Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-24 i Sunday Independent

THIS week, Russian President Vladimir Putin called his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa. The purpose of the telephone call was crystal clear and straight to the point. The Kremlin sought to brief Pretoria, first-hand, about President Putin’s views on his recent globally publicised face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump. In a statement subsequently released by Ramaphosa’s office, it became vividly obvious that South Africa appreciated being accorded the respect by Russia to such an extent that time was set aside to confidentially appraise President Ramaphosa about the Alaska summit outcomes as well as the anticipated way forward. Ramaphosa’s office explained in a statement: “President Putin expressed satisfaction with the manner in which his talks with President Trump proceeded and the emerging alignment on the peace process.” The statement…

CETA Chief Executive Officer, Malusi Shezi, has raised concerns about the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi gazetting the entity’s placement under administration without first formally informing it. DHET Minister Buti Manamela announced on Wednesday that former acting municipal manager at Emfuleni Municipality, Dithabe Nkoane, has been appointed as the CETA’s administrator. He also appointed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ)’s former chief executive officer, Matjie Masoga, as Services SETA administrator, and DHET’s Deputy Director-General for Skills Development, Zukile Mvalo, for Local Government SETA (LGSETA). However, on the same day of the announcement, Shezi posted a statement on the website, saying that it had not been formally notified about the decision. “We await such communication to provide clarity on the reasons for such a decision,” read…

The Western Cape High Court has dismissed the application from advocacy group My Vote Counts (MVC), which sought to have the Political Party Funding Act declared unconstitutional. This takes place as ActionSA, which opposed the application, welcomed the court’s judgment, saying the application was “misguided”. The judgment, handed down on Thursday, has prompted My Vote Counts to engage with its legal team to study the court’s decision. My Vote Counts initiated legal proceedings earlier this year, wanting the donation limitation and disclosure threshold declared unconstitutional on various grounds. The group contended that all donations should be made public to enhance transparency and accountability, and raised concerns regarding the lack of provisions to address cumulative donations from interconnected donors. In his judgment, Judge Nathan Erasmus determined that the challenge became moot…

EARLY last year, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) began issuing licenses under South Africa’s new CASP (Crypto Asset Service Provider) regulatory framework. For many in the financial services space, this marks a turning point, a shift from ambiguity to accountability. For local financial service providers in the crypto space, it is more than just a compliance box to check. It is a signal that crypto asset strategies must now be built on firm regulatory ground. The implications are far-reaching. Crypto is no longer the unregulated frontier of finance. It now exists within a growing scaffolding of obligations, reporting standards, and compliance demands. Internal treasury, which once viewed crypto as a peripheral or experimental asset class, must now assess it through the same lens of risk-adjusted returns, counterparty due diligence,…

I THINK there is a perspective that many people must embrace: the White minority in South Africa, roughly seven percent of the population, is not merely a demographic statistic. They are part of a larger, wealthy, Anglo-Saxon global dynasty stretching from Australia through Europe to the United States and Canada. Only by acknowledging this transnational network of power can one begin to understand why, in a country where over 90 percent of citizens are Black, the flames of economic, political and cultural influence continue to be fanned by such a small minority. South Africa remains a country of two distinct spaces, a reality that Mahmood Mamdani explains in Citizen and Subject through the lens of Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ concept of the “abyssal line”. This concept draws the boundary between…

A MERE month ago, it was reported that more than 200 South Africans were currently stranded in Thailand, after having been lured into a sophisticated human trafficking ring with the false promise of employment in Myanmar. This comes after 23 South Africans were rescued, following their initial trafficking back in March 2025. They are among thousands from around the world caught in an intricate web of exploitation run by an international crime syndicate. This time, it is reportedly a Chinese Mafia network. Human trafficking is by far the largest plague in our modern society, and it is not alleviating one bit. So far, over 20 South Africans have been rescued. But the rest remain in conditions that can only be described as modern-day slavery: working up to 16-hour days, subjected…

