Table of contents for 2025-08-07 in Cape Times

MTN South Africa has announced the full-scale deployment of digital ID system with real-time biometrics on any device across all MTN stores nationwide as it seeks to transform the customer experience and strengthening identity security. The rollout follows a highly successful six-month pilot across 20% of its stores, where the biometric identification system significantly improved onboarding efficiency and reduced identity fraud, all while delivering a more seamless customer experience. Building on this momentum, MTN is now the first mobile operator in South Africa to implement this technology at scale. Cornelia van Heerden, Executive: Customer Operations, MTN South Africa, said, “At MTN, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. The deployment of this biometric system is part of our ongoing investment in innovation that makes our customers’ lives…

South Africa, currently selling about 1 000 electric vehicles (EV) a year constituting 1% of the 13 million vehicles on the road, is still miles from realising its EV ambitions. Panelists at a discussion on a South Africa's EV roadmap on Wednesday said the country's ambitions were hampered by infrastructure, energy uncertainty, policy developments, decarbonisation deadlines, fuel quality, import tariffs, and the pricing to suit the market. They pointed to the high grid carbon intensity, which will have to be reduced to comply with Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM) and other decarbonisation penalties. The discussion was a reflection on the Norwegian experience, which has been in the fast lane to electrify its passenger car sales by 2025. In the first half of 2025, all-electric cars made up a record 94.3%…

“Being a mom has made me a better businesswoman, and let’s face it, when you have little kids you stop stressing the little things, because you simply don’t have time to. “I have always felt being a woman in business was an advantage, not a disadvantage, and being a mom even more so.” I read this in Harvard Business Review, and I couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to leadership. Working mothers represent a new breed of leaders. Yes, you read it correctly. The women juggling diapers, deadlines, schoolwork and dinner duties have a secret weapon: a unique mix of talents that make them untapped powerhouses in the boardroom. Today's rapidly evolving work requires a new era of thinking. We often underestimate how real-life experience can be applied in…

As a business owner, your network is more than a list of contacts - it’s a growth engine. This is especially true for startups, with one study revealing a direct correlation between the number of networking activities an entrepreneur engages in and their likelihood of achieving profitability, revenue growth, innovation, access to funding, and strong talent. The value of collaborations or partnerships is equally compelling. A McKinsey study found that organisations combining multiple collaboration mechanisms – including partnerships – are more likely to outperform peers, launching nearly twice as many successful business initiatives and growing market share at significantly higher rates. Whether it’s a distribution alliance, a referral agreement, or a strategic collaboration, building the right business relationships can open doors to new markets, shared resources and greater resilience. Here…

Sirius Real Estate said Wednesday it had acquired business parks in Dresden, Germany for €23.4 million (R484.4m) and Bedford, UK for £16.13m (R385.1m). Sirius, the London and JSE-listed owner and operator of branded business and industrial parks providing conventional space and flexible workspace in Germany and the UK, said in a statement that both transactions were identified and purchased off market. "Following last year's successful equity raise and bond issuances, along with our recently secured €150m revolving credit facility, we are strongly capitalised to continue executing accretive acquisitions across the UK and Germany, with these latest transactions a clear demonstration of our sourcing capabilities," said Sirius’ CEO Andrew Coombs. The Dresden site is a 21 158 square metre light industrial park occupied by the vendor who has entered into a…

A man who served nearly eight years in jail for a crime he did not commit, and a further 77 days when he was eventually cleared on appeal after the departments of Justice and Correctional Services did not get around to order his release, will receive R750 000 in damages. The Mpumalanga High Court, sitting in Mbombela, found that Wonder Nkambule was arbitrarily deprived of his freedom and should be compensated. Nkambule had been sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2013. The judgment and sentence were subsequently successfully appealed against in December 2021. An order for the immediate release of the plaintiff was given on the same day. But the order for the liberation of Nkambule was not timeously transmitted to the personnel of Correctional Services, as it should have…

LAWYERS representing the families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era atrocities believe President Cyril Ramaphosa wants to delay the R167 million constitutional damages case against the government because it’s politically awkward for him. “Therefore he wants the inquiry first,” said Advocate Matthew Chaskalson. Ramaphosa urged the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria to stay the case until the conclusion of the judicial commission of inquiry, so that all the facts are on the table. Ramaphosa had earlier signed a proclamation for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. Advocate Tim Bruinders SC, arguing on behalf of Ramaphosa and the government, said it is vital that all the facts first be established before the constitutional…

