Table of contents for 2025-11-24 in Star

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has said the Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) aimed at addressing the ballooning R105 billion debt to Eskom is not sufficient in itself, pointing to inefficiencies with Eskom's systems and lack of capacity of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to efficiently regulate 167 municipalities with only a 400 staff complement. Salga told Parliament on Friday that it was seeing a surge in the repeated deterioration and aging of infrastructure, the decline in financial sustainability in municipal distribution businesses, the poor asset management and outdated technologies, the rising operational costs and severe revenue losses, escalating vandalism theft and illegal connections at the municipal level. Salga said there was inherent danger of fragmentation on distribution with Eskom, along with 167 municipalities licenced to…

South Africa successfully champions critical issues facing low and middle income countries The G20 Leaders' Summit held for the first time on African soil in Johannesburg over the weekend has come and gone, but South Africa has successfully championed to put critical issues facing low- and middle-income countries at the center of global debate. This is in spite of the United States boycotting the global summit and attempting to influence Heads of States not to adopt the Leaders' Declaration, which somewhat caused a minor diplomatic row over the incoming G20 Presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa used his closing remarks on Sunday to deliver a clear message: the world’s ability to secure prosperity, stability and climate safety hinges on helping developing nations escape crushing debt, accelerating climate action, and ensuring that the…

South Africa’s food inflation continued its downward trend in October, easing for the third consecutive month even as overall consumer inflation edged higher. Statistics SA reported last week that food price inflation slowed to 3.9% in October, down from 4.4% in September, while headline inflation rose to 3.6% from 3.4%. Economists and civil society organisations have welcomed the decline, saying it offers much-needed relief to households squeezed by high living costs. Wandile Sihlobo, chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, said the slowdown was driven largely by lower prices for fruit and nuts, vegetables, meat, sugar, confectionery and desserts. “The ample supplies, combined with the base effects, are what contribute to the easing of price inflation in these products," he said. "Moreover, while modestly up from the…

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), during its press conference last Thursday on its latest repo rate decision, decided to lower the repo rate with 25 basis points from 7.00% to 6.75% with immediate effect. In return banks lowered their prime rate by 0.25% to 10.25%. This is the second cut for 2025, bringing the repo rate down by 50 basis points in total. Before the press conference there was a 50/50 division between economists and analysts on the possibility of a lower repo rate. The President of the Reserve Bank on Thursday, Lesetja Kganyago said that inflation expectations, point towards moving towards the 3% objective. The average inflation rate for the year to date is 3.15%, this is despite the increase in October to 3.6% from 3.4% in September,…

Cilo Cybin Holdings’ share price fell sharply by 7.1% on Friday after its interim results showed a taxed loss of R212.2 million versus a R6m profit previously - the losses were mainly driven by accounting listing charges. “Excluding the once-off IFRS 2 (listing) charge, the group would have ended on a profit of R5m,” the interim results said on Friday. The share price ended at R2.85 when the market closed. A non-cash IFRS 2 listing expense of R217.5m was recognised, arising from the reverse acquisition and the issue of shares to acquire the listing status of Cilo Cybin. Cilo Cybin is South Africa’s first licensed medical cannabis cultivator and remains one of the few vertically integrated players with both cultivation and manufacturing licences. It operates as a contract manufacturer for…

Female leaders battling their way through kidnappings, terrorism and blackmail in the political sphere come to extraordinary light in Hostage. The brand-new Netflix political thriller also offers enough twists and turns to keep you glued to your screens from start to finish. The five-part series, starring Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy in the leading roles, is a refreshing women-led entry in a genre that is still dominated by excellent yet largely male-heavy casts. Without objectifying these stellar actresses, the production places their professional and political tact, along with their family lives and personal struggles, at the forefront. And after several unexpected twists, the show poses a powerful question: how much should a female leader have to sacrifice for her country? Hostage introduces viewers to Abigail Dalton (Jones), who, during a…

As the festive spirit fills the air, movie lovers everywhere will soon be cuddling up with their favourite Christmas classics. Among them is The Family Stone, a heart-warming story led by the late Diane Keaton. And fans might soon have a new reason to celebrate as writer-director Thomas Bezucha has plans for a sequel to honour Keaton after her passing in October. The Family Stone, released in 2005, stars Keaton as Sybil Stone, a matriarch whose family gathers for Christmas as they deal with her cancer diagnosis. The film also features other well-known actors, including Craig T. Nelson, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams and Tyrone Giordano. According to online reports, Bezucha had been working on a sequel script since before Keaton’s death on October…