The taxi industry plays a critical role in the South African economy. As the government struggles to provide reliable public transport like other countries do, the taxi industry has filled that void diligently. It ferries learners to school, students to tertiary institutions and employees to their workplaces. This is commendable. However, while this industry is the country’s lifeline when it comes to transportation of the people, it is gradually becoming a liability to the country and a threat to people’s lives. The question is: What is the political leadership doing about that? If little or nothing is being done, what are the reasons? Importantly, do such politicians deserve to remain in the positions they occupy if they fail to protect the South African public? Firstly, it should be noted that…

Across the length and breadth of the continent, countries such as Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Mali have either played host to a peacekeeping, peacebuilding or political mission to address complex and rapidly evolving dire security situations. Over the past two decades, the UN Security Council has overseen the drawdown or closure of multiple peacekeeping operations across Africa, sometimes in fragile or volatile settings. Transitions from missions in Darfur, Sudan, to Mali and recent drawdowns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Western Sahara have raised pertinent questions about what follows once the UN peacekeepers leave. The structural obstacle with most UN transitions is the often sidelining of African regional organisations, such as the AU and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas),…

Chelsea came from behind to thrash West Ham 5-1 on Friday and leave former Blues boss Graham Potter under pressure just two games into the Premier League season. Potter has won just five of 21 games since taking charge in January and has endured a miserable start to the new campaign after a 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland last weekend. Lucas Paqueta’s brilliant strike gave the home side hope early on, but they quickly capitulated. “It was a tough evening for us,” said Potter. “Against a top team, to concede the goals in the manner we have, it is an impossible task.” Joao Pedro scored the first of Chelsea’s three goals from corners before Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez added to the world champions’ lead. Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah…

The Cheetahs made it four wins on the bounce in the Currie Cup with their bonus point 47-31 win over the Lions in a fierce battle of the big cats at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein yesterday afternoon, ending a losing run that had stretched back to 2023. The home side were made to sweat in the second half, however, as they ran in seven tries to go top of the log, level on 21 points with the Boland Cavaliers. The Cheetahs earned a succession of early penalties and Lions flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela was pinged for head contact in the tackle and sent to the sin bin after three minutes. The home side opted for the scrum and rumbled the ball over the line, with forward Marko Janse van Rensburg…

Harry Kane hit a hat-trick, Michael Olise a double and newcomer Luis Diaz also scored as Bayern Munich thumped RB Leipzig 6-0 at home in the Bundesliga season opener on Friday. Bayern’s big-money arrivals, all brought in from the Premier League across the past three seasons, were dominant as the Bavarians began their title defence in style. Olise scored twice in the first half, either side of a Diaz strike, as Bayern went in to halftime three goals up. Not to be outdone, Kane scored three goals in the second half – with two assists coming from Diaz, to bring Bayern’s total to 6-0. The 32-year-old England captain has seven Bundesliga hat-tricks since joining Bayern from Spurs in the summer of 2023. Kane was subbed off to rapturous applause with…

A recent 2023/2024 South Africa report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), highlighted that South African women are exiting their businesses at a higher rate than they are starting, with the gap between men and women entrepreneurs widening as businesses mature, with almost double the number of men owning established businesses (7.9% vs 4.1% of women). This indicates that women find it more challenging to sustain a business than to start one. Closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship has significant economics for South Africa, by creating jobs, spurring growth, and driving change where it’s needed most. But that kind of impact won’t happen through token gestures and Women’s Day speeches. It requires deep structural change. This isn’t a new problem. As the G20 refocuses global attention on inclusive growth and…

If your kitchen ends up messy every afternoon, you actually have a great opportunity for real-life learning. Everyday chores help kids practice not just sweeping and folding, but also planning, focusing and solving problems calmly. These are the same skills they’ll use in school, with friends and as adults. Science is catching up with what many grandparents already knew: chores teach more than neatness. A study led by Deanna Tepper at La Trobe University found that children who regularly do age-appropriate household tasks score better on measures of working memory and inhibition, two core executive functions that help kids start, stick with, and finish things. That matters because those skills underpin reading, maths and everyday decision-making. Why are chores secretly homework for the brain? Researchers from La Trobe University in…

