Inhoudsopgave van 2025-11-06 - Cape Times

Most African CEOs are planning acquisitions over the next three years, says KPMG in its 2025 Africa CEO Outlook survey, as business confidence in domestic economies and growth prospects recover amid the global race to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI). After surveying 130 top African CEOs, the KPMG survey report notes that 86% of African CEOs are planning acquisitions over the next three years, up from 77% in the same survey last year. It said this “signals a strong appetite for expansion” by the continent’s top corporates. “Confidence in domestic economies is also rising, with 63% of African CEOs expressing optimism about their country’s growth prospects up from 61% in 2024,” notes the report. Moreover, as much as 46% of Africa CEOs were aligning sustainability goals with their core business strategies,…

Market source indicates that listing could be imminent, subject to market conditions and approval Well known South African cellphone company Cell C plans to raise about R7.7 billion through a listing on the main board of the JSE, this after a long period of restructuring. Although a date was not yet disclosed, a market source indicates the listing may be “imminent.” The company, the fourth largest mobile operator in the country, announced on Wednesday that it plans to list by way of an offer of shares by The Prepaid Company (TPC), an owned subsidiary of JSE-listed telecoms group BLU Label, by way of a private placement to qualified investors, subject to market conditions and to JSE approval. The R7.7bn would include an overallotment option of R500 million and an allocation…

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) announced on Tuesday that it officially rolled out Phase 2 of the RMIS Traceability Platform today. RMIS at the launch said that this will bring South Africa’s red meat industry closer to full livestock traceability, improve disease response and support market access as South Africa deals with Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. RMIS said that the event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, along with representatives from organised agriculture and other key stakeholders. “It showcased the practical functionality of the platform across the value chain.” RMIS added that to encourage inclusivity, they also introduced the RMIS Movement App - a free, user-friendly tool developed for producers who are not yet using digital livestock management systems. “Phase 2 introduces API integration between the…

Hiring your first employee is a defining moment in your small business’s story. Although this big step could help you to accelerate growth and improve profitability, it also comes with some risks. Finding the right person will help you reach your business goals, but the wrong hire could sap your momentum, strain your resources or even cause financial losses. There is a lot to think about, especially if you don’t have a background in human resources. In addition to the financial and compliance aspects of becoming an employer, you’ll need to think about how your first hire will help you advance your business plan. Let’s run through some of the basics: Define what you’re looking for from your first hire As a small business owner, you’re probably running on a…

Gold Fields’ South Deep mine in Gauteng sold 20% more gold in the three months to September 30 over the previous quarter, and 22% more than a year before, boosting the global miners’ solid quarterly performance. The 86 300 ounces of gold sold at South Deep was well up on the 70 800 ounces sold in the corresponding September quarter of last year, an operational update showed. All-in costs (AIC) in rand terms were 3% lower quarter-on-quarter, mainly due to more gold sold, illustrating the asset’s leverage to increasing volumes. “The team continues to make good progress in improving stope turnaround, which is key to driving efficiency and realising incremental gains,” Gold Fields CEO Mike Fraser said in a statement. Group attributable production increased 6% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and by 22%…

A STALEMATE between Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and his immediate supervisor, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya resulted in at least two batches of senior management posts remaining unfilled within Crime Intelligence. Khumalo also told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that almost half of the provinces in South Africa were without heads of Crime Intelligence, leaving them without a responsible leader to outline a strategy to dismantle organised crime and criminal syndicates. The division of Crime Intelligence had last year advertised two batches of senior management posts, which included provincial heads of crime intelligence and other section heads at the head office level, Khumalo told the commission. On both occasions, the processes had been followed including the resource management division of…

