Tabla de contenidos para 2025-12-02 en Star

South Africans showed buying confidence this Black Friday as spending surged by 64% compared to last year, defying continued financial pressures and proving that strong deals still have the power to draw consumers back into the market. Electronics emerged as the biggest winner, with sales tripling compared to last year. Physical stores also outperformed online channels as shoppers opted for hands on evaluation of major purchases. Industry analysts say this reflects the emotional nature of Black Friday shopping in South Africa, where customers still want to physically assess high value items before committing. Health and beauty purchases soared to four times last year’s levels while home furnishings spending rose three and a half times. Jewellery spending also tripled, highlighting pent up demand across discretionary categories. Payment service providers recorded exceptional…

The Ports Regulator of South Africa has approved a lower-than-requested tariff increase for the National Ports Authority (NPA), granting an average rise of 7.57% for the 2026/27 financial year—below the 9.61% originally proposed by the Authority. Announcing the Record of Decision (ROD) in Durban on Monday, Ports Regulator CEO Mukondeleli Johanna Mulaudzi said the NPA had submitted its tariff application on 1 August 2025 in line with Section 72 of the National Ports Act. The Authority had requested an allowable revenue of R16.73 billion for 2026/27, along with indicative increases of 9.61% for the two subsequent financial years. Following a detailed review of the application, public submissions, consultation presentations, and updated inflation data from the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the Regulator determined an appropriate Revenue Requirement of R17.42bn for 2026/27.…

South Africa’s retail sector delivered robust growth in the third quarter of 2025 as consumers continued to spend on essential and discretionary fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), even while the country’s technology and durable goods market remained under sustained pressure, market researcher NielsenIQ (NIQ) South Africa said on Sunday. In its latest State of the Retail Nation report, NIQ said consumers spent nearly R167.5 billion on FMCG products across both traditional and modern trade channels during the July–September period. The figure represents a year-on-year increase of 7.1% in total sales value, supported by an 8.7% rise in unit sales. Analysts say the combination of volume growth and moderate inflation suggests that demand held up better than expected despite subdued economic conditions. The report comes at a time when South Africa is…

At the weekend, I introduced a West African founder to a UK-based WhatsApp group of high-value investors and operators I'd been plugged into a couple of years ago. The response? Crickets. Not because the founder wasn't impressive. She was. But ostensibly because the group had grown weary of introductions from people spending their social capital like venture money: liberally, hopefully, and often without carefully-curated specificity. I'd used Ghanaian Jasiel Martin-Odoom's forwardable blurb template to craft the introduction. Martin-Odoom, who leads fintech investing at Accion Venture Lab, knows a thing or two about the mechanics of connectivity. He has published hundreds of consecutive days of content and built AI tools that he says have dramatically reduced his newsletter production time. He created his forwardable blurb guide specifically because, as he puts…

Alexforbes raised its interim dividend 9% after solid performances across its corporate, investments, retail and growth market segments. "We brought stability and confidence to our clients by anchoring our propositions on the delivery of best advice. Our advice allays fears, creates clarity of thought and helps clients make better decisions. It's the role that Alexforbes has played for 90 years and will continue to do so," said the CEO Dawie de Villiers. On the JSE on Monday morning, Alexforbes' share price fell 2.22% to R8.35 after the release of the results, a price that was 11% higher over a year. To mark its 90th-year, the group launched a free e-book designed to build early money skills among children aged 7-9. "This book is our 90th birthday present to all of…

The High Court in the North West Province frowned upon an application by a bank that tried to repossess a car from a client who fell into arrears with her monthly instalments – all because she had died. Lilian Botsane honoured her monthly instalments with FirstRand Bank to finance her Ford Figo from the moment she bought it in October 2023. Her account remained up to date until her death in January last year. Falling into arrears with the payment, the bank issued a summons against her to repossess the vehicle. When the matter was called, the court was told by Botsane’s elderly parents that she had passed away on January 23, 2024, which was several months before the summons was issued on August 22, the previous year. Her parents,…

