Inhoudsopgave van 2025-08-18 - Cape Times

Barloworld set to delist from JSE as Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group takes shareholding The Competition Tribunal has granted approval for the acquisition of industrial giant Barloworld by Newco, contingent upon fulfilling specific public interest and empowerment criteria aimed at benefiting historically-disadvantaged persons (HDPs) in South Africa. This heralds a significant shift not only for Barloworld but for its employees, as the merger promises structural changes rooted in empowerment and employee participation. Former executives in Barloworld are acquiring the group through Entsha Proprietary Limited, while Saudi Zahid Group is the other shareholder in Newco. With Newco intending to bump up its shareholding in the South African company, Barloworld will ultimately be delisted from the JSE. The merging parties, through their legal representative, told the Competition Tribunal hearing last week that the…

The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion of July 23, 2025 marks a defining moment in international climate law. For South Africa, it is not a verdict of limitation; it is a verdict of leadership. The ruling invites developing nations to act decisively while balancing growth, justice and innovation. As the only African country to preside over the G20 and a principal voice within BRICS, South Africa’s role is pivotal. It must now demonstrate how technological solutions, fiscal diplomacy and climate justice can co-exist without sacrificing energy security or economic dignity. The ICJ has clarified that climate harm constitutes a breach of international obligations. States must prevent foreseeable damage, protect vulnerable populations and pursue mitigation aligned with the 1.5°C global target. This reinforces the principle of common but differentiated…

The All Share index on the JSE remains strong after a third consecutive week of record levels. The index ended last Wednesday at 100 278 points and closed on Friday marginally lower at 100 950 points, gaining 1.2% for the week and is already 21.3% higher since the beginning of the year. Due to the stronger Rand exchange rate and the effect of the lower interest rates on financial institutions, the financial index performed exceptionally last week. The Fin 15 increased by 3.5% last week. This is more than half the total acceleration for the year-to-date. This index, as a proxy of domestic sentiment, indicates an improvement in confidence. This is echoed by the healthy recovery and increase in the Business Confidence index. Recovery in Business confidence in RSA The…

Sibanye Stillwater’s share price gave up some of its sharp 12-month gains and fell 3.5% on Friday after it reported impairments for its US platinum operations and on its Keliber lithium project, and despite forecasting a 19-times increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS). The multinational mining and metals processing group headquartered in South Africa with gold and platinum and other operations on five continents said HEPS for the six months to June 30 was expected to be between 180 cents and 200 cents, representing an increase of more than 100% compared with the 10 cents reported last year. The basic earnings per share loss was expected to be between 120 cents and 133 cents, a 55% to 60% improvement compared to an EPS loss of 259 cents in the…

The Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War with a reception and photo exhibition at the Castle of Good Hope. More than 100 guests were in attendance, including Cedric Frolick, House Chairperson for Committees, Oversight and Public Participation, and Guy Redman, Deputy Director-General of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. In his address, Consul General You Wenze emphasised that China had served as the main Eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, making an indelible contribution to victory. He reaffirmed China’s longstanding commitment to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, underscoring its vision of building “a community with a shared future for mankind”. Frolick and…

FOR those millions of fans, the world over, who are die-hard followers of the beautiful game in its most competitive and lucrative global manifestation in the English Premier League (EPL), this weekend marked a welcome return to a weekly routine for the next 10 months. Never mind the individual mega clubs like Man United, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, with their private equity, sports management company and oil-and-gas rich Gulf royal family owners, the EPL brand is even more beguiling with its literally billions of viewing fans which would make Brand South Africa blush with embarrassment because of its resource inadequacies and parochialism. That the EPL and the English game has a unique pull factor that is the envy of European rivals such as La Liga, Serie A,…

Chelsea suffered a Fifa Club World Cup hangover as they were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on Sunday. Palace were denied an early goal when Eberechi Eze’s free-kick was ruled out following a VAR review, with Marc Guehi adjudged to have obstructed the Chelsea wall. New Chelsea signing Estevão came closest to finding a breakthrough for the home side, but the newly-crowned world champions were blunt in attack against a disciplined Palace defence. The Eagles’ key duo of Guehi and Eze started despite mounting speculation that the England internationals are set to join Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively. “As long as they are 100% committed, they will play, as they are so good,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner. “They didn’t just…