ACTING Police Minister Firoz Cachalia believes his remarks expressing concern about KwaZulu-Natal Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in combat gear do not warrant an apology. MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe asked Cachalia to apologise to Mkhwanazi after the acting minister conceded that he did not know if the wearing of the Task Force Unit uniform was legal or not. Mkhwazi donned the uniform when he made serious allegations of corruption within the SAPS and attempts by criminal syndicates to infiltrate the organisation allegedly with the help of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has since been placed on enforced leave. Cachalia had earlier said that he was concerned about the image of someone dressed like a soldier, appearing in public making statements. When Shongwe pressed the acting minister to apologise, Cachalia said that he…

EX- ANC Western Cape secretary Neville Delport has warned that more disgruntled members will follow in his footsteps and join the DA after recently being replaced by a reconfigured leadership. Delport said despite winning an elective conference, former Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members were discarded and replaced by “leaders who lost a conference”. “In the ANC after the reconfiguration that was announced two weeks ago, you would see a conference that we won... We were actually thrown out, replaced by leaders who lost a conference, and those leaders are particularly in the Metro. “Now those leaders (of the reconfigured PEC) do not represent the will of our coloured communities, and that is where we are stuck. “Then we made a decision as a collective, and as I’ve said, many (others)…

MILLIONS of people in South Sudan are projected to face crisis or worse levels of hunger during the 2026 lean season (April to July), the United Nations has warned. The UN says the country’s already dire food and nutrition crisis could worsen without urgent humanitarian intervention. The high levels of hunger are driven by various factors, including escalating conflict, widespread displacement, humanitarian access constraints, economic crisis, climatic shocks, and the erosion of coping capacities within communities. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, projects that over half of the population, which is approximately 7.56 million people may face crisis or worse levels of hunger during the 2026 lean season (April to July). Additionally, more than two million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition during this…

A persistent litigant has been ordered by the Western Cape High Court to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at George Hospital after he brought another application for the judge who declared him vexatious to recuse himself. Thabang Motjamela was ordered to undergo the evaluation within 10 days of the court order, which was issued by High Court Judge Daniel Thulare on November 3. Judge Thulare stated that the order was made because it appeared to the court that the applicant, due to mental illness or intellectual disability, is not capable of understanding the proceedings to make a proper case. The court directed that the matter be enquired into and be reported on by the head of George Hospital or by another psychiatrist delegated by the head concerned. Motjamela, after being declared…

South Africa should adopt a long-term beneficiation strategy for platinum group metals (PGMs) through establishment of a commodity exchange, experts said on Wednesday, while also calling for miners of the precious metal to deepen research on wider use cases as the uptake of green hydrogen is emerging off a very low base. Despite their widespread use in internal combustion vehicles, PGMs are also considered essential for green energy transition as they can still be used in hybrid vehicles and in hydrogen vehicles. Nimrod Zalk, the chief research officer for climate and development at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, said on Wednesday that PGMs have become the largest mining sector in the South African economy as a big employer and revenue generator for the government. However, to sustain future…

The finalisation of a strategic private-sector partner for the South African Post Office is imminent, pending the court’s review of the Business Rescue Practitioners’ (BRPs) report and the completion of processes to appoint the entity’s board. Minister for Communication, Digital Technologies and Innovation, Solly Mahlatsi, said at an economic cluster portfolio briefing in Parliament on Wednesday that the department was formalising all the bids for strategic partnership through an assessment process and was particularly keen on partners with e-commerce, digitalisation and warehousing capacity. Mahlatsi said, “The BRP has indicated there have been unsolicited approaches from the market. What we wanted to do was call out so we can assess who has the capacity and appetite to partner with the Post Office from a digitalisation perspective, a warehousing perspective, and even…

Vivo Energy Botswana and Pick n Pay have partnered to launch a new era of convenience retail with the country’s first Pick n Pay Go store, offering customers quality products and services from two leading names in fuel and retail. The new Pick n Pay Go format is designed for customers on the move and operated 24 hours a day. The stores will offer a broad selection of freshly baked goods, coffee, snacks, drinks, and daily essentials alongside fuel and lubricant services. The first location opened at the Shell Village service station, with additional sites planned for rollout in the coming months. The partnership formed part of Vivo Energy Botswana’s broader strategy to enhance customer experience by expanding the one-stop-shop model across its Shell service stations. Over the past…

