Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2025-11-18 in Cape Times

Groundbreaking research says Africa-focused green investments can outperform global benchmarks The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has released groundbreaking new research showing that Africa-focused green investments can outperform global benchmarks while generating significantly more jobs and long-term economic value than traditional sectors. The paper titled “Scaling Institutional Capital for Green Jobs in South Africa” was developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and published on Monday ahead of the G20 Leadership Summit. It forms part of the PIC’s Perspectives: G20 Dialogues series and is the fourth such research contribution this year. With the right policy environment and coordinated public-private action, the paper argues, South Africa can position itself as a continental leader in green finance, job creation and industrialisation while delivering competitive returns for long-term investors. The study finds that…

The United Nations, alongside leading South African and global business figures, on Monday launched the South Africa Business Initiative for Impact (SABII)—a new platform aimed at accelerating sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, and job creation across the country. SABII is South Africa's national anchor of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI). It brings together business, the United Nations, and government through four pillars or national priorities: Energy Transition, Digitisation, Human Capital Development, and Food Systems Transformation. The partnership includes the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, the UN Global Compact, business champions including Naspers as founding partner, and the South African government. SABII is the first country-level platform under the UN’s GABI and is designed to strengthen local entrepreneurship, expand South African business access to African and global markets, and attract foreign…

Good governance has always been described as the framework that holds organisations together. Yet beneath the visible structures of committees, policies and disclosures lies something less tangible but far more decisive. It is the culture that determines whether governance principles are lived with conviction or performed by routine. Culture is the invisible architecture of governance, shaping how people behave when no one is watching. Culture gives substance to governance. It is the shared set of values, beliefs and habits that influence decisions long before policies are consulted. A board may approve sound strategies and establish strong controls, but if the prevailing culture tolerates inconsistency, division or silence, governance weakens quietly from within. In every organisation, culture becomes the unwritten code that defines how power is used, how mistakes are handled…

No matter where you look, South Africa has been enjoying what seems to be great technological advancements. In the very near future, South Africans will have a digital ID, which will enable ease of access to government services. On the AI front, Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has made significant progress with its landmark project to establish Africa’s first network GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offering. As the first preferred NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) in Africa, these secure data centre facilities, located across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco, will mark the company's long-standing leadership in providing world-class digital solutions on the continent. The Minister of Telecommunications has been criss- crossing the tech events landscape to express the country's appreciation of these tech advancements. At the same time,…

MTN Group’s previously loss-making Nigeria subsidiary reported positive retained income and net equity positions and resumed dividend payments, the telecoms group said in a third-quarter trading update for the nine months to September 30, on Monday. Group service revenue was up a strong 22.6%, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 41.1%, while the EBITDA margin increased by 6.7 percentage points to 45%. Subscribers increased by 5.8% year-on-year to 301.3 million. “We are particularly pleased to have crossed a formative milestone in connecting over 300 million customers across our markets,” they said. Data revenue was up 35.4%. Revenue from the group fintech businesses was up by 23.1%. The number of active data subscribers increased 9.1% to 165.8 million. Data traffic was up 26.6%. MTN SA’s service revenue…

Naspers, the JSE-listed ecommerce group with investments that cater to over 2 billion consumers worldwide, said on Monday it expects core headline earnings per share to increase between 20.8%-27.8% for the six months to September 30. The board considers core headline earnings a useful indicator of operating performance, as it adjusts for non-operational items. Headline earnings per share for continuing operations were expected to rise between 5.6%-12.6%, the directors said in a trading statement on Monday. “Both of the above measures are driven by strong revenue growth and profitability of our consolidated ecommerce businesses and our equity-accounted investments, particularly Tencent. Core headline earnings per share also benefited from the exclusion of foreign currency translation losses, which are included in headline earnings,” the directors said. A 30.2%-37.2% increase in earnings per…

When someone says school bullying is simply harmless banter, we need to pause because in South Africa, the consequences are very far from harmless. Take the recent case at Milnerton High School in Cape Town: a video of a Grade 10 learner being beaten with a hose-pipe, belt, and hockey stick which went viral. The image of a peer pleading for the assault to stop shocked the country, triggered a criminal investigation, and sparked harsh condemnation from the Western Cape Education Department and the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Why should we care? Because this isn’t an isolated case, and the ripple effects last a lifetime. Studies show this is happening far more often than many think. One research project found that 64% of Grade 9 learners in South Africa…

