Table of contents for 2025-05-20 in Cape Times

Vodacom Group met five-year targets and lifted its full-year dividend 5.1% to 620 cents a share, even though it served 9.2 million fewer customers in the year to March 31. South Africa’s second biggest mobile network operator has also upgraded its medium-term operational earnings growth targets. CEO Shameel Joosub said Monday normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 7.8% to R55.52 billion in the past year and that the five-year target for this metric had been adjusted to double-digit figures from high single-digit figures. “As we draw the curtain on our Vision 2025 strategy, I am proud of the progress we made over five years to deliver on our targets. This was despite a challenging environment marked by a global health crisis, currency volatility, geopolitical tensions, inflation pressures…

Experts say R150 billion worth of exports hang in the balance during the trip This week’s meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and US President Donald Trump is being closely monitored by the international relations stakeholders as they have emphasised its significance for trade relations and the broader South African economy. Reflecting on the economic context, Andre Thomashausen, a Professor Emeritus for International Law at Unisa, indicated that South Africa’s access to the US markets was crucial because the trade balance with the US was nearly 100% positive and in favour of the South African economy. Thomashausen said a total of R150 billion of exports will hang in the balance on Wednesday, a price too big to pay for postures of national pride. “Imports from the US are…

South Africa’s poultry industry would like a seat at the table if there are any changes on import tariffs or quotas on the US imports, even though at this stage, it will be unaffected directly by a cessation of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Agreement (Agoa), said Astral CEO Gary Arnold. Currently, South Africa allows a 70 000-ton duty-free chicken import quota from the US, but this figure barely got filled last year, and there have been no chicken imports from the US this year because of the outbreak of bird flu in the US, Gary Arnold, CEO of South Africa’s largest integrated poultry producer Astral Foods, said on Monday. He said he was more concerned about the potential impact on the broader South African economy of lower exports to…

Despite the AI-fuelled headlines and promises of satellite connectivity, Africa's digital transformation still depends heavily on physical infrastructure: optical fibre cables. As global discussions increasingly focus on novel technologies, it's the unglamorous fibre networks snaking beneath our urban centres that silently determine which economies will thrive in the coming decade. Pieter E Viljoen, CEO of Yangtze Optics Africa Cable (YOA Cable), offers informed perspectives on this critical but often overlooked sector. With a master's degree in semiconductor physics rather than the typical accountancy background of most South African executives, Viljoen exemplifies how first-principles thinking informs both technical manufacturing and strategic leadership at the company's Dube Tradeport facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Physics versus engineering When I mistakenly referenced Viljoen's engineering background, he offered a telling distinction: "Physicists, we have to think out…

In today’s age of individuality and “cutting people off for peace”, many adults find themselves yearning for meaningful friendships. Scroll through social media, and you’ll find countless posts from people lamenting how difficult it is to make friends as an adult. But here’s the thing: building adult friendships isn’t impossible; it just requires effort, growth and a willingness to adapt. While adulting often comes with competing responsibilities and a more selective nature about who we spend time with, the truth is that forging new connections starts with self-awareness and intentionality. Psychologist Linda Baggett highlights in an article with the LA Times, social interactions in our younger years were often facilitated by structured environments, like college or early job roles, which offered a ready-made cohort of peers. Unfortunately, as we age,…

Stress and anxiety are part of life, and most of us have dealt with them at one point or another. Whether it’s work deadlines, relationship struggles, school pressures, or an overwhelming to-do list, they always seem to show up when we least expect, or want them. And often, the worst time they hit is right when you’re trying to fall asleep. If you’ve ever stared at the ceiling late at night, your mind racing with “what if” thoughts, you’re not alone. When stress and anxiety take over, sleep often suffers, and once that cycle starts, it can be hard to stop. Why is sleep important? Sleep isn’t just about recharging your batteries. It helps your body repair itself, boosts your immune system and keeps your brain sharp. Emotionally, it helps…

HUMAN settlements mayoral committee member in the City of Joburg, Mlungisi Mabaso has described as illegal the sale of sections of the Diepkloof Hostel. This comes as two people died following a protest at the Diepkloof Hostel, Soweto yesterday where residents complained about the alleged ownership of parts of the hostel. A refuse collector who is yet to be identified, was one of the people who died after being run over by a truck just a few meters from the hostel. Another person is also believed to have been knocked over by another truck close to the hostel. It is reported that the sale of the land took place in 2023 with Mabaso saying the city is currently investigating the matter. Mabaso visited the hostel yesterday afternoon in a…