South African rapper Emtee recently announced on X that he is preparing to release what he says will be his last album. He wrote, “I’m dropping my last album soon. I’m gonna focus on running my label. It was nice while it lasted.” Fans responded with shock and a mix of humour. One wrote, “It’s going to be tough to see Emtee’s journey come to an end ... I’m very disappointed his music has been a huge part of my life, and it’s going to be weird not hearing new stuff from him.” Another quipped, “The album better consist of 124 songs with a deluxe of 67 more songs, otherwise you are not going anywhere.” A third simply said, “You owe us a lot of songs, Mthembeni.” Emtee’s discography reflects…

The High Court in the North West Province frowned upon an application by a bank that tried to repossess a car from a client who fell into arrears with her monthly instalments – all because she had died. Lilian Botsane honoured her monthly instalments with FirstRand Bank to finance her Ford Figo from the moment she bought it in October 2023. Her account remained up to date until her death in January last year. Falling into arrears with the payment, the bank issued a summons against her to repossess the vehicle. When the matter was called, the court was told by Botsane’s elderly parents that she had passed away on January 23, 2024, which was several months before the summons was issued on August 22, the previous year. Her parents,…

Police at Makuya, under the Vhembe District in Limpopo, are investigating a case of rape which allegedly took place at Mavunde village in the period between June and September. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the incident came to light on November 22 when the victim’s mother was at home with her 14-year-old disabled daughter. The mother noticed that the teenager’s stomach was growing, and asked her if she was pregnant. “The victim denied being pregnant. On Sunday, 23 November 2025, at about 6 am, the mother entered the room and again asked her daughter, the victim, whether she was pregnant. The victim then revealed that her cousin entered her room and had sexual intercourse with her on several occasions without her consent between June 2025 and September 2025,”…

South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia yesterday began administering a groundbreaking HIV-prevention injection in the drug’s first public rollouts in Africa, which has the world’s highest HIV burden. Lenacapavir, which is taken twice a year, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9%, making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine. In South Africa, where one in five adults lives with HIV, a Wits University research unit oversaw the rollout as part of an initiative funded by the international health agency Unitaid, which works on ensuring equitable access to medical innovations. “The first individuals have begun using lenacapavir for HIV prevention in South Africa ... making it among the first real-world use of the six-monthly injectable in low- and middle-income countries,” Unitaid said in a…

The 2025 African Bank Soweto Marathon, fondly known as the “People’s Race,” proved once again why Soweto is one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting and cultural destinations. The event drew an impressive 18 000 participants, transforming the township’s historic streets into a vibrant celebration of endurance, community, and national pride. Athletes came from across South Africa, as well as international runners from France, Lesotho, Zambia, and Kenya, bringing a global energy to the streets of Soweto. Their determination and spirit underscored the marathon’s growing reputation as one of the country’s premier races, standing proudly alongside events like the Comrades Marathon. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero highlighted the significance of the event, noting that the Soweto Marathon celebrates the township’s rich history while demonstrating its growing prominence on the global stage.…

The government of Eswatini has distanced itself from a vessel reportedly intercepted by Iranian authorities, insisting that the ship was using the kingdom’s flag illegally and that Eswatini has no operational ship registry. In a statement issued on November 30, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport said Eswatini does not have any ship registered under its flag at this moment, adding that the country has neither authorised nor appointed any individual, company or foreign agent to register vessels on its behalf. “Consequently, any person or entity claiming to operate a ship under the Eswatini flag is doing so illegally. Such actors are criminals who must be dealt with by the relevant international authorities, including Interpol or the maritime regulators they attempt to deceive,” said Principal Secretary Thulani Mkhaliphi. The…

