Table of contents for 2025-10-20 in Star

Bank procedures in the spotlight after agreements overturned between Standard Bank and client Questionable bank foreclosure procedures have once again fallen into the spotlight following the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decision last week to overturn two settlement agreements between Standard Bank and a defaulting client because the bank had not complied with the National Credit Act. The SCA overturned the settlement agreements in the Wolmarans Kinder Trust case after the agreements were used by the bank to obtain orders from the Bloemfontein High Court, allowing the bank to sell properties to recover its debt without the consumer being afforded an opportunity to oppose the application or follow some other route to repay the debt, such as a debt review process. The SCA judgement arose after the Trust and its…

The International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) has pledged to strengthen international cooperation and sound policymaking to safeguard global stability, address rising debt risks, and advance sustainable growth as the world economy undergoes a profound transformation. In a statement on Friday following its latest 52nd meeting, IMFC chairman Mohammed Aljadaan, who is the Minister for Finance of Saudi Arabia, said that while global growth remains resilient, it faces mounting pressures from high debt, geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events, and shifting trade and demographic dynamics. Aljadaan emphasized that these global challenges bring not only risks but also opportunities for reform and innovation. “The global economy is undergoing a profound transformation,” Aljadaan said. “Major policy shifts in trade and other areas are reconfiguring global markets and policy frameworks, heightening uncertainty. Growth has…

Financial inclusion efforts today are increasingly built around digital systems. By 2035, the South African Reserve Bank envisions an economy where the majority of transactions are conducted digitally. QR codes, e-wallets and contactless cards are gradually replacing physical currency. Yet this vision, while compelling, prompts a fundamental question: can a digitally driven economy succeed if the underlying systems are not designed for the financial realities of the majority? South Africa’s informal economy, estimated to contribute up to 30% of gross domestic product, operates primarily in cash. With approximately 1.8 million informal enterprises active across townships, peri-urban areas and rural centres, over 90% remain cash-reliant. Just 12% use formal banking infrastructure for daily transactions. This segment supports an estimated 5 million livelihoods and generates over R75 billion in annual turnover. It…

Two South Africans have acquitted themselves very well in the trade wars of whose sovereignty. This is when it comes to information and knowledge creation. One grew up in Lesotho as a South African refugee and the other in the Cape Flats. Zakes Mda and Eldrid Jordaan have lit the torch of struggle and shed light in the dark and extractive allays of Silicon Valley. After Donald Trump won the elections as a second term president of the United States, it became clear that South Africa was one on the list of the slash and burn countries. This included the little country, which no one knows about except only the MAGA maniac himself. That South Africa was in the pickle was not only important to the US of “Sleepy…

South Africa’s mining industry recorded a slight setback in August, with production declining by 0.2% year-on-year, according to Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) latest Mining Production and Sales report released last week. The contraction, which fell short of market expectations, has sparked mixed reactions from economists and industry observers. Stats SA said the biggest drags on output came from Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), gold, and manganese ore — down 3.0%, 3.6%, and 3.4% respectively — collectively subtracting 1.6 percentage points from overall production. “Coal was the largest positive contributor, rising by 4.1% and contributing 0.8 of the percentage point to overall growt,” said Jean-Pierre Terblanche, principal service statistician at Stats SA. Seasonally adjusted mining production fell for the first time in six months, decreasing by 1.2% month-on-month in August, following…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has apologised to Patrice Motsepe over remarks he made in the past about the billionaire’s possible political ambitions for the presidency of the African National Congress. “When I spoke about Patrice Motsepe, people said I was fighting with him ... No, I’m not fighting with him,” Mbalula said. “If I spoke badly, I withdraw those words, because Motsepe’s people fought with me telling me to stop fighting with Motsepe. “I’m not fighting with him. I was relaying NEC’s decision saying we must not speak about succession battles because we are in trouble. We must fight and win the elections and then we can speak about it.” Meanwhile, Motsepe has once again put to rest speculation about his political ambitions, making it clear he has no intention…

