Table of contents for 2025-08-21 in Star

Stats SA reports that consumer prices surged to their highest in 10 months in July The rand weakened to R17.70 against the US dollar on Wednesday, its lowest in more than one week, after Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported that consumer prices surged to their highest in 10 months in July, putting household food budgets under pressure. Data from Stats SA on Wednesday showed that the annual headline consumer price inflation (CPI) soared from 3.0% in June to 3.5% in July, driven largely by beef prices on the back of ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. The July inflation print marked the second consecutive monthly increase and was the highest rate since September 2024 when it was 3.8%. Stats SA's chief director for price statistics, Patrick Kelly, said annual…

When designing youth employment programmes, companies often focus on the obvious barriers: skills gaps, lack of experience, or geographical constraints. But for young women, particularly women of colour, the challenges run far deeper. Research from the Human Sciences Research Council reveals that young black women face South Africa’s highest unemployment rates, with black African women experiencing unemployment rates 4.2% higher than the national average at 42.4%. This group of women exists at the intersection of gender, race and class, creating a complex web of exclusion that requires us to think systemically rather than symptomatically. The barriers start with unconscious biases about which jobs and environments are “suitable”, or not, for women. I experienced this firsthand as a young civil engineer when my manager consistently denied me construction site experience,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with several Japanese businesses in the renewable energy and auto sectors on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan. This comes as Ramaphosa has embarked on a strategic mission to enhance South Africa's economic landscape and diversification strategy by courting Japanese businesses in light of the recent 30% upsurge in tariffs to the US market. Japan is one of the major investors with more than R90 billion in the South African economy, with 260 Japanese companies, sustaining over 150 000 local jobs. Ramaphosa met with Mitsui, the strategic investor (27.5% stake) in Mainstream Renewable Power, which currently has a 12GW SA wind solar pipeline and reached financial close on a 97.5MW solar farm for Sasol/Air Liquide.…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of South Africa's economy, contributing more than R5 trillion in turnover, accounting for roughly 34% of the country's GDP, and employing 11.4 million people. These vital economic engines drive innovation, create jobs, and fuel economic growth across the nation. In this context, 84% of SMEs expect their businesses to grow over the next 12 months, 69% are confident the economy will be conducive to growth, and confidence in access to finance has risen to 64%. At the same time, cash flow, economic conditions, and access to funding remain the top concerns, and confidence that clients will pay on time sits at 72%, up 3 points year on year. This signals cautious but determined momentum despite ongoing pressures. In the face of ongoing…

Prosus, the Naspers subsidiary listed in Amsterdam and the JSE, increased adjusted earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (aEBITDA) by robust 54% in the internet group’s first quarter, CEO Fabricio Bloisi said. He wrote in a letter to shareholders at the annual general meeting on Wednesday, where all the resolutions were passed, that revenue for the period was up 15% year-on-year. “We realised $780 million of asset sales in the last four months, showing our commitment to disciplined capital allocation,” he said. He said the JET (Just Eat Takeaway.com) acquisition was approved in five and a half months, way ahead of market expectations; and if JET was included for the second half of the 2026 financial year, Prosus’ revenue could reach between $9.4 billion - $9.6bn and aEBITDA…

A senior police brigadier accused of a multimillion-rand fraud and corruption scheme is pleading her innocence, as a close source questions the legitimacy of the charges despite her arrest. Brigadier Stephinah Mahlangu has reportedly been arrested three times on allegations of fraud and corruption. Her first arrest, in February 2022, involved irregular PPE procurement worth R1.9 million alongside 14 other officers. In June 2022, she was again taken into custody for allegedly committing fraud involving toner cartridges valued at R960 000, along with two colleagues. Most recently, on July 30, she was arrested over claims of fraud and corruption connected to a furniture tender estimated at R79m. However, a close source within the procurement division who is known to The Star has refuted the allegations against Mahlangu, insisting that while…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the family of DJ Sumbody (Oupa Sefoka) have welcomed the ruling made by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, which yesterday denied the bail application made by the alleged murder-for-hire accused, Katiso Molefe. Molefe, accused of masterminding the violent killings of popular musicians DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos, as well as Armand Swart and Don Tindleni, has been described as a danger to society, with the means to use his bail to interfere with witnesses and the ongoing investigation. The 61-year-old briefly appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the 2022 murder case of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards, who were killed in a hail of bullets in Woodmead. Molefe is alleged to have hired Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Musa…