The government’s announcement last year that special schools will be spared from the latest education budget cuts has brought relief in some circles. At the same time, that announcement raised an important question: does preserving funding for special schools truly advance the rights of learners with disabilities? At face value, the decision appears protective, but it overlooked deeper systemic challenges within South Africa’s education system. Rather than easing the crisis, it risks intensifying long-standing barriers to quality education for learners with disabilities. Inclusive education remains a central policy commitment grounded in equity and access, but implementation has been uneven, and budget constraints threaten to widen existing gaps. As South Africa marks Disability Awareness Month (November 3 to December 3), this piece seeks to contribute to the national conversation on disability…

The three-way F1 title fight will go down to the last race of the season after Max Verstappen took full advantage of a McLaren blunder to win the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull driver made an immediate pit stop during an early safety car intervention, when McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris stayed out, and he capitalised by driving with cool precision to triumph in convincing style. His win lifted him into second place in the title race with 396 points, 12 behind championship leader Norris, who finished fourth. Pole-sitter Piastri slipped to third in the standings but trimmed his deficit to Norris to 16 points with one race remaining in Abu Dhabi next Sunday, where Verstappen has won four times in the last five years.…

Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal deserved respect after the English Premier League leaders battled to a bruising 1-1 draw with title rivals Chelsea at the end of a gruelling week. Arteta’s injury-hit side salvaged a point at Stamford Bridge thanks to Mikel Merino’s 59th-minute header. It took everything Arsenal had to emerge unscathed after fired-up Chelsea ignored Moises Caicedo’s 38th-minute red card and took the lead through Trevoh Chalobah’s 48th-minute header. Arteta was especially impressed with Arsenal’s display because they started a Premier League match without injured centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes for the first time this season. Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres were only fit enough for the bench, while Leandro Trossard was also absent due to injury. In the circumstances, Arteta was delighted to see his team refuse…

South Africa’s new-vehicle market posted another month of robust growth in November, surging by 12.5% year-on-year buoyed by a favourable macroeconomic environment that strengthened household and business confidence while helping to ease affordability constraints. However, the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) on Monday said export volumes dipped but remained resilient in view of softer global demand conditions and renewed geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, domestic sales remained firmly on an upward trajectory. Data from Naamsa showed that aggregate new-vehicle sales rose to 54 896 units, an increase of 6 113 units compared to the 48 783 units sold during the same month a year ago. The contrast with November 2024 is striking. Last year's units marked the best month of that year but was driven primarily by rental fleet deals as consumer demand…

Africa stands at a crossroads in the flow of global energy dynamics — a pivotal moment where the continent can leverage its abundant fossil fuel resources for equitable development. To ensure this outcome, stakeholders must concentrate investment on key areas like refining capacity, trading networks, and adoption of cleaner fuels if Africa is to be prepared for the 2050 projections covered in the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) 2026 Outlook Report, “The State of African Energy.” Africa’s need for refined products is set to surge, driven by demographic and economic forces. According to our report, Africa's refined product demand is projected to climb from approximately 4 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2024 to over 6 million bbl/d by 2050. While many advanced economies are moving to reduce their dependence on…

Gamers know that every millisecond counts. Whether you’re in the final circle of a battle royale, climbing the ranks in an FPS, or streaming your gameplay to the world, your monitor can make or break the experience. With the global PC gaming population having hit 907.5 million players in 2024, up from 873.5 million the year before, one piece of gear is taking centre stage: the gaming monitor. Across Africa, the gaming ecosystem is evolving rapidly. From the rise of eSports tournaments and gaming cafés to the growth of digital content creation, African gamers are demanding performance that rivals global standards. In South Africa, where the gaming market is now worth over $1 billion and growing at more than 9% annually, the monitor is fast becoming the competitive edge. And…

