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

The potential upgrade of the Vaalputs nuclear waste storage facility in the Northern Cape has triggered alarm bells among agricultural stakeholders. The farming association TLU SA expressed deep concerns about the implications this development may have on the agriculture sector, an industry vital to the region’s economy and food security. The urgency of clear and transparent communication regarding this upgrade has been underscored as local communities grapple with uncertainty surrounding the proposed changes. Recent reports highlighted that the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) is advancing design plans to develop a Centralised Interim Storage Facility (CISF) for long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel from Koeberg Power Station, set to commence in 2030. Riedewaan Bakardien, CEO of NRWDI, presented this update during a session with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Electricity…

Minister unveils plans of credible, investable projects designed to revitalise key sectors in SA Petrochemical giant Sasol is engaging with a team from the European Union (EU) to explore the production of clean aviation fuel in a bid to address impending trade challenges posed by Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) taxes on South African exports. Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, highlighted this strategic collaboration during his Budget Vote on Friday, emphasising the government's proactive approach to mitigate the potential impact of CBAM. CBAM has raised concerns in many sectors, being perceived not only as an environmental mechanism but also as a barrier to trade. Tau stated that the South African government was actively negotiating with the EU, alongside garnering support at global platforms such as the World…

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, announced on Friday the lifting of disease management areas (DMAs) for the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo regions. This decision followed improved control measures and successful vaccinations that have effectively contained the disease in these provinces. Since July 26, 2024, the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities in the Eastern Cape had been under a strict DMA aimed at controlling FMD outbreaks. Through diligent efforts, including the vaccination of 144 424 animals, the last reported cases of FMD occurred in September 2024. Steenhuisen said extensive serological surveillance was performed to ensure no hidden pockets of the disease remained, allowing him to confidently lift movement restrictions within the DMA. In Limpopo, where a DMA has been in place since September 2022,…

The former deputy president, David Mabuza, fondly referred to as DD is no more. A man who mysteriously rose to be a deputy president was supported by evidence. But even the then Statistician-General (SG) nor the current SG saw it coming. Perhaps like Malvollio in the Twelfth Night held true that rise to power has a universe of triggers, which includes the odd and unexpected. Once smelling power Malvollio would say, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them". Truth be told DD might have moved up through the cracks by mantra of illusive unity and this might be the way the cat arranged its cheese. But by 2016 October the current SG and I when I was still the…

An uplift in volumes has been projected for Zimbabwean consumer companies despite rising cost structures, a volatile policy and monetary environment as well as higher taxation, say analysts at IH Securities. Hippo Valley, Tongaat Hulett’s Zimbabwe-listed unit, reported a 44% downturn in revenues to $191.59 million this month although the gross profit for the year to end March rose 2% to $66.87m. Another Zimbabwean consumer company, Star Africa Corporation that also trades in sugar, however, raised revenues by 22% over the same period. Nonetheless, analysts at IH Securities on Friday said in the securities and advisory firm’s latest research note on Zimbabwe’s consumer sector that they “anticipate an uplift to volumes for consumer-facing companies this year owing to a likely recovery” in consumer spend. However, this was against the backdrop…

Following the public interview process over two days last week, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) resolved to recommend Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo to be the country’s next deputy chief justice. It will accordingly advise President Cyril Ramaphosa that Judge Mlambo is a suitable candidate for this important position, but the president has the final say in the matter. The position of deputy chief justice has been vacant since September 1 last year, when the now chief justice, Mandisa Maya (then deputy chief justice), was appointed in her current position. The other two candidates who were interviewed alongside Judge Mlambo were Free State Judge President Cagney Musi and Northern Cape Judge President Pule Tlaletsi. At 65, Judge Mlambo was the oldest candidate, which means that, if appointed, he would have…

A radio advertisement stating that “fizzy drinks and fruit juice make our children sick” led to the severe distress of a child, who questioned whether her school was poisoning her by giving her fruit juice to drink. This in turn prompted her father to turn to the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), who found that the advertisement by the Healthy Living Alliance was misleading. It found that the advertisement went too far in its shock value, leading the public, especially children, to believe that the consumption of sugary drinks will in all cases lead to chronic illness. HEALA.org, a non-profit organisation, used the advert to inspire the public to sign a petition in favour of the sugar tax. After the ARB ruled against it, the organisation turned to the Advertising Appeal…

Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie has shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, highlighting the club’s commitment to a stable and efficient squad. In an interview with Independent Media, Benadie expressed confidence that the groundwork laid in previous seasons would serve the club well as they head into the new campaign. There has been limited player turnover and continuity within the technical staff. "I'm feeling optimistic for the season," Benadie stated. "Our squad is currently well settled and complete, but of course, it is a long transfer window and there are always a few surprises." He reflected a calm confidence, reinforcing the idea that the club is well prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. However, the competitive landscape for South African football clubs is shifting. With the apparent…

BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro from Sunday are expected to decry Donald Trump’s hardline trade policies, but are struggling to bridge divides over crises roiling the Middle East. Emerging nations representing about half the world’s population and 40% of global economic output are set to unite over what they see as unfair US import tariffs, according to sources familiar with summit negotiations. Since coming to office in January, Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive tariffs. His latest salvo comes in the form of letters due to be sent starting Friday informing trading partners of new tariff rates expected next week on July 9. Diplomats from 11 emerging nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have been busy drafting a statement…

In a continent too often defined by its dependence on imported solutions, a significant shift is taking place as a result of South Africa’s Biovac signing an agreement with India’s Biological E to manufacture a life-saving pneumonia vaccine for use across Africa. If successfully implemented, this partnership will not only save hundreds of thousands of lives and prevent millions of cases of disease but will mark a fundamental shift in how Africa protects its people: through its own science, its own laboratories, and its own processes. The agreement between the two pharmaceutical firms centres on the PCV14 vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal disease, a leading cause of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, sepsis and other illnesses that can be dangerous for children under five. The collaboration will see Biological E transfer the…

The All Share index on the JSE on Friday recorded a week high level for a third consecutive week. The index improved over the week by 1.38% to a new record level of 97 128 points. For the first six months of the year the index gained 15.2%, increasing by 18.6% in the last quarter. This despite the geo-political woes from the rampant Trump tariff spree, the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting in the US, the Israel-Iran conflict up to tension in the Government of National Unity. All and all it seems that South Africa is isolated and far away from the Middle East fiasco, with the precious-metals bonanza of gold, platinum and palladium leading the appetite for investments in shares and bonds. The Resources 10 index led the charge, gaining 2.6%…

The South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) will lower its stake in Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) as part of two agreements that include buying three HCI properties, including Gallagher Estate, for R549.7 million in total. HCI stated in a regulatory, related party announcement to the JSE on Friday that the reason for the transactions was that SACTWU wished to increase its cash holdings for its operations, and to increase its interests in additional investment properties to generate more regular, ideally monthly cash flow to fund its operational and member benefit programs and other related employment projects. Because HCI only distributes cash dividends to shareholders on a six-monthly basis, SACTWU had recently been disposing of HCI shares on the market through the JSE order book to enable it to…

A silent transfer of control is reshaping the $2.1 trillion (R37 trillion) Bitcoin market. A steady stream of sales by long-time whales - miners, offshore funds and anonymous wallets - is being matched almost one-for-one by institutional players like ETFs, corporates and asset managers. The result: Bitcoin is struggling to break out of its record high around $110 000, volatility is evaporating, and its place in the investment landscape is being reshaped. Despite a flurry of bullish headlines - from corporate treasuries embracing Bitcoin to the Trump administration’s full-throated crypto endorsement - the largest digital currency has remained stuck in its trading range for months. Underneath the surface, long-dormant whales have been trimming positions just as institutions ramp up their buying. And this switchover is gradually recasting Bitcoin’s identity from…

We all want to be loved. Whether you’re swiping through dating apps in Joburg, reconnecting with an old flame in Gqeberha, or navigating the situationship phase in Cape Town, companionship is something we all crave. But finding a connection that sticks? That’s a whole different ball game, and it’s often far messier than our favourite Nicholas Sparks fantasy. A common question that pops up, whispered among friends, sometimes shouted on social media, is this: Does the age gap between partners matter? Is dating someone younger or older a red flag, or just society projecting its outdated fears? What science says about age gaps in relationships A study published in the Journal of Population Economics looked at over 3 000 couples over time, digging into whether age differences actually affect relationship…

