Tabla de contenidos para 2025-08-06 en Cape Times

Localisation Support Fund warns over threat posed by offshore e-commerce retailers The Localisation Support Fund (LSF) has warned about the looming threat posed by offshore e-commerce retailers (OERs) to South Africa's job market, despite regulatory efforts intended to mitigate this issue. As the South African economy grapples with high unemployment rates of 32.9%, the stakes have never been higher. A recent study conducted by B&M Analysts (BMA) and commissioned by the LSF revealed that at least 2 800 manufacturing jobs projected for 2024 did not materialise while 5 000 retail jobs were displaced due to the dominance of fast-fashion international giants, Shein and Temu. Presenting the findings of the study on Tuesday, BMA principal consultant, Sean Mercer, highlighted the impact that platforms such as Shein and Temu have had on…

South African equity markets delivered a fifth consecutive positive monthly return with the FTSE/JSE Capped SWIX Index up 2.2% month on month (m/m), leaving the local bourse 18.7% higher year to date (YTD). In a familiar theme for the year, it was the precious metal miners that were driving returns, with platinum miners up 10% m/m and gold miners up 4% m/m delivering more than half of the July index returns between them. Platinum group metals (PGMs), rhodium ( up 32% m/m), and palladium (up 8% m/m) led the PGM miners’ share prices higher. Telcos, another JSE sector that has outperformed in 2025 up 64% YTD, were also amongst the local bourse’s winners in July. Telkom, which rose16% m/m, reported strong 2025 results and a resumption of dividend payments…

Debt experts believe that despite interest rates being cut by 100 basis points by the South African Reserve Bank from 2024 until July 2025, consumers are still struggling to get a handle on debt. Benay Sager, the Executive Head of DebtBusters, said that South Africa has had 100 basis points of cuts, which is pretty significant. “Because it was done over a period of time, we haven’t seen the full impact of it yet – but it does come as a relief to consumers, particularly those who have bonds or are paying for vehicles and so on. It’s also an indication that inflation is more under control." Sager added that DebtBusters had recently completed the 2025 Money Stress Tracker, which indicated that debt levels are still elevated. "I think anecdotal…

As South Africa marks a decade of wind energy generation under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), it must also reckon with a period when political interference nearly brought that progress to a halt. At the centre of that disruption stands former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe. Molefe’s refusal to sign key renewable energy agreements delayed investment, deepened load shedding, and destabilised the sector. The resulting uncertainty cost the country billions and led to significant job losses, consequences that are still felt in the energy landscape today. Molefe was appointed CEO of Eskom in 2015, after a tenure at Transnet that would later come under scrutiny for enabling large-scale procurement irregularities. In August of that year, he and then-President Jacob Zuma celebrated the first unit of the Medupi…

SUSPENDED Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene has to issue an apology to EFF leader Julius Malema for repeatedly calling him a cockroach during a television interview. The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, yesterday turned down Kunene’s appeal against an earlier Equality Court finding that his use of the words “cockroach”, “little frog” and “criminal” to refer to Malema amounted to hate speech within the meaning of the Equality Act. These utterances were made during an eNCA interview. The aggrieved Malema subsequently turned to the Equality Court. The Equality Court at the time ordered Kunene to apologise for using these words to describe Malema and interdicted Kunene from doing so in the future. On appeal, it was argued that Kunene's remarks were personal attacks on Malema rather than targeting any group…

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi wants an out-of-court settlement reached in the case that brought the analogue switch-off to a standstill. Responding to parliamentary questions, Malatsi said the department aimed to resolve the matter in a non-litigious manner. “We have mandated our legal representatives to engage their counterparts representing the broadcasters to explore the possibility of settling this matter out of court,” he said. In March, e.tv owner eMedia, Media Monitoring Africa, and the SOS Save Our Public Broadcasting group were granted interim relief by the Gauteng High Court. The applicants had sought to challenge the decision to set the analogue switch-off (ASO) on March 31, 2025, on a number of grounds, namely, irrationality, unlawfulness, absence of consultation, and non-compliance. ASO refers to the planned transition from analogue…

