Tabla de contenidos para 2025-10-28 en Cape Times

Consumers are under ‘extreme pressure’ and their situation has worsened, says Summers South Africa’s consumers are under “extreme pressure,” and their situation may even have worsened since the six-month period to August 31, Pick n Pay’s CEO Sean Summers said Monday. The group, which has closed a net 60 supermarkets in South Africa as it moves to regain profitability, yesterday released interim financial results that showed its turnaround gathering momentum, with trading profit up 273.5% to R310 million from R83m. This follows a turnover increase of 4.9%, with like-for-like (LfL) sales up by 4.7%. Summers said in a telephone interview that given the pressure consumers are facing with a lack of disposable income, he was concerned that up to R1 billion a month is being taken offshore through online gambling.…

Durban’s business sentiment weakened again in the third quarter of 2025, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly decline, according to the latest Durban Business Confidence Index (DBCI) released on Monday. The index, compiled by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Macroeconomics Research Unit in collaboration with the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and eThekwini Municipality, fell by 0.53% — from 52.40 points in Q2 to 52.12 points in Q3 2025. Researchers, Professor Harold Ngwala and Dr Ntokozo Nzimande, said the decline reflected a deterioration in sentiment regarding both current and future economic conditions in the city. “The data further indicates that business executives were more pessimistic in the third quarter of 2025 than they were in the same quarter of 2024, with the index dropping by 17.38% on a year-on-year…

In governance, wisdom is often mistaken for eloquence. Yet some of the most powerful moments in leadership are not found in what is said, but in what is withheld. The ability to listen deeply, to discern before speaking, and to know when silence carries more weight than words lies at the heart of ethical stewardship. The modern boardroom is filled with voices. Strategies are debated, reports are read, and opinions are shared with conviction. But beneath the noise of activity, there is often a missing rhythm: the stillness of reflection. Where many believe that strength in leadership is found in constant articulation, I suggest that it is rather found in the balance between expression and understanding. Wisdom is not in the loudest voice, but in the truest one. Knowing when…

In 2016, when I asked Oliver Fortuin what disruptive trend could render legacy telcos obsolete within a decade, he answered with one word: "content." Fortuin, then leading BT's Sub-Saharan operations (now CEO of Airtel Business Africa), had been arguing that "the conversation about Africa charting its own destiny doesn't happen without technology." He wanted Africa to move beyond merely deploying Western innovations to actually originating them: homegrown and home run, not just jumping on board at the roll-out stage. Whether today's content landscape matches his 2016 vision, I can't say. But the disruption is undeniable, and the timing is peculiar. The latest GWI social media report shows time on platforms peaked in 2022 and has declined since, with young people leading the retreat. Canadian startup founder, investor and advisor to…

Negotiators have reached a framework of a trade deal to avert additional 100 percent tariffs that President Donald Trump had threatened to impose on imports from China, setting the stage for the US president’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in interviews Sunday that constructive meetings with his Chinese counterparts led to the deal, with the delegation from Beijing agreeing to defer restrictions on rare earth minerals that were poised to harm the US economy. The announcement marked a significant de-escalation of a whiplashing trade war between the world’s two largest economies, which heated up when Trump threatened to ratchet up tariffs earlier this month in response to China’s restrictions on the minerals, which are essential components in most electronics. “President…

If you’re thinking of cutting out gluten, you’ve probably wondered whether sourdough bread is safe. With wheat-free diets becoming more popular among the health-conscious and people with digestive issues, it’s important to ask: is the trendy loaf of sourdough bread truly gluten-free? The short answer: not unless it’s specifically made that way. Let’s unpack exactly what’s going on, in plain terms. What is sourdough and how is it made? Sourdough bread is made by mixing flour, water and salt with a “starter”, which is a living culture of wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. Unlike bread made with commercial baker’s yeast, sourdough uses this long fermentation process to leaven (rise) the dough through natural action of the microbes. Because of the slower, natural fermentation, sourdough has a distinct flavour and…

