Sommaire pour 2025-10-31 de Cape Times

Sanlam Investments this week launched the Property Impact Fund, an innovative equity investment vehicle that integrates sustainability and inclusion to meet South Africa’s critical infrastructure needs. The fund focuses on delivering property facilities in the form affordable housing, student accommodation, rural and township retail, education and healthcare: sectors vital to the country’s “missing middle,” including teachers, nurses, police officers and entry-level professionals who make up 23-30% of the population. Kamogelo Leeuw, a portfolio manager at Sanlam Investments, said the fund targets an investable opportunity set of over R2.9 trillion in impact-driven property assets. “Investing in infrastructure is a way to nurture a community’s potential. These infrastructure projects attract businesses, create jobs and fuels growth.” “For example, there is a dire shortage of student accommodation, which is affordable, safe and…

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed on Thursday to calm the trade war between China and the United States that has roiled global markets, with Washington cutting some tariffs and Beijing committing to keep supplies of critical rare earths flowing. Trump called his first meeting with Xi in six years a “great success”, while the Chinese leader said the two reached an “important consensus” towards solving the fight between the world’s two top economies. “I thought it was an amazing meeting,” Trump said after the talks in Busan, South Korea, praising Xi as a “tremendous leader of a very powerful country” and saying he would visit China in April. Trump added that the deal included China immediately buying “tremendous amounts of soybeans and other farm products”, a key issue for…

South Africa’s producer price inflation (PPI) for final manufactured goods edged slightly higher in September, rising to 2.3% year-on-year from 2.1% in August, according to data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday. Economists say the marginal increase is not a sign of inflationary pressure and remains comfortably below the consumer inflation rate. Stats SA said the PPI eased 0.1% month-on-month, with the main positive contributors to the annual inflation rate being food products, beverages and tobacco, which rose 3.8%. The main drag on the monthly rate came from coke, petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products, which fell 0.6%. Stats SA also noted a strong increase in intermediate manufactured goods, which rose 7.6% year-on-year, up from 6.5% in August, while mining PPI jumped to 16% from 8.5% in…

Thousands of South Africans who previously worked in the United Kingdom may be eligible for UK State Pension benefits worth millions of rands, but remain unaware of their entitlement. A little-known provision in UK law allows individuals to purchase missing years of National Insurance contributions, potentially unlocking substantial retirement income. According to XtraPension, a UK State Pension advisory firm with offices in Cape Town and headquarters in Ireland, many South Africans who spent time working in the UK could qualify for annual pension payments of up to R280,000 from the age of 67. The firm assists individuals in navigating the complex process of verifying eligibility, purchasing contributions, and submitting claims. “Most don’t know about this because the UK’s HM Revenue & Customs isn’t exactly running a PR and marketing campaign…

The JSE on Thursday said it proudly marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the 30th anniversary of its commodities market — a cornerstone of South Africa’s financial ecosystem and a vital engine of the country’s economic growth and development since 1994’s democratic elections. The JSE Commodity Derivatives Market (CDM) was officially launched in 1995, following the dawn of democracy and the freeing up of the agricultural markets with no control boards to set agricultural prices. Since its inception, the CDM has evolved into a dynamic platform that connects producers, traders, and investors across the globe, fostering transparency, price discovery, and resilience in the agricultural and financial sectors. Valdene Reddy, director: Capital Markets at the JSE, said, “The journey reflects a dynamic blend of financial innovation, regulatory foresight, market-driven adaptation…

EASTERN Cape High Court Judge Mandela Makaula has apologised for what he conceded were disparaging remarks about legal practitioners in Mthatha. He made the comments while being interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) last month. Based in Gqeberha, he referred to problems in Mthatha and described the legal fraternity there as “untrustworthy”. His words, “you can’t trust anyone in Mthatha unless you know them”, have sparked outrage from several law bodies. In a statement issued by the Office of the Chief Justice, at the request of Judge Makaula, he apologised, saying: “Following my recent Judicial Service Commission interview, during which I made unfortunate and disparaging remarks about legal practitioners in Mthatha, several law bodies publicly condemned my statements.” He explained that to resolve the matter, he had mandated Advocate…

