Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-31 i Cape Times

Minister for Electricity and Energy, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has emphasised the urgent need for a fundamental reconfiguration of the global energy finance architecture. Speaking at the third Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, he called for a transition from pledges to tangible execution, particularly in light of recent commitments exceeding R1 billion towards the implementation of JET programmes. Ramokgopa asserted that the credibility of the global transition hinges on the timely and effective mobilization of financial resources to where they are most needed. "Finance must become a tool of inclusion, not a barrier to participation. Scaling up climate and energy finance is not only urgent, but also central to closing the infrastructure gap, addressing energy poverty, and driving structural transformation and industrialisation," Ramokgopa said. "We must shift…

The July 2025 Household Affordability Index unveiled a complex landscape for South African consumers as the average cost of a staple food basket slightly decreased to R5,442.72, a modest dip of R0.41 from June 2025. Despite this month-on-month improvement, a stark year-on-year increase of R190.57 (3.6%) painted a troubling picture for households relying on basic foodstuffs. Compiled from 44 basic food items across 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in regions including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, the report reflects a nuanced reality. It showed that of the tracked foods, 17 saw price increases while 26 experienced reductions. Only one food item remained unchanged, presenting a slightly positive note for consumers grappling with financial pressures. Price variability: the details behind the numbers Individual price movements revealed significant fluctuations within the basket.…

In June this year, the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Strasbourg Plenary deemed South Africa successful in “substantially completing” its 22-item Action Plan for removal from the FATF greylist. This has set the stage for an authorised onsite visit in October when FATF will determine whether South Africa can finally be scrubbed from the greylist. Despite the considerable progress we have made, this is “not a time for complacency”, as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has cautioned. FATF will not be satisfied by a box-checking exercise and will expect to see signs of sustainable improvement in South Africa’s compliance culture. All stakeholders in the financial system face a huge task to surmount this hurdle of delisting. The onsite assessment: a key milestone in the journey towards greylist removal FATF’s…

If you’re an entrepreneur, chances are you chose this path to build a better future for yourself and your family by turning your passion into a business. It’s a bold and rewarding journey, but one that often comes with unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to financial administration and tax compliance. What begins as a dream can quickly become overwhelming as the day-to-day realities of managing finances take hold. It’s not a lack of drive or talent that holds business owners back, it’s the weight of spreadsheets, scattered receipts, and time-consuming manual processes. To truly thrive, entrepreneurs need more than just tools; they need guidance, visibility, and systems designed to grow with them that simplify complexity and support them at every stage of the journey. These challenges can stall momentum…

Diversified mining resources group Glencore reviewed its industrial asset portfolio in the six months to June 30, identified $1 billion of cost savings to be realised by the end of 2026, and closed two ferroalloys smelters in South Africa. “A comprehensive review of our industrial asset portfolio recognised opportunities to streamline our industrial operating structure, to optimise departmental management and reporting, and to support enhanced technical excellence and operational focus,” CEO Gary Nagle said at the release of a production report on Wednesday. The review of the sustainability of the ferroalloys smelting operations was done. The Boshoek and Wonderkop smelters in the North West Province were indefinitely suspended in May and June 2025, respectively, "pending sufficient recovery in the ferrochrome market." Operations at the Lion smelter, in Limpopo, were temporarily…

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) yesterday passed the Appropriation Bill, concluding the legislative journey of the 2025/26 budgetary process within Parliament. The Bill, the first introduced by the Government of National Unity (GNU), received a smooth passage during its consideration earlier in the day. The MK Party and EFF objected to each department budget, while the Freedom Front Plus abstained on the vote of the Department of Employment and Labour. A total of 51 delegates to the NCOP voted in favour of the Appropriation Bill, with support from the ANC, DA, IFP, Freedom Front Plus, Patriotic Alliance, and the UDM. The EFF and MK Party voted against with nine votes. “Accordingly the Bill is agreed to in terms of Section 75 of the Constitution,” said NCOP chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane.…

