Daily News Africa

De Rustica’s Coratina scoops a huge prize at the International Olive Council

siteadmin — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:00:36 +0000

Klein Karoo, a local producer has won the biggest olive prize in South Africa for the first time in history. The estate has been on a golden streak! It just became the first South African producer ever to take the top prize at the International Olive Council (IOC) Mario Solinas Quality Awards in the Southern Hemisphere. The awards are run by the IOC itself – this is about as serious as olive oil recognition gets! The winning oil is De Rustica’s Coratina. It came second in the 2025 competition, and this year it climbed all the way to first. South Africa is one of the smallest olive oil producers in the southern hemisphere, and it went up against Argentina, Chile, Australia, Brazil and Uruguay, all with much larger industries. “I think sometimes, coming from a smaller industry, we can be a little too modest about where we believe we belong,” says Eleanor Stoker, CEO of De Rustica. “Results like this challenge that thinking. South African producers have the climate, the skill and, importantly, the ambition to make truly exceptional olive oil. For me, this is less about celebrating one result and more about what it says is possible – for De Rustica and for our industry.” International wins like this are shaping how the world sees South African extra virgin olive oil. “The international awards being won by South African olive oil producers are making a significant contribution to the reputation and recognition of South African Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) on the global stage,” says. Wendy Petersen, CEO of the SA Olive Industry Association. “Every international award is not only an achievement for an individual producer – it is recognition of the quality, commitment and growing excellence of the entire South African olive industry,” she adds. Just this month, the South African olive industry formally asked to become a member of the International Olive Council. Winning at this level makes a good case! De Rustica, based in De Rust in the Klein Karoo, has been collecting wins for years. In 2023, their Coratina was ranked the world’s highest-rated EVOO by EVOOLEUM. In 2025 it scored 97 points and placed second. This year it topped the EVOOLEUM Southern Hemisphere chart. Their Favolosa also took the top award for new clonal cultivars at the 2026 NOVA Awards at Mercacei. Here in South Africa, they picked up five gold awards at the 2026 SA Olive Awards, for Coratina, Medium, Favolosa, Chemlali and Koroneiki. “Different cultivars, different competitions, different judging panels and different harvests seem to serve rather than hinder De Rustica’s winning abilities – because it’s all about the place, the environment, the people and our shared belief in creating an outstanding quality product. Awards are simply one of the ways that our efforts are measured beyond the farm.”

Durban ICC recognised for global sustainable travel award

Staff Reporter — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:22:32 +0000

The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) has received another international tourism industry nod, with the venue nominated for a 2026 World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Award. The Durban ICC is competing in the World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation category at the awards, which are now in their third year. The nomination comes after the Durban ICC was named Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre for the 21st time at the World Travel Awards. Durban ICC among global nominees More than 90 nominees from over 35 countries and territories are competing across the awards' categories. The Durban ICC is up against Accor from France, Forte Village from Italy, GR-F from Armenia, Metropolitan Touring from Ecuador and Six Senses from India in its category. The awards feature 19 competitive categories, as well as the Outstanding Contribution honour, bringing the total number of categories to 20. 'A proud moment' for Durban ICC Durban ICC Chief Executive Officer Lindiwe Rakharebe described the nomination as a proud moment for the organisation and its team. She said it also recognised nearly three decades of commitment, teamwork and excellence, while acknowledging the partners who have contributed to the Durban ICC’s journey since it opened in 1997. “This nomination belongs to our entire ecosystem. We are incredibly grateful to our clients, event organisers, government, industry partners, and the tourism sector for their trust, collaboration, and continued support. Together, we have helped position Durban on the international business events map,” said Rakharebe. “For us, this nomination is not only about where we have been, but also about where we are going. It inspires us to continue raising the bar, creating memorable experiences, and showcasing the very best of Durban to the world,” she said. When will the winners be announced? The World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards gala will take place in Paris on December 9, 2026, when the winners will be announced. Voting is open until October 21, 2026. Members of the public can vote for the Durban ICC through the official World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards voting portal.

Refreshi: “Food waste is a consumer problem in South Africa”

Staff Reporter — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:33:10 +0000