Standard Bank Group's financial performance for the 10 months to the end of October was broadly in line with that of the first half. This was according to a trading update released by Africa's biggest bank by assets on Monday, which said its guidance for the full financial year to end December 31, 2023, remained unchanged. The share price was trading flat at R263.61 on the JSE Monday morning, a price that was 12.56% higher over 12 months. Commenting on the operating environment, the bank's directors said on average, across the countries in which the group operates in sub-Saharan Africa, inflation has eased, and interest rates have declined. "While macroeconomic reforms and stabilisation efforts have brought relative stability, particularly in Nigeria, Angola and Ghana, sovereign stress has remained elevated in…

South Africa’s agricultural sector entered a new regulatory era this week as the Department of Agriculture officially brought the Plant Improvement Act of 2018 and its corresponding regulations into operation from Monday, 1 December 2025. The long-awaited implementation, signed into effect by President Cyril Ramaphosa following approval by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, replaces the nearly five-decade-old Plant Improvement Act of 1976. Published in Government Gazette No. 53707 on 21 November, the new Act introduces a modernised framework for the production, certification, trade and quality control of seeds and propagating material in the country. It establishes new systems for registering plant-related businesses and their premises, enforces quality standards for plants intended for cultivation and sale, and strengthens oversight of import and export activities. A key feature of the legislation…

The pulse of Durban’s streets has hit the global stage once again with the release of New Wave, a 16-track album crafted by Dankie Boi, Blacks Jnr and GoldMax. More than just a collection of songs, New Wave represents a bold evolution of gqom music, a genre born in Durban’s vibrant townships and a central pillar of South African dance culture. Speaking to Independent Media, Dankie Boi, born Mfanafuthi Buthelezi, explained that his approach to the album was rooted in respect for gqom’s origins. “Evolving gqom starts with understanding where it comes from,” he said. “I grew up on that raw, minimal, hard-hitting Durban sound. With New Wave, I did not want to change gqom. I wanted to stretch it, add to new melodies and sounds, but keep the heartbeat…

South Africa’s roads are among the deadliest in the world, yet day after day, reckless drivers see little or no consequence for their deadly deeds. The Festive Season is a particularly dangerous time on our roads, where there is often much talk about road safety, but never enough action to stem the tide of lawlessness on our roads. Commenting on the Department of Transport’s Festive Road Safety Plan that was announced last week, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport has called for stringent measures for drivers who break the law this Festive Season. Though it welcomed Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s Plan, which emphasises visibility, communication and vehicle roadworthiness, the committee said the plan needs to clamp down harder on human behaviour, which accounts for 80% of accidents and fatalities. This, it…

Well-known radio personality Nonkululeko Mantula was among four others who appeared in court yesterday morning for allegedly recruiting South Africans to join the Russian military. Mantula, 39, and Thulani Mazibuko, 24, Xolani Ntuli, 47, Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23, and Sfiso Mabena, 21, are charged with the contravention of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. They appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and have been remanded in custody pending a formal bail application in seven days. Mantula is a presenter of SAfm. The suspects were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) over the weekend. Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the arrests followed a tip-off from OR Tambo SAPS about three men en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. “They were removed from a boarding…

Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, says that while the Department of Home Affairs does not have an exact figure for the number of duplicate identity document (ID) numbers currently recorded on the National Population Register, efforts are underway to resolve the issue. His response comes to a parliamentary question raised by ActionSA’s Member of Parliament, Lerato Ngobeni, regarding the creation of duplicate and missing IDs. In a written parliamentary reply, Schreiber explained that the department is “on a drive to resolve and eliminate all duplicate ID numbers” by using digital verification processes as part of a broader digital transformation program. He also stressed that there are “no missing/lost ID numbers on the National Population Register” because each ID number is uniquely assigned to an individual. Ngobeni had asked Schreiber…

The Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) is warning that Africa is plagued by an increasing array of illicit financial flows, with many countries serving as sources, transit points, or destinations. It added that these flows erode economic stability, fuel corruption, and sustain organised crime, causing harms that extend well beyond the continent. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Ghana’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the continent loses more than $88.6 billion to these flows annually. The continent also faces challenges from poverty, inequality, and climate change that can exacerbate crime rates, though safety levels vary significantly by country and region, with some nations being among the safest in the world. According to GI-TOC, large-scale scandals have frequently relied on professional intermediaries to move illicit…

