Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-30 i Mercury

Rand Water is anticipating a change in legislation that could enable it to override poor municipal management of water and sanitation budgets, the provision of water services, and facilitate a choice of supplier for consumers while also ringfencing water and sanitation payments. This comes as the bulk water provider is set to rollout more than R40 billion upgrading the bulk water infrastructure and upgrading waste-water treatment works in municipalities over the next five years. Speaking at the latest PSG Think Big Series webinar on Tuesday, Rand Water CEO, Sipho Mosia, said this initiative was a direct response to the escalating challenges faced in municipal water management. Mosia said the entity was confident of the immediate future with reviews in legislation that would enable it to play a more proactive…

South Africa’s government has reiterated its commitment to secure a favourable tariff deal with the United States, despite a conspicuous lack of communication from Washington D.C. The looming potential of a 30% levy on South African exports has sparked concern as businesses brace for what could significantly impact trade relations between the two nations. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) on Tuesday said negotiations remained the best tool to deal with the issues that are on the table. The dtic Minister Parks Tau said South Africa was not in a unique position as the US attempts to finalise negotiations with some 185 countries around the world. Tau said the government remained committed to the cause as it awaited substantive feedback from the US counterparts on…

In a dramatic turnaround, India has emerged as one of the most equal societies in the world, outshining major global economies like the US and China, and ranked as the fourth most equal society in the world. According to the World Bank's Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, India with a Gini Index of 25.5 is close to joining the global club of “low inequality” countries - the Slovak Republic (24.1), Slovenia (24.3), and Belarus (24.4), and more equal than every member of the developed G7 and the wider G20. Shockingly, the world’s largest economy, the US, falls within the “high inequality” group of nations with a Gini score of 41.1 while South Africa, with a Gini index of 63.0 is the world’s “most unequal” society. The World Bank ranking…

When the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) capped Eskom’s 2025/26 electricity tariff increase at 12.74%, many businesses across the country breathed a sigh of relief. But buried in the fine print of its March 17 ruling is a profound shift that will reshape how businesses pay for and plan around energy consumption. In simple terms, the old one-size-fits-all approach is being phased out. Wholesale changes have been made to Eskom’s tariff structures and even on individual charges within tariffs. Time-of-use schedules are being adjusted, evening peaks are lengthening, and Sunday nights are no longer considered off-peak. Seasonal differences are narrowing, with summer tariffs set to rise more than before. Two new charges are being introduced: one is payment for relying on the grid as back-up source, the other is to recover…

Profit at Dangote Cement, controlled by Africa’s richest person, jumped the most in about six years to a record helped by a stable naira and higher prices of the construction material. Net income at the firm controlled by billionaire Aliko Dangote - who retired as chairman of the company on Friday - more than tripled to 309 billion naira (R3.9 billion) in the three months through to June from 76.6 billion naira a year ago, according to a company statement. Revenue at the firm, which has operations in at least 10 African markets, increased 14% even though volumes fell 1.4% in the quarter. Nigeria’s currency, prone to extreme volatility, has hovered around 1 550 to the dollar this year helping provide stability to businesses. Smaller rival Bua Cement, controlled by…

Shaftesbury Capital, the JSE and London-listed REIT grew earnings, dividends, and valuation in the six months to June 30 after its properties in the iconic Covent Garden and Carnaby Street precincts continued to grow sales. "We are delighted to deliver continued strong performance. Our West End portfolio continues to be busy and vibrant with high footfall and seven days a week trading,” said the CEO Ian Hawksworth on Tuesday. Leasing demand was strong, with 193 transactions completed, 9% ahead of December 2023. Valuations increased by 3%, driven by ERV (estimated rental value) growth and stable yields. He said that they had entered the second half of the year with positive momentum, supported by a strong balance sheet and access to liquidity. The 193 leasing transactions represented £19.2 million of contracted…

Cellphones, liquor, sheep, food parcels, books, tickets to watch sport and music shows as well as paid air travel and accommodation. These are some of the declarations made by MPs, as contained in the Register of Members’ Interests for 2025. The report was adopted and released by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests on Friday after all 400 public representatives complied with the submission of their declarations within the stipulated deadline for the first time. “No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone,” said co-chairpersons Lusizo Makhubela and Henni Britz. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza are probably the envy of other MPs as they disclosed a long list of gifts during the year under review. Creecy listed, among her gifts,…

