Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-01 i Star

In an attempt to root out corruption in the food aid industry in South Africa, SA Harvest on Monday announced a groundbreaking smart vetting system to ensure food aid reaches legitimate, active community-based organisations (CBOs) around the country. In the form of an App, it was developed in partnership with Garnish Global. The tech-enabled system brings real-time tracking, digital verification, and fraud detection into the informal food economy. SA Harvest supports over 300 beneficiary organisations in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. The organisation said that this new system sets a precedent for transparency and impact in food relief efforts, positioning SA Harvest as a key driver of systematic change. COO of SA Harvest, Ozzy Nel, said, “Food is our starting point, our currency, but our real work is about enabling…

Company asked for lower electricity and rail tariffs, and removal of a scrap metal export tax ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) will defer the closure of its loss-making Long Steel plant to August 31 after getting a R1.68 billion injection from the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which will stave off the retrenchment of 3 500 workers and keep operations running for at least six months. In a statement on Monday, the steelmaker said as part of the agreement, Amsa has committed to the continued operation of the Long Steel business and retention of jobs during the deferral period and had also received a Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) grant to assist in funding employee costs, which will reduce the drawdown required against the IDC facility. "Based on engagements between…

South Africa’s current relations with the US is at a crossroad. With fallout from the signing of the Expropriation Act into law, the withdrawal of USAID, and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, tensions have only simmered further, with much debate now around South Africa’s future participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). South Africa cannot afford to make adversaries of any global economic power. Our economy has stagnated over the past 10 years, with the government essentially having run out of money. Over the last financial year, our debt-service costs amounted to R389 billion, with our debt-to-GDP projected to reach 76.2% in this financial year. Agoa, our largest trade agreement with the US, remains at risk. Several US political leaders have already called for…

A recent Afridigest LinkedIn post citing Anil Atmaramani’s championing of venture capital (VC) firm Antler’s refreshed approach to venture investing in Africa raises important questions. Atmaramani is a partner at the organisation, and his call to “rethink the mould” by backing everything from tech-enabled innovations to working capital loans and day-zero founders sounds admirable, but blurs distinctions that may ultimately hurt the clarity of discourse around funding in African markets. Definition disconnect The hard truth? Venture capital, by its classic global definition - accounting for hyper-growth, hyper-scale and super-fast outsized returns - simply does not exist as a genuine asset class in Africa. When we layer on calls for VC to be a democratised, inclusive investment mechanism that everyone “deserves” access to (which I genuinely wish it would be), it…

Vukile Property Fund, the specialist retail estate investment trust, has forecast a dividend uplift of at least 6% after a year of strong growth and it is now moving towards a period of integration and value extraction from its assets in South Africa and in the Iberian Peninsula. The group, with gross assets in South Africa, Spain, and Portugal now exceeding R50 billion, saw its Spanish-held subsidiary Castellana Properties grow its asset base in Spain and Portugal by nearly 60% over the past year to March 31, 2025. The investment in Lar Espana was exited at €82 million profit, while the capital was redeployed to acquire the Bonair Shopping Centre in Spain’s Valencia province. Adding a new engine of growth, Vukile entered Portugal with four retail acquisitions, and a fifth…

Investigation Discovery (ID) Africa is set to premiere a provocative new documentary Andrew Tate: Icon or Toxic? which will delve into the life, and controversies of social media personality Andrew Tate. The controversial British-American social media personality and former kickboxer is known for his views on masculinity, women, and wealth. He gained a massive following for his outspoken and controversial views. Self-proclaimed as the “king of toxic masculinity”, Tate built his brand around his luxurious lifestyle and wealth, flaunting his material possessions on social media. He is also known for his motivational speeches and self-help advice for which many young men have grown to admire him. Tate has also been accused of human trafficking. Romanian anti-organised crime prosecutors detained him, his brother Tristan Tate, and two Romanian women in March…

As the world moves from a unipolar system to a multipolar one, former president Thabo Mbeki has questioned whether Africa, and particularly South Africa, is ready to position itself in the multipolar world order. Delivering his keynote address at the Inaugural Annual Aziz Pahad Peace, Security and Human Rights Dialogue in Pretoria on Monday. The dialogue was organised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) in recognition of the contribution of the late former Dirco Deputy Minister Pahad. Mbeki described Pahad as the most experienced international government senior official in the three previous administrations of the country, saying he would have been very much disturbed by the executive orders that were recently signed by the US president Donald Trump, particularly the drastic increasing of tariffs to influence the…

