Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2025-04-01 in Cape Times

In an attempt to root out corruption in the food aid industry in South Africa, SA Harvest on Monday announced a groundbreaking smart vetting system to ensure food aid reaches legitimate, active community-based organisations (CBOs) around the country. In the form of an App, it was developed in partnership with Garnish Global. The tech-enabled system brings real-time tracking, digital verification, and fraud detection into the informal food economy. SA Harvest supports over 300 beneficiary organisations in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. The organisation said that this new system sets a precedent for transparency and impact in food relief efforts, positioning SA Harvest as a key driver of systematic change. COO of SA Harvest, Ozzy Nel, said, “Food is our starting point, our currency, but our real work is about enabling…

Company asked for lower electricity and rail tariffs, and removal of a scrap metal export tax ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) will defer the closure of its loss-making Long Steel plant to August 31 after getting a R1.68 billion injection from the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which will stave off the retrenchment of 3 500 workers and keep operations running for at least six months. In a statement on Monday, the steelmaker said as part of the agreement, Amsa has committed to the continued operation of the Long Steel business and retention of jobs during the deferral period and had also received a Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) grant to assist in funding employee costs, which will reduce the drawdown required against the IDC facility. "Based on engagements between…

South Africa’s current relations with the US is at a crossroad. With fallout from the signing of the Expropriation Act into law, the withdrawal of USAID, and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, tensions have only simmered further, with much debate now around South Africa’s future participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). South Africa cannot afford to make adversaries of any global economic power. Our economy has stagnated over the past 10 years, with the government essentially having run out of money. Over the last financial year, our debt-service costs amounted to R389 billion, with our debt-to-GDP projected to reach 76.2% in this financial year. Agoa, our largest trade agreement with the US, remains at risk. Several US political leaders have already called for…

A recent Afridigest LinkedIn post citing Anil Atmaramani’s championing of venture capital (VC) firm Antler’s refreshed approach to venture investing in Africa raises important questions. Atmaramani is a partner at the organisation, and his call to “rethink the mould” by backing everything from tech-enabled innovations to working capital loans and day-zero founders sounds admirable, but blurs distinctions that may ultimately hurt the clarity of discourse around funding in African markets. Definition disconnect The hard truth? Venture capital, by its classic global definition - accounting for hyper-growth, hyper-scale and super-fast outsized returns - simply does not exist as a genuine asset class in Africa. When we layer on calls for VC to be a democratised, inclusive investment mechanism that everyone “deserves” access to (which I genuinely wish it would be), it…

Vukile Property Fund, the specialist retail estate investment trust, has forecast a dividend uplift of at least 6% after a year of strong growth and it is now moving towards a period of integration and value extraction from its assets in South Africa and in the Iberian Peninsula. The group, with gross assets in South Africa, Spain, and Portugal now exceeding R50 billion, saw its Spanish-held subsidiary Castellana Properties grow its asset base in Spain and Portugal by nearly 60% over the past year to March 31, 2025. The investment in Lar Espana was exited at €82 million profit, while the capital was redeployed to acquire the Bonair Shopping Centre in Spain’s Valencia province. Adding a new engine of growth, Vukile entered Portugal with four retail acquisitions, and a fifth…

Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining overall health, and their influence extends to our skin, hair, and overall appearance. When hormones are balanced, they contribute to a radiant complexion, strong hair and a youthful glow. However, imbalances can lead to acne, hair loss, premature aging, and other beauty concerns. Here’s a list of key hormones and how they affect beauty Oestrogen Oestrogen is called the “youth hormone” because it promotes collagen production, skin elasticity, and hydration. As oestrogen levels decline with age (especially during menopause), women may experience: l Dry skin l Wrinkles and fine lines l Thinning hair Progesterone Progesterone helps balance oestrogen and supports skin health. Low levels can lead to: l Acne breakouts l Increased oil production l Dark circles and puffiness Testosterone While often associated…

The DA and the ANC, the two leading parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) are on the verge of coming to an agreement to pass the contentious budget that includes a proposed 0.5% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). Sources told IOL that the DA and ANC have agreed on a deal that would give the DA more influence over economic policies going forward. However, the Expropriation Act – a sticking point for the DA – will remain unchanged. This development follows the DA’s initial rejection of the ANC’s proposal for a 0.5% increase in VAT, which sparked controversy among citizens and other GNU partners. However, it now appears the parties are “close” to reaching a deal that would ensure its survival. “The ANC has agreed to some…

