Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-07 i Sunday Independent

Following a series of interest rate cuts earlier this year, economists and market watchers largely expect the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) to hold the repo rate steady at 7% when the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on 18 September. While there is still room for further cuts later in the year, much will depend on how inflation trends and the actions of the US Federal Reserve in the days leading up to the meeting. Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa, said that the Reserve Bank’s September call will hinge on a delicate balance of factors. “If inflation edged nearer to the SA Reserve Bank’s preference of 3%, this would keep hopes for a cut alive. A reacceleration, on the other hand, would firmly entrench a…

I recently stumbled across an X thread by Amukelani that stopped me in my tracks. The debate? How men and women bully differently at work. The words “men as saboteurs” and “women as main characters” popped up again and again, sparking a fiery online exchange. But behind the memes and labels lies a more serious question: does gender really shape how bullying plays out in the workplace, or are we simply reinforcing stereotypes? To unpack this, Independent Media Lifestyle spoke with experts who spend their careers helping organisations navigate workplace conflict. What they shared reveals that bullying is rarely just about “mean colleagues”. It’s about power, culture and the silent systems that let bad behaviour thrive. Power, gender and the risk of oversimplifying “Calling men the ‘saboteurs’ and women the…

THEY stood together side by side, in palpable solidarity and total unison, their tight pact too deep to penetrate and their joint mission impossible to scupper. These were the leaders of China, Russia and North Korea. Presidents Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. A day prior, Xi and Putin had been joined by their Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A magnet for Western interests, the Indian leader has taken umbrage with the Trump administration’s notorious tariffs on his country. The fact that China, Russia and India are the mainstay of BRICS has further resulted in US President Donald Trump’s additional 15% tariffs, particularly for buying Russian oil when the West has attempted — and failed — to isolate Russia through an unprecedented barrage of economic sanctions since…

A WORKPLACE injury at the Bapotrans Bus depot at Sibanye Stillwater Mine in the North West Province has uncovered a web of contradictions and questionable handling of incidents, raising urgent concerns about safety protocols and accountability at Unitrans Passenger. On July 1, 2025, workshop assistant Theo Tiro injured his left ring finger while removing the stabiliser bar from bus 5041 at the Karee workshop. What seemed like a simple accident report has since exposed troubling differences in the official statements given by Tiro, workshop manager Reeds Mkumbira, and diesel mechanic Johan Delport. According to Tiro, he was working alone on the stabilizer bar when it suddenly fell, injuring his finger. He reported the injury immediately and received first aid from Mkumbira before being taken to a local doctor. Medical reports…

THE Zulu royal family has dismissed growing criticism over the practice of virginity testing on girls under the age of 16, saying opponents are seeking to undermine one of the Zulu nation’s most enduring cultural traditions. This comes as preparations intensify for this year’s uMkhosi woMhlanga (Reed Dance), which will be held later this month at King Misuzulu’s newly built Machobeni Palace in Ngwavuma, near the KwaZulu-Natal's border with eSwatini. Royal spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu accused detractors of trying to erode the cultural significance of virginity testing. “I think they are missing the point when they say girls younger than 16 should not go for virginity testing,” he said. “We have girls, maidens, young women and women, all of whom take pride in their chastity. For them to demonstrate their…

PROBATION officers have recommended direct imprisonment as the most appropriate sentence for seven Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking, child labour, and multiple violations of South Africa’s labour laws. The recommendation was presented today before the Gauteng South Division of the High Court in Johannesburg as part of pre-sentencing reports designed to assist the court in determining suitable penalties. The convicted individuals are: Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei Chen Hui Qin Li Jiaqing Zhou Ma Biao Dai Junying Zhang Zhilian On 25 February 2025, they were found guilty on 160 counts related to Schedule 6 offences — among the most serious under South African law. While probation officers outlined alternative sentencing options — including correctional supervision, suspended sentences, and fines — they emphasised that, given the gravity of the crimes, imprisonment is…

CHINESE President Xi Jinping this week rolled out the red carpet for some 20 world leaders at a security summit in northern China, staging a powerful show of Global South solidarity at a time when US President Donald Trump’s policies have alienated many developing nations. The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gathering in the port city of Tianjin drew presidents and prime ministers from across Asia, the Middle East and beyond, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, in what analysts call a direct challenge to US dominance in global affairs. By convening such a broad coalition of non-Western leaders, Xi aimed to present a united front of countries that feel underserved by the US-led international order. Chinese officials touted it as the largest SCO meeting yet and proof of what Beijing calls…

