Table of contents for 2026-02-11 in Star

South Africa’s economic resilience is being tested by rising trade frictions with the United States, intensifying competition from Asia, and a rapidly shifting global order that is fragmenting long-standing trade relationships, according to Standard Bank chief economist Goolam Ballim. This comes as South Africa's trade relations with the US, its third largest trading partner after China and the European Union, have become strained over an ongoing diplomatic fallout. During a presentation on the economic outlook for 2026 on Tuesday, Ballim said restricted access to the American market was already proving damaging for key sectors of the economy. “I cannot deny that not accessing the United States market as liberally as we did in the past is problematic,” Ballim said, pointing to the depth and growth of US consumer demand. “America’s…

Infrastructure investor acquires low-cost carrier with a thrust on growth opportunities Low-cost carrier FlySafair’s acquisition by pan-African infrastructure investor Harith General Partners has placed the airline on the cusp of expanded growth opportunities across the continent, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and deeper commercial links with Europe, analysts said on Tuesday. The transaction comes as FlySafair seeks further regulatory clearance from aviation authorities over its foreign ownership structure, ahead of a 29 March deadline set by licensing councils. The airline, about 75% owned by Irish Aviation group ASL Holdings, has insisted the motivation for the transaction was not initiated in response to the findings by the Air Services Licensing Council. Instead, it said the deal will not have any bearing on the outcomes and matters under…

The high incidence of fall of ground fatalities and injuries in mining are of concern, even though the total number of mining fatalities declined slightly to 41 in 2025 and the number of serious injuries fell by 12%, Japie Fullard, chairman of the Zero Harm Forum of the Minerals Council of South Africa said Tuesday. Speaking at a briefing at the Mining Indaba, he said that while they could only report figures, every death was one too many for the CEOs that made up the Zero Harm Forum.There was a responsibility among mining groups to share their health and safety experiences to reduce the number of mining fatalities, he said, Regarding the 15 fall of ground fatalities in 2025, he said six of these were due to seismic activity, which…

I can still vividly recall the live images on CNN of clouds of dark smoke billowing into the desert sky. It was early 1991, and the Iraqi army was retreating from Kuwait, setting the country’s oil fields alight and leaving destruction in its wake. Millions of barrels of oil burned each day as the world watched in real time one of the largest man made environmental disasters in modern history. That moment was not only a symbol of military defeat. It was a stark reminder of how deeply oil is woven into the fabric of global power and global conflict. How many times have we seen our dependence on oil drive wars, insurgencies and foreign intervention? The Iran Iraq War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the conflict in the…

A new Bureau for Economic Research (BER) report indicates that South Africa could be turning fiscally, and the upcoming Budget speech will be crucial for South Africa’s fight against national debt. Claire Bisseker from BER said that last year, South Africa experienced three national budgets in three months. “The tussle nearly broke the GNU. Now, as we gear up for the tabling of the 2026 national budget on February 25, the country finds itself in an uncommonly sweet spot,” she said. The shift to a 3% inflation target has paid off – sovereign risk and government borrowing costs are down, growth is firming, and SA has been rewarded with a rare credit rating upgrade. “Commodity prices are also on a tear and, suddenly, SA has more fiscal wiggle room,” she…

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has outlined how he once trained President Cyril Ramaphosa as a police reservist during the early years of South Africa’s democratic era. O’Sullivan told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that after relocating to South Africa as a tourist and investor, he later became involved with the police, serving as a reservist before undergoing a three-month trainers’ course that allowed him to assist with the training of recruits and reservists. Around 1997, when Ramaphosa voluntarily enrolled in a police reservist programme – a civilian initiative that allowed members of the public to assist police after basic training – O’Sullivan said the future president was among the students he lectured. “I had also been working at the police training center where I had been requested to provide lectures. I…

February has a way of slowing the world down. The evenings feel softer, the air carries a quiet promise and there is an invitation to lean into stories that remind us why love continues to matter. Romance on the page does not always arrive wrapped in perfection. Sometimes it is messy, dangerous, funny or deeply haunted by the past. That is what makes it real. This month, these romantic reads offer different visions of love across Southern and West African settings, each one shaped by its own rhythms, risks and tenderness. Hlomu the Wife by Dudu Busani-Dube Hlomu the Wife opens the door to a love story that is as intense as it is unsettling. At the centre is a young woman who falls in love with a powerful taxi…