Monday marked 43 days since Pretoria-based journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, went missing and efforts have been intensified for the couple to be found. Earlier this month, IOL reported that in a joint effort, the African Media and Communicators Forum and the National Press Club offered a reward of R50 000 for information that can lead to Ndlovu and Mdhluli being found. The couple’s home in Mpumalanga was ransacked. In February, the couple was last seen leaving home in Mpumalanga in their white Volkswagen Citi Golf. On Monday, veteran journalist, communications specialist and chairperson of the African Media and Communicators Forum, Elijah Mhlanga, told IOL that members of the media have remained positive, despite the difficult circumstances. “We remain positive about him being found, together…

The Gauteng police have confirmed that the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has opened a case of perjury, wrongful impersonation and identity fraud against unknown people who have been allegedly running a smear campaign against her. This comes as the minister in a heavily circulated yet “fake” WhatsApp conversation is reported to be involved in a bid to wrongfully prosecute deputy president Paul Mashatile. According to a Sunday newspaper article, Kubayi, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and President Cyril Ramaphosa are allegedly collaborating with the NPA to prosecute Deputy President Paul Mashatile. On Sunday, following this report claiming that she was engaged in a plot against the deputy president, the minister revealed in a video message that she had reported this matter to the Brooklyn Police…

Kanye West "didn't want to have children" with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The controversial rapper married the reality star in 2014 and they became parents to four kids - North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, five - before divorcing in 2022 but in a new interview Kanye has declared he regrets settling down with his ex. During an interview with DJ Akademiks which was published on YouTube, Kanye said: "That was my fault. I didn't want to have children with this person after the first two months of being with her, but that wasn't God's plan."Kanye went on to express his dismay over the former couple's custody arrangement, saying: "I don't got the name and likeness ownership, or at least 50-50 with my kids. So how's it joint…

Hoerskool Elspark, a high school in Germiston in Ekurhuleni, has roped in a team of experts to help fight the scourge of dagga use among its learners. This comes as the school has indicated that it has recorded more than 50 dagga-related cases among its learners since the start of the year. This was revealed by the school's acting principal, Johan Visser, during the launch of the school's anti-dagga campaign alongside anti-drug abuse organisation, the World Changers Candidates, on Friday ahead of the first term school holidays. The campaign was launched as part of the “Say No to 4/20” (20 April), a date now associated with “Dagga Day”, which has given birth to dagga use among high school learners across the country. “We have been having a few issues in…

Kaizer Chiefs’ rollercoaster season has taken another dip, with the team now reeling from three defeats in their last five Betway Premiership matches. The latest setback means they have now lost 10 games under Nasreddine Nabi’s tenure, tallying a worrying 12 defeats, five draws, and just 10 wins since the coach’s appointment. As things stand, the mighty Amakhosi find themselves scraping the barrel in eighth place on the league table. With only seven matches to go, the looming specter of finishing outside the Top 8 is becoming all too real — a nightmare for any Chiefs fan, let alone a club with such a storied legacy. Nabi’s contract runs until 2026, but with the supporters growing increasingly frustrated, the speculation surrounding his future is escalating. Over the years, Chiefs have…

Bukayo Saka is "ready to go" for Arsenal after three months out with a hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta said on Monday. The England forward, 23, who has scored nine goals in all competitions for the club this season, has not featured since Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace in mid-December. "Bukayo is ready to go," Arteta said, on the eve of Tuesday's match against Fulham. "All the careful things are already done, so now it's about putting him on the grass at the right moments. But he's pushing because he really wants to. "We have respected the timeframe, and we have done everything, even holding him back. “He is ready to go." Asked whether Saka, who had hamstring surgery in December, could start against eighth-placed Fulham at the Emirates,…

The office of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) is preparing for a thorough examination of the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) following concerns raised by the Acsa Board regarding alleged irregularities in the entity’s procurement processes. This decision coincides with AGSA’s formal acknowledgment of a request from Acsa and signifies its commitment to uphold transparency during the annual regularity audit for the 2024-25 financial year. In a statement responding to inquiries from Business Report on Monday, the AGSA confirmed that it would be conducting a review of procurement processes at Acsa. “Should there be any material findings discovered during that regularity audit, these will be reported in the audit report. The audit report will be made public through the normal annual report processes,” AGSA said. The Acsa…

