Inhoudsopgave van 2025-10-16 - Cape Times

Total remuneration for executive directors increased over the past year, with chief exectives (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) seeing median increases of 8% and 19%, respectively, according to PwC’s 2025 Directors Remuneration and Trends report that looked at the executive pay across JSE Top 200. Despite macroeconomic pressure and heightened scrutiny of executive pay, shareholders continue to back remuneration practices. PwC’s 2025 Directors Remuneration and Trends report reveals that executive director pay has rebounded over the past year, with increases outpacing inflation and drawing renewed attention to fairness, transparency, and alignment with performance. Makhosazana Mabaso, PwC’s reward partner, said, “These results contrast sharply with trends observed in 2024, where variable pay outcomes had decreased. The return to stronger performance-linked remuneration suggests a shift in market conditions, as well as…

A troubling picture of deteriorating fiscal conditions emerges around the world The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stark warning that global public debt is on track to exceed 100% of GDP by 2029, reaching its highest level since the aftermath of World War II. The Fund’s latest Fiscal Monitor report, released yesterday in Washington, D.C., paints a troubling picture of deteriorating fiscal conditions, rising borrowing costs, and deepening debt vulnerabilities across both advanced and developing economies. Vitor Gaspar, director of the IMF fiscal affairs department, said public debt continues to rise as governments face mounting fiscal strain from higher defense spending, aging populations, and elevated interest rates. “Global public debt prospects and risks have worsened since our last meeting in April. In such a scenario, debt would be…

As global financial leaders gather in Washington, D.C. this week for the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings, a new analysis from the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is drawing attention to the human cost — and potential human benefit — of reforming the world’s debt system. The report, unveiled on Wednesday, reveals that capping African governments’ debt servicing costs could unlock more than $320 billion in revenue, transforming lives across the continent and offering struggling governments a path out of what ACET calls a “cycle of debt and dependence.” Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, ACET president and CEO, said those resources could achieve a lot if redirected toward strengthening clinics, training teachers or ensuring families have access to clean water. “African governments are currently spending nearly 17% of…

For South African SMEs, the final quarter of the year is more than just a busy season, it is a proving ground. It is when strategy meets execution, and when the right decisions can unlock real growth. Black Friday, in particular, has become a defining moment in the retail calendar. And if last year’s numbers are anything to go by, the stakes are only getting higher. In recent years, we’ve seen a consistent year-on-year increase in transaction activity during the Black Friday period. What was once a single day of frenzied shopping has evolved into an extended week of spending, with consumers planning and purchasing over several days rather than just 24 hours. This steady upward trend is more than a seasonal spike; it’s a clear signal that South Africans…

The PayInc Economic Index, which tracks electronic transactions processed by PayInc, improved for the fifth consecutive month in September 2025 reflecting the resilience of the South African economy and agility of its businesses, While several positive factors are helping to sustain demand, the low growth rate indicates the economy is operating mostly in survival mode. “The PayInc Economic Index continued its upward trend since April, reaching a revised level of 102.3 in September 2025. This is 0.2% up on August’s level and 3% higher than a year ago,” said Shergeran Naidoo, the head of stakeholder engagements at PayInc.The resilience in economic activity, evident in the PayInc data, serves as a reminder of the complexity of the South African economy. Elize Kruger, an independent economist, said, “No single factor is the…

UNANNOUNCED physical verification audits of any government department could be part of a crackdown on the scourge of ghost employees across national and provincial departments and components, according to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). Public servants whose credentials are found to be suspect are set to face criminal charges as the government embarks on a comprehensive physical verification of personnel to identify and eliminate potential ghost employees and safeguard the integrity of its human resources and payroll management systems. The presence on the payroll system of individuals not actively employed by departments constitutes a serious risk to public resources and places undue pressure on the national fiscus and the broader economy, said DPSA. "Departments are required to conduct a physical verification exercise of all personnel currently…

THE controversial directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) will come under scrutiny when suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu appears before the parliamentary inquiry into allegations of corruption within the criminal justice system. It will be the first time that he is officially responding to KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s damning allegations linking him to criminal syndicates that have infiltrated the police and the criminal justice system. Mchunu issued the directive to National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on 31 December 2024 to immediately disband the PKTT, which he deemed was no longer required. He now has a mammoth task to dispel some of the testimony that has been made at the inquiry, largely showing that he had no authority to disband the PKTT as…

