Inhoudsopgave van 2025-08-28 - Cape Times

The latest Household Affordability Index for August 2025 showed that while food prices have eased slightly month-on-month, South African households remain under severe financial pressure, with wages and social grants still falling short of meeting basic nutritional needs. According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), which tracks food prices across 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in major urban centres, the average cost of the Household Food Basket stood at R5 380.62 in August. This reflected a month-on-month decrease of R62.10 (-1,1%), but a year-on-year increase of R153.48 (2,9%). Food price shifts Of the 44 basic foods tracked, 23 items increased in price while 21 decreased. Among the steepest increases were beef tripe (6%), peanut butter (6%), and soup (5%), while items such as potatoes (-9%), onions (-15%),…

Daybreak Foods is optimistic of a pivotal turnaround toward operational stability and long-term sustainability at the breeder and hatchery farms with the R150 million funding provided by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). This funding has set off operations of the sections while licences are sought for abattoir operations at various subsidiaries. This is according to the first phase of the Business Rescue Plan (BRP) for the poultry producer, which went into business rescue after its first quarter performance dipped significantly lower than prior periods. Daybreak was strangled by limited net working capital to operate at capacity, and significant equipment breakdowns, and operational disruptions including strikes and supplier service withdrawals due to the financial position. According to Tebogo Maoto, senior business rescue practitioner for Daybreak Foods, the rescue process has been…

“The national wealth of our country, the heritage of all South Africans, shall be restored to the people.”- Freedom Charter, 1955 It’s a timeless promise, etched into South Africa’s moral and political imagination: that the wealth of this nation would one day be returned to its rightful owners: the people. But fast-forward nearly 70 years from the adoption of the Freedom Charter, and one has to ask: are we any closer to achieving that vision? We’ve got policies, plans, and pages upon pages of industrial strategies. From the National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) to the more recent localisation and sector masterplans, South Africa has no shortage of ambition when it comes to rebuilding its productive economy. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has been busy crafting incentive schemes,…

As South Africa gears up to host the G20 Leaders Summit in November – the first ever on African soil – the spotlight on our hospitality sector has never been brighter. The event is expected to generate over R1.2 billion in direct tourism revenue, putting local hotels, guesthouses and restaurants to the test on a global stage. The stakes are high, but so is the potential. For entrepreneurs ready to seize the opportunity, here are five practical tips for launching or running a hospitality business in South Africa - guidance that will serve you well in 2025 and beyond. 1 Invest in your digital presence With 66% of hotel bookings now made online, having a compelling, visible digital profile should be at the top of your priorities. You can strengthen…

Blue Label Telecoms’ core headline earnings per share shot up to 461.63 cents from 76.08 cents in 2024, a result that also reflected the early impact of a simplified corporate structure and sharper operating model. Gross profit was up by 2% to R3.38 billion. As part of an ongoing strategy review, Blue Label Telecoms is exploring a potential restructuring of the its’s subsidiaries and associates to separate Cell C and position it for a possible future listing. The processes to obtain the listing of Cell C were underway, said joint CEO Mark Levy. The planned restructure would streamline Cell C’s capital structure and balance sheet ahead of a listing - Blue Label owns about 70% of Cell C currently directly and through various special purpose vehicles. If successful, the move…

Former ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, has submitted representations seeking to have his fraud and corruption charges withdrawn. Speaking to journalists outside the Palm Ridge court in Ekurhuleni yesterday, Mabe questioned the validity and legitimacy of the report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in the R27 million tender scandal case, and maintained his innocence. He confirmed that a submission to withdraw the case was made. “My lawyers are handling the submissions, and I would not want to get into the theatre of what is happening… that’s why they represent us,” he said. The case has been postponed to February 18, 2026, as the state is reviewing Mabe’s submissions. The SIU has obtained a preservation order preventing Mabe from selling or transferring ownership of his property in Steyn City, as…

THE Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) failed to reach an agreement over the disputed Khayelitsha–Somerset West route which has resulted in the killing of taxi drivers and commuters. The violence follows a peace agreement signed on June 24 after the intervention of the South African National Taxi Council and the government. Less than two months later, taxi drivers were attacked in Somerset West, Philippi East, Khayelitsha, Strand, and Macassar in just five days. Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said: “The other party remains aggrieved, and the agreement is still active. The fight here is about the route between Khayelitsha and Somerset West. There is a court order that is in place that bars Codeta from picking up passengers from Somerset West.…