NEWCOMER asylum seekers cannot be penalised for the way they entered and remained in South Africa until their claims are finalised, thanks to a Western Cape High Court judgment which declared several refugee protection provisions of the Refugees Act and its accompanying regulations invalid. The court recently delivered its outcome on the legality of processes that have denied new asylum seekers access to the asylum system since around November 2023, leading to the arrest, detention, and deportation of asylum seekers without a refugee status determination interview. The matter was brought to court by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR). The Scalabrini Centre and LHR challenged the unlawful practice of arresting and detaining new asylum seekers based on preliminary interviews conducted by…

Four months into the year and 155 children under the age of five have already died from moderate or severe acute malnutrition as an underlying condition in South Africa. This was revealed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi when responding to a written parliamentary question from the DA. In a statement, DA spokesperson on health, Michele Clarke and DA spokesperson on social development, Bridget Masango, demanded action. “The DA is devastated to learn that 155 children across our country under age five have died in public health facilities with moderate or severe acute malnutrition as an underlying condition since January 2025. The majority of children affected were in Limpopo (32), Gauteng (30), and KwaZulu-Natal (29),” the statement read. It said last year, a staggering rise in malnutrition cases was revealed:…

For cricket enthusiasts, a visit to Lord’s is more than just a day at the cricket; it is the culmination of dreams nourished over countless hours spent watching games unfold on television. The iconic ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” is steeped in history and offers an array of unique features, from the Father-Time weather vane to the Members Pavilion and the futuristic Media Centre. Yet, nothing captivates bowlers’ minds like the revered Lord’s slope, a challenge that can make or break a game. “It is indeed a real thing,” explained former Proteas bowling coach Vincent Barnes in an exclusive interview with Independent Media. “The sheer size of it stuns you when you see it for the first time, especially if you are a bowler who hasn’t…

Renergen, the JSE-listed owner and operator of the Virginia gas plant in the Free State, is focusing on a listing on Nasdaq in the US, alongside the planning and funding of the Phase 2 expansion of the plant. operations. This was announced by chairman Dumisa Hlatshwayo during the release of the annual results on MOnday. The share price fell by 5.7 to R6.96 on the JSE on Monday afternoon, significantly down from R10.90 a year ago, and representing a free-fall from R35.11 three years ago. Renergen had initially attracted considerable interest among retail investors on the JSE; however, the share price has declined significantly due to numerous delays in the ramp-up to production of South Africa’s first onshore gas production platform. The results showed that revenue increased by 79.7% to…

Corporate governance hinges on a delicate triangle: the board, the board chairperson (chair) and the CEO. When in harmony, this dynamic provides clear roles and decisive accountability. When strained, it breeds confusion, factionalism and failure. Good governance requires clear roles and mutual trust. The board oversees strategy; the CEO manages operations. King IV Principle 7 mandates the board to appoint the CEO, ensuring alignment with strategy and ethical culture, and guarding against external interference. The board chair’s role is pivotal in balancing support and oversight of the CEO. How the chair and CEO relate shapes the board’s culture and success. If the chair and CEO are openly at odds, the board and management can splinter into camps and erode trust. Clarity, unity and open communication define healthy governance. When present,…

The marriage of finance and technology can be a powerful tool for development. But like all successful marriages, finding the right partner is essential. Mobile telephone banking is an excellent example of how communications technology and financial services have been united to broaden the reach of payments, loans, savings, transfers, and even insurance, especially to those without access to formal bank accounts. The question is, can technology transform other sectors in Africa the way fintech has so positively transformed financial inclusion? In agriculture, the answer is yes—but much more can be done. Africa’s agriculture sector—by many measures Africa’s most important economic sector—is a prime candidate for a 21st century renewal. Agriculture contributes at least 17 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP and more than half of total employment, supporting millions of…

After sinking R214 million into expanding and maintaining its quick serve restaurants in the past year, Famous Brands will invest more into Drive-Thru offerings and smaller delivery formats to meet consumer demands at a time revenues have been squeezed. Over the 12 month period to the end of February 2025, Famous Brands - which franchises and operates Debonaires Pizza, Steers, Wimpy and other counters - was affected by increased competition in the food industry and deteriorating infrastructure such as electricity and water. Famous Brands now expects low growth and low consumer discretionary spend within the South African market. However, it foresees tailwinds that include lower inflation, further interest rate cuts, improved business and investor confidence and a better national energy security in the outlook. “Economic headwinds in South Africa have…

THE State has indicated its readiness to proceed with the trial involving the three people accused of the break-in and theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, where undeclared US dollars were concealed in couches. Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the matter was postponed to September 15 for trial in the Modimolle Regional Court. “The trio are facing counts of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, two counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, and money laundering which is applicable to the accused one, Imanuwela David,” said Malabi-Dzhangi. “However, due to the medical condition of accused number two (Froliana Joseph), an application was made for a postponement by her legal representative. The legal representative…