The ANC is set to appoint former Ilembe District Municipality member Sduduzo Gumede as mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality, while the town’s former mayor Lindiwe Nhaca is set to return as his deputy. The council will hold a special meeting tomorrow to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor after uncertainty following the ANC provincial leadership’s decision earlier this month to sack mayor Ali Ngidi and his deputy, Njabulo Cele. The special meeting was confirmed by the regional task team coordinator, Nkosenhle Mngadi. The meeting was necessitated by Ngidi’s resignation on Friday after he allegedly initially refused. “We can confirm that the council will hold a special meeting on Thursday where a new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected. We can also confirm the current mayor tendered his resignation…

Local spaza shop owners are crying foul over what they deemed as “unrealistic” requirements imposed by the government on the recently established R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF). In April, the Minister of Small Business Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams announced the support fund during a press briefing in Soweto, which called on eligible South African spaza shop owners in townships and rural areas who want to improve, expand, and sustain their shops to apply for assistance from the fund. Some of the requirements for businesses include registration with the local municipality under the relevant by-laws and business licensing requirements. This is coupled with the optional registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) for funding above R80 000 where registration with CIPC will be required within 6 months. However, some…

Tiffany Nicole Meek, who is charged with the murder of her 11-year-old son Jayden-Lee Meek, was denied bail yesterday by the Roodepoort Regional Court in Johannesburg. The magistrate read out her ruling on the bail application while Meek sat in the dock weeping. She found that Meek had failed to prove exceptional circumstances to warrant her release on bail. “The applicant failed to satisfy this court that she discharged the onus to prove on a balance of probabilities that the interest of justice permits her release from detention in terms of Section 60 (B) of the Act; therefore, bail is accordingly refused for the applicant,” ruled Magistrate Annelin Africa. Her defence lawyer, Noven Naidoo, has argued strongly for the release of his client on bail, insisting that she is not…

UCT has announced that it will discontinue the use of AI detection tools, such as Turnitin’s AI Score, effective October 1. This decision follows the endorsement of UCT’s AI in Education Framework by the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee in June this year. According to the university, the framework prioritises ethical AI literacy, assessment integrity, and innovative curriculum design over reliance on automated surveillance tools. According to the University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning Professor Brandon Collier-Reed, the institution will discontinue the use of AI detection tools, such as Turnitin’s AI Score. He also raised concerns regarding the reliability of AI detection tools, noting that they are widely considered to be unreliable and can produce both false positives and false negatives. “An important related issue is the use of the…

WHEN Aiden Markram faced up to a 10-year-old KFC Mini-Cricketer charging in at the Langa Sports Complex last Friday, it was the first time he had picked up a bat since that fateful Saturday morning at Lord’s. It was then that the famous ground rose in unison to applaud the Proteas’ World Test Championship final hero all the way the back to the pavilion. Markram could not absorb the gravitas of the occasion at the time, stating: “When I get out, I’m always angry. That’s me being me”. But having now had the opportunity to “refresh, see friends and family, spend some time in the bush”, the 30-year-old views it through a different lens, especially after joining skipper Temba Bavuma on his homecoming parade. “I’ve been fortunate now to have…

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus says cutting short the Springboks’ break doesn’t necessarily relate to their performances against Italy and Georgia, but more to do with working with a streamlined squad ahead of the Rugby Championship. Erasmus and his staff had close to 50 players in camp for the two-Test series against Italy and the one-off match against Georgia. But the squad of players have since been cut to 37 ahead of their opening two Rugby Championship matches against Australia at home next month. Erasmus admitted that this week’s training camp was not originally part of their schedule, as the players were supposed to enjoy a two-week break after the win over Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium. But the players were called back a week earlier to prepare for their Rugby…

A blunt critique from Teko Modise has triggered a major shift at AmaZulu, with the club unveiling a youthful strategy and fresh signings ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. During the official launch held in Durban yesterday, club president Sandile Zungu admitted that Modise’s searing analysis of Usuthu’s struggles last season was a turning point. The former Bafana Bafana midfielder labelled AmaZulu a “retirement home” and criticised their continued pursuit of players well past their peak. The two-time Footballer of the Year, speaking as a football analyst, accused AmaZulu of becoming a destination for fading talent instead of focusing on building a competitive, youthful team that can grow together. “We took what he said to heart,” Zungu said. “He said we had become a dumping ground for players who…

Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo has insisted that they won’t underestimate the Sharks ahead of this weekend’s Currie Cup clash, despite the defending champions’ 46-5 mauling by the Lions last weekend. The Bulls are riding high after their away 48-23 Currie Cup win over Western Province. The Sharks, on the other hand, fielded a young, inexperienced side as they kicked off their title defence in Johannesburg. “I think they had a couple of guys who couldn’t play last week, for whatever reason. Some of the older players we’re more accustomed to seeing, like Corne Rall, Tino Mavusere, maybe a guy like Dian Blueler will get a start,” Nomlomo said in an online media conference yesterday. “I think what we might see is a restructuring of their team this week, and without…

Cautious stance reflects IMF’s assessment that SA is failing to implement crucial structural reforms South African economists are voicing serious concerns as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) holds steady on its meagre growth forecasts for the country, projecting a mere 1% growth in 2025 and 1.3% in 2026. This cautious stance, reiterated in the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) published on Tuesday, reflects the IMF’s assessment that the nation has made insufficient progress in implementing crucial structural reforms, particularly in critical network industries such as logistics and energy. The latest estimates mirror the IMF’s April predictions, which marked a notable 0.5 percentage point reduction due to sluggish activity among key trading partners and the mounting pressure of rising US tariffs. The forecasts contrast with those from the National Treasury, which…

Business Report on July 28 ran the story JSE fines former EOH director Bogdanov R500k for faking qualification. Anushka Bogdanov in a right of reply says she is aware of the SENS announcement published by the JSE on July 25, 2025 referencing her academic qualifications. She claims the announcement contains several factual inaccuracies and misrepresentations. Bogdanov says she is a highly qualified governance and risk management specialist with over three decades of professional experience in senior leadership positions in various financial and development institutions. She says she has submitted all supporting documentation from accredited institutions, including her doctoral research, to the JSE in good faith and in full transparency. Bogdanov says she is deeply concerned by both the content and the governance processes led to the announcement, including the lack…

Jeep owner Stellantis said Tuesday it sees sales revenue and profitability rebounding in the second half of the year despite taking a €1.5 billion (R30 billion) hit from US tariffs. The 15-brand group that also includes Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, confirmed the preliminary announcement it made last week of a €2.3 billion net loss in the first half of the year, as sales in North America continued to slump on an annual comparison. But Stellantis's new CEO, Antonio Filosa, said the automaker is beginning to see "gradual improvement" in sales volumes and revenues on a sequential basis "despite intensifying external headwinds". Like some of its rivals, Stellantis had suspended financial guidance due to the uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and regulatory changes, but it said it now sees an increase in…

As ordinary South Africans struggle to access clean, reliable, and affordable power, essential for a decent life and a functioning economy, a deeper, more entrenched power struggle continues behind the scenes. Over the coming weeks in this column, I will unpack this struggle and explore why South Africa continues to fail in establishing an efficient, effective electricity industry. We will examine the forces blocking progress and consider what a more functional energy future could look like, for the country and for the region. At its core, the power struggle is internal to the ANC. It is a contest between competing factions: between those committed to honest governance and those who enable patronage, corruption, and capture. It is also a struggle between those who support centralised state control of the economy,…

Boxer Retail was one of the top biggest movers on the JSE Tuesday morning after it reported a strong performance for the 17-week period to June 29, despite a highly constrained consumer environment and internal food selling price inflation of -0.6%. The soft discount retailer, which was listed out of Pick n Pay in November last year, saw its share price rise 3.58% to R69.21 early Tuesday morning after the release of a trading update that showed turnover up 12.1% and 3.9% on a like-for-like basis. The share price is not far off the R63.51 it traded at when it listed. This represents a positive trend when compared with the 9% turnover and 3.7% like-for-like growth reported for the second half of its 2025 financial year, as disclosed in Boxer's…

