Table of contents for 2025-09-17 in Cape Times

Walmart wants another shot at cracking the Africa market. This time, it’s staking its name on it. About 15 years after the world’s largest retailer got a foothold on the continent with the purchase of a controlling stake in South Africa’s top food and household goods seller Massmart, its failure to gain ground is prompting a change in approach. The company - which sells everything from fashion and fishing rods to frozen peas and prescription medicines - is opening its first Walmart branded stores in the country this year in what could become a model for a continent with the planet’s fastest-growing population. The retailer, which has had success with branded stores in emerging markets like Mexico and China, is banking on its famed low prices to lure cost-conscious…

Court sets aside decision by Nersa to approve pipeline tariffs for 2023/24 financial year The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ruled in favour of Sasol Oil, setting aside a decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to approve petroleum pipeline tariffs for the 2023/24 financial year. Judge D. Makhoba found that Nersa acted unreasonably and irrationally when it imposed a uniform tariff across Transnet’s crude oil and multi-product pipelines, despite their significant cost and operational differences. Nersa had approved the tariffs on 23 February 2023, relying on a “rolled-in” tariff methodology adopted in 2011, which treats the entire network as a single system. Sasol challenged the decision under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), arguing that the approach unfairly disadvantaged users of the crude oil…

Growth in global innovation funding has fallen to its lowest rate since 2010, UN projections showed Tuesday, as high inflation eats into research and development spending and as venture capital deals slump. In its annual ranking of the world's most innovative economies, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) placed Switzerland at the top of the list for the 15th consecutive year. Sweden and the United States retained their second and third place positions for the third year running, while China edged its way one spot higher and into the top 10. But while the ranking picture largely resembled that of recent years, the United Nations patent agency cautioned that global innovation funding growth had notably slowed. "The fuel powering the engine of innovation, which is capital, which is financing, is…

If South Africa is to realise its growth and development ambitions towards and achieve a just transition and inclusive economy, we must consider a critical aspect – and that is the green technology landscape. Technology will remain a key driver for developing green energy solutions, optimizing renewable energy sources, advancing climate adaptation, and improving sustainable practices in agriculture and waste management. Innovative, green technologies will allow South Africa to follow slow and fast paced transitions, where every innovative, market ready technologies jettison business-as-usual and outdated practices that lock South Africans into unsustainable futures, whilst allowing for the incubation and emergence of novel technologies. Green and innovative technologies provide a concrete geo-spatial, technical and outcome directed pathway with direct links to the finance and investment ecosystem, project development and the creation…

Attacq, the JSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust and visionary behind the iconic Waterfall City precinct, has recorded remarkable financial growth in its latest fiscal year, with distributable income per share (DIPS) soaring by 25.6% to 108.3 cents. There was corresponding uplift in the annual dividend for the year to June 30, 2025: it increased 26.1% to 87 cents per share. Attacq has forecasted DIPS growth of between 7% and 10% for the upcoming 2026 financial year. This outlook reflected an anticipated dividend payout ratio of 80%, with growth expected to be driven by several strategic initiatives, primarily rising market rentals, effective cost management, and successful leasing strategies for vacant areas and newly completed developments. Electricity costs are anticipated to decrease further in the new fiscal year, thanks to solar…

September is Self-Care Awareness Month, a reminder to prioritise personal health and mental well-being. Spending time in nature is a simple yet powerful way to support your mental health. Research indicates that spending time outdoors can reduce stress, improve one’s mood and increase overall life satisfaction. Nature provides opportunities for quiet reflection, movement and a break from daily routines. Walking in green spaces has a direct impact on mental health. Studies have shown that even short walks in parks or natural settings can lower stress hormone levels and reduce feelings of anxiety. The rhythm of walking combined with the sensory experience of seeing trees, hearing birds or feeling a breeze can calm the mind. Regular walks in nature are linked to better emotional regulation and higher levels of positive emotion.…