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has challenged his detractors to present evidence that he meddled in the City of Johannesburg's administrative affairs and the internal processes of the party’s greater Johannesburg regional elective conference. Mbalula, sources within the ANC claim, apparently issued direct instructions regarding the appointment of the new municipal manager and has played a role in delaying the highly anticipated regional conference, aiming to influence its outcome. The controversy surrounding the municipal manager appointment came to a head this week when a report on the year-long recruitment process, set to be presented to council, was rescinded at the eleventh hour. This dramatic turn followed a hastily convened meeting at Luthuli House, the ANC's headquarters, where Mbalula is said to have summoned the party’s Gauteng provincial and Johannesburg regional leadership.…

Parliament’s higher education watchdog has called on Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela to appoint an Independent Assessor to address governance issues amid ongoing tension at the University of Fort Hare. Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training chairperson Tebogo Letsie addressed issues at the universities of Fort Hare and Free State during a media briefing by Parliament’s Social Services Cluster oversight committees. The briefing came after several protests at both higher education institutions. Students at the University of Fort Hare burned tyres, organised protests, and disrupted classes, demanding the immediate resignation of vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu. They accused him of corruption and overstaying his tenure after the alleged unlawful extension of his term past retirement age. They also expressed frustrations over student housing conditions and deficiencies in safety…

Orlando Pirates will be out to restore pride when they welcome defending champions Magesi FC to Orlando Stadium for a Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final clash tonight at 7:30pm. The Buccaneers are still reeling from their painful exit from the CAF Champions League, where they were edged 5-4 on penalties by DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo on Saturday after a 3-3 aggregate draw. That setback has left Pirates desperate for redemption on home soil — and the Carling Knockout represents their final chance to add another major trophy to the cabinet this year. Despite their disappointment in continental competition, the Soweto giants come into this tie with renewed confidence. They have gone unbeaten in their last two matches in regulation time across all competitions, including a dominant 3-0 victory over Lupopo at…

The rand held relatively steady over the past week, buoyed by South Africa’s long-anticipated removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist — a development widely seen as a vote of confidence in the country’s financial reforms. The local currency traded in a narrow range, hovering around R17.30 to the US dollar, after fluctuating between R17.22 to the US dollar on Monday, R17.46/$1 midweek, and closing at R17.26/$1 on Friday. The movement mirrored broader volatility in the US dollar index, though the FATF announcement helped anchor sentiment in South Africa’s favour. FATF confirmed on Friday that South Africa “will no longer be subject to increased monitoring”, acknowledging that the country had successfully completed its reform commitments within the agreed timeframe. However, the Treasury cautioned that delisting marks “the start…

After much concerted effort and collaboration, South Africa’s exit from the FATF greylist is a milestone worth celebrating. It represents the tangible results of systemic reform across the financial sector, including regulation and prosecution, demonstrating that decisive action, innovation, and accountability can deliver measurable progress. This achievement is more than a regulatory checkbox; it signals that South Africa is building a stronger, more resilient financial ecosystem, capable of supporting investment, fostering competition, and encouraging fintech innovation. While there is still work to be done to ensure these gains are sustainable, the delisting demonstrates that a coordinated effort and strategic focus can transform compliance challenges into opportunities for growth and global credibility. The next test lies in turning compliance gains into a permanent culture of accountability and resilience. Without the culture…

The AWS outage that occurred on the 20th October highlighted the risk faced by global tech, AI companies and tech reliant businesses broadly. Thousands of clients rely on AWS for complex, demanding, data-intensive operations, including streaming video, running web applications and storing huge amounts of digital information. The services that were affected included WhatsApp, the British government’s website and tax services, the payment app Venmo, the cryptocurrency platform Coinbase, games at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal’s website. Dozens of other companies and retailers — including Amazon, Hulu, Snapchat, McDonald’s, Ring doorbells and the game Fortnite — also experienced interruptions. CyberCube estimated that the outage impacted more than 2 000 large organizations and around 70 000 organisations in total. Last year, a much wider, daylong internet outage…

