Inhoudsopgave van 2025-09-08 - Cape Times

JSE-listed Copper 360, which operates in the Northern Cape, has proposed a R1.15 billion rights issue and a restructuring of its debt. The mining company said in an announcement to shareholders on Friday that it was in the process of restructuring, aiming to raise sufficient funding for short- and medium-term growth, reduce the debt burden to improve profitability, and mine several orebodies with achievable growth potential. The share price slipped 1.4% to 70 cents on the JSE on Friday, well down from R3.25 that it traded at a year previously. Copper has surged onto the prospects of many mining groups due to raising demand for the metal in renewable energy technology, AI and data centres and due to its use in urbanisation and in infrastructure. Copper 360's directors said the…

Stakeholders in the electricity industry are voicing concerns regarding the capacity of the Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to fulfil its expanded role as South Africa navigates the complexities of its evolving energy market. This heightened scrutiny comes in the wake of a stakeholder engagement session held by the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, which included discussions with various stakeholders such as labour unions and the Just Energy Transition (JET) Project Monitoring Unit (PMU). During this session, Minister for Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramakgopa assured lawmakers that the revised Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) would soon be adopted by Cabinet, a critical step in the nation’s energy transition. However, Dr Wickus Kruger of the JET PMU highlighted the urgent need for Nersa to bolster its capacity through additional staff…

In Khayelitsha, a youth-led redesign of a major transport hub in 2024 reduced commuting times by 15% for more than 5 000 residents, according to the African Centre for Cities’ Future Streets report. The project created 200 jobs and showed how practical interventions led by young people can reshape urban spaces for efficiency and inclusion. Although modest in scale, it offered insights that speak directly to South Africa’s most pressing development priorities. The structural constraints facing South Africa’s cities are deeply rooted in history. The 1950 Group Areas Act institutionalised a spatial framework that placed the majority of citizens in townships and rural areas distant from economic centres. Today, more than 80% of South Africans still live far from where jobs and services are concentrated. The economic effects remain evident:…

At times like this we have to ask, "What would ka Seme advise?" Ambassador Mniwa Mahalngu is no more. I met him in February this year and we exchanged pleasantaries. I will remember him always for agreeing to deliver a Prixley ka Isaka Seme lecture at the University of Columbia that Francoir Ndengwe and I arranged in 2016. This was 110 years since Prixley made a remarkable and unforgettable speech about the regeneration of Africa. It is befitting to publish the speech as tribute to Ambassador Mahlangu. He reminds us that precisely in the month of April 2016, marked 110 years since the famous and celebrated speech entitled The Regeneration of Africa by a renowned son of Africa, Pixley ka Isaka Seme. The speech was delivered…

Tesla unveiled on Friday a proposed compensation package for Elon Musk that could top $1 trillion if the controversial CEO delivers on his vision for stratospheric growth from new technologies. The plan potentially provides Musk - already the world's wealthiest person - with up to 12 percent of additional total company shares, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. To reach the full award, Tesla must reach a market capitalisation of "at least $8.5 trillion by 2035," according to the filing, which announced a shareholder vote on the proposal in November. Tesla's current market capitalisation is just over $1 trillion, down somewhat from its peak following recent weak earnings. Analysts have attributed some of the sales woes to Musk's embrace of far-right politicians, which has sparked…

The ANC has delivered a stern ultimatum to its Limpopo provincial chairperson, Stan Mathabatha, following the rejection of his letter to step aside from his party duties. The move comes as the ANC seeks to reinforce its principles of renewal, unity, and accountability, particularly in the face of internal dissent and concerns over party values. Mathabatha, who also serves as the Deputy Minister for Land Reform and Rural Development, had voluntarily sought to step aside from his role as ANC Limpopo chairperson. In a letter addressed to the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, he cited concerns over alleged misconduct within the party and the erosion of ANC values and processes, specifically referencing issues observed during regional conferences in the Vhembe and Waterberg regions. He stated that his decision was made “in…