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has referred more than 1000 civil servants for disciplinary action after concluding its investigations. Nearly 500 individuals and companies have been recommended by the SIU to the National Treasury for blacklisting. This emerged when the Presidency briefed the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) yesterday on the investigation reports submitted by the SIU. Presidency senior official, Jonathan Timm, said there have been 33 proclamations authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa since November 2024, bringing the number to 309 since 2001. Timm stated that 55 proclamations have been issued since the start of the seventh administration and 155 since Ramaphosa took office in February 2018. The Presidency tracked progress on the implementation of recommendations issued by the SIU as a result of the investigations. He told Scopa…

President Cyril Ramaphosa's comments regarding ANC-run municipalities were damaging and the platform he used was not appropriate. This is the reaction of ANC councillors and mayors to the ANC leader's utterances that party leaders should learn from DA-run municipalities. The timing and the platform used to air the remarks have exposed them to being mocked and de-campaigned by the opposition, they added. Other ANC leaders took to social media to accuse Ramaphosa of being an “agent” sabotaging the ANC on behalf of the DA. During a roll call with ANC councillors at the FNB stadium on Monday, Ramaphosa said that DA-run municipalities were in much better shape than those of the ANC. “What is it that they are doing that is better than what we are doing?” He added, “We…

Eskom has finalised the leasing process for its historical steam locomotives. Following an open tender process that commenced in May 2024 for interested parties to lease five historically significant steam locomotives located at Rosherville in Gauteng for five years, Eskom announced New Cape Central Railway Ltd as the successful bidder during a handover ceremony at Eskom Rotek Industries. “At Eskom, we acknowledge our duty not only to deliver electricity but also to safeguard the valuable heritage assets entrusted to us. “By opting for a lease arrangement rather than a sale, Eskom retains custodianship of these assets, affirming its commitment to heritage preservation as a proudly South African company,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane. The handover of the locomotives coincides with the national call to “Reimagine Heritage Institutions for…

AN Elsies River family is desperately appealing for help to find their missing autistic 17-year-old daughter, who disappeared on Thursday. Zoe Joshua left their home in Salberau with her three-year-old niece Jermica Andrews without informing anyone. After a search, Jermica was found safe and unharmed yesterday morning in Kleinvlei, but Zoe is still missing. Concerned mother Michelle Joshua explained that Zoe has disappeared in the past, which has caused the family anguish, having been reported missing in April 2021. According to information she received, Zoe dropped Jermica at an aunt's house in Kleinvlei. “Jermica was playing in the yard with a friend and Zoe was in the house. We always lock the security gate but on Thursday the gate was not locked," Joshua said. "My 21-year-old daughter was at home…

Stellenbosch FC face a tough challenge as they aim to rediscover their winning form when they visit AmaZulu for their Betway Premiership clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium tonight (7.30pm kick-off). The 2025/26 season has started poorly for Stellies, who have managed only one victory in their first five league matches. While the MTN8 offered some positives amid their slow start, attention now turns back to the league as they look to regain momentum ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup campaign starting in a couple of weeks. Steve Barker and his side will be eager to bounce back against an AmaZulu team they overcame 3-2 in extra time to reach the MTN8 semi-finals earlier this season. Stellies also secured two league victories against the KwaZulu Natal side last season, but…

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced that it is nearing completion of the long-awaited upgrade of Newark Road, a critical access route to the Port of Richards Bay, with 75% of the works already finished. The Port of Richards Bay has long been plagued by traffic congestion, particularly as the roads leading to the port are heavily utilised. Valued at approximately R20 million and scheduled for completion in December 2025, this capital project forms part of TNPA’s ongoing drive to modernise port infrastructure to enhance the safety and efficiency of cargo movement for port users. “This strategic investment will ensure that the Port of Richards Bay continues to operate as a world-class logistics hub," said port manager, Captain Dennis Mqadi. "We will continue to engage withport users on these…