Bakkies the elephant seal has been spotted on Cape Town’s shores once again. Elephant seals from the South Atlantic Ocean make an appearance seasonally to haul out of the water for their moulting period, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation said. Bakkies has made regular appearances along Cape Town’s coast for many years now. When sighted, his identity was confirmed by the blue tag #17612 on his back flipper, as part of a joint effort by the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and the Aquarium’s Marine Wildlife team. “Bakkies, originally flipper-tagged at Bakoven in December 2024, was last reported near Mouille Point in April. He most recently hauled out at Onrus Beach,” said Martine Viljoen, Marine Wildlife Manager at the Two Oceans…

Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits are among the most senior members of the Proteas side. Just one year separates them at 35 and 34 years old respectively. It would be fair to suggest that this on-going ICC Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka would be the veterans last shot at the holy grail. After their embarrassing defeat in the opening game, when England routed the Proteas for 69 before strolling to a 10-wicket victory, the pair called an urgent meeting. “Kappie and I actually had this conversation, funny enough, in the bathroom straight after that England game. We both had this conversation and we were like, yes, we definitely don't want to go out like this,” Brits said. “I think in general, not just because it might be,…

Year-to-date, gold demand rose to 3 717 tons, up 1% from 2024, with the value soaring 41% to $384bn Global gold demand surged to its highest level on record in the third quarter of 2025, fuelled by a powerful mix of investor fear, geopolitical tensions, and a weakening US dollar, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC) Q3 2025 Gold Demand Trends report. According to the WGC on Thursday, total demand, including over-the-counter (OTC) trading, climbed 3% year-on-year to 1 313 tons, worth an unprecedented $146 billion, marking the strongest quarter ever recorded. Year-to-date, gold demand rose to 3 717 tons, up 1% from 2024, with the value soaring 41% to $384bn. Investment was the key driver, accounting for 55% of total demand. Investors added 537 tons in the third…

Across southern Africa, thousands of kilometres of Cape gauge railway lines run through bustling cities, between green valleys, and alongside grassy savannahs. A reminder left of rail’s dominance a few decades ago, the picture looks very different today. Many of these railway lines are underutilised or abandoned, with over 30% of Africa’s rail infrastructure currently inoperable. With trade volumes projected to grow significantly, the urgency to revitalize rail infrastructure is clear. Availability is another stumbling block for the continent’s rail sector. Most African countries average only three kilometres per 1 000 square kilometres compared to high railway density countries such as those in Europe, with 400 kilometres per 1 000 square kilometres. This shortage of built railway lines further exacerbates the impact of inoperable rail lines. Out of necessity, Africa’s…

The process of offshore investing seems intimidating to many people, but the reality is far less complex than it seems. In an increasingly globalised economy, South Africans are turning to offshore investments to increase their earning potential, while diversifying their portfolios and hedging against domestic economic risks. However, many investors remain underexposed to foreign markets. It is key to distinguish between the psychological pitfalls of investing offshore and the fundamental truths and characteristics of global investing. We hope that by giving an informed perspective, we can help investors stay focused on the long-term potential rather than the short-term noise. With a balanced approach, it is possible to manage risk while capitalising on the unique opportunities of global jurisdictions. Human behaviour often proves to be a greater threat to wealth creation…

Dis-Chem has outlined a string of ambitious initiatives for its 2026 financial year and beyond, including opening 32 new stores, the launch of a “Store of the Future Concept” early in 2027, and a new mobile app midyear. Other initiatives include expansion to reach the 137 000 square metre retail space target, refinement of its promotional mechanisms aligned with the recently launched Better Rewards loyalty programme; and deepening customer engagement through data-driven insights and partnerships, including the Capitec collaboration. These plans were outlined in the JSE-listed pharmacy retail chain’s results for the six months to August 31 that were released Thursday. Group revenue increased by 8.7% to R21.3 billion and headline earnings per share increased by 9% to 73.8 cents. “We identified eight areas of focus to deliver sustainable shareholder…