In a landmark moment for global literature, Egyptian writer Salwa Bakr has been awarded the inaugural BRICS Literature Award at the Khabarovsk City Palace of Culture, during the BRICS Countries Arts Festival. Bakr, a prominent figure in contemporary Arabic prose, is celebrated for her diverse body of work, which includes seven short-story collections, seven novels, and a play, with translations into multiple European languages. The award ceremony, which became the focal point of the arts festival held from November 26 to 30, witnessed the coming together of an array of esteemed attendees from BRICS countries and beyond – diplomats, writers, and cultural figures gathered to celebrate a significant cultural achievement. The winner of the BRICS Literature Award, alongside a cash prize of 1 million rubles, will receive an official presentation…

The 20th Summit of the G20 held in Johannesburg, the first on African soil, offered a snapshot of shifting global power in ways that reinforce the need for sustainable focus, mutual solidarity and unity in Africa and the Global South. The US, the biggest economy in the world, elected to snub the summit over its unsubstantiated ideological diplomatic criticism of South Africa. Washington’s absence, viewed from the massive attendance of the G20 members, highlights its waning influence, silent differences with many leaders who attended the summit, or a misreading of the contemporary geopolitical moment related to a rejection of transactional bilateralism in preference for equal, mutually representative, and beneficial multilateralism. The Trump administration has indicated that South Africa may not be invited to the G20 processes and summit to…

The Springboks will find out tomorrow if their No 1 status in the world will carry weight for their pool draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Despite sitting comfortably at the top with over 3% rating points separating them and New Zealand in second, the defending champions enter the draw knowing that reputation alone won’t guarantee a smooth path at the tournament Down Under. Coming off an unbeaten November tour, where they again underlined their strength and depth ahead of the tournament, and finishing on an 86.7% win record this season, losing only two from 14 Tests, the Boks will have a massive target on their backs going forward. They defeated Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in Europe in an excellent display of their power, precision,…

The Blitzboks face a daunting challenge to defend their crown in Cape Town as they kick off the tournament in the Mother City this Saturday in a group with Fiji, New Zealand, and Great Britain. With home advantage on their side, the Springbok Sevens are eager to claim back-to-back titles at the DHL Stadium for the first time ever, but the road to the playoffs is anything but easy. Fiji (12.44pm kick-off) will be first up, and memories of the recent Dubai tournament are still fresh — the Pacific islanders handed South Africa a tough defeat there. Meanwhile, New Zealand arrive in Cape Town brimming with confidence, having claimed the Dubai crown themselves, making them a formidable obstacle in the pool stages. That clash is set to start at 4pm.…

South African swimming spent much of the past decade searching for its next wave of global contenders. In 2025, the tide finally turned. A blend of breakout youngsters and resurgent established names produced the most promising season since the eras of Chad le Clos and Tatjana Smith. From Pieter Coetzé’s surge onto the world stage to Kaylene Corbett’s first international medal and Rebecca Meder’s World Cup consistency, the sport’s talent pipeline flowed strongly again. Coetzé announces himself as SA’s next male superstar For years, Coetzé has been earmarked as South Africa’s next major men’s swimmer. In 2025, he delivered on that promise. The twenty-one-year-old backstroke specialist produced a breakthrough season of world-class times, calm race execution and a new mental edge. At the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, the Tuks…

