Table of contents for 2025-08-11 in Cape Times

A new study conducted by researchers at Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa and Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, has indicated a concerning decline in South Africa’s agri-food trade with the European Union (EU). The decline is attributed largely to increasing trade barriers and ongoing disputes that are reshaping the trade landscape. Published in the journal Agrekon, the study provides a thorough analysis of how the EU’s agri-food import practices are deteriorating the competitiveness of South Africa’s agricultural sector. The researchers categorised agri-food products into four distinct groups: bulk commodities, processed intermediate goods, horticultural products, and consumer-ready goods. Among these, citrus, grapes, wine, apples and pears, and avocados emerge as the top five agri-food exports to the EU. The findings highlight a striking trend, with nearly half of total…

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has announced the launch of phase two of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a provess that boosts tourism from India and China to South Africa. This adds another 45 vetted and approved tour operators to the existing 65 operators that have participated in the programme since its launch in February 2025. TTOS was conceptualised by Schreiber to address the long-standing challenge faced by tour operators in bringing large tour groups from the burgeoningsource markets of India and China to South Africa. It replaced manual, inefficient and paper-based processes that required prospective tourists to travel long distances justto apply for a visa, which then often took weeks to process and required a return trip for collection, with a new online system whereby…

The All Share index on the JSE recorded once again a record-breaking week. The index reached 101 034 points in intra-trade on Friday, gaining 0.2% on the day. The index improved over the week by 3.2%, advancing by 19.7% for the year to date. Equities are boosted by precious metals as the gold, platinum and palladium prices surged. This despite the introduction of tariffs of 30% by the US Trump administration on a wide range of products imported from South Africa, which kicked in last Thursday. The current debate like the “inability” of the South African government trade negotiators is dominating the media. Despite this noise, South African financial markets are experiencing positive movements. Although with volatility, the Rand exchange rate ended last week flat at R17.70 to the dollar.…

Accelerate Property Fund (APF), which has Fourways Mall as the flagship in its portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties, has massively increased its credit losses to R1.05 billion due to the impairment of a related party agreement of R970.7 million. In the results for the year to March 31, rental income fell by 5.7% to R824.04m. Net property income was down by 8.3% to R494.74m. Including the expected credit loss, the taxed loss increased 103.2% to R1.27bn from a R624.74m taxed loss a year before. The big impairment related to a settlement agreement entered into in November last year, between APF and co-developer of the mall, Azrapart, that had lapsed due to suspensive conditions not being fulfilled in the requisite timeframe. Last month, Azrapart was placed into business rescue…

When most people think of salt, they immediately associate it with flavour-enhancing savoury dishes, balancing sweetness or adding that final touch to a meal. But this humble white crystal, a staple in kitchens across the globe for centuries, has far more to offer than just taste. Salt plays a vital role in texture, preservation, colour and even the chemistry of cooking. It’s one of the most versatile tools in any cook’s arsenal – and when used thoughtfully, it can transform your everyday meals in unexpected ways. Here’s a closer look at the smart, sometimes surprising ways you can use salt in your kitchen beyond simple seasoning: Chop like a pro Chopping onions or garlic? A tiny sprinkle of salt on your cutting board can make a noticeable difference. Salt draws…

Digital burnout, defined as the mental, emotional and physical exhaustion brought on by excessive use of digital devices, can lead to troubling consequences for children. With the challenges of balancing screen time and real-life experiences, understanding and recognising the signs of digital burnout is more critical than ever. Recognise the signs of burnout: Physical symptoms: Parents may notice frequent complaints from their children, such as headaches or eye strain. Their sleep patterns may also change, with them struggling to fall asleep or waking up tired. Mood swings: Becoming more secretive, defensive or withdrawn. Children may also exhibit irritability when asked to stop using devices. Difficulty concentrating: Excessive screen time can hinder focus and attention in school, leading to decreased participation and performance. Teachers may notice children becoming easily distracted. Reduced…

uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, continue to woo traditional leaders and cultural groups across the country despite being dumped by Injeje yabeNguni and royal kingdoms this week. Injeje announced that it had resolved to rescind its endorsement of MKP throughout the country with immediate effect. "This determination emerged from a special conclave convened to deliberate extensively upon the strained relations between MKP and the revered institution on uBukhosi," the cultural group said this week. It cited its visit to Zuma's kwaDakwadunuse homestead in kwaNxamalala, Nkandla a week ago as the events that precipitated the decision. Traditional leaders from across the country were forced to leave without an audience with Zuma and accused the MKP of deliberately and systematically disregarding traditional leaders' authority. According to…

