Índice para 2025-09-16 em Cape Times

Bureau says modest rebound in economic growth belies worsening operating conditions The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) has cautioned that South Africa’s modest rebound in economic growth belies the severe pressures still confronting businesses, warning that fragile private sector investment and worsening operating conditions continue to threaten the country’s growth outlook. This follows Statistics South Africa’s release last week showing that gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0.8% in the second quarter of 2025, lifting the probability of full-year growth exceeding 1%. Lisette IJssel de Schepper, chief economist at the BER, acknowledged the unexpectedly positive GDP outcome but warned that such gains do not reflect the realities on the ground. De Schepper said the BER’s latest business survey, which attracted more than 300 voluntary comments from respondents, indicated widespread dissatisfaction…

We’ve had enough time to reflect about the latest products from Apple. It’s interesting to note that the markets have reacted unapprovingly after the launch. After the iPhone 17 launch, Apple shares fell about 1.5% on launch day, then dropped another 3.23% the following day. The share price on that next day closed around $226.79. Combined, that decline erased roughly $112 - $113 billion from Apple’s market value. Apple unveiled a new iPhone that is thinner and smaller than previous models. The titanium-encased smartphone is a third less thick than previous models but has fewer cameras and less battery life than its predecessors. Consumer reaction was more revealing. Many still feel there’s less innovation currently at Apple. Some even feel that Apple is starting to look like the Nokia…

The Labubu trend has rapidly gone viral on social media, with pet owners and collectors reacting strongly to controversies surrounding the dolls' alleged demonic associations and safety concerns. Labubu is a character from The Monsters series, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in 2015. The character is a quirky, mischievous figure that has become a cultural icon, particularly in Asia, and now globally through its popular bag charms and toys. Labubu dolls are known for their blind-box mystery packaging and sharp-toothed monster appearance. These dolls have driven massive consumer demand globally, often selling on secondary markets at inflated prices. The trend of baptising Labubu dolls emerged after reports suggested that one or more dolls were modelled after Pazuzu, a demon from Mesopotamian mythology. Some owners sought to “cleanse” their…

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela says South Africa’s post-school education system will only be able to accommodate around half of the 850 000 matriculants expected to sit for their final examinations this year. Manamela was addressing the media yesterday at the Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimoso House in Pretoria. He provided an update on the state of readiness of universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges ahead of the 2026 academic year, and the opening of applications for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). “The reality is that about 850 000 young people will be sitting for exams. If all of them pass, the system can only absorb half,” said Manamela. “Between now and the next three months, we will…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning to ANC councillors, urging them to cut all ties with criminal syndicates and reject the culture of self-enrichment, corruption, and patronage that continues to plague the party at all levels of government. Speaking at the ANC’s roll call for councillors at the FNB Stadium yesterday, Ramaphosa called for a clean break from corrupt dealings and interference in municipal administration. Ramaphosa said the ANC would soon establish dedicated teams to pursue and expose criminal networks operating within the state. “We are going to set up teams that will go after those syndicates. We know them, and we are going to nab them… Free yourself now before it is too late,” he said. His remarks come at a time when the ANC is under…

AN over eight-metre juvenile Humpback whale was freed from fishing rope in another whale disentanglement operation South of Cape Recife. NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, Stephen van den Berg, said NSRI Gqeberha and the SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) volunteers were alerted to reports of a juvenile Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope at around 10am on Sunday. “A local fishing vessel was on the scene where the 8.5 to 9 meter whale had become entangled in their fishing rope. “The fishing vessel skipper and crew were attempting to assist to free the whale from the fishing rope and requested assistance, 18 nautical miles South of Cape Recife,” van den Berg said.Two NSRI rescue craft, accompanied by NSRI SAWDN trained crew, the SAWDN specialised cutting equipment and extra fuel, were launched.…

The mandatory formal letter a credit provider must send to a consumer who is in default of a credit agreement, must be sent to the correct address, as chosen by the consumer, before a credit provider can simply forge ahead with legal action. This was once again highlighted by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in a case where a woman, only identified as Mrs NM, complained that she never got wind of court action to repossess her car. The next thing she knew, her car was repossessed following an application by Mercedes Benz Financial Service in this regard and the vehicle was at an auction house, ready to be sold. NM said as she never knew of the court proceedings, she was unable to defend the matter. She subsequently asked…

Liverpool left it late again to preserve their perfect start to the Premier League season, with Mohamed Salah striking a stoppage-time penalty to down Burnley. Manchester City demolished Manchester United, while Arsenal underlined their squad depth in a dominant win over Nottingham Forest. Haaland shows his class Manchester United handed a first Premier League start to Benjamin Sesko at the Etihad on Sunday, with the Slovenian earmarked to fill the side’s desperate need for a prolific marksman. But his threat was easily nullified by the City defence, with Erling Haaland demonstrating to United manager Ruben Amorim exactly what he is missing. The Norwegian would have had a hat-trick but for an astonishing miss when he struck the post between two classy finishes. After scoring five goals against Moldova in a…