THE SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) has made “notable progress” in its fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), with more than 2 300 suspected sexual offenders arrested and 46 sentenced to life imprisonment during September. According to SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units recorded 2 320 arrests nationwide for crimes including rape, sexual assault, abduction, and attempted rape. The Western Cape led with 536 arrests, followed by Gauteng with 459 and KwaZulu-Natal with 360. Van Wyk confirmed that 46 offenders received life sentences, while 35 others were sentenced to terms of 20 years or more for various sexual offences. Among the most notable recent cases, police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested a 36-year-old man in KwaDukuza on October 9. He is…

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has called for the immediate deportation of undocumented foreign nationals. Hlabisa said while the IFP supports migration for people with scarce skills, it wanted the government to deport all those who were in the country illegally. He made the remarks on Saturday during the IFP’s 50th anniversary celebration at Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto, Gauteng. “As the IFP, we remain true to the issue of illegal migration. We will remain true to the commitment we made to you. Even now, in the GNU, the IFP is against undocumented immigrants from foreign countries who lack the scarce skills that we need and must return to their countries,” Hlabisa told a cheering crowd. Hlabisa said the IFP remained “undiluted” on the issue of undocumented immigrants, arguing…

Bafana Bafana made the country proud last week when the team qualified for the World Cup soccer spectacle next. However, it seems like the yellow card saga, where the national team was docked three points and three goals in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers by the soccer world body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), is far from over. The president of Contralesa, Kgosi Mathupa Mokoena, has now joined the chorus, stating that the administrative error that almost cost this nation a spot in the 2026 World Cup in America needs to be looked into and that there must be repercussions. He urged the South African Football Association (Safa) to launch a full inquiry to identify the culprit behind the scoring error, urging Safa to investigate and identify the culprit.…

Each time I attend Cairo Water Week, I am reminded that water is more than just a resource, but the lifeblood that connects us as humanity. This year marks the fourth time that I have had the privilege to participate in this gathering, and each time, I leave with a deeper sense of urgency and hope. In a world shaken by conflict, climate change, and inequality, water remains one of the few elements that can truly unite rather than divide us. Yet, it is painful to witness how, in some parts of the world, water is being manipulated and used to assert control, or worse, as a weapon of war. At the 8th Cairo Water Week, which took place from October 12 to 16, in Cairo, Egypt, I felt compelled…

Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years as Manchester United won 2-1 on Sunday to end their near decade-long wait for victory at Anfield. Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute header secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in Ruben Amorim’s tenure as United boss. Twelve minutes from time, Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener after just 61 seconds. The defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the table, with Arne Slot still searching for the right blend after spending nearly £450 million (about R10.49 billion) on new players in the transfer market. United closed to within two points of their historic rivals and up to ninth in the table, easing the pressure on Amorim after his…

In a landmark moment for South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns finally conquered the Nigerian hoodoo by claiming a decisive 5-1 victory against Remo Stars in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. The match, played at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Ogun State on Sunday, saw Sundowns rewrite the history books, overcoming a long-standing jinx of South African clubs failing to secure a win on Nigerian soil in previous Champions League encounters. For years, the prospect of facing Nigerian teams proved daunting for Sundowns. Their previous encounters had ended in disappointment, as they suffered defeats to formidable opponents like Lobi Stars and Enyimba. However, the class and maturity displayed by Sundowns in Sunday’s match indicate a significant shift in the team’s fortunes and mentality when…

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) continues to show strong progress in its turnaround strategy, achieving record-breaking operational milestones that signal renewed efficiency across South Africa’s ports. The state-owned logistics operator announced that it handled 100 158 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 27 879 fully built automotive units (FBUs) in a single week — a major performance milestone that has been widely welcomed by industry experts. In the same reporting period, Week 28, the Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) surpassed its daily operational targets by 60%, handling 2 760 container moves in a single day — one of its best performances in years. TPT CEO Jabu Mdaki said the results reflect a defining moment for the entity in the 2025/2026 financial year, which ends in March 2026. “TPT has broken 14 performance records…

boost as China trade deal sealed South Africa’s agricultural sector has welcomed a breakthrough trade agreement that could open lucrative opportunities for local fruit producers. The Department of Agriculture (DoA) announced on Wednesday that Minister John Steenhuisen and China’s Minister of the General Administration of Customs (GACC), Sun Meijun, signed a landmark Stone Fruit Trade Protocol in Shanghai. The agreement, which covers fruits such as apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes, is expected to unlock an estimated R400 million in export value over the next five years. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), said the deal marks a significant step in deepening South Africa’s access to the Chinese market — an increasingly vital destination for local produce. “We must work to broaden South Africa’s agricultural access…

