Table of contents for 2025-01-16 in Cape Times

MTN started the week off on a very solid footing, with its shares surging almost 11% on Tuesday on the back of good news that it can now increase its tariffs in Nigeria after a long-standing battle with the regulator there about pricing. Its share price righted itself somewhat yesterday, losing -1.07% to R96.25 by 3.17pm. MTN and other operators in Nigeria need to increase prices to combat rising inflation and the devaluation of the local currency against the dollar. The company, Africa’s largest mobile network operator, has 77 million subscribers in Nigeria. However, in the unit’s third quarter results statement, it noted that inflation has remained elevated because of rising energy prices and the depreciation of Nigeria’s currency, the naira. Inflation averaged 32.8% in the nine months to…

Motorists will have to dig deeper into their pockets as a significant increase in the fuel price is expected in February. Economists have attributed the increase to a weaker Rand and the price of Brent crude oil hitting $80 (R1 503) a barrel recently. Economist Dawie Roodt said on Wednesday that a significant increase in the fuel price can be expected at the beginning of February. “There are two main reasons for that; the first reason is that the price of international Brent Crude oil has been rising quite sharply in recent weeks. The second is that the Dollar has appreciated in recent weeks, and the result is that the Rand has weakened in response to this,” he said. Roodt added that his suspicion is that an increase of close…

DeepSeek, China's latest entry into the open-source large language model race, has achieved something remarkable: matching Meta's Llama with just one-tenth of the resources, cost and parameters. Questions linger about their methods—including possible training on other LLMs without ethical appropriation. Yet their architectural breakthroughs, from multi-token prediction to mixture of agents architecture, hint at an intriguing future where efficient, decentralised AI development might challenge the dominance of resource-heavy Western models. It's a development that both excites and unnerves me, particularly when considering its implications for global media and information flows. As someone who straddles the worlds of journalism, media entrepreneurship and community stewardship in Africa's tech ecosystem, I find myself caught in a peculiar tension. The tools reshaping how we create and distribute information are evolving faster than our ability…

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face challenges in managing payroll and recruitment due to limited resources. With budget constraints, these businesses may find it difficult to invest in advanced payroll software or establish a dedicated HR team. However, the complexities of payroll processing, coupled with the need to recruit the right talent and labour resources, can create significant strain on SMEs striving for growth and operational efficiency. Complex challenges require simple solutions Overcoming the complexities of payroll and recruitment can be a daunting task for SMEs. Limited resources and tight budgets often hinder the ability to invest in advanced payroll software or establish a dedicated HR team. However, a streamlined solution exists: partnering with a Temporary Employment Services (TES) provider. A TES provider offers a comprehensive, bundled service that…

Authorities in Plettenberg Bay are offering a R10 000 reward for information leading to the capture of a panga-wielding attacker who assaulted an elderly couple during a morning stroll. The 70-year-old woman and her 73-year-old husband were walking on Challenge Drive on Tuesday when a man attempted to steal the woman’s handbag. CCTV footage captured the horrifying incident, showing the attacker wearing an orange hoodie, running toward the couple with a panga in hand. The video shows the suspect grabbing the handbag and attacking the woman with the weapon as she clings to her bag. Her husband intervenes, leading to a violent struggle during which the woman is dragged to the ground. The attacker flees with the woman’s hat. A passing motorist stopped to assist the injured victims, who were…

Adapted for the stage by Alex Burger and directed by the award-winning MoMo Matsunyane, The Cry of Winnie Mandela stars award-winning TV actress, theatre practitioner and presenter, Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo, who takes on the role of Winnie. She is joined by Rami Chuene, Ayanda Sibisi, Siyasanga Papu, Les Made and Pulane Rampoana in this searing adaption of Njabulo Ndebele’s seminal novel. The play ran at The Market Theatre for three weeks and had to be extended by another two weeks, due to its overwhelming success. “The Cry Of Winnie Mandela is a courageous story of every woman who has endured loss, suffered loneliness and experienced the chilling anxiety of waiting,” said Matsunyane. “Winnie Mandela continues to be a powerful, multi-layered figure to explore. “Her revolutionary spirit, resilient character and generous heart…