A businessman has left South Africa after failing to stop the Department of Home Affairs’ bid to deport him when he was found to be using a fraudulent name. Manar Alnajjar or “Frederik van Wyk” had been detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Mogale City after being arrested in January this year at OR Tambo International Airport on his return from a business trip in Dubai. He was charged with possession of a fraudulent South African identity document and passport. Alnajjar appeared before the Nigel Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to contravening the Immigration Act and fraud in April and sentenced to three months direct imprisonment for fraud and R120 000 for being in the country illegally. The court suspended R100 000 of the amount for three years on…

For years my colleagues up on the Highveld have been boasting that Joburg is where it's at. Being a true-blue Capetonian that lives off the fresh breeze of the ocean, I’ve always put up strong resistance. It’s not that I haven’t spent time up in the Big Smoke before, but this past week has had me hustling from West, East, South and North of this vast metropolis. Each day there’s been a sporting event/launch/match that requires my attention. From Jonty Rhodes’ birthday celebrations with Mahindra to MTN8 and Betway Premiership season-opening affairs to the grand Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards, this Jozi town is certainly a sports journalists’ Mecca. The CSA Awards was certainly top of the list. While media are no longer flown up and lodged on the CSA…

Siyabonga Mabena and the other youngsters are not expected to carry Mamelodi Sundowns this season, though they must strive to succeed with every passing game. Mabena made his long-awaited return to competitive football in the MTN8 quarter-final against Richards Bay last Sunday, following a lengthy injury layoff. The 18-year-old made his return count as he put the final nail in the coffin, helping Sundowns thrash Bay 4–0 to reach the semi-final, where they’ll face Orlando Pirates. Mabena’s comeback has fuelled belief among some Masandawana supporters that he will finally fulfil his potential this season and come of age. After all, his injury not only saw him miss the U20 AFCON — which Amajita won — but also ruled him out of the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in the US…

MTN drops concerns over proposed merger between The Prepaid Company and Cell C MTN no longer has concerns regarding the proposed merger between The Prepaid Company (TPC) and struggling Cell C, which the Competition Commission feels will get a new lease of life under majority control by Blue Label Telecoms. Blue Label’s interests in Cell C are held through TPC. The Competition Tribunal is holding a hearing into the acquisition of a controlling stake in Cell C by TPC. Advocate Themba Mahlangu, representing the commission at Wednesday’s hearing at the Tribunal, said Cell C stood to get a new lease of life under majority control by Blue Label. This had helped the Commission to consider approving the merger and acquisition transaction at a time Cell C has been facing turbulent…

Merlog Foods is calling on the Border Management Authority (BMA) to implement the use of an online electronic verification system to verify health certificates and prevent further delays to poultry imports. These delays, caused by a reliance on paper-based certificates, are undermining food security and contributing to rising protein costs in South Africa. Veterinary health certificates for poultry exports from Brazil are issued both as hard copies and as secure electronic records accessible through an internationally recognised online portal. Both the Border Management Authority and the Directorate of Animal Health under the Department of Agriculture already have access to this online system. Currently, even when poultry shipments are pre-cleared using the online system, the poultry is held at a South African port until the original paper-based certificates arrive, which adds…

The recent announcement of a diesel price hike has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s vital trucking and agricultural sectors. Effective from Wednesday, prices for Diesel (0.05% sulphur) have surged by 65 cents per litre, while Diesel (0.005% sulphur) has seen an increase of 63 cents per litre. This news follows a decrease in petrol prices earlier in August, adding a layer of complexity to the economic landscape. Tonny Molise, deputy president of the Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA), said they noted that diesel price increases were implemented alongside the recent decision to lower the interest rate by 25 basis points. “While fuel hikes inevitably raise operational costs in the road freight and logistics industry, we welcome the interest rate cut as a much-needed stimulus for the economy. The lower…

Despite a challenging economic period, there are clear signs of recovery and reason for optimism within the South African small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) landscape. This was according to a recent Lula Pulse Report, which revealed that while many businesses are still operating under tough conditions, there are "green shoots" that point to a more positive future. “Small and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, employing up to 60% of the private sector workforce and generating approximately 40% of the country's GDP,” Lula’s Chief Risk Officer, Garth Rossiter said. “We’re seeing the mood on the street being surprisingly resilient. Despite the lingering clouds of geopolitical uncertainty, a palpable sense of optimism is taking hold, with both businesses and consumers feeling more confident about the future. There is a…