THRONGS of community members in the JB Marks Local Municipality converged on the local hall to engage face-to-face with the North West government officials led by acting Premier Madoda Sambatha. The setting was Ventersdorp, a dorpie along the N14 motorway that was once synonymous with the right-wing Afrikaner politician Eugene Terre’Blanche, he of the infamous AfrikanerWeerstandbeweging (AWB). “Thuntsa Lerole”, the provincial government’s flagship service delivery programme that also plays out as an opportunity for direct interaction with the community, takes place fairly regularly and is held from various locations across the North West. It is led by the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi. In Ventersdorp, however, he was represented by his MEC for Agriculture, Madoda Sambatha, who led the proceedings. The several hundred members of the Ga-Mogopa community that attended…

The decision by the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party (SACP) to contest the upcoming 2026 local government election (LGE) left many guessing about the future of this organisation. Following this decision, the ANC has been working hard to convince the SACP to change its mind. Unfortunately, the SACP has dug its heels in, insisting that it will contest the LGE independently. This resulted in the ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, conceding that the negotiations had failed. He continued to complain that this decision would lead to confusion regarding candidates. Among other issues, the SACP complains about what it calls the ANC’s arrogance and its tendency to belittle other Tripartite Alliance partners. Secondly, the SACP blames the ANC for not consulting it as a partner when constituting the current…

The commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, was sworn in last week to lead a self-declared parallel government in Sudan, deepening the country’s political crisis. Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces since May 2023, which has seen millions of people displaced and tens of thousands killed. A historic hot spot in Sudan, Darfur, is experiencing intensified violence, as an end to the conflict seems more and more out of reach. Hemedti took the oath before Chief Justice Ramadan Ibrahim Shamila in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The ceremony marks the latest escalation in the RSF’s bid to formalise authority in parts of Sudan, amid widespread accusations of atrocities committed under its…

The Springboks left it far too late in the Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand at Eden Park yesterday, losing out 24-17 in a pulsating clash. A poor start in the first half meant they had too much catching up to do, eventually failing to beat the All Blacks for a fifth time in a row. There were some opportunities to score that weren’t taken that they would look back on. We rate the individual performances of the world champions. 15 Willie le Roux (3): A defensive error led to the first try of the All Blacks. Little to no influence on the game at all, and was ineffective on the attack as well. 14 Cheslin Kolbe (5): A few strong tackles at crucial times, and looked for work whenever…

England have recalled all-rounder Sam Curran for their upcoming T20I series against South Africa and Ireland, while giving Ben Duckett an additional week of rest after his dramatic dip in form. Curran, who has not played for England in any format this year or under coach Brendon McCullum, returns on the back of prolific domestic performances. Across 24 appearances in the T20 Blast and the Hundred this summer, he scored 603 runs at a strike rate of 154.21 and claimed 33 wickets, making him one of the standout performers. He has been added to squads for all six fixtures against South Africa and Ireland. His recall follows England’s struggles with spin options in Thursday’s second ODI against South Africa at Lord’s, where Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks combined for 1…

If you talk to South Africans who were of rugby-viewing age in 1981 about the Springbok tour of New Zealand, they will recollect cradling cups of coffee in front of televisions at a chilly 4.30am, the surreal sight of a small plane dropping flour bombs on Eden Park, and, chiefly, of wanting to inflict grievous bodily harm on Clive Norling. In 1980s South Africa, JR Ewing of Dallas infamy had nothing on the Welsh referee who contrived the ending to the series-deciding third Test between the Boks and the All Blacks when a 22-22 draw – the score well into injury time – could not have been more fairly scripted. It had been 57 days of turmoil for New Zealand over whether the tour should have taken place, while the…

As Women’s Month concluded in South Africa with colourful banners and applause, it is worth noting that for many women and girls, the struggle for equal opportunity is a daily lived experience. Efforts to empower women and girls in South Africa have not resulted in an impactful shift in addressing historical disparities. The labour market continues to favour men and shows minimal signs of making real progress towards improving prospects for women. Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2025 reveals ongoing disparities in the labour market. A media statement by Stats SA notes that the unemployment rate for women in this period was 35,9% compared with 31,0% for men, a gap of 4,9 percentage points. “These differences reflect persistent gender imbalances in unemployment, labour…