AT A time when Africa risks discarding its profound cultural legacy, we have an opportunity to rethink our heritage. Our cultural memory is not a fixed, marketable product but a living, contested part of our past, present, and future. Africa’s rich history offers invaluable lessons to navigate our current path forward. Cultural heritage is both a product and a process, always encompassing elements of the past, present, and future. It provides a wealth of resources for current and future generations. This is not a passive transmission but an active process of acquisition, preservation, and interpretation. New generations actively take on this legacy, deciding which marked parts to revive and interpret. Some elements are inevitably lost, while others are consciously eliminated if they contradict an established identity. In this revitalisation, women…

SOUTH Africa’s banking sector finds itself deeply entangled in allegations of corruption and currency market rigging, after damning findings from the Zondo Commission, corroborated by an ongoing Competition Commission probe into systemic manipulation of the rand. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, led by then Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, delivered a scathing finding on Standard Bank, Nedbank and other financial institutions in June 2022. Throughout this saga, the banks’ defences have been tepid at best, disputing their involvement and obstructing justice in some cases. Standard Bank, which has been identified as the most aggressive litigant in the alleged currency manipulation case, has been accused of frustrating the administration of justice. This emerged on Thursday when the Competition Commission continued with its Constitutional Court case challenging the judgment of…

An arm amputee will be compensated to the tune of R5.4million by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) for medical expenses and loss of earnings. This comes after the man was attacked on a train on August 26, 2017, at the Koeberg station in Cape Town. His unknown assailants pushed him through the open doors of the train. The foreign national underwent an above-elbow amputation of the left arm and sustained soft tissue injury to the lumbar spine. The man, who holds a matric-equivalent qualification from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was gainfully employed as a Code 14 driver at the time of the incident and has since been unable to work. He now assists his spouse as an informal trader selling fresh produce from a temporary stall…

IN A sweeping INTERPOL-coordinated operation, authorities across Africa have arrested 1 209 cybercriminals targeting nearly 88 000 victims. The crackdown recovered $97.4 million (R1.6 billion) and dismantled 11 432 malicious infrastructures, underscoring the global reach of cybercrime and the urgent need for cross-border cooperation. Operation Serengeti 2.0 (June to August 2025) brought together investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom to tackle high-harm and high-impact cybercrimes, including ransomware, online scams and business email compromise (BEC). These were all identified as prominent threats in the recent INTERPOL Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report. The operation was strengthened by private sector collaboration, with partners providing intelligence, guidance and training to help investigators act on intelligence and identify offenders effectively. This intelligence was shared with participating countries ahead of the operation, providing critical…

AT FIRST glance, South Africa’s social infrastructure challenges appear to be about funding. The headline issue is all too familiar: too little money, too many needs. According to the recently released Sustainability at a Crossroad 2025 report, developed by GlobeScan, ERM, and Volans, over half of sustainability experts rate national governments and institutional investors as poor in terms of their contributions to sustainable development. Only 5% credit national governments as doing excellent work. Institutional investors and the private sector are also rated negatively. In contrast, independent research and academic institutions and NGOs are more widely seen as having made a positive contribution. The report was based on insights from 844 sustainability experts across 72 countries. As we take a closer look, a more complex reality emerges. In many cases, the…

UNDER Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is pursuing an ambitious vision to become a fully developed nation by 2047, its first Centenary year of independence from British colonial rule. This transformative agenda, termed “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), aligns with the parallel mission of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India), an India which seeks to propel India into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, prosperous and with a united national agenda. Equally significant is Modi’s symbolic and substantive shift away from India’s colonial legacy. The renewed emphasis on the name “Bharat”, a cultural term rooted in India’s ancient scriptures, language and indigenous identity, reflects this cultural reawakening. By reclaiming Bharat, even in recent G20 gatherings, India is not only honouring its pre-colonial heritage but also asserting a civilizational continuity that predates foreign…

THE national debate on illegal immigration is being dangerously distorted by vastly inflated figures and the rise of unlawful vigilantism, the head of a prominent think tank warned this week, calling for a return to evidence-based policymaking and a firm defence of state authority. This sentiment was echoed by a Parliamentary committee chairperson who issued a specific rebuke of Operation Dudula’s threats to target schools. Daryl Swanepoel, chief executive of the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI), issued his warning during a Parliamentary Social Services Cluster briefing. He argued that the widespread circulation of unsubstantiated statistics was fueling social tension and undermining rational discourse. “What we urgently need to determine is the actual quantum of the illegal immigration problem in the country,” Swanepoel said. “Figures of between 8 million and 13 million…

