Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-10 i Sunday Independent

While consumers in South Africa who are paying back loans were given some financial relief after the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) cut interest rates, fuel price adjustments for August brings a mixed bag. This past week, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced that from Wednesday, August 6, both grades of petrol decreased by 28 cents, while diesel went up by between 63 cents (50ppm) and 65 cents (500ppm). That means petrol 95 Unleaded will now cost R20.80 at the coast and R21.59 in Gauteng, where the slightly less expensive 93 ULP will retail for R21.51. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel will reach R19.28 at the coast and R20.04 inland. While the decrease in the price of petrol has been welcomed by some motorists, Neil Roets, CEO…

“Coloureds apparently chow each other chief, siblings … I would believe that because coloureds are crazy.” A seemingly casual remark, yet these words from the Open Chats Podcast have sparked a profound uproar across South Africa, disrupting the nation’s dialogue on race, dignity and freedom of speech. The reaction was swift, raw and loud from celebrities to political parties to fellow podcasters: “We’ve had enough.” While the Open Chats Podcast hosts Am, Cino and Mtho are hardly household names, they’ve now become so for all the wrong reasons. Social media creator Kwezi summed up what many felt: “Your freedom of speech ends where my dignity begins. What you’re doing isn’t brave or edgy. It’s lazy racism dressed up as opinion. “We’ve seen this before. Say something inflammatory, target a vulnerable…

The first week of every August in history exposes, in my view, the depths of the failures and deep-seated false pretences of international diplomacy as a vehicle for civil resolution of differences and a consensus-building mechanism. It was on August 6 and 9, respectively, 80 years ago, when the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki within three days apart, killing and maiming tens of thousands of innocent people in an unprecedented and unexpected jiffy. Many around the world often place tremendous importance on the total fatalities from the nuclear bombardment of the two Japanese cities in 1945. However, what I think of greater significance is the world’s response in the aftermath all these years later. It is in the lackadaisical global response that I take umbrage. The disingenuity…

IN the wake of the recent 30% tariff hike imposed by the US, South Africa's sugar and automotive industries are bracing for significant upheaval including income and job losses. SA Farmers Development Association Executive Chairman Dr Siyabonga Madlala, who is involved in sugar manufacturing, is concerned that while businesses have no power over politically influenced tariffs, they are the ones bearing the brunt. Madlala anticipated a loss of millions of rand, a situation that would result in alarming job losses. He said the South African Sugar Association (SASA) which exports lots of sugar for the US market might go to waste. “America, through AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act), has given us a lucrative market for about 24 000 tons of sugar exports, so with the imposition of…

DESPITE the withdrawal of several prominent Legacy Foundations from the structures of the Preparatory Task Team (PTT) and the upcoming First National Convention of the National Dialogue scheduled for August 15, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Friday that the Dialogue will proceed as planned. "The first Convention of the National Dialogue will go ahead as planned. The Foundations have committed to remain a part of the Dialogue and I have instructed that we be well prepared for the upcoming Convention and that all South Africans are afforded the opportunity to participated fully," said Ramaphosa. He was speaking to the media in Vereeniging. The ANC called for an urgent resolution to the concerns raised by the Foundations. "The ANC believes these concerns, particularly those relating to transparency, coordination, financial oversight, and…

The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) will not add to the country's 257 municipalities ahead of the 2026 local government elections, and KwaZulu-Natal's capital, Pietermaritzburg, will not become a metropolitan municipality. The MDB on Thursday informed Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, the nine CoGTA MECs, chairpersons of the national and provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoisan leaders, SA Local Government Association (SALGA) President Bheke Stofile, and Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) Chairperson Mosotho Moepya, among others, about its decision. Acting MDB Chairperson Dr Matheakuena Mohale said the board met a week ago and considered reports on 13 deferred cases, having evaluated the findings of research reports, public meetings, and/or formal investigations reports, and other relevant reports. “The board resolved not to re-determine any municipal boundaries and elected…

