Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-01 i Saturday Star

Aliyah really wasn’t lying when she sang age ain’t nothing but a number, because Kelsey Grammer just put the stamp on it. The 70-year-old Frasier star has welcomed his eighth child and fourth with wife Kayte Walsh, a baby boy named Christopher. Grammer shared the news on an episode of the Pod Meets World podcast with Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Rider Strong while chatting about his memoir, Karen: A Brother Remembers, written in memory of his late sister. In the book, he revisits the horrifying 1975 murder of Karen, then 18 years old, who was kidnapped, raped and stabbed to death. Amid the conversation about fathering his eighth child at age 70, this moment reflected not just new beginnings but a life shaped by loss, resilience and the hope…

The South African government has criticised the US over its new Special Refugee Programme, saying it is based on false claims and undermines South Africa's constitutional processes. This follows a Presidential Determination issued on September 30 and published in the Federal Register, in which Donald Trump capped refugee admissions for the 2026 fiscal year at 7 500, the lowest in the country's history and instructed that the majority of those slots be allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa. “The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands," the document reads. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) said the programme continues to raise concern, as it appears to…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has defended the AmaPanyaza launch, insisting the initiative was formed out of frustration with the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) refusal to bolster the province’s stretched policing ranks. In an interview with 702 on Thursday night, Lesufi revealed that before launching the programme in 2023 under his Nasi Ispani initiative, he had proposed a plan to fund and deploy 10 000 additional police officers in Gauteng - fully paid for by the provincial government. However, he said the SAPS rejected the offer, citing legal and budgetary restrictions under the Division of Revenue Act. “I told the provincial commissioner, I’m prepared to fund 10 000 policemen based solely in Gauteng. We’d pay their salaries, uniforms, cars and overtime,” Lesufi said. “We even budgeted R8 billion for this.…

THE consulting firm Accenture recently laid off 11 000 employees while expanding its efforts to train workers to use artificial intelligence. It’s a sharp reminder that the same technology driving efficiency is also redefining what it takes to keep a job. Across industries, from banks to hospitals and creative companies, workers and managers alike are trying to understand which roles will disappear, which will evolve and which new ones will emerge. I research and teach at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, studying how technology changes work and decision-making. My students often ask how they can stay employable in the age of AI. Executives ask me how to build trust in technology that seems to move faster than people can adapt. In the end, both groups are really asking the…

October marks Transport Month in South Africa, a time to reflect on the progress and challenges in building a transport system that works for everyone. This year’s theme, “Implementing an integrated, sustainable, and safe transport system that promotes inclusive economic growth, job retention and creation, and social development,” highlights how transport shapes everyday life - from children walking to school to workers making their way to jobs - revealing both the strides made and the inequalities that persist in access and affordability. The figures reveal the everyday realities for millions: children covering long distances to get to school safely, households managing high transport costs and workers balancing affordability with the need to reach their jobs. Recent data from the General Household Survey (GHS) 2024 shows that land transport remains the…

As South Africa prepares to observe National Children’s Day on November 1, the question every boardroom, policymaker and family should be asking is: how are we investing in our children’s potential? For the Ruta Sechaba Foundation, the answer has become increasingly clear. “Quality education for disadvantaged learners is not a cost – it is the smartest investment a nation can make,” says Natasha Mkhize, executive: strategic relations at the Ruta Sechaba Foundation. “Supporting the brightest learners from disadvantaged backgrounds does more than change individual lives – it generates a ripple effect that strengthens families, communities and the country’s economic future.” The foundation’s recent impact study, covering 2020 to 2024, tracks 2 752 learners and highlights significant academic transformation. In English, 86% of learners scored above 65% in 2024, up from…

In Africa, less than one in five continental airline routes are direct. Air connections are decided by factors like trade levels, diplomatic relations, and whether there’s enough demand to make a route financially worthwhile. Because there are so few direct connections in Africa, getting from one country to another often requires travellers to fly to Europe or the Middle East and transit there. This increases the costs of travel within Africa, and limits tourism and investment flows. The G20 group of the world’s most powerful economies is led in 2025 by South Africa. One of its top four tourism priorities is promoting modernised air service agreements that allow for direct flights, or seamless travel, between countries. Air connectivity measures how easily people and goods can travel between two places by…