The iconic Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) has unveiled an ambitious fundraising initiative for 2025, dubbed the R4 million challenge. This year’s campaign aims to not only raise significant funds for various charitable causes but also encourage participants and supporters to engage in a spirit of giving and communal participation. The challenge is simple - participants are encouraged to rally their friends, family, and networks to sponsor them as they train for this revered marathon. As an added motivator, the two fundraising champions who manage to raise the highest amounts will be awarded a free entry to the much-coveted 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. “The R4 million challenge embodies the essence of what the TOM, stands for – community, passion, and a commitment to bettering the lives of others.” “We’re excited…

THE Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) aims to restore the Mitchells Plain line by May following recent successful trial operations on the Central Line. The Cape Town to Chris Hani rail, also known as the Central Line, was last fully functional in November 2019 before services were suspended due to vandalism and cable theft. The line was also affected by illegal electrical connections and encroachment onto the railway alignment. Last week, Prasa tested the line with the new blue and white state-of-the-art trains known as Isitimela Sabantu from Cape Town to Chris Hani, one of the end points of the Central Line. Metrorail Western Cape Manager, Raymond Maseko said: “We were able to recover the line from Cape Town to Langa, and we asked the community to work…

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will have defenders Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro back in his squad when their Premier League campaign resumes at high-flying Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. Maguire missed United's last two league matches with a calf problem ahead of the international break, while Yoro had a foot injury. "Maguire is ready to go to the game, and Yoro," Amorim said on Monday. The manager also delivered good news on defender Ayden Heaven, who joined United from Arsenal in January but was carried off during his first start two weeks ago. "It is not so serious. (Heaven) is recovering. He is not yet ready to play, but he will return this season, for sure," Amorim said. Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo have returned to training but are not…

The office of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) is preparing for a thorough examination of the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) following concerns raised by the Acsa Board regarding alleged irregularities in the entity’s procurement processes. This decision coincides with AGSA’s formal acknowledgment of a request from Acsa and signifies its commitment to uphold transparency during the annual regularity audit for the 2024-25 financial year. In a statement responding to inquiries from Business Report on Monday, the AGSA confirmed that it would be conducting a review of procurement processes at Acsa. “Should there be any material findings discovered during that regularity audit, these will be reported in the audit report. The audit report will be made public through the normal annual report processes,” AGSA said. The Acsa…

South Africa’s Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) sector is often referred to as the lifeline of the economy and a new report has identified that crucial support is needed for female entrepreneurs. The report, commissioned by the Shoprite Group, revealed the critical need for targeted support for female entrepreneurs and improved access to markets and resources in underrepresented regions. World Wide Worx conducted the research via a survey, which gathered insights from 800 SMME owners nationwide. It highlighted the diversity within South Africa’s small business sector, but also found significant systemic challenges related to gender, age, geography, and education. For example, while 51.2% of SMMEs are male-owned, women are more likely to own smaller businesses and face greater barriers when trying to scale. Entrepreneurial activity is also concentrated…

A significant number of consumers in South Africa are expressing their dissatisfaction with the manner in which their complaints are handled by Category I financial service providers (FSPs), retirement funds, and retirement fund administrators. This was revealed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Complaints Management Industry Review Report 2025 released on Monday. The FSCA surveyed 655 consumers and indicating that 67% of respondents were dissatisfied with the complaints processes offered by the financial institutions, while 63% of respondents were dissatisfied with the resolution of their complaints. The report was done in two phases, where it also surveyed over 1000 financial service providers in the first phase between 2022 and 2023. The first phase report revealed that the majority of the reviewed financial institutions display commitment to developing and maintaining…

Recent research conducted by Fortinet has illuminated a powerful trend across the African business landscape: a significant embrace of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our survey of 750 CEOs, CTOs, and CIOs across South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria reveals that a remarkable 85% of companies are either already investing in AI or plan to do so within the next three to five years. This widespread ambition underscores the growing recognition of AI's potential to transform operations and drive innovation. Interestingly, our findings also unearthed some unexpected regional dynamics. Kenya and Egypt are emerging as front-runners in AI adoption, demonstrating a strong appetite for the technology. South Africa, often considered the continent's technology leader, appears to be taking a more measured approach. Key findings of the survey: n 85% of the…