EFF leader Julius Malema has expressed skepticism towards Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's upcoming budget speech, calling for a shift in economic planning. Addressing thousands of EFF supporters marching from the Union Buildings to the National Treasury office in Pretoria, celebrating their party's victory against VAT hike, he said he expects the budget speech tomorrow to be "another lie". He predicted that the budget speech will be devoid of plans for job creation, economic growth, or support for state-owned enterprises like Transnet. The EFF march follows the Western Cape High Court's ruling that suspended the proposed VAT increase and invalidated the 2025 Fiscal Framework, citing the National Assembly's unlawful adoption of the framework. The EFF and DA spearheaded the legal challenge. Malema claimed the government wants to privatise the state-owned enterprises…

More than 100 vultures have died in another significant poisoning incident, this time in the Lionspruit Game Reserve near Marloth Park, Mpumalanga. Africa's only vulture-focused conservation organisation, together with Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre in Mpumalanga, confirmed the incident, saying 92 White-backed vultures of which 90% were breeding adults, nine hooded vultures and one male adult White-headed vulture, were killed. The scene was located through real-time GPS tracking of several vultures previously rehabilitated and released by Vulpro and Wild and Free. On detecting abnormal movement, Vulpro notified Wild and Free who then contacted the Nkomazi municipal field rangers. Together, the team responded immediately to find a catastrophic scene with multiple carcasses lying around a warthog carcass. There were no survivors. Two more carcasses were discovered by air, thanks to SANParks…

It has become the norm that many employees who leave one job after the other cite failed relationships with a boss or manager as a reason for leaving. Some who have had their health deteriorate, would also cite the toxic environment and unrealistic expectations from their managers as reasons for their deteriorating health. There is no doubt that toxicity anywhere, and at the workplace in particular, has detrimental effects on employee well-being, morale and productivity, and ultimately impacts negatively on organisational performance and the family fibre of affected employees. More often than not, toxicity does not assume a particular form, shape or pattern but has a unique dynamic by virtue of its existence and impact. To understand it, let us explore the story of a young, vibrant and free-spirited girl…

SuperSport United’s fight for Betway Premiership survival heads into a crucial final stretch, with their penultimate fixture set to be one of their toughest – a showdown against Orlando Pirates at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.30pm). Fresh off a deflating 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC, Andre Arendse’s side have little time to regroup. With two season-defining fixtures ahead – starting with the visit of the Buccaneers, followed by a tense encounter against Richards Bay FC at the same venue on Saturday – the stakes couldn’t be higher. Currently 14th on the log and level on points with 15th-placed Cape Town City – who recently snapped a 13-match winless streak with a 2-0 away win over Polokwane City…

It will be a case of 16th in the English Premier League against 17th when Manchester United take on Tottenham in Wednesday night’s Europa League final in Bilbao. The reward for the winner? A place at Europe’s top table next season. It hardly seems fair that Ruben Amorim’s woeful United side and Ange Postecoglu’s equally dismal Spurs could be competing with Europe’s elite while Nottingham Forest could miss out. To put their struggles into perspective, even already relegated Leicester are in better form than Spurs and United at the moment. Both sets of fans will argue, rightfully so, that they don’t make the rules for the competition. However, the scenario is surely one that organisers Uefa could not have envisioned. It’s their greed that may be the cause of…

The rand is set to drop further in the coming days after breaking R18 to the dollar briefly on Friday thanks to expectations that a National Budget will finally be passed on Wednesday. The rand briefly settled at around the R18.03 to R18.05 range by early afternoon, having opened at R18.01. Old Mutual chief economist, Johann Els, said that he wasn’t surprised that the rand broke through R18. “The rand actually spent most of September and October last year below R18, in other words with a 17 handle, at one stage even going as strong as R17.11 late September last year,” he said. Investec chief economist, Annabel Bishop, said the currency continues to “attempt to break through the R18.00 mark, a major resistance level,” after reaching R17.99 on Friday. She…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has confirmed that it is moving forward with the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill, which aims to provide a fair process for bank account closures. Following a series of delays that initially pushed the tabling of the Bill in Parliament to January, the FSCA announced on Monday that it is now set to submit the Bill to Cabinet for approval soon. In response to a list of questions from Business Report, the FSCA said the Bill adopts a principle-based approach, in other words, it contains high-level principles that financial institutions must adhere to, to ensure the desired outcomes in the financial sector. “However, it reinforces and extends the principles of fairness for termination of financial products and services already contained in the Conduct…