NATIONAL dialogues are increasingly recognised as vital tools for resolving political conflicts, fostering state- and nation-building, enhancing social cohesion, and facilitating peaceful socio-economic and political transformation. Just as our physical muscles need regular exercise, good nutrition, and rest, our civic muscle requires constant care to build a resilient and equitable future. This civic muscle consists not only of programmes, interventions, and policies but also the connections between citizens that bind this muscle to the skeleton of our institutional structures, making them both strong and accountable. Sadly, civic connection and cohesion have long diminished among South Africans since the euphoric triumph over apartheid. So too have our levels of trust in institutions and our ability to take collective action for the common good. The glue that once held us together has…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will oppose the application by deputy president Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards to have assault and malicious damage to property charges against them withdrawn after being acquitted in an internal inquiry. Eight members of the SA Police Service VIP protection unit - Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokgonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau and Moses Tshidada - face 12 counts of assault, malicious damage to property, pointing of a firearm, contravening the Road Traffic Act, reckless and negligent driving and defeating the ends of justice. They were charged after they were filmed assaulting two people on the N1 highway in July 2023. The accused have launched a Section 174 application, seeking to have the charges dismissed on the grounds of insufficient evidence. The group…

ADVOCATE Norman Arendse, SC, was named on Friday as the evidence leader for the adhoc committee that will inquire into the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Arendse, will be assisted by two advocates, Maria Mokhoaetsi and Lerato Zikalala. This emerged when the committee met to receive a progress report on the preparations for its hearings set to start later this month. Briefing the committee, chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said invitations have been sent to seven people identified by the committee. These were Mkhwanazi, police commissioner Fannie Masemola, suspended minister Senzo Mchunu, deputy policy commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, acting minister Firoz Cachalia and deputy ministers Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo. “There is no additional witness that has been invited. Signed letters are sent to the seven persons named…

THE Alabuga Start saga must be understood through the lens of imperial media warfare. It was a calculated operation to smear Russia, fracture BRICS, and discipline South Africa’s foreign policy into obedience to Western geopolitical priorities. In its wake, three layers of harm were inflicted on South Africa’s Black youth: the influencers who promoted the programme were de-platformed, losing their income and reputations; the four South African women participating in Alabuga Start were erased from the story, their own accounts ignored or twisted; and the wider body of unemployed Black youth — already locked out of the economy by neoliberal policy — were frightened away from pursuing similar opportunities abroad. It targeted careers, silenced voices, and deepened the climate of fear that keeps South Africa’s most marginalised in their place.…

THE reason for the Great Trek is also not fully explained. Indeed, the British abolished slavery through the 1807 Slavery Act, which made the buying and selling of enslaved people illegal within the British Empire, but did not end the practice of slavery. It must be noted that this was not an act of altruism from the heartless Empire, but rather a calculated political and economic manoeuvre. Britain acted less out of morality than necessity, facing revolts by enslaved Africans in the Caribbean (as in French Saint-Domingue, now the sovereign state of Haiti) and an economic shift that favoured wage labour over slavery. Britain’s supposed humanitarian triumph was riddled with contradictions. While it prided itself on banning the slave trade within its empire, it did not stop slave ships from…

The ANC has released its National General Council (NGC) policy document, ahead of the gathering scheduled for December 8 to12 at Nasrec in Johannesburg. The 49-page document demands serious political engagement and intellectual patience. Most certainly, members of the ANC have historically demonstrated the capacity to assimilate and comprehend documents of this magnitude. I have no doubt. My cursory review of this 49-page document highlights its frankness in addressing the gravity of the moment, while also exposing areas where false theoretical assumptions are made. This is what makes the document demanding, for it requires not only reading but rigorous engagement, critique and ideological clarity. The forthcoming NGC will test not only their ability to process complex policy but also their resolve to confront the harsh realities of the present conjuncture.…