York Timber Holding's headline earnings a share shot up to 14.31 cents in the six months to December 31 from 4.67 cents a year before, as the turnaround plan gained further traction, The share price had gained 4.95% to R2.12 by midday Monday. Revenue grew by 18% to R1.04 billion, and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) improved to R84.3 million from R8.3m. The higher EBITDA contributed to improved cash generated from operations of R45.7m, compared to cash used by operations of R7.8m for the period ended December 31, 2023. No interim dividend was declared. Operating expenses were in line with the prior period, and the cost of sales increased in line with the increase in revenue. Lumber prices continue to increase, albeit below inflation. However, industry sales…

Friendships should be built on mutual respect, trust, and support. However, if you constantly feel drained, manipulated or undervalued in a friendship, you might be dealing with a narcissist. Narcissistic individuals often display patterns of self-centeredness, lack of empathy, and a need for admiration. These are traits that can make friendships one-sided and toxic. Here are 10 signs your bestie may be a narcissist. They dominate every conversation Narcissists love talking about themselves, their achievements, their problems, and their opinions while showing little interest in yours. If your friend constantly steers conversations back to themselves and interrupts or dismisses your thoughts, it’s a red flag. They lack empathy A narcissistic friend struggles to genuinely empathise with your feelings. They may downplay your struggles, change the subject when you’re upset, or…

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has rejected water and sanitation minister, Pemmy Majodina's call for punitive legal action against municipalities over water issues, saying this would undermine collaborative problem-solving and also threaten to drain public resources. Achieving clean water and sanitation for all has long been a goal of democratic South Africa, however in 2022 access to clean water stood at 88.5 per cent, and access to improved sanitation stood at 80.7 per cent. The issue has also been highlighted at the recent National Water and Sanitation Indaba with water supply issues experienced in parts of the country in recent months. At the indaba, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that “municipalities had not reinvested the revenue they earn from the provision of services to the upkeep of key water…

In an application in which the facts read like a horror movie, a man who was kicked out of a witness protection programme and claimed that he and his family are now being threatened with death by a police officer, turned to court for urgent protection. As the threats seemed serious, the court interdicted the officer from harming the family and she had until June 4 to state her side to the court. The man, who is only identified by his initials in the judgment delivered by the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, called on the court in person for urgent help as he feared for his life and that of his family. Mr M, a witness in a murder trial, asked the court for an interdict against a female SAPS…

As Orlando Pirates embark on their quest for continental glory in Algiers on Tuesday, they will face the dual challenge of a fiercely competitive host, MC Alger, and a hostile crowd at the historic 80 000-seater 5 July 1962 Stadium. Last week, Algeria’s Ligue 1 champions sensed the growing excitement around the match and subsequently moved the fixture from their 40 000-seater Ali La Pointe Stadium to the larger venue, located some 18 kilometres away. The stadium is expected to be near full capacity, amplifying the already vibrant atmosphere created by North African supporters. This will pose a significant challenge for Pirates, who must cope with the intense environment and its potential impact on the game’s dynamics. It could also prove testing for Sudanese referee Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail, who…

Miguel Cardoso is aware of Esperance's loyalty to their system. However, such is the trust he has in Mamelodi Sundowns' "own process" that he believes they’ll be able to crack the visitor's code. Cardoso will lead Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon (kick-off 3pm). This is a clash that the Brazilians will need to perform well in if they are to win the tie, including the second leg in Tunisia over the weekend, to reach the semi-final. The Brazilians will head into the clash in the nation’s capital high on confidence, having backed Cardoso to equip them with all the intelligence he has on Esperance. The Portuguese coach managed the Tunisian giants last term, beating Sundowns in the two-legged…

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has said he was giving Eskom a six month deadline to submit a new cost analysis report on the Medupi Power Station Flue Gas emissions. Minister of Environment, Dion George, on Monday vowed to hold the power utility to account on environmental compliance while still demanding adequate electricity supply. George announced exemptions to extend the operational licences of eight coal-fired power stations to continue with operations. He said the department had braced for all challenges, including court processes, from Eskom on the stricter enforcement of compliance with environmental legislation but warned he ever went to court on winnable matters. "Medupi, is a heavy emitter of toxic chemicals and that a lot of people have been animated about. I decided the…

PwC has warned that energy disruptions remain the number one concern for business leaders in South Africa as they fear the power supply shortages would be a key challenge in 2025–2026, despite the suspension of load shedding since March 2024. The second PwC South Africa Economic Outlook for 2025 released on Monday looked at the status quo of three challenges - energy supply, water supply and weather events - approaches for South African businesses to mitigate associated risks. Local business leaders responding to the survey for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025 identified energy and water supply shortages among South Africa’s biggest risk factors over the next two years, while global results included extreme weather events as a top-three risk. Despite the absence of planned power outages…