The All Blacks returned to the top of the world rankings for the first time since 2021 after a 41-24 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina on Saturday, but captain Scott Barrett insisted there was plenty to work on despite the scoreline. “We talked about starting well and I think we did that. We finished the second half quite strong – it was a bit of a statement there,” Barrett said, highlighting the contrast with last year, when the team often faded late in games. New Zealand had raced to a 31-10 half-time, but Argentina fought back to within seven points before Samisoni Taukei’aho’s late double sealed the outcome. With another Test looming in Buenos Aires, Barrett expects Argentina to be even tougher next week. “We know they’ll come hard again.…

An investigation conducted by the World Economic Forum's board on Friday cleared the body's founder Klaus Schwab and his wife of wrongdoing, after a probe into whistleblower complaints. "Following a thorough review of all facts, the Board has concluded that ... there is no evidence of material wrongdoing by Klaus Schwab," the board announced. In April, the Wall Street Journal reported that an anonymous letter sent to the prestigious institution's board of directors accused Schwab and his wife Hilde of mixing their personal affairs with Forum resources without proper oversight. A spokesperson for Schwab had immediately denied all these accusations, but the 87-year-old said he would step down as head of the WEF. The board of the WEF, best known for its annual summit for political and business elites in…

Cosatu applauds the tabling of the Insourcing Bill at Parliament. The Federation eagerly looks forward to its passage into law and implementation by organs across the state. This progressive and, indeed, long overdue Bill requires state organs to insource security, cleaning, gardening, catering, transport, administrative, healthcare, maintenance, information technology, auditing amongst other functions and, where this is not possible, to seek authorisation for such an exemption under specific conditions and criteria. State organs clearly specified by the Bill include national and provincial departments, municipalities, entities and State-Owned Enterprises. This bold and timely Bill speaks to Cosatu’s principled demand to insource key functions performed by various state organs. It responds to long-standing resolutions of the Federation and the ANC and the Tripartite Alliance. The call to insource has been…

Stadio Holdings, the JSE-listed private higher education company, continued a 12-month rise in its share price on Friday after it predicted that core headline earnings per share (HEPS) will increase between 22.8% and 32.7% for the six months to June 30. In a trading statement, the company forecast core HEPS to be between 19.9 cents and 21.5 cents, compared with 16.2 cents for the same period a year before. The group utilises core headline earnings, which is headline earnings adjusted for certain non-recurring items, to measure and benchmark the underlying performance of its business. Earnings per share (EPS) were expected to be between 20 cents and 21.6 cents, being between 22.7% and 32.5% higher than the 16.3 cents EPS reported for the six-month period in 2024. HEPS will be between…

The digital revolution has brought with it an unprecedented ease of access to information. However, as our reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) grows, a new, potentially lethal threat has emerged: the dangerously persuasive power of AI chatbots when it comes to our health. While a quick search for symptoms online has long been a source of anxiety, a recent, alarming case highlights how generative AI can lead to severe, real-world harm. In a recent case, a 60-year-old man, seeking to reduce his salt intake, turned to ChatGPT for dietary advice instead of consulting a medical professional. The AI chatbot suggested he replace sodium chloride (common table salt) with sodium bromide. Sodium bromide, while having some historic medicinal uses, is now primarily an industrial chemical and is toxic in large doses.…

Rhodes University's Faculty of Law will officially name its iconic law building in honour of one of its most distinguished alumni and the revered outgoing Chancellor, Justice Lex Mpati. This forms part of its 120th anniversary, marking more than a century of academic excellence and profound contributions to the South African legal landscape. As a testament to this enduring legacy and its pivotal role in shaping the nation's jurisprudence, it will honour Justice Lex Mpati by naming the faculty after him. “This occasion signifies a commitment to recognising visionary leaders and inspiring future generations who will uphold the rule of law across South Africa,” Judge Gerald Bloem, council chairperson of Rhodes University said. He added that Justice Mpati's life and career embody the core values our institution promotes, which…

THE South African Communist Party (SACP) has thrown its weight behind under fire South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, saying his recent trip to Iran was part of long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries. Maphwanya, who travelled last Tuesday, held meetings with several high-ranking military officials, including Major General Aziz Nasizadeh, Iran’s defence minister, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and General Amir Hatami, the Iranian commander. The trip was aimed at strengthening military cooperation. According to Iranian newspaper Tehran Times, Maphwanya said that the two countries had common goals, and always stood alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world. He also took aim at Israel over the continued war in Gaza as he reiterated support…