RISE Mzansi has strongly welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a National Disaster, stating that the crisis cannot be treated as business as usual. The party stated that the declaration should not be viewed as a “symbolic gesture,” but rather as a watershed moment that forces the government to enforce existing safeguards and strengthen protection for women, children, and the LGBTQIA+ community, all of whom face constant violence. RISE Mzansi national spokesperson Mabine Seabe said GBVF is not only a policing issue, but a national emergency that affects freedom of movement, access to education, the ability to work, and the right to live without fear. Seabe stressed that perpetrators continue to act with impunity because they do not fear consequences, a reality that must…

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has called for the SAPS to strengthen its internal Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) to increase its ability to identify and investigate members and other police who are involved in corruption in order to reduce the scourge. This, according to the ISS report titled ‘Tackling police corruption in South Africa’, could be strengthened by enhancing the capacity for the SAPS’ detention and investigation. The ACIU was established in 2017 to focus on criminal investigations against police members involved in corruption. This was a response to concerns that existing structures were insufficient. The report, authored by David Bruce and Gareth Newham, stated that police corruption is the most widespread form of official corruption in South Africa. Bruce is an independent researcher on policing and a consultant…

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has commented on the United States’ decision to revoke former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor’s visa, saying that even if they revoke her visa it does not concern her. Ntshavheni spoke on the sidelines of the final day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. “The other issues you are referring to are matters that DIRCO will have to deal with. Former Minister Naledi Pandor is not a member of Cabinet. If they revoke someone’s visa – like any other country – when they decide – it doesn’t change the price of bread,” she said. “Even if they revoke my visa, it’s fine. I would not go to the US. Actually, the majority of us don’t go to the…

While the world’s attention is fixated on South Africa this weekend as the nation hosts the G20 Leaders’ Summit, matters of international importance are in the spotlight. And while President Cyril Ramaphosa did not arrive at the elite gathering on Saturday at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg – the first G20 on African soil – wearing anything outrageous, his simple yet intentional outfit choice spoke volumes. As fashion for heads of state is regarded as a form of non-verbal diplomacy, Ramaphosa led the delegation on the first day of the summit, donning a dark, well-tailored suit, crisp white shirt, burgundy tie, and a subtle South African flag lapel pin. As the host and chair of the summit, his look conveyed authority, stability and hospitality. It wasn’t loud or flashy;…

Morgan Rogers produced two excellent finishes to inspire an Aston Villa comeback, beating Leeds 2–1 at Elland Road yesterday and moving into the English Premier League’s top four. Rogers has often been preferred this season by England manager Thomas Tuchel over Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham but had scored just once this season prior to his second-half double. After failing to win any of their first five games, Villa have now won six of their last seven Premier League matches, climbing into UEFA Champions League positions. Defeat leaves Leeds inside the relegation zone, and they were left to rue not building on a fast start. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez pleaded in vain for a foul as he was challenged for a high ball by Anton Stach in the eighth minute. Ezri…

A stunned England woke on Sunday to savage criticism after their meek capitulation in the first Ashes Test, branded “brainless” and “damaged” by former greats after their cavalier approach backfired. Ben Stokes’s men lost the opening battle in Perth by eight wickets inside two days on the back of batting collapses and Travis Head slamming a sensational sixty-nine-ball century. Since last claiming an Ashes series in Australia 15-years ago, they have now lost 14 Tests, drawn two and won none Down Under. England had a perfect opportunity to snap the dire streak and earn a psychological advantage heading into the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4. But after reaching 160/5, the tourists lost five wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out for 172 on day one, before…

It might not be one of the best leagues in the world, but Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s reported move to the Chicago Fire in MLS still augurs well for his career. Mbokazi has carved out a reputation as one of the most rock-solid defenders in the PSL top flight. This is due to his maturity, composure on and off the ball, timeless tackles, and accurate passing. His exploits haven’t gone unnoticed. He has even caught the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who believes Mbokazi is one of the best defenders he has ever coached – and simply too good for the local league. Broos has stressed that it will be important for the teenager to move overseas next season, as that will elevate his career to greater heights. Christmas seems…