HSBC bank on Monday revealed a financial charge of $1.1 billion linked to money sought by a European fund caught up in the late Bernard Madoff's huge investment fraud. The London-headquartered lender revealed the fallout amid a Luxembourg lawsuit brought by Herald Fund dating back to 2009, when Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for running a pyramid-style scheme. HSBC said it was setting aside $1.1 billion in a provision to be included in its third-quarter results due Tuesday. Its share price was down around one percent in early London deals following the news. It comes after HSBC on Friday lost part of an appeal in a Luxembourg court ruling. The bank on Monday said "the eventual financial impact could be significantly different" to the money it is…

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday a trade deal with the United States could happen within days, possibly easing punitive tariffs after months of animosity. Lula met President Donald Trump at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on Sunday, after urging the US leader earlier this month to lift punitive 50 percent trade tariffs. "I'm convinced that in a few days we'll have a definitive solution.... so that life can continue well and happily," Lula told reporters in Malaysia on Monday. The two leaders of the Americas' largest economies stand on polar opposite sides on issues such as multilateralism, international trade and the fight against climate change. Trump has instituted a 50 percent tariff on many Brazilian products. He has also imposed sanctions on several…

In this colourful season, you don't need to chase every trend or buy the latest fashion to look stylish. Self-love is accompanied by neatness, confidence, and choosing clothes that flatter your body shape. Never attempt to imitate others. Instead, concentrate on these suggestions to boost your style: Understanding your personal style First, try to discover your own style by considering your body size, shape, and skin colour. Not every trending piece of clothing can suit you. Look up to other people of your size and body shape, and you can take it from there and add your own flavour. Identify elements that genuinely appeal to you and consider how they might be integrated into your own unique expression, rather than simply copying what you see. During hot weather, opt for…

The closure of the Cato Manor organised crime unit more than a decade ago was a catastrophic mistake for Kwa-Zulu and has crippled its ability to contain violent crimes. That is the view shared by former police minister General Bheki Cele and those that were at the heart of leading the unit. Cele and Major General Johan Booysen spoke about the work of the unit as the country buckles under the strain of violent crimes and the allegations that senior police officers are colluding with criminals to subvert the rule of law. The unit, known as the “Cato Manor Unit”, was headed by Major General Booysen. It has been reported that the members of the unit found themselves arrested and in the dock several times over the years, facing…

INTERVENING for Palestine is not an act of charity, but an act of uniting the struggles, says UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese. She made the remarks when addressing a packed Groote Kerk on Sunday. During her discussion on justice, accountability, and the future of international law in the face of ongoing apartheid and genocide in Palestine, she encouraged people to use the power of their consumerism and to protest with their rands. The proceedings first began with a recollection of the history of the church, a reading from various interfaith leaders, performances of poems and music. Shortly after Albanese’s arrival, Reverend Rene August from SA Christians for a Free Palestine apologised to her for the court papers that were delivered by…

Red Bull Flugtag makes its highly anticipated return to the V&A Waterfront next month, with 50 teams attempting to take to the skies in their hand-built flying machines. South Africa first hosted Flugtag in Benoni in 2002 with 55 000 spectators. The 2012 Cape Town event was one of the largest in the world with 220 000 attendees. Now, after a 13-year hiatus, the event returns to Cape Town on November 2. While the Western Cape dominates with 32 of the 50 teams, provinces like Gauteng and KZN are represented. The Red Flamingoes fly the flag for KZN, bringing regional pride to the national celebration. South African food culture takes flight with teams like Air Wors, Wors Case Scenario, and Bunny Chowers These team names celebrate local cuisine, and spectators…