South Africa’s boldest and most imaginative minds are set to take flight as Red Bull Flugtag prepares to land at the V&A Waterfront for the first time since 2012. On November 2, flight crews made up of up to four teammates will launch their handcrafted flying machines off a more than 25-foot-high flight deck in the hopes of soaring, gliding into the harbour. The final team lineup is expected to be revealed this month. Red Bull Flugtag will take place in South Africa for the third time. The last time it touched down was in 2012, when a jaw-dropping 220 000 spectators packed the V&A Waterfront to witness pure flying madness. That year, Team Bulls Eye took the crown with a flight distance of 17.09 meters, impressing not just with…

Concerns have been raised about the vetting processes for individuals serving on community structures following the arrest of the Strand Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson on multiple charges of sexual offences involving a minor. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the accused, aged 56, was remanded in custody following his appearance in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He is due to appear again on Thursday for a bail application. The State has indicated it will oppose bail. "Police arrested the 56-year-old suspect on August 6, in connection with two counts of sexual assault levelled against him. He appeared in the Strand Magistrates’ court the same day. "Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is probing a sexual assault case following an incident which allegedly happened on 3 June…

The Proteas were left to rue a crucial dropped catch in their 17-run loss in the opening T20I against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Sunday, wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton admitted afterwards. South Africa had been set a target of 179, after skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field first. The Proteas managed to peg back the hosts after a furious start, and appeared on course to chase down a modest total until some big hitting by Tim David took the game away from them. David smashed eight sixes in a blistering 83 from 52 balls to lift Australia to a competitive total. South Africa could only manage 169 for nine in reply, thanks largely to 71 from Rickelton. Young speedster Kwena Maphaka starred with…

South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) Governor Lesetja Kganyago has warned that preliminary assessments suggested that South Africa's growth was being modestly affected by the United States' tariffs and other external economic factors. Kganyago on Friday said that despite the US being a significant trading partner, it was Europe, China, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that still held the most weight in South Africa's export dynamics. "In South Africa, our preliminary assessment is that tariffs and the other uncertainties in the global economy are causing modest damage to growth while leaving inflation broadly unchanged," Kganyago said. "Our exports to the US mostly consist of commodities − some of which are exempted− and manufactured products such as cars. Some parts of the agricultural sector are exposed, but total agricultural exports…

The Minister for Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, made an important call this past week for the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) to develop recommendations on how electricity can be made more affordable. Since 2006 when loadshedding first creeped into South Africa, electricity prices have increased by nearly 700%, or a four-fold increase in real terms once consumer price inflation is taken into account. This has bled the meagre wages of the working class, plunging them into suffocating debt and poverty, and impeded their ability to take care of their families or provide a better life for their children. It has stifled economic growth as consumers have had to shift their limited cash towards buying electricity. It has made it difficult for SMMEs to grow or…

ASP Isotopes Inc (ASPI), the Nasdaq-listed company that plans a JSE listing, intends to begin uranium enrichment at the Pelindaba nuclear facility through an agreement with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa). ASPI, which is in the process of a share-for-share transaction with Renergen, the only onshore helium and liquid natural gas producer in South Africa, said in a pre-listing statement on Friday that the agreement is to collaborate on research, development, and ultimately the commercial production of advanced nuclear fuels. The company plans a secondary JSE listing on August 27. “We believe the U-235 we may produce using QE (quantum enrichment) technology may be commercialised as a nuclear fuel component for use in the new generation of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU)-fueled small modular reactors that are currently under…

In a groundbreaking judgment regarding the distribution of death benefits, the Constitutional Court held that dependency must be assessed based on facts at the date of a member to a pension fund’s death, not at the time distribution decisions are made. Every year, South African retirement funds distribute billions of rands upon the death of their in-service members to persons who were “dependents” of a deceased member. These benefits are distributed in terms of section 37C of the Pension Funds Act. The Constitutional Court noted that it is particularly important in the context of South Africa’s high incidence of employment precariousness and dependency on a single breadwinner. In this case, Tshifhiwa Mutsila’s husband died in 2012 of work-related injuries. She was left to care for herself and their five children.…

