Table of contents for 2026-01-27 in Star

Heartwood Properties has been approved for a secondary listing on A2X Markets. Heartwood is currently listed on the Cape Town Stock Exchange and will retain its primary listing there. Heartwood’s shares will commence trading on A2X on Monday, February 2, 2026. Heartwood is a commercial and industrial property investment and development company with a portfolio concentrated primarily in the Western Cape. The company’s decision to list on A2X forms part of its ongoing focus on enhancing shareholder value and broadening market access. The secondary listing provides Heartwood shareholders with more choice. By listing on A2X Heartwood Properties is now able to provide access to the both the retail market through the Cape Town Stock Exchange and the institutional market through A2X. A2X is South Africa’s licensed stock exchange focused on…

Economists have offered mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s upbeat assessment of South Africa’s economic recovery, warning that while several indicators have improved, growth remains too weak to deliver meaningful job creation and sustained investment. On Monday, Ramaphosa said that in the last months of 2025, South Africa saw a number of indicators that collective efforts to rebuild the economy are bearing fruit. “The economy has posted four consecutive quarters of growth. There has been a steady reduction in unemployment, while recent data released by Statistics South Africa shows that levels of poverty and inequality have declined considerably. Confidence in our economy is rising, the stock exchange has been performing well, and the average inflation rate is the lowest it has been in two decades,” he said. Ramaphosa added that…

The World Economic Forum last week provided a prominent platform for South Africa to demonstrate that our reform story is delivering tangible results. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana led a delegation including several ministers and senior business leaders to Davos, where South Africa House on the main promenade hosted events showcasing our progress to global investors. The message was fundamentally different from a year ago. While last year we delivered hope grounded in policy commitments, this year we could point to concrete achievements: exit from the FATF grey list, a credit rating upgrade from S&P Global, stable electricity supply after ending load shedding, and progress on logistics reforms, including the Durban port concession and private rail operators accessing Transnet’s network. As Minister Godongwana put it, the delegation returned not with promises,…

Last year, Artificial Intelligence (AI) became a buzzword where most companies claimed to have some sort of AI capability. Experts remained concerned about the speed of innovation while society was still trying to develop safeguards around AIs. In 2026, I’ve noticed a new trend. AI companies have decided to focus on healthcare. Most of them used the World Economic Forum 2026 gathering as their platform to launch. The Gates Foundation and Open AI have announced the collaborative launch of Horizon 1000, a $50 million initiative designed to advance health care in Africa through AI. Amazon through its One Medical division, launched an “agentic health AI assistant” that lives inside its primary care app where it can access members’ complete medical records. The assistant is designed to explain lab results,…

Economic growth prospects in China and India is expected to boost demand for South African commodity exports this year although resurgent logistical constraints impacted coal and iron ore in November, with the Minerals Council calling for the government to speedily transport infrastructure for bulk commodities. South Africa’s mining production fell in November 2025 by 2.7% on a year-on-year basis after six consecutive months of year-on-year growth, dragged down by steep drops in coal, iron ore, gold, and platinum group metals (PGMs). However, Bongani Motsa, an economist with the Minerals Council of SA, said this production drop for the month of November was not due to weak demand for shipments from South Africa. Demand for minerals exported from South Africa is likely to remain stronger inspite of geopolitical upheavals sparked off…

The board of Barloworld, which delists from the JSE on Tuesday after 86 years on the market, would remain focused on strategy, disciplined governance and transparent stakeholder communication, said the chairman Lulu Gwagwa. The group, which focuses on heavy industrial equipment and services, and food and ingredient solutions for the consumer industries, is delisting from the JSE and A2X after being acquired by Saudi Arabia's Zahid Group. "Looking ahead under private ownership, our priorities are clear: to safeguard the well-being of our people and to execute our strategy with pace, while upholding the board's duty to act in the organisation's best interests by integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives to ensure long-term, sustainable value creation," said Gwagwa in the integrated report released Monday. She welcomed soon to be newly appointed directors and…