Johann Rupert’s group and shipping company propose restructuring of Mediclinic Holdings Remgro, the JSE-listed investment group chaired by renowned South African businessman Johann Rupert, and global shipping company MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company Holding, have proposed a restructuring of their interests in international healthcare group Mediclinic Holdings. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, will see JSE-listed Remgro acquiring full ownership of Mediclinic Southern Africa and MSC's subsidiary Investment Holding Limited S.à r.l (IHL) acquiring full ownership of Hirslanden, Mediclinic's Swiss operations. Remgro and IHL will then continue to hold their respective joint interests in the Middle East and Spire Healthcare Group plc businesses. Mediclinic became 50% held by MSC, and 50% owned by Remgro in terms of an acquisition deal concluded in May 2023, and Mediclinic was delisted from the JSE,…

South Africa’s manufacturing sector took a sharp downturn in November, with the seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) plunging by 7.2 points to 42, its weakest reading in several months and well below the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction. The steep decline was driven by worsening conditions across four of the index’s five major components, with only employment showing a marginal improvement, though it too remained in negative territory. Absa analysts noted that the PMI reflects actual changes in activity and demand rather than sentiment, making the latest figures a direct signal of renewed strain in the sector. Overall, Absa said the November PMI underscores the fragile state of South Africa’s manufacturing sector, where domestic demand remains weak, export markets are subdued, and output continues to lag,…

Tharisa, the South Africa-based platinum and chrome mining company, paid a 33% lower dividend to 3 US cents (4.5 US cents) in the year to September 30, after production fell, but headline earnings improved marginally. Reef mined increased 17.4% to 5.4Mt from 4.6Mt. PGM production fell by 4.7% to 138.3koz (thousand ounces) from 145.1koz in the previous year. Chrome concentrate production fell 8.2% to 1.56Mt compared with 1.7Mt in the previous year. The share price nudged up 0.7% to R21.65 on the JSE Monday afternoon - a year before the share price traded at R16.40. Revenue declined by 16.4% to $602.9 million. Operating profit was up 5% to $125.6m from $119.6m in the previous year. Earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation was up 5.5% to $187.3m. Headline earnings a…

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, has ordered a full-scale manhunt to find the perpetrators of a fatal farm attack near the Baltimore, Tolwe policing area in the Capricorn District. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident occurred on Saturday, November 29, at around 16:00. According to the police report, the 77-year-old farmer had left his home to check on his cattle when two men entered the farmhouse and overpowered his wife, tying her up. “Upon his return, the husband was confronted by the intruders, who tied him up at knifepoint. The suspects severely assaulted him before fleeing the scene,” said Ledwaba. The wife managed to raise the alarm with the farm watch, who, together with police and neighbouring farmers, rushed to the property.…

Limpopo’s ongoing anti-smuggling crackdown has delivered yet another decisive blow to cross-border crime after a multidisciplinary team intercepted a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross GR worth R600 000 on Sunday, November 30. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the SAPS Limpopo Tracking Team, working alongside Shadowsecure Security, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, external law-enforcement partners, and Tracker SA, sprang into action following intelligence that a stolen vehicle was travelling from Gauteng to the Beitbridge border via the N1 freeway. “The ever-alert operational team maintained close observation until the vehicle matching the description was spotted on the N1 North in Polokwane next to Mall of the North,” he said. Ledwaba said the team swiftly intercepted the vehicle and preliminary investigations confirmed it had been stolen in Pretoria Central, leading to the immediate…

Mzansi is making its voice heard, this time as an old petition to deport Elon Musk out of the United States and “return” him to South Africa has once again made headlines. Launched by John Visci back in March, the petition is calling for the billionaire’s naturalised US citizenship to be revoked. Already sitting with just over 6 500 signatures, Visci spelled out his reasons for wanting the 54-year-old businessman and entrepreneur to be booted out from the US. “I, along with countless other concerned American citizens, feel deeply distressed by the increasing influence of corporate leaders in our political landscape. We specifically point to Elon Musk, a naturalised US citizen from South Africa, who we feel has exerted an imbalanced and potentially corrupting influence,” Visci said. He added that…