The Competition authorities have been mistakenly and unfairly targeted recently by various free market fundamentalists These self-appointed critics, masquerading as economic experts, miss the necessity of having properly empowered authorities to regulate and where needed, tackle monopolies and anti-competitive behaviour. To simply leave such important matters for the economy, its growth and inclusivity, to the vagaries of the market, is naïve at best and in reality, a dangerous failure to address society’s faultlines. It flies in the face of international experience, where even the most ‘pro-market’ economies, such as the US, have powerful competition authorities. These critics are mysteriously silent when it comes to the Commission’s many important interventions benefiting millions of workers and consumers, thousands of start-ups and SMMEs, contributing to economic growth and reducing our painful levels of…

Jubilee Metals Group, the Zambia-focused copper producer, said Friday the workstreams to conclude the R1.6 billion sale of its South African chrome and PGM businesses were progressing well, while production at these operations remained firmly on track. The company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and the JSE, said in an operational update for its first quarter to September 30 that approval by the South African Competition Commission and delivery of detailed accounts for the disposal group were the only two outstanding conditions precedent for the sale. The share price notched up 2.94% on Friday on the JSE to 70 cents, but the price is still well down from 106 cents a year before. “Our South African operations have delivered a solid performance while the sales…

A plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions in shipping supported by much of the maritime industry was shelved Friday by delegates to a UN regulatory body following threats from President Donald Trump that he would punish countries backing the measure. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which regulates global shipping, had agreed in the spring to move ahead with its plan to zero out the sector’s emissions, leading to escalating threats from the Trump administration. “We’re calling on other nations to vote with us or face serious consequences,” Michael Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations wrote Thursday on the social media platform X. Trump, in his own social media post, vowed that “[t]he United States will NOT stand for the Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping and will…

Nearly 25 years after its debut, Fear Factor is set to return to television with a new season, promising more adrenaline-pumping challenges. Earlier this year, Fox announced that the show is expected to premiere in January 2026 with stunt performer Johnny Knoxville as the host. Fox says this reinvention aims to blend classic danger with modern psychological tension, drawing inspiration from shows like Survivor and Big Brother but with the signature Fear Factor twist. The Fear Factor: The Next Chapter reboot follows years of cancellations caused by controversy, including one infamous donkey stunt. The show was cancelled in 2006 after the contestants were asked to drink donkey urine and semen. This move sparked outrage even before it was aired, which led to NBC canning it. MTV tried to revive the…

Occupational therapist Dr Fatima Hendricks blames a decline in moral integrity, fueled by greed and financial influence, for the dire situation at Tembisa Hospital. She described this a “moral abomination” that compromises personal ethics and devastates patients and communities. Speaking at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Westville Campus, Hendricks recounted her experiences of being held captive by Israel after Israeli Occupation Forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla. She spoke about lessons learnt from the Global Sumud Flotilla and interacted with UKZN’s occupational therapy academics, third-year students and the media. Hendricks emphasised the importance of understanding South African politics, especially concerning land expropriation, gentrification, and political power distribution. She said these are parts of bigger conversations that are important as the country prepares to hold local government elections next year. “As…

As gaping sinkholes tear through parts of Mogale City, residents lives hang in the balance. Major provincial routes, the Hekpoort R563 and Zwartkops R374, are crumbling beneath them, turning daily commutes into a deadly gamble. The Star met with a Geologist Chulumanco Koti who explained that the area along the western edge of Gauteng Province, including Hekpoort, sits on rock formations belonging to the Transvaal Supergroup, specifically the Malmani Subgroup of the Chuniespoort Group. Koti described sinkholes as the “sudden or catastrophic collapse of the Earth’s surface, often leaving a circular hole in the ground.” She added that they are broadly classified into karst-related and anthropogenic sinkholes. “Karst sinkholes form when the underlying carbonate rock dissolves over time, creating voids beneath the surface. The overlying material gradually settles, and sometimes…