In December 2024, the South African Communist Party (SACP) announced that henceforth, it will contest elections alone outside of the Tripartite Alliance comprising the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP – as well as South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). This includes the much-anticipated upcoming 2026 Local Government Election (LGE). It was not the first time that the SACP had taken such a decision. But this time it sounds serious, and the ANC has conceded defeat in persuading it. This incident triggers a few questions. Firstly, what has prompted the SACP to take such a firm decision this time? Secondly, does this mark the end of the Tripartite Alliance? Thirdly, what impact will the SACP’s decision have on the ANC during elections starting from 2026? Fourthly, could this incident have been…

As South Africa marked Women’s Day yesterday, several of the country’s most prominent women leaders have reflected on the hard-won progress of women’s rights — and the long road still ahead. Women’s Day, observed annually on August 9, commemorates the historic 1956 march when approximately 20 000 women gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the apartheid regime’s pass laws, which restricted the movement of Black South Africans. The protest was led by iconic activists Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, and Helen Joseph. In honour of their efforts, National Women’s Day celebrations were instituted in 1994 and now take place annually. Since then, not only is Women’s Day used to commemorate their efforts, but it also allows South Africa to take stock of its progress…

The opening line of the United Nations Charter is, “We the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war ...” Yet 80 years on, we once again face the terrifying prospect not just of a global war, but of nuclear war. The authority of the UN is increasingly undermined as founding members leave it cash-strapped and disregard multilateralism and international law. As we remember the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bombed by the US on August 6 and 9, 1945, we question whether the nuclear powers have learned anything. The US attack on Japan was an act of savagery that resulted in over 200 000 lives lost and a ravaged environment. It had no military justification. By then, the Soviet Union had already…

US President Trump has rattled Washington’s ties with New Delhi to an unexpected degree. Countries, including India, were prepared for rough diplomatic weather after Trump won his second term, but did not anticipate the kind of onslaught he has unleashed on the global system and diplomatic norms. Trump’s latest attack on India and the BRICS countries explains this underlying dynamic. The BRICS aspire to play a greater political, economic and financial role in global affairs. This aspiration is based on shifts of economic and concomitant political and financial power towards the so-called emerging powers or middle-income countries. BRICS countries have already begun to use their national currencies in trading with each other as much as possible. The use of draconian financial sanctions on Russia by the West has accelerated this…

The stability of the foundations that South Africa laid in Zimbabwe last month during the Tri-Nations series against the hosts and New Zealand will be tested in the upcoming three-match T20I series in Australia. Youngsters Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka were given opportunities to develop their games against established internationals. The upcoming series Down Under will be a step up in competition, and the youngsters will get a chance to test themselves against a strong Australian side. With senior players Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada back in the mix, having missed the Zimbabwe series, the youngsters will have leaders to seek guidance from as they acclimatise to international cricket. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad told the media that they aim to use the Australia series to build on the…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot refused to rule out an improved bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak as the Premier League champions consider adding to their formidable firepower, with Darwin Núñez set to leave for Saudi Arabia. After a quiet first year in the transfer market under Slot, the Reds have spent almost £300 million on forwards Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, as well as full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Núñez is one of a number of significant exits that will help recoup much of that outlay, as the Uruguayan closes in on a £46 million move to Al Hilal. Liverpool reportedly had a £110 million bid for Isak turned down by Newcastle, who are seeking a British transfer record fee. The Swedish striker has not been part of the Magpies’…

LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes he’s discovered the “new Doctor Khumalo.” Coincidentally, the 17-year-old midfielder shares the same surname as Khumalo, regarded by many as one of the finest footballers this country has ever seen. Speaking ahead of their Betway Premiership opener against newly minted Siwelele FC, Mngqithi said South Africans will enjoy watching teenager Nthutuko Khumalo, who he discovered in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. “I’ve got a 17-year-old you’ll love watching this season,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach was quoted by iDiski Times. According to Mngqithi, the youngster is so good, the club will struggle to keep him playing in South Africa. “If he stays with Arrows for more than three seasons without going overseas, I will say something is wrong with my brain because he’s…

Health is a deeply personal experience impacted by a variety of biological processes that women face throughout their lives. However, although milestones such as first steps and puberty are frequently regarded as simple, the path to menopause is plagued with unanticipated twists, particularly during perimenopause. This critical shift, characterised by changing hormone levels, is rarely defined in the precise terms required, resulting in a troubling difference in how women’s health issues are recognised and treated. While misdiagnosis can affect anyone, research shows that women are disproportionately impacted. This disparity raises urgent questions about the underlying causes: Are we witnessing the effects of medical gaslighting, a lack of research in sex and gender medicine, and a society still grappling with outdated views of women’s health? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has…