South Africa’s Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) sector is often referred to as the lifeline of the economy and a new report has identified that crucial support is needed for female entrepreneurs. The report, commissioned by the Shoprite Group, revealed the critical need for targeted support for female entrepreneurs and improved access to markets and resources in underrepresented regions. World Wide Worx conducted the research via a survey, which gathered insights from 800 SMME owners nationwide. It highlighted the diversity within South Africa’s small business sector, but also found significant systemic challenges related to gender, age, geography, and education. For example, while 51.2% of SMMEs are male-owned, women are more likely to own smaller businesses and face greater barriers when trying to scale. Entrepreneurial activity is also concentrated…

A significant number of consumers in South Africa are expressing their dissatisfaction with the manner in which their complaints are handled by Category I financial service providers (FSPs), retirement funds, and retirement fund administrators. This was revealed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Complaints Management Industry Review Report 2025 released on Monday. The FSCA surveyed 655 consumers and indicating that 67% of respondents were dissatisfied with the complaints processes offered by the financial institutions, while 63% of respondents were dissatisfied with the resolution of their complaints. The report was done in two phases, where it also surveyed over 1000 financial service providers in the first phase between 2022 and 2023. The first phase report revealed that the majority of the reviewed financial institutions display commitment to developing and maintaining…

Recent research conducted by Fortinet has illuminated a powerful trend across the African business landscape: a significant embrace of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our survey of 750 CEOs, CTOs, and CIOs across South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria reveals that a remarkable 85% of companies are either already investing in AI or plan to do so within the next three to five years. This widespread ambition underscores the growing recognition of AI's potential to transform operations and drive innovation. Interestingly, our findings also unearthed some unexpected regional dynamics. Kenya and Egypt are emerging as front-runners in AI adoption, demonstrating a strong appetite for the technology. South Africa, often considered the continent's technology leader, appears to be taking a more measured approach. Key findings of the survey: n 85% of the…

York Timber Holding's headline earnings a share shot up to 14.31 cents in the six months to December 31 from 4.67 cents a year before, as the turnaround plan gained further traction, The share price had gained 4.95% to R2.12 by midday Monday. Revenue grew by 18% to R1.04 billion, and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) improved to R84.3 million from R8.3m. The higher EBITDA contributed to improved cash generated from operations of R45.7m, compared to cash used by operations of R7.8m for the period ended December 31, 2023. No interim dividend was declared. Operating expenses were in line with the prior period, and the cost of sales increased in line with the increase in revenue. Lumber prices continue to increase, albeit below inflation. However, industry sales…

Get ready to fall in love, or watch red balloons burst one by one, because the internet’s favourite dating show, Pop The Balloon Or Find Love is officially making its way to Netflix! The viral YouTube show, now turned live-streaming event, will premiere on April 10 at 9pm. Hosted by the ever-charming Yvonne Orji, this live version of the beloved series promises even more drama, laughs, and, of course, romance. With its quirky premise, the show became a viral hit, racking up over 50 million views on YouTube, and inspiring countless TikTok reactions, and even an SNL parody. Now, the online streaming giant is levelling up the fun with real-time eliminations, celebrity appearances, and all the unpredictability of live television. For the uninitiated, the show is a speed-dating series where…

The DA and the ANC, the two leading parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), are on the verge of coming to an agreement to pass the contentious budget that includes a proposed 0.5% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). Sources told IOL that the DA and ANC have agreed on a deal that would give the DA more influence over economic policies going forward. However, the Expropriation Act—a sticking point for the DA—will remain unchanged. This development follows the DA’s initial rejection of the ANC’s proposal for a 0.5% increase in VAT, which sparked controversy among citizens and other GNU partners. This led to speculation that the GNU could collapse. However, it now appears the parties are “close” to reaching a deal that would ensure its survival. “The…

The Ekurhuleni Municipality is facing a storm of controversy over the appointment of Phakamile Mbengashe as Divisional Head of Communications and Media, amid serious allegations about his qualifications. This came to light as one of the candidates served the municipality with a legal letter from Leslie Sedibe's attorneys seeking to set aside Mbengashe's appointment as Divisional Head of Communications and Media. The applicant’s letter, whose name is known to The Star, sought to review the decisions of the pre-selection panel and the interview panel in that it took into account irrelevant considerations and/or failed to take into account relevant considerations such as the qualifications the applicant held. “The selection panel completely ignored our client’s colourful and illustrious career which inter alia includes the following achievements. Our client has an uninterrupted…