THE 30-year-old woman shot and killed in a drive-by attack in Heideveld at the weekend was a key witness in a gang-related case. “That might be the reason she was shot and killed,” said Manenberg Community Police Forum deputy chairperson Vanessa Adriaanse The shooting on 5th Street at about 11:15am, close to Phoenix Secondary School happened a kilometre away from the venue for the Western Cape police board’s anti-gun campaign launch. The #SilencingTheGun campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impact of illegal firearms. Adriaanse said the shooting took place while community members, mostly women, were gathered for the campaign launch in honour of Women’s Day. “This is devastating, to think that we were launching the silencing the guns campaign where we mostly invited females because it’s…

A 37-year-old man is expected to appear in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the shooting of a prominent Hermanus businesswoman and taxi owner. Independent Media reported that three unknown gunmen shot and killed 59-year-old Julia Alam of Zwelihle in broad daylight as she left a shop at the Whale Coast Mall on Thursday afternoon. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said provincial detectives from the Serious and Violent Crime unit launched an investigation. “Preliminary information suggests that the 59-year-old woman exited the mall and, on her way to her vehicle, was ambushed and gunned down by three unknown armed men. She succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. The motive for the murder appears to be taxi-related. The assailants fled the scene,” he said. Alam’s husband was…

The Boland Cavaliers showed their Currie Cup mettle on Sunday as they subdued the Lions with excellent defence and a powerful scrummaging and lineout performance to claim a vital 29-10 bonus-point victory in Wellington. After two good wins, the Johannesburg side looked a shadow of the team they had been in the previous games, losing the physical battle, faltering in the lineouts, missing numerous tackles, and spilling their ball at scrum time. It was their counterparts who looked more dangerous, and the shock win in front of their home fans will give the Bolanders plenty of confidence as they continue a bright start to the tournament. Despite losing their captain early in the game, and copping a yellow card in the first five minutes, the Cavaliers started the game off…

Guinea’s National Elephants and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will face off for the first time in the history of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Monday. This match, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the bustling city of Kampala, will not only add a new chapter to the tournament’s history but also mark an important moment for both teams as they aim to secure crucial Group C points. South Africa will become the 15th different opponent Guinea has faced in CHAN competition, while this fixture will represent the ninth team South Africa have met in the tournament. It will also be Guinea’s third outing against a COSAFA nation, having previously faced Zambia twice. Bafana Bafana's coach, Molefi Ntseki, acknowledges the challenge presented by Guinea, who are known for their…

Koeberg Alert Alliance files appeals against authorisation, demands reassessment Environmentalists and civil society advocates are gearing up for a critical meeting to address the government's contentious decision to uphold Eskom's 2017 Environmental Authorisation for a new 4 000MW nuclear power station in Duynefontein. The decision has sparked intense criticism, particularly due to reliance on outdated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, which raised alarms about the risks posed by high seismic activity and dense human populations in the area. The green light for the nuclear project comes after environmentalists, led by groups such as the Koeberg Alert Alliance (KAA), filed appeals against the initial authorisation, arguing that recent developments since 2007 necessitate a reassessment. However, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on Friday upheld the decision granting…

South Africa's manufacturing landscape revealed a modest improvement in production capacity utilisation for large enterprises, as new data from Stats SA indicates an increase to 77.7% in May 2025 from 77.6% in May 2024. Economists are interpreting this 0.1 percentage point rise as a positive indication of resilience within the sector. According to Stats SA, six out of the ten major manufacturing divisions recorded increases in production capacity utilisation compared with the same month last year. Notably, the glass and non-metallic mineral products sector led the way with a significant rise of 2.5 percentage points, followed by textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear which saw an improvement of 1.8 percentage points. Three divisions notably surpassed the critical threshold of 80% capacity utilisation in May 2025. The food and beverages sector topped…