In George Orwell’s 1984, the most chilling threat to freedom wasn’t surveillance. It was the control of language, the quiet and deliberate rewriting of history, and the creation of a society where independent thought was replaced by consensus, enforced through a simplified vocabulary called New Speak. When you erase nuance, you erase resistance. Today, knowledge is increasingly and overwhelmingly digital, and we are dangerously close to that precipice – not through a dystopian regime, but through an algorithmic democracy where the loudest, most persistent voices curate what we accept as fact. My own experience with Wikipedia is, in many ways, incidental. I am one of thousands whose biographies have been misrepresented, edited without consent, or laced with innuendo under the guise of neutrality. The policies designed to uphold factual accuracy…

Regulators have been warned against approaching complaints about South African banks in the same way as US president Donald Trump, who this week issued an executive order after accusing financial institutions of unacceptably restricting law-abiding individuals and businesses’ access to banking services based on political or religious beliefs. Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of SA (Giwusa), an affiliate of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), said Giwusa would not support merely implementing moves similar to Trump's as the situation required the same interventions but for different reasons. Sebei said moves against the banks for being reactionary and assaulting human rights must be supported. "We also know that banks are not accountable in this country, there are political parties, trade unions, community organisations whose bank accounts…

The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader, Jacob Zuma, has defended his use of the South African flag during a visit to Morocco, saying it does not belong exclusively to the government but to all citizens. Zuma made the remarks during a press briefing held Friday in Sandton, where he addressed journalists alongside party officials following a meeting of the party’s National Officials. Those present included Zuma, national chairperson Nathi Nhleko, MP and national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, and other senior leaders. “The South African flag doesn’t belong to the government. Is there anyone who doesn’t know that the flag of any country belongs to the citizens of that country? Is there anyone who doesn’t know that?” Zuma said, laughing. “And you,” he added, pointing to journalists, “come here asking so many…

Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has appointed Dr Bongani Mncwango, a former executive at insurance giant Sanlam, as its new secretary-general, replacing Floyd Shivambu. The party also named Nomsa Dlamini as the new deputy secretary-general, following the recent departure of Nombuso Mkhize. IOL News previously reported that the party has had seven secretary-generals in under a year. Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who briefly served as MK’s secretary-general, has now been expelled from the party, with the leadership citing serious violations of trust and ideological misalignment. “The leadership of the MK Party has noted several statements and utterances by the former secretary-general, who was removed from the position recently,” said MK Party national chairperson Nathi Nhleko at a press briefing held Friday in Sandton. Nhleko…

African National Congress (ANC) NEC member Mzwandile Masina said his party is moving ahead with plans to include more political parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), and discussions are ongoing with political parties, including the Jacob-Zuma-led uMkontho weSizwe party. Earlier this week, IOL reported that as the ANC intensifies work to expand the size and reach of the GNU by adding more parties to the coalition currently governing South Africa, opposition party ActionSA insists it is not interested in joining the ruling arrangement. Leader of ActionSA, Herman Mashaba said so far, he has only heard from media reports that the ANC wants to approach ActionSA for negotiations around GNU inclusion, but his party has not heard a word from Luthuli House. One of the main political parties in…

Experts and women’s rights organisations have echoed sentiments that while the country has moved three decades into democracy, there is still much room for improvement for bringing women to the forefront for policy influence. Tackling the scourge and national pandemic of gender-based violence and sexual abuse, gender rights organisation, Sonke Gender Justice, said positive inroads have been made but added “it is a mixed bag of reviews”. Sonke’s provincial manager based in the Eastern Cape, Patrick Godana, said it commended South Africa’s democratic dispensation for laying the foundation of a constitutional democracy, which has enabled the development of laws and policies aimed at creating a society where all people, regardless of sex, gender, or belief, can live safely, and with dignity. “This framework has been critical in promoting and protecting…