THE African National Congress (ANC)’s Greater Johannesburg elective conference that was marred by allegations of bribery and election rigging is now under investigation by the police and the ANC’s national leadership. This follows the discovery at a private home in Pretoria of ballot papers believed to be linked to the party’s Greater Johannesburg regional conference that was held in December 2025. Acting on the complaints, police visited a Pretoria home on Sunday, where ballot boxes and ballot papers were allegedly found. A video later surfaced on social media showing police officers opening a black plastic bag in the backyard of the property, from which what appeared to be ballot papers spilling out. The conference saw Loyiso Masuku narrowly defeat City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. Masuku secured 184 votes to…

A protest at a school by a group of students who protested during morning assembly about the state of decay the school was in, led to one of the students being shot by the police, which in turn led to a damages claim against the SAPS. Siphelele Totseka (plaintiff) instituted an action against the Minister of Police in the Eastern Cape High Court, claiming damages for the assault on him by the SAPS. He testified that he was a Grade 10 learner at Madala Senior Secondary School in 2019 when the incident occurred. The students assembled for prayer as per his school schedule. Instead of singing the usual gospel songs, he, along with his fellow learners, initiated a protest concerning the dilapidated state of the school’s infrastructure. According to the…

Police in Tzaneen have launched a manhunt for a 20-year-old awaiting-trial prisoner who escaped from lawful custody at the Tzaneen SAPS, fleeing the station on foot while still handcuffed, with the restraints locked to the front. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect, Leonard Letswalo, was arrested last week Thursday, for unlawful possession of ammunition and allegedly escaped while being processed inside the police station. The Star understands that despite immediate tracing efforts conducted around the Tzaneen CBD, Ritavi River, and Lephephane Village, the suspect could not be located. “At the time of the escape, the suspect was still handcuffed, with the handcuffs locked to the front,” Ledwaba said. Ledwaba described Letswalo as a short, slender male, approximately 1.58 metres tall, light in complexion, with a beard and…

Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton issued pointed calls on Sunday for America to stand up and defend its values after the second killing of a citizen in Minneapolis by immigration agents that Donald Trump blamed on Democratic “chaos”. The Trump administration has faced intensifying pressure over its mass immigration crackdown, particularly after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, on Saturday while scuffling with him on an icy roadway. That incident came less than three weeks after an immigration officer fired on Renee Good, also 37, killing her in her car in the same Midwestern city. Trump administration officials quickly claimed Pretti had intended to harm the federal agents – as they did after Good’s death – pointing to a pistol they said was…

Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 26-year-old Lesotho national for allegedly tampering with essential infrastructure after he was caught stealing copper cables from a railway line near Standerton. According to the South African Police Service, the suspect and three accomplices were allegedly stealing copper cables from a railway line on a farm last week Friday when private security guards spotted them and immediately called for backup. Three of the suspects managed to flee the scene, but the Lesotho national was arrested while in possession of a bolt cutter and copper cables. He reportedly told security guards which vehicle the group had used and offered to point out where it was parked, but the remaining suspects escaped with the vehicle, heading towards Greylingstad. Police in Greylingstad were alerted and later spotted…

President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday highlighted declining unemployment and poverty levels as signs that South Africa’s economy is on a recovery path, while urging urgent action to turn these gains into long-term improvements in people’s lives. “Over the last months of 2025, we saw a number of indicators that our collective efforts to rebuild our economy are bearing fruit,” the President said. “There has been a steady reduction in unemployment, while recent data released by Statistics South Africa shows that levels of poverty and inequality have declined considerably.” Ramaphosa pointed to other encouraging signs, including four consecutive quarters of economic growth, low inflation rates, and rising investor confidence following South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Despite these gains, the President warned that more needed to…

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has revived a campaign for the renaming of KwaZulu-Natal – the king wants Natal dropped and for the province to be known as KwaZulu. Before the 1994 elections and the advent of the new democratic dispensation, the province was officially known as Natal although the areas across uThukela river (Tugela) on the north east of the province were referred to as KwaZulu. Speaking during the 147th edition of the Battle of Isandlwana, in Nquthu in the north of the province last week Thursday, the king announced that he would start a campaign to drop the name Natal from the province’s name and insisted that it must be known as KwaZulu. “We need to remove this Natal. This is KwaZulu so I don’t understand why we have this…