Three registered designs for solar panel mounting brackets on rooftops came under the judicial spotlight, when the owner of the registered designs got wind that a rival company was selling the exact same designs. Balster Nienhuis, who owns the designs, turned to the Western Cape High Court to interdict Afro Solar Ltd from infringing on his designs. In dealing with the legal wrangle, Acting Judge DJ Cooke commented that South Africa is a country which enjoys abundant sunshine; however, it also experiences unreliable challenges with electricity supply. “It is not surprising that there is a strong demand for solar panels. This demand is fueled by tax incentives and continuing technological advances, leading us to become familiar with solar panels gracing the rooftops of various structures.” The judge added this demand…

Despite senior players David Miller and Marco Jansen set to return to international cricket after missing the tour of Australia, it is Donovan Ferreira’s recall that stands out as perhaps the most exciting. South Africa arrived in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, exactly a week before the first match of the tour – the first of three One Day Internationals against England – before the focus shifts to a three-match T20I series. While the Temba Bavuma-led ODI squad is on its own mission, building towards the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup (to be hosted in South Africa), it’s the T20I squad that takes precedence for now, with the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India looming much closer. The management continues its search for the right group of…

Schroders' economists have painted a robust picture of the global economic landscape, hinting at a favourable outlook for risky assets amidst a landscape of changing monetary policies. As economists navigate the complex interplay between growth prospects and monetary policy, the unfolding economic landscape promises to be one marked by resilience, ongoing challenges, and cautious optimism. In a quarterly update on Wednesday, David Rees, head of global economics at Schroders, reported that despite having navigated a challenging period characterised by tariff-related uncertainties, global activity has managed to hold steady in the first half of the year. "Global activity held up well during the tariff malaise in the first half of the year and, with peak policy uncertainty now behind us, we continue to find growth expectations too pessimistic. Solid growth should…

Philip Morris argued in Parliament this week that co-opting scientific approaches, as well as adopting harm reduction strategies within the contentious Tobacco Bill, could help South Africa reduce tobacco-related deaths. The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is a proposed South African law that aims to strengthen public health by regulating the sale, advertising, and use of tobacco and electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems, such as vaping devices. With over 11 million adult smokers in South Africa, the country risks falling behind in harm reduction and encouraging its younger population to quit smoking. Philip Morris is one of the larger tobacco companies in South Africa calling for the separation of regulation for combustible cigarettes and newer smokeless products such as e-cigarettes and pouches, among others. South Africa is in…

I still remember stepping into the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, my exhibitor badge swinging around my neck, and thinking, this is history in the making. For the first time ever, the Y20 Summit, the official G20 youth engagement platform is on African soil. And there I was, not just watching from the sidelines, but right in the middle of it. The theme said it all: “Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability.” But what really struck me was how the words leapt off the banners and into real conversations. Young people from across the globe weren’t just repeating policy talk; they were rolling up their sleeves and saying, this is what we’re building, this is how we’re changing things. From my corner in the exhibition space, I watched it unfold…

Bidcorp produced another solid performance from its global food service and technology in the year to June 30 and headline earnings per share (HEPS) increased by 9.6% to 2,635.8 cents per share. CEO Bernard Berson said he was “very happy” with the results as most global consumer spending markets were generally lacklustre. Revenue grew 6.8% in constant currency, and after adjusting for bolt-on acquisitions and food-basket inflation, the top line grew by 4.5%. Some 94% of the revenue base is outside of South Africa, so constant currency measures are the truer reflection of actual performance. In rand-translated results, HEPS grew by 6.5% to 2 562.7 cents per share, reflecting the impact of the stronger rand. Group trading profit increased by 6.4% to R12.9 billion and 9.3% in constant currency. Basic…

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe yesterday gave assurances that the termination of the Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Postbank will not interrupt the payment of social grants. Addressing the Social Development Portfolio Committee, Tolashe said the payments of social grants to beneficiaries who bank with Postbank, in particular, will not be interrupted. “The termination of the MSA is a contractual matter to terminate an agreement that no longer serves the purpose for which it was intended. “Postbank remains a fully licensed and operational financial institution and beneficiaries will continue to receive their grants in their Postbank accounts just as they had before. No change in this regard will occur,” she said. Tolashe along with a South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) delegation briefed MPs on the impact of the…