WWF South Africa’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) has reached a new milestone with over 400 rhinos recorded across its project sites since 2003. This number includes all rhinos moved to new sites and their offspring, and in some cases, second and third generation offspring. With fewer than 6 500 black rhinos left in the world, this means BRREP has facilitated custodianship of 16% of the South African population across 17 sites. WWF said BRREP began as a three-year project with the goal of establishing one, or two, black rhino populations of 20 rhinos each. “In those early days, nobody envisioned that the project would still be running 22 years later, now in its eighth three-year phase, with over 400 rhinos in its metapopulation spread across several sites.” Black…

The first time I heard Tutu Puoane's music was not quite by choice. It was at the 2008 Cape Town International Jazz Festival. That same year when the US-based The Manhattans came down to South Africa. Jeni Fletcher, who headed up the PR for the jazz festival back then, was tired of us young journalists drinking up a storm in the media lounge. She went around and gave a few of us access passes to the Rosies Stage, telling us we will be blown away by the next performer. Curiously, I went. The auditorium was quite full. I sat. And then it began. Tutu's voice held us all captive for an entire hour. There are no words to describe that voice. Her rendition of Carlo Mombelli's Mango Picker has forever…

Currently sitting in second place on the vehicle sales charts, it’s not for nothing that Suzuki has been hitting the lights out with their refreshingly cheerful portfolio. Chief among those is the Swift that’s dominating the passenger car market. Popular among first-time buyers It also helps that the brand is selling their cars in the price and categories that South African consumers are spending their money on, starting in the sub R200 000 region, with the most expensive evening out under R550 000. The B-segment hatchback Swift has also proven popular with first-time buyers, and I know of quite a few people who have bought one for their children going on to study further after school. We spent some time in the flagship 1.2 GLX, priced at R271 900, and…

THE South Sfrican Football Association (Safa) are as much to blame for Banyana Banyana’s shortfalls at the recently concluded Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament hosted in Morocco. Heading into what was their first title defence since winning the tournament in 2022, Banyana had to contend with unpaid fees from their preparation matches. These payments were not made on time, forcing the players to consider — and in some cases follow through with — match boycotts in order to get the association’s attention. It is puzzling that in 2025, an organisation tasked with leading South African football still allows its national teams to be affected by administrative shortcomings. Banyana were knocked out in the semi-finals by Nigeria, who scored a late second-half goal to clinch the win (2-1) and a…

Trump administration refuses to give feedback on the Framework proposed by South Africa The Business 20 (B20) South Africa has expressed confidence in negotiations between South Africa’s government and the United States amidst freezing diplomatic and trade relations ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg later in the year. This comes as US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he might skip the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in South Africa in November and send someone else to represent the United States, citing his disapproval of South African policies. B20 Sherpa, Cas Coovadia, said on Wednesday they were ramping up efforts to foster collaboration among nations, with the US taking a central role. Coovadia said recent discussions led by B20 representatives have underscored the undeniable…

South Africa’s sugarcane growers are expecting a significantly improved harvest this season, following a rebound in rainfall after last year’s drier-than-normal conditions. The current estimate for the 2025 season stands at 17.7 million tons of sugarcane, up from 16.47 million tons in the previous year – which was the lowest crop in eight seasons. While this recovery in yield is welcome news, the industry’s economic outlook remains under serious threat due to delays in adjusting South Africa’s import tariff, the flood of cheap imports into the country and the looming 30% tariff from the United States on South African sugar exports. The delay in adjusting our own sugar import tariff to reflect current global realities is undermining the competitiveness of local producers. At the same time, the US tariff threatens…

The Startup20 (SU20) midterm engagement was, by all accounts, a success. It brought together taskforce members, youth leaders, global partners, and policy stakeholders in a high energy environment designed to move beyond rhetoric and into action. There was a shared sense of urgency and commitment to shaping meaningful, global policy proposals ahead of the G20 Summit in November. In her address, Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams highlighted the significance of South Africa’s G20 Presidency under the theme "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability," calling for urgent reform of global trade and financial systems to better serve vulnerable economies and communities. She stressed the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving inclusive growth, innovation, and resilience, particularly within underserved rural and township communities. The Minister underscored the need…