Jubilee Metals Group’s Roan copper concentrator in Zambia is fully operational following an upgrade, exceeding July’s targeted production by reaching 384 tons of copper units. The mining group, which aims to become a significant copper explorer, miner, and producer of concentrates and refined cathodes in Zambia, stated in an update on Wednesday that Roan’s production in August was already above the targeted production rate of 350 tons. The Roan project, first announced by Jubilee in 2021 and upgraded in phases, is the cornerstone of the company's copper production ambitions alongside the Sable refinery. Jubilee is currently disposing of its South Africa-based chrome and platinum operations, with agreements in final form, and a shareholders' meeting is being scheduled soon. Jubilee's share price sank 5.4% to 70 cents on the JSE on…

What was supposed to be a three-day-long bail application by diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg turned into him venting his frustration at the manner he is being treated. It ended up with the magistrate referring him to a doctor to ascertain whether he is understanding the court proceedings. The morning in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court started with Liebenberg telling the magistrate, whose name may not be disclosed, that he would be conducting his own bail hearing. But, instead of proceeding with his bail application, Liebenberg, in a tirade, accused the magistrate, the prosecutor, and Correctional Services of being “boelies”. He even, at one point, told the magistrate to keep quiet. “You sound like my mother. Leave me alone so that I can speak… I deserve the freedom to speak, just like…

‘TECHNICAL challenges’ were responsible for the delayed deployment of the South African Air Force (SAAF) to assist during the devastating floods which claimed the lives of more than 100 people in the Eastern Cape last month, says Defence Minister Angie Motshekga. “The challenges were technical. However, they were corrected, hence we managed to send assistance in the form of an Oryx. “Upon receiving the second request for assistance on 16 June 2025, one Oryx helicopter capability became available and was tasked to deploy on 17 June 2025,” Motshekga said in her response. She made the comments when responding to parliamentary questions from the EFF and the DA amid the continued underfunding of the SAAF. DA MP Patrick Atkinson said it took a full week after the onset of the devastating…

The ANC’s recent announcement to review its Government of National Unity (GNU) partnerships is seen by some as a strategic move to gain more flexibility and possibly move away from the DA. Tensions between the ANC and the DA have repeatedly surfaced within the GNU, exposing deep divisions on key policy issues such as the BELA Bill, the National Health Insurance (NHI) fund, the budget vote, and foreign policy direction. In his closing address at the ANC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said they had extensively discussed how to proceed with the GNU, following their practical experience over the last 12 months. “Accordingly the NEC considered a number of options on how to strengthen the GNU and improve its effectiveness. “We have agreed to engage…

AN e-hailing driver had a narrow escape after being stabbed in the chest during what appeared to be a robbery caught on camera while driving in Brackenfell. The video clip shows the e-hailing driver with two men, one in the passenger seat and another in the back seat, driving around 7.40am in Bottelary Road. The e-hailing driver can be seen driving to an undisclosed location with the map route on his phone and conversing with the men. The man seated in the passenger seat is seen checking his phone then proceeds to lean forward with his head in his hand and suddenly pulls out a knife and stabs the driver twice in the chest. The passenger grabs the driver’s cellphone and the driver manages to get out of the vehicle,…

Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton aims to cement his spot at the top of the order in the T20I side during the upcoming three-match series in Australia, as the Proteas look to find a settled squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Rickelton, though he has secured a place as an opener in the Test and ODI squads, is yet to make a mark in the shortest format, having scored only one half-century in 13 innings with an average of 20. However, the left-handed batter has all the shots and batting tempo to succeed as a T20I opener, as proven in the SA20 and IPL earlier this year. Coach Shukri Conrad has also backed Rickelton, making it clear that he will open the batting in Australia. The 29-year-old told the media…

The latest report from Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), released this week, reveals troubling forecasts for South Africa's beef production, with estimates indicating a decline of 20 000 tons year-on-year, bringing total production down to 764 000 tons by 2025. Despite this downturn, the report affirms that the country maintains a supply surplus, albeit amidst a backdrop of significant challenges within the industry. RMIS notes the past five years have proven particularly challenging for both the beef and sheep sectors. A combination of rising feed costs, erratic weather patterns, ongoing loadshedding, and global disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to a perilous financial landscape for farmers, feedlots, and abattoirs. With profit margins squeezed, stakeholders have struggled against high input costs and weakened consumer demand. However, there is a…