Despite deep ruptures in the global trading system caused by sweeping US tariffs and escalating geopolitical tensions, Africa’s trade has remained far more resilient than many feared. That was the message from World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who said the continent has been insulated from the worst impacts of the tariff battles reshaping economic relations among major powers. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged that the United States’ aggressive tariff actions, including high unilateral duties and a growing number of bilateral trade deals outside the WTO, have disrupted global commerce. But despite the turmoil, she said the global system has held together more than expected — and Africa, in particular, has not suffered the kind of trade contraction that…

South Africa’s pension system has absorbed two shocks that speak to the pressures shaping household financial life today. The first is the reported R3.6 billion impairment reported by the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) for 2024/25 after delays in the recovery of unlisted investments. The second is the R57 billion that members withdrew in the first ten months of the two-pot system, a release that was meant to be gradual but quickly became a measure of how stretched families really are. These numbers reveal more than financial strain. They expose a system built on expectations that no longer match the realities of how people work, earn and save. For many South Africans, the path into stable work is not linear. People enter the formal labour market late, often around their…

South Africa’s wine industry is raising a glass in celebration after securing six coveted spots on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Vineyards list, a feat that Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says confirms the country’s status as a global wine powerhouse. Steenhuisen praised the achievement, saying the accolades reflect the industry’s innovation, high standards, and growing influence in international wine tourism. “We have always known we have great wine, and this exceptional performance, with six of our winery estates securing places amongst the world’s best, is a resounding endorsement of our wine tourism’s consistent standards and innovation,” said Steenhuisen. Steenhuisen said that two vineyards made it to the Top 10 list. Klein Constantia Wine Estate, in the Western Cape, was named the Best Vineyard in Africa and also the recipient of…

Our country is not in the space it should be in. As a host of G20 we would have loved to be a shining star that had dealt poverty a blow, a place where corruption was dealt with firmly, where children have a brighter future, taps are not only running but are oozing label blue water, with smooth streets, where women feel safe, and children are assured of a meal daily. This is the South Africa dreamed of and this is the sacrifice Mandela and his cohorts made. Yet the reality is the Madlanga Commission and the streets ooze raw sewerage, while unemployment of the youth is north of 62%. With hope for the SDGs, South Africa is no where closer to the goals as it regresses.…

Jubilee Metals Group, the London and JSE listed mining group, increased copper production by 65% in the first quarter of its financial year to September 30, with no material power outages affecting operations. The Zambia-focused copper producer said in an operational update on Friday that production was made up largely of copper concentrate produced by Roan for refining at Sable, prior to the commencement of high-grade copper (Cu) ore deliveries from the Molefe mine to Sable during September 2025. Leon Coetzer, Jubilee's CEO, said it had been a significant 12 months as the company had become a pure Zambia-focused copper producer. Jubilee’s share price fell 2.5% to 65 cents on Friday, a price already well down from R1.13 a year before. “I am pleased to report positive progress in the…

Türkiye’s Erdoğan blasts Israel over Gaza, praises South Africa’s global role “South Africa, having gained independence 30 years ago under the visionary leadership of Nelson Mandela, has not abandoned standing up for human rights all over the world,” Erdoğan remarked, highlighting the country’s continued dedication to these principles. Reflecting on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Erdoğan underscored the urgency of the ceasefire recently achieved, calling it “crucial for global stability.” He stressed that reconstruction and humanitarian assistance must commence without delay, with Türkiye pledging ongoing support for Gaza’s rebuilding efforts. “We cannot ignore a genocide in Gaza where 60 000 people have lost their lives. The responsibility for this genocide lies with Netanyahu and Israel,” Erdoğan declared emphatically. “The loss of more than 70 000 children, women, and innocent…

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has promised continued service delivery apart from availing all resources for the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg. Morero told journalists on the sidelines of the summit that residents must rest assured that they would be taken care of. His remarks come after Gauteng residents especially Joburg ones, accused and slammed Morero of cleaning the city, constructing roads and bridges all for the summit. “Check us on Tuesday, if we are not in the group then it means we were doing it for the G20. But if you see us in all the regions continuing to provide unblocked service delivery,” he said. The two-day summit was held at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. Morero expressed appreciation to all people who participated in ensuring that Johannesburg was on…