South Africa is set for a warm midweek, with hot conditions across the north-east and isolated showers along the eastern and southern parts of the country. The western half will stay dry and mild to warm. Overview Morning: Cool starts in many provinces, mild along the coasts. Afternoon: Hot in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga. Eastern Cape & KZN: Partly cloudy, with a chance of light coastal showers. Western Cape & Northern Cape: Fine, sunny, and dry. City Forecasts Pretoria: A hot day, reaching 27°C after a cool 9°C morning. Johannesburg: Warm to hot, peaking at 26°C with a low of 9°C. Cape Town: A cooler 17°C maximum, partly cloudy with possible coastal showers, low at 11°C. Durban: Mild and partly cloudy with isolated showers, reaching 21°C and dipping to 16°C overnight.…

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, says he will be the first to testify when public hearings begin. The committee, chaired by Molapi Lekganyane, met for over nine hours this week to finalise its draft Terms of Reference (ToR), which will guide the inquiry. A revised version of the ToR, with all agreed amendments, will be circulated to members within two days for review ahead of formal adoption at the committee’s next sitting. This follows a press briefing in July, where Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police operations. Dressed in full Special Task Force combat gear, Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the high-profile Political Killings Task Team and the removal of 121 dockets…

Mahindra South Africa has opened their new, purpose-built Vehicle Assembly Facility at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal. It also marks the Indian manufacturer’s 30th year in South Africa with the new plant, located close to Mahindra’s original 2018 semi-knocked-down automotive facility assembly site and represents a significant scale-up in both capacity and technical sophistication. Increased capacity The Durban facility can assemble over 1,000 Pik Up single and double cab models per month, with the ability to scale further as demand grows. It also offers the flexibility to accommodate new models Mahindra plans to introduce in the coming years, alongside an increasing level of locally sourced components. “Our original facility played a pivotal role in establishing our local footprint,” said Rajesh Gupta, the CEO of Mahindra South Africa.…

The line-out is normally where the magic happens for the Springboks. It’s their biggest attacking platform and something they take a lot of pride in. But last Saturday at Ellis Park they were outfoxed by a cunning Wallabies team in their Rugby Championship opener. The Springboks ended the match with a 68.8% success rate in that department, losing several balls on their own throw because of the brilliant competing by the Australians. When you take away the Springboks’ line-out, you take away several options in their attacking arsenal. Their much-vaunted maul is immediately nullified, while their variety of trick plays are also null and void. The strike plays when they go off the top of the lineout are also curtailed. This worked so well in that blazing 20 minutes of…

Amidst all their transfer challenges, TS Galaxy bounced back in fine style at the expense of Chippa United, kickstarting their 2025/26 Betway Premiership season with a 4-1 win away at the Buffalo City Municipal Stadium in East London in Tuesday after three consecutive losses. Galaxy turned on the style with a victory over the Chilli Boys, who now face an uphill battle to relaunch their campaign as they remain winless after three matches. Head coach Adnan Beganovic has had limited options, with the club still sorting out off-field issues that have prevented them from registering new players with their Fifa ban. Heading into the clash on Tuesday, Galaxy desperately needed a win, although it was difficult to see where it would come from. Chippa, too, have faced their own turbulence,…

Africa may not boast the largest economies or deepest pockets, but it has what many regions lack: energy, youth, abundance, and innovation. While the rest of the world gets older and runs out of steam, Africa’s cities are expanding, consumer demand is rising, and resources remain plentiful. What this means is that in the next 25 years, over half of global population growth will emanate from Africa, shifting the currents of investment, infrastructure, and trade. Deep historic and cultural links are keeping the West engaged in Africa, but changing geopolitical dynamics are changing how its economic and strategic importance is viewed. First mover advantage Recognising its potential as a new frontier for global economic growth early on, China was Africa’s first meaningful investor in the 21st century. Over the past…

Youth unemployment in South Africa is at concerning levels, with the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Stats SA revealing that the youth unemployment rate has risen to 46.1% in 2025. That’s about 4.8 million young people without work, similar to the previous quarter. But in this bleak environment, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remain a beacon of hope, not only as potential employers, but as launchpads for the country’s next generation of entrepreneurs. As we look for solutions to this, it’s worth considering how small businesses can support young business owners, and how intergenerational collaboration can drive both innovation and resilience. Small businesses that intentionally create space for younger voices and ideas are often the ones that remain most adaptable in the face of change. When younger and older…

DRDGold’s headline earnings a share increased 69% and the dividend was raised 100% to 40 cents, following a greater level of stability and success during the year to June 30 and a robust gold price. The share price fell slightly by 0.77% to R25.90 on Wednesday morning on the JSE, but in a reflection of investor confidence in improving fortunes at the company, the share price is up over 53% over 12 months. The company, which has the retreatment of mine tailings as its core business, said Wednesday a “new normal” was established at Ergo and its life had been extended. Ambitious growth objectives were being pursued at Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR). CEO Niël Pretorius said within DRDGold “we talk about Ergo 1 – this was from 2008 when…