THE Western Cape High Court has found that the expulsion of two pupils for vaping in the school’s hostel amounted to a prolonged and cumulative punishment. The school’s governing body twice punished them for the same offence, which amounts to double jeopardy, said the court in overturning the sanctions. The first incident was at the end of 2023 when they were in Grade 8, and the second incident was last year, a few months down the line. During the 2023 incident, both pupils, only identified as L and M, were expelled from the hostel for a few months. However, when the incident occurred again the following year, both were permanently expelled from the hostel. A few days later, the school yet again sanctioned them for the same offence for…

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has condemned the alleged theft and leakage of professional examination papers associated with legal practitioners. LSSA president Nkosana Francois Mvundlela denounced the possession, circulation and use of any unlawfully obtained exam content. "The LSSA has noted recent social media activity alleging the circulation of leaked Board Examination materials and reiterates that such conduct strikes at the heart of professional ethics and public trust in the legal profession." Mvundlela said the Board Examinations are administered by the Legal Practice Council (LPC). The organisation supports the LPC in safeguarding the integrity of these assessments and called for urgent, thorough investigations into any allegation of leakage or misuse, with appropriate consequences to follow. “Stealing, leaking or using stolen papers has no place in our profession. Anyone…

The City has paused its decision to cut the Dial-a-Ride service for disabled people, which was expected to be suspended on Monday but will now run until October, after reaching a settlement with the Western Cape Network on Disability (WCND) on Friday. The municipality's agreement with WCND was made an order of court by Acting Judge Wallis Roux. The service has been in operation since the early 2000s, serving individuals, including the mentally disabled, visually impaired, and infirm, enabling their access to healthcare, places of worship, work, education, and community activities. Under the impending changes, the service will be severely limited to only wheelchair-bound individuals and those with severe walking impairments, and exclusively for transport to and from work. The reduction is expected to affect more than 1000 vulnerable individuals.…

Police have bolstered their deployment in the Athlone area after a 30-year-old man was shot and killed outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Athlone police spokesperson, Sergeant Zita Norman, said the man had arrived at court for a matter at 9:41am. As he walked through the gate, an unknown suspect came from behind and shot him twice in the back and once in the head. The shooting has been linked to the Laughing Boys gang. The area was volatile after the attack, and SAPS urged communities to avoid the area while investigations continued. A witness said she dropped to the ground inside the court when she heard gunshots outside. A resident outside the court said it was shocking that the shooting happened so close to a police station. “It’s…

The Springbok Women received a sobering dose of reality at the World Cup in the form of the fleet-footed French, who ran up a 57-10 score in the final match of Pool D in Northampton on Sunday evening. The Springbok Women have been a revelation at the tournament, starting with a 66-6 win over flyweights Brazil, followed by a 29-24 victory against middleweights Italy, but heavyweights France pulled the South African challenge back down to earth. South Africa finished second in Pool D and will play New Zealand in the quarter-finals. The French, ranked the fourth-best team in the world, outclassed the Bok Women, who were hamstrung by a red card to centre Chumisa Qawe. With both teams already qualified for the playoffs, coach Swys Bruin gave opportunities to players…

The recently released 8th annual SweepSouth Report on Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions paints a troubling picture of the lives of domestic workers in South Africa. The report, based on over 5 000 responses collected nationwide, reveals that the dramatic stall in the country’s economic growth is having a profound ripple effect on this critical workforce, predominantly made up of women aged 26 to 41. According to CEO Lourandi Kriel, South Africa’s economy has only managed a growth of 0.7% over the last decade, a stagnation that has forced consumers to reconsider their spending power. “The economic conditions have a ripple effect on domestic workers in that when an economy doesn't grow, you know consumers have either the same or less share of wallet and they need to decide…

The All Share index on the JSE, as well as the Rand on Friday ended stronger in reaction to the release of the US non-Farm payrolls. The All Share index recovered by 0.9% on Friday and ended the week flat with a mere 300 points lower on 101532. The index, however, is still 20.7% up for the year. The US announced that the economy could only create 22 000 new jobs during August 2025. This is much lower than the expected increase of 72 000. The unemployment rate for the US increased from 4.2% to 4.3% as was expected. Especially since April 2025, after the first comprehensive tariff announcement by the Trump administration, consumers and producers started to discount negative consumer and business confidence due to expectations for higher inflation…