The All Blacks extended their 88-year unbeaten streak against the Springboks at Eden Park with a 24-17 win in Auckland on Saturday. Independent Newspapers’ John Goliath unpacks the key takeaways from a Test match that left more questions than answers for Rassie Erasmus’ charges. 1. Boks caught cold by calamitous start South Africa were chasing the game from the first whistle after conceding two soft tries to Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan inside the opening quarter. Handling errors and defensive lapses — including missed tackles by veterans Willie le Roux and Malcolm Marx — handed the All Blacks early momentum, and the hosts never relinquished control. With the rain setting in and the ball turning slippery, the Boks' error count only grew, and their attack lacked the fluency to recover…

Carlos Alcaraz overpowered Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday to set up a blockbuster US Open final showdown against world number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner. Spanish second seed Alcaraz produced a ruthlessly efficient display to end Djokovic’s latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in two hours and 23 minutes. Alcaraz was then followed into the final by arch-rival Sinner, who was forced to work hard by Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime before wrapping up a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. It means that Alcaraz and Sinner will collide in a third consecutive Grand Slam final this year today, where US President Donald Trump will be among a 23,000 crowd to watch the latest…

Bafana Bafana’s ticket to a fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup could well be within reach, but South Africa’s senior national team are far from being home and dry. What with “Teboho Mokoena-gate” still up in the air as world governing body FIFA continues to remain silent amidst loud calls from Nigeria to have three points expunged from South Africa’s haul. Top of the table on 16 points with three matches to go, Hugo Broos’ team enjoy a five-point lead over second-placed Benin, while their nemesis Nigeria were nine points behind before last night’s match against Rwanda kicked off. Ahead of the bitter rivals’ crunch meeting on Tuesday at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, the Nigerians are banking on FIFA punishing South Africa for having fielded Mokoena in that…

Proteas spin-bowling all-rounder George Linde has revealed that he doesn’t know where he is in the pecking order after being dropped from the T20I squad. It was not too long ago when head coach Shukri Conrad told the media that Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, and Nqaba Peter were the three frontline spinners for the 2026 T20 World Cup. After two series, things have changed as only Muthusamy has been able to keep his spot in the T20I team, having been included in the squad for the England tour alongside Keshav Maharaj, who has been recalled for the first time in the shortest format under Conrad. On the other hand, Linde and Peter have been excluded. Linde told Independent Media that he is still in the dark regarding his position in the…

Heritage Month is a time for reflection, celebration, and honouring the diverse cultures that make up our nation. For a fashion enthusiast like myself, there’s no better way to celebrate than by exploring the rich history and modern style of a true fashion icon: the headwrap. And while it’s certainly a stylish way to handle a bad hair day, its significance goes far beyond that. The headwrap, or “doek” as we know it, is more than just a piece of fabric. Its history is deeply rooted in African culture, serving various purposes from the practical to the spiritual. Historically, headwraps were used to protect hair from the sun and dust, but they quickly evolved into a symbol of status, identity and spirituality. Specific colours, patterns, and wrapping styles could signify…

South Africa is grappling with one of the most urgent yet poorly managed challenges of the democratic era: migration. An estimated two to five million foreign nationals live in the country, many without legal documentation. This reality is stretching the limits of state capacity, eroding the rule of law, and straining already fragile social cohesion. The Department of Home Affairs cannot provide reliable figures on undocumented migrants, a failure that exposes the weaknesses of our migration system. Porous borders and corruption have created an environment where policy exists largely on paper. South Africa is also a destination for thousands of asylum seekers from across the continent. Officially, the country processes among the highest number of asylum applications globally, yet few are approved. The backlog has created fertile ground for corruption.…

THE US/NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia has gradually but incrementally brought India and its economy into the sharp focus of EU criticism. There has been a profusion of condemnatory rhetoric targeting India for buying Russian oil. The rebuke is neither novel nor sudden. Ever since the beginning of the European Union’s sanctions packages against the Russian Federation, there have been insistent voices in Europe that India should stop buying Russian oil. For context, when the second Trump administration assumed office in January of 2025, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, generously confirmed to the world that Ukraine is a US proxy. Such nuggets of wisdom from a financially and logistically involved military superpower have permitted the re-framing of the conflict in more accurate ways, no matter who else…

IT IS often said that “the most dangerous threats oftentimes come wearing a friendly face”. It seems this is the case for South Africa, where human trafficking has been ravaging our society of late. Mere weeks ago, it was widely 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 past week, various South African influencers were entangled in a national uproar after promoting the Alabuga Start programme, which was found to be a human trafficking scheme luring countless young women in with the promise of Russian-based work and education. What this has actually highlighted is that social media has become a whole new frontier for traffickers, and now…