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has outlined how he once trained President Cyril Ramaphosa as a police reservist during the early years of South Africa’s democratic era. O’Sullivan told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that after relocating to South Africa as a tourist and investor, he later became involved with the police, serving as a reservist before undergoing a three-month trainers’ course that allowed him to assist with the training of recruits and reservists. Around 1997, when Ramaphosa voluntarily enrolled in a police reservist programme – a civilian initiative that allowed members of the public to assist police after basic training – O’Sullivan said the future president was among the students he lectured. “I had also been working at the police training center where I had been requested to provide lectures. I…

Frustrated parents and learners blockaded roads with burning tyres in Primrose this week after scholar transport operators halted services over months of unpaid fees, leaving thousands of learners unable to get to school. The protest follows a decision by scholar transport operators to stop operating, due to non-payment by the Gauteng Department of Education. The action by frustrated parents and learners, which began last week, has disrupted schooling for thousands of learners across Gauteng. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) confirmed a protest at the Marathon Informal Settlement in Germiston. EMPD spokesperson Millicent Kekana said several major intersections were affected, including Main Reef Road, Stanley Street and Johan Rissik Road. Burning tyres and rocks were reported on the roadway. “Officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and the South African…

David Miller hopes familiarity breeds success when the Proteas face off against Afghanistan in a crucial T20 World Cup clash in Ahmedabad today. Although the Proteas have only faced Afghanistan in three T20Is previously, which includes the Trinidad semi-final at the last T20 World Cup two years ago, both groups of players have come together quite frequently at the IPL and also the local Betway SA20. Miller, for instance, shared some great memories with Rashid when they played together for the Gujarat Titans right here in Ahmedabad, which climaxed with them winning the IPL in the self-same Narenda Modi Stadium in 2022. Rashid, meanwhile, has captained MI Cape Town in the Betway SA20 for the past four seasons, leading the Newlands-based side that contained Proteas Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch and…

On a day traditionally reserved for lovers, when roses change hands and gestures of love are exchanged, there will be no romance at Loftus Versfeld. Instead, tension will thicken the air as pride, history, and a place in the CAF Champions League knockout stages will be on the line. There will be no chocolates or roses on offer, only the possibility of heartbreak. Mamelodi Sundowns’ favourite son returns, and sentiment will count for nothing. Rulani Mokwena comes back to familiar territory not as a friend, but as a threat – plotting the downfall of a former home that is already wobbling. It is a bittersweet narrative, but football is unforgiving, and when the lines are drawn, it will simply be survival of the strongest. Sundowns’ season has been one to…

Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune didn’t mince words when asked about current Amakhozi skipper Brandon Petersen’s chances of representing South Africa on the biggest stage – the Fifa World Cup. Sharing a changeroom with Petersen a couple of years ago, Khune has seen firsthand how hard work and character can reshape a player’s journey. Petersen’s 2025/26 campaign has been nothing short of remarkable. The Chiefs shotstopper has featured in 20 matches across all competitions, playing 1,800 minutes, and keeping 13 clean sheets while conceding just 11 goals – a testament to his sharp reflexes and growing command of his area. “It’s a huge responsibility to lead a team, and I’m happy that Petersen has taken his game to a whole different level,” Khune began. “I’m proud…

Mines need to plan economic development other than mining for their nearby communities, because mines will all, eventually close, said Anglo American Corporate Affairs Senior Vice President Nivashne Naicker. Speaking at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Tuesday, she announced the launch of a R100 million initiative by the group's Impact Finance Network (IFN) platform, working with the Impact Finance Facility organisation, and a R50m additional contribution from Anglo American subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore, to finance suitable entrepreneurs and SME's, outside of mining. Some R50m of the funds are being ringfenced for communities around Kumba's mine in the Northern Cape. Many speakers at the Mining Indaba have this year focused on the need for mines to invest outside of their normal social investment strategies, and operating and capital expenditures,…

The 30th Raging Bull Awards will be held on Friday at the CTICC, celebrating the best unit trust funds in the investment industry. Ahead of the ceremony, previous winners reflected on how the accolade has shaped their businesses and strategies. Citadel: South African Manager of the Year 2025 Citadel Asset Management was named South African Manager of the Year at the 2025 Raging Bull Awards, a recognition that came during a period of global uncertainty. The firm’s disciplined approach to risk and its long-term investment philosophy set it apart from competitors. Chief investment officer George Herman says the company’s strength lies in its ability to ignore short-term market noise: “We look beyond immediate cycles. Our role is to stay invested in our long-term strategy, which gives us stability in an…