Retailer West Pack Lifestyle plans to open three more outlets before the end of the year, it said as it announced it has emerged from business rescue. The group went into business rescue in May 2024 amid several challenges such as the economic aftermath of Covid-19 and an accelerated expansion strategy that stretched the business too thin. At the time, the group owed more than R100 million to different financial institutions such as Access Bank, Absa, and Preference Capital. Wespack Lifestyle Corporate was sold during the business rescue. The private sale of West Pack Lifestyle saw more than 1000 jobs being saved. West Pack Lifestyle currently employs 1000. The retailer's strategy is now centred on franchising, ensuring the group is positioned for stability and growth in a tough economic climate.…

African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula has called for the board of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to be held accountable amid ongoing investigations into questionable tenders and mismanagement at the state-owned enterprise. Zungula argues that while executives continue to face public criticism and legal scrutiny, the PRASA board – which approved the very same decisions – has remained untouched. “Every tender would have been approved by the board, so why is it only the executive who gets the flak?” Zungula asked. He referred specifically to the controversial Maziya General Services tender, stating that it would have passed through both the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) and the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC).“ They should not be trying to throw the executive under the bus when scrutiny arises.…

Well-known nature conservationist John Hume, 83, is among six people accused of running a rhino horn smuggling syndicate. The accused, Hume, Clive Melville, Izak Du Toit, Elizabeth van Niekerk, Mattheus Poggenpoel, and Johannes Hennop appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Hume was granted R100 000 bail. “Melville and van Niekerk were each granted R10 000 bail while du Toit, Poggenpoel and Hennop were granted R20 000 bail,” said NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana. Mahanjana explained that the six face 55 charges for racketeering, fraud, contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NAMBA), contravention of Riotous Assemblies Act, theft and money laundering. She said between 2017 and 2024, the accused allegedly operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the Department of…

The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) discovered charred remains of a 35-year-old man under dismantled corrugated iron sheets in Katlehong, southeast of Johannesburg. The discovery was made yesterday morning after the department attended to a call of a fire from Tuesday night. DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said: “As per information on the scene, the incident occurred at night, and fire and rescue services were only notified this morning.” It is alleged that the man was deliberately burned in the shack as an act of mob justice, however authorities were only notified yesterday morning. “Firefighters from Thokoza responded out with a Water Tanker fire engine, and on arrival, the shack was found extinguished and dismantled by residents. “A severe charred body was identified under the burnt building…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has heaped praise on the Court Online System aimed to improve access to justice and streamlining the litigation process for litigants. The system has been introduced in the superior courts to ensure electronic filing to initiate cases electronically and to increase efficiency and reducing paperwork. Launched in September 2024, the Court Online System has been operational in 11 courts for all civil matters in the Gauteng Division, the Western Cape Division, the Labour Court and the Land Court. The department has assured that further rollout of the system to an additional 11 courts is on track and for completion by the end of the 2025/2026 financial year, with plans to extend it to all divisions of the high court. Kubayi explained that the…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the official payment schedule for September, covering old age, disability, child support, and Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants. According to the agency, beneficiaries can expect their grants on the following dates: Old Age Grant: Tuesday, September 2. Disability Grant: Wednesday, September 3. All other grants, including child support: Thursday, September 4. Sassa urged beneficiaries to plan carefully and not to rush to collection points on the first day to avoid long queues. The agency also highlighted the ongoing issue of unauthorised deductions from social grants, calling on beneficiaries to act quickly if they notice irregularities. “Is money being deducted from your social grant without your permission? Report this to your nearest SASSA office as soon as possible,” the agency said.…

Forget every perception you may have about MGs being a quaint but unreliable car built in a shed somewhere in the English countryside. Okay, they may have had some success early in the previous century, and it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say so, but you know what I mean. Recognised as a quintessential small British sports car that was fun to drive, they’ve had their ups and downs, including a short but unsuccessful stint in South Africa a few years ago. The company has been owned by the Chinese for the last 20 years; first by the Nanjing Automobile Group and for the past 18 years or so by SAIC, which also has joint ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen to produce cars for the Chinese market. Earlier…