Two people were killed and a third is in critical condition after a brutal stabbing inside their Zwide, Gqeberha, home on Saturday night. Police said the attack happened at about 9pm in Makhanda Street. According to spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, a family member rushed home after a community member told him that “something happened at his house”. “According to reports, Kwazakhele police were called to attend to the crime scene,” she said. “On arrival they were informed by a family member that he was contacted by a member of the community and informed that something happened at his house.” She said the first victim, a 56-year-old woman, sustained multiple stab wounds and died at the scene. “Two other male victims, 29 and 49 years old, were rushed to…

The City of Tshwane will reverse its controversial monthly R194 cleansing levy on properties using private waste collectors by crediting affected residents’ municipal accounts, but will not provide cash refunds. The city is backing down on its cleansing levy after it was deemed unlawful by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, following a legal action by AfriForum. AfriForum argued in court that the levy was unfair double taxation, especially for those already paying private waste collectors. The civic organisation also called on Tshwane to immediately stop placing the illegal levy on residents’ accounts and to refund all amounts collected in full. The city maintains it was trying to ensure a fair contribution to cleansing services, but AfriForum sees this as a victory against municipal overreach. The city had planned to generate…

In highlighting the urgent need for critical care nursing in South Africa, a professor from the University of Pretoria (UP) pointed out that the country only has 62,46 critical care-trained nurses registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). South Africa’s population of 64 million is meanwhile supported by only 4,719 critical care beds. Around 1,186 of these beds are in the public sector and 3,533 in the private sector. In an inaugural address at the UP, newly appointed Professor Isabel Coetzee-Prinsloo outlined a transformative vision for the future of critical care in South Africa. She presented what she termed the “three pillars of excellence in critical care” – quality education, practice development, and knowledge translation. Her lecture, delivered at a time when healthcare systems worldwide continue to evolve in…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was moved when a hand‑drawn portrait of him, created by South African architect Thandeka Shezi, was presented during his visit to Johannesburg for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The portrait was gifted by Suhani Ahuja, ambassador of the Alfeco Foundation, to India’s Consul General Mahesh Kumar as a gesture of deep friendship and shared values between India and South Africa.Shezi said the portrait was drawn with “profound respect,” inspired by her background in architecture. “Architecture teaches us to design for people … this portrait was drawn with the hope that it becomes a symbol of unity and the spirit of Ubuntu that South Africa holds dear.” Ahuja added that the gift recognizes not only Modi’s leadership but also the cultural ties and collaborative future being built…

Relief was the pervading emotion in the Springbok team on Saturday night after they broke their 13-year winning drought in Dublin with a 24-13 win. The score flattered Ireland, who were dominated from the first whistle to the last, but doggedly hung in to prevent a rout. To crown the Boks’ fourth consecutive win on their November tour, hooker Malcolm Marx was handed the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award in the change room straight after the match. The Boks led 19-7 at half-time and went on to win the match by 11 points, despite the clash being marred by a red and yellow card. “It was a great win against a team that have dominated us since we’ve been together as a group,” said Erasmus, who…

Kaizer Chiefs started their CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign on a sour note after they were beaten 2–1 by Al Masry at the Suez Stadium in Egypt on Sunday night. Chiefs are pointless in Group D and will hope to turn their fortunes around in their next game at home to another Egyptian side, Zamalek, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. This was not the ideal result for Amakhosi, as they not only suffered a loss but also saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. While Chiefs came into this match on a high following those wins, they were under no illusion that Al Masry would be easy to beat. The hosts proved a tough nut to crack and were spurred on by their vocal supporters,…

As the United Rugby Championship (URC) resumes this weekend, South African fans are gearing up for a series of high-stakes clashes, with the Jukskei Derby at Loftus standing out as the headline fixture. The Bulls are hoping to bounce back from their away defeat against the Glasgow Warriors before the international break, while neighbours the Lions will be buoyed after two successive wins erased memories of a nightmare European tour. The Bulls, last year’s beaten finalists, started the season brightly with two home wins, but endured a mixed tour, with a narrow win against Connacht sandwiched between losses to Ulster and the Warriors. They have often struggled to balance new coach Johan Ackerman’s expansive approach with the physical dominance and forward power game that served them so well in the…

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane says Saturday’s win over Siwelele FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium was a performance built on maturity rather than momentum, as his young squad continued learning the demands of top-flight football. The match was settled by a superb brace from 23-year-old winger Athini Maqokola, whose sharp movement and composure in the final third gave Usuthu the cutting edge they lacked in previous weeks. His goals arrived at crucial moments – just before half-time and again midway through the second period – to hand AmaZulu a much-needed return to winning ways. The KwaZulu Natal based outfit moved up to fifth on the Betway Premiership standings and remain on course for a duel for CAF spots. But while Maqokola’s finishing will dominate the highlights, Zwane’s biggest takeaway…