PERSONAL FINANCE RAGING BULL AWARDS 2026: Nominees CERTIFICATES FOR STRAIGHT PERFORMANCE OVER THREE YEARS TO DECEMBER 31, 2025 (16 categories) n 36ONE BCI SA Equity Fund n Absa SCI Multi Managed Passive Accumulation Fund n Allan Gray Orbis Global Balanced Feeder Fund n Amplify SCI Property Equity Fund n Ashburton SA Income Fund n BCI Contrarius Global Balanced Feeder Fund n BCI Enhanced Equity Fund n BCI Ranmore Global Equity Feeder n Brenthurst BCI Worldwide Growth Fund of Funds n Camissa Stable Fund n Ci Conservative Strategic Fund n ClucasGray Flexible Income Prescient Fund n Coronation Global Equity Select Feeder Fund n Fairtree ALBI Plus Prescient Fund n Fairtree Flexible Balanced Prescient n GTC Flexible Fund n Granate BCI Balanced Growth Fund n Granate BCI Flexible Fund n…

On 7 February, Eskom chair Dr Mteto Nyati wrote on X that it is rarely wise for government to outsource strategic thinking on national reforms, especially energy, to private business interests. He argued that incentives are misaligned and that companies will prioritise commercial objectives over the public good. South Africa’s electricity reform effort is continuously running into challenges. The grid has become the binding constraint. Transmission capacity is limiting the connection of new generation, even where projects are financed, permitted, and ready to build. Developers are waiting. Capital is available. Demand, while currently subdued, could grow if electricity costs decrease and supply became less carbon intensive and more predictable. Access to the network remains uncertain. This is no longer a crisis of generation. It is a crisis of institutional design.…

BP expects accelerating economic growth and stronger consumer spending in South Africa to underpin robust growth in fuel sales, supported by easing inflation, lower interest rates and improving household finances. Over the past two years, BP has added about 25 fuel stations to its network. This year, the fuels company plans to open more sites as it continues with its multi-year site transformation programme. In an important effort, the energy company has revealed that it will also be undertaking steps towards its commitments to cleaner fuels and to extending its bPOWERd low-carbon battery rental offering at more sites in SA while retaining its collaboration with Castrol in the area of lubricants. “We are not looking to return to business as usual, we are looking to ignite a future of shared…

MoMo Matsunyane will be bringing her stand-up comedy show, I’m Momo And I Have Issues, to POPArt Centre for the venue’s very first stand-up comedy event. The multi-award-winning actor and theatre director is known for her poignant stage shows, such as UNLEARN and Ka Lebitso La Moya. This time, she invites the audience into her private world, revealing her experiences with mental illness, relationships, sex and politics, as well as growing up with a well-known father and being part of a blended family. “I decided to pen I’m MoMo And I Have Issues because I have a deep passion for comedy in general, and so I don’t think that this is far from what I would’ve naturally done. “My play UNLEARN inspired me to finally just do it because in…

SAFM radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and four co-accused are expected appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on allegations they recruited South Africans to fight for Russia in its war with Ukraine. Mantula, 39, along with Thulani Mazibuko, 24, Xolani Ntuli, 47, Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23, and Sfiso Mabena, 21, are charged with contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998. The group was arrested in December by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks. At the time of the arrest, Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said they received a tip-off from police at OR Tambo International Airport regarding three men who were allegedly en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. “They were removed from the boarding gate after raising suspicion and referred to the…

The appearance of a man resembling the late rapper AKA, performing the star’s music at a club, has ignited a fresh debate among fans. A video of the lookalike, performing AKA’s song All eyes on me, originally shared on X in 2024, recently resurfaced on X, because user @busiwe_bubu reposted it. While the original post sparked discussions about potential copyright infringement, no action was taken at the time. While it is typical for online trends, especially on platforms like X, to quickly lead to the identification and “punishment” of the person responsible, the individual impersonator in this two-year-old case remains unidentified. Surprisingly, the audience in the video appears to be enjoying the performance and doesn’t seem to object to the impersonation, a reaction that contrasts sharply with the strong negative…

Manchester City can ramp up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal by cutting the gap at the top to just three points when they face Fulham tonight, a day before the Gunners travel to in-form Brentford. Arsenal remain in pole position for a first title in 22 years, but City’s dramatic late rally to beat Liverpool on Sunday could prove a turning point for Pep Guardiola’s men. Another defeat damaged Liverpool’s chances of Champions League qualification and Arne Slot’s threadbare squad face another tough task in midweek away to Sunderland. Tottenham and Newcastle are in even deeper trouble in the bottom half of the table, raising doubts over the future of respective managers Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe. Here we look at three talking points from the midweek round…