When Ford unleashed its first-generation Ranger Raptor, it created a monster in more ways than one. Suddenly the owners of “regular” Rangers were accessorising them to the hilt, sometimes with unproven aftermarket products. The carmaker quickly responded with its own range of accessories, and that continued with the new generation of bakkies introduced in late 2022. Adding to that is a new pair of targeted accessory packs aimed at owners of the chrome-laden Ranger XLT and the Everest Sport SUV. Customers can get these packages fitted to their new or second-hand vehicles at their nearest Ford dealership, while enjoying full factory backing as these are OEM-approved products. Those opting for the Ranger XLT accessory pack, priced at R27,500, can expect a Raptor-inspired grille and other purposeful garnishes. The black-painted grille…

SOUTH Africa’s performance Down Under in the first One Day International earlier this week left the country satisfied, but perhaps Proteas women’s wicket-keeper Sinalo Jafta was the most satisfied. Following what was a difficult weekend for the country, where the Proteas lost the series-deciding T20I in Cairns, the Springboks lost to the Wallabies and Dricus du Plessis’ loss of his UFC middleweight title at UFC 319, the country needed something to celebrate. On Monday, the Temba Bavuma-led ODI team came to the rescue, demolishing Australia by 98 runs to take a one-nil lead in the three-match series. Like many South Africans, Jafta was up early for the match, at 6.30am, anticipating the return of captain Bavuma and longing for a victory that would set her up for a fruitful week…

Alexander Isak has broken his silence on his Newcastle United future, claiming his departure is now “in the best interests of everyone” as the £150 million (about R3.5 billion) transfer saga intensifies. The Swedish striker, who finished as the English Premier League’s second-highest goalscorer last season, has been absent from pre-season and missed the Magpies’ opening 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. Liverpool have already seen a £110 million offer rejected, with Newcastle holding out for a British record fee. In a strongly worded Instagram post on Tuesday, Isak said: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. “That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. The reality…

South Africans will feel the financial sqeeze as the average nominal take-home pay marginally declined in July, according to the latest BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI). The nominal average take-home pay reached R17 144 in July 2025, 1.1% lower than the R17 339 reflected in June 2025 and a significant 6.9% lower than in February 2025. The index which tracks the monthly salary movements of approximately 3.8 million South African salary earners. However, the latest salary payments data reveals the pressure on workers – caught between a weak job market and rising municipal rates. Although the slowdown in 2025 is concerning, the data also points to the current employment trends. “Given that the BTPI is based on the total value of salaries paid into employees’ bank accounts - excluding…

In South Africa, the word hustle often conjures up the image young men selling iPhones and sneakers on Instagram, the teenager washing cars at the corner, or the boys lingering outside a spaza shop asking for R2. Their creativity and energy embody one face of hustling: quick, visible, entrepreneurial activity that thrives on immediacy and modern platforms. This side of hustle is celebrated as a bold response to unemployment and limited opportunities, showcasing how youth reimagine livelihoods in a precarious economy. But hustle has another quieter, less visible, yet far more enduring face. This is the hustle of women, particularly those over thirty-five, who sustain South Africa’s informal economy through daily enterprise. They are the traders at taxi ranks, the women running home-based food businesses, the resellers of shoes and…

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is gearing up for a legal battle as it seeks to protect nearly 700 jobs at Assmang’s Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine in the Northern Cape. The union on Wednesday expressed strong opposition to any attempts at fast-tracking potential retrenchments that stem from the mine’s financial struggles, which are primarily linked to the economic woes of its major client, ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA). NUM’s Kimberley regional secretary, Mosepedi Sanane, signalled the union’s readiness to engage in consultations to explore alternatives to what could be one of the most significant job losses in the region. “The NUM will engage meaningfully in the forthcoming consultations. However, we are clear that we will robustly challenge any attempt at unfair job losses,” Sanane said. “Our members will be kept…

If you enjoyed the crossover appeal of local films like Material, The Kandasamys franchise, Material, Kings of Mulberry Street and Three Days to Go, then Lucky Fish should pique your interest. Aside from the casting of household names like Jailoshini Naidoo and Jack Devnarain, it is helmed by Meren Reddy, who wears the hats of co-writer with Craig Gardner, executive producer, as well as the film’s lead, Sanjay Pillay. And Mayuri Naidu, who has several films and TV shows under her belt (Binnelanders, Savage Beauty, Kings of Mulberry Street: Let Love Reign, Noughts + Crosses and Reyka), is among the principal cast as Samantha. In a recent interview with Naidu, she shed light on the shoot, the storyline and why the character was so close to her heart. Her excitement…

During the ongoing fraud trial of Rushil Singh, a key Investec employee testifying for the State admitted under cross-examination that Singh was not directly involved in the alleged fraud. This acknowledgment challenges a central aspect of the prosecution’s case, which is based on Singh’s position as CEO of BIG and assumptions about his knowledge of the loan guarantees.The witness initially testified that the financial guarantee involved in the case was “cash backed.” However, under questioning by the defense, he conceded that this was incorrect. “The guarantee was not, in fact, cash backed,” the witness said. He further explained that no contractual agreement explicitly required the guarantee to be backed by cash. “There was an assumption that the guarantee was cash backed, but there is no documentary proof to support this,”…

