Table of contents for 2025-07-10 in Cape Times

A legal battle between two bottled water companies that has bounced between various courts for more than two years has finally been settled – with no party emerging as the ultimate victor. However, one of the parties, Oasis Water, is considering claiming damages from three former franchisees in the wake of the ruling. The matter began when water shop network Oasis launched legal proceedings against three former franchisees who Oasis alleged converted Oasis outlets they owned into MANZI outlets in breach of contract. Around 12 separate legal cases were instituted by Oasis. This was followed by the former franchisees – by then rebranded as MANZI Water – alleging that it was Oasis that had breached contract. Their arguments included claims that Oasis was competing with its own franchisees. The dispute…

Minister for Electricity and Energy, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has said that as only R13 billion had been allocated to the integrated national electrification programme over the medium term expenditure period, the allocation would be used as a de-risking instrument to crowd in developmental capital and concessional finance. Presenting the department's Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, Ramokgopa said the department was working in close partnership with development finance institutions and the National Treasury in developing an infrastructure finance facility that will enable the frontloading of capital requirements through debt market instruments. "The aim is to mobilise balance sheet financing whilst preserving affordability and fiscal discipline. By using the public allocation as an anchor, the strategy allows for accelerated electricity rollout in high priority provinces and municipalities, greater geographic equity and predictable…

SA Canegrowers, which represents 24000 small scale farmers and 1 200 large-scale growers, has expressed deep concerns about a new 30% tariff on South African sugar exports to the United States, set to take effect on 1 August. Industry leaders fear that this punitive tariff will render South African sugar uncompetitive in one of its most crucial markets and threaten the livelihoods of millions reliant on the sugar supply chain. SA Canegrowers chairman Higgins Mdluli highlighted the urgency of the situation, insisting that the South African sugar industry poses no threat to the US market. “It is important to stress that the South African sugar industry poses no threat to the US market, which relies on sugar from outside the US to meet local demand,” Mdluli said. “The US has…

Welcome to the whimsical world where philosophy meets entrepreneurship. You might wonder how the musings of ancient philosophers can help us today in our small business endeavours. Well, put on your ancient reading glasses. We are about to embark on a philosophical journey through the atmosphere where Socrates questions your reasoning like a judge, and Aristotle provides tips on customer value proposition. If you think philosophy is just for Unisa academics who wear turtlenecks and sip lattes in Brooklyn cafes, think again. This is the unconventional wisdom your enterprise has been waiting for. Before diving in, please report to the Start-Up gate, where you’ll be greeted by Socrates, who’ll immediately pester you with questions until you admit you know nothing about the business you are about to start. Socrates is…

Tharisa, the platinum and chrome mining company, on Wednesday reported a positive improvement in reef mining volumes by 27.7% to 1.45 million tons in the third quarter to June 30, but full-year production guidance was lowered. "An improving quarter as our reef mining volumes trended higher after good progress in the east pit with remediation post the heavy rainfall in the first half of the year. Work on the phased underground transition is on track with the scheduled development timeline,” CEO Phoevos Pouroulis said. However, “in line with the nine months' performance to date, production is trending towards the lower end of guidance, and we consider it prudent to lower guidance by about 5% from the lower end of guidance, which was set at 140 koz PGMs and 1.65 mt…

A trade war is brewing within South Africa’s tobacco cigarette sector after Polaris Manufacturing on Wednesday dismissed findings of an Ipsos research into illicit trade in cigarettes through under-pricing. Polaris Manufacturing, a cigarette and tobacco products manufacturing firm formerly known as Gold Leaf Tobacco Company, also accused British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) of illegal imports. The Ipsos research released on Tuesday and funded by BATSA named Polaris among companies whose products were being illicitly traded on the South African market. “The lpsos study determines whether a cigarette is illicit solely on the basis of price, assuming that any pack sold below the Minimum Collectable Tax (MCT) or an arbitrarily BAT-set Lowest Economically Viable Price is automatically illicit. This is not only legally unsound, it is dishonest,” said Raees Saint,…

THE City has doubled down in the face of damning new evidence, a peer-reviewed study led by UCT researchers which accuses the municipality of repeatedly denying, interfering with, and distorting science to cover up chronic pollution in the city’s rivers, wetlands, and coastal waters. Based on over a decade of multidisciplinary research, the study reveals how City officials have repeatedly “ignored or undermined” independent scientific findings pointing to serious public health risks. Despite mounting evidence of raw and poorly treated sewage flowing into Cape Town’s rivers, wetlands, and coastal waters, the City has continued to deflect criticism and downplay the scale of the crisis. “Our goal has been to bring evidence of contaminants to the attention of officials responsible for a clean environment,” said the study’s lead author from UCT,…