Workplace bullying – both in-person and digital – is surfacing more frequently across South African offices, leaving employees uncertain about the next steps and even the security of their jobs. What constitutes workplace bullying and digital harassment? According to the CCMA, under the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace (“the Code”), which took effect on March 18, 2022, bullying and harassment are broadly defined. Examples include: unwanted conduct that impairs dignity, “creates a hostile or intimidating work environment,” or is calculated to induce submission through threats or adverse consequences. Psychological abuse, repeated insults, humiliation, social exclusion, professional isolation, sabotage of work performance, and even “cyber-bullying” via email, messaging or other digital communication are covered. We are a few years post-Covid-19; what does…

In a stirring address delivered virtually during the 58th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Deputy President Paul Mashatile lauded the SADC’s commitment to combating climate change through impactful policy development and a regional climate-resilient water investment programme. The assembly, centred on “The Impact of Climate Change on Women and Youth in the SADC Region and the Role of Parliaments in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation”, underscores the urgent need for action in a region significantly threatened by climate variability. Mashatile highlighted that strengthening regional resilience requires a focus on developing a climate change strategy and action plan. This involves incorporating climate considerations into current policies, boosting climate information services, and prioritising effective water resource management. “Climate change disproportionately affects women and young people,…

Marco Jansen fondly remembers the first time he encountered Indian legend Virat Kohli. Still a gangling teenager back then, Jansen and his identical twin brother, Duan, were called up to be “net bowlers” to the touring India squad at a Wanderers training session. Despite not being called on during the first day, the Jansen brothers waited patiently before getting their chance the next day. “There were two days at the Wanderers. The first day was both my brother and myself, we didn't bowl a single ball or we bowled like the last 20 minutes,” Jansen said, after the Proteas’ 17-run defeat to India in the first ODI in Ranchi. “And then in those 20 minutes, I think Ravi Shastri was the coach back then. He asked us to please…

Four-time league champion Gavin Hunt believes the title race is finally poised for a genuine contest, with Orlando Pirates emerging as a serious challenger to Mamelodi Sundowns’ long-standing dominance. The Durban City coach, who last lifted the league trophy with Bidvest Wits in the 2016/17 season, says the Buccaneers’ depth and schedule give them a clear competitive edge this time around. Speaking after his side were beaten by the Sea Robbers over the weekend in Durban, Hunt gave his verdict on Pirates’ title chances. “When you look at this Pirates squad, over the last three years, I think they have huge impact players, which makes the difference,” he said. For Hunt, that difference becomes even more significant when viewed alongside Pirates’ absence from continental football. “You combine that with them…

Mamelodi Sundowns could be heading into one of the sternest examinations of their eight-year rule over the Betway Premiership. Fresh from their latest continental assignments, they approach the end of the calendar year needing to make up ground — a situation that has become unfamiliar for a side accustomed to leading from the front. The Brazilians will meet Siwelele FC in a Betway Premiership match on Wednesday at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium (7.30pm kick-off), where they will attempt to close the three-point gap that Orlando Pirates have opened. Both teams have played 12 matches, but Pirates currently enjoy a three-point advantage, adding extra urgency to Sundowns’ midweek assignment. Although the league table may imply that Miguel Cardoso’s side should cruise through this contest — an assumption strengthened by the…

South Africa’s franchises will shift their focus to the European club rugby competitions this coming weekend as the EPCR Champions Cup and Challenge Cups kick off. The Stormers, Bulls and Sharks will have the tough task of fronting up in the Champions Cup against the elite clubs of Europe, while the Lions and Cheetahs will fly the flag in the Challenge Cup. Following losses in their latest United Rugby Championship (URC) matches, the challenge won’t get any easier for the Bulls and the Sharks, who both have to contend with French Top 14 sides on Saturday, while the travelling Cape side will also faces Bayonne on Friday evening. Loftus Versfeld will welcome Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday in what should be a top clash between the two teams. The Bulls are still…