POLICE have turned to the public to help them with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects behind a triple murder in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said at about 11:45 pm on Tuesday, police were alerted to a crime scene at Holomisa Square, where a silver Hyundai i20 was found with the bodies of three unidentified men inside. “All three victims had sustained gunshot wounds." The motive for the murder is yet to be established; however, extortion-related activity has not been ruled out as a possible factor,” said Traut. Traut further said that detectives attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit are pursuing all leads in an effort to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Provincial Police Commissioner,…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus must make a bold decision over the next couple of weeks about where his captain, Siya Kolisi, will celebrate his 100th Test for the national team. The double World Cup-winning captain currently has 98 Tests for his country, and with five matches scheduled for November in Europe, Kolisi is likely to reach that milestone within the next month. As a leader who has come to embody the best of South African rugby, the milestone must mean more than just aceremony, though, it should reflect his journey and his legacy. That is why Kolisi’s century must be at the Stade de France in Paris, in the second Test against France, tipped to be the showpiece fixture of the tour. The Boks open their northern campaign against…

Charles Leclerc heads into the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend carrying both hope and frustration. As the defending winner at Austin, he knows exactly what it takes to dominate here. In fact, Austin 2024 was the last time Ferrari had a perfect weekend, former teammate Carlos Sainz driving home the P2 last year. Yet, this 2025 season has been anything but consistent, leaving fans and Ferrari alike wondering if he can turn speed into results once again. With the championship now out of reach, the focus is clear: a podium, or better, a strong finish to end the year on a high. The Monegasque started the season with flashes of brilliance, from qualifying dominance to early podiums, but those highs were offset by reliability issues, strategy missteps, and…

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has invited private sector players to submit proposals for the development and operation of a specialised Break Bulk Terminal focused on cold storage for fish and related products at the Port of Cape Town. This is a move set to bolster the Western Cape’s vital fishing industry and enhance South Africa’s export logistics. The project, announced on Wednesday, forms part of TNPA’s efforts to modernise port infrastructure and expand capacity for temperature-sensitive cargo. TNPA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a terminal operator to finance, refurbish, construct, operate, maintain and eventually transfer the new facility under a 10-year concession. The proposed development site – a 7 273 m² brownfield area located adjacent to the ship repair and liquid bulk precincts – is…

As the world’s economic centre of gravity continues to shift, Africa is no longer content with the call for inclusion. It is taking the reins, crafting, co-creating, contributing, and actively shaping the future of global financial governance. From the recent G2O gathering in Durban, a clear message emerged as policymakers, economists, and financial leaders convened for an official side event under South Africa’s G20 Presidency for a high-level forum exploring Africa’s role in reshaping global finance. The world’s financial architecture is in transition – buffeted by geopolitical shocks, widening fiscal pressures, and a growing crisis of multilateral trust. As the system fragments, the Global South faces a pivotal question: will it remain a policy-taker, or help shape the rules that will define the future? Africa is choosing the latter Under…

South Africa’s Agricultural Conditions Assessment Committee (ACAC) says the country’s farming outlook is showing strong signs of recovery across most crop and fruit sectors, but the livestock industry remains under severe strain due to the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. In its third quarterly meeting for 2025 held earlier this week under the Department of Agriculture, the committee reported that while overall agricultural conditions are uneven, the balance remains tilted toward a positive growth trajectory. “In field crops, the output is up from the 2023-24 season, boosted by the favourable rainfall and vast planting area," it said. "For example, South Africa's 2024-25 summer grains and oilseed harvest is estimated at 19.94 million tons, a 28% year-on-year increase. This encompasses maize, soybeans, sunflower seed, sorghum, dry beans, and groundnuts.” According to…

It’s funny how life has a way of drawing curious parallels, almost as if the universe enjoys a bit of irony. Recently, we each travelled to Venda, unknowingly within weeks of each other. When we returned, we realised our experiences were strikingly similar stories of a region quietly redefining what local enterprise looks like. Those shared observations culminated in this co-authored article. Across South Africa’s northern reaches, something remarkable is quietly unfolding an entrepreneurial shift that challenges long-held assumptions about who can participate in traditionally centralised industries. Travelling more than 150 kilometres through the area reveals a fuel landscape unlike any other: not one dominated by the familiar big-brand petrol stations, but a diverse network of independent and locally-owned operators. Names unfamiliar to most South Africans line the roads from…

DHL Group on Wednesday announced a more than €300 million (R6 billion) planned investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, reaffirming its long- term commitment to a region of growing strategic importance in global trade. It said in a statement on Wednesday that the multi-year initiative will be deployed across DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain to expand infrastructure, enhance service capabilities, and unlock opportunities for businesses across key sectors including e-commerce, perishables, energy, and life sciences & healthcare. John Pearson, the CEO of DHL Express, said “Africa is at a pivotal moment in its trade journey.” He said despite global volatility, the continent continues to show resilience and momentum. DHL's investment reflects confidence in Africa’s trajectory and DHL’s commitment to enabling the trade flows that drive inclusive growth. "By…