Seventy-eight out of 464 high schools in the Western Cape achieved a 100% National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate in 2024. Among the schools that excelled, Constantia Waldorf School achieved a 100% pass rate and a 100% Bachelor’s pass, repeating its success from 2022. In 2023, the school also had a 100% pass rate but a 94.1% Bachelor’s pass. Other schools that achieved a 100% Bachelor’s pass rate include Michael Oak Waldorf School, Morester Akademie, Nouveau in Paarl, Robertson Logos Christian School, Shalom Akademie, and Vaalsbaai High School. Some schools fell short of this milestone. Rustenberg Girls’ High School achieved a 99.4% Bachelor’s pass, SA College had a 94% pass, Sans Souci Girls’ High School recorded 93%, Star College - Bridgetown 90%, Star College - Cape Town 95.5%, and Westerford…

Having had a number of Ford Ranger double cabs as long-term vehicles, the latest one to join our stable is the Ranger Wildtrak Supercab. Basically the Supercab takes the double cab’s cabin, shortens it allowing for more space in the load bin, puts on two doors and two smaller “suicide” doors. It’s certainly not family friendly but when there’s only two of you and it’s a Wildtrak, then the Ranger is fit for purpose. Mostly though I reckon they’re purchased by businesses, especially the lower specced XLT and XL models, who use them to cart all manner of goods about with the added bonus that they are VAT deductible. As with the Wildtrak double cab, the Supercab has Ford’s tried and tested 2.0-litre Bi-turbo diesel engine that’s good for 154kW…

Following three consecutive years of growth, culminating in an all-time record in 2023, South African new vehicle exports declined by a significant 22.8% in 2024. Total exports fell from 399,594 the previous year to 308,380 units in 2024, Naamsa reported, citing numerous economic factors. Passenger car exports, at 192,542 units, fell by 25.4% while bakkie exports, at 115,192, were down 18% year-on-year. Naamsa attributes the fall in exports to a slowdown in demand in the European Union, which is one of South Africa’s key export destinations. This region suffered from low economic growth in the past year, however stricter emission rules and competition from cheaper electric vehicle imports from China also affected the demand patterns in its automotive market. BMW’s changeover from the old to the new X3 towards the…

Young sports stars who excel at school level are often touted for greatness one day, but it doesn’t always work out that way. In South African rugby, there are countless examples of high-school super-kids who look world-class in rugby and cricket in particular, but battled to even make their senior provincial teams once they became seniors. There are many reasons for that, which includes physical development, playing opportunities, provincial contracts and the like. But then you get those extra special specimens who graduate almost seamlessly from school to the international ranks, and become world-class athletes in every respect. Some of the recent examples of such prowess are Herschelle Gibbs and Conrad Jantjes. Gibbs, who was equally good at rugby, cricket, soccer and athletics, could’ve become a professional in all four…

Bulls flyer Steadman Gans says his team will only snap a five-game losing streak if the players keep faith in each other and the same processes that served them so well earlier in the season. The Bulls host Stade Francais on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in a Champions Cup match (3pm kick-off), and while the competition is now meaningless to them, the match is of utmost importance. Rugby followers around the globe are nonplussed that a team that are in fourth place on the United Rugby Championship points table are currently winless across all competitions since beating Benetton in a URC game on October 25 last year. Jake White and his assistants have had their say, and Gans has spoken about the Bulls’ predicament from the players’ point of view.…

Novak Djokovic created a slice of Grand Slam history on his way into the Australian Open third round yesterday, but last year’s women’s finalist, Zheng Qinwen, was knocked out in the biggest shock so far. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, in-form Coco Gauff, two-time Melbourne winner Naomi Osaka and a rampant Carlos Alcaraz were all victors on a rainy day four. But Norway’s Casper Ruud lost, going down in four sets to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik to become the highest men’s seed to fall at six. World No 2 Alexander Zverev kept his title charge on track yesterday with a straight-sets victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez. The German proved too hot to handle for his fellow 27-year-old, sweeping into round three with a 6-1 6-4 6-1 win in under two hours.…

Trade between South Africa and Mozambique via the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border corridor has slowed to a third of its usual capacity due to lower truck activity, driven by fears surrounding heightened political tensions. These tensions culminated in the presidential inauguration of Frelimo's Daniel Chapo on Wednesday. Analysts anticipate that trade will recover over the weekend as businesses from both nations collaborate to sustain the supply chain. Data from bilateral business organisations, shown to Business Report, shows truck movements are operating at 30% of capacity—26% lower than the previous Thursday. Key categories such as general cargo, exports, and fuel saw an average 71% decline in line with reduced truck activity. However, small-scale importers of essential goods and foodstuffs recorded a 17% increase. In the lead-up to Wednesday, a…