South Africa’s food-waste challenge extends well beyond the household bin, with significant volumes of edible food losing value across production, processing, storage and distribution. According to Refreshi, stronger secondary markets could help businesses recover value while keeping suitable surplus in circulation. "Food waste is often framed as a consumer problem, but much of South Africa’s edible food loss happens before products reach the household. From overproduction and changing demand to cancelled orders, packaging changes and stock with a shorter remaining shelf life, food and consumer goods can become commercially difficult to sell through their original channels while remaining suitable for consumption." "With the United Nations International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September, Refreshi is calling for greater attention to these earlier stages of the food supply chain, arguing that consumer food rescue and structured business-to-business trading can play complementary roles in building a more circular food economy." The scale of the supply-chain challenge According to the CSIR’s national estimate, approximately 10.3 million tonnes of edible food in South Africa does not reach the human stomach each year, equivalent to about 34% of all food produced in the country. The study found that the largest share of losses and waste occurs before the consumer stage, with post-harvest handling, storage, processing and packaging accounting for about two-thirds of the total. “The size of the problem shows why business action matters,” says Richard Honeyman, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Refreshi Exchange. "For food manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers, the challenge is therefore not simply to encourage consumers to waste less, but also to improve what happens to surplus stock throughout the commercial food system." From consumer rescue to B2B surplus Refreshi already operates at the consumer end of the market through its Surprise Bags, connecting customers with discounted surplus meals and groceries from participating food outlets and retailers. The model gives consumers access to products at an average saving of 53% against their original retail value, while giving businesses an opportunity to recover some value from food that might otherwise remain unsold. But Honeyman argues that a similar principle can be applied much earlier in the supply chain. “If we really want to develop a more circular and sustainable food economy, we need to understand that the same marketplace dynamics are also required far earlier in the system, and may involve pallets of stock rather than individual bags at the grocery store,” he says. This is the role of Refreshi Exchange, a business-to-business marketplace designed to connect commercial sellers with potential buyers for suitable surplus and discontinued food and consumer-goods stock. Creating a secondary route to market For businesses, stock can become surplus because forecasts change, retailers alter product ranges, seasonal demand shifts, orders are cancelled or packaging is updated. Products may still have commercial value, but no longer fit the original route to market. “South Africa’s food-waste discussion can sometimes make surplus sound like a failure of intent. In reality, businesses manage complex supply chains. Forecasts change, retailers alter ranges and stock can end up in the wrong location at the wrong time. The challenge is to identify what is still suitable, then create a credible route to a buyer who can use it," he said. Refreshi Exchange allows sellers to provide information about available stock, while business buyers can assess opportunities based on factors including category, quantity, condition, location and remaining shelf life. An additional route, not a replacement for donation A secondary commercial market does not eliminate the role of food donation or consumer food rescue. Where surplus is appropriate for charitable redistribution and can be safely and quickly received, donation remains an important part of the food-waste response. Similarly, consumer food rescue addresses a different point in the value chain. The argument from Refreshi is that these mechanisms can operate alongside one another, providing businesses with more options depending on the type, volume, condition and timing of their surplus. “A pallet in one warehouse can be a problem for one business and an opportunity for another,” Honeyman said. "What is often missing is not demand but visibility, trust and speed.” Making waste reduction an economic issue The circular-economy argument also has a commercial dimension. For sellers, a structured secondary channel can provide an opportunity to recover value from inventory that no longer fits its primary route to market. For buyers, it can provide access to legitimate stock at an alternative purchasing point. The model also shifts the conversation from simply asking how businesses can dispose of surplus responsibly to asking whether suitable surplus can remain economically useful. “The goal is not to turn every surplus item into a sale. It is to give stock that is suitable and safe a better chance of finding the right route to market before it becomes waste," Honeman said. "For South Africa's food sector, that means food-loss reduction increasingly becomes a supply-chain and commercial efficiency issue as much as an environmental one. As the country looks to build a more circular food economy, the next opportunity may be less about finding new food and more about creating better systems for moving existing food to where it can still create value."

Major changes for Gautrain in SA

siteadmin — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:54:39 +0000

The Gauteng Provincial Government has announced that it had reached an important milestone in securing the long-term future of the Gautrain. The government has completed the process of appointing a new operator for the Gautrain. This marks the start of a new era after the 19.5-year concession with the Bombela Concession Company ended in March 2026. The concession has been temporarily extended to give the Gauteng Provincial Government more time to appoint a successor. It will also kickstart a period of huge expansion for the Gautrain and significant changes to how it operates. This follows the conclusion of the process to appoint an operator for the next 15 years. The government has not yet announced who this new operator will be. According to the government, there will now be a renewed focus on investment, modernisation and operational sustainability. This will result in an improved passenger experience and stronger integration with the province’s broader public transport network. The new 15-year operating arrangement provides a platform for the continued development of the Gautrain as a strategic provincial transport asset. The next phase will build on this foundation through progressive investment and modernisation across the Gautrain system. Among the planned improvements are:

Increased train frequency during weekday off-peak periods;
Extended operating hours
Expansion of the fleet from 24 to 32 four-car electric multiple units
New and upgraded trains with improved passenger amenities
Improved integration between Gautrain trains and feeder bus services
Additional feeder routes and midibuses
Upgrades to stations, facilities and depots
Improved security and passenger information systems
Expanded public Wi-Fi and improved digital services
Full backup power provision for stations
A planned 30% renewable energy contribution across stations and depots