Has Mcebisi Jonas been laid up in a backwater to keep him from the presidential campaign trail here? Has the current drydocking of the police minister similar overtones? Not- so-subtly, the three most unsuitable politicians with presidential aspirations have suddenly snatched the limelight. While these ANC types weasel their way towards the Presidency, South Africa faces a serious trade crisis, inspired by the current White House occupant, and partly by this country’s cosying up to several pariah states, and by its inadequate preparation for the White House ambush last month. Assessments of the situation by respected economists give some hope and also cause for anxiety. Because several minerals shipped in bulk to the US are crucial to some industries, local exports for the US market will continue, despite the landed…

Three more people have been charged in connection with the murder of Malcolm Pather. The 41-year-old Richmond resident disappeared on July 13, after he was last seen leaving his home in his blue BMW. Stacey Lee Hector and her boyfriend, Wade van Reneen, both 39, have been charged with Pather’s murder. In addition to murder, they face charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. Yesterday morning in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court, three more people were added to the charge sheet. The accused are Igshaan Abrahams, Kyle Francis, and Courtney Nortj. The five are believed to be friends. Pather’s body was found a day after his disappearance on July 14, 2025, in the back of a bakkie. It is alleged that the vehicle in which his body was found…

TAX Justice South Africa (TJSA) in a statement on Tuesday welcomed a High Court judgment confirming a preservation order against Amalgamated Tobacco Manufacturing and 19 other entities, who are accused of a sophisticated multi-million-rand tax evasion racket. The Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA), who represents independent cigarette manufacturers, respects the judicial process and the role of the courts in upholding the rule of law. In the judgment, the High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Local Division, Durban ruled that the provisional preservation order granted on February 27, 2025 against the ninth and tenth respondents (South African Revenue Service v Kajee and Others) is confirmed. TJSA said that the KwaZulu-Natal High Court has dismissed challenges to the South African Revenue Service’s preservation order, allowing Sars to continue securing assets while investigating…

The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged up to 50.3 in July, from 50.1 in June, marking a slight but noteworthy improvement in the country's business conditions. This is in line with the latest seasonally adjusted Absa PMI, which increased by 2.3 points to 50.8 in July, following eight consecutive months in contractionary territory. With three consecutive months of growth above the neutral 50.0 mark, the latest S&P Global PMI results suggest a stabilising environment despite ongoing economic challenges. The index, which serves as a comprehensive indicator of the operating conditions in the private sector, reflects a blend of positive trends, particularly in new business and employment. S&P said the growth was predominantly driven by an uptick in new orders, as several firms observed revitalised client activity.…

South Africa’s electricity and energy system is foundational to unlocking inclusive development and economic opportunities. Energy access defines the boundary between marginalisation and participation, between poverty and potential. It powers schools, clinics, and businesses. It drives growth and dignity. Yet, even after loadshedding has subsided, millions of South Africans will still live with unreliable, inadequate, or unaffordable electricity, undermining the promise of a fair and prosperous society. The Presidential Climate Commission’s (PCC) report, the Net Zero CO2 Emission Pathways (2024) outlines the multidimensional nature of South Africa's energy crisis. While coal remains the dominant source of electricity generation, the fleet is ageing, technically unreliable, and environmentally unsustainable - responsible for over 40% of South Africa’s total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. And, although coal is economically irreplaceable in the short term,…

Nedbank Group is ending a 17-year strategic alliance with Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), and interested parties are being canvassed about buying the local bank’s 21.2% stake in the pan-African lender. Nedbank CE Jason Quinn said Tuesday at the release of the bank’s interim results to June 30 that a review of the investment was conducted, recognising the risks of continuing to hold onto the investment due to regulatory uncertainty and potential increasing capital requirements. The Lomé, Togo-based ETI operates in over 30 African countries. As a result of the review, the financial investment in ETI has been classified as a non-current asset held for sale from June 30, 2025,” said Quinn. “The board has approved a formal plan to dispose of the investment, and we are currently engaging interested parties...This…