THE ANC hopes the lifestyle audits that its mayoral candidates will undergo will help in fulfilling its commitment to strong, diverse, and capable candidates. These were some of the measures ANC Electoral Committee Chairperson, Kgalema Motlanthe, announced yesterday as part of the ANC’s extensive vetting process to rid the party of unethical leaders. The party only controls two of the eight metros (Buffalo City and Mangaug) in the country. Motlanthe, who briefed members of the media on the candidate selection process for the 2026 local government elections yesterday said mayoral candidates for metros and cities will be handled through the National Official Office Bearers. Motlanthe said this is to ensure that they select people who bring expertise and the requisite qualifications to occupy those positions. For this to succeed,…

While uncertainty continued to swirl over the circumstances that led to the arrival of the 153 Palestinian refugees in South Africa last week, various organisations commended the government for its “decisive action”. The Cape Town Ulama Board (CTUB) was one such body that hailed the country’s stance and labelled the humanitarian efforts a shining example of Ubuntu in action amid all the complexities. The Palestinian refugees, who arrived at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng on Thursday, reportedly paid US$2,000 (R35 000) each for the promise of safe transport and settlement in a host country, only to realise that their journey was fraught with uncertainty. Among the 153 refugees, who were stripped of their possessions, were a pregnant woman and children The CTUB’s secretary general, Shaykh Sayed Ridhwaan, condemned…

LOCAL mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters will have the chance to show what they are made of in the freshly announced Knox Legacy Series 2026, to take place in February next year. The event on February 26 at the GrandWest Grand Arena is expected to be the first in a series of fights and kick off the EFC calendar for 2026. Fighters who will be representing Cape Town include “Troublemaker” Faeez Jacobs (Current 3x EFC Bantamweight Champion), Luke Michael (Men’s Middleweight Champion), Terrence Balo, Tumelo "Mellow" Manyamala and Adriaan Sanchez, who will be facing off against the global force of yet-to-be-announced fighters. Knox Hydrate founders Ethan Hughes and Dricus du Plessis were joined by EFC president Cairo Howarth and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis for the announcement of the MMA series. “This…

The national men’s outdoor hockey team is gearing up for a challenging three-match Test series against India, which will be followed by the equally competitive Nkosi Cup featuring the men’s and women’s indoor national teams. The thrilling men’s Test series in the Western Cape pits the African champions against the Asian champions. Both nations have recently secured qualification for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2026, setting the stage for a high-quality series as they intensify their preparations for the global showpiece. The series kicks off in Stellenbosch on December 7, with further fixtures at Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town on 9 and 10 December. The action then switches to the Wynberg Military Base Stadium in Cape Town for the third edition of the Nkosi Cup in mid-December. Hockey…

The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has welcomed the United States’ decision to exempt South African citrus, particularly oranges, from import tariffs, saying the move restores competitiveness and opens the way for growth in the 2026 season. South Africa exported 4.3 million 15kg cartons of oranges to the US in the past season. While the 2025 season has already concluded, the CGA on Monday said the exemption will significantly benefit exports from April 2026 onwards. The CGA said the exemption once again makes South African oranges competitive in the US market, a market that holds opportunities for increased exports and local job creation. The 30% tariff on South African citrus imports only came into effect in August 2025, near the end of the export window, limiting its impact…

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has welcomed the government’s decision to revive the country’s Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) programme, saying it marks the beginning of a new era in reactivating the full nuclear fuel cycle and restoring South Africa’s leadership in advanced nuclear technologies. This follows Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s announcement on Sunday that the PBMR will be lifted out of care and maintenance and formally transferred from Eskom to Necsa. The move brings back to life one of the country’s most significant scientific and industrial assets, mothballed since 2010. Necsa Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe said the decision represents a major milestone for the country’s nuclear innovation pathway. “Nuclear energy remains central to achieving a low-carbon, sustainable energy mix that supports industrial growth and job…

South Africa’s business community and leading economists have welcomed S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade of the country’s long-term foreign and local currency credit ratings — the first upward revision in nearly 20 years. S&P lifted South Africa’s foreign currency rating from BB– to BB, while the local currency rating improved from BB to BB+, reflecting stronger fiscal performance, a more stable economic environment, and improving investor sentiment. North-West University Business School economist, Professor Raymond Parsons, said the upgrade, though widely anticipated, marks an important vote of confidence in the economy. “It recognises the extent to which certain recent positive economic developments have improved SA’s fiscal position and growth outlook, and which have strengthened investment sentiment,” Parsons said. “The S&P decision has now opened the way for SA to eventually extricate itself…