On August 9, 1956, the women of South Africa rose with a clarity of purpose that still reverberates through the sinews of the Republic. More than 20 000 of them converged upon the seat of State power, the Union Buildings, in a moment of defiance that defied geography, race and class. They were not mere protestors – they were political architects, moral insurgents and custodians of a vision far ahead of its time. At the forefront of that march stood the unyielding spirits of Lilian Ngoyi, Charlotte Maxeke and Sophie de Bruyn, matriarchs of the resistance whose names must never be invoked lightly. They mobilised not for inclusion into an oppressive order, but to dismantle it altogether. They marched for universal suffrage, for dignity, for spatial and economic justice and…

Kaizer Chiefs head to the Western Cape to launch their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium today (5.30pm kick-off). This game marks the beginning of Chiefs' 56th season in South Africa’s top-flight football, having first competed at the highest level in 1971. It also represents their 30th league campaign in the PSL era, which began in the 1996/97 season. On Thursday, the PSL announced that tickets had sold out. This game marks the first time since the inaugural PSL season that Chiefs open a league campaign in the Western Cape. The only other time they faced a team from the province in a season opener was in 2009/10, when they played to a goalless draw against Santos. However, Amakhosi head coach Nasreddine Nabi will not be…

South Africa T20I captain Aiden Markram told the media on Friday that he wants the team to play with freedom, take the game on, and entertain as the Shukri Conrad era continues in the shortest format of the game. Coach Shukri Conrad is in his second T20I series, having opened his account in the recently concluded Tri-Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand last month. With Conrad’s era in T20I cricket still in its infancy, many have wondered how the coach wants the side to play, and what the blueprint for the team will be heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup. T20I captain Markram hinted at the team’s new blueprint, citing freedom as one of the key elements that define their approach under Conrad. “Already, we’ve had quite a…

Thembinkosi Lorch has been back in the country since ending his loan with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, but according to reports, he could be heading back to North Africa. The 32-year-old is unwanted by parent club Mamelodi Sundowns and has been training on his own as he looks for a new club. During the Fifa Club World Cup, Lorch turned a few heads with his performance against some of the biggest clubs in the world. As a result of performing on the world stage, it’s thought he will not struggle in his search. Wydad had been keen to keep him permanently after his loan ended, but the club couldn’t reach a deal with Sundowns. Now, further reports suggest he could be returning to Wydad. According to KickOff, the club are…

There is no arguing the fact that trade finance does not necessarily sound sexy. But for the women we work with, it is the difference between a good idea and a growing business. At Aions, we have seen first-hand what happens when you back a woman with a viable business and a plan. Whether she is selling vetkoek in Soweto or supplying glass bottles to ABI, she has already proven she can hustle. What she needs now is not another grant, but a fair shot at real growth. Most corporate enterprise and supplier development (ESD) models start with the right intentions. Telkom’s Future Makers programme, for example, offers early-stage capital to emerging black-owned businesses (EMEs) in the ICT sector. This is enterprise development in action. You give a startup the…

There’s a special bond between a person and their dog, and for many, that bond is strengthened on the trails and sidewalks. Running with your furry friend is a great way to combine exercise, companionship, and a love for the outdoors. Benefits of a shared run Running with your dog isn’t just about getting a workout; it’s a mutual benefit for both of you. For you, your dog is the ultimate running partner. They’re always ready to go, and their boundless energy can be a great motivator to get you out the door on days when you might rather stay in. This shared activity can deepen your connection and strengthen the bond between you. For your dog, the benefits are just as significant. It provides a great physical outlet for…

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) referred more than 300 apartheid-era crimes for further investigation and prosecution to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in its final report, where amnesty was denied against the perpetrators. There are allegations of political interference by ministers and senior officials under former president Thabo Mbeki’s administration in stymying efforts by the NPA to act. Twenty-five families of the victims of apartheid-era crimes are seeking R167 million in constitutional damages against the government. Mbeki and former Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla approached the court to intervene, a move that was rejected by the court. President Cyril Ramaphosa wants to delay the matter so that the govern- ment can reinstate its opposition in the case. The court has reserved its judgment. Mbeki and Mabandla approached the court because…

Scores of healthcare workers across some of the biggest hospitals in Gauteng participated in lunchtime pickets as they stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The pickets, part of the Healthcare Workers for Palestine, have indicated that the public health crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with increasing attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities. According to media reports, Gaza’s already compromised healthcare system is in a state of collapse, with blood banks reported to be running dry while Israeli forces continue targeting clinics and facilities housing patients and displaced families. Al Jazeera reports that healthcare officials in parts of Gaza have been besieged, resulting in a severe shortage of blood as many would-be donors are too malnourished to help due to an Israeli-induced hunger crisis that has so far…