A CAPE TOWN father has won the first round of a David and Goliath-like battle after the Western Cape High Court found that SunWest International, trading as Grand West Casino, was liable for the damages suffered by a child who was electrocuted by a live wire. The father, who is not identified as his daughter is a minor, turned to the the court to claim damages from the casino after the then-4-year-old was injured in January 2020. The father testified that the incident occurred during the festive season. The child had been clinging to the metal rail at the kiddie ice-skating rink while watching other children when the incident occurred. His child was standing next to him at the kiddies’ ice-skating rink, holding on to a steel pole when she…

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has confirmed a new outbreak of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), or “bird flu”, in the province, urging poultry farmers and the public to take urgent precautions. The department said the latest case was detected in farmed ducks near Paarl last month, with associated chickens “humanely culled voluntarily to prevent further spread.” Recent outbreaks have also been confirmed in chickens in North West province and Mpumalanga. In addition to poultry infections, HPAI has been responsible for mortalities in Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury and Hartlaub’s Gulls in the Cape Town area, the first wild bird cases reported in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first mass mortalities since 2022. Avian influenza is a viral disease that primarily affects birds and can cause…

Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo recently surprised many South Africans when he miraculously turned his back against President Cyril Ramaphosa on corruption and ethical conduct. His main concern was that it pained him to swear in Ministers he had made findings against while he was chairing the State Capture Commission. This was seen as an indictment of both Ramaphosa and the ANC. But was Zondo genuine when he raised this concern, or was he grandstanding so that he could regain public trust following accusations that he was not objective in executing his mandate – something that resulted in the 2021 unrests in KZN and Gauteng? The answer to this question depends on whether one holds former Chief Justice Zondo in high regard or perceives him as someone who used his…

Stellenbosch FC’s MTN8 quarter-final hero Langelihle Phili may have to wait a little longer before he cracks a place in the starting line-up, according to coach Steve Barker. Phili is one of the most promising young attackers in the country, having played a considerable role in helping the SA U20 team to the Afcon title earlier this year. The 20-year-old showed his prowess in front of goal again last Sunday by coming off the bench to net the match-winning goal in extra-time to see off AmaZulu at the DHL Stadium. The youngster would no doubt have wanted to continue the momentum in the much-anticipated Betway Premiership opener against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday (kick-off 5.30pm). “Everybody is knocking on the door,” Barker said, at the Premiership launch in Sandton on Tuesday.…

The excitement of having led Mamelodi Sundowns to the inaugural Betway Premiership title still lingers with Miguel Cardoso, and the 53-year-old coach intends to use it as fuel for the upcoming campaign. Sundowns are looking to win the domestic championship a record-extending ninth time when they kickstart the season with a clash away to Chippa United on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). It is a tricky clash for the Brazilians, given that the Chilli Boys now have a former Sundowns tactician, Sinethemba Badela, as their coach. “Being part of the Premiership and being one of the 16 coaches that lead teams in the PSL is a privilege,” the Portuguese told newshounds, during the season launch in Sandton, Johannesburg. “Obviously, last year was a magnificent season for me as a head coach and…

Minister for Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa has said the restoration of Medupi Unit 4 generator, which has ramped up to an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 82% and the power station's EAF to 84% from a R2 billion budget was a significant engineering feat by Eskom engineers. However, he admitted there were still problems to be tackled at the Matimba power stations, which was blamed for the last bout of loadshedding after about a year's hiatus. Speaking during the tour of Medupi and Matimba power stations as part of the continued oversight on Eskom's Recovery Plan, Ramokgopa said the contribution of the engineers, who were unheralded, unsung heroes was important as there had been a noticeable surge in performance. He said the recovery of Unit 4 after…