A commenter on my first YouTube Short, dubbed “McKinsey Uses ChatGPT. So What Are You Actually Paying For?”, told me I had "no idea what I was talking about." He then proceeded to explain McKinsey's AI strategy to me with the confidence of someone who'd just discovered it. A bit of sleuthing reveals he might be a senior manager at a boutique enterprise tech consultancy specialising in Oracle solutions, with undergraduate and master's degrees in IT from a university Forbes ranks 114 in the US. In other words, someone who'd actually know his way around enterprise AI deployments. The irony being that my 3-minute riff on AI disrupting consulting was based on months of research, multiple conversations with ecosystem players, and a 1,200-word piece I'd published days earlier examining exactly…

WeBuyCars Holdings lifted its final dividend 20% to 30 cents a share following another year of growth and market share gains in South Africa’s tempestuous car market. The company that listed on the JSE in April last year said revenue was up 13% to R26.4 billion and core headline earnings increased 15% to R937.6 million for the year to September 30. The company bought 180 576 vehicles and sold 179 006 in the year, representing increases of 7.7% and 8.4% respectively. “Despite a tough economic environment, we delivered robust results by focusing on what matters most – our customers, our people, and our technology. We have significantly expanded our capacity and invested ahead of the curve in people and technology. These steps position us well to reach our goal of…

SOUTH Africa does not consider the absence of some key heads of states at this weekend’s G20 Leaders’ Summit as a snub or the undermining of Africa, says International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. The much-anticipated gathering is set to take place on November 22 and 23 at the Nasrec Conference Centre, with heads of state from G20 member countries and delegates from other countries in attendance. Lamola said 42 countries have confirmed their participation, including 20 member states (excluding the USA), 16 guest countries, and six countries representing regional economic communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and East Asia. The United States and Argentine President Javier Milei have boycotted the much-anticipated summit, while China and Russia will be represented by senior government officials. “Russia, Mexico, and Argentina…

England wrapped up their flawless World Cup qualifying campaign with a record-setting 2-0 win against Albania on Sunday. The Three Lions, who took maximum points from their eight games, became the first European team to win every one of their World Cup qualifiers without conceding a single goal in a campaign lasting at least six matches. Here, we look at three key factors that can help Thomas Tuchel’s side triumph at next year’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico: Tuchel’s tactical acumen After a slow start to his reign, Thomas Tuchel has gradually revitalised England over the last 11 months, with his astute tactical moves proving especially influential. Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate was often criticised for his cautious gameplan and slow response to situations that demanded substitutes to change…

As the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco draws ever closer, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has outlined his plans for the tournament and the careful considerations for finalising his squad. The Belgian tactician has firmly stated that his team will play only a single friendly match before the continental showdown, opting for a more streamlined, focused approach to preparation. The African football festival kicks off next month, with South Africa drawn into a challenging Group B alongside heavyweights Egypt, Zimbabwe and Angola. Having reached the semi-finals in the previous tournament, expectations are buoyant for a repeat performance, if not an improvement, from the national side. Broos, who has led Bafana Bafana since 2021, expressed his reluctance to schedule additional friendly matches against African teams, suggesting that his…

In a significant move aimed at bolstering labour rights and ensuring compliance with employment regulations, Minister of Employment and Labour, Nkosazana Meth, has announced plans to petition the National Treasury for additional funding. This funding is intended to increase the number of labour inspectors across all nine provinces of South Africa. The move comes as the Department reports persistent non-compliance in workplaces across the country, with non-compliance rates ranging between 13% and 66% across provinces and sectors over the past five years. Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, the Department conducted 1,265,135 workplace inspections and received thousands of complaints regarding non-compliant workplaces. During the same period, a total of 1,662 labour inspectors were employed. In a parliamentary reply to questions posed by Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi, Meth said that the Department…

This is a big week for South Africa, as we host the leaders of many of the world’s biggest economies at the G20 meetings, while business leaders from across the world meet at the B20 Summit. This comes hot on the heels of an upgrade in our sovereign credit rating by S&P Global from BB- to BB, which maintains a positive outlook. These provide both the opportunity and the evidence to demonstrate to the world that South Africa is back in business. We have a government that is starting to regain control of the nation’s finances and turning the trajectory toward sustainable, growth-supporting fiscal management. The medium-term budget policy statement last week showed continued fiscal discipline, with Treasury on track to deliver another primary surplus despite weak growth. We have…