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has urged calm and perspective as Amakhosi continue to exceed expectations domestically and on the continent, warning against allowing encouraging standings to distort the reality of a team still in transition. Chiefs currently sit third in the Betway Premiership with 30 points from 15 matches, firmly positioned behind Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, while also leading CAF Confederation Cup Group D with 10 points, placing qualification firmly within reach. For Khumalo, those positions reflect progress – but not completion. “Nobody expected them to be where they are but those are words that are uttered outside the Kaizer Chiefs family at Naturena,” Doctor expressed. The former midfield maestro believes Chiefs’ current standing should not distort the broader reality of where the team is in its development…

The Proteas face Afghanistan in a crucial ICC T20 World Cup clash in Ahmedabad today. It is a rematch of the 2024 semi-final where the Proteas blew away the Afghans to qualify for their first-ever T20 World Cup final. But the conditions are expected to be a lot different at the Narendra Modi Stadium than they were in Trinidad, especially with the match scheduled for an 11am start (India time). It is likely to bring the spinners more into the contest, with Afghanistan’s mystery trio of captain Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Noor Ahmad posing a major threat. Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams profiles the three gun Afghanistan spinners. 1. Noor Ahmad Afghanistan missed a trick with the exclusion of the mystery spinner against New Zealand last Saturday in Chennai, but coach…

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Edelbert Dinha has praised the Soweto side for their resilience and character following an early-season CAF Champions League exit, saying the Buccaneers have bounced back to become strong contenders for the league title. The Pirates have endured a challenging period in league football, currently approaching 14 years without claiming the Premiership crown. Currently enjoying the moniker “cup kings” of South African football because of their success in knockout competitions, the league title has for so long proven elusive to them. Coming into this season, Pirates were not only seen as strong contenders for domestic trophies but were also tipped as one of the sides likely to perform well on the continent, largely because of their achievements the previous season. After last season’s semi-final exit, few would…

South Africa’s agricultural export prospects are gaining momentum following the signing of new trade agreements with China and South Korea, a development that could help the sector diversify markets and unlock new growth opportunities, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz). The positive outlook follows the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the dtic) conclusion of the China–Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA), alongside a separate agreement by the Department of Agriculture granting South Africa market access to export fresh table grapes to the Republic of Korea. The dtic said last week that Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity. Negotiations on an Early Harvest Agreement are expected to be concluded…

South Africa is currently walking a high-stakes tightrope. As we enter February 2026, the agricultural sector faces a perfect storm where domestic animal health emergencies and international trade politics have become inextricably linked. On one side, we have the Department of Agriculture’s ambitious 10-year strategy to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) – an R80 billion battle for the survival of our national herd. On the other hand, we still face looming uncertainty regarding our eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) post 2026 – despite US President Donald Trump’s recent renewal. While these two challenges often dominate separate headlines, they are two sides of the same coin. AGOA may be the "ticket" that makes our exports financially viable through duty-free access, but our FMD-free status is the "passport" that…

When President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address tomorrow, he will no doubt have to navigate a complexity of factors, both domestically and in the geo-political environment. As the global financial and trade architecture ruptures, and the once-unanimous global consensus frays, South Africa must align and integrate all its domestic policies to firmly establish a national development path to address our socio-economic challenges in a fragile international environment. The established multilateral system has experienced its most intense challenge in recent history, resulting in potentially existential crises for the United Nations (UN) and its agencies including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which remains the platform for global cooperation in addressing climate change. South Africans know all too well what climate impacts mean for our people and…

South African platinum group metals (PGMs) producers Sibanye-Stillwater and Valterra Platinum have partnered with global metals chemistry specialist Johnson Matthey in a collaborative push to develop high-impact technologies centred on platinum and related metals. This comes as the industry seeks to diversify demand and reduce reliance on traditional end uses. PGM prices have been rebounding over the past few months in line with the phenomenal rise in the price of gold. This has provided some respite and room to grow margins for South African PGM miners that had been struggling with reduced capitalisation and scaled back operations on the back of retrenchments and rightsizing. Now, the collaborative effort with Johnson Matthey will enable Sibanye-Stillwater and Valterra Platinum to explore new sources of industrial growth and long-term demand for PGMs. “This…