For diving into treacherous waters to save three teenagers from a rip current at Pennington Beach, 16-year-old Keegan Lowe was honoured at the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) 58th awards and annual general meeting. Held at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Cape Town over the weekend, the event celebrated exceptional acts of bravery, gallantry, and long service, recognising both volunteers and civilians whose courage and dedication reflect the NSRI’s core values. “Tonight we honour extraordinary courage and lifelong commitment. Every award represents not only individual bravery but also the collective spirit of the NSRI – volunteers, families, partners, and supporters working together to save lives,” said NSRI Chairperson Jonny Velloza. The evening’s first honours went to Keegan, who bravely rescued three teenagers caught in a powerful rip current at Pennington…

Where does one draw the line with undocumented migrants? The issue of undocumented migrants in South Africa has caused a stir across various sectors. While some call for their immediate deportation because they deplete the country’s resources at the expense of the nationals, others – including some NGOs – plead on their behalf. They even invoke certain clauses of the Freedom Charter and sections of the country’s constitution to strengthen their argument on why these undocumented migrants should be allowed to stay in this country. The main question that begs for attention is: where does one draw the line between addressing the challenge of undocumented migrants and upholding human rights? Another question becomes: should the rights of these undocumented migrants supersede those of South African citizens? These are very critical…

Chechen-born MMA superstar Khamzat Chimaev broke South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis’ nine-fight UFC winning streak to become the new Middleweight champion of the world today. "In the last round I went for it... I almost had it... but it didn't happen." said Du Plessis after the fight, apologising to South Africa for "letting you down". Fighting out of the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Chimaev dominated Du Plessis over five rounds with elite grappling and wrestling to which Du Plessis had no answer. From the first round, Chimaev enjoyed early takedowns and top control as he restricted Du Plessis’ movement and breathing with a beautiful crucifix. Chimaev dominates Du Plessis with wrestling prowess and striking For more than two minutes, Chimaev had the South African in that position as he…

Marc Marquez was "super happy" to claim his first ever win at the Red Bull Ring as he raced to victory in the Austrian MotoGP on Sunday. It was his ninth win of the season and extended his lead at the top of the championship standings. The Ducati rider, who started fourth on the grid, swept past pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi on lap 20 and pulled away for his sixth successive victory. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer closed on him in the final laps but had to settle for second, the best result of his fledgling career, with Bezzecchi completing the podium. "Yes, super, super happy to finally take the first victory here in Austria. I'm riding the red bike (Ducati) and it was working super well," said Marquez. Victory in the 1000th…

The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) 2025 show revealed that South African manufacturers are poised to reap significant benefits from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Unveiling the latest industry insights, Luthando Vuba, executive head of international trade at Standard Bank Group's Business and Commercial Banking, last week highlighted how the AfCFTA is paving the way for South African suppliers to deepen their presence in burgeoning automotive markets across Africa. Emerging automotive hubs in countries like Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt demonstrate an increasing demand for South African components, ranging from engine parts and tyres to cutting-edge Electric Vehicle (EV) technologies. Vuba pointed out that while the sector showed resilience, it faced challenges. He said the latest data from NAACAM revealed a contraction of…

Thousands of bank accounts are being closed in South Africa on the basis of reputational risk despite legislative changes in the United States that seek to stop this. Reputational risk as a metric is a slippery slope. Banks do so on the basis of negative media press. Banks use data platforms LexisNexis, World Online and World-Check that aggregates news from media outlets. The problem is that these articles that flag reputational risk lack any forensic or legal basis. Banks don't have to verify if the perceived reputational risk carries weight and on the basis of the negative articles they can debank you whether the news is true or not. The irony is that the banks themselves, such as Standard Bank and Nedbank, are also flagged by the Zondo Commission for…

Why is the 15th of August - a chaotic and shambolic moment in South Africa - so impactful? It ran for two days, two days ago – the National Convention that launched the National Dialogue. To sketch the background that led to this very moment it was during the last Cabinet Lekgotla that President Thabo Mbeki presided over in July 2008. On the agenda was the discussion of South Africa’s scenarios, the second in the series from the first launched as Memories of the Future: South African Scenarios to 2014: Welcome to Foresight For Development. The first scenarios had four possible outcomes: Dudisanang, Sgud S’ Nais, Skedonk and Shosholoza. By all counts by 2007, South Africa was on a Shosholoza Scenario of high hope, high economic growth, declining unemployment with…

Prime Kapital Investments (PKI) said Friday that it had acquired 14.38% of the shares of JSE-listed eastern and central European property group MAS Real Estate, following an offer to buy out all of its shareholders. Following the settlement of the voluntary bid, PKI will own 254.09 million MAS shares, or 36.32% of its share capital. PKI, with other shareholders deemed to be concert parties, will jointly hold 49.4% of MAS's shares. It brings to a conclusion one aspect of the corporate battles being fought in MAS - South African REIT Hyprop withdrew a competing bid for MAS weeks ago, because MAS and its development joint venture partner (DJV) PKI had allegedly refused to provide Hyprop with the required documentation to make a bid. PKI’s offer to buy all of MAS’…