STANDARD Bank bypassed the rules of the National Credit Act (NCA) when it used settlement agreements with a family trust to enforce its debts by obtaining an order that the trust’s 14 immovable properties be declared executable. The Supreme Court of Appeal also found that settlement agreements supplementing a NCA-governed credit agreement are unlawful and void. It said enforcement requires Section 129 compliance. This section of the NCA requires a credit provider to send a written notice to a consumer in default of a credit agreement before legal proceedings can begin. In this case, the bank used the settlement agreements to obtain orders from the Bloemfontein High Court to sell the properties in order to recover its debt, without the consumer being afforded the opportunity to oppose the application. The…

THE DA now says President Cyril Ramaphosa's admission of having ‘encountered’ Hangwani Maumela, a key figure implicated in the Tembisa Hospital R2 billion 'looting' scandal is “not (in) the party's lane”. The latest stance appears to be backtracking from its earlier demands for Ramaphosa to come clean about his alleged relationship with Maumela. At the time, Ramaphosa denied knowing Maumela in 2022 in response to a question from DA leader John Steenhuisen. Steenhuisen had asked Ramaphosa about broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) schemes and the impact it has had. “State Capture Commission showed that BBBEE has been central to corruption in South Africa. Whether it is the R14 billion PPE corruption in Covid-19 or the billions stolen at Eskom. A recent example, one of your own nephew’s (Maumela) companies…

South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) CEO, Neil Gopal, has defended their decision to honour the City of Cape Town (CoCT) as the “Best Metropolitan Municipality” at their gala dinner of the SAPOA Convention 2025, despite taking legal action against the City over its budget. At the convention, the overall winners of the Municipal Performance Awards were announced, representing the best of all the provincial winners. SAPOA said that these municipalities have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation and service delivery. SAPOA’s membership currently comprises more than 90% of the country’s commercial and retail property industry, including some of the largest property-owning companies in South Africa. The CoCT won the Best Metropolitan Municipality at the dinner, and their win comes amid the association's challenge over its tariffs and budget. SAPOA is taking…

Local artists have the opportunity to create art in the clouds on top of Table Mountain as part of a six-week creative initiative led by Oranjezicht painter Hermien van der Merwe. The project invites artists to work from a temporary studio inside a space just above the cableway station, to celebrate Cape Town, Table Mountain, and its unique fynbos through live artmaking and collaboration. Van der Merwe, along with two guest artists, will paint daily from the studio. Van der Merwe said the heart of the initiative was to celebrate Table Mountain, Cape Town, and fynbos through art. "By gathering artists on the mountain, we aim to create a vibrant, living studio where visitors can connect with creativity in a fresh and memorable way," she said. "They'll experience a unique…

Thomas Tuchel has completed his first task as England manager with ease as the Three Lions became the first European side to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. After a perfect qualifying record of six wins and 18 goals without conceding from six games, the hard work for the German now begins in burdening great expectations in tough conditions next year in the US, Mexico and Canada. AFP Sports looks at the challenges ahead for Tuchel and his team if they are to end a 60-year wait to win a major men's tournament. Tuchel's bold decision to leave out Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from his squad this month underlined his desire to find the best collective unit rather than a collection of the best players at his…

Hugo Broos will walk away from Bafana Bafana after the 2026 Fifa World Cup, ending a tenure that has restored belief, pride, and purpose in South African football. The 73-year-old Belgian mentor confirmed his decision after guiding Bafana to a 3-0 win over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night – a result that, combined with Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Benin in Uyo, sealed South Africa’s passage to next year’s global showpiece. Broos’ men topped Group C after a gruelling qualification campaign, finishing a point ahead of Nigeria and Benin. The Super Eagles’ emphatic victory may have earned them an unlikely play-off lifeline, but it was Bafana who emerged as the group’s dominant force – resilient, organised, and consistent from start to finish. And for Broos, qualification marks both a…

South Africa’s fruit industry is celebrating a major breakthrough after the Department of Agriculture signed a historic stone fruit trade protocol with China, opening the Asian market for five key fruit types – apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes – for the first time. The landmark deal not only enhances trade ties between South Africa and China, but also signals a new phase in agricultural diplomacy – one that promises to boost farmer incomes, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s role as a leading global fruit exporter. Announcing the deal yesterday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the agreement could unlock approximately R400 million for the sector over the next five years, with export earnings expected to double within a decade. Steenhuisen said that the protocol marks “a major breakthrough for…

What happens when powerful foreign banks can influence the value of our rand, raise the cost of living for millions, and then claim that our laws do not apply to them? That, in essence, is the question now before the Constitutional Court, and its answer will define how South Africa defends its sovereignty in a globalised financial system. In August, the Court heard the Competition Commission’s appeal against the Competition Appeal Court’s decision to dismiss charges of rand manipulation against 13 international banks. The judgment, now reserved, will decide whether foreign financial institutions can be held accountable when their conduct directly affects South Africa’s markets. If South Africa cannot hold global banks accountable for manipulating its currency, then our economic sovereignty exists only on paper. This saga dates back to…