The ANC is grappling with an internal controversy after Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula “deliberately and prematurely” announced the death of former Deputy President David Mabuza, sparking widespread criticism and calls for him to take responsibility for his actions. According to ANC insiders, President Cyril Ramaphosa was “very angry” after Mbalula took to social media to announce Mabuza's death ahead of the president's official announcement. Ramaphosa had delayed announcing the death because he had been waiting to express his condolences to Mabuza's family before informing the nation. Mabuza died at a Sandton hospital on Thursday, after a short illness. Sources claim that Ramaphosa's frustration stems from Mbalula's breach of protocol, which is seen as a sign of disrespect to the president and the party. “The president was waiting for the family to…

The Springboks’ lacklustre performance in the first Test against Italy will have repercussions, with coach Rassie Erasmus stating that he will revisit his planned selection for this week’s second Test in Gqeberha. The Boks went into the Pretoria season-opener with high expectations after a promising warm-up against the Barbarians, but their 42-24 win was flawed. The Italians had left a core of stars at home, yet troubled the Boks in the line-outs and breakdowns, and were arguably the better side in the second half. Last week, Erasmus said he had internally informed the players which of them would feature at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. But after several disappointing individual performances, the coach says he will revisit those plans. “I guess it’s a positive that we scored six…

Much has been made of European champions Paris Saint-Germain's attacking flair — their rapid, dangerous wingers and thrilling style — but what carried them through to the Fifa Club World Cup semi-finals on Saturday was a dose of resilience. Luis Enrique's side beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in Atlanta, finishing the match with just nine men after late red cards for Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several important saves to help the French treble winners progress to the final four, where they will face a familiar opponent in Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé. Captain Marquinhos said his team’s mentality was vital in their pursuit of more silverware. "It was a game that taught us lessons, a game that brought us out of our comfort zone," the Brazilian…

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange has seen a staggering increase of over 200% since the onset of the occupation of Palestine nearly two years ago, according to a damning new report from Francesca Albanese, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories. Published on Thursday and aptly titled “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide,” Albanese’s report highlights how the very fabric of the global economy has intertwined with the devastation faced by Palestinians, particularly in the face of the ongoing conflict. “In the past 21 months, while Israel’s genocide has devastated Palestinian lives and landscapes, the Tel Aviv stock exchange soared by 213%, amassing $225.7 billion in market gains—including $67.8bn in the past month alone. For some, genocide is profitable,” Albanese…

In 1994, South Africa emerged from apartheid with global goodwill, democratic legitimacy and the promise of shared prosperity. Yet three decades later, that promise remains unfulfilled. With an overall unemployment rate of 31.9% and youth unemployment at 59.6% (Q4 2024, Stats SA), the country faces a structural crisis that is eroding its economic base and social cohesion. This is not an isolated issue but a national reckoning that follows a pattern common to both collapsing companies and declining states. Jim Collins, in How the Mighty Fall, outlines five stages of institutional decline: hubris, undisciplined growth, denial of risk, superficial solutions and eventual stagnation. These stages offer a sobering framework for understanding South Africa’s current position. “Denial is the most dangerous stage of decline,” Collins warns, “because it blinds leaders to…

In the midst of the political noise, an important announcement made by Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy that government will retable the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and the Road Accident Benefits Scheme (RABS) Bills at Parliament, went largely unnoticed. Yet this progressive commitment will bring relief to millions of commuters and drivers, and road accident victims and their families. The RAF is a public insurance fund for road accident victims and their families to claim relief when injured or deceased during a road accident. It is funded by the RAF fuel levy. The RAF has been in a crisis for years and a site of state capture and rampant corruption. It has occupied media headlines for all the wrong reasons, with claimants attaching its property due to its failure to pay…

Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other key members of the OPEC+ alliance yesterday said they would further increase oil output in August to 548 000 barrels per day. Analysts had expected the alliance to decide on another output increase of 411 000 bpd -- the same target approved for May, June and July. The group said in a statement that “a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories” led to the decision to further hike output. Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy told AFP that “OPEC+ keeps surprising the market - this latest hike was even larger than expected and sends a clear message, for anyone still in doubt: the group is firmly shifting toward a market share strategy. “Two big questions…

As the chill of winter tightens its grip on South Africa, there’s no better way to combat the cold than with a steaming cup of something delightful. While hot chocolate remains a beloved classic, a world of exciting beverages awaits those seeking alternatives to warm their hands and their hearts. This winter, step outside the realm of the familiar and explore a variety of artisanal drinks that promise to offer both comfort and a touch of adventure. Below are a few options. Spiced apple cider Imagine curling up with a steaming mug of spiced apple cider that envelops you in autumnal nostalgia. This comforting beverage is created by simmering fresh apple juice with a mélange of spices such as cinnamon, cloves and star anise. Garnish with a slice of orange…

Weaning your baby onto solids is one of those big parenting milestones that’s both exciting and a little daunting. You’re moving from milk-only meals to a whole new world of tastes and textures. Renowned dietitian and Laager Rooibos partner Mbali Mapholi knows the weaning journey can feel like uncharted territory. But with the right approach and a few clever tips, it can be a smooth, stress-free experience for both you and your little one. When to start? According to Mbali, babies are usually ready to start solids around six months. “This is when their nutrient needs go beyond what breast milk or formula can offer,” she says. “It’s also a crucial time for oral and motor development, which sets the stage for things like chewing, swallowing, and even future speech.”…

THE disbandment of the political killings task team without informing the national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola,was influenced by the sterling work that they performed in Gauteng to uncover the criminal syndicate that involves some members of the criminal justice system operating in that province. This is according to KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi when making damning allegations against his colleagues and politicians, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, whom he alleged were part of serious crime cartels in Gauteng. In a statement, Mchunu rejected Mkhwanazi’s “wild allegations and claims on a variety of issues”. “The Minister of Police will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or the SAPS at large, to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. “We will…

The Cape Baboon Partnership and SPCA responded to sick and injured baboons, after several urgent welfare issues arose in the Northern baboon (Tokai and Constantia) troops over the last week. The Cape Baboon Partnership said two baboons required humane euthanasia, including a very sickly juvenile baboon from CT2 (troop) and an adult female baboon from the Tokai troop that had been mauled by dogs. They added that a subadult male from MT2 (troop) was killed by a vehicle, a juvenile male from CT1 (troop) was killed by dogs, and a search for an adult male in the MT1 troop that was spotted with a snare around his body continues. “Human landscapes are exceptionally dangerous for all wildlife, including baboons, caracals, porcupines, penguins and more. From accidents like vehicle collisions and…

Fran Hilton-Smith agrees with Ricky Whittle that “no one remembers the runner-up” and says Banyana Banyana must bring the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy back home from Morocco. South Africa’s senior women’s national team begin the defence of their title with a clash against Ghana on Monday evening (kick-off 6pm) in Rabat, and Hilton-Smith – a pioneer and legend of the women’s game not only in this country but across the continent – insists second best is not going to be good enough. “We want to win it and we have to win it,” she said of the 16-nation, biennial continental competition, which kicked off at the weekend with hosts Morocco drawing 2-2 with Zambia. “But it is probably going to be the toughest (tournament) yet because, take…

Alpecin's Mathieu van der Poel edged Tadej Pogačar to win the second stage of the Tour de France in a tense hilltop finale at Boulogne-sur-Mer on Sunday. The victory saw the Dutch rider take the lead in the overall standings, denying Pogačar his 100th career win as around 30 riders broke away in the final 2km. It was a second Tour de France stage win for Van der Poel, who took the yellow jersey from team-mate Jasper Philipsen — the winner of Saturday’s opening stage. Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard appeared comfortable as he crossed the line in third, with Frenchman Romain Grégoire fourth and compatriot Julian Alaphilippe fifth. Van der Poel also won stage two of the 2021 Tour de France and dug deep then to retain the yellow jersey for…