In an inspiring revelation from the latest SuperSport episode of the documentary series Bucs Camp: Brotherhood, Cape Town-born footballer Oswin Appollis opens up about his narrow escape from a life of gangsterism. The 23-year-old Orlando Pirates star, affectionately nicknamed “10111” for his incredible speed and creativity on the pitch, reveals that many in his community believed he would inevitably follow in his father’s footsteps, a known gangster. Growing up in Bishop Lavis, a notoriously tough and gang-ridden neighbourhood in Cape Town, Appollis faced the daunting challenge of carving his own identity amidst societal expectations. Appollis’ heartfelt story goes: “My name is Oswin Appollis. I’m from Bishop Lavis, Cape Town. I grew up with my mother, my granny and my little brother, in a neighbourhood that wasn’t easy. “Life there was…

It was frustrating for the Springboks and SA Rugby that there were suggestions that Tony Brown might leave the world champions to take up a coaching role with the All Blacks two years before the World Cup. In a wide-ranging first interview of 2026, Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed they are keeping the New Zealander until 2027, but in the same breath, he said it is Brown’s ambition to coach the All Blacks. However, the attack specialist has committed himself to the Springboks as they prepare for a busy 2026 with Nations Cup Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against his country of birth later this year. The Boks and All Blacks are set to clash in four matches – three in South Africa and…

Jannik Sinner sent an Australian Open statement by rolling into the quarter-finals yesterday, but fellow champion Madison Keys was dethroned as Melbourne braced for extreme heat. Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti battled stifling conditions to set up a last-eight showdown with Novak Djokovic, while six-time major champion Iga Swiatek progressed in rampant fashion. Two-time defending champion Sinner raced to a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) victory over fellow Italian and close friend Luciano Darderi. Tomorrow the second seed plays US eighth seed Ben Shelton, who beat Norway’s 12th-seed Casper Ruud. Djokovic and Sinner are on course for a blockbuster last-four showdown, with the Serbian great also in action tomorrow against Musetti. The latter vowed yesterday to push Djokovic “to his maximum”. The Italian powered past ninth-seeded American Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5, 6-4…

South Africa’s wine export sector recorded stable value performance over the past year despite declining volumes, as producers navigated a challenging global trading environment marked by softer consumption, rising tariffs and increased trade complexity, Wines of South Africa said in a statement on Monday. Global wine consumption continued to weaken amid economic pressure, while trade barriers and higher tariffs added further strain to exporters. Against this backdrop, South Africa’s wine industry maintained its focus on sustaining value in established markets while expanding into developing and emerging regions, particularly across Africa and Asia. Total wine exports reached 264 million litres during the period, with exports accounting for 40% of total sales compared with 60% in the domestic market. Export value amounted to R9.8 billion, representing a 2.4% year-on-year decline, despite…

Current rally bodes well for South Africa’s economy as jittery investors seek safe havens The current rally in the gold price to new higher levels above $5 000 per ounce bode well for South Africa’s economy and local bullion producers, analysts said on Monday as jittery global investors whetted their appetite for safe haven assets due to international trade and geopolitical upheavals. Gold prices rocketed past $5 000 per ounce Monday morning as the US Dollar weakened against other international and emerging currencies. Appetite for South African assets also yielded up, with the rand breaching the R16 to the dollar threshold, leaving analysts’ eyebrows for further prospects leveled at the R15:$1 level. Market analyst Simon Brown told Business Report that the rally in the price of gold would be beneficial…

There has been a welcome reaction to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), a division of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, announcing that the sugar tariff review process has been gazetted regarding the Dollar-Based Reference Price (DBRP). ITAC's review comes after the South African Sugar Association (Sasa) applied for an increase in the current DBRP while the Beverage Association of South Africa (Bevsa) applied for a reduction in the current DBRP. ITAC said that Sasa applied for an increase in the current DBRP from $680 (R10 900)/ton to $905 (R14 400)/ton. “Sasa, citing amongst other reasons the need to protect the local sugar industry and ensure its sustainability. This application was made known to industry stakeholders, who were provided the opportunity to submit preliminary comments.” ITAC added that…