Activity in the building and construction industry in South Africa is expected to continue gaining momentum for the remainder of the year due to the upward trend in the value of building plans passed. This comes as mining and materials group Afrimat on Monday reported a sharp rebound in South Africa’s construction sector during the second quarter of 2025, with its Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) showing broad-based improvements across key indicators. Compiled by economist Dr. Roelof Botha on behalf of Afrimat, the ACI measures activity in the building and construction industry. Botha said the latest reading reflected a 6.8% quarter-on-quarter rise, outpacing national GDP growth. According to Botha, the recovery of the ACI was, however, fairly predictable, as the indicators included in the index came off a low base recorded…

High credit costs are emerging as a formidable barrier to economic growth in South Africa, despite the country’s entrenched banking sector relying heavily on deposits for funding. This stark warning from Moody's Ratings on Monday highlights the critical role domestic and international funding play in bolstering the economy, with a particular emphasis on the pressures created by rising interest rates. Lucie Villa, senior vice president for Moody’s, explained that the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) repo rate directly impacts the cost of savings and term deposits. The Sarb’s repo rate “influences the cost of savings and term deposits, as well as money market rates” for institutional deposits. “South African banks depend heavily on deposits for funding. This includes deposits from companies and households, and deposits raised from institutions, which are…

Kyle Schutter's LinkedIn post about Kentegra Biotechnology's "$50 million success story" in pyrethrum processing caught my attention last week. Schutter, who runs Kenyan investment platform Kuzana, was celebrating what he called a "boring" company that deserved to be made "sexy again" after visiting their Naivasha facility. But beneath the enthusiasm lies a story rich with historical baggage worth unpacking. Dalmatian daisies Kentegra, a US company operating in Kenya, processes Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium - a modest daisy originally from Eastern Europe and Asia. The species arrived in Kenya via Japan in the early 1920s, introduced by European settlers who recognised the highland's potential for pyrethrum cultivation. Kenya's Central Highlands, with their volcanic soils and cool temperatures, proved ideal for producing flowers rich in natural pyrethrins - the active compounds that make effective…

One thing TikTok does better than anything else is turn everything into content. A random recipe, a forgotten song or even a decades-old fashion moment can suddenly be everywhere. And sometimes, that’s not a bad thing. A few months ago, a sound clip of Connie Francis’ Pretty Little Baby from 1961 resurfaced and went viral, filling For You Pages worldwide. It wasn’t even a chart-topper back then, yet today it has millions of listeners humming along. Francis herself once reflected that God kept her alive long enough to see the world finally fall in love with her hidden masterpiece. That’s the magic of the internet: past and present collide, giving us new reasons to fall in love with things that once seemed lost in time. Fashion works the same way.…

A Johannesburg family is mourning the loss of their two daughters and praying for the recovery of another after a horrific accident over the weekend. Connor, Cassidy, and Storm Moodley were in an accident on Saturday. Storm is currently in the hospital, while Connor and Cassidy have tragically died. Tributes continue to pour in for the girls. In a social media post, their father, Warren Symons, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the public for their support during this time. He wrote: “Thank you to everyone for their love and support during this incredibly awful time. The ordeal is nowhere close to the end, but with time, my family and I will heal enough to celebrate the lives and the people taken from us. No parent should ever have to bury…

Staff Reporter CONSERVATIONISTS have confirmed the first active hooded vulture nest recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major conservation milestone. The rare find has offered a glimmer of hope for one of the continent’s most endangered bird species. The discovery was made recently during the 2025 Zululand Vulture Project Aerial Survey, a collaborative initiative involving Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The Bateleurs, a volunteer pilot conservation non-governmental organisation, and several supporting partners. The nest, located in northern Zululand and containing a healthy chick, also represents the southernmost breeding site ever documented for the species - expanding its known range and deepening scientific understanding of its breeding behaviour. The hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is classified as critically endangered, with an estimated 50-100 breeding pairs left in South Africa. Unlike its larger…

Cape Winelands Airport is awaiting the outcome of its final Environmental Application Report, also known as an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), submitted in May, to greenlight the build of what is to become Cape Town’s own 'Lanseria International Airport'. Managing Director of Cape Winelands Airport, Deon Cloete, who was also the former General Manager of Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), presented an update to several journalists regarding the development of another airport for the city. Cape Winelands Airport, previously known as Fisantekraal Airport, has been in existence for over 80 years and is currently used for training and private aircraft charters, with four runways. The airport will have a 3.5km runway, and they have also completed an application for an international licence, as “we hope to have some international services”.…

Oceana Group, one of South Africa's leading fishing products companies, has issued a stark warning regarding its financial performance for the year ending September 30, 2025 - a drop of at least 40% in headline earnings per share (HEPS). This would likely translate to a fall of over 367 cents per share from the prior comparative period's 917.6 cents. This expected downturn is primarily attributed to the sharp decline in fish oil prices, which have halved from record highs seen last year. The significant decrease in fish oil prices has been linked to a recovery in the Peruvian anchovy biomass, a situation that has led to a market correction following extraordinary price levels in the previous year. In addition, Daybrook's performance has suffered notably, contrasting sharply with its exceptional earnings…