The third annual Ashley Kriel Memorial Cypher will commemorate the spirit and martyrdom of the anti-apartheid activist. Kriel, a 20-year-old from Bonteheuwel in Cape Town, was killed on July 9, 1987, allegedly by apartheid police. Kriel is still celebrated today for his efforts for liberty post-apartheid. He was a fiery orator, strategist, and thinker, and a representative of an extraordinary turn in South African resistance politics: the return to mass politics. The Ashley Kriel Memorial Cypher is an autonomous annual initiative that recognises how young progressives today, as in the past, have a critical role to play in the conscientisation of grassroots communities. The event, put together by Adwa movement, and Aboxan Arts and Africa Unite (NGO), will take place on Friday at the Castle of Good Hope at 6.30pm.…

A young bassoonist from UCT received an unexpected gift on the opening night of the 20th Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) at Endler Hall. Ofentse Segale was presented with a brand-new bassoon during the evening concert, much to her shock - and the delight of the audience. The instrument was made possible by donations from more than 160 supporters. Principal donor Alex Andersson, along with SICMF faculty flautist Ekaterina Kornishina and Grammy-winning conductor Michael Repper, who transported the bassoon from America, joined Segale on stage to make the special presentation. The night began with a purple carpet reception during which festival director Peter Martens reflected on two decades of SICMF. He honoured the festival’s late patron, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and announced a permanent artwork by South African pointillist…

Calls have been made for an urgent and independent investigation into the management of social housing facilities in Cape Town, following a wave of complaints from tenants about unaffordable utility bills, mistreatment by security and what they describe as inhumane living conditions. GOOD Party Councillor Axolile Notywala said complaints have been pouring in over the past month, particularly from residents at the DCI Social Housing facility in Goodwood and Conradie Park in Thornton. Issues raised include excessive utility charges, poor service delivery, and restrictive rules on visitors. “I raised these issues during a City Human Settlements Portfolio Committee meeting on June 5,” Notywala said. “Despite the seriousness of the concerns, they were largely dismissed.” According to Notywala, he was told the City was “already investigating” electricity tariffs and that other…

The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) and Sakeliga have jointly filed an urgent application for an interdict against the implementation of the 2025 Employment Equity sectoral numerical quotas and accompanying administrative regulations, as well as calling for the judicial review and setting aside thereof. The Minister of Employment and Labour, Dr Nomakhosazana Meth published the employment equity regulations of April 15. These quotas require employers with 50 or more employees to restructure their entire workforce to reflect national gender and racial demographics of the country. The application challenges the legality and constitutionality of the newly introduced employment equity framework. The legal challenge firstly aims for a judicial review of the procedural acts of the Minister in setting the quotas, which the organisations alledge were fraught with irregularities and…

Global intra-regional trade figures show Africa at roughly 16% - a stark contrast to Europe (65%) and Asia (43%). The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to address this disparity by establishing a unified market. For banking and financial institutions considering investing in Africa’s future, this is a pivotal moment to engage in the continent’s economic transformation. The AfCFTA encompasses 54 countries and 1.3 billion people. By 2035, intra-African trade will exceed $140 billion (R2.5 trillion), representing 15% of the continent’s exports. With full implementation, these exports could reach $952bn – a 29% increase. These aren’t mere statistics; they represent real opportunities for businesses. The AfCFTA investment protocol’s holistic approach requires abolishing tariffs, introducing regulatory conformity, open cross-border transactions, and protecting investments and intellectual property while ensuring investor obligations.…

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has issued urgent warnings following the release of its Trade Conditions Survey for June, which revealed a concerning contraction in trade conditions. Sacci on Wednesday reported that the trade environment was increasingly strained by global trade uncertainty, coupled with domestic economic challenges such as sluggish growth and soaring unemployment. The survey highlighted a significant downturn: trade conditions fell from a promising positive stance in March and April back into negative territory by May and June. According to Sacci, 56% of respondents reported positive trading conditions in March, yet this figure reduced dramatically with only 46% maintaining optimism in May and June. “Despite the downturn, a slight majority—51%—indicated that trade conditions in June 2025 were better than during the same period in…