With the world rapidly shifting toward artificial intelligence, smartphones are no longer just about sharp cameras or long-lasting batteries, they are about how much smarter they can make your daily life. The S25 FE arrives at a time when people want more than just speed; they want convenience, efficiency, and a phone that quietly helps them do more with less effort. In this edition of The Star, we are going to focus on the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, a phone that blends power, practicality, and genuinely useful AI features. Samsung has leaned heavily into its Galaxy AI system and Google Gemini Live integration, and the results are impressive. The Now Bar and Now Brief act like little digital assistants, summarising information, suggesting replies, or surfacing relevant details when you need…

The Lions broke their United Rugby Championship (URC) duck at the weekend with a workmanlike victory over the Scarlets at Ellis Park, but they will need to lift their performance considerably when they host Ulster this week. Ulster are unbeaten in three games and sit fifth on the URC points table, despite having played one fewer match than most other teams – the Ulster-Edinburgh fixture scheduled a few weeks ago was postponed due to Storm Amy. The Northern Irish side have been on something of a giant-killing spree, having defeated two South African heavyweights in the last fortnight. The Bulls were routed 28-7 in Belfast, and on Saturday, the Sharks – featuring 13 Springboks – were shocked 34-26 at Kings Park. Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen, speaking after his team…

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he will rotate his players for the United Rugby Championship tour finale against the Warriors in Glasgow on Friday, as the tough northern hemisphere conditions have taken a toll on bodies. The Bulls lost heavily to Ulster in their opening match and narrowly edged Connacht 28-27 in Galway at the weekend. Ackermann also has to adhere to Springbok resting protocols. “At this stage, Wilco Louw and Canan Moodie will go back home, and one or two others as well,” Ackermann said. “We are going to rotate the squad purely to give some guys a mental and physical break.” “The 4G pitches are taking their toll on the bodies,” the coach added. “There are a lot of bruises and a lot of skin off knees and…

The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) says it could take at least two weeks to restore suspended Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), a move that has severely disrupted air travel and tourism just as South Africa’s holiday season begins to peak. Aviation company Airlink has raised alarm over ATNS’ recent suspension of additional IFPs affecting KMIA, compounding the impact of a broader nationwide suspension of 226 IFPs since July 2024. That suspension followed ATNS’s failure to submit paperwork required to renew the procedures’ validity, and more than 200 of those remain withdrawn. The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) has echoed Airlink’s concerns, warning that the ongoing suspensions—part of a mandatory recertification process under the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)—have triggered…

Last Thursday China blamed the US of creating “panic” over Beijing’s controls on rare earth minerals. The country, however, has shown willingness to open to trade talks to resolve a dispute that has threatened to reignite a trade war between the world’s two largest economies. “The US interpretation seriously distorts and exaggerates China’s measures, deliberately creating unnecessary misunderstanding and panic,” Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian told a news conference, according to the state newspaper Global Times. Some sell off from emerging markets assets usually accompanies such trade tensions. Profit taking after five weeks of unprecedented demand for precious metals also affected South African markets last Friday. Despite strong sell offs of especially resources on Friday, most indices on the JSE ended the week in the green. The JSE All…

Safari Investments RSA’s board has made an offer to buy out the minority shareholders and delist the REIT as it shifts its strategy to retail centre development. Safari has a R4.2 billion portfolio of shopping centres in high-growth townships and peri-urban areas such as Delyn Mall in Mamelodi, Thornhill Shopping Centre in Polokwane, and Nkomo Village in Atteridgeville. The offer of R8 per share cash is being proposed to the shareholders other than Heriot REIT or its subsidiaries, which already control 59.20% of Safari. Shareholders holding 34.03% of the shares have indicated they would support the proposed offer and delisting. Safari’s thinly traded share price was static at R8 on Friday, having increased from R6 per share over the past 12 months. As reasons for the proposed delisting, Safari’s board…

When I recently came across Maintenance Required on Amazon Prime, I was excited to see women are in the driving seat of the motoring world. I enjoyed the Fast & Furious films and other movies set in the automotive industry but I want to see more than these kinds of productions which are portrayed through a male perspective. With the release of Motorheads on the streaming platform in May, I enjoyed seeing Melissa Collazo leading the cast so I was hoping Maintenance Required would kick the female power up a notch in this exciting genre. But the performances of Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch, alongside Madison Bailey and Katy O’Brian, were anything but thrilling. The film, directed and written by Lacey Uhlemeyer, introduces us to Charlie O’Mally (Petsch) who is running…