Economic activity remained resilient through July though economic pressures persist, according to The BankservAfrica Economic Transactions Index (BETI). The BETI, which tracks the value of all electronic transactions cleared through BankservAfrica at seasonally adjusted real prices, continues to reflect South Africa’s underlying economic resilience amid prevailing risks and financial strain. Shergeran Naidoo, BankservAfrica’s Head of Stakeholder Engagements, said, “The BETI increased for the third consecutive month to reach an index level of 139.3 in July 2025, 0.2% up on June’s level." The BETI is up 1.9% year-on-year, signalling that the quarter two uptick in economic activity is extending into quarter three, albeit with slightly moderated momentum. “The economy continues to demonstrate resilience, though significant challenges and risks persist. In particular, uncertainty around the impact of US import tariffs — both…

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, our newsfeeds fill with praise for women who are breaking barriers, leading companies, and transforming communities. But behind many of these polished success stories lies a quieter truth: women entrepreneurs are burning out, that is emotionally, mentally, and physically. Burnout is often described as the cost of ambition. But for women in business, it’s not just ambition; it’s survival. The pressure to provide, lead, nurture, and hustle in a system that still doesn’t fully support them, which is relentless and often exhausting. Women entrepreneurs wear multiple hats. They are CEOs, administrators, marketers, and, when the workday ends, they become caregivers, partners, and emotional anchors at home. Unlike many of their male counterparts, women often can’t compartmentalise or simply separate personal and professional responsibilities. The…

Quilter, the UK wealth manager with listings in London and on the JSE, increased first half profit by 3% to £100 million and anticipates the second half result to be much in line due to stepped up brand spend and business investment plans. The interim dividend was raised 18% to 2 pence from 17 pence at the same time last year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share came to 5.4 pence, up 4% from 5.2 pence. “We have delivered strong flow momentum across the business with core net inflows up 160% to £4.5 billion,” CEO Steven Levin said in a statement. The company reported an operating margin of 30% despite lower interest rates reducing investment income on shareholders' funds. The company's Affluent business segment saw net inflows of 9% of opening…

The face of the average homebuyer in South Africa is changing, and increasingly, it is female, from single professionals to entrepreneurial mothers and retirees, and they are transforming the market, said REMAX Southern Africa regional director and CEO Adrian Goslett. Their influence is driving change across buyer priorities, development planning, and agent strategy across the country,” he said on Wednesday. Standard Bank head of Home Services Toni Anderson said their home loan data showed women had consistently made up 70% of all home loan clients in the past 19 years, whether as joint or sole applicants. However, in a noteworthy shift, nearly 40% of all main applicants for home loans today are women. “Even more compelling is the independence with which women are now entering the market. In the past…

According to a preliminary investigation, inmate Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala alleges that he got the cellphone found in his possession from another offender who has since been released on bail. In a parliamentary reply, Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald said the investigation could not point to anyone responsible except Matlala himself, who was caught with the contraband during a search at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. This comes after a question by EFF’s Babalwa Mathulelwa regarding the circumstances under which Matlala was found with the cellphone and what actions the department has taken to prevent future security breaches. Matlala, 49, has become a central figure in explosive allegations involving fraud, violent crime, and high-level corruption. He was found in possession of a mobile phone during a raid at the Kgosi…

ANC veteran and National Executive Committee (NEC) member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has emphasised the need for the ANC to rebuild its structures on the ground and focus on local government to restore trust with the people. With the upcoming local government elections, Dlamini-Zuma stressed that the ANC should prioritise strengthening its branches and delivering services to communities. “Our branches must be built properly because the strength of the branch is what they do in the community… We are going to the local government elections, and we should be concentrating on that right now.” She emphasised that strong branches would lead to strong councillors who can deliver services effectively, ultimately rebuilding trust between the government and the people. The former minister emphasised that people experience government daily through local government, making it…

Rugby Australia (RA) has signalled that more overseas-based players will be allowed to represent the Wallabies, shifting away from a strict policy that has heavily favoured domestic players. The so-called "Giteau Law" — named after former flyhalf Matt Giteau — has for years imposed restrictions on overseas-based players being selected for the Wallabies. But with Test stars such as lock Will Skelton, flanker Tom Hooper and prop Taniela Tupou all joining an exodus to Europe, RA has indicated the Giteau Law has been dropped. That gives head coach Joe Schmidt a free hand when he names his squad for the Rugby Championship this week. "Joe's got no impediment to select whoever he wants," RA head of high performance Peter Horne said. "The Giteau Law, it’s kind of redundant now," Horne…