Bell Equipment, the JSE-listed manufacturer and distributor of materials handling equipment globally, reported a sharp 330% increase in net cash inflow to R487.04 million in the six months to June 30. The share price gained 2.65% to R41.63 on Friday afternoon, despite the fact that the dividend was passed due to the global slowdown in demand in key markets and a contracted US market due to the current USA tariff situation. “Just when we anticipated some stability might prevail in our global markets, following a reduction in demand for equipment during 2024 to more normalised levels, the first half of 2025 has been marred with extreme uncertainty in some of our key markets, the US in particular,” the chairman, Gary Bell, and chief executive, Ashley Bell, said on Friday in…

The EU on Friday slapped Google with a massive €2.95 billion ($3.47 billion) antitrust fine for favoring its own advertising services, drawing a furious rebuke from President Donald Trump and a threat of fresh tariffs against Europe. Google vowed to appeal the decision by the European Commission, which accused the US firm of distorting competition in the 27-nation bloc. "Google abused its dominant position in adtech, harming publishers, advertisers, and consumers. This behavior is illegal under EU antitrust rules," EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said. Trump, who has threatened to go after Europe for its rules on the digital market and content policing, lashed out at the decision, which brings Google's total EU liabilities to nearly €10 billion. "Very unfair, and the American taxpayer will not stand for it!"…

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says United States President Donald Trump’s decision to miss the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November would not sidetrack the critical G20 agenda. Instead US Vice President JD Vance will represent the country, a move that Lamola welcomed. Trump’s non-attendance at the high-stakes summit comes as no surprise, as he had previously indicated his intent to skip the event, citing unsubstantiated claims of systemic persecution and killing of white citizens in South Africa. The debunked claims have contributed to a strained relationship between Washington and Pretoria. Expressing his enthusiasm for engaging with Vance, Lamola, in a television interview, said: “We welcome the fact that (Trump) has assigned or appointed his deputy president, JD Vance, to be the one who attends the G20 in South…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has written to Parliament urgently opposing a draft regulation by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), warning it would unleash a “cruel and devastating attack” on poor students by allowing educational institutions to report unpaid student fees to credit bureaus. In a formal letter addressed to Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Tebogo Letsie, EFF Member of Parliament and youth leader Sihle Lonzi warned that the DTIC’s proposed amendment, published in the Government Gazette, will further entrench economic exclusion and permanently punish students for being poor. “We write to you with a deep sense of urgency and responsibility towards the millions of vulnerable youth and students in this country whose futures are under grave threat,” Lonzi said. He condemned the draft…

Taxi violence over the Khayelitsha-Somerset West Route continues to spiral despite marathon talks and a court interdict. Rival associations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) are still deadlocked over control of the contested routes. The Western Cape Mobility Department said that the associations were given until Monday to propose a resolution, but hours of meetings yielded no breakthrough. Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi rejected a proposal that would see Codeta operate the Khayelitsha–Somerset West route exclusively. “We are not agreeing on Cata being pushed out of the Khayelitsha–Somerset West (route),” he said. “The proposal that Codeta should drive to and from Somerset West and our members who have been operating there must now be excluded will not work for us. We don’t mind…

It wasn’t the result Springbok newcomer Ethan Hooker wanted in his first Test against the All Blacks, but the utility back was chuffed to get his baptism of fire at Eden Park in Auckland. Despite the nail-biting 24-17 loss on Saturday, the Bok bench, including Hooker, turned the tide for the side as they chased a first win at the iconic stadium in 88 years. Although it wasn’t meant to be after a slow start to the game, the 22-year-old Hooker experienced his first Test against New Zealand and had a taste of what it feels like to face the Haka in front of a passionate and fired-up away crowd. “It was a very surreal experience for me,” the utility back said. “Just being at Eden Park and experiencing the…