Datatec, the global provider of ICT solutions and services, has reported a striking 109.5% increase in headline earnings per share for the six months to August 31 after enhancing profit in its Westcon division and evolving its recurring software and services portfolio. This culminated in an interim dividend that more than doubled to 10 US cents from 4 US cents at the same time last year. Datatec's share price let off some steam falling by 0.93% to R40.36 Thursday afternoon, but the price is more than 70% higher than a year ago. More than 70% of sales now originate from software and services. Although gross invoiced income remained flat at $260.9 million, the Westcon International division experienced a boost, with invoiced income climbing 9.8% to $2.7 billion. This expansion was…

ATTEMPTED murder-accused and tenderpreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala apparently told police arresting him that police minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on special leave, engaged State Security on his behalf and utilised (cellphone) grabber machines in order to pick up the identities of the SAPS officials investigating the controversial businessman. This was the testimony of Witness C before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of collusion and corruption between politicians, senior police, prosecutors, intelligence operatives, and elements of the judiciary. Matlala, accused of masterminding the 2023 shooting of his ex-girlfriend actress Tebogo Thobejane, faces an attempted murder charge. He was denied bail by the Alexandra magistrate’s court, which found he posed a danger to society and may interfere with state witnesses. Witness C is a member of the…

Three accused in the brutal Philippi mass murder where seven people were shot, killed, and set alight, abandoned their Schedule 6 bail applications at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The two remaining accused - both juveniles aged 16 and 17 and who cannot be named - will return to court on November 6 for their bail applications. Sinothando Songca, 18, Kuhle Webu, 22, and Asavela Tshaya, 21, together with their juvenile co-accused, each face nine criminal charges. They were arrested on October 23 following the mass shooting on October 17. The seven men were shot and killed at a home on Road 53, Better Life. According to information, after they were shot and killed, the suspects had allegedly picked up bullet casings, poured paraffin in the home, and set the…

Resort Oli Isaac Multi-cast narration Audible originals THIS audiobook had me hooked from the very first seconds – not a phrase I use lightly. With a cocktail of drama, suspense, mystery, and just a dash of madness, I knew immediately that Resort by Oli Isaac would strike a chord deep within my psychological thriller-loving heart. Presented by Audible Originals, this multi-cast narration spins a tale that flutters between reality and distorted perceptions, keeping you on your toes throughout its engaging twelve chapters. Our protagonist is far from ordinary. Struggling to get by in London, she assumes various identities, depending on the environment she finds herself in. It’s as if she’s more at home in someone else’s skin than she is in her own. When the opportunity arises for her to…

South African rugby and the United Rugby Championship have enjoyed a protracted honeymoon over the last three years or so, but the disgraceful handling of the Jan-Hendrik Wessels affair has ended that. It is time for the heavyweight administrators of the game in this country to roll up their sleeves and demand justice after a disgraceful initial hearing into the allegation of genital grabbing was followed up by an appeal hearing that was emasculated — if you will pardon the expression — of any purpose to find the truth. They more or less covered up the findings of the first hearing. SA Rugby, the Bulls, and their financiers Patrice Motsepe and Johann Rupert, must take this farce to the Council for Arbitration in Sport, because a few simple facts remain…

Beefmaster Group, one of South Africa’s leading beef producers, has said that unlocking agricultural exports to Asia will be key to boosting the country’s agribusiness growth and creating new opportunities for farmers. Louw van Reenen, executive chairman of Beefmaster Group, said on Thursday that the company was encouraged by the positive outcomes of recent trade discussions held during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Vietnam and Malaysia, where the focus was on expanding South Africa’s market access across Southeast Asia. “Our industry is working hard to open these markets, and we’re making good progress. Together, they represent around 700 million people, with rising demand for quality protein products, and many more opportunities likely to follow once access is established,” he said. “Even securing one of these markets would be a…