Kumba Iron Ore said on Tuesday that it remained poised for growth, fortified by robust demand for steel and high-quality iron ore products, despite a landscape marked by global economic uncertainty and shifting market dynamics. This optimism was articulated by Kumba's CEO Mpumi Zikalala following the company’s announcement of an impressive interim cash dividend of R5.3 billion. Kumba declared an interim dividend of R16.60 per share for the period ending 30 June 2025 despite revenues declining by 4% to R34.5bn after basic headline earnings per share slightly fell to R22.26. Half-year earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) amounted to R16bn. The dip in revenues has been attributed to a 6% reduction in the average realised Free On Board (FOB) iron ore export price to $91 per wet metric ton…

Scrolling through social media these days feels like stepping into a digital food festival. We’ve seen everything from rainbow bagels to charcoal ice cream, but just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes … matcha fried rice. But here’s the thing: while matcha lattes are one thing, the internet has now decided to test just how far matcha can go. Matcha, the finely ground Japanese green tea powder known for its calming properties and health benefits, is having a moment right now. From iced lattes and cheesecakes to croissants and even skincare masks, it’s everywhere. But have we finally reached peak matcha? A recent viral video on Instagram seems to suggest so. Shared by food creator @foodmakescalhappy, the clip shows a home cook whipping up fried rice with…

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has confirmed that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of political interference and shielding of criminals within the South African Police Service (SAPS) is estimated to cost R147.9 million over six months. “We can confirm that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is responsible for the procurement process for services for the commission, in consultation with the commission chairperson and secretary,” said departmental spokesperson Terence Manase. The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The claims included interference by senior police officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, in politically sensitive investigations and the disbanding of an elite unit. Manase confirmed that due to time…

KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of arrests for illegal firearm possession and driving under the influence of alcohol during a week-long national police operation that resulted in 14 273 arrests across the country. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), 45 suspects in KZN were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms between July 21 and 27, the most of any province. The province also led in arrests for driving under the influence, with 157 people detained, just ahead of Gauteng (156). A key takedown in the province took place on July 24, when the Provincial Organised Crime Unit seized six unlicensed firearms during the operation. Two suspects were arrested. These arrests formed part of Operation Shanela, which targeted serious crimes, illegal weapons, drugs, and counterfeit goods across all…

“She's not a monster.” These are the words of Anushka Christians, a long-time friend of accused baby snatcher Sameemah Jacobs, who was released on R4 000 bail on Monday. Christians supported Jacobs throughout her bail application appearances at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court following her arrest on charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice after allegedly abducting 9-day-old baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar on June 28. Magistrate Gconbani Ndaleni applied strict bail conditions to Jacobs, which include that she may not visit Mitchell’s Plain or Strandfontein. She is also restricted from making contact with witnesses, including baby Imaad’s mother, Imaan Sharmar. She is to sign in at a designated police station and will be living with a close relative. Ndaleni said that Jacobs was a mother of minor children who…

Ahead of the 2025/26 English Premier League season, Florian Wirtz has reflected on his move to Liverpool, saying it was an easy decision as he wanted to join a club that ranks among the top three in the world. The Reds signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old has penned a long-term contract with Liverpool and will be reunited with former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong. “I feel very happy and proud. It’s finally done – something I have been waiting for a long time. I’m really happy,” Wirtz said on JioHotstar. “I felt it was the right moment in my career to take the next step. I wanted to join a club that ranks among the Top 3 in the world, and in my opinion, Liverpool are one of them.”…

South Africa’s young swim sensation Pieter Coetzé’s impressive recent spell in the pool continued with a gold medal in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore yesterday. The new world champion stormed to the win, dipping below 52 seconds for the second time in the past two weeks. It was a victory that the Tuks psychology student felt was coming at some stage, though he admitted he didn’t expect it to happen so soon. The South African kicked with about 10m to go to take the title in 51.85 seconds, lowering his own South African and African record for the third time in quick succession. He narrowly missed out on the world record of 51.60. Olympic champion and world record holder Thomas Ceccon of Italy took…

Proteas opener Reeza Hendricks is bidding to win a T20 Player of the Year hat-trick at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards evening at Emperors Palace tomorrow. Hendricks has claimed the award for the past two years and enjoyed another fruitful 12 months by topping the charts with 440 runs at an average of 29.33 at a strike-rate of 136.64. It included a spectacular career-best 117 against Pakistan at Centurion. Tristan Stubbs is likely to be the main contender to unseat Hendricks with 266 runs at an average of 38.0 and strike-rate of 147.77. T20 specialists Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje are also among the contenders along with seamer Ottniel Baartman, who enjoyed a brilliant T20 World Cup in the US and Caribbean last year. Meanwhile, the ODI Player…

