JSE and London listed company said in a trading statement that quarterly inflows consistently above £2bn through the year also reflected the strength of their platform. The share price increased 4.07% to R42.74 in the afternoon - the price has increased by more than 11% over 12 months. "We finished the year with strong momentum. The fourth quarter was our strongest quarter of the year, despite market uncertainty caused by speculation on potential tax changes ahead of the UK Budget at the end of November," said CEO Steven Levin.…

South African acting sensation Albert Pretorius, the lead star of Die Kantoor, the South African spin-off of The Office, is thrilled to have stepped into a character type that is instantly recognisable across the globe. After Ricky Gervais starred as David Brent in the UK edition of the original version of the series, and Steve Carell earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Michael Scott in the American iteration, the Afrikaans actor will now take the lead in the upcoming Mzansi mockumentary series. The 2025 Fleur du Cap and Woordfees winner plays Flip, the manager of Deluxe Processed Meats, a polony factory where the stakes, at least in Flip’s mind, feel nothing short of monumental. “I know he will be compared to David Brent and Michael Scott – I can’t…

The Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court has sentenced 40-year-old Dineo Cambridge Baloyi to life imprisonment for the murder of his younger brother, Lethabo Baloyi. In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed a further five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder and declared Baloyi unfit to possess a firearm. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said at the time of the incident, the deceased, aged 27, was employed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and lived at the barracks, while Baloyi resided with their mother at her home in Soshanguve. Their mother, also an SANDF employee, was frequently deployed outside the country. Mahanjana said that during one of the mother’s deployments, Baloyi went to her bedroom and discovered her last will and testament. After learning that…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has promised South Africans that the 2026 Budget will be delivered and passed without any hiccups next month. The minister said there would not be a repeat of last year’s fiasco which saw the budget speech postponed for the first time in South Africa’s democratic history. The delay of almost a month was due to the Government and their GNU partners, particularly the Democratic Alliance, unable to reach consensus on key issues. “We have learnt a number of lessons from last year, and we are working as much as we can with the relevant parties to ensure that we have a well-supported budget, said Godongwana. Godongwana was speaking to IOL at the South Africa Night event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in…

Billionaire businessman and CAF president Patrice Motsepe should be “pumping money” into the ANC to help the party win the 2026 local government elections if he truly loves it, rather than pursuing the party presidency, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said. Speaking in an interview with the public broadcaster on Tuesday, Mbalula said he had not personally engaged with Motsepe regarding leadership speculation. This comes after branded T-shirts bearing the slogan “PM2027” have begun circulating widely on social media, fuelling speculation about a possible push for Motsepe ahead of the ANC’s 2027 elective conference. Motsepe has repeatedly insisted he is “not available” for the position. “I don’t have to engage him. I will deal with the matter, as per the mandate given to me, with those who are perpetuating that,”…

Emergency services were dispatched to a Standard Bank branch in Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort, on Tuesday morning following reports of a fire at about 09:10. City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) said firefighters were sent to the bank, located at the corner of Ellis and Carnation streets, where evacuation and firefighting operations were immediately initiated. According to EMS media officer Xolile Khumalo, all staff members were safely evacuated and accounted for during the operation. The fire was contained, with firefighters remaining on site to conduct damping-down operations to ensure there were no flare-ups. Smoke was still present in the area as crews continued their work. EMS confirmed that no staff injuries were reported at the time of the incident. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and…

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned yesterday that the 27-nation bloc must move faster to boost its economy and defences, faced with a new world order defined by “raw power”. Addressing the European Parliament, von der Leyen said Europe had to toughen up to influence the world around it – while warning the United States that strife between “allies” over Greenland would only embolden rivals of the West. “The shift in the international order is not only seismic, but it is permanent,” she told lawmakers, citing the “volatile situation” around Greenland, but also Russia’s relentless bombing of Ukraine and tensions from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific. “We will need a departure from Europe’s traditional caution,” said the European Commission President. “We now live in a world defined by…

Undoubtedly one of the most recognised shapes on the road and certainly one of the more aspirational cars on the market, the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 never fails to draw attention. First designed for military use, Mercedes quickly realised its potential for the civilian market, and since its introduction in 1979, more than 600 000 G-Wagons, as they have become known, have been sold globally. It’s an ultimate stock adventure vehicle with owners having travelled to the most extreme parts of the globe, enduring searing heat, freezing snow and ice. And while the G63 has all the prowess needed for the rough stuff, it’s not why people own them. Okay, the 22-inch road-biased tyres probably wouldn’t make it past the first rocky obstacle, so it’s more about the ultimate flex than…

Hyundai South Africa has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding a zero-star safety rating given to its Hyundai Grand i10 hatchback. The Korean brand’s entry-level hatchback hit the headlines in early December after independent crash testing authority Global NCAP handed it a zero-star rating for adult occupant protection and a three-star rating for child protection. Although the vehicle is built in India, the rating applies to the South African specification as it was evaluated in accordance with Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign. Hyundai South Africa did not immediately respond to the crash test report after it was released late last year, but after mounting pressure on social media – with even the Automobile Association weighing in to say it has no authority to “ban” such vehicles – the importer released…

Imran Tahir may be approaching his 47th birthday in a couple of months’ time, but the veteran leg-spinner has lost none of his passion for success. Having only had limited game time during the group stages of Betway SA20 Season 4, Tahir burst into action in Joburg Super Kings’ final match against Paarl Royals. Tahir claimed 2/17 to out spin the Royals on their own patch and drive the Super Kings to the qualifiers where they will face the self-same opposition at Centurion tomorrow (5:30pm start). “Yeah, look it’s been a tough season personally for me,” Tahir said. “I haven’t had an opportunity. It’s a sad thing, because obviously it’s our own league, SA20, and when you come here and have done what you’ve done for the country in the…

One of the more popular sights in rugby is a big fellow in the pack running with the ball like a back, something that Lions prop SJ Kotze often does. The young buck has been dubbed “the flyhalf trapped in a prop’s body” because of silky passing skills that have put teammates away for tries or, as was the case when the Lions beat Ulster earlier this season, bursting through the defence like a centre to score under the crossbar. Kotze, who turned 23 on January 2, is a strapping 110kg of muscle, with little puppy fat, hence his athleticism. The young man from Paarl Boys’ High is one of a crop of brilliant youngsters who played in the 2023 Junior Springboks side. Kotze rubbed sweaty shoulders with current United…

The old cliche “never meet your heroes” has not come about without reason because often we are left disappointed when our real-life experience does not match the expectations we had built up from afar. So, having previously heard that Eoin Morgan, former England World Cup-winning captain, could be a bit testy at times, I was naturally apprehensive when approaching him earlier this week in the commentary box at Boland Park. I had nothing to worry about. In fact, the interaction was stunningly pleasant with Morgan coming across as humble, engaging and quite funny in fact. Okay, the former England World Cup-winning captain is not exactly a “hero” of mine, but he was responsible for giving me the best quote of my entire 20-year journalistic career. It was in the bowels…

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz fended off a series of “bombs” before surging into the Australian Open third round yesterday, where he was joined by Aryna Sabalenka and a near-flawless Coco Gauff. Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev needed four sets to keep his Grand Slam dream on track at a cooler Melbourne Park after days of hot weather. Alexander Zverev, the third seed well beaten in last year’s final by Jannik Sinner, also went through in four sets. Spanish superstar Alcaraz came through 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena against hard-hitting German Yannick Hanfmann to take another step towards a career Grand Slam. But the 22-year-old was put through his paces by a player 12 years older before setting up a showdown with France’s Corentin Moutet. “To be honest, it was…