Two weeks ago, Bafana Bafana made history. After a decisive 3-0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela, South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — our first qualification through a full campaign since 2002, and our first appearance since we hosted the tournament in 2010. This is more than a sporting triumph. It’s a national moment — a chance to rekindle the spirit of 2010, when South Africa captured the world’s imagination as the most hospitable host in FIFA history. It’s a call to rebuild our sense of pride, unity, and possibility — and to use this qualification as a catalyst for national renewal. Remembering 2010 — and what it taught us When South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we didn’t just stage a tournament — we…

Exiting the greylist setting the tone for increased compliance efforts, also for non-compliant trustees Background The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced on 24 October 2025 that South Africa has been removed from the FATF greylist, also known as the “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring” list. This follows the conclusion of the FATF Plenary meetings, held from October 22 to 24, 2025, in Paris, France. South Africa was added to the greylist in February 2023 after the FATF conducted a mutual evaluation in November 2019 and published its report in October 2021. The reason for our placement on the greylist was deficiencies in our anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) systems, including inadequate enforcement of laws. The FATF issued a comprehensive list of shortcomings and necessary remediations, which South Africa…

British oil and gas giant Shell on Thursday said its net profit rose 24 percent in the third quarter as trading margins and sales volumes improved, despite falling oil prices. Profit after tax jumped to $5.3 billion in the three months to the end of September, compared to $4.3bn one year earlier, Shell said in a statement. "Despite continued volatility, our strong delivery this quarter enables us to commence another $3.5 billion of (share) buybacks for the next three months," said chief executive Wael Sawan. Stripping out exceptional items, adjusted earnings fell nearly 10 percent but still exceeded market expectations. The company also reported a reduction in net debt from the previous quarter. Shell's profits had struggled in the first half of the year on lower oil and gas prices.…

The Western Cape’s municipal governance model is not the best in the country as it fails to address the legacy of apartheid, especially segregation, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The optimal model that was required was the one that would accommodate all individuals, regardless of their race or colour, he said. Mashatile was responding during a question-and-answer session yesterday when he was asked by EFF leader Julius Malema what he found to be the reasons that there have been no notable improvements in governance in some municipalities since he assumed he implemented rapid response interventions on service delivery and trouble-shooting service delivery hotspots. Malema also asked whether he had found that municipalities in the Western Cape offered the best model for municipal governance than elsewhere in the country. Malema’s questions…

Proteas wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock opened up to the media yesterday about his reasons to reverse his retirement in white-ball cricket, citing that he missed the camaraderie of being a part of the Proteas team. De Kock made a surprising U-turn on his retirement from white-ball cricket last month, making himself available for the Proteas in both ODIs and T20Is with immediate effect. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad brought him back into the squad for the first time during the one-off T20I against Namibia earlier this month. De Kock is currently with the Proteas T20I squad in Pakistan, competing in the three-match series - the Proteas are leading 1-0 after their 55-run victory in the first T20I in Rawalpindi earlier this week. For someone who is usually shy in front…

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca blasted Liam Delap for a "stupid" and "embarrassing" red card in Wednesday's 4-3 win at Wolves in the League Cup fourth round. Delap was dismissed after earning two yellow cards in the space of just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for his first appearance since August. The first booking was for wrestling Yerson Mosquera to the ground and his second came after a reckless aerial challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou. It was Chelsea's sixth red card in nine games this season and Maresca was furious with his striker, who will now miss tomorrow's vital London derby at Tottenham after only just returning from a lengthy hamstring injury absence. "For today (Wednesday) we have a very a stupid red card, that was completely unnecessary, absolute…