There was a time when women’s sport in South Africa existed largely in the shadows – underfunded, underrepresented and often undervalued. But in recent years, that landscape has begun to change in powerful and visible ways. Across various sporting codes, South African women are not only breaking through barriers but also rewriting history. In cricket, the Proteas Women became the first South African cricket team to reach the final of an ICC event when they faced Australia Women in the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at Newlands. A year later, the side proved their achievement was no fluke, reaching another final in the United Arab Emirates, where they narrowly lost to the New Zealand Women’s team. In football, Banyana Banyana have been dominant in African women’s football, and…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has announced a comprehensive lifestyle audit for 400 high-risk individuals—approximately 10% of the workforce within his department. This unprecedented initiative comes in the wake of a detailed forensic investigation by PwC into the award of a controversial tender, valued at over R800 million, for the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant by the Independent Development Trust (IDT). Highlighting the anomalies within the department, Macpherson on Tuesday pointed out that many who engaged in multi-million-rand construction projects had been found driving luxury cars, including R3 million Porsche models, without clear financial justification. "That is a red flag. It's not targeting anyone, it's ensuring that we have people that put the country first as opposed to own bank accounts first. So we introduced two…

The global energy transition is not unfolding in straight lines. It is a contested and uneven process where climate ambition often collides with infrastructure gaps, and global priorities clash with local needs. Few sectors embody this tension more than coal: a fuel still essential to energy access, industrial growth, and economic stability in many regions, yet increasingly under pressure to wind down. This is the central paradox. The world must decarbonise with urgency, but it cannot do so while leaving behind the billions who still lack reliable, affordable energy. This is where leadership is most needed, and where the coal industry now stands. For over a decade, coal has been pulled in opposing directions. It has been tasked with delivering affordable power while reducing emissions, criticised in global forums yet…

British bank Barclays posted on Tuesday second quarter profits that beat expectations as traders benefited from volatility in global markets caused by US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz. Net profit jumped 34 percent to £1.7 billion (R42bn) in the three months to the end of June, compared to one year earlier, Barclays said in an earnings statement. Trading activity was boosted for the second quarter in a row after Trump's return to the White House. The bank said the boost to its global markets income reflected "continued support provided to clients through a volatile market environment". Sharp fluctuations in financial markets were exacerbated by Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs on global trading partners in April, which subsequently flip-flopped, driving up volumes of financial transactions. Since then, markets have calmed as…

Imagine a place where little kids cycle freely through city streets, where families gather around the dinner table every evening without the rush, and where school feels less like a battlefield and more like a safe space to grow. It sounds idyllic and, according to the 2025 UNICEF report on childhood well-being, it’s real. The Netherlands once again tops the list for having the happiest children in the world. But what exactly makes Dutch kids so uniquely content? And what can we learn from Dutch parenting that could bring more joy to children everywhere? What the 2025 UNICEF report reveals The latest UNICEF report, which measured childhood well-being in 43 countries across the EU and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), looked beyond material wealth to focus on…

While the establishment of a judicial commission to probe the alleged infiltration of law enforcement by criminal syndicates is significant, it also raises a disturbing question: How did our security system disintegrate this far under our noses? President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke of a “sophisticated criminal syndicate” involving police, prosecutors, metro police, and even judges yet he failed to account for the systemic failure of oversight mechanisms that allowed such decay. Should we believe this rot is only now being uncovered by a provincial commissioner? Or has this web of complicity been tolerated, even protected, by those entrusted to guard our institutions? Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims point not just to isolated corruption but to a shadow state operating within the state — one that has allegedly captured organs of justice…