Italy has unveiled an ambitious debt-relief plan aimed at easing the financial burden on low- and middle-income countries, declaring that sustainable development cannot be achieved without addressing the crushing debt many nations face. Africa faces growing financing pressures as rising debt service costs severely constrain development. By the end of 2024, public debt to countries and multilateral financial institutions had reached $1.815 trillion, while annual debt servicing climbed to $163 billion, leaving 57% of Africans living in countries where debt payments exceed health or education spending. The high level of debt is unsustainable and undermines efforts towards sustainable development and poverty alleviation. The G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability has signaled the intent of the G20 to do more to tackle unsustainable levels of debt alongside the rising cost of…

As G20 leaders gather in Johannesburg, discussions will centre on energy, trade and employment - issues that shape global economic activity. Alongside these familiar pillars, however, sits a less frequently examined driver: Sport. Not as charity or soft power but as a developing category of infrastructure that supports consumer demand, service industries and fiscal capacity in multiple markets. Bank of America Institute highlights the economic potential. Our Market Landscape Insights work finds that households globally spend roughly $1,122 annually on sports-related goods and experiences. Transaction-level card data show that major events reliably lift local spending. During the most recent FIFA Club World Cup, host areas recorded a 7% year-on-year increase in hospitality and retail activity. These effects are modest individually but meaningful when repeated and scaled. Different regions illustrate this…

Cosatu will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on the 6th of December at Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto. This will be an occasion for workers to celebrate their many hard-won gains since the dark days of apartheid, state brutality and absolute misery. It will be an opportunity to honour the many heroes of workers’ struggles from Ray Alexander organising clothing and laundry workers in the 1940s to Oscar Mpetha leading food and canning workers in the 1980s. Most importantly it is a moment to recharge the labour movement to tackle the many challenges workers face today from 1% economic growth to 42% unemployment rates. Cosatu, like all other labour formations, has no shortage of armchair critics who argue that unions are a burden to the economy and society, yet they shamefully…

The SPAR Group share price continued a downward trend on Friday after it warned that headline earnings per share from continuing operations were expected to be lower by 7.5% to 12.5% for the 52 weeks to September 26. The share price was trading 4.35% lower at R103.50 on Friday afternoon, following a trend of over 24% lower from R137.69 a year previously. The retail franchiser group stated in a trading statement that once-off impairments processed during the year were largely behind the fact that earnings per share from continuing operations were likely to be between 40% and 50% lower. The lower headline earnings per share would be primarily due to the SPAR Poland exit financing costs and related tax. However, the directors indicated that the group was committed to resuming…

Argent Industrials' share price leapt over 7% on Friday after it reported an 11.7% increase in the interim dividend to 67 cents a share. Revenue increased 12.4% to R1.42 billion for the six months to September 30. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) was up 13.2% to R229.84 million. Profit increased 12.7% to R146.98m Headline earnings a share increased by 13.3% to 261.7 cents. The share price traded at R32 on Friday afternoon on the JSE, up from R27.05 a year before. Net asset value at September 30 was 3,654.9 cents a share. “These strong results underscore the effectiveness of our disciplined capital allocation strategy and continued investment in high-performing international operations. Argent’s focus on operational efficiency, strategic diversification, and prudent financial management continues to support sustainable value…

Members of Parliament are heading to the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane this week to hear testimony from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is currently incarcerated. Matlala’s testimony is part of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, involving claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system. The committee, established to investigate the allegations made by Mkhwanazi, is scheduled to hear evidence from three key witnesses in Gauteng this week. The hearings will take place at the Kgoši Mampuru after a resolution by the committee, intended to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved in the investigation. The committee previously heard from Section Manager: Information and Security Risk Management, Rudzani Mpilo, who explained that after visiting Kgoši Mampuru, where…

Former President Jacob Zuma will turn to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on December 1, in a bid to obtain leave to appeal last month’s judgment ordering him to pay back the money incurred during his private litigation over the years – all of them slightly more than R28.9 million. Judge Anthony Millar earlier ordered Zuma to make this payment to the State Attorney, as well as pay interest as calculated at the prescribed rate, which runs into more millions. But Zuma’s legal team indicated shortly after the judgment that they will not leave matters here, as they maintain that he should not face the hefty legal bill, as the State Attorney from the start agreed to foot this bill, until it reconsidered the matter and decided he was not…