The South African Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) ABALOBI was a finalist in the food category for the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize. The awards were presented by His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in Abu Dhabi and the ceremony was attended by 11 Heads of State and up to 6 000 participants including media from South Africa. ABALOBI created a mobile app and marketplace that empowers small-scale fishers to log catches and sell directly to consumers. The prize recognises the transformational impact of 11 pioneering organisations and high schools from across the world, and was started in 2008 to reflect the UAE’s commitment to fostering scalable solutions to global challenges and empowering communities in their…

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20-24 will again bring a cohort of the world’s best leaders in business, government, state-owned enterprises, academia, and other institutions together to foster new ways of thinking in addressing key issues facing the globe, said Sekunjalo Investment Holdings chairman Dr Iqbal Survé. The prominent South African entrepreneur, philanthropist, medical doctor, and chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media, one of South Africa's largest media companies that also publishes Business Report, was interviewed on Wednesday ahead of his participation at the meeting. The key theme this year is "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," but geopolitical developments and challenges facing the global economy will also be addressed. The discussions will focus on how converging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and…

South Africa’s youth stand at a critical juncture. With more than four in 10 young people between the ages of 15-34 not in employment, education, or training, the challenge of youth unemployment has never been more urgent. But within this challenge lies immense opportunity – opportunity that can be unlocked through sunrise sectors. Sunrise sectors are emerging industries experiencing rapid growth in revenue, investment, and employment opportunities – and they are poised to play a significant role in the economy’s future. These include areas such as global business services, agriculture, the care economy, digital industries, infrastructure, and the green economy. What makes these sectors vital is not just their growth potential but their ability to provide meaningful, sustainable employment for young people. Addressing equitable access to these opportunities is…

Zimbabwean companies are grappling with severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, a skewed exchange rate, and escalating operational costs, forcing some to retrench workers and others to reduce stock levels. Among the hardest hit is Tongaat Hulett’s Zimbabwean subsidiary, Triangle, which announced job cuts after other cost-saving measures failed. Retailers like OK Zimbabwe are also struggling, with de-stocking becoming a growing concern as businesses navigate the country’s volatile economic landscape. An uncertain monetary framework, characterised by run away inflation, a skewed exchange rate and pricing distortions, has left corporates in Zimbabwe battling for survival. Some of them have had to retrench while the retailers are de-stocking. Zimbabwe is already battling a high unemployment rate that has driven droves of locals to seek greener pastures in South Africa and elsewhere on…

FlySAFAIR has appealed for exemption to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy as it is hemmed in by guilty verdicts of contravening the foreign ownership threshold in the domestic and international airspaces, leading to the possibility of it being taken off South African airspace routes. This is as FlySafair awaits sanction from both the Domestic Air Services Licensing Council (DASLC) and the International Air Services Licensing Council (IASLC), whose considerations may include processes to recoup the losses by the country from the airline's prohibited practice over the years. Aviation analyst Phuthego Mojapele said the finding by the domestic council was more serious than that of the international counterpart because there was a strict 25% threshold the airline misrepresented, as the dispute revolves around the requirement that 75% of the voting rights of…

The compact Crossover space is to a large degree where South Africans are spending their time searching on Google and ultimately spending their money. Almost every manufacturer is vying for attention and it plays out in the monthly sales charts against those that don’t have an offering in that space. Think Suzuki, Mahindra, Toyota and Hyundai who are knocking about in fourth place, just above Ford, thanks in part to their Exter having found 388 homes last month. That’s no small achievement . From the outside the Indian-Made Exter initially looks a bit odd, a bit like a Lego build, almost quirky. But it’s something different in an array of same-same SUVs whether big or small and it has a sense of individuality and even looks a bit funky. Either…

Arne Slot insisted Liverpool deserved to beat Nottingham Forest after the “outstanding” Premier League leaders needed Diogo Jota’s equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against their title rivals. Slot’s side were rocked by Chris Wood’s eighth-minute opener at the raucous City Ground on Tuesday night. But Jota came off the bench to head in fellow substitute Kostas Tsimikas’ corner just 20 seconds after Slot sent on the pair in the 66th minute. Although Liverpool had struggled to cope with Forest’s intensity and rock-solid defending until Jota’s leveller, they laid siege to the Forest goal in the closing stages. It took a series of superb saves from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels and a goal-line clearance from Ola Aina to ensure Nuno Espirito Santo’s team held on. “Their goalkeeper had to make…

The pressure to deliver can be the key to turning Manchester United’s season around, coach Ruben Amorim said yesterday as his team look to end a four-match winless run in the Premier League when they face bottom side Southampton tonight. Two months into Amorim’s tenure, United sit 14th in the league, and despite flashes of brilliance in a 2-1 win at Manchester City, a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win over Arsenal with 10 men, a lack of consistency has the coach worried. “Yeah, I’m always concerned because we didn’t have, during these games, the consistency in performances, in results. So, always worried,” Amorim told reporters yesterday. “This next game will teach me more about my players than the last two... fans will expect more…