Last week's piece examined what survives the AI agent layer collapse — the gap between automating tasks and enabling purpose. But survival is one question. Who benefits is another. And cue Part 2. Two recent publications offer competing lenses on AI's economic promise: The Anthropic Economic Index Report, a data-driven analysis of how people actually use Claude; and Stephen Deng's "Africa’s Narrative Lock-In" essay, a venture capitalist’s (VC) diagnosis of why African tech is stuck telling the wrong stories. Both contain useful observations. Both are shaped by the interests of those producing them. The Anthropic data Anthropic's Economic Index white paper landed in mid-January 2026, within days of the company shipping Claude Cowork — the desktop automation feature that prompted Eigent to open-source itself. The timing is instructive. The report…

As South Africans await the 2026 budget announcement next month, the beer industry is warning that another above-inflation tax increase could harm small brewers, threaten thousands of jobs, and push consumers towards the illicit alcohol market. This warning comes as Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana is set to table the 2026 budget on February 25, 2026. The association has noted that past excise hikes have already squeezed profit margins and limited investment, placing small brewers under significant financial strain. Last year, the government raised beer excise by 6.75%. The association has called on the National Treasury to implement a predictable, CPI-linked excise framework that would give brewers certainty and protect jobs. "The reality is that beer companies — large and small — already carry a double tax burden: corporate income…

THE African National Congress (ANC)’s Greater Johannesburg elective conference that was marred by allegations of bribery and election rigging is now under investigation by the police and the ANC’s national leadership. This follows the discovery at a private home in Pretoria of ballot papers believed to be linked to the party’s Greater Johannesburg regional conference that was held in December 2025. Acting on the complaints, police visited a Pretoria home on Sunday, where ballot boxes and ballot papers were allegedly found. A video later surfaced on social media showing police officers opening a black plastic bag in the backyard of the property, from which what appeared to be ballot papers spilling out. The conference saw Loyiso Masuku narrowly defeat City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. Masuku secured 184 votes to…

While life keeps moving, some of us are still picking up the pieces of grief. Early B’s latest song, Jinne Bruinman, lands right in that space, raw and unfiltered. The track is dedicated to Junior King who tragically lost his life in a car accident on the N1 near Verkeerdevlei in the Free State last December. Junior and Early B shared a creative bond, working together to craft music that spoke to their community and their lives. The title Early B uses language that resonates within our community. “Jinne” is an exclamation used mostly in coloured communities; a sigh of disbelief, shock or reflection. “Bruinman” refers to a coloured man. By titling the song Jinne Bruinman, Early B is embedding identity, pride and shared experience in it. It’s personal, yet…

Many South African consumers assume that if an electrical product is sold in a store, it has been properly vetted and is safe to use, but that trust may be misplaced. According to voluntary electrical safety association Safehouse, South Africa has no reliable national statistics on electrical product compliance, while independent industry testing continues to reveal alarmingly high failure rates among products on retail shelves. The association was established in 2014 in response to weak regulation and insufficient market oversight by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which largely depends on administrative approvals and single type-test reports. Safehouse warned that without continuous quality control, non-compliant products can easily slip through the system, allowing unscrupulous importers and manufacturers to market multiple products under a single approval certificate. Safehouse warned that…

Two South African nationals have been sentenced in Zimbabwe after being convicted of an armed robbery at a fuel service station in Bulawayo and ordered by the court to pay back the money stolen during the crime, according to a report by The Herald. Nonjabulo Wisdom Nyoni and Chrisvision Ncube, both from Johannesburg, were convicted of armed robbery by the Bulawayo Regional Magistrates’ Court following an incident at a fuel station in the Bellevue area of Bulawayo. The court heard that the two men carried out the robbery while armed with a firearm and in the company of an accomplice who has not yet been arrested. During the incident, fuel station employees were threatened and cash amounting to about US$3 058, along with R550, was stolen. The US dollar amount…