Small business owners often see Public Relations (PR) as something reserved for brands with big budgets. Since PR focuses on building trust and visibility over immediate results, it’s frequently treated as a marketing accessory, not a business driver. But with more businesses fighting for attention online, PR has become a smart way to build credibility and stay top of mind, without breaking the bank. Business owners should know this: PR is not about instant leads, it’s about lasting impact. And that impact, when strategically planned and consistently executed, delivers a powerful return on investment (ROI). Too many SMMEs and entrepreneurs focus all their energy on lead generation without investing in the credibility layer that actually converts those leads into paying customers. PR fills that gap. PR Supports the Entire Sales…

Google co-founder Sergey Brin called the United Nations “transparently antisemitic” on Saturday in an internal forum for employees, according to screenshots reviewed by The Washington Post and verified with a current member of the forum. His comments came in response to a UN report released last month that alleged technology firms including Google and its parent company Alphabet had profited from “the genocide carried out by Israel” in Gaza by providing cloud and AI technologies to the Israeli government and military. “With all due respect, throwing around the term genocide in relation to Gaza is deeply offensive to many Jewish people who have suffered actual genocides. I would also be careful citing transparently antisemitic organizations like the UN in relation to these issues,” Brin wrote in a forum for staff…

Several years in the making, the fight for justice in South Africa’s healthcare sector is far from over. Health bodies say the real test now lies in the implementation of key recommendations from a landmark report, which found that black healthcare providers were unfairly targeted by medical schemes often having their claims withheld based on race and ethnicity. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi received the final report from the Section 59 Investigation Panel on Monday. The investigation, commissioned in 2019, examined allegations of racial discrimination and procedural unfairness in the application of Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) processes by major schemes and administrators, including Discovery Health, Medscheme, the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). Covering the period from 2012 to 2019, the Panel reviewed statistical and testimonial evidence and found that black…

The State has provisionally withdrawn charges against Gugulethu siblings who were accused of fraud and money laundering following the murder of actor David “Gums” Manuel. Wanda and his sister Sindiswa Mbele briefly appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, months after being arrested in connection with the case. The charges were withdrawn pending further investigation. Manuel, best known for his role in 'Noem My Skollie', was shot and killed alongside his best friend Alfonso Fisher at his Gugulethu home on October 8, 2024. The Mbele siblings, who live across the road from the victim’s house, were initially linked to the double murder. However, they were only charged with fraud and money laundering after allegedly altering a funeral policy taken out on Manuel shortly before his death. During yesterday's proceedings,…

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hailed João Pedro and expressed his delight at reaching the Fifa Club World Cup final after the new signing’s brace secured a 2-0 win over Fluminense in the semi-final on Tuesday. “We are very happy and very proud to be in the final on Sunday because this is the first edition of the Club World Cup and the best clubs in the world are here,” said Maresca. João Pedro was making his first start since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £60 million (about R1.45bn) last week, fresh from an off-season break. The Brazilian made an immediate impact at the MetLife Stadium, just outside New York, with two clinical finishes on either side of half-time to book Chelsea’s place in Sunday’s final against…

Marcus Smith and Ollie Chessum got on the scoresheet as a defiant British and Irish Lions side fought past a gutsy ACT Brumbies 36-24 on Wednesday, breaching their defence five times in a high-tempo clash. On a frigid Canberra night, the visitors made a sluggish start but soon found their rhythm, converting a 19-10 half-time lead into a convincing fourth straight win on tour as preparations intensify for the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on 19 July. The Lions’ previous two encounters with the Brumbies had been nail-biters — a narrow 30-28 victory in 2001 and a 14-12 defeat in 2013 — but this time Andy Farrell’s side emerged as clear winners, with players eager to impress ahead of the Brisbane showdown. “The Brumbies were very good. They…

Foreign policy expert warns that 30% tariff imposed by the US is likely the first in a series of actions US foreign policy expert Michael Walsh has warned that the 30% tariff imposed on South African imports by the United States was likely the first in a series of actions that will be taken against South Africa by the Trump Administration over the next year. This comes as US President Donald Trump this week slapped South Africa with 30% tariffs on “any and all South African products sent into the United States” from August 1 “to correct the unsustainable trade deficits” against the US. Walsh - a non-resident senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, an American think tank based in Pennsylvania - said on Wednesday that Trump was…

The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) on Wednesday sounded the alarm over impending tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, which could impose a substantial 30% levy on South African exports starting 1 August, should no trade agreement be reached. The call for an exemption specifically targeting seasonal fresh produce underlines the potential economic devastation facing South Africa’s citrus farming communities, particularly if their products become uncompetitive in the American market. In a statement, the CGA expressed solidarity with Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, who welcomed the challenge to negotiate a trade deal beneficial to both countries during his Budget Vote Address on Tuesday. The CGA noted that South Africa must act swiftly in the coming weeks to secure its crucial trade relationships. In his speech, Steenhuisen emphasized…