Aryna Sabalenka credited her new-found mental approach on Saturday after producing a controlled performance to retain her US Open crown. The 27-year-old world number one from Belarus defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to claim a fourth career Grand Slam title. Sabalenka said her victory followed a rethink after defeats in the Australian and French Open finals earlier this season. “After the Australian Open, I thought the right way would be just to forget it and move on, but then the same thing happened at the French Open,” she said. “So, after the French Open I figured, ‘okay, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and look at those finals and maybe learn something,’ because I didn’t want it to happen again and again.” A holiday…

The Boland Cavaliers received a taste of what they can expect in the Currie Cup semi-finals against the Lions this past Saturday in Cape Town, after falling to a heavy defeat against Western Province. WP denied their neighbours a home semi-final, restricting them to three tries in a 40-22 victory at the DHL Stadium. It’s a major achievement for the Bolanders to make the playoffs in their first season back in the top division since 2016, but they would’ve preferred hosting the match in Wellington. Instead, they will have to travel to Johannesburg for the showdown. Playing against a WP side packed with United Rugby Championship players, however, should serve as valuable preparation for what awaits. They scored three excellent tries, but costly errors undid their efforts. Conceding three yellow…

Wave of layoffs sweeps through the country as 140 000 jobs lost in the three months to June The government has expressed deep concern over the implications of mass job cuts on the economy following retrenchment notices by a number of multinational corporations. Last week, Glencore Operations South Africa revealed its intention to retrench employees at its Rustenburg ferrochrome smelter and vanadium operations, citing insufficient electricity supply and a general “lack of sustainable industry solutions.” Companies who are considered intensive energy users have already sounded the alarm that the escalating costs of electricity could exacerbate job losses. Similarly, ArcelorMittal South Africa announced preparations to close its long steel mills resulting in the loss of over 4 000 jobs, attributing its plight to delays in addressing structural problems that have plagued…

Globalisation can be defined as, ”The growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations, brought about by cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of investment, people, and information. Countries have built economic partnerships to facilitate these movements over many centuries.” Since one of four global economic shocks (black Swans) emerged in 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the Russia-Ukraine war (2022), the attack on Israel by Hamas (2023) and the introduction of tariffs on most developed and developing countries by the Trump administration (2025), the debate continues on whether globalisation has slowed down, or is even reversing. In the South African context, loadshedding has put a spotlight on the energy crisis, and the recent focus on the emerging Southern African “gas cliff” has further exacerbated…

The National Labour and Economic Development Council (Nedlac) held its annual summit on Friday under the call of advancing solidarity, equality and sustainability in the economy and labour market. This is a clarion call to action by the leaders of government, business, labour and civil society. Whilst we will naturally have different interests, mandates and objectives; there are core issues that we can and must agree on, which if we fail to resolve, will threaten the very fabric and stability of society. Given our history of three hundred and fifty years of colonial and apartheid rule that has left lasting scars of inequality and dispassion, we must be a society that values the principles of providing solidarity to those in need. To be nation capable of growth and development,…

African Rainbow Minerals’ (ARM) share price plunged 7.3% on Friday after it reported a 47% decline in headline earnings for the year ended 30 June 2025 to R2.7 billion, or R13.79 a share. On Friday afternoon, the share price was R175.28, reflecting an 11.4% increase over the past 12 months. Revenue for the year increased by 1% to R13.1 billion. The decline in headline earnings was ascribed mainly to lower average realised export US dollar iron ore prices and increased mechanised development costs at Bokoni. A final dividend of R6 a share was declared, down from R9 per share last year. The total dividend for the 2025 financial year came to R10.50, compared to R15 per share in 2024. Despite the lower dividend, directors stated they maintained a robust balance…

While the RAF last week failed in its urgent bid to extend the 180-day payment moratorium in which to pay claims, citing that it will lead to its financial collapse if the reprieve is not extended, members of the legal fraternity said this is not true - the RAF must just get its house in order. The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) meanwhile welcomed the order handed down by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in which the urgent application brought by the RAF was struck from the roll with punitive costs. The fund had sought a further 180-day stay of executions, but the court ruled that the matter lacked urgency. The RAF sought the court’s indulgence to further limit the existing rights of its judgment creditors by extending, yet…