Think of hormones as the unsung influencers of your life, controlling your mood, energy, body, and even your sense of self. Hormones are the silent conductors of our health symphony, orchestrating everything from physical growth to emotional balance. As a woman, understanding the ebb and flow of these hormonal shifts can empower you to embrace each life stage with grace and confidence. From the first blush of puberty to the transition of menopause, these hormonal changes can feel overwhelming, but they also mark significant milestones in your life. Yet, in South Africa, cultural taboos and gaps in healthcare mean many women navigate these journeys feeling confused or alone. Research from Femmeflow shows that over 70% of women experience mood and energy swings tied to hormones, and it takes an average…

Floyd Shivambu will visit King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in Nongoma, north of KwaZulu-Natal to introduce his newly-formed party Mayibuye today. The former Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Secretary-General announced the visit during his final leg of his consultative forum in Durban yesterday. Shivambu said people had given him the go ahead to form a political movement which included a political party that will contest elections, starting with the local government next year. He said the political movement will consist of civil society organisation, civic organisation and workers’ union, amongst others. He met with community leaders and traditional leaders in the province yesterday. “We’re here and this is the last province that we’re visiting out of all the provinces. We went to all nine provinces, to speak to the people and listen to…

THE City’s fixed charges, which now form the basis of a legal battle, serve as a deliberate and rational design intended to secure the revenue necessary to maintain and upgrade infrastructure, improve resilience and ensure reliable service delivery in the face of increasing climate-related uncertainty. That is one of the arguments contained in Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’ answering affidavit after the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) hauled the City to court over the decision to link certain fixed charges to property values. In its court application, SAPOA is challenging three items in the Budget; the Cleaning Tariff, the Fixed Water Charge, and the Fixed Sanitation Charge. They hoped to have the budget declared unconstitutional and invalid.SAPOA’s membership currently comprises more than 90% of the country’s commercial and retail property…

The search and recovery operation for missing South African Airways (SAA) and aerobatic pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, 61, from Johannesburg, was ongoing along Durban’s North Coast with no new developments reported as of yesterday. Police divers were leading the search, utilising advanced technology, and current weather and sea conditions have not hampered efforts. On Thursday, Blackwood-Murray's ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft, performing its final display, crashed into the sea off Durban. The crash happened near Suncoast Beach/Casino and Durban North Beach. The pilot was participating in an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, an annual global meeting organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The summit was hosted at both the Durban International Convention Centre and Virginia…

A man who allegedly violently attacked his wife on their ninth wedding anniversary, and faces possible life imprisonment, will remain behind bars after his second bail attempt was denied by the Western Cape High Court. The 37-year-old father of four was a fisherman in Mossel Bay up until his incarceration in May last year and faces a charge of attempted murder. He sought to appeal against his bail application, which was heard and denied in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court. The lower court found that the man would endanger the life of the complainant, and it was not in the interests of justice to have him released. According to court documents, on May 18 last year, the couple celebrated their anniversary when the man accused his wife of infidelity and…

IN another bloody weekend for Cape Town, five people were killed in separate shooting incidents in Rocklands and Muizenberg. On Thursday evening around 9pm, two men aged 37 and 40 were shot and killed in Viscount Street, Rocklands in a gang-related incident. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Mitchells Plain police responded to a complaint of a shooting in Viscount Street, Rocklands, on Thursday night, August 14, 2025, at about 9pm. “Upon arrival on the scene, they found the bodies of two males, aged 37 and 40, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. According to reports a black and grey vehicle stopped next to the victims and the occupant started shooting at the victims before fleeing the scene. “Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive…

I’m not sure if Rassie Erasmus is familiar with the poetry of Robbie Burns, but he will grasp the drift of the famous line: “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” That is precisely what happened at Ellis Park over the weekend, where the plan the Boks produced from a three-week training camp yielded 22 wonderful points in 20 minutes, only for the scoring spree to give way to 38 unanswered points as the Wallabies roared home in the second half. It appeared that the Boks were lured into Barbarians-style rugby and forgot that Test matches are won by first doing the hard yards. In short, they departed from their DNA of physicality, territorial kicking and set-piece dominance, and instead did an impersonation of the Blitzboks. To…