Ashor Sarupen, the deputy minister of finance, has made a compelling case for the potential of South Africa’s informal sector to address the persistently high unemployment rate and emphasised the need for collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector. During his speech at the Global SME Finance Forum, Sarupen noted that while the informal sector contributes significantly to the economy—representing 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing 17% of employment—it remains largely unsupported, struggling with growth and productivity. Sarupen said that microfinance is a proven tool for promoting inclusive growth and alleviating poverty. “By offering small loans and savings accounts, it empowers individuals to start businesses and improve their financial standing. The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh exemplifies this success—providing small loans to individuals, especially women, who…

Energy prices are rising worldwide, putting real pressure on businesses, especially those in energy-intensive sectors like mining, manufacturing, and large-scale industrial operations. For these companies, energy is more than a consumable; it is a critical part of daily operations. As such, finding ways to reduce consumption without compromising productivity is essential. Expanding electricity generation capacity or not Expanding electricity generation capacity to meet demand might seem like the only solution, but it’s not the first step or only solution. A smarter, more sustainable approach is to focus on how, when, and where energy is used. By shifting to intelligent energy management strategies, businesses can optimise consumption, reduce costs, support sustainability goals, and shield operations from ongoing energy market volatility. As part of any energy security or energy savings initiative, understanding…

Hyprop, the South African retail-focused real estate investment trust (REIT), has announced a sturdy 9.9% increase in its dividend, buoyed by robust earnings growth from its portfolios in South Africa and Eastern Europe. The dividend of 307.7 cents per share, announced for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, comes on the back of an impressive recovery that saw distributable income per share (DIPS) rise to 378.8 cents, exceeding initial guidance of a mere -1% to 2% growth. CEO Morné Wilken expressed satisfaction with the financial performance during a recent telephone interview: “We were on track and in line with expectations. We are starting to see the benefits of the last few years of repositioning and improvements in our portfolio starting to bear fruit.” Notable shopping centres within their South…

Lying is one of those tricky parenting challenges most families face at some point. It is perfectly normal to worry if your child comes home and insists they finished their homework when you know they didn’t, or when your teenager swears they were “just at a friend’s house” and the story doesn’t add up. But take comfort in knowing you are not alone in facing these issues; most parents encounter similar situations. It can leave you wondering: Is this just normal childhood behaviour, or something I should be worried about? The truth is, lying is a natural part of child development. Research published in Child Development shows that most children start experimenting with lies around ages three to four, as their imagination, self-control, and social awareness grow. Far from being…

Another attempt to prosecute President Cyril Ramaphosa over the theft of $580 000 in cash from his Phala Phala farm has failed and proved costly for the Society of the Protection of Our Constitution. The organisation had summoned Ramaphosa to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA). The organisation had sought an order compelling the Director of Public Prosecutions, Pretoria, Sibongile Mzinyathi, and National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi to secure Ramaphosa’s attendance at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court by way of summons as contemplated in the CPA on charges relating to the theft. According to the Act, the methods of securing the attendance of an accused who is 18 years or older in court for his or her trial are arrest, summons,…

Sexual harassment in the workplace came under the spotlight in the Johannesburg Labour Court when a female bank officer accused a male colleague of inappropriate conduct towards her, which included asking her, “Why don’t you sit on my lap?” Following the allegations and a subsequent disciplinary hearing, the man, who worked as a field agent for Nedbank, was fired. The man, only identified as Mr O, turned to arbitration proceedings, where the commissioner found his dismissal to be unfair. Nedbank was ordered to pay him more than R400 000 in back pay. The bank, unhappy with this ruling, turned to the Labour Court to have it overturned. Acting Judge ZM Navsa seriously questioned how the arbitrator chose to believe the version of O that he simply complimented the victim, over…

Sustaining the Wild Coast (SWC) NPC claims Shell and Impact Africa will be allowed to continuously ignore community voices in their exploration rights extension process and the current litigation before the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court heard arguments yesterday on whether the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) order suspending the setting aside of an exploration right was just and equitable. Judgment was reserved in the matter. According to the marine conservation body SWC and other applicants, they were denied their right to be heard in the consultation process. The environmental group argued that Shell cannot simply dismiss local interests - which includes a spiritual and cultural connection to the ocean - while pursuing its seismic survey application to explore for gas and oil reserves along the Wild Coast. They further…