The Proteas and England Women’s cricket teams are close acquaintances. They have met routinely in major ICC tournaments, particularly at the semi-final stage. England hold the upper hand in 50-over World Cups, having shattered the Proteas’ dreams in both Bristol (2017) and Christchurch (2022). Sune Luus’ side famously managed to get their own back on a glorious Cape Town sunlit day in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Newlands two years ago. The familiar foes will climb into the ring again on Wednesday in Guwahati, where they will slug it out for a place in the coveted World Cup final. Proteas opener Tazmin Brits believes history plays no part in the present though. “Funny enough, we keep meeting England in the semi-finals whether it's the ODI or the T20. So,…

“Attack wins games, defence wins titles,” Alex Ferguson famously said. And it’s a message Arsenal seem to be taking to heart as they chase a first league championship in more than two decades. The Gunners not only look like champions — they have the control, composure, defensive solidity and consistency that champions are made of. While there’s still a long way to go in the Premier League title race, the title increasingly feels like Arsenal’s to lose. What sets this Arsenal side apart from Mikel Arteta’s nearly men of the past two seasons is not flamboyance or flair, but something far rarer in north London: ruthless efficiency. The Gunners have become the hardest side in the Premier League to score against, boasting the best defensive record in the division —…

South Africa’s renewable energy pipeline has surged past grid capacity, with new generation commitments now outpacing the system’s ability to absorb them — underscoring the urgent need for greater investment in battery storage and grid flexibility. According to the 2025 South African Renewable Energy Grid (SAREG) Survey — a collaboration between the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), and Eskom National Transmission Company SA (NTCSA) — the country’s contracted renewable energy capacity has risen sharply to 220 030 MWac, up from 133 748 MWac in 2024. The total includes all solar PV, wind, and battery storage facilities, spanning projects that are operational, under development, or at early planning stages. The survey recorded a significant increase in participation, with 673 projects included this year…

The announcement last week that South Africa has successfully exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list is cause for genuine celebration. More importantly, it offers critical lessons about what works when we get serious about reform. When grey listing was a serious risk already in 2022, BLSA commissioned research showing the economic impact could range from under 1% of GDP if we reacted fast and credibly, to 3% of GDP if we were slow and unwilling to meet FATF standards. We warned that the reputational damage would be significant, including enhanced due diligence requirements for all transactions between South Africans and the rest of the world, potential loss of foreign banking relationships, and reduced appetite for investment. The good news is that we have managed to keep the impact…

It’s a catch-22: AI adoption among businesses of most, if not all kinds, is now a competitive must – yet it’s not a panacea and the human cost can be considerable. This is both in terms of job displacement due to the adoption of fast-changing technology that can drive efficiencies (read: head count) but requires a new breed of skills, as well as the impact on consumers who continue to seek human-based support and customer care in response to over-digitised and automated path to purchase channels that lack sentience and person-to-person understanding and empathy. This is a key insight of the 7th annual South African Customer Experience Report, which I co-authored and which has just been released. While AI in all its forms – from Gen AI, AI assistants and…

South Africa’s new Shesha, an energy drink made from the juice extracted from fresh, raw sugarcane, is a global first. Shesha is produced by Womoba, a subsidiary of the not-for-profit SA Canegrowers. Shesha is made from hand-harvested, high-quality sugarcane stalks that are peeled and crushed to form the base of this naturally sweetened, fortified energy drink. No other energy drink in the world is produced this way. Produced and canned in KwaZulu-Natal, this innovative and proudly home-grown product supports job creation and economic growth in rural communities. “Shesha is about doing something new and exciting with a crop we’ve known for generations. It’s proof that innovation can start right here at home — turning sugarcane into something fresh, relevant and proudly South African,” said Higgins Mdluli, a sugarcane grower from…

Astoria Investments, the Mauritius-domiciled investment holding company listed on the country’s stock exchange and the JSE’s AltX market, said Monday it intends to delist because its share price trades at too wide a discount to net asset value. The company was spun off from RECM and Calibre in April 2022 and takes significant minority stakes in businesses, often investing alongside management teams to drive net asset value. The company’s thinly traded shares shot up 24.79% on the JSE on Monday afternoon to R7.50 per share - a year ago, it was trading at R8.10. Some of its investments include in Outdoor Investment Holdings and Goldrush Holdings. Astoria’s board said they wished to acquire all of Astoria’s shares for R8.15 per share in cash, following which the listings on the AltX…