Chris Q. Radebe’s new web series, Shut Up! Men Are Talking, has taken the internet by storm with its powerful storytelling. So far, Radebe has released five episodes on his self-funded YouTube channel, with the 6th episode facing a delay due to a music copyright issue. The series dives into the life of a young widow named Nontobeko, who pushes back against the demands of a heavily patriarchal society while trying to live an assertive life. The show presents a sad reality for women abused by “cultural norms”. The first episode, which launched in September, was just over 30 minutes and attracted over one million views. Since then, netizens have been hooked. Shut Up! Men Are Talking stars Mzansi A-listers Jo-Anne Reyneke, Wiseman Mncube and Thulani Mtsweni and Zokhethelo Zondi,…

As South Africa faces a growing crisis of corruption and dysfunction within its policing system, new concerns are being raised about similar patterns of failure in the country’s courts, particularly in the Office of the Family Advocate. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has now stepped into the high-profile custody case of father and activist Asif Casoojee, whose four-year legal battle to gain access to his children has been marked by serious delays, allegations of misconduct, and emotional trauma. ATM President Vuyo Zungula has called for an urgent parliamentary investigation into the matter, saying Casoojee’s experience reflects broader systemic failures in the family law system. “We have been reading about Casoojee’s ordeal for years now, and there is still no resolution,” said Zungula. “The rights of fathers in this country must…

Under fire yet again for questionable spending, the Emfuleni Local Municipality (EML) has denied claims that it blew almost R12 million on hiring private grave diggers while its own cemetery staff sat idle. The municipality says the figure, cited in a parliamentary inquiry, has been “misrepresented,” insisting that the matter has been “overstated for political gain”. This comes after Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Jacob Mamabolo, revealed the information in a written reply to a question tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL). Mamabolo revealed that over the last five financial years, the EML appointed four private companies between 2022 and 2025 to assist with grave digging. He outlined the cost ranges as follows: a standard adult grave R693, an 8‑foot…

The United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew has announced that he will no longer use his title of Duke of York, a move that follows intense pressure from his brother, King Charles III, amid mounting revelations about Andrew’s association with the disgraced American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 65-year-old prince said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace: “I will no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.” He added that the decision came after conversations with King Charles, and emphasised that his duty to his family and country remained paramount. Though Andrew will retain the title of prince, as the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he will relinquish the Duke of York title that had been granted to him by his mother.…

Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, has seen significant progress in the fight against food insecurity and poverty, according to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Social Development. The department held a commemorative event, aimed to strengthen social protection systems for the most vulnerable in the uThukela District. Held at the Valjas Sports Ground in Phayikeni area under Alfred Duma Local Municipality, the World Food Day commemoration showcased the pledge of the provincial government to combat the escalating cost of living by enhancing food security initiatives. World Food Day marks the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation. It aims to raise awareness about hunger, food security, and nutrition. In South Africa, the government uses this day to highlight these concerns, particularly among women in rural areas. Hundreds of…

Sune Luus believes the “momentum” is with the Proteas after qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinal with two games to spare. It will be the Proteas’ third consecutive World Cup semi-final after reaching the knockout stages both in 2017 and 2022. Laura Wolvaardt’s team are among the most consistent major tournament contenders after also progressing to the last two ICC T20 World Cup finals. “Yeah, it's exceptional. I think, you know, the team has shown their character in the last couple of games,” said former captain Luus. “I think how we started was not ideal, but to have four wins in a row after that playing good cricket, I think it's definitely put the momentum on our side.” The Proteas still have two matches remaining against Pakistan in…

Spin. And spin some more. That’s what Proteas captain Aiden Markram expects from the Rawalpindi surface for the second Test, which starts here on Monday. “We’ve expected those types of conditions from day one,” Markram said on Sunday. “It's about us having done some homework post the first Test and coming up with new plans to hopefully counter that and give ourselves a chance of succeeding in these conditions. “I suppose when you get to spinning conditions, the guessing game is always how long until it really starts to spin exaggeratedly.” Fortunately for the Proteas, their most accomplished spinner Keshav Maharaj has returned to full fitness and will significantly boost the visitors’ chances of utilising the conditions in their favour. Maharaj missed the series opener in Lahore due to a…