Talk about breaking tradition. Showmax has flipped the script, and the first-ever The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa reunion in the world will air in two parts. The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip across the world has never had a reunion; the ladies meet for the vacation and go back to their respective franchises. Since the spin-off of The Real Housewives launched in Africa in 2021, this marks the first time that an Ultimate Girls Trip cast has come together for a reunion, solidifying the season’s place as a historic milestone for the franchise. MaBlerh shared with Showmax how he plans to handle the reunion, what viewers can expect and why this season is such a defining moment for the franchise. The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa is…

Johannesburg Water has been hit by an unprotected strike by members of Cosatu-affiliate, the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), over performance bonuses not fully paid in December, as the city’s water crisis deepens. According to Samwu, the utility deducted 5% from employees who received 95% and above following their performance reviews, and as a result, they were paid less bonuses than they expected on December 29. Due to the strike action, Joburg Water promised to use approved contractors, where necessary, to minimise service delivery disruptions and ensure the continued operation of essential services. “As a precautionary measure, and in line with standard risk management and business continuity protocols, Johannesburg Water has implemented contingency arrangements,” the utility said. Samwu Johannesburg Regional Chairperson Lebogang Ndawo said engagements with Joburg Water yielded no…

Marc Anthony has finally commented on the ongoing Beckham family drama surrounding Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding to Nicola Peltz in 2022. Brooklyn had publicly alleged that his mother, Victoria Beckham, disrupted his first dance with Nicola, describing her actions as “very inappropriate” and leaving him “uncomfortable” and “humiliated”. Anthony, who performed at the wedding, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s extremely unfortunate how it’s playing out,” he said. “But (how it’s playing out) is hardly the truth.” The singer has a long-standing relationship with the Beckhams, having known David and Victoria since before their children were born. He is also godfather to their youngest son, Cruz Beckham, and referred to the family as “wonderful, wonderful”, while choosing not to comment on the details of the incident. Brooklyn’s accusations gained attention on…

Since her high-profile divorce from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Rachel Kolisi has been under a microscope. While she’s busy rebuilding her life, some internet trolls think she’s taking too long to “move on”, but Rachel isn’t having it. Taking to Instagram, the mother and businesswoman gave followers a raw look at her chaotic, high-achieving “new normal”. Between snapshots of laptop work and family time, she reminded the world that she isn’t just surviving; she’s thriving on her own clock. In a post that quickly went viral, Rachel listed the number of hats she’s currently wearing. “Building a business. Writing a book. Finishing a documentary. Doing everything from event planning to merch for 5 x upcoming events. “Preparing my biggest talk yet for @forbeswomanafrica. Raising humans. Keeping bills paid. Carrying it…

As Rassie Erasmus looks ahead to the 2026 international season, the Springbok flyhalf stocks are as healthy as they have ever been. While the double World Cup cycle was defined by the contrasting styles of Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok, the current landscape has shifted. With veterans returning home and young prodigies ascending from starting roles to captaincy, the competition for the No 10 jersey has reached unprecedented levels. Here are the four domestic contenders currently lighting up the United Rugby Championship, and a maverick turning on the style in Japan. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers) The Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu era has officially begun, as he is starting to blossom into a commanding, world-class pivot. Having captained the Stormers for the first time in January, the 23-year-old is a proven match-winner and…

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder is determined to turn the frustration of a difficult 2025 MotoGP campaign into a more positive and competitive 2026 season after struggling to build on his previously strong form. It was a year to forget for the South African, who ended the season in 11th place with 155 points – a staggering 152 points adrift of teammate Pedro Acosta, who enjoyed a strong breakout campaign to finish fourth after stepping up from the Tech3 team. With his contract set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, Binder heads into 2026 under significant pressure. Much of his struggles last year were attributed to difficulties extracting performance from his RC16 bike, particularly a lack of outright pace that left him unable to consistently challenge…

In the high-stakes theatre of World Cups, there is a recurring truth that South Africans have come to understand more intimately than most: structure wins you matches, but individual brilliance wins you trophies. As the Proteas continue their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka – having already made a statement with a comprehensive 57-run victory over Canada in their opener on Monday – they find themselves with another opportunity to break their white-ball duck. The South Africans are still trying to shed the “nearly-men” tag that has haunted them since winning the Champions Trophy in 1998, a drought that was only partially eased by their historic World Test Championship triumph at Lord's in June 2025. But to secure the T20 crown, they must look across the…