A Mark Twain dilemma has beset South Africa in as far as the quest for a national dialogue is concerned. The Foundations which were instrumental in galvanising the idea have decided not to be present at the launch on the 15th of August. Former president Thabo Mbeki had also released a statement a few weeks ago on what would determine the outcome of a dialogue as the credibility of its constituent composition. President Cyril Ramaphosa is going ahead with or without the Foundations. A national dialogue under the prevailing circumstances, especially those of guaranteed incumbency after an election was certainly going to be problematic because interests will have been entrenched. Mindful of this difficulty, on the 19th of December 2024, I penned an article titled, Next year’s elections should…

Zimbabwe and the UK are rekindling diplomatic ties after almost three decades of tension, driven by a global surge in demand for critical minerals that’s led the former colonial power to pursue $1 billion in deals with the resource-rich nation. In June, the UK dispatched Minister for Africa Lord Ray Collins of Highbury to meet Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior leaders. The trip marked a rare encounter between the two nations’ officials after years of deteriorating relations, especially under former President Robert Mugabe - a vocal critic of Britain’s 90-year colonial rule of the southern African nation. Collins described his visit as a “mission for economic growth” that would lead to “a win-win situation” for both countries. The British Embassy in Harare echoed that sentiment in the past…

Researchers from Ohio State University have found that people who live by the ocean tend to live longer than those who don’t, especially when compared to those living in urban areas near rivers or lakes. While many South Africans already seek out coastal properties for lifestyle or leisure, the findings offer scientific backing to the idea that living near the sea could be as beneficial for your health as a balanced diet or regular exercise. Published in the journal Health & Place, the study analysed data from more than 66 000 people, looking specifically at the connection between proximity to bodies of water – referred to as “blue spaces” – and life expectancy. The results showed that people living by the coast were expected to live a year or…

As the nation commemorated Women’s Day on Saturday, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya announced the introduction of a Sexual Harassment Policy for the South African Judiciary. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) described this as a historic step in safeguarding the integrity of the courts and protecting the dignity of all who serve within them. The OCJ said this policy reiterates the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to the Constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and justice, and sends a clear message that sexual harassment has no place in the halls of justice. As custodians of the Constitution, Judges and Magistrates bear a profound responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and South Africa’s own Judicial Codes of Conduct demand nothing less, the office said…

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said his department neither provided financial assistance nor facilitated the acquisition of the reported multimillion-rand investment by his son Calvyn Le’John in the now rebranded Siwelele Football Club. McKenzie also said he did not use his political influence in the acquisition of SuperSport United, which will now be operating under a new name and relocated to Bloemfontein. Le’John and his firm were recently announced as the new owners of SuperSport United - renaming the club and relocating it to Bloemfontein. Responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MPs Eugene Mthethwa and Mandla Shikwambana, McKenzie said “no” when asked if the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and entities provided funding, logistical support, and regulatory facilitation to the club or Le’John in connection with…

THE couple accused of raping and murdering seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa now face an additional charge of kidnapping. Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The State revealed that the pair’s relatives have refused to house them if they are granted bail. The pair was arrested on July 23, a day after Lolitha left her Kuyasa home with Matyeseni’s daughter. She had told her mother she was going to play at the accused’s nearby house. She was found dead 1.5 kilometres away from her home, with a screwdriver lodged in her head. After the home Jack and Matyeseni shared was set alight by community members, the State told the court that they were a flight risk and that bail would be opposed. The accused initially…

The Bulls were their worst enemies in that opening 10 minutes when they had the Pumas under massive pressure during their Currie Cup defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon. While the first half was a tight affair between the two sides, the visitors dominated the second half for a 41-7 victory, scoring six tries, of which five came after the halftime whistle. Despite the heavy defeat, Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo remains upbeat about their campaign after they started with two strong victories. “We tripped (in this game) a bit; we didn’t fall,” he said about the loss. It is now up to us to get together and ensure we are better by the next time we train to know what we have to fix. “We were poor, and…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says they need to get their Betway Premiership title defence back on track after a disappointing result in their opening game. Sundowns drew 1-1 with Chippa United in the opening match of their league campaign at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. Despite dropping two points, it was a huge result for Chippa, who will want to build on the momentum throughout the course of the domestic campaign. The same cannot be said for Sundowns. The result stung, as they were clear favourites for the game given their depth, experience, and title aspirations for the season. Cardoso is not crying over spilled milk, though. He has urged his troops to turn their focus to their next league game at Loftus Versfeld against…