The Lions have had a “tough love” meeting after firing a few shots at Montpellier last week, and the Dragons can expect a backlash at Ellis Park on Saturday (5.15pm kick-off). The Lions went down 28-5 in the Challenge Cup fixture to go with an earlier loss to the Ospreys. They beat Pau in Johannesburg, but the two losses leave them precariously placed in fifth position in Pool 2 of the Cup. Lions flanker Izan Esterhuizen said his team have no choice but to go for broke against the Welsh side this weekend. “Some tough love was fully deserved after our (poor) performance at the weekend,” Esterhuizen said. “That was not the standard that we should play to. We disappointed ourselves and our fans because we went there in the…

FOR a club returning to continental football’s top table for the first time in a long while, you’d think Orlando Pirates would be content with making it to the knockout stages. After all, just about everyone in Jose Riveiro’s team – the coach included – is a rookie in CAF Champions League football. Making it to the knockout stages should, therefore, be an achievement to be proud of. These group of Buccaneers, though, are an ambitious lot – accustomed as they are perhaps to winning silverware – albeit on the domestic front. Winning, so the saying goes, is a habit, and Pirates just want to keep at it. Guaranteed a spot in the quarter- final alongside record champions Al Ahly, Pirates are now looking to finish top Group C over…

WEF Global Risks Report paints grim picture of state of the economy The global risk landscape for 2025 has darkened, with state-based armed conflict and extreme weather key risks to global stability dominating the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report released on Wednesday. While economic risks have less immediate prominence in this year’s survey results, they remain a concern, interconnected with societal and geopolitical tensions. The report, which captures insights from over 900 experts, who gave a bleak outlook, indicated that as we enter 2025 the global outlook is is increasingly fractured across geopolitical, environmental, societal, economic, and technological domains. Local experts have agreed with these findings. Saadia Zahidi, the managing director of the WEF, writes in the report’s preface, "Today, geopolitical risk – and specifically the perception that…

Afrimat yesterday announced that Pieter de Wit will resume all responsibilities as chief financial officer (CFO) of the company, effective immediately, following his brief stint as the integration officer for the Lafarge Transaction. The mid-tier mining and materials company providing Bulk Commodities, Construction Materials, Industrial Minerals and Future Materials and Metals, last year acquired 100% of the Lafarge South Africa group for $6 million and agreed to repay or procure the repayment of the loan amounts owed equating to R900 million. In August, the Afrimat board temporarily appointed de Wit as the integration officer for the transaction for a period of circa 6 to 10 months, given the complexity and importance of the successful implementation of the transaction and the integration of Lafarge South Africa into the Afrimat group. Whilst…

Small Business owners are looking to kick off the new year with renewed optimism, as economic projections suggest better times ahead. With the Bureau for Economic Research projecting 2.2% growth in 2025 and S&P's recent positive outlook for South Africa, SME owners might see economic growth double compared to 2024. While this presents opportunities, SME owners must stay ahead of emerging trends to capitalise on the new economic landscape. Here are five crucial business trends South African SMEs should focus on in 2025: Financial services are expanding beyond traditional banking to include digital tools for smart cash flow management. "Banks and fintechs are naturally diving into things like cash flow management tools and leaning into AI-driven insights to make cash flow management smarter than ever," Thomas McKinnon, Chief Growth Officer…

In the frenzy of an auction, it’s often the last bidder who pays the most, lured by the momentum of the crowd and the fleeting promise of winning. The moment the gavel strikes, reality sets in – the price wasn’t a reflection of value, but of emotion, timing, and misplaced confidence. The same dynamic plays out in Africa’s mining industry. Historically, during bull markets in commodities, mining companies have often found themselves flush with cash due to surging prices and increased investor confidence – persuading them toward aggressive capital allocation decisions, particularly in mergers and acquisitions. The rationale is understandable: high commodity prices create the illusion of sustained profitability and robust long-term demand, leading to a perceived urgency to expand production capacity or secure additional reserves. However, this pattern has…

SOCIAL Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has acknowledged that the number of social workers employed by the government was not enough to respond to the social ills experienced in the country. Tolashe said the National Treasury has indicated that there was no funding allocation budgeted to fund the employment of social workers. “Although there are ongoing engagements between the two departments to find a solution on how funding can be made available to fund the employment of social workers in the country, it is a reality that these pervasive social ills increase rapidly daily. “It is evident that the numbers of social workers on the ground are not enough to respond seamlessly to the scourge and challenges faced by communities,” she said. Tolashe made the statement when she was replying to…