CONSTABLE Akho Ndzingo, 29, had only served six months in Khayelitsha, taking his oath to protect and serve South Africa, before being tragically killed on night patrol in Site C on June 12 last year. A tearful Kholiswa Ndzingo, Akho's mother, laid a wreath in his honour during the SAPS national commemoration ceremony at the Union Buildings yesterday, where 27 fallen police officers were remembered. She remembered her son as a caring breadwinner for the family, who left behind a four-year-old son. “Losing a child is heartbreaking, especially one who provided for us. His father and I are unemployed. I am incredibly proud of my son for growing up to serve all of South Africa – he was a true hero who lived to protect others. It’s just unfortunate he…

Twenty-two-year-old Aimsley Fortuin rose above South Africa’s best dancers to claim the title of Red Bull Dance Your Style National Champion 2025 at the Century City Square. Battling through a series of high-intensity rounds, Aimsley impressed the crowd with unmatched musicality, charisma, and freestyle mastery. In the final face-off, he secured his victory not through judges, but by winning the loudest cheers and votes from the audience – staying true to the competition’s unique format. “Winning this title feels surreal. The level of talent on that stage was incredible, and to have the crowd behind me like that is something I’ll never forget. I’m looking forward to representing my country in Los Angeles,” said Fortuin. The Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final brought together 16 of the country’s top…

A rising star in the culinary world, 37-year-old Sihle Somdaka's life was tragically cut short on Richard Branson's private Caribbean island. The talented chef, originally hailing from Cape Town and known for his passion and culinary skills, suffered a fatal accident while operating an electric buggy, shortly after midnight. Somdaka, a devoted father of two, was attending a farewell party at the island’s Great House when he decided to leave the festivities. As he navigated down a steep hill in one of the resort’s buggies, he lost control, leading to a devastating crash that resulted in a fatal head injury. The Necker Island medic was called to the scene. The medics administered CPR all the way to Peebles hospital on Tortola, where they were transferred by boat. Despite medical staff's…

THE theme for this year’s International Literacy Day, which is celebrated annually on 8 September, is “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”. When reflecting on this theme, I am immediately confronted with the fact that digital literacy skills cannot develop at the expense of traditional literacy skills. I would argue that to navigate the complex world we live in, we must first strengthen traditional literacy before we can fully develop digital literacy. In South Africa, promoting literacy in a digital era has its own complexities. I immediately think about the many marginalised people who may not be equipped with the necessary literacy skills to access new opportunities for learning, work and communication. In addition, when thinking about digital inclusion I am reminded of our responsibility to ensure everyone has the…

Third ODI, Southampton England: 414/5 (Bethell 110, Root 100, Buttler 62*, Smith 62, Bosch 2/79, Maharaj 2/61) South Africa: 72 all out (Bosch 20, Archer 4/18, Rashid 3/13, Carse 2/33) w England won by 342 runs, SA win the series 2-1 The Proteas have become the masters of falling prey to the dead-rubber ODI syndrome. Sunday’s world record ODI defeat by 342 runs, in which they were 18/5 at one stage, before being routed for 72 by England at Southampton’s Rose Bowl follows on directly from their last dead-rubber in Australia just over a fortnight ago. Having won the first two matches of the series Down Under to clinch the trophy, they slumped to a 278-run defeat in Cairns. They have now eclipsed that performance with an even more pitiful…

Springbok great Steven Kitshoff feels the Springboks were the more dominant team in the Eden Park showdown with the All Blacks and is convinced they will bounce back this week in Wellington. The Boks started the Rugby Championship match in Auckland poorly but were on top in the second half, before losing 24-17. “It was a disappointing result because the Springboks had plenty of opportunities to score points or enter into the New Zealand 22,” said Kitshoff, who was a ZARbet ambassador, at Pirates Rugby Club on Saturday in Johannesburg. “A couple of things went against them, but in my opinion, the Springboks were the more dominant team, and it makes for an exciting second Test.” Kitshoff, a veteran of 83 Tests at loosehead prop for South Africa, was a…