CERTAIN devices were seized from controversial North West-based political fixer Brown Mogotsi when police successfully executed the search and seizure warrant issued for October 16. The team is investigating fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. “The team met at Brown Mogotsi’s Lawyers offices in Johannesburg. The team investigating the attempted murder case has also met with Brown Mogotsi at the same offices. No further comment will be provided,” said national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. The meeting follows after an alleged attempt on his life that left his vehicle peppered with bullets. The alleged attempted hit occurred on Monday night in Vosloorus, where Mogotsi’s Chevrolet sedan was pierced by approximately 11 bullets, according to Mathe. The alleged assassination attempt comes as Mogotsi, linked to police minister Senzo Mchunu…

THE Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) that Senzo Mchunu controversially disbanded has received the backing of acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia who could not understand the reasons it was discontinued. Testifying at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Cachalia said National Commissioner Fannie Masemola had submitted a report in mid-August at his request when he was enquiring whether the PKTT was disbanded. “In that report, he made a recommendation essentially recommending that, in his view, the task team that has been established should continue to exist and that similar capacity needed to be developed, and he was in the process of doing so in Gauteng,” he said. Cachalia expressed conceren about the assassination of whistle-blowers and councillors after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi reported…

A Northern Cape court has opened the door for South African rhino breeders to export horn legally, a ruling that could reshape how conservation is funded. The Kimberley High Court’s decision came after Wicus Diedericks who operates a private rhino conservancy, argued that selling horn from living rhinos was essential to sustain his R20 million-a-year preservation efforts. The government, however, refused to issue him the relevant permits. Diedericks describes his conservancy as breeding rhinos to help ensure the survival of the species and play a part in the prevention of its extinction. His property spans 33,000 hectares, but its location is not mentioned due to the dangers of rhino poaching. Diedericks told the court that he has operated this rhino conservancy at great personal cost for more than 10 years.…

Police deployments have been intensified in Philippi East after another mass shooting on Tuesday evening, where three people were shot and killed. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut confirmed that three men were shot and killed in a “cold-blooded manner”. “The South African Police Service in the Western Cape strongly condemns the brutal killing of three men in Philippi East last night and has launched an intensive investigation into the incident. “At approximately 7.10pm on Tuesday, November 4, police were called to a crime scene in Sheffield Road, Marikana informal settlement, where the bodies of three men aged 27, 30, and 38 were discovered with gunshot wounds. Preliminary reports suggest that the victims were executed in a cold-blooded manner,” said Traut. Traut added that detectives attached to the Serious and Violent Crime…

The sudden closure of the Irma Stern Museum has sparked outrage among art lovers, heritage advocates, and members of the public, many of whom are questioning what has become of millions of rand meant for the museum’s upkeep and the preservation of one of South Africa’s most important art collections. After more than 56 years as a cultural landmark, the museum, housed in The Firs, the home and studio of celebrated artist Irma Stern, who lived there from 1927 until her death in 1966, has officially closed its doors. In a joint statement, the UCT and the Irma Stern™ Trust confirmed that they have ended their long-standing partnership to manage and operate the museum. They said the property would now be “repurposed” and that the Irma Stern Trust Collection -…

Former France lock Paul Willemse says his successor at international level Emmanuel Meafou can become "the bully" the team needs as Les Bleus prepare to host the Springboks in the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday. The 27-year-old Meafou, who weighs an imposing 145kg, is set to make his 10th Test appearance in this weekend's highly anticipated re-run of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Paris. The highly physical Springboks return to the Stade de France for the first time since going on to lift the Webb Ellis trophy on a fourth occasion two years ago. Pretoria-born Willemse made the bruising, ball-carrying role his own for France during a five-year Test career before having to retire aged just 32 in September due to concussion. Meafou has inherited his number five…