The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (AARTO) is to come into effect on December 1; however, there are doubts as to whether the government is truly ready. Most sections of the AARTO Act are to be rolled out in 69 of the key municipalities from December, with other smaller regions set to follow in April, while the demerit points system is expected to be implemented only in September 2026. Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) spokesperson Monde Mkalipi told IOL that all systems were in place in terms of software deployment to issuing authorities ahead of the December implementation date. Furthermore, as of early October, over 80% of officers had been trained. He said that this was a “refresher training” as time had lapsed since the previous sessions.…

With 10 million South Africans drowning in debt, Personal Finance rounded up some financial experts for advice that goes beyond skipping lattes and is more offbeat. According to FinMark Trust, an estimated 10 million South Africans are over-indebted, with 37% of formal credit borrowers facing repayment issues. This figure rises to about 12 million when including those borrowing just from informal sources. Gary Kayle, co-founder and CEO of the independent financial education group Worth, says these statistics are not abstract. They are lived realities for thousands of families. “Behind every percentage point of over-indebtedness is a parent borrowing to feed a child, a graduate saddled with debt before they even find a job, or a person unsure where to start because someone else has always handled the finances,” he says.…

Last week, my daughter attended her last formal day of high school. As the famous song goes, it was joy and pain, like sunshine and rain. One highlight of the day was when she and the other matriculants in her class had to say goodbye to their “grade one buddies,” who will only matriculate in 2036. The year 2036, on the one hand, sounded like a date somewhere in the distant future, but at the same time felt remarkably close, especially if you are planning for retirement around that time. I asked myself the question, what will our retirement landscape look like in 2036 when the grade one buddies matriculate? What are the things that will drive better retirement outcomes, and what are the things that will prevent them? If…

Proteas women’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi remains adamant that the processes that they’ve put in place in preparation for matches will help keep the team in the moment and not stray because of nerves and pressure. Over the last three years, we have seen senior Proteas teams, both women and men, handle pressure very well. Be it in T20 World Cups, ODI World Cups or Test Championship finals, the Proteas have done very well. South Africa will hope that this trend will continue as the Proteas women take on hosts India in the final of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Navi Mumbai tomorrow. Mashimbyi acknowledged that there will be pressure come Sunday, but remains confident that the processes that they have in place in preparation for matches will…

THE HANDSHAKE was firm; the stare long but not the intimidating kind of stare down which often accompanies such encounters. Kaine Fourie and his opponent for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental lightweight title Claudio Daneff of Argentina met at the pre-fight conference for Saturday’s Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP) Sandton Mayhem bill and there was not a hint of ‘bad blood’. A sense of mutual respect prevailed between the two boxers who both promised to produce fireworks in Saturday evening’s featured fight on a bill teeming with potentially explosive fights. Fourie, eager to dazzle as he chases the opportunity to fight for a world title, admitted that he will be meeting a seasoned campaigner who deserves to be taken seriously. And that much, his trainer Gert Strydom confirmed revealing they have been…

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said Liam Delap has apologised for getting sent-off in Wednesday's League Cup win at Wolves, which drew stinging criticism from his manager. Maresca labelled the former England under-21 international "stupid" and "embarrassing" for picking up two yellow cards in the space of just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for his first appearance since August. Chelsea held on to progress in a 4-3 thriller at Molineux but Delap is now suspended for Saturday's trip to Tottenham in the Premier League. "Straight after the game, in the changing room, he apologised to everyone," said Maresca on Friday. "I spoke with Liam, he knows everything, he's aware of the situation, he knows that he made a mistake. Full stop. No more than that." Maresca said after…

Research shows that the primary travel motivators for South Africans are relaxation (21.2%), family time (21.1%) and adventure (20.3%). Hybrid holidays have emerged as the perfect solution to combine these desires while remaining budget-friendly. A hybrid holiday is a modern approach to travel that merges various experiences to cater to all your needs. Where to stay – prioritising value: Choosing the right type of accommodation can significantly stretch your budget. Look for self-catering options and B&Bs that align with value-first and that offer essential amenities like Wi-Fi and onsite activities. Resorts are ideal for families seeking pools, kids’ clubs and convenient dining options. For short city breaks, hotels are a smart choice, as their central locations can help reduce transport costs. Deal triggers that actually work: To maximise your holiday…