In August, South Africans honour the courage of women in the struggle for freedom, dignity and equality. The unveiling of Dora Tamana’s tombstone on August 23, along with the commemoration of the assassination of Ruth First 43 years ago on August 17, and the birth of Dulcie September 90 years ago on August 20, lends significance to the month. Their lives demonstrate the interconnectedness of the struggles of women, workers and communities, holding lessons for the contemporary trade union movement, which faces significant challenges spanning technological disruption to organisational fragmentation. Tamana understood that the daily struggles of women in the townships were intimately linked to the struggles of workers in factories and on the land. Her activism around food security and her leadership in the Federation of South African…

US President Donald Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize, and his efforts toward peace in Ukraine, if successful, could help him earn one – but only if he also ends US complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Under Trump, as under former president Joe Biden, the US has served as Israel’s partner in mass murder, annexation, starvation and the escalating torment of millions of Palestinians. The genocide can, and will, stop if Trump wills it. So far, he has not. Israel is committing genocide –everyone knows it, even its staunchest defenders. The Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem has recently made a poignant acknowledgment of “Our genocide”. In foreign affairs, former US ambassador to Israel Jack Lew recently admitted that extremist parties in Netanyahu’s government openly aim to starve…

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus mentioned that the silver lining to Lood de Jager’s spate of injuries before and during the 2023 Rugby World Cup period is that his body has had some much-needed rest. But while that may be true, the big lock says he would rather have played, as every minute in the green and gold is precious and a massive privilege. De Jager ran out for the Springboks for the first time in almost two years in their opening game of the international season against the Barbarians at the end of June, after missing the 2023 World Cup squad due to a heart condition. He returned to action with Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights in 2024, where he played some good rugby, but later suffered a serious rotator-cuff shoulder…

South Africans may be breathing a little easier following the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) latest decision to cut the repo rate by 0.25%, but financial experts caution that the relief is limited and household budgets remain under pressure. The repo rate, which dictates what commercial banks pay when borrowing from the SARB, dropped on August 1, bringing lending rates down slightly from recent highs. This means that consumers with loans or credit facilities should see a small easing in their monthly repayments. “The rate reduction is welcome news, but it does not mean the financial pressures facing many households have disappeared,” said Sarah Nicholson, customer experience and platform manager at JustMoney.co.za, a platform that helps South Africans make good money choices. Nicholson pointed out that while the prime lending…

Even in a world where our phones tell us the time, the luxury watch remains one of the strongest status symbols for men. A man’s style has often been judged by two things: his watch and his shoes. Together, they silently communicate who he is, what he values, and sometimes even his success. Unlike a car or a flashy outfit, a watch is a statement piece that’s personal. It sits on the wrist, quietly saying, “I’ve arrived.” The truth is, none of us really needs a watch to check the time anymore because our phones have taken over that role years ago. But a watch isn’t just about function, it’s about form, heritage, and the subtle nod it gives to craftsmanship. Smartwatches may dominate wrists these days, but let’s be…

SOUTH Africa stands at the frontier of two technological waves that are reshaping the world — cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Each of these forces has proven disruptive in its own right, but together they hold the power to redefine how we manage value, build trust, and unlock economic opportunity. Crypto has already begun to challenge South Africa’s financial system. With the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) licensing Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs), our country is moving toward a regulated digital finance sector that could position us as a continental hub. Adoption is rising among citizens seeking alternatives to traditional investments, secure remittance channels, and inflation hedges. Artificial intelligence, meanwhile, is embedding itself into every layer of business and finance. From fraud detection to customer engagement, from compliance monitoring to risk…

A human resources development practitioner will remain in his position at the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) after a labour court dispute regarding flawed recruitment processes and the legitimacy of the employee’s qualification. At the Labour Court, sitting in Cape Town, Sassa sought to set aside the appointment of the employee after he was employed in the post of Practitioner: Human Development and Transformation. The recruitment dispute came about after a labour union complained about the employee’s appointment, and an independent investigator was appointed to conduct an investigation into the recruitment process and to make a recommendation regarding any action to be taken. Having reached the final phase of recruitment, he was shortlisted with another potential candidate, and on the date of his interview, the employee brought a letter…