Former Miss South Africa, Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, was left stunned when her husband, Dr. Musa Mthombeni, along with a group of close friends, orchestrated a surprise party in honour of the 10-year anniversary of her crowning. The intimate gathering was kept a complete secret, with her loved ones masterfully pulling off the elaborate plan. Reflecting on the surprise, Laurie-Mthombeni took to Instagram to express her amazement at how well everyone had kept the secret. “I spent time with almost every person at this celebration in the week leading up to it, and not one of them slipped up. Sooo, you guys are all good liars—scary, but also impressive,” she joked in her post. Just hours before the surprise, Laurie-Mthombeni was unknowingly preparing for her own celebration. She recorded a GRWM (Get…

ON March 21, EFF leader Julius Malema – a rabble-rouser of note – disrupted South Africa’s national peace and comfort when he chanted the controversial political slogan “kill the boer, kill the farmer”. One thing is for sure: Malema knew too well that no one, not even AfriForum, could haul him before the courts. In 2022, AfriForum lost the legal battle after taking the EFF and Malema to the Equality Court over the public chanting of “kill the boer, kill the farmer”. The predominantly white-aligned civil rights group had argued that Malema’s chanting of the Struggle rendition in public incited violence against white Afrikaner farmers. However, Justice Edwin Molahleli, who presided over the matter, could find no evidence of a link between the chanting of the slogan and the attacks…

Defending champions the Sharks, the Bulls and Lions are gearing up for potentially tricky away EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 fixtures at the weekend. The Lions will face Scottish side Edinburgh at DAM Health Stadium on Friday, while the Bulls will tackle French side Bayonne at Stade Jean Dauger on Saturday. The Sharks face French giants Lyon at Stade Gerland later on Saturday. It was a disappointing weekend for the four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship at the weekend, apart from the Bulls, who thumped Zebre Parma 63-24 in Pretoria. The 14-man Stormers suffered a narrow 38-34 defeat against Ulster in Belfast, the Sharks went down 10-7 against Leinster in Durban, and the Lions were on the receiving end of a heavy 42-0 defeat against the…

As Orlando Pirates embark on their quest for continental glory in Algiers on Tuesday, they will face the dual challenge of a fiercely competitive host, MC Alger, and a hostile crowd at the historic 80 000-seater 5 July 1962 Stadium. Last week, Algeria’s Ligue 1 champions sensed the growing excitement around the match and subsequently moved the fixture from their 40 000-seater Ali La Pointe Stadium to the larger venue, located some 18 kilometres away. The stadium is expected to be near full capacity, amplifying the already vibrant atmosphere created by North African supporters. This will pose a significant challenge for Pirates, who must cope with the intense environment and its potential impact on the game’s dynamics. It could also prove testing for Sudanese referee Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail, who…

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has said he was giving Eskom a six month deadline to submit a new cost analysis report on the Medupi Power Station Flue Gas emissions. Minister of Environment, Dion George, on Monday vowed to hold the power utility to account on environmental compliance while still demanding adequate electricity supply. George announced exemptions to extend the operational licences of eight coal-fired power stations to continue with operations. He said the department had braced for all challenges, including court processes, from Eskom on the stricter enforcement of compliance with environmental legislation but warned he ever went to court on winnable matters. "Medupi, is a heavy emitter of toxic chemicals and that a lot of people have been animated about. I decided the…

PwC has warned that energy disruptions remain the number one concern for business leaders in South Africa as they fear the power supply shortages would be a key challenge in 2025–2026, despite the suspension of load shedding since March 2024. The second PwC South Africa Economic Outlook for 2025 released on Monday looked at the status quo of three challenges - energy supply, water supply and weather events - approaches for South African businesses to mitigate associated risks. Local business leaders responding to the survey for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025 identified energy and water supply shortages among South Africa’s biggest risk factors over the next two years, while global results included extreme weather events as a top-three risk. Despite the absence of planned power outages…

A tie-up between a Chinese research institute and tech company said on Monday that it aims to implant its brain chip into 13 people by the end of this year, in a move that could see it overtake Elon Musk’s Neuralink in collecting patient data. The Beijing-based Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) and NeuCyber NeuroTech has inserted Beinao No.1, a semi-invasive wireless brain chip, into three patients in the past month and has 10 more lined up for this year, said Luo Minmin, who is director of CIBR and NeuCyber’s chief scientist. State-owned NeuCyber has ambitions for an even larger trial. “Next year after getting regulatory approval we will do formal clinical trials that will include around 50 patients,” Luo told reporters on the sidelines of the tech-focused Zhongguancun…