While many South African businesses report increasing sales, growing revenue may be masking a deeper and more dangerous financial issue: poor cash flow management. One of the real indicators of a business’s sustainability comes down to working capital discipline, not just top-line performance. Recent data from a global Xero survey supports this trend: n 24% of SMEs in South Africa reported major cash flow issues in the past year. n 72% were forced to use personal savings to keep their business afloat. n Most SMEs faced liquidity challenges despite strong sales. The assumption that higher turnover equals financial health is flawed. In fact, we’re seeing many businesses under severe pressure precisely because their operational cash flow can’t keep up with their growth. The Revenue Trap This common misconception that sales…

EnX Group’s share price shot up over 5% on Wednesday morning after it announced a special dividend following the completion of a number of divestments. The industrial holdings group said it had accumulated an unrestricted cash surplus to the operational requirements of enX, and the plan was to distribute this to shareholders. A special dividend of R1.30 per share was declared. This followed the declaration of another R1.55 special distribution, amounting to R283 million, on March 12, 2025. In July 2025, it declared a special dividend of R5 per share. EnX’s share price surged 5.75% to R4.78 on the JSE Wednesday morning, within the R3.51 and R6 range that the share has traded at in the past year. In the six months to February 28, enX’s revenue from continuing operations…

The China Development Bank (CDB) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have signed a landmark loan facility agreement worth $293 million (around R5.2 billion). CDB is the largest bank for infrastructure investment and financing in China, and a main bank supporting projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It is committed to promoting investment and financing cooperation with developing countries around the world. The agreement was reached during the annual meeting of the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism held in Brazil, signalling a new chapter in the collaboration between these two financial institutions. The recently established facility is set to fund a diverse range of projects in infrastructure, energy, information and communications technology (ICT), water, health, and manufacturing sectors across Africa. This multifaceted approach aims to address pressing development…

Resorting to coalition politics of lawfare and ultimatums, is unbefitting for a party leader IS THE DA wanting to have its cake and eat it? Is its establishment in 2000 and playbook a truly ‘Made in Africa’ construct in the morass of the post-apartheid dispensation and discourse, or a caricature conjured up from the melting pot of the losers in the majority struggle for freedom, equity and justice after over two centuries of colonial-cum-white supremacist rule? At first glance, the DA, the second largest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU) ‘coalition of the unwilling’ after the ANC, feigns the very epitome of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), which would be anathema to the DOGE dinosaurs roaming the urban sprawls and steppes of MAGA America, its ally of ideological…

The Springboks have put their disappointing performance against Italy last weekend behind them and are ready to take the second Test on Saturday by the scruff of the neck to seal the two-Test series. After scoring six tries at Loftus Versfeld in the 42-24 victory, the expectation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10pm start) is that the Springbok attack will again dominate their opponents, but with more precision and craftiness. The partnership of flyhalf Manie Libbok and Grant Williams will be crucial for this to happen, as they team up for only the third time at international level. But they will lead an exciting attacking backline, with Williams looking to find his form early on as he returns from an injury layoff. Joining them in the starting line-up is…

WHEN thinking of Shauwn Mkhize, one is tempted to think of that musical lyric proclaiming one’s allure: 'I'm too sexy for my shirt'. The excessive cleverness and cunning of Mkhize, the larger-than-life, enigmatic owner of the beleaguered football club Royal AM, have tripped her up again. She has been overly clever, too cunning, and was caught out by her schemes to save her beloved club, Royal AM, named after her son Andile Mpisane. The ruling announced on Tuesday by the Pretoria High Court may finally end Royal AM's efforts to regain its Premier Soccer League (PSL) status. The court dismissed her case with costs. Last week, Judge Boitsheko Seleka reserved judgment and decided on a later date for the verdict. Around this time, there was speculation that Royal AM…

I have an admission of guilt. Not since the 2010 Fifa World Cup here in Mzansi, have I purchased a ticket for a sporting event. It is one of the perks of being a sports correspondent — with some timeous application for media accreditation, I usually find my way through the turnstiles. I even had the privilege of watching the first-ever Major League Baseball (MLB) game held in Europe, when the New York Yankees faced off against the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium, thanks to media credentials in 2019. And even when not accredited, there’s usually a contact who ensures I don’t need to part with my hard-earned cash to watch live sport. But here I was, back in London six years later, coinciding with the week of Wimbledon…