The Madlanga Commission heard from its second witness yesterday. Witness E, who is currently enrolled in a protection programme, delivered their testimony partially in camera. According to his statement, he has witnessed harassment, and other related incidents. Evidence leader advocate Mahlape Sello SC applied that the witness’ name be withheld. Commissioner, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, granted the request. In a statement, the commission said it was expecting dozens of witnesses to testify over the next few months as the commission continues its inquiry. The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following corruption and infiltration of the judiciary allegations by KZN Police commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The commission’s hearings continue at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. | IOL Politics…

The family of Nur Ali Nur, a businessman whose vehicle was swept away by an overflowing river last week, expressed a mix of grief and hope as search efforts continue in Tswinga village, Limpopo. The Somali businessman has been missing since January 17, when the Dzindi River surged, taking his bakkie and leaving his loved ones anxiously awaiting news of his fate. The Star has learned that rescue teams have successfully retrieved Nur’s vehicle, located approximately 300 meters from where it was last seen. However, the absence of any sign of Nur during the recovery has left his family yearning for answers. His brother, Abdulahi Roble Jes, serves as the family spokesperson and voiced their unwavering hope, stating to the SABC: “Today his bakkie was recovered, but there is still…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has stepped in to assist Mozambique and South Africa with the aftermath of flooding and extreme weather, by deploying its Emergency Response Team (ERT). The severe weather caused fatalities, widespread infrastructure destruction, and interruptions to vital services. SADC Secretariat communication and public relations head Barbara Lopi explained that as part of SADC’s regional disaster response mechanisms, the deployed SADC ERT is aimed at supporting government-led efforts in member states, which have been severely affected by disasters. “The SADC ERT will be on the ground in Mozambique and South Africa from 23 to 31 January 2026, providing support to national authorities in emergency response, early recovery operations, continuous monitoring of the situation and consolidation of a regional humanitarian appeal, based on the evolving impact assessments,”…

ActionSA leader, Herman Mashaba, has expressed his reluctance to run for the position of mayor of Johannesburg as his party announced the addition of two smaller political groups to its coalition. Yesterday, Mashaba and his team welcomed the Azanian Independent Community Movement (AICM) and the Creative Congress Movement (CCM) into the ActionSA fold, during a press briefing hosted by the Green Umbrella initiative in Johannesburg. In a statement Mashaba said: “Today marks yet another milestone in this journey, as community-rooted parties from across the provinces join under the ActionSA banner, bringing our total representation to nearly 150 public representatives.” Tshepo Mashiane, leader of the CCM, indicated that members of his party, who are among the most exploited workers in the creative sector, see themselves in ActionSA. “We are truly appreciative…

ActionSA says the door is open for former Democratic Alliance (DA) member and minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr Dion George to join the party, but George says he has not yet decided on his political future after dumping the blue party. George has dismissed allegations that he misused public funds, exploited departmental information for party-political purposes and brought the DA into disrepute. He said his lawyers are engaging with the party over the matter. Speaking to IOL News, George said he has not joined another political party since quitting the DA earlier this month. “I have not joined another political party. I’ve not given that much thought yet. My legal team is currently engaging with the DA,” he said. ActionSA, led by Herman Mashaba, confirmed that the door…

The debate over children and social media is often framed as a question of parental control or technological inevitability. It should not be. At its core, this is a moral question about what kind of society we are shaping, what we choose to protect, and what we are willing to sacrifice in the name of convenience, profit, and false notions of freedom. Children under the age of 17 should not be on social media. Not because technology is evil, but because childhood is fragile and social media is not built for moral development. At this stage of life, children are still forming their identity, learning boundaries, and developing the capacity for judgement and self-regulation. Neuroscience is clear: impulse control, emotional regulation, and critical thinking mature well into adolescence. Social media,…

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena has asked his side to show up against a hungry Sekhukhune United outfit when the two sides clash in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday evening at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium (7.30pm kick-off). With the league having just resumed, there has been little time to ease back into rhythm, and the stakes are already high. Few fixtures will carry as much significance at this stage of the season, with momentum, confidence and the title race all firmly in play. The Brazilians come into the clash fresh from a draining Caf Champions League encounter against Al Hilal. Despite enjoying home advantage, they were unable to make it count. While they avoided defeat against the Sudanese giants, the draw felt like a missed opportunity in a match…