AECI has moved further with the restructuring of its businesses after announcing plans on Monday to sell its Improchem Public Waste Water businesses to a South African majority black-owned special purpose vehicle, with Nsukutech as the controlling shareholder and Junaco as the minority shareholder. The Public Water Business is a separate division of Improchem’s water business and includes the manufacturing and supplying of water treatment chemicals, providing engineered water treatment solutions, and supplying other complementary products to the public water sector. An AECI spokesperson said the value of the deal would be disclosed once all the agreements were finalised. “Divesting our Public Water Division delivers on our strategy to dispose of non-core assets, streamline operations, and optimise our portfolio. It will support our capital allocation strategy and position AECI for…

Jameel Motors has announced a new partnership with Changan Automobile, marking its entry into the realm of mobility solutions in South Africa. This strategic agreement paves the way for Jameel Motors to distribute a diverse range of vehicles, including sports utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans, pickups, and new energy vehicles (NEVs), beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025. The decision to enter the South African market comes at a time when it is on the cusp of growth, poised to become the largest automotive market in Africa. With car sales expected to exceed 500 000 units in 2024 and a marked 18.3% year-on-year increase in January 2025, Jameel Motors sees a tremendous long-term investment opportunity. Furthermore, the cooperation will contribute significantly to local job creation and the development of dealerships, fostering…

A 58-year-old primary school teacher is on the run after allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in the Capricorn South Education District, sparking outrage and a manhunt by authorities. According to Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the female learner was taken to her mother by another educator, who informed her about the ordeal on March 27. Thakeng said a case of rape was immediately opened. The suspect then drove off, pretending to head to the police station, but instead fled from the law. “A case of rape was registered for further investigation. The suspect drove off with his vehicle under the pretense that he was going to the police station. When he was contacted, he claimed he was in Hammaskraal in Pretoria and the cellphone was then switched off.”…

The City of Tshwane is set to procure its own water tankers and waste collection trucks in the next financial year, aiming to decrease its dependence on external contractors by R210 million. The strategic move has been hailed as a way to enhance the city's internal capabilities and capacity. Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the city has listened to the pleas of officials, who expressed their eagerness to deliver services but lacked the necessary equipment and resources to do so effectively. “This City in the next financial year is going to start owning water tankers. This city is going to start owning waste trucks. Because we can, we will also throw in one Jetpatcher. We will continue to build internal capacity,” she said. Moya said a R70m reduction has been made…

After almost two decades of service as one of South Africa’s most beloved traffic reporters, Rob Byrne - AKA Roby Beezy, is leaving Metro FM after being with the station for thirteen years. His road knowledge has made him a trusted voice in many South Africans daily lives, making him one of the most popular traffic reporters in the country. Byrne informed the Metro FM management late last year of his intention to leave the station on March 31. On social media platform X, Byrne said "I would like to thank the Metro FM listeners for the most remarkable experience imaginable. Thank you for the love, the affection and the companionship over the many years. It's hard to express just how deep my gratitude runs. It was a great…

Miguel Cardoso is aware of Esperance's loyalty to their system. However, such is the trust he has in Mamelodi Sundowns' "own process" that he believes they’ll be able to crack the visitor's code. Cardoso will lead Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon (kick-off 3pm). This is a clash that the Brazilians will need to perform well in if they are to win the tie, including the second leg in Tunisia over the weekend, to reach the semi-final. The Brazilians will head into the clash in the nation’s capital high on confidence, having backed Cardoso to equip them with all the intelligence he has on Esperance. The Portuguese coach managed the Tunisian giants last term, beating Sundowns in the two-legged…

Yuki Tsunoda has targeted a podium finish at his home Japanese Grand Prix this weekend after his “unreal” promotion to the Red Bull team in place of the axed Liam Lawson. Tsunoda will race alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen after Red Bull ruthlessly pulled the plug on underperforming New Zealander Lawson last week, just two races into the F1 season. Tsunoda said it felt “unreal” to be driving for one of the top teams on the grid and set his sights on making an instant impact in front of the Japanese fans at Suzuka. “I don’t want to raise expectations too much but I want to finish on the podium at this Japanese GP,” the 24-year-old said, at an event with Red Bull partner Honda in Tokyo on Sunday.…