South Africa has placed cultural heritage, social and economic strategies, digital technology, and climate action firmly on the agenda of a series of meetings leading up to the G20 summit next month. At the fourth G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) Ministerial Session in Zimbali in Kwa-Zulu Natal yesterday, the group's chairperson Lisa Combrinck said significant progress has been achieved in the meetings. Combrinck reflected on the four key priorities: safeguarding and restitution of cultural heritage to protect human rights; integrating cultural policies into socio-economic strategies for inclusive, rights-based development; harnessing digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture and sustainable economies; and exploring the intersection of culture and climate change in shaping global responses. Regarding the first priority on cultural heritage, Combrinck said there has been discussion around cultural…

A violent weekend across Cape Flats communities has left at least 22 people dead and 16 critically injured. Between Friday and Sunday, multiple incidents were reported. Worst affected areas include Mitchells Plain, Manenberg, Lavender Hill, Delft, Bonteheuwel, Seawinds, Elsies River, Kraaifontein and Philippi. In Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, two people were shot and one killed on Friday night. The same evening, a husband and wife were ambushed and shot at a fuel station in Manenberg, the wife later succumbed to her injuries. On Saturday, a 19-year-old was shot dead in Lavender Hill’s Aspeling Court, while a woman was gunned down in Clarke Estate, Elsies River. In Delft, another man was found shot dead in Aerobat Road. By Sunday, the violence had spread to the West Coast when a man was…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) yesterday argued before the Gqeberha High Court why it should be granted leave to appeal the acquittal verdict handed down to Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused. While Omotoso has left the country, the State is still pursuing the matter. Omotoso and his co-accused Lusanda Sulani, aged 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, aged 33, had faced charges ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape. The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal. Judge Irma Schoeman found that the State failed to properly cross-examine the accused and to present compelling evidence against them. In its application for leave to appeal, the State asked the court to reserve six key “questions of law” for possible appeal. These included whether the trial court had…

Lando Norris said he plans to continue his policy of being relaxed and focused on just himself after taking a one-point lead in the Formula One drivers’ world championship by winning Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix. As McLaren teammate and chief title rival Oscar Piastri fought to finish fifth, Norris cruised to a commanding 30-second triumph ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who resisted a late charge by Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen with the aid of a late Virtual Safety Car intervention. It was Norris’s first win in Mexico and the 10th of his career, lifting him to 357 points in the title race ahead of Piastri on 356 and on top for the first time in six months, since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April. With four…

As if Pakistan were not a handful, the Proteas’ next Test assignment looms large with mighty India awaiting the arrival of the ICC World Test champions with bated breath. The home team are treating the two-match series as a world championship heavyweight title bout with Shubnam Gill’s team eager to show everyone who cares to listen that the Proteas’ capture of the WTC mace back in June was more due to favourable fixture scheduling than actual performance. The Proteas have shown though they are worthy champions, meeting every challenge that is put before them, particularly after last week’s first Test win in Pakistan for 18 years. But even coach Shukri Conrad was forced to admit the upcoming two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati will indeed be his burgeoning team’s ultimate…

“He's a breath of fresh air on his own without picking up a bat.” This is how Proteas coach Shukri Conrad described Quinton de Kock’s reintegration into the national team. De Kock was in the international wilderness since last year’s T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados, but recently made a retirement U-turn and was immediately called up for the once-off T20I against Namibia earlier this month. Conrad was, however, away with the Proteas Test side in Pakistan and only welcomed South African cricket’s prodigal son back into the fold this week ahead of the three-match T20I series, starting Rawalpindi on Tuesday (start 5pm). “We are really chuffed and thrilled that we've got some fresh faces, some fresh energies,” Conrad said. “Not to suggest that the energies were flagging…