Every year on October 16, Boss’s Day gives employees an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the people who lead them for their support. But in South Africa, there’s a category of bosses who deserve more than just a thank-you card from their teams – the small and medium enterprise (SME) owners. These are the leaders who collectively contribute a third of the country’s GDP and employ over 60% of the workforce. While large corporate CEOs may make more headlines, there is a lot we can also learn from the small business bosses. Here’s why: 1 They often prioritise purpose over profit For most SME owners, the motivation to start a business goes beyond financial gain. Many are driven by a desire to solve a problem, support their community, or build…

The value of the township economy is estimated at R1 trillion a year, but a new survey finds that nearly 80% of township businesses are unregistered, which excludes them from access to finance, formal markets and digital tools, that could enable them to grow. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), unregistered businesses are those that operate outside formal regulatory frameworks, including VAT registration, labour regulations, and tax compliance. Stats SA finds that the informal township economy accounted for nearly 19.5% of total employment in the last quarter of 2024. For scale, South Africa’s nominal GDP in 2024 was R7.3trln. A survey by Standard Bank conducted across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Limpopo and North-West, in townships that include Meadowlands, Cosmo City, Langa, Khayelitsha, Lebowakgomo, Phoenix, among others, showed that these…

LIMPOPO University Vice Chancellor Professor Nehemia Mahlo Mokgalong and Registrar Kwena Masha have been ordered to take direct responsibility for ensuring that a doctoral student was reinstated and appoint external assessors for his thesis. The Polokwane High Court voiced its dissatisfaction that a June 2024 order was simply ignored, leaving doctoral student Dickiel Kusainda out in the cold. Acting Judge S du Plessis awarded a punitive costs order against the university and ordered that it had to immediately re-enrol Kusainda so that he could complete his doctorate. If they did not comply within a few days, the court warned that the senior officials could face a hefty fine or, alternatively, face a three-month stint in jail for contempt of court. After the court ruled last year that the…

As police launched their Festive Season Safety Plan, top management acknowledged that the Western Cape remains one of the country’s most violent provinces. The officers yesterday demonstrated their operational readiness and also showed off their new gadgets, a drone and a helicopter, and 88 vehicles for hotspot areas. Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said the Western Cape is one of four provinces being monitored daily by national management due to its persistently high levels of violent crime. “Daily, we get reports of violent crime in the Western Cape. But it is not the only province facing this challenge; there are four provinces we are monitoring daily because of the nature of the violence,” she said. She added that shortly after taking office, the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz…

The 29th Poetry Africa festival, presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), closed at Seabrooke’s Theatre with the crowning of Zewande BK Bhengu as South African Slam Poetry Champion 2025. Hosted by MC Quaz Roodt, the Slam Jam Finale brought five finalists: Belita Andre, Karabo Bopape, Tiisetso Maeane, Tshepo Molefe and Bhengu, before judges Olive Olusegun (SA), Nick Makoha (Uganda/UK) and Luleka Mhlanzi (SA). After eliminations, Bhengu took the title, with Tiisetso Maeane second and Belita Andre third. Bhengu said that he had last performed in 2018 and his return to poetry and the stage were an indication that “writer’s block is only a moment and not forever.” His poems are evocative and express deep-felt sentiments on identity, the price of poverty and the…

“BUNCH OF LOSERS!” These were the headlines that greeted Bafana Bafana, with the comments coming from none other than the then Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, after the team’s 3-1 defeat to Nigeria in the 2014 African Nations Championship. Mbalula also claimed Bafana were “useless”, made reference to their “mediocrity”, and stated that "we indeed have a crisis of monumental proportions”. Contrast this to the jubilant celebration scenes, led by current Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie screaming into the cameras “Siyaya e-America” on Tuesday evening at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium after Bafana qualified for next year’s Fifa World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. For Bafana to have come this far is staggering. It’s pinch me, wake up, everybody’s dreaming territory. Qualification for a first Fifa World Cup since 2002 was achieved…

PAKISTAN v SOUTH AFRICA First Test, Day 4, Pakistan: 378 & 167 (Babar 42, Muthusamy 5/57, Harmer 4/51) South Africa: 269 & 183 (Brevis 54, Rickleton 45, Shaheen 4/33, Noman Ali 4/79) Pakistan won by 93 runs, lead series 1-0 It is a long way back for the world Test champion Proteas from here. The size of their defeat to Pakistan in the first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, by 93 runs, does not tell the full story. For all their gumption of staying in the fight for as long as they did, there were only three individual batters – opener Ryan Rickelton twice – that passed 20 runs in both innings. The rest showed neither technique nor pluck and determination to see it through against the high-quality spin offered…