The recent projections regarding the impact that AI will have on several economic engines across the continent should not be seen as just a statistic, but a call for South Africa to address systemic barriers that have historically held back progress and to position itself as an enabler of this next wave of economic transformation. According to a recent McKinsey report titled ‘Africa’s gen AI potential’, generative AI (Gen AI) could unlock between $61 billion and $103 billion in annual economic value across sectors fundamental to South Africa’s growth like mining, heavy industry, energy and construction. While the report’s projections are compelling, we must caution against viewing technology as a panacea to all our problems. How Gen AI might move the needle We understand that using Gen AI in areas…

OUTsurance Group (OGL) made a striking impact on the JSE on Monday as its share price leapt an impressive 8.4% after a stellar dividend growth announcement brought optimism to investors. The multinational insurance firm revealed it will pay a special dividend of 33.1 cents per share, alongside a final ordinary dividend of 149 cents, resulting in a remarkable total full-year dividend of 237.6 cents. This figure marks a robust 36.2% increase compared to the previous year. The dividend payout stems from OGL's solid financial performance for the year ending June 30, 2023. The company highlighted that a mix of contributory factors led to the special dividend. Among these were the proceeds from its sale of Youi's engagement in Blue Zebra Insurance (BZI) and the ongoing monetisation of non-core assets. Focusing…

We’ve all done it: opened ChatGPT for a quick essay draft, work email, or even a birthday toast. It's fast and easy, but are we trading convenience for the ability to think for ourselves? A recent study from MIT’s Media Lab has sparked debate. Researchers found that people who relied on ChatGPT for writing tasks showed significantly less brain activity and weaker memory recall than those who worked without it. In other words, when AI does the heavy lifting, our brains may start slacking off. So, are we heading for what some experts are calling “cognitive debt”, a slow erosion of critical thinking and creativity? Or is this just another moral panic, like when calculators first landed in classrooms? Key findings of an MIT study Over four months, the MIT…

The three accused in the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm pleaded not guilty to the charges against them in the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo yesterday. Immanuela David and siblings, Florian and Ndilinasho Joseph, appeared in court in connection with the theft of $580 000 from the Phala Phala game farm in 2020. The trio faces charges of theft, housebreaking, and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with the intent to steal. David also faces a charge of money laundering. The money was allegedly stolen from a couch on Ramaphosa’s property, where it was hidden. After several delays, the trial began two years after the trio was arrested. As the State presents its case before the court, a total of 20 witnesses are expected to be called in the…

A judge, in ordering the police to pay R100 000 in damages to a man in a case of mistaken identity relating to a taxi killing, described the SAPS’s conduct towards the 22-year-old as being “reprehensible” as they were set on intimidating and humiliating him. Banoyolo Magxala turned to the Eastern Cape High Court, sitting in Mthatha, where he claimed R500 000 in damages against the Minister of Police for unlawful arrest and detention. The police did not defend their actions. Magxala, a former taxi driver, was detained overnight in a police cell on charges of murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He was set free the next day after the police realised they had the wrong person. Magxala testified that on the…

South Africa’s food systems are failing the poor: a quarter of our population has limited access to food and one in four children under the age of five is stunted due to chronic malnutrition. This is because food is unaffordable for many households that rely on social grants as their main source of income. For instance, the monthly Child Support Grant of R560, which reaches about 13 million children is 41% below the average cost of a monthly food basket of R5 380.62. This problem is not only about affordability but of quality and accessibility. Cheap ultra-processed foods, consumed by many living in low-income communities, may stave off hunger but they lack protein and essential micronutrients that people need to be healthy. Food affordability, quality and accessibility are the cornerstones…

Manie Libbok has had to fight harder than most of the Springboks’ modern flyhalves to prove his worth. His pathway to the No 10 jersey has been marked by continuous scrutiny and second-guessing, particularly around his goal-kicking and game management under pressure. However, if his recent performances — especially his electric showing in the Wellington demolition of the All Blacks — are anything to go by, Libbok has firmly positioned himself as the Springboks’ undisputed top flyhalf. Against New Zealand in Wellington, the pivot delivered arguably his most complete game in the green and gold. It was a match where the Springboks dismantled the All Blacks with pace, power, physicality, and precision — and it was Libbok who orchestrated the tempo after coming on halfway through the first half for…

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have come out of the international break firing, lending credence to the notion that this could finally be his year to return the Gunners to the top of the pile for the first time since the 2003/04 season of the Invincibles. There were many, myself included, who felt the Gunners were just one quality goalscorer shy of mounting a legitimate title challenge. Enter Victor Gyökeres (give him time). How about back-up for star attacker Bukayo Saka? Noni Madueke provides quality cover on the right, while Eberechi Eze brings plenty of flair down the other flank or even centrally. And what would a transfer window be without the addition by the former midfield strongman of – you guessed it – another central defensive midfielder or two? The already…