If you find yourself wandering into a room and forgetting why, misplacing items, or struggling to string together the words you once had at the drop of a hat, you may be one of the many women encountering “brain fog” during the menopause transition. Research suggests that around 62% of peri- and post-menopausal women report cognitive difficulties – including memory lapses, trouble concentrating and word-finding issues, which are commonly grouped under the term brain fog. These changes are often driven by falling oestrogen levels, disrupted sleep and mounting stress, but the good news is that there are steps you can take. What is brain fog, and why does it happen? Brain fog isn’t an official medical diagnosis, but it is increasingly recognised as a real and common symptom during the…

MabEL, Charles and Oliver will be trading in New York City for the mysterious streets of London. Disney+ recently announced that the crime-solving trio will return for season six of Only Murders in the Building. The new season, consisting of 10 episodes, is set for a 2026 release and will see the gang going across the pond to solve another murder. Spoiler alert! The news of the renewal came after the season five finale, where Mayor Beau Tillman (Keegan-Michael Key) was unveiled as the murderer of The Arconia’s beloved doorman, Lester. Tillman and his billionaire friends were arrested, protecting the Arconia from being turned into a casino. It ended with a shocking scene that hinted at the death of Cinda Canning (Tina Fey) or her doppelgänger. This new cliffhanger…

When the Proteas Women take on India in tomorrow’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final in Navi Mumbai, it won’t just be skill and strategy on display – it will be love, care, and trust. These values lie at the heart of head coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s approach, a philosophy he has championed since taking the reins barely a year ago. Barely a year into the job, Mashimbyi has done what no South African coach – male or female – has achieved before: guiding the Proteas Women to a 50-over Cricket World Cup final. His tenure has been defined not just by tactical acumen, but by emotional intelligence and a renewed focus on unity. “My philosophy speaks to the person rather than the cricketer,” Mashimbyi explained. “When I came into the…

In his 99th Test match, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will lead the world champions on the field against Japan in their opening year-end tour match at Wembley (6.10pm kick-off) today. The first of the five-Test tour is a key chance for the Boks to build momentum and strengthen their grip on the No 1 spot in the world following success in the Rugby Championship. A strong start against Japan will set the tone for tougher Tests to come against France and Ireland, as the Boks look to solidify their dominance ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw in December. That draw could determine a favourable group for the tournament in Australia in two years. It’s been just over a decade since the Japanese beat the Boks in 2015…

A key witness has issued an impassioned plea to the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry to take up the plight of SA Police Service (SAPS) members, who are being suffocated by their corrupt superiors. Witness C, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, told the commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system, that he was not seeking sympathy but to make the inquiry alive to their reality of committed, ethical, and ordinary SAPS members. "We are at the coalface of justice and face the raw, unfiltered reality of fighting crime in the country. But even with all my sacrifices and hard work, I’m on the entry level of SAPS. My colleagues and I are…

SOME of Ellen Rugaber’s high school teachers allow students to use artificial intelligence for schoolwork, but she prefers not to. “It’s part of growing up to learn how to do your own work,” said the 16-year-old, who attends school in Arlington, Virginia. She doesn’t want to off-load her thinking to a machine and worries about the bias and inaccuracies AI tools can produce, she said. Abstaining from using AI makes Rugaber one of the few students at her school with strong viewpoints on the technology, she said. Beyond campus, she has company. As the tech industry and corporate America go all in on artificial intelligence, some people are holding back. Some tech workers said they try to use AI chatbots as little as possible during the workday, citing concerns about…

The viral video showing a group of Milnerton High School boys attacking a younger learner has sparked a nationwide debate about when bullying crosses the line into criminal behaviour, with legal experts now providing clarity on this critical distinction. The footage, which surfaced a week ago, captures an incident that happened on October 16. In the roughly two-minute clip, several boys armed with belts, a wooden log, and hockey sticks can be seen assaulting younger pupils in what's been described as an initiation ritual. One learner was forced to stand with his hands against the wall andwas struck over the buttocks with a wooden log. Despite pleading for the attack to stop, he was hit again with a belt while others looked on. Eight learners have since been suspended and…

THE US consulate in Lagos has revoked the visa of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate said this week. “I want to assure the consulate... that I’m very content with the revocation of my visa,” Soyinka, a famed playwright and author Fwho won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature, told a news conference. Soyinka previously held permanent residency in the US, though he destroyed his green card after Donald Trump’s first election in 2016. He has remained critical of the US president, who is now serving his second term, and speculated that his recent comments comparing Trump to former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin might have struck a nerve. Soyinka said earlier this year that the US consulate in Lagos had called him in for an interview to re-assess his…