AECI’s strong 132% increase in headline earnings a share to 604 cents in the six months to June 30 is unlikely to be repeated in the second half due to slightly slower progress on a strategy to optimise the global mining, chemicals, and agri-health business. Revenue from continuing operations fell 2% to R15.69 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) from continuing operations increased by 24% to R1.58bn. A 100 cent a share dividend was declared - no dividend was paid out at the same time last year. “Despite some setbacks in strategy execution, particularly under the value unlock pillar, our strategy remains intact, with clear progress against key milestones in the period. Going into the second half, I look forward to continuing our international growth while…

Northern Cape base metals developer, Orion Minerals, is now focused on project financing and concentrate offtake agreements following share placement and share purchase schemes this month as the company further develops its copper projects. Orion’s latest capital raise comprised of a placement of 289 million shares and an agreement to convert outstanding loan amounts to equity through the issue of 233 million shares for R67 million. Additionally, the copper mine is undertaking a share purchase plan “to be offered to provide eligible shareholders with the opportunity to subscribe for as much as R355 000 in in new shares” to raise A$4 million. The share purchase plan opened this month and will close next week. Funds raised from the share placement and share purchase plan “will be used principally to partially…

Have you ever fallen into the beauty-product rabbit hole at night and convinced yourself that a novelty device might transform your skin? That was me, scrolling through online shops late into the evening, tempting fate and my credit card with every algorithm suggestion. So when a pocket‑sized LED gadget arrived on my doorstep for just R120, I thought: why not give it a go? Ten days, a few sessions and several compliments later, I decided to dig deeper: do LED face masks and handheld devices actually work – or is it simply high‑tech hype? My LED experiment I opted for the red‑light setting on the handheld device, which claims to firm skin and reduce fine lines. With low expectations – especially given the R120 price tag – I began a…

Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena's investigation into the treatment of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH), found that the general care provided was “substandard,” with two patients dying and another left bedridden following brain surgery. The investigation was launched following a complaint by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in October 2024. The incidents, which occurred in July and August 2024, were investigated in terms of Section 81A (11) of the National Health Amendment Act, 2013. The report revealed gross mismanagement, failure to provide urgent medical care, lack of functional equipment, and extreme infrastructural deficiencies. Mokoena said: “The investigation concluded that the general care provided at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital to…

THE Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has 60 days to comply with a Labour Department notice issued after serious health hazards, flagged by the Public Servants Association (PSA), forced the shutdown of the Nyanga branch. The office was closed on Tuesday after an inspection uncovered the unsafe conditions. Following the inspection, a direction notice was served on the DHA for contravening health and safety regulations. The notice requires the department to submit a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance for all repairs and installations, and to conduct an Ergonomics Risk Assessment before commencing any work that could expose employees to ergonomic hazards. Alongside this, a prohibition notice was issued, seen by the Cape Times, preventing the reopening of the Nyanga office until several urgent safety measures are addressed. These include the…

University of Pretoria (UP) researchers have documented for the first time a disturbing new threat to the endangered grey-headed albatross: wind-driven, land-based deaths. The team documented the phenomenon on remote Marion Island during the sub-Antarctic summer. The study, published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS), sheds light on the growing risks that extreme weather poses to vulnerable wildlife. As home to the second-largest breeding population of these seabirds, the island is important to the long-term survival of grey-headed albatrosses, of which only 250 000 are left worldwide. While albatrosses are built for speed and soaring on ocean winds, they’re not as agile when flying over land in extremely windy conditions. This can cause some to crash-land, with fatal consequences, said Dr Janine Schoombie, an aeronautical engineer who holds…

Mduduzi Trevor Mnisi expressed relief outside the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court yesterday when charges against him in the murder case of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, were withdrawn. This comes two weeks after Mnisi was released on bail of R5 000. The court learned that the evidence of the State heavily relied on a report given by a community member, who had stated that Mnisi was the last person to be seen with the teenager. Mnisi, who was on parole at the time of the incident, was linked to the case through a single witness who later became unco-operative, as there was no forensic or additional evidence tying him to the crime, with the court finding the State’s case too weak to proceed. On July 2, Mnisi’s girlfriend, Pinky Gantso, testified at his…