Building on her early successes, Kerry Janse van Rensburg has become a driving force in South African retail technology, leading initiatives that bridge operational efficiency with customer-centric innovation. “Change is a constant in retail, especially in the digital space. It can be daunting, but embracing it is essential if you want to remain relevant and competitive,” van Rensburg said. Under her leadership, Pick n Pay has introduced AI-driven insights to better anticipate consumer demand, personalised digital shopping experiences, and improved supply chain responsiveness. These innovations have not only enhanced customer satisfaction but also set a benchmark for the industry. van Rensburg’s approach to leadership is grounded in empowering teams. She prioritises creating a culture where experimentation is encouraged, and successes are celebrated. “Our teams are the heart of digital transformation,”…

Astral, the integrated poultry producer that lifted its 2025 dividend by 112% to 1 100 cents per share, plans to maintain a strong balance sheet due to the volatile environment, to fund a large pipeline of capital projects and to even possibly consider acquisitions, CEO Gary Arnold said. Speaking in an online presentation on Monday, Arnold said the group staged a good financial recovery in the second half of its year to September 30, after earnings came under pressure in the first half. The group has been on a turnaround path since 2023, when its financial position was badly impacted by load shedding and avian influenza. He said the group would reach volume production capacity at the end of this month and, “we have a good pipeline of strategic projects,…

Barloworld, which last week announced cleared a last hurdle in its takeover by a consortium of Saudi investors, ahead of its delisting from the JSE, said on Monday that its headline earnings fell in the 12 months to September 30. Group headline earnings per share (HEPS) fell 21% to 810 cents. Excluding Barloworld Vostochnaya Technica (VT), the loss-making subsidiary in Russia and Caterpillar dealership, group HEPS declined by 14%. Free cash flow for the industrial processing, distribution, and services group, which has two primary focus areas—industrial equipment and services, and consumer industries (food and ingredient solutions)—reported group revenue lower by 10% to R37.7 billion. Excluding VT, revenue declined by 4.7% compared to the prior period. Net debt improved by 37% to R884 million, and net asset value per share grew…

We’ve all met one. The boss who believes they’re the office oracle. The friend who can’t take feedback without turning it into a TED Talk. Or that influencer whose captions sound like commandments from Mount Instagram. This is more than an exploration of ego; it's a closer look at how the God complex blurs confidence into unchecked entitlement, creating problems for individuals and those around them. In today’s self-optimised, hustle-obsessed culture, it’s easy to glorify certainty. We love people who “know their worth”. But when that belief morphs into an unwavering conviction that one can do no wrong, it’s no longer empowerment; it’s entitlement dressed in designer confidence. Unpacking the God complex? The term “God Complex” was first coined by psychoanalyst Ernest Jones in Essays in Applied Psychoanalysis to describe…

Ironman South Africa has confirmed the deaths of two participants in harrowing incidents during the swim portion of the Ironman 70.3 event at Santos Beach on Sunday morning, prompting an outpouring of grief from the triathlon community and swift police action. The athletes, aged 29 and 58, were retrieved from the water approximately 15 minutes apart around 07:40, according to Southern Cape Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies. One was extracted at about 400 metres and the other at around 1,000 metres into the 1.9km swim leg of the gruelling triathlon, which also includes a 90km bike ride and 21.1km run. In a statement posted on social media, event organisers detailed the rapid response: “Safety personnel responded to two separate incidents. Each athlete was taken to an extraction point for further…

FORMER Gqeberha endocrinologist Dr Gregory Hough has failed in his bid to have the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) suspend his name from being removed from the medical register, pending the outcome of the ongoing litigation. He was found guilty of sexual misconduct involving former patients. Hough turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where he is challenging both his convictions and the sanction imposed on him. He was initially charged with seven counts of unprofessional conduct. All seven counts related to incidents that occurred in 2013 and 2014. The complaints were lodged in 2020 and related to allegations of various forms of sexual assault. There were three complainants, all of whom were female patients of Hough. He was found guilty in June this year on two of…

The Springboks’ most experienced player, Eben Etzebeth, says his teammates are unlikely to alter their approach after a spate of red cards on their European tour. The Boks face a crunch clash against archrivals Ireland on Saturday in Dublin, and the 139-cap veteran suggested that the team cannot afford to play cautiously out of fear of officiating. “I don’t think it will affect our game too much; we must keep being aware of level change,” he said. “You feel that if you level change, you should be safe and get the benefit of the doubt. For me personally, I will keep playing the game I play, and I think the other locks will do the same.” Lood de Jager is awaiting an appeal hearing regarding the four-week suspension he received…