McLaren head into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend with the rare opportunity to seal the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship months before the season ends. With 617 points on the board, the Woking-based team holds a commanding 337-point lead over nearest rivals Ferrari, and the math suggests Baku could be the scene of their coronation. Such an early clinch would not just underline McLaren’s dominance this season, it would also etch them into the history books. Only a handful of teams have ever wrapped up the Constructors’ Championship so far from the finale. The last team to do it was Red Bull in 2023, when they claimed the title with six races to spare. That equalled Ferrari’s 2002 benchmark and highlighted the sheer scale of superiority needed to finish…

Five minutes before the end of the Springboks’ record-breaking win over the All Blacks, I told my wife I wasn’t going to bother hanging up the washing. As an All Black supporter from Namibia, she thought I was being smug about the ongoing trouncing in Wellington. But, as André Esterhuizen bumped Beauden Barrett into the stands for the Boks’ sixth try of the match, I explained to her that if I did hang up the washing, we’d be going to work on Monday smelling of boerewors and chops marinated in Six Gun Spice. Yep, as a veteran braaier myself, I knew the country’s finest kameeldoring would fill the air with smoke when scrumhalf Cobus Reinach kicked the ball into touch to put the All Blacks out of their misery. A…

Dominoes are continuing to fall at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) over a series of allegations of maladministration and financial misconduct. This comes as the newly appointed acting CEO of the GPAA, Job Stadi Mngomezulu, on Monday suspended two senior executives, the acting chief financial officer (CFO) and the acting chief director of client relations management, who are implicated in the allegations. In an announcement sent to the GPAA staff on Monday night, which Business Report has seen, the suspension of acting CFO Kgaile Molebatsi and Eric Morudu, acting chief director for client relations management, was announced. "This decision follows the widely publicised allegations of maladministration of several projects at the GPAA. The Minister of Finance has since instituted an investigation into these matters. Following his appointment as the…

On 17 September 2025, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) is hosting a Just Energy Transition seminar, where I have been invited to contribute to a panel discussion titled: “Power Talk: Renewable Energy Deployment & Access – Scaling Solar, Wind and Hydro Energy.” The Just Energy Transition is a significant topic, and in South Africa it is an urgent one. The energy transition is accelerating, perhaps too quickly for many of the stakeholders involved. Yet speaking about a “just” transition in a fundamentally unjust society presents a challenge. We cannot expect the energy industry to resolve all of South Africa’s deep social inequalities, nor should the industry be blamed for conditions it did not create. Recent headlines underline the scale of the problem: “973 children die of malnutrition in…

Libstar Holdings has seen its share price soar by 16.56% on Tuesday morning, closing at R4.43, buoyed by the publication of its robust first-half results, marking the company's most impressive performance since 2022. This surge comes amid reports that the food company is engaging in preliminary talks regarding a potential takeover. The company has cautioned investors that, while discussions with interested parties are ongoing, there is no certainty that these engagements will culminate in a binding offer to shareholders. A year ago, the share price was reported at R4.01, reflecting investor confidence amidst a turbulent economic landscape. Libstar's growth trajectory has been particularly pronounced in the Ambient Products super-category during the six months leading up to June 30. Notably, branded revenue from Cape Herb & Spice's export channel surged by…

India's Jindal Steel International has made an offer for Thyssenkrupp's steel division, the German company said Tuesday, in what would be a mega-deal for the struggling industrial titan. Once a symbol of German manufacturing might, Thyssenkrupp has fallen into crisis in recent years as it battles high manufacturing costs at home and fierce competition from Asian rivals, particularly in the traditional steel business. The sprawling conglomerate - whose businesses range from auto parts to submarine-making - has long been seeking to get rid of the loss-making steel unit which is in the midst of a painful restructuring. It confirmed in a statement that it had received a "non-binding" offer from Jindal Steel International for the purchase of Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (TKSE). The group said it would "carefully review" the offer…