The progressive introduction of account-based ticketing and an integrated Mobility-as-a-Service digital platform The focus now shifts from concluding the process to delivering the next era of the Gautrain, the provincial government said. Bombela Operating Company continued to operate the system under a six-month holdover arrangement while negotiations with the preferred bidder progressed. At the time, Futuregrowth Asset Management senior portfolio manager Jason Lightfoot warned that the lack of a signed agreement created a risk for the system. “There is no signed agreement with a new operator to take over what is arguably South Africa’s most successfully delivered transport infrastructure public-private partnership,” he said. Lightfoot pointed to the Gautrain’s record under the existing concession, including a lifetime punctuality of 98.4% and 13 consecutive clean Auditor-General audits. It also had an asset originally built for R26 billion that he estimated was worth between R45 billion and R50 billion. “None of that happened by accident.” He argued that the contractual structure created incentives for the operator to maintain service standards and allocated risks between the parties. The Gautrain has also received an A rating from the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, compared with a D rating for South Africa’s infrastructure overall.

Thoshan Panday walks free on SARS fraud case

Staff Reporter — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:02:50 +0000

A court found that fraud and tax-related charges against Durban businessman Thoshan Panday had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Panday was charged with fraud and contravening the Tax Administration Act in 2024. The allegations centred around claims that he had knowingly understated his income to the revenue services. Panday has been acquitted on 26 charges and given a suspended R5,000 fine for failing to register for VAT. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, the National Prosecuting Authority unit that brought the case, said it would study the judgment before deciding its next step. Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame said, "He was acquitted on 26 charges and convicted on one charge for failure to register for VAT. He was thus given a fine of R5,000, wholly suspended for five years." "The IDAC will study the judgment before making a decision on the way forward." Panday was arrested on September 5, 2024, and charged with fraud and contravening the Tax Administration Act, over claims that he had defrauded Sars of R7.3m. Panday's attorney, Kershnie Govender, stated that the court had found Panday did not intend to deceive or defraud Sars. She said the evidence had shown that his income was understated in some tax filings and overstated in others. He still faces racketeering, fraud, corruption, money laundering and forgery charges in the separate World Cup case, over accommodation his companies supplied to the police for the tournament. His eight co-accused include former KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonye Ngobeni, former colonel Navin Madhoe and former captain Ashwin Narainpershad, as well as Panday's mother, wife, sister, brother-in-law and former personal assistant. The state alleges the offences were committed between March 2009 and April 2010. The trial has not yet started.

Smuggler Kingpin: A cheap shot dressed as fiction

siteadmin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:42:09 +0000

Peter Hain is entitled to write a thriller. He is entitled to draw inspiration from the real world. What he cannot reasonably expect is for a novel to carry the force of a factual accusation whenever that suits its promotion, while retreating into fiction when its claims are challenged. That is the troubling bargain surrounding Smuggler Kingpin. Hain and his publisher present it as a novel. Hain has said its characters are fictional, although much of the story is based on real life. Yet The Citizen introduced its coverage by asking whether it was fiction at all and directed readers to the Gold Mafia documentary to understand why. Those are precisely the cues that invite an audience to identify a living person behind a fictional villain. Hain’s approach deserves severe criticism too. He writes with the authority of a former minister and a long-standing campaigner. That authority gives his words unusual weight. Using a fictional kingpin who readers are encouraged to connect to a real individual, while maintaining that the characters are fictional, looks like a cowardly approach to a serious accusation. Name the person and defend the claim with evidence, or let the novel stand as a novel. As fiction, the device is cheap. A villain assembled from recognisable headlines may generate attention, but recognition is no substitute for character, and insinuation is no substitute for a convincing story. The book’s claim to urgency becomes less impressive when the public is asked to supply the real name and assume the fictional events follow. The press has a responsibility to keep the boundary clear. Review Smuggler Kingpin as fiction. Investigate tobacco and gold smuggling as matters of fact. But do not use one to smuggle unproved conclusions into the other. That is a cheap shot and a failure of journalism toward the public.

Vodacom hosts a ‘Girl Child Day’ to inspire young women into STEM

Staff Reporter — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:01:36 +0000

Vodacom Group has hosted the second edition of its Vodacom Girl Child Day, bringing together girls aged 14 to 18 as part of efforts to encourage more young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The initiative focused on exposing participants to technology, innovation and digital leadership opportunities while helping them develop future-ready skills. The programme was opened by Matimba Mbungela, Vodacom Group Chief Human Resources Officer, and Dejan Kastelic, Vodacom Group and Group Chief Technology Officer. The initiative focused on exposing participants to technology, innovation and digital leadership opportunities while helping them develop