Need a track toy that’s also an everyday runabout? Then the updated Toyota GR Yaris Rally is just the right thing. Taking feedback from owners and Toyota Gazoo Racing, the hatchback pocket rocket that accounts for 38% of all GR model sales locally, delivers more power, better handling and advanced driver-focused technology. Automatic gearbox It features a new eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission that was developed for performance driving and tested under demanding rally conditions, including the Japan Rally Championship. Toyota says it delivers rapid, intelligent gear changes that anticipate driver behaviour and adapt to the intensity of driving, and its predictive software optimises shift timing under full-throttle acceleration. These are the same cars that we have been racing in the GR Cup this season, and from personal experience,…

The question of how long an elderly driver should remain behind the wheel always makes for a difficult conversation among family members. Currently, there is no legal cut-off age for driving in South Africa, and it is estimated that more than three million people in this country are aged 65 or above. By the age of 60, most people need substantially more light to see than did in their twenties. Naturally, the question of how long they should continue to drive plagues many families. While licence renewals every five years do provide a layer of protection, as they include an eye test, families need to be proactive about the situation, advises Michael Pashut, founder and CEO of ChangeCars. This includes medical check-ins, realistic trip planning and open family conversations, while…

Critical illness cover is still treated as a luxury in South Africa, something for the wealthy or overly cautious, rather than a financial necessity. Yet actuarial estimates show that more than 24 000 formally employed South Africans will be diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, a heart attack or a stroke in 2025. Despite this, over 85% of income earners have no critical illness cover at all. I used to be one of them. Like many others, I assumed that medical aid would be enough. It wasn’t until a close friend, healthy, active, and in her early 40s, was diagnosed with a serious illness that I realised how quickly life can change. She had to take extended time off work, and while her medical aid covered some of the…

For many South Africans, a large part of ‘Janu-worry’ lies in how they will fit the annual medical scheme increase into their monthly budgets. For 2026, members can expect an average increase from anything between 7.2% and 9.9% which is still higher than both the current inflation rate and a typical annual salary increase. However, understanding why these increases happen and how to make informed choices about medical cover can make a real difference. Medical scheme contributions rise each year largely because of the cost of private healthcare. There is a huge amount of pressure on the system. Costs are soaring, and schemes have a responsibility to their members to remain sustainable. In some cases, this means adjusting the cost of comprehensive plans in line with the usage patterns of…

They will all be wearing the red and white of the Brave Blossoms today against the Springboks, but as many as nine players in the Japanese squad were born outside of the Land of the Rising Sun. The Boks will face four Australians, three New Zealanders, and two South Africans, including former Sharks lock/flank Tyler Paul, while former Durbanite Dylan Riley will start at outside centre. Riley forms a midfield partnership with chunky Kiwi Charlie Lawrence. The Japan team is captained by New Zealand-born lock Warner Dearns, who combines in the second row with Australian Jack Cornelsen. The massive 120kg, 1.95m Ben Gunter will be on the flank. While he was born in Thailand, Gunter was raised in Brisbane. Fellow Australians on the bench are former Australia Under-20 lock Tiennan…

A South African girl cricket prodigy that was equally excellent in academics. Several Matric distinctions with the ambitions of becoming a doctor. Sounds like a familiar story doesn’t it? One that has been told a thousand times over about the brilliant Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt. But this is not about Wolvaardt. For long before “Wolfie” there was Johmari Logtenberg, who was even younger at 14 years old - Wolvaardt was 16 - when she debuted for the Proteas Women’s team at the Denis Compton Oval in Shenley, England back in August 2003. And unlike Wolvaardt who only made her Test bow six years after first representing her country in ODI’s, Logtenberg went straight into the toughest format of the game. The teenager did not disappoint either, facing a mammoth…

Liverpool face an in-form Aston Villa as the Premier League champions look to arrest their remarkable collapse today, while Arsenal aim to surge further clear in the title race. The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Bournemouth, who travel to Manchester City, before their trip to Burnley. Third-placed Tottenham are only five points off the top but are aiming to end a three-game winless run at home when they host London rivals Chelsea. Here we look at three of the key fixtures of the weekend: Slot feels the heat Liverpool boss Arne Slot badly needs his star names to get back on track after being dumped out the League Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday to compound a miserable run for the Premier League champions. Slot made his priorities clear…