Arsenal’s charge towards a first English Premier League title in 22 years was halted by Manchester United’s stunning 3-2 victory at the Emirates on Sunday, pulling Manchester City and Aston Villa back into the title race. City and Villa, who beat Wolves and Newcastle 2-0 respectively this past weekend, are now just four points behind the Gunners. United’s victory also lifted them into the Top 4 at Liverpool’s expense after the defending champions’ long unbeaten run came undone at Bournemouth. Here, we look at three talking points from the weekend: Carrick magic transforms Red Devils Michael Carrick looked to have been handed a baptism of fire with Manchester City and Arsenal dished up in the first two games of his reign. The former Red Devils midfielder returned to Old Trafford…

Morocco’s national football governing body, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), has really set itself up to be the ultimate masters of whinging. Moroccan football officials have an unrelenting love affair with making appeals. Last July, following Morocco’s 3-2 loss to Nigeria in the 2025 WAFCON final, the FRMF lodged a formal complaint with CAF (Confederation of African Football) regarding “refereeing injustices”. Morocco specifically protested an 82nd-minute VAR decision that overturned a penalty for a potential handball, arguing it cost them the title. In January 2026, following Morocco’s 1–0 loss to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, the FRMF lodged a formal complaint with CAF and FIFA (International Federation of Association Football). The complaint centred on a controversial 17-minute stoppage during the final on January 18,…

For the past month Shai Hope has enjoyed one of the best seats in the house watching Dewald Brevis go about his work in Betway SA20. But now the Pretoria Capitals teammates will be on opposite sides when the West Indies face the Proteas in a three-match T20I series, starting in Paarl tonight. Brevis, fresh off a scintillating century in the Betway SA20 Final at Newlands last Sunday will no doubt be eager to transfer that form to the international arean against the Windies. Hope was certainly impressed with the 22-year-old Rising Star, and is fully aware of the threat Brevis poses. “He oozes confidence. He’s one of those characters that feels he can get the job done in any situation at any time,” said Hope, who was named Windies…

Germany has offered South Africa loans at significantly below-market rates, with longer tenures and grace periods, German Special Envoy for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Rainer Baake, has said. Briefing the media on the current state of the JETP, Baake said the National Treasury had also confirmed the highly concessional nature of the financing, which he said was lower than listed debt market rates. Baake steered clear of directly addressing comments by Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, made on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. Ramokgopa had said Eskom would need to turn to other, more affordable funding options—such as banks, private investors, and the bond market—after a pledge of more than R213 billion by major Western powers was rejected due…

Boards are rarely judged on the quality of their frameworks. Policies, charters and codes create structure, but they do not decide. Governance is tested in moments where rules are silent, information is incomplete and timing matters more than certainty. Boards are ultimately judged on the quality of their judgement when it matters most. Most boards operate within well defined governance architectures. Delegations are clear. Reporting cycles are established. Assurance mechanisms are in place. Yet governance failures continue to occur, often in organisations that appear compliant, stable and well governed on paper. The explanation is rarely the absence of rules. It is the quality of judgement exercised when those rules do not offer clear direction. Judgement is tested when risk is credible but not provable. When ethical discomfort exists without a…

The AI disruptions of the past few years have only been the prologue to what's coming in 2026: AI’s full integration into data centre processes and builds. It’s a moment we’ve been building up to ever since OpenAI’s ChatGPT brought Artificial Intelligence into the mainstream in late 2022, sending shockwaves through everything from academia and mental health care to every type and size of business. A truly profound transformation will begin to take hold in 2026 as AI becomes ever more ingrained in every aspect of life and the focus shifts from Large Language Models (LLMs) to AI inferencing. In some ways, 2026 will be the year the rubber truly hits the road when it comes to AI. AI rewires functions and industries According to McKinsey’s latest State of AI…