The global energy landscape is undergoing profound change. Among the most promising innovations is the small modular reactor (SMR), a nuclear technology being promoted as an alternative not only to large conventional nuclear plants but also to fossil fuel-based generation. For South Africa, SMRs represent both a technological advance and an economic opportunity. The “small” in SMR refers to its generating capacity — typically between 50 and 300 megawatts electric (MWe) per unit. By comparison, a conventional large reactor such as Koeberg’s units generates around 970 MWe each. SMRs are often deployed in clusters such as four-pack, six-pack, ten-pack or more, depending on the electricity needs of a region. The “modular” aspect means that these reactors can be manufactured on a factory floor, shipped to site, and added incrementally. A…

Shoprite Holdings has announced a significant increase in its diluted headline earnings per share (HEPS), projecting a growth of between 15.2% to 25.2% for the 52 weeks ending June 29, as it continued to grow market share for a fifth year in row. The anticipated diluted HEPS is expected to fall between 1 367.1 and 1 485.7 cents, indicating a robust trajectory. Alongside this, Shoprite's total merchandise sales are projected to rise by 9% to R262.3 billion, with merchandise sales from continuing operations expected to increase by 8.9% to R252.7bn. This notable shift in sales figures highlights Shoprite’s strategic focus on its omnichannel growth strategy, anchored by its core South African supermarkets. The disconnect between total and continuing operations reflects the group's recent divestments, including closures and the sale of…

The Office of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has denied claims that it is in discussions with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) over the denial of healthcare access to Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa. This follows reports that anti- migrant groups have been blocking foreign nationals from entering public health facilities across the country, claiming they strain already stretched public resources. Among these groups is Operation Dudula in Gauteng, which has been actively preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing healthcare. The March and March Movement has done the same in KwaZulu-Natal. These organisations are known for their strong anti-immigration stance and have, in some cases, camped outside public health facilities, insisting services should be reserved for South African citizens only. At the weekend, media reports claimed the ZHRC –…

A Bishop Lavis man has been sentenced to 75 years in prison for the brutal murders of three members of his own family, whose bodies were discovered bludgeoned to death in the backyard of their home. Cevyn Kemp, 20, appeared in the Parow Regional Court, where he was convicted on three counts of murder. He was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run consecutively. The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm or ammunition. The killings took place on December 14, 2022, at 18 Marlin Lane in Nooitgedacht, Bishop Lavis. Provincial detectives were called to the scene in the early hours of the morning, where they discovered the bodies of Kemp’s 46-year-old mother, Elmoline Kemp, his 13-year-old brother, Peter Kemp, and his 54-year-old aunt, Shireen…

As this is a family platform, I can’t really repeat the whole monologue, but he basically said that the Spurs players needed to be “bastards” on the field. Many people in and outside of the Spurs fanbase believe this is why the club never got over the line in a plethora of cup finals over the last decade, including the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool. The club also became a footnote in Leicester City’s 5000/1 Premier League title win, eventually finishing third in a two-horse race. As the saying goes, “nice guys finish last” — and Tottenham were just the personification of this. When it comes to nice guys, nobody was nicer than their Korean superstar Son Heung-min, who is one footballer universally liked for his wonderful footballing ability…

As co-founder and chief executive of Aquila Boxing Promotions, Geraldine Lerena is one of the pioneering female promoters in South African boxing, and for her it’s all about growing the sport in the country. Together with her husband and WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena, Geraldine founded Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP). ABP says in its mission statement: “Aquila combines grassroots development with high-calibre professional showcases, giving fighters a platform to rise and fans a reason to rally. “With a growing reputation for quality matchmaking and production, Aquila is shaping the future of African boxing — one fight at a time.” Geraldine’s Impact on Shaping the Sport: Providing a Platform for Young Fighters and Promoting Female Bouts For Geraldine, the opportunity to give back to the sport that has given her family…