Last week Grok, the Elon Musk xAI powered chatbot, lost its mind. Someone posted a video on X of a procession of crosses, with a caption reading, “Each cross represents a white farmer who was murdered in South Africa.” Elon Musk, South African by birth, shared the post, greatly expanding its visibility. In response Grok started by debunking such a false claim about white genocide and thereafter (it’s mind was changed) it claimed that there was a genocide in South Africa. The chatbot even brought up the subject even when it was not asked about the matter. What is even more interesting is that this happened a week before the South African President was due to visit the United States of America to meet President Donald Trump who is…

WeBuyCars Holdings management said they had made significant increases and enhancements to their buying and selling capacity during the six months to March 31. The motor industry sales uptick in the first few months of 2025 signals an improvement in consumer confidence and a resilient appetite for mobility, despite broader economic pressures, management said at the release of the interim results on Monday. The group, which listed on the JSE on April 11, 2024, said it would pay a 30 cents a share interim dividend. Core headline earnings increased by 26.4% to R508.2 million after the number of used units sold increased 12.9% to 92 339, while the number of units bought increased 13.5% to 91 392. Management said they expect that enhancements to their internal finance application system and…

A Mabopane, north of Pretoria granny hailed as a hero to many women as she is the first black woman to pave the way for others who were in the past denied the right to own land, will now ask the court to officially register her family home in her name. In recognising the rights of all women to own land, the Constitutional Court in 2018 spoke the final word and declared that a piece of legislation created by the racist and sexist apartheid era could not pass constitutional muster. In a unanimous judgment at the time, the apex court declared a section of the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Act unconstitutional, due to Mary Rahube and Louise du Plessis of Lawyers for Human Rights, who had been at her…

A DAVID and Goliath-like legal battle has ended in a victory for six fired workers previously employed by labour brokers at the brewing company Heineken’s Sedibeng plant. After seven years of being embroiled in the dispute, the workers recently scored a major victory when their case was settled, in terms of which they are due to receive compensation. The Simunye Workers Forum (SWF) on behalf of the workers concluded the settlement with Liquor Runner and Heineken last week. Their problems started in 2018, when more than 400 workers employed by labour brokers at Heineken were attending their section 198 case at the CCMA. During the hearing, Heineken told the commissioner that it did not know who the workers were. In response, the workers, who had worked at Heineken’s Sedibeng Brewery…

Lions Goliath and Coralie lived more than a decade in a cramped, bare circus cage on the back of a truck, touring France. Now, thanks to new regulations aimed at ending the use of wild animals in circuses, the doting pair of lions are on their way to the Animal Defenders International’s Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa, where they will have the freedom to roam, run, play, and snooze under the stars. Animal Defenders International (ADI) has been urgently raising the funds to relocate the animals and cover the costs of their lifetime care when Qatar Airways Cargo recently offered to fly the lions to their new life for free. The lions will fly on a freighter from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport today to Doha, then transfer to…

A teacher has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a learner in class during school hours. Jeremy Claasen, 38, was convicted in the Worcester Regional Court for the rape of the Grade 8 learner. State Prosecutor Cornelius Prinsloo revealed to the court that Claasen was the girl’s Life Orientation teacher, and he started chatting to her on social media platforms when she joined the school. The court heard the teacher built a relationship of trust and won the child’s affection to the point where she felt comfortable around him. On February 7, 2020, the learner went to charge her phone in the teacher’s classroom. The teacher closed the door and told her to sit on a bench. The court heard Claasen made advances towards his learner and then raped…

American author Mark Twain famously liked to quote former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli on the limitations of using numbers to forecast the future: “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Leinster supporters would likely agree. Over the four years of the United Rugby Championship (URC), their team has dominated the statistical charts and consistently finished top of the league table. By the numbers, they should have won the title comfortably — yet they fell short in 2022, 2023, and 2024, with the current tournament still undecided. Leinster fans won’t be holding their breath — they’ve been let down by statistics before. Still, a look at the data following the final league round of the URC illustrates why the Bulls are South Africa’s best bet for the title; why the…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Monday that he was “absolutely” confident his side can secure one of the top five spots in the Premier League, which would guarantee Uefa Champions League football next season. While the English Premier League title has long been wrapped up by Liverpool, and Arsenal secured a top-five finish on Sunday, the race for the remaining three spots remains wide open. Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa all sit on 66 points after 37 matches, while City are sixth with 65 points and have a game in hand over their rivals. The last time City failed to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition was the 2009/10 season. “If we’re not there (in the Champions League), then we don’t deserve it and will be in…