Cashbuild said revenue declined by 2% for its 309 existing building materials stores in the three months to December 28, 2025. The share price fell by a sharp 5.3% to R149.51 on the JSE on Monday in early trade - a year ago the share price was trading at R197.84. Cashbuild South Africa, the division that made up 83% of revenue and which managed to increase revenue 7% in its first quarter, saw only 1% growth in the second quarter, the listed Southern Africa retailer said in an operational update. The builder's holiday was between December 12 and December 31, 2025. The Cashbuild Common Monetary Areas division reported 10% growth in the first quarter, and growth was flat in the second quarter. The addition of 15 new stores compared with…

Pan African Resources share price shot up over 5% Monday morning after it announced gold production was up by more than half in a market where the yellow metal price is hitting new highs. The mid-tier JSE and London mining group said Monday in an operational update for the half-year to end-December 2025 that it also wished to initiate the payment of a half-year dividend - a 12 cents per interim dividend was proposed. "Pan African's safety, operational and financial performance in the first half, together with the boon of record gold prices, has positioned us to deliver outstanding results for the full year. During the first half the group de-geared its balance sheet, and is also boosting cash returns to shareholders," said CEO Kobus Loots. The high gold price…

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is facing serious allegations of attempting to coerce Witness E, an undercover operative, to provide false testimony in his favour ahead of his appearance at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The accusations emerged yesterday during Witness E’s testimony, where he said that Mchunu pressured him about the Political Killings Task Team’s (PKTT) operations, asking him if he knew of any victims of the PKTT or if he had any documents or reports that are damning to the PKTT. “I informed him that I didn’t know of victims of the PKTT because I have never worked with them. He then said I should look for them or evidence of people who were victimised by the PKTT,” he said. Witness E testified that Mchunu has been calling…

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is facing serious allegations of attempting to coerce Witness E, an undercover operative, to provide false testimony in his favour ahead of his appearance at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The accusations emerged yesterday during Witness E’s testimony, where he said that Mchunu pressured him about the Political Killings Task Team’s (PKTT) operations, asking him if he knew of any victims of the PKTT or if he had any documents or reports that are damning to the PKTT. “I informed him that I didn’t know of victims of the PKTT because I have never worked with them. He then said I should look for them or evidence of people who were victimised by the PKTT,” he said. Witness E testified that Mchunu has been calling…

Victor Mthethwa Majola, the man accused of orchestrating the killing of Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, has been denied bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. IOL reported earlier yesterday that Majola was appearing in court to hear the decision on his bail bid. Majola, 44, faces charges of murder, premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder following the fatal shooting of the popular DJ, radio personality and businessman outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg’s central business district in December last year. DJ Warras, who was also the founder of a VIP protection company, was shot multiple times in what the State alleges was a planned hit. His killing sparked widespread shock across the entertainment industry and among his followers. During the bail proceedings, Majola told the court that he should…

Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s post on X announcing the city’s move targeting Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility over an alleged R8 million utility debt has sparked a heated dispute with the Department of Correctional Services. The department has disputed the claim, accusing the mayor of making public pronouncements without verifying facts. The mayor’s office has yet to comment on the allegations. Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo slammed Tshwane for attempting to disconnect electricity at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, citing an incorrect account statement. “It is not only disturbing but deeply humiliating that the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane once again chose to make public pronouncements via social media, alleging that electricity would be disconnected at a correctional facility, without ensuring that the facts were verified,” he said.…

The days of wasted data and surprise charges will soon be over after the country’s regulator, Icasa, introduced new rules that force rollovers, prioritise older bundles, and give users full control of their airtime. This comes after widespread outrage over the rising costs of mobile data and complaints from users losing bundles before they could be fully used. The new rules aim to protect consumers and make mobile services fairer. The End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Amendment Regulations, published in the Government Gazette, set out exactly how mobile operators must manage data, voice, and SMS bundles. Among the key changes are that operators will be required to use older bundles first, allow automatic rollovers for most bundles, and stop out-of-bundle charges unless users explicitly opt in. The rules come into…