Every August, the streets of South Africa hum with the remembrance of that powerful day in 1956, when more than 20 000 women of all races stood side by side in Pretoria, marching against the tyrannical pass laws of the apartheid regime. "Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo!" they cried - "You strike a woman, you strike a rock!" The women’s march was so much more than a revolutionary protest against systemic oppression; it was also a resounding declaration that women are not passive observers of change; they are the very heartbeat of resistance and revolution. Our beloved mother of the nation, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, used to eloquently say: “We have a shared destiny, a shared responsibility to save the world from those who attempt to destroy it.” But almost 70 years later,…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is calling for the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System to avoid costly venue arrangements and instead use publicly owned facilities for the duration of its work. The hearings are expected to commence in August. The Commission has been established to investigate the facilitation of organised crime, the targeting of officials who opposed criminal activities within the security cluster or government, and the involvement of state officials who may have aided criminals. Its establishment follows alarming allegations of misconduct within law enforcement, brought to light by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The party has raised concerns on what it calls “a costly precedent” set by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture,…

Although South Africa is ready for a female president, financial resources and difficulties limit women to challenge the position. ANC veteran and member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said there was no reason for the country not to have a woman president. She said while the number of women serving as heads of State in Africa remains a minority, several women have excelled in these roles, demonstrating strong leadership and positive impact. The former chairperson of the African Union (AU) executive council members, said this record is evident in countries such as Liberia and Namibia. Elle Johnson Sirleaf was the first female head of State in Africa, after she was elected as the President of Liberia from 2006 to 2017. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize…

Africom’s role in the SADC’s security landscape The US Africa Command (Africom) – the combatant command responsible for carrying out the US Department of Defence’s military operations, exercises and security co-operation in Africa – could sow divisions within the southern African region. The leadership of the Africom, including the Deputy Commander Lieutenant-General John Brennan and Ambassador Robert Scott, made what seemed to be successful visits to Angola and Namibia at the end of July. In both countries, the parties discussed mutual security interests, including promoting stability in southern Africa, tackling wildlife and timber trafficking, drug cartels and terrorism, which are a threat to regional peace and stability. The visits followed the Obangame Joint Military Exercise conducted in Cape Verde in May, in which both Namibia and Angola took part alongside…

South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin believes an experienced squad led by the Springbok women's most capped player Nolusindiso Booi can “push them towards the play-offs" of the Rugby World Cup. Booi, capped 52 times, also captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022 and is one of 19 players out of the 32 player squad with previous Women's Rugby World Cup experience. South Africa, whose poor record pales into insignificance compared to the men's team who have won the global showpiece a record four times, are in Pool D for the tournament, which is being held in England and runs from August 22 to September 27. They face a tough challenge to even progress from the pool stage with Six Nations runners-up France favourites…

Manchester United signed Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko yesterday, the third forward the 20-time English champions have acquired in the close season. The 22-year-old's arrival from RB Leipzig, in a deal reported to be worth up to £74 million, completes an overhaul of the Red Devils' attack that failed to fire last season. “Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Benjamin Sesko has joined the club, subject to registration,” read a club statement. The five-year contract includes a guaranteed payment of £66.3million, with the remainder in add-ons, according to reports. Sesko, who has scored 16 goals in 41 international appearances, is United's third major signing in attack following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha for £62.5m and Bryan Mbeumo for £65m with £6m in add-ons. “The history of Manchester United is obviously…

We’re 12 races deep into the 2025 Formula 1 season, and it looks like McLaren have a firm grip on both titles. That being said, the first half of the season has not been short of big overtakes, big crashes, and first-time big moments for some. We highlight some of the most wholesome and adrenaline-filled moments, as well as some of the biggest disappointments from the first half: Best Team: McLaren It’s no surprise who takes top honours in this category, as McLaren have led from start to finish in this first segment of the F1 season. Dominant in almost every aspect of the sport — from car construction and communication to strategies and pit stop performances — McLaren have been the most solid unit. Some argue that they benefit…