From the get-go, Nobody Wants This season two reminds us why we fell in love with the series in the first place; that warm, fuzzy feeling that Noah (Adam Brody) and Joanne (Kristen Bell) bring to the screen is still alive and kicking. Noah, still the sweet, loving, and yes, sexy rabbi, is trying to make it work with a girl who hardly believes in God at this point. But even rabbis have toxic traits of their own, ones they often overlook, and the show doesn’t let us forget that. Reflection is apparently good for everyone, even holy men in adorable sweaters. In the first season, we saw that Joanne’s sister, Morgan, is not a fan of Noah as she felt he was disrupting their single-girl dynamic by changing her…

If you are thinking of splurging this Black Friday, economists are warning that with an economy in the doldrums, it would be wise to keep your cash. With Black Friday on November 28 and Cyber Monday following on December 1, experts are warning South Africans to approach the festive shopping period with caution. While Black Friday has grown in popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon in a short period of time, economic pressures, high debt levels and the rise of online scams mean shoppers must plan carefully to avoid financial hardship. Economist Dawie Roodt said that despite the allure of discounts and the surge of online shopping, he expects subdued demand this year. “Only a few years ago, we didn’t even know about Black Friday. Now it’s part of our…

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has resolved to subpoena former Road Accident Fund (RAF) chief executive Collins Letsoalo after he repeatedly failed to respond to invitations to appear before the committee — escalating Parliament’s investigation into the RAF’s deepening financial and governance crisis. In a statement issued yesterday, SCOPA confirmed it had unanimously agreed to issue a summons to Letsoalo after Parliament’s Legal Advisor, Fatima Ebrahim, reported that he had failed to respond to a final letter offering him the chance to appear voluntarily before the committee in late November. The decision means Letsoalo will now be compelled by law to testify before Parliament under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act of 2004 — a move committee chairperson Songezo Zibi described as a last resort. “The information the…

Efforts to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal are still being hampered by the illegal movement of livestock. This was highlighted during the Provincial FMD Indaba held in Durban on Thursday. KZN Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said clinical signs of the disease are evident in most KZN districts, with the exception of Ugu. She said KZN has 180 FMD open outbreaks that remain unresolved. “As of October 2025, there are 274 unresolved outbreaks across the province,” kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said. Since the 2021 outbreak, rigorous vaccination campaigns began in 2022, vaccinating approximately 800 000 cattle. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa emphasised that addressing the FMD situation requires a collective effort from all stakeholders. “New outbreaks of FMD continue to emerge in different locations, all caused by the…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held its 30th-anniversary symposium on Wednesday in Sandton, Johannesburg. The symposium, themed “30 Years of Courage: Defending Human Rights, Dignity, Justice and Democracy for All”, served as a critical reflection on the commission's three-decade legacy, including its achievements and challenges. For three decades, the SAHRC has been more than a watchdog, according to Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel. He stated that it embodies commitment: a conscience, a catalyst, and a companion to South Africa's Constitution, transforming rights from abstract concepts into tangible experiences. Nel said the SAHRC’s investigations into racial discrimination, service denial, and violence in schools have made human dignity tangible. A genuine human-rights culture is one where dignity, equality, and freedom shape governance and relationships, he said.…

The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) held its highly anticipated annual awards ceremony, where the nation's mathematics champions were celebrated for their remarkable achievements across various educational levels. The event served as a testament not only to the academic prowess of the students but also to the vital role of mentorship and family support in shaping the mathematicians of tomorrow. The highlight of the ceremony was the crowning of the overall winner of the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO), an accolade that has become emblematic of excellence in high school mathematics. This year, Moied Baleg, a talented Grade 12 learner from The Settlers High School in the Western Cape, stood out among the country’s top 115 contestants from grades 10-12, laying claim to the prestigious gold Dirk van Rooy medal.…

This November, South Africa takes a moment to honour its children through National Children’s Day on November 1, and World Children’s Day on November 20. At the forefront of this commemoration is the Hold My Hand campaign, which challenges every South African to consider ‘Just One Thing’ they can do to improve the lives of children nationwide. The premise of the campaign is refreshingly simple: facilitating significant change doesn’t require vast, impactful gestures but rather small, meaningful actions taken by individuals. "The intent is not to aim for monumental shifts all at once but to encourage every citizen to make one specific effort," emphasised campaign representatives. Practical examples of these efforts might include enhancing the reading facilities at a local Early Childhood Development centre, speaking out against abuse, providing nutritious…