Two people have drowned in Mtubatuba, northern KwaZulu-Natal, after attempting to access the carcass of a hippo that had earlier been euthanised in the iMfolozi River, conservation authorities have confirmed. In a joint statement released on Saturday, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park Authority said the incident followed the discovery of a hippo that had been severely injured after becoming trapped in a snare in the Imfolozi River near Monzi. According to the authorities, Ezemvelo officials responded to the scene on Sunday, where they found the animal in distress and a large number of community members gathered along the riverbank. After assessing the situation, officials determined that rescuing the hippo was not possible due to the muddy terrain and high-risk conditions posed by the swollen river. After a…

A 39-year-old man was arrested after police discovered 26 suspected stolen goats loaded on the back of his vehicle near Sun City in the North West. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the arrest was made shortly after midnight last week Thursday, during routine crime-prevention patrols along the R556 road. Officers stopped a “suspicious” Ford Ranger bakkie at the Sun City-Luka four-way stop and found the driver to be the sole occupant of the vehicle. Upon searching the bakkie, police discovered 26 goats loaded at the back.…

The Nkabinde Inquiry, which is assessing the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office, has been thrown into further delay as NDPP Advocate Shamila Batohi refuses to continue her testimony without securing legal counsel. The matter, which has been a point of contention since December 2025, was discussed again on January 26, when Advocate David Mohlomonyane SC, representing the evidence leaders, confirmed that Batohi’s position remains unchanged. According to Mohlomonyane, Batohi had interrupted her testimony in December, citing the need for legal advice. Despite repeated requests, she has yet to receive the counsel she deems necessary. “On the 23rd of January 2026, the evidence leaders received a letter from Advocate Batohi informing us that the position as it pertained on the 15th of December 2025 is still the same,”…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef has stressed the importance of experience and patience after his side secured a vital away victory against Zesco United in Zambia, a result that breathed new life into their CAF group-stage campaign. The win marked Amakhosi’s first set of three points in the competition and lifted them to third in the group standings. Chiefs now sit a single point behind second-placed Zamalek and three adrift of leaders Al Masry after three matchdays, keeping qualification firmly within reach. For Ben Youssef, the significance of the result went beyond the points. He emphasised that the current campaign is as much about growth as it is about results, particularly for a squad largely unfamiliar with continental football. “From the beginning, as a club we said that we’ve…

A month ago, Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram instructed his national teammates to “have as much fun as you can” in the Betway SA20. But now that South Africa’s premier domestic T20 competition has come to a thrilling conclusion at Newlands on Sunday, with Markram’s former team, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, claiming their third title in four seasons, the time for serious business has arrived. The Proteas face the West Indies in the first of three T20Is in Paarl today followed by a second in Centurion on Thursday before wrapping up their ICC T20 World Cup preparations with the inaugural “Pink T20I” at the Wanderers on Saturday. “Yeah, it’s exciting, the boys are still coming in drips and drabs at the moment, so I think it’ll be good once we’re all…

In the past, South African football was tainted by fan hooliganism, particularly among supporters of the leading clubs, when coaches became highly unpopular because of poor results. This situation frequently resulted in financial penalties for clubs due to inadequate crowd management. Simultaneously, it prompted many coaches to resign voluntarily as the environment became untenable. Typically, before a coach would formally resign, the club would issue a statement indicating they could no longer ensure the coach’s safety, which served as an implicit signal for the coach to step down. Last season, indications emerged that supporters were expressing dissatisfaction with coach Miguel Cardoso. A notable portion of the fan base felt that, given the squad’s strength, the club should have captured all available trophies. True, Sundowns won the Betway Premiership but lost…

Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt believes his side will emerge stronger from their Caf Confederation Cup setback against CR Belouizdad as they prepare for a decisive return leg, with squad reinforcements also set to boost their campaign. Stellies suffered their first defeat of the group stages on Sunday evening after going down 2–0 to the Algerian outfit, a result that leaves the Cape Winelands side second in the group standings, two points adrift of Belouizdad at the halfway mark. The Cape Winelands side were originally scheduled to face Golden Arrows on Wednesday, but with their continental commitments, the clash has been postponed. This has afforded Hunt valuable time to refocus his squad ahead of a crucial return leg that could play a major role in determining their chances of…