HIGHER Education Minister Buti Manamela has sought the services of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to vet the three administrators of the Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETAS) he appointed this week. This comes amid pressure on Manamela to not only explain the appointment of administrators, but to reconsider and withdraw them. According to Manamela, he has requested that the PSC conduct fit-and-proper assessments and conflict of interest vetting on Lehlogonolo Masoga, the former deputy speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, who was appointed administrator of Services SETA, Oupa Nkoane CETA, and Zukile Mvalo Local Government SETA. “The PSC will provide its report and recommendations to the minister, who will act on them without fear or favour,” he said. Manamela defended the appointments amid public outrage, asserting that due process was…

The Ad Hoc Committee inquiring into the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi unanimously adopted the terms of reference on Friday. This was after discussion on the amendments by all the parties represented in the committee, after a draft document was revised by the committee’s technical team. “The terms of reference for this Ad Hoc Committee have been unanimously accepted and adopted,” said committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane. Lekganyane applauded the MPs for the work done and being on top of the game across all parties. “If this is the spirit of how we are going to drive proceedings, we will achieve wonders. This is very excellent. It was outstanding,” he said. “The work has been done very, very brilliantly, and for that, I want to thank…

As the Springbok Women gear up for the Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign in England, all eyes will be on a squad looking to make the knockout rounds for the very first time. From experienced veterans to rising stars, this team has the potential to shake things up over the next month in England. Here are five standout players who could play a major role in South Africa’s journey – and who fans should definitely keep a close eye on. Babalwa Latsha The experienced tighthead prop is known as a powerful operator in the scrum, anchoring the Bok Women’s potent weapon in the front row. Latsha, who became the first woman from Africa to sign a professional rugby contract, is also an explosive ball-carrier who gets over the advantage line…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a dynamic 48-man preliminary squad, showcasing a blend of experienced stalwarts and promising newcomers ahead of two critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria. Set to take place at the Free State Stadium this September, these matches represent crucial steps in South Africa’s pursuit of World Cup glory. The squad packs a punch with several exciting new faces making the cut. Among them are young talents like Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thabo Maloisane from Stellenbosch FC, and Sipho Mbule, also of Pirates. Additionally, midfielder Ime Okon, who currently plays for German club Hannover 96, joins the fray alongside Puso Dithejane from TS Galaxy and the exciting Pirates player Kamogelo Sebelebele. Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane remains a pivotal…

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday a series of outcasts from his squad could be handed a “new life” at Old Trafford if they do not secure a move before the transfer window closes. Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia have been made to train away from the United first-team squad. Interest in the quartet has not progressed due to United’s valuations and Amorim hinted they could feature in his future plans if they remain at the club beyond the September 1 transfer deadline. Garnacho has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, while Real Betis are keen on bringing back Antony after his successful loan spell last season. Interest in Sancho is complicated by the winger’s reported £350,000-a-week wages. “I know that it's not…

When Rassie Erasmus takes his Springboks to Auckland next week they will be hoping to tread in the majestic boots of the 1937 Springboks, the only Bok team to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park. The awe-struck Kiwis rated the 1937 Boks higher than any of their All Blacks teams and bestowed on them the title “The greatest team to leave New Zealand’s shores”. The Boks’ Eden Park victory took place 50 years before the first official World Cup final, which was played at the same venue in 1987 when the All Blacks defeated France. The match at Eden Park in 1937 was seen as the final of an unofficial word championship between the two best teams in the world. To understand the frenzy that the ’37 Springbok tour…

Kaizer Chiefs have started the new season with intent, hitting the ground running as they look to iron out some of the flaws in their game. Just as important to their campaign will be the return to playing all their home matches at a single venue (FNB Stadium), something that could make a decisive difference. Amakhosi are three wins from three and look like a side rejuvenated, determined to move beyond the struggles of recent years. Last season proved challenging for the Glamour Boys, with inconsistency and a lack of confidence holding them back. Contributing to that instability was the splitting of their home fixtures between the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, FNB Stadium, and Moses Mabhida Stadium. While they enjoy a large following at each of those venues, a settled…