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has raised concerns about the Gauteng health department's persistent failure to pay suppliers timeously after it emerged that over R5.1 billion in invoices has not been paid on time. Information provided by the PSC to the Gauteng provincial legislature's portfolio committee on Finance showed that at the end of the first quarter of 2025/26 (March-June 2025) no department was able to fully pay service providers within the required 30 days. The provincial health department remains the major culprit in terms of the highest for late and non-payment of the service providers since it only paid 11% of its invoices on time, according to the commission. The PSC stated that between March and June this year, the department paid about R2.45bn after 30 days and R2.66bn…

AT THE end of August, Moscow hosted the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, the largest international fashion forum of its kind, uniting over 130 brands and delegates from more than 60 countries — including 15 African nations from Tunisia to South Africa. Against a backdrop of global industry transformation, Africa emerged not just as a participant but as a dynamic, driving force reshaping the future of fashion. Far from the traditional Western fashion capitals, the BRICS+ Summit offered a new model — one rooted in decentralisation and democratisation, as highlighted by organisers. It brought together designers, policymakers, and industry leaders from BRICS+ nations, Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe to forge collaborative pathways forward. Africa’s fashion sector is on a powerful ascent. With textile exports currently at…

The recently concluded Shanghai Co-operation Organisation Summit of 2025 was a significant milestone in the realignment of global geopolitics. For the first time in decades, global South powers rallied together at the largest summit in the history of the SCO to articulate a shared vision for a multipolar world. The summit affirmed that international law, multilateralism and multipolarity are the very instruments through which the global South can defend its sovereignty, achieve development and secure a fairer international order. Chinese President Xi Jinping captured the moment in his opening speech when he warned that the shadows of Cold War mentality and bullying have not dissipated. He observed that the world has entered a new phase of turbulence, with global governance now at a crossroads. Xi’s call for joint efforts to…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted his team were the architects of their own downfall yesterday’s 24-17 defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park — and hinted at changes ahead of this week’s must-win clash in Wellington. The Boks found themselves 14-0 down after a chaotic opening quarter and never fully recovered, despite a spirited second-half fightback that fell just short of salvaging a draw. “It’s not always the same players making the mistakes, and some of them were stupid errors,” said Erasmus after the game. “And the errors come in different facets of the game. “But as coaches, we pick the players, and as management, we have to sometimes put up our hands and say we got it wrong. “If we got it right every week, we would…

As South Africa’s Proteas Women prepare for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, much attention has fallen on a pair of rookies who have swiftly transitioned from the U19 setup to the highest stage: wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso and all-rounder Miané Smit. Both players symbolize the next generation of South African women’s cricket, products of the country’s developing pathways, and potential difference-makers in a campaign where youth and energy may prove decisive. From U19 promise to senior recognition The emergence of Meso and Smit is no accident. South Africa’s investment in its women’s U19 program – most visibly showcased during the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023 – has created a platform for teenagers to cut their teeth against international…

The Springbok Women are gearing up for an intense scrum battle in their final Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool D clash against France at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton today after steamrolling the opposition in the set piece in their opening two matches. Coach Swys de Bruin made a raft of changes to the SA side for the match that will decide the winners of the pool. However, a Bok team led by powerhouse prop Babalwa Latsha, the most capped prop in Bok Women’s history, boasts ample scrummaging power to face up to the expected onslaught from the powerful French pack. Props Yonela Ngxingolo and skipper Latsha will pack down either side of hooker Micke Gunter, while veteran Vainah Ubisi and Anathi Qolo will lock down the second row with Lerato…

Lando Norris was fastest in yesterday’s practice at the Italian Grand Prix where he will try to to pull closer to championship leader Oscar Piastri. McLaren’s Norris topped the pile at Monza with a time of one minute and 19.331, just 0.021sec ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who gave home fans hope of a strong showing for the Scuderia on home soil by clocking his best time on his final lap. Norris was 0.165sec ahead of Australian teammate Piastri who was third fastest and leads the drivers’ standings by 34 points before today’s GP at the “Temple of Speed”. Piastri has that handy lead over Norris thanks to a mechanical failure which forced the Briton out of last weekend’s Dutch GP in the final laps. Both Norris and Piastri posted…