​Spring arrives with a fresh selection of produce ready to shine in everyday cooking. Below are some top seasonal ingredients to inspire your next meal, along with recipes you can try at home. ● Chives: Mild and onion-like, chives add flavour and flexibility to many dishes. Try them in a stir-fried noodle recipe with chilli shrimp for a bright spring taste. ● Avocado: Creamy and mild, avocado works well in salads, sandwiches, smoothies or simply on toast. ● Fresh greens: Spinach, rocket and lettuce are at their peak. Use them in salads, wraps or quick sautés. ● Honey: A natural sweetener for tea, lemonade, cocktails and desserts. Drizzle over yoghurt, pancakes or waffles. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties add a health benefit. ● Baby white cabbage: Tender and crisp, this…

The Presidency has identified failure by supply chain management officials to subject themselves to polygraph tests and submit financial statements to the State Security Agency (SSA) as a challenge when they are vetted in line with a decade-old Cabinet directive. Briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on the vetting of officials in the supply chain management per the 2014 Cabinet directive, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation senior official Jonathan Timm said the SSA has reported some challenges that contributed to delays in the vetting of officials. He said some of the prominent challenges were non-compliance by vetting subjects and failure to submit required documents, mostly financial statements. The officials were also not submitting the vetting forms and failed to honour or postpone appointments, especially polygraph tests. There…

South Africa’s water sector is standing at a crossroads. Decades of underinvestment in infrastructure, rapid urbanisation, climate change, and persistent skills shortages have converged to create a perfect storm. The results are felt daily: communities experiencing erratic water supply, treatment plants running below capacity, and municipalities stretched to breaking point as they try to meet their constitutional mandate to provide water for all. Behind every one of these challenges stands a critical but often overlooked figure, the municipal engineer. These are the custodians of the country’s water systems, the professionals who keep pumps running, maintain treatment plants, and design the infrastructure that underpins our daily lives. Yet many of them work in conditions where resources are scarce, professional development opportunities are limited, and support systems are fragmented. Burnout, brain drain,…

The Springbok Women are celebrating a landmark achievement at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, completing their campaign with unprecedented success and rising to a historic 10th place in the World Rugby rankings. At the heart of this breakthrough stands utility back Byrhandré Dolf, who not only finished as South Africa’s top points scorer but also etched her name into the record books. Dolf kicked a superb 27 points, leading the Boks’ charge to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. Along the way, the team secured two defining victories – their maiden win over Italy and their biggest triumph to date, a 66-6 demolition of Brazil in the opening round. The scoring spree of the utility back carried extra weight in history. She eclipsed Zandile Nojoko’s long-standing record of 26 World…

Stephen Fleming has seen it all. The former New Zealand captain is one of the most successful franchise coaches in the world, having guided the Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles. So what motivates the 52-year-old Kiwi to pack his bag and spend his festive season in South Africa, coaching the Joburg Super Kings in SA20? “I was really keen to watch an All Black Test in South Africa,” Fleming joked after the recent Season 4 auction in Johannesburg. “No, seriously though, it's part of my DNA. It’s a privileged job to be able to travel to places like this and be part of competitions that each have their own personality. “It’s at the cutting edge of the game, and to still be involved in the game after years…

ZakithI Nene stormed into the final of the men’s 400m on Day 4 of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo yesterday, the South African one-lap star maintaining his composure after two restarts, but compatriot Lythe Pillay failed to advance to tomorrow’s decider. Nene looked relaxed before and during the first semi-final, which he won in a fast time of 44:20, despite coasting over the final 100m. Lee Bhekempilo Eppie of Botswana finished in second in a time of 44.51. Pillay, the reigning World University Games champion, could only manage sixth place in the second semifinal in a time of 44.82. Young Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana was the surprise winner in a remarkable time of 43.61while pre-championship favourite Jaccori Patterson of the US faded badly to finish fourth, and only advanced…