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Tuesday hit back at allegations made by the United Democratic Movement (UDM), about the state of governance and the investments the PIC manages on behalf of its clients. David Masondo, the PIC board chairperson, said in a statement on Tuesday that the PIC is preparing detailed submissions to the Presidency, Parliamentary Committees and other government agencies, to substantially repudiate the "false and malicious allegations". "Since 29 October 2025, the UDM and its leader,Bantu Holomisa, have deliberately sought to mislead the public and important organs of state like the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), the Auditor-General and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This was done by clearly misrepresenting confidential, internal information about PIC transactions and governance processes, for…

South African steel value chain stakeholders have criticised the International Trade Administration Commission’s (Itac) amendments to the Preferential Price System (PPS), in effect as of the beginning of this month, as having ignored evidence-based recommendations, amongst a series of uncorrected errors. In response to the gazetted amendments, steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) said the revised regulations again prioritise a small group of scrap-based mini-mills, to the detriment of the broader steel manufacturing ecosystem, including primary producers, downstream fabricators, recyclers, waste pickers, and industrial consumers. It said the concerning amendments are in addition to the delayed release of an independent scrap-industry study commissioned by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (Dtic), despite being completed months ago. This comes as Itac CEO Ayabonga Cawe announced reducing the discount for domestic ferrous…

We know exactly what you’re thinking - not another Startup20 piece. Surely by now, we’ve said all there is to say, written every reflection, and debated every policy point? But here’s the thing: in true African fashion, when something truly matters, we don’t just say it once. So yes, think of this as part of our grand tradition of mulling things over until the ancestors themselves nod in agreement, because this one really does matter. For those of us who’ve been in the trenches of the Startup20 process, the recommendations handover ceremony to the G20 felt like the final scene of an epic film, one filled with late-night writing sessions, spirited debates, and endless cups of coffee. It reminded us that policymaking, when done inclusively, can be an act…

The JSE continued its strong run into October with the FTSE/JSE Capped SWIX Index up 1.8% month on month (m/m), leaving the local bourse up 33.4% year to date (ytd). The shape of the JSE return in October was decidedly different to the themes, which dominated for the first three quarters of 2025. Precious metal miners were responsible for two-thirds of the JSE’s ytd performance through September, with gold and platinum miners rallying by 184% and 173%, respectively, over those nine months. Meanwhile, stocks geared to the domestic economy were up 4% in aggregate over the same period. During October, though, the precious metal miners were a drag on the JSE’s performance with gold miners down 5% m/m and platinum miners down 10% m/m, while the domestically geared companies…

Amazon South Africa expanded its delivery service to offer customers more flexibility and control over their orders. The company announced the launch of Multiple-Delivery Windows, a new feature that allowed shoppers in major cities to choose their preferred delivery time slots, offering a more predictable and convenient online shopping experience. The new service was made available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, enabling customers to schedule deliveries up to a day in advance and choose from three time windows, morning (8AM to 1PM), afternoon (1PM to 6PM), and evening (5PM to 8PM). By introducing the feature, Amazon addressed one of South African online shoppers’ most common frustrations: uncertainty about when packages would arrive. “We know South African customers lead busy lives and value convenience and predictability,” said Robert Koen, Managing…

TWO more properties in Velddrif and Bredasdorp from which cattle had been moved on October 30 have been placed under quarantine and will be inspected following concerns about foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This after a farmer in the Free State reported suspected foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) lesions in cattle recently transported from the Gouda area in the Western Cape. In response, Western Cape Veterinary Services placed the property in Gouda under quarantine. During inspection, veterinarians observed suspected lesions in the animals’ mouths. Samples have been collected and sent for laboratory testing to confirm or rule out FMD. “The origin of the potentially infected cattle is still being verified. The transport company responsible for moving the animals is under investigation, and all properties linked to this company over the past 30 days…