The Hyundai Tucson has always been a solid and dependable player in the midsize SUV space. But despite its sportier looks, the latest generation model has failed to match the popularity of its predecessor. That’s not altogether surprising, given that in these tough times many buyers have gravitated towards more affordable vehicles, such as the locally-produced Toyota Corolla Cross, and the proliferation of new cut-price offerings from China. Hyundai SA has responded as best they can, releasing a facelifted model earlier this year, which brought a R39,000 price cut to the base version, with the 2.0 Premium petrol model now costing R559,900. And while many rivals have ditched diesel power, Hyundai still offers its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine in the other two Tucson models, but these are a little on the…

TEMBA Bavuma is set to complete a year of huge achievement when the Cricket SA Awards will be held at Emperors Palace on Thursday evening. Bavuma had an outstanding year both as leader and player. Although the Proteas’ epic World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord’s last month does not fall within the judging period - 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025 - Bavuma was still a standout performer and is the favourite to be crowned SA Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Fan’s Player of the Year. He was splendid during the Proteas’ march to the WTC Final with 609 runs at an average of 60.90, which included two centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bavuma also boasts a 100% captaincy record…

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat has this far done its work in developing updated cutting edge policies, including those of digital trade and digital identity for people and goods, throwing the gauntlet to governments to commit finance and practical trade across the continent, AfCFTA Director for Coordination and Programmes Tsotetsi Makong said on Wednesday. Speaking at the 2025 TIPS Forum, which seeks to deepen understanding of the implications of the AfCFTA and regional integration on industrial development in Southern Africa, Makong said the continent continued to lose capital as traders preferred to travel to China, Turkeye, Dubai and other destinations to buy goods resold in the African market. He said the continent still faced challenges on the digital divide with an assessment that it needs about 700…

As youth unemployment in South Africa hits a staggering 44.6%, an increasing number of young South Africans are no longer waiting for job opportunities that may never materialise. Instead, they are proactively creating their own paths through entrepreneurship. This trend is not merely a solution to economic necessity; it also embodies a spirit of innovation and a desire for meaningful impact, wealth-building, and the continuation of family legacies. In recent months, statistics have shown a 3.5% surge in youth entrepreneurship, even as traditional employment avenues continue to dwindle. “We’re witnessing young people embarking on entrepreneurial journeys earlier than ever before,” said David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited. “For many, the drive stems from the harsh reality of scarce job opportunities. But for others, it’s…

Consumer take-home pay, tracked in the BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI), held steady in June 2025, after three months of moderation, due to the favourable inflation rate and expectations of an interest rate cut. However, while average salaries might increase by 5% this year based on current conditions, future earnings and unemployment levels may be adversely impacted by external factors impacting on the economy, an economist has warned. “The nominal average take-home pay of R17 310 in June 2025 declined marginally by 0.1% on May’s R17 325. However, it was still well above the R15 514 level a year earlier,” said BankservAfrica’s Head of Stakeholder Engagements Shergeran Naidoo. He said the economic outlook had deteriorated in recent months even though the first six months of data from the index signaled…

There’s that one moment when it hits you, you’re the aunty now. Maybe it’s when a teenager in the taxi says “Skibidi ...” and you’re still trying to Google what that is. The language barrier between boomers, Gen Xers, millennials, and Gen Zs can feel like a generational chasm, whether at work or in everyday life. Language is more than words; it’s power, attitude, and identity. Slang evolves to create belonging. So when your mum says “Back in my day …” or your uncle lectures you about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, it’s not just an innocent phrase. It’s an echo of a world that doesn’t exist anymore. The differences in the way Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z speak have sparked everything from playful memes to…