Minister of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) Ronald Lamola says the country is on track to host the G20 Summit. With just 100 days remaining before the Johannesburg Leaders’ Summit, Lamola, in a briefing yesterday, said South Africa’s G20 presidency reflected the country’s commitment to elevating the Global South’s developmental agenda on the world stage. “We are at a pivotal juncture. With numerous working group meetings complete and Ministerial declarations adopted, our focus is now on finalising outcomes that embody solidarity, equality, and sustainability.” Upcoming G20 events, including the Compact with Africa 2.0, continent-wide discussions on food security and industrialisation, and the second G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the UN General Assembly, are identified as critical milestones, Lamola said. “These events will showcase Africa’s voice and priorities in global economic…

THE EFF has signalled its intention to challenge the Equality Court ruling against its leader Julius Malema, saying it was a “grave distortion” of history, philosophy and the nature of political speech in a democratic society. The court found that Malema’s remarks in relation to an incident at Brackenfell High School constituted hate speech, and demonstrated a clear intention to incite harm and promote or propagate hatred. He made the statements during his party’s 3rd Provincial Peoples Assembly, on October 16, 2022. In an excerpt from Malema’s nearly two-hour speech, he had said: “You went to a school here to protest the other time, and you were beaten by white people, and there is a white man who is visible on camera. If I were to…

The Western Cape has recorded hundreds of murders in just seven weeks, prompting urgent interventions from the police and a direct warning to gang leaders from Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia. From July 1 until August 23, 2025, hundreds of people were killed in the top 30 stations of the province. “I’m going to engage with religious leaders who have taken the initiative to talk to me,” Cachalia said. “I’ve addressed a communication to my office for a meeting so that I understand what is required, with religious leaders taking the initiative to talk with me on Monday. “Hopefully, from those engagements, I will decide what needs to be done. I plan to be back in Cape Town to pay dedicated attention to this matter. If urgent steps…

THE spotlight shines on The Baxter Studio Theatre in September as it hosts two outstanding performances from the winners of the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Awards. Lwanda Sindaphi’s Purpose and ‘n Pandok se Liefde by Lauren Snyders won the Best Production/Finest of the Fest Award at the Festival which was held in March. Sindaphi and Snyders have the opportunity to work with respected industry figures Mwenya Kabwe and Lee-Ann van Rooi respectively to bring their productions to the stage. Additionally, these winners will have their scripts published, thanks to the support of Junkets Publishers. Purpose, written and performed by Sindaphi and directed by Thando Doni, is a witty and romantically hypnotising production, accompanied by the density of a peripherally ancestral world. The play explores sacredness and spirituality from the…

MAE West was an incredible woman. Years ahead of her time. The American actress and singer was an outspoken feminist and social progressive who directly challenged censorship and societal norms. And often it was her incredible wit that allowed her to navigate the choppy waters. The blonde bombshell offered many famous quips, such as, “When I’m good, I’m very good, but when I’m bad, I’m better” and “Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” But for me, the home run was “All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else!” It got me thinking about Dane van Niekerk’s international U-turn this week. Should the former Proteas Women’s captain be given a second chance? It certainly is a bold…

Curro’s market capitalisation at the close of trade on Tuesday was R4.52bn Edward West An education trust founded by PSG Founder and Capitec co-founder Jannie Mouton has made a R7.2 billion offer to acquire all of Curro Holdings, South Africa’s biggest private education company. The early morning announcements on Wednesday saw the share price rocket 53.68% to R12.31, and the intention is to delist Curro and turn it into a non-profit organisation, a statement said. Curro said its board had received an offer letter from the Jannie Mouton Stigting (Foundation) to acquire all of the issued Curro shares by way of a scheme of arrangement. Curro’s market capitalisation at the close of trade on Tuesday was R4.52bn. The Trust already owns 3.36% of Curro. The offer was R13 a share,…

Amid ongoing global transformation, employment, education and business innovation constitute essential pillars in promoting sustainable socio-economic progress and maintaining long-term stability. I believe the private and public sectors complement each other in supporting this progress toward politically stable societies and cohesive economies. Over the course of South Africa’s Presidency of the G20, businesses and policymakers have created a shared agenda for job creation and economic participation. The recommendations of the B20 Employment and Education Task Force address several challenges to tackling the current economic complexities, including n Promoting job creation through flexible policy measures; n Facilitating business-led employment incentives; and n Supporting inclusivity and resilience in labour markets. The B20’s Employment and Education Task Force resolved that collectively we must go beyond the “what” and provide practical “how” suggestions through…