Fifty of the more than 300 children snatched by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped their captors, a Christian group said in a statement Sunday. “We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” said the Christian Association of Nigeria in a statement, adding they escaped between Friday and Saturday. Gunmen on Friday raided St Mary’s co-education school in Niger state, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria. The abduction came after gunmen had on Monday stormed a secondary school in neighbouring Kebbi state, abducting 25 girls, as security fears mount in Africa’s most populous nation, sparking a wave of school closures across other parts of the country. The number of boys…

South Africa will participate in next year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in the US, despite diplomatic tension triggered by Washington’s boycott of the gathering in Johannesburg. Director-General of International Relations, Zane Dangor, confirmed on Saturday that Pretoria’s commitment to the bloc remained unchanged as the US prepared to assume the rotating G20 presidency from South Africa. “We are a member of the G20; we attend G20 meetings, and at this stage, we don’t have any reason to believe that this would change,” Dangor said on the sidelines of the summit at Nasrec. Dangor also clarified that South Africa will not attend the first meetings of the incoming US presidency cycle, which begin next week. The assurances came during South Africa’s historic hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit on November 22 to…

The challenge of period poverty remains a barrier for many girl learners in South Africa, restricting their access to quality education and undermining their dignity. However, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has taken decisive steps to address this pressing issue, committing to a comprehensive approach that spans government and society. This was in response to a parliamentary question posed to Minister Siviwe Gwarube by the EFF’s Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose, which sought to ascertain the Minister’s accountability for the basic education sector’s approach to period poverty. Specifically, Chirwa-Mpungose asked what interventions the department had spearheaded to address period poverty and what their resulting impact was. Gwarube said the DBE recognises period poverty as a serious barrier to access, retention and participation in schooling for many girl learners. She has taken responsibility…

The Government of National Unity (GNU) has now settled into the political landscape and is no longer an experiment but a lived reality. Its existence invites a deeper reflection on what it reveals about the state of our democracy and the enduring instinct for survival. Far from signalling a rupture, the ANC’s participation in the GNU may represent a familiar trend in our political history, one in which power yields just enough to preserve itself. What began as an act of accommodation has become a study in continuity and shows how institutions adapt to new conditions without transforming their essence. The question that remains is whether the GNU serves as a bridge to renewal or as a careful continuation of the same political logic that has long defined the South…

Malcolm Marx must have approached Saturday’s clash – his 87th Test for South Africa – against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with plenty of thoughts running through his mind. This was, after all, the same Irish team that split a series with the Springboks on South African soil last year — winning in Durban after losing in Pretoria. It was also the same opponent against whom Marx suffered one of the worst injuries of his career: a fractured tibia caused by a dangerous croc-roll clearout at the breakdown. The culprits then were No 8 Caelan Doris and lock James Ryan, with Ryan executing the illegal cleanout while Doris took the yellow card. So, when Marx delivered a powerhouse performance in the Boks’ 24–13 victory in Dublin this weekend,…

Formula One world champion Max Verstappen produced a masterful drive to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, with his title hopes boosted further after the McLarens of championship leader Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified. Norris had finished second on the track, with Piastri fourth, but the skid blocks on both cars were found after the race to be below the minimum depth. The disqualifications mean that with two race weekends remaining, four-time defending champion Verstappen is now level on points with Piastri in the title race, just 24 points behind Norris. However, Verstappen's chances of a fifth successive title will depend on another slip-up from Norris or his McLaren team. With a maximum of 58 points available in the final two GPs, the Briton needs…

France ended their turgid Autumn Nations Series with a lacklustre 48-33 win over Australia on Saturday, with thoughts moving quickly to the return of captain Antoine Dupont in time for the defence of their Six Nations title. Scrumhalf Dupont has been out since March with a serious knee injury but is expected to be back for club Toulouse within two weeks, well ahead of France’s Six Nations opener against Ireland at the beginning of February. The 29-year old superstar missed the win over the Wallabies as well as a victory over Fiji and the humbling by South Africa during November. Les Bleus failed to live up to expectations as a swashbuckling side capable of challenging the best in the world under head coach Fabien Galthie. “He’s the best player in…