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says the deaths of the Stilfontein illegal miners are reminiscent of the Marikina massacre. The federation said hunger has been used as a weapon to achieve the same outcome in Stilfontein. The Marikana massacre in 2012 saw 78 mineworkers shot dead by police during a six-week at Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg in North West. A total of 132 illegal miners have been brought to the surface and arrested for illegal mining. At least 60 bodies of miners have also been extracted from the mine shaft. The operation, which started in August last year at the mine, saw the cutting off of food and water supplies for months in an attempt to force the miners to the surface so that they could…

The disappearance of three South African sailors in the Indian Ocean a decade ago is the subject of a new music and interactive technology project that will have its world premiere at the Homecoming Centre in District Six. A story born out of love and an unquenchable yearning for answers, Requiem for the Impossible launches with a limited run of four performances in February. The interactive and musical experience is performed on stage by internationally acclaimed musicians Lucy Kruger of South Africa and Liú Mottes from Netherlands. It blends an entirely new original musical score (the requiem) with documentary-style voice recordings, poetry and interaction through a dedicated phone app that allows the audience to be part of co-creating the moving experience. The project is by Amsterdam-based creative studio, affect lab…

Family, dignitaries and fellow industry peers gathered at the Market Theatre yesterday to celebrate the vibrant life of award-winning singer and actress Winnie Khumalo. The music icon, known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, passed away at the age of 51 on January 7 after a brief illness. Media personality, Somizi Mhlongo co-hosted the memorial with MC and content creator Sabelo “Ntombeningi” Sithole. Mhlongo took a moment to reflect on the impact of Khumalo’s passing, particularly on her children, Rethabile and Thabo Khumalo. Speaking about death, Mhlongo said that as he has grown older he feels differently about it. “It’s a transition, it’s inevitable. One thing that’s guaranteed in life, is death, but it is not the end, it is the beginning of a new chapter, that’s how…

Applications to be an Independent Media representative in the 2025 Fortuner Challenge powered by Quartz Engine Oil is in full swing. At stake is a Toyota Fortuner GR-Sport 2.8 GD-6 AT and this year’s challenge follows the same recipe as previous years with four sporting heroes teamed up with four contestants from different media houses including Independent Media. Over two days, each team competes in a variety of tough challenges and at the end, points are tallied to see who walks away with an incredible collection of prizes. Apart from the Fortuner GR-Sport worth R900 000, the winner also gets to take home enough prizes to fill South Africa’s favourite SUV. You’ll get a host of Thule accessories. Attached to the Fortuner are Black Thule Evo racks and a Thule…

IQRAAM Rayners has urged Mamelodi Sundowns fans to come to Loftus Versfeld in their numbers on Sunday (6pm kick-off) to help spur the team on to a result that will see them topping their group in the CAF Champions League. The South African champions host AS FAR Rabat in the concluding match of the round-robin phase needing to avoid defeat if they are to progress to the quarter-final – and the striker says they will do so on the backing of a passionate and vociferous Masandawana. “I just want to tell you to come out in your numbers, be behind the boys and we will make you proud. Please make Loftus yellow,” Rayners urged. It is a genuine plea, Rayners and Co often playing in a sparsely- populated Loftus for…

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola blamed the fact that he is missing key players for his side’s late capitulation against Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday as the Bees came from 2-0 down to grab a 2-2 draw. Visitors City had gone 2-0 up thanks to a pair of goals from Phil Foden, but Yoane Wissa pulled one back for the hosts in the 82nd minute and Christian Norgaard headed the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time as City’s defence wilted. City are missing defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones, and influential midfielder Rodri, all of whom are injured. Guardiola said that with several key players missing through injury, City didn’t have the personnel to defend the type of balls they faced against Brentford. “We have another…

From the coaching staff to the players, there is an abundance of talented women in the Proteas Under-19 camp, capable of winning a T20 World Cup this year. Both staff and players are eager to etch their name in history. But whether or not the Under-19 side can get over the 2023 World Cup campaign, where they fell short of making the play-offs, will rest on their shoulders alone. The first match will commence on Saturday against New Zealand in Malaysia (2.30pm SA time start), and conclude on February 2. The 17-year-old Karabo Meso, who is considered a major talent, ironically is one of the more experienced players in the side, given her international bouts with the senior team. Meso is one of seven South African players who are returning…