Although US President Donald Trump said he did not plan to attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, analysts believe that his presence would likely become a focal point for media coverage and overshadow other important discussions. The analysts added that Trump’s announcement regarding his potential absence from the summit raises several important considerations. Trump on Tuesday announced that he did not plan to attend the G20 Summit and that he would send someone else to represent the US. This is despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s request for Trump to attend the summit expected to take place in November. Trump has claimed that the South African government is adopting discriminatory policies against white residents. He took aim at South Africa earlier this year after his election for the second term, promoting…

THE Constitution does not grant President Cyril Ramaphosa the power to suspend. He can only appoint or dismiss and there is nothing in between. That was the argument advanced by lawyers representing Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe before the Constitutional Court yesterday. The party is challenging Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence and the appointment of Firoz Cachalia in an acting position. Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave after serious allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that he colluded with a criminal syndicate, accepted illicit payments, interfered in investigations and disbanded a specialised task force into political killings. The MKP wants Mchunu fired, while also contesting Cachalia’s appointment as acting police minister. Central to the case are questions about the limits of…

CAPENATURE is celebrating two significant developments in ensuring the protection of the environment in the province. A new nature reserve, the Wilderness Nature Reserve, spanning over 643ha, has been declared a Provincial Nature Reserve in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003). Meanwhile, the Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve has been declared a protected area, marking a significant conservation turning point as the first and only reserve dedicated to safeguarding the rare and ecologically important Cape Vernal Pools - a rare and endangered type of seasonal wetland ecosystem found within the Greater Cape Floristic Region. Situated near Heidelberg, the Wilderness Nature Reserve, newly declared on July 17, has a significant role in protecting freshwater biodiversity, endangered species, and ecological corridors. It is home to…

There has been public outrage after a designated national heritage site at the Mowbray Cemetery was broken into and vandalised by criminals. The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was severely vandalised on Tuesday evening. A kramat, also known as a mazaar, is a shrine or tomb of a revered Muslim holy person, particularly prominent in South Africa. These shrines are places of pilgrimage and respect for Muslim communities, often marking the graves of individuals who played a significant role in the early spread of Islam in the region. The Moslem Cemetery Board condemned the actions and stated this incident follows another theft where the katal, the bier used for the transportation of deceased persons, was stolen from the same premises just weeks ago. “The confluence of these incidents reveals…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says that with the electric vehicle white paper and the incentive programme, the country has committed to a stable, predictable and supportive framework for companies to be able to invest and grow in South Africa. Speaking at the BMW plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, with the theme “A strategic vision for South Africa’s automotive future”, he was quick to praise the company for the work they have been doing. BMW South Africa manufactures the X3 range of SUVs, exporting them to more than 24 different countries around the world. More importantly, they are the sole manufacturer for the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid. Transformation “We are on an exciting journey of transformation, change, and development in numerous ways, and your efforts have been pivotal in driving this transformation forward.…

Former Springboks scrumhalf Rudy Paige says Junior Springboks star Haashim Pead has all the attributes to become a star for the Springboks following his incredible performances at the World Rugby Under-20 World Championships. Pead won the Player of the Tournament award after the Junior Boks beat their New Zealand counterparts in the final to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012. The speedy No 9 scored six tries and assisted four during the tournament. He also surpassed France star Antoine Dupont’s record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232m from 15 carries during the pool stages. “When I met him, I really liked how he sees the game and his hunger to evolve as a player and go to bigger heights,” Paige said,…

When the Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs come calling, there are few players who can deny the temptation. So, when Fawaaz Basadien finally completed his move to Mamelodi Sundowns, as per Independent Media’s exclusive earlier in the week, over the past weekend it would have hurt the traditional big guns of South African football. But the reality was that the biggest competitor to Sundowns for Basadien’s signature had actually hailed from North Africa, according to the Bafana Bafana wing-back’s agent Basia Michaels of QT Sports. Furthermore, Basadien was keen to explore the prospect of moving abroad. Having interviewed Basadien regularly over the past 12 months, he spoke openly about how much he enjoyed Stellenbosch FC’s Caf Confederation Cup adventures last season, particularly the trip to Cairo when Stellies…