In July, a mid-sized South African business lost one of its most experienced employees. The impact was catastrophic. Not because of his seniority, but because he was the only one who knew how everything worked. Systems, processes, and compliance routines were all inside his head, underscoring the company’s internal fragility thanks to undocumented processes. This wasn’t an isolated case. Many companies struggle with having their operational knowledge scattered or inaccessible, often written in personal notebooks or stored on individual desktops or held in the memory of key employees. The human dependency risk is a very real challenge because when people leave, they take with them a significant chunk of institutional knowledge. The impact is twofold. On one hand, the lack of centralised and accessible knowledge impacts productivity and operational efficiencies.…

ASP Isotopes (ASPI), the Nasdaq-listed isotopes enrichment company that has most of its team operating in South Africa, and which is acquiring Renergen, listed on the JSE on Wednesday. Just after midday Wednesday, the share price on the JSE represented an 18% premium to the $10.47 share price on the Nasdaq at the close of trade Tuesday - a trader said the volumes were thin, but there was definitely demand for the shares. “While our capital footprint has expanded into the US and Europe, the core of our company is rooted in South Africa. With most of our team and operational assets based locally…listing on the JSE is not just a strategic move; it is a tribute to the nation which has world-class talent and institutional knowledge in all our…

Communities on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast are heading to the Constitutional Court next month to fight Shell's drilling for oil on parts of the province's coastline. Sustaining The Wild Coast, Mashona Dlamini, the Dwesa-Cwebe Communal Property Association, Ntsindiso Nongcavu, Sazise Pekayo, Cameron Thorpe and All Rise Attorneys for Justice and The Environment have hauled Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and his forestry, fisheries and environment counterpart Dr Dion George to the apex court. The organisations and individuals are challenging part of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment overturning the Eastern Cape High Court ruling setting aside the decision taken by Mantashe’s predecessor, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, taken in April 2014, granting exploration rights initially to Impact Africa and later transferred to Shell for the exploration of oil and…

When UCT student Thandiswa Nxomani first volunteered to manage the African Bombers amateur rugby club in the Eastern Cape, she thought she was simply filling a gap. The club needed a manager, and she stepped forward. She didn’t realise that her decision would spark a new passion and set her on a path that would take her to the highest level of the game as team manager of the Springbok Women. “I just realised I loved being in that space, making sure the players had what they needed, and keeping things running smoothly,” she said. Earlier in August, Nxomani, who is studying for a postgraduate diploma in sport management at UCT, boarded a flight to England. This wasn’t just another tour. It was the biggest stage in women’s rugby, the…

A car dealership will have to refund a client the purchase price of a vehicle and pay an administration penalty fee of R50 000 after the Western Cape High Court confirmed the company had contravened a section of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The client had bought a second hand vehicle from Wingfield Motors for his son in January 2021 but days after the purchase, the car presented with defects despite it having been taken for a test drive. The vehicle, a 2017 Ford Focus RS 2.3 EcoBoost, was also sent to a roadworthy testing company for assessment and a report on its condition. According to Wingfield, the assessment involved an experienced technician test driving the vehicle to check for faults but the assessment did not include a full diagnostic…

IN 2024, encouraged by my PhD supervisor, I attended the opening dinner of the Stellenbosch University Science Communication Symposium. As a newcomer, I arrived with modest expectations. But what unfolded went beyond a conference dinner. It became a lesson in institutional history, influence and the value of inter-generational knowledge. It also showed me the importance of ensuring women have a seat at the table across different spheres of society. As Women’s Month draws to a close, I hope that this is something we will continue to focus on throughout the rest of the year. At the event, the presence of three eminent female researchers – Dr Beverley Damonse, Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan and Dr Vijay Reddy – served as a reminder of women’s contribution to science. What stayed with me about…

WHILE the Springboks embark on the Goliath-sized task of battling the All Blacks in back-to-back Tests on New Zealand soil, it's understandable that most of the discourse will focus on the massive challenge ahead. Still seething from last year’s Rugby Championship and the 2023 Rugby World Cup final outcomes against South Africa, the All Blacks have a point to prove, and on home soil, they’ll be tough to break down. But while the Boks and their supporters sharpen their focus on the twin battles in Auckland and Wellington, it would be dangerously short-sighted to overlook what follows those games: a resurgent, unpredictable, and often underestimated Argentina. Los Pumas are no longer the underdogs of old. Definitely not after last weekend’s upset over the All Blacks in front of a fired-up…