A tie-up between a Chinese research institute and tech company said on Monday that it aims to implant its brain chip into 13 people by the end of this year, in a move that could see it overtake Elon Musk’s Neuralink in collecting patient data. The Beijing-based Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech has inserted Beinao No.1, a semi-invasive wireless brain chip, into three patients in the past month and has 10 more lined up for this year, said Luo Minmin, who is director of CIBR and NeuCyber’s chief scientist. State-owned NeuCyber has ambitions for an even larger trial. “Next year after getting regulatory approval we will do formal clinical trials that will include around 50 patients,” Luo told reporters on the sidelines of the tech-focused Zhongguancun…

AECI has moved further with the restructuring of its businesses after announcing plans on Monday to sell its Improchem Public Waste Water businesses to a South African majority black-owned special purpose vehicle, with Nsukutech as the controlling shareholder and Junaco as the minority shareholder. The Public Water Business is a separate division of Improchem’s water business and includes the manufacturing and supplying of water treatment chemicals, providing engineered water treatment solutions, and supplying other complementary products to the public water sector. An AECI spokesperson said the value of the deal would be disclosed once all the agreements were finalised. “Divesting our Public Water Division delivers on our strategy to dispose of non-core assets, streamline operations, and optimise our portfolio. It will support our capital allocation strategy and position AECI for…

Jameel Motors has announced a new partnership with Changan Automobile, marking its entry into the realm of mobility solutions in South Africa. This strategic agreement paves the way for Jameel Motors to distribute a diverse range of vehicles, including sports utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans, pickups, and new energy vehicles (NEVs), beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025. The decision to enter the South African market comes at a time when it is on the cusp of growth, poised to become the largest automotive market in Africa. With car sales expected to exceed 500 000 units in 2024 and a marked 18.3% year-on-year increase in January 2025, Jameel Motors sees a tremendous long-term investment opportunity. Furthermore, the cooperation will contribute significantly to local job creation and the development of dealerships, fostering…

Eskom’s application for exemptions from minimum emission standards for eight of its coal-fired power stations has been granted, with the exemptions tailored to each facility. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr Dion George, announced his decision on Eskom’s application during a media briefing at Parliament yesterday. Eskom’s applications sought relief from the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) established under Section 21 of the Act, following the appeal decision on May 22, 2024. “Eskom plays a critical role in our nation’s energy security. However, its coal-fired operations have significant environmental and health implications, which I am duty-bound to address under Section 24 of our Constitution, guaranteeing everyone the right to an environment not harmful to their health or well-being, as well as under the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change…

Diogo Peral has a strong bond with Cape Town City, having been at the club since it was founded by head honcho John Comitis in 2016. And that’s why he’s understandably pained to see the team enduring their worst-ever season in the top flight. City are currently flirting with relegation, as they are 14th in the Betway Premiership standings with just 24 points from 24 matches. They’ve endured struggles this season, so much so that even the change in coaches – after sacking Erick Tinkler for Muhsin Ertugral – didn’t work. Comitis has turned to Peral, one of his trusted lieutenants, recently to try and keep the team afloat until the end of the season. Peral, who has held various positions within the team, particularly the assistant coach role, sat…

Defending champions the Sharks, the Bulls and Lions are gearing up for potentially tricky away EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 fixtures at the weekend. The Lions will face Scottish side Edinburgh at DAM Health Stadium on Friday, while the Bulls will tackle French side Bayonne at Stade Jean Dauger on Saturday. The Sharks face French giants Lyon at Stade Gerland later on Saturday. It was a disappointing weekend for the four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship at the weekend, apart from the Bulls, who thumped Zebre Parma 63-24 in Pretoria. The 14-man Stormers suffered a narrow 38-34 defeat against Ulster in Belfast, the Sharks went down 10-7 against Leinster in Durban, and the Lions were on the receiving end of a heavy 42-0 defeat against the…

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, they say. Well, recent goings on among Liverpool fans have proven that scorned women may face some competition. Reds fans peeved at right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, have taken extreme measures to voice their displeasure at the situation. Some have even erased the prodigious home-grown talent from Liverpool history. Can you imagine that? Remember that iconic Trent quick corner in their Uefa Champions League comeback against Barcelona in 2019? Well, there are clips doing the rounds on social media showing Andy Robertson, James Milner or Wataru Endo setting up Divok Origi’s winner. The nerve of some people. Endo will have needed a time machine to even be in that frame. It would be tragic if…