AS WE MARK National Children’s Day today, child-protection advocates are urging families to consider the power of something incredibly simple – a hug. Girls and Boys Town South Africa (GBTSA) says that while national policies, services and programmes are vital to protecting children, everyday expressions of care remain the foundation of healthy development. “Hugs may seem small, but they speak loudly,” said Karen Farred, CEO of GBTSA. “When we wrap a child in our arms, we are telling them: ‘You matter. You are safe. You are loved’.” Research cited by the organisation shows that hugs are not only emotionally reassuring, but biologically beneficial too. Regular physical affection has been linked to reduced stress and stronger immune systems, with studies suggesting that even a 20-second hug can increase oxytocin — the…

You often hear the phrase “respect the uniform” but behind every stitch and seam of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) attire are the hands that made it. For almost three decades, a quiet, yet remarkable operation in the heart of Woodstock has been manufacturing the uniforms that thousands of soldiers wear with pride. The family-run business, Sirdicks, has stitched its way through generations of change from hand-cut tailoring to advanced machinery while keeping one mission constant: producing quality garments that carry the weight of national service and dignity. Sirdicks was founded nearly 30 years ago by Sedick Gierdien, a master tailor trained by his own father, who once ran a small formalwear workshop in Cape Town. What began as a modest tailoring business supplying hotel attire and formal…

Ilka Horstmeier, the board of management member for BMW AG overseeing People, Real Estate, and Labour Relations, fondly recalls her visits to South Africa. Having spent over three decades with the company, she has witnessed the evolution of BMW’s footprint in the country – not just as a production hub, but as a catalyst for progress. At BMW’s Rosslyn Plant north of Pretoria, that legacy continues with the BMW X3 plug-in hybrid, a model produced exclusively in South Africa for the world. “Over all these years,” says Horstmeier, “South Africa has evolved, and now we are at a high production rate. It’s a viable and vital part of the BMW global network.” Why the X3 Hybrid? The decision to allocate production of the X3 hybrid to Rosslyn was not made…

As inflation remains elevated and market volatility persists, many retirees face difficult choices about when and how much to draw from their retirement savings. With longevity increasing and investment returns volatile, South Africans must balance immediate financial needs with the sustainability of their retirement portfolios. Inflation and its impact on retirement Inflation is the annual increase of goods and services, including food, electricity, and other daily living costs, and poses financial risk, particularly to retirees. In South Africa (SA), we have had over 10 years of low growth, with little prospect of this changing soon. Coupled with the low growth, we have also had higher inflation than developed markets. This combination creates an environment where capital is depreciating faster than it can grow. Ultimately, persistent inflation erodes purchasing power and…

Real Madrid may have beaten Barcelona in last weekend's Clasico but the game exposed problems in both camps, from the difficulties in dealing with Vinicius to the concerning recent form of the Catalans. Madrid's Brazil superstar Vinicius finally issued an apology on Wednesday, three days after his team defeated arch-rivals Barca 2-1, following his huff at being substituted at the Santiago Bernabeu. He remonstrated with coach Xabi Alonso and marched off down the tunnel after being hauled off in the 72nd minute and replaced with Rodrygo. "Today I want to apologise to all Madrid fans for my reaction to being substituted in the Clasico. Just as I have already done in person during today's training, I also want to apologise again to my teammates, club and president," said the 25-year-old,…

Bayer Leverkusen will resume their recent Bundesliga rivalry at Bayern Munich today but are almost completely unrecognisable from the side who struck fear into the hearts of the Bavarian giants in past seasons. Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen went toe-to-toe with Bayern for more than two seasons, pushing them harder than any German side had done since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund more than a decade before. Alonso's Leverkusen won three and drew three of their six domestic fixtures with Bayern during his tenure at the club, including a 3-0 demolition in February 2024 on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double. This season however, the clubs' fortunes have reverted to type. Leverkusen lost several first-team cornerstones in the summer and are on their second coach of the season, with…

Summer remains the most popular time to travel, but it also brings crowded attractions, higher prices and sweltering temperatures. Planning and being strategic can help you enjoy the season without the usual stress. Here are practical ways to make the most of your trip while avoiding the worst of the summer rush. Choose lesser-known destinations: Consider exploring smaller towns and hidden regions instead of popular holiday spots. Skip Cape Town’s packed beaches and try the Wild Coast, the Garden Route’s inland towns or the Karoo for a quieter getaway. Swop the Kruger National Park for the Addo Elephant Park or the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where you’ll find fewer crowds but just as much wildlife. The experience will feel more personal, and you’ll spend less time in traffic or queues. Book…