Only 19 of the 54 municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal are stable while 28 are deemed “at risk” and seven are “in distress”, according to a report looking into the state of municipalities in the province. The report was tabled during a meeting between the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and municipalities held in Durban on Monday. Top government officials stated that if a municipality is unstable, it affects service delivery to communities, something that should be avoided. The provincial treasury has indicated that it has experts ready to be deployed to any struggling municipalities. The report, titled Back to Basics, examined the state of local government between last year and March this year and was finalised in May this year. It is part of Cogta's ongoing work to…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has rejected an application for the registration of a new political entity by former African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament, Jacob Boy Mamabolo. Titled “Mandela for President,” the party’s bid has been thwarted primarily due to failures to meet several critical registration requirements. In a statement, the IEC indicated that Mamabolo’s party did not provide the minimum number of valid signatures required for registration, nor did it meet the threshold for the number of registered voters. In addition to these oversights, the IEC raised alarms regarding potential voter deception stemming from the party's name, "Mandela for President," paired with its striking green and black colours. Further scrutiny revealed additional discrepancies between the party’s constitutional documents and the IEC’s official records. The party…

To help reduce fire incidents in the Dakota informal settlement, the eThekwini Municipality and Astron Energy are fitting 342 fire and smoke detectors in informal structures. The development comes after more than 200 informal structures were destroyed, leaving over 400 residents displaced, earlier this month. eThekwini Municipality deputy mayor Zandile Myeni said the project in Isipingo was being carried out by municipal disaster management, Astron Energy and Gift of the Givers. “We are here to install detectors to alert residents in case of a fire, especially since incidents often occur at night or when people are away from home,” Myeni said. Astron Energy said it had formed partnerships with eThekwini Disaster Management and Western Cape Disaster Management, local municipalities, and fire departments to install over 500 early-warning smoke detectors in…

The AK-47 rifle used in the murder of DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards was also used in the murders of DJ Vintos, Armand Swart, and Don Tindleni. This was revealed by the national police spokesperson outside the Alexandra Magistrates Court yesterday after the appearance of businessman Katiso Molefe, former police officer Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Musa Kekana. The court heard that the four are charged with the murders of DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos while Tau, Mabusela and Kekana have now been charged with the murder of Tindleni. Speaking outside court, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that the firearms were linked to the four cases. The court postponed the bail application for Molefe to August 6 and all the accused were remanded in custody. “This case relates…

Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has thrown his weight behind the youth revolution currently sweeping through the Betway Premiership – and believes the shift will benefit South African football for years to come. The veteran coach will lead newly promoted Durban City in their first top-flight campaign, with survival the immediate priority. But Hunt’s blueprint goes beyond staying up – it’s about building a team with long-term intent. City’s squad features a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talent, although the emphasis is clearly on youth. Hunt, renowned for his work with young players in previous roles, has doubled down on that approach in KwaZulu-Natal. “If you look at the PSL as a whole, the majority of clubs are changing the course of how they want to do things…

Just days before the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season is set to begin, South African football finds itself lurching into yet another administrative crisis – and the credibility of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is once again in the spotlight. This time, it’s a registration blunder involving Marumo Gallants and midfielder Monde Mpambaniso that could lead to the reshuffling of relegation standings, MTN8 qualification, and potentially delay the league’s scheduled kick-off. Cape Town City, who were relegated via the play-offs, have been handed a lifeline by a Safa arbitration ruling. Their appeal against Gallants’ use of Mpambaniso was upheld, with Arbitrator Nazeer Cassim SC finding that the player had been fielded in 26 matches without a valid clearance certificate – in breach of Rule 31.8.9.3 of the NSL Handbook. If they…

Club rugby is more than just a casual pastime in the Boland. In these parts it’s more like a religion, and Saturdays are when supporters fill their spiritual cups. Club rugby is the heart and soul of many communities, with people playing organised rugby from Wellington in the Winelands to Saldanha on the West Coast, from Grabouw in the Overberg to Vanrhynsdorp close to the Northern Cape border. Boland boast around 220 clubs and about 24 000 registered players, by far the most of any union in the country. All of this culminates at the end of the season into the Boland Top 12, which is a fiercely contested competition, with the best of the best competing to be the union’s top team. Those games, especially the semi- finals and…

The Springboks Women’s sole focus for the past month has all been on preparation for next month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. Match-day squads have been rotated to give everyone a fair run, while several players have returned from injury, and positional switches have been a regular occurrence. But with only Saturday’s clash against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium remaining before the Boks leave for England, assistant coach Franzel September has changed the mindset with the emphasis placed on getting the “W”. “We need to get onto the plane knowing that we have all our ducks in a row and our plans tried and tested,” said September. “To be fair, most of those are going really well and the progress in our last three matches is well documented, but…