In West Africa, the illegal trade of wild meat is moving from roadside stalls to social media, where sellers are reaching thousands of new buyers. This growing online market is not only breaking the law but also threatening endangered animals. Wild meat is sold across West Africa, often illegally, despite strict laws to protect wildlife. In many towns and cities, it is openly traded at markets and roadside stalls, sometimes at higher prices than farmed meat. In rural areas, dead snakes, rodents and other animals are still displayed for sale to travellers. However, the trade is both dangerous and unlawful. It pushes endangered animals closer to extinction, causes suffering for captured wildlife, and increases the chance of spreading diseases to people. Social media has made the problem worse. Platforms like…

As India embarked on its fast-paced human-centric developmental journey to become a developed country, “Viksit Bharat @2047” by the time it completes the century of independence, the past decade has been exceptional across the national and strategic spectrum. PM Narendra Modi’s call to dispense with the slavish mentality and rise and shine with the mantra of reform, perform and transform has already begun to yield remarkable dividends. Over 1 550 archaic and cumbersome laws were repealed, and jurisprudence was updated. In 2017, India rose sharply from 130th to 63rd place in the Doing Business Index of the World Bank, leading to a notable increase in Foreign Direct Investment. The innovation ecosystem has generated 1.6 million start-ups from just 500 a decade ago, including 118 unicorns. From a fragile five to…

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has denied allegations of racism and hate speech, insisting he will not apologise because he believes he has done nothing wrong. Speaking during a live broadcast this week, McKenzie confirmed receiving a letter from Lawyers for Human Rights but criticised that it was shared with the media before reaching him directly. “I’m very happy that this opportunity is coming up where I can defend myself. I’m going to come out of here as a person who hates racism. I’m going to take this up to the Constitutional Court so that everything they said I said, we can prove,” McKenzie said. McKenzie has until today to respond to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) regarding offensive posts on his X (formerly Twitter)…

In an era where consumers increasingly turn to social media for shopping, a recent complaint has unearthed significant concerns regarding the transparency and integrity of promotional advertisements. The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has found discrepancies in a Facebook advertisement that claimed a product was available at a generous 40% off, a claim that was later disproven when the consumer attempted to purchase the item. The item, a Nike cap, was advertised at 40% off on Superbalist. The advert was on Facebook. The complainant expressed her frustration after clicking on a link that purportedly led to a discounted product. Upon reaching the advertiser's website, she was confronted with the reality that the product was not being offered at a discounted rate. When she reached out to the advertiser for clarification, her…

New Volvo South Africa MD Grant Locke, recently returned from 18 months in Sweden, has been brought into the position to steady the ship and ensure that the brand continues to have a strong local presence. Only a day after his arrival, he launched the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country with at least two more scheduled in the next year or so, including the ES90 electric sedan as well as the electric EX60 SUV. Volvo is continuing to focus on New Energy Vehicles and insists that fully electric vehicles will very much continue to be the backbone of their offerings, while plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids will continue to be in the mix. Cross Country moniker That’s very clear with the reveal of the fully electric EX30 Cross Country, the…

Ben Youssef Khalil wears the head coach’s cap very well. In charge of Kaizer Chiefs in the absence of incumbent Nasredinne Nabi, Khalil has led Amakhosi to an impressive start to the season – the Glamour Boys winning all three of their Betway Premiership matches without conceding a goal. Granted, Khalil has repeatedly spoken of how Nabi – back home in Tunisia to be with his wife who was involved in a car accident – remains the man in charge and that he is in contact with them. That may well be the case, but the reality is that Khalil is leading the team now and has seen Chiefs beating all comers to sit joint top of the table with Sekhukhune United. Their latest victory – a 1-0 defeat of…

Three matches into his stint as head coach of Durban City FC, Gavin Hunt already feels the team is showing signs of improvement based on their performance last week. Two wins and a draw make up his three-match record. Even though Durban claimed victory last week against Chippa and drew with Golden Arrows on Tuesday night, Hunt believes his side produced the better football and were unfortunate to walk away with just a point. Durban looked more composed against an attacking Golden Arrows outfit, spending more time on the ball and passing with patience – signs of cool heads, something Hunt also acknowledged when asked about it. In midfield, Haashim Domingo, Kyle Jurgens and Samkelo Maseko looked more adventurous, pushing the ball forward rather than back-tracking. Durban maintained the positive…