New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani says his Cape Town upbringing played a defining role in shaping his political outlook. Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to Cape Town around 1996, when his father, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, accepted a post at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The family lived in Cape Town's southern suburbs, where his father held the AC Jordan Chair in African Studies and directed the Centre for African Studies. While living in Cape Town, Mamdani attended St George's Grammar School in Mowbray, one of the city's oldest private schools. He was immersed in a diverse social environment as South Africa entered its post-apartheid era, an experience that would later inform his political understanding of inequality and social justice. In interviews, Mamdani has reflected on how…

A mother, who clandestinely took her six-year-old child in the middle of the night from where she and her now estranged husband lived in Denmark, has now been forced, through a court order, to return the child to her husband in Denmark. The Central Authority of South Africa and the father of the child turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to enforce the terms of the Hague Convention relating to international child abduction, to which South Africa is a signatory. The father told the court that the child should be returned to his country of habitual residence in Fredericia, Denmark, from where he was unlawfully removed in August and wrongfully retained by his mother. The mother, on the other hand, claimed the father gave consent for her to bring…

THE four police officers accused of stealing R18 300 from a shop during a search in Delft have been released on R2 000 bail each. Warrant Officer Elroy Daniels, 53, Sergeant Simphiwe Ntsali, 45, Constable Avlon de Bruyn, 32, and Constable Thando Monono, 36, made their second appearance at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court yesterday for their formal bail application. They face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The four are attached to the Bellville Rapid Railway office. The cops were arrested on November 2 after R18 300 was allegedly stolen on October 2 during an apparent search at a Somali-owned shop at 7.40pm. The court heard that the officers were apparently in Delft because they received information that illegal firearms and drugs were being stored at the mentioned address in…

Cape Town is preparing to light up the city with its most anticipated annual celebration — the Festive Lights Switch-On — taking place on Sunday, November 30, at the Grand Parade and along Adderley Street. This year’s theme, “United in Hope,” captures the spirit of renewal and togetherness that defines the city’s festive season. The free, family-friendly event marks the official opening of Cape Town’s holiday season and attracts thousands of residents and visitors each year. The night promises a vibrant mix of music, dance, and unity, reflecting the city’s diverse and creative energy. Headlining this year’s concert is DJ Zinhle, one of South Africa’s top performers and entrepreneurs. Known for her infectious beats and trailblazing influence in the entertainment industry, Zinhle will lead a star-studded line-up that includes GoodLuck,…

With head coach Rassie Erasmus set to name his Springbok line-up today, all eyes are on the selection dilemmas that will have tested the Bok brains trust ahead of Saturday’s crunch November Test against France at the Stade de France in Paris (kick-off 10.10pm). Injuries, form, and tactical balance have made this one of Erasmus’s trickiest team sheets since returning to the hot seat. The loss of Ox Nché has forced a rethink in the front row, while flyhalf, lock, and midfield combinations all carry intriguing questions of experience versus evolution. Whichever way Erasmus leans, the selection will reveal plenty about how the Springboks plan to approach this Test — whether to grind it out the traditional way, or unleash a fresher, faster brand of rugby that signals a new…

Jacques Henry Kallis has always laid the biggest claim to GOAT - Greatest of All Time - status in South African cricket. Kallis’ exploits stretch the discussion even further to him arguably being the world’s greatest cricketer ever due to the incredible numbers that he achieved over the course of his illustrious career. It is hard to argue with 13 289 Test runs, average of 55.37, and 292 Test wickets. It's almost the equivalent of India’s legends Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan’s numbers morphed into one. Add a further 11 579 and 279 ODI runs and wickets with the T20I small change of 666 runs and 12 wickets, and you have yourself one helluva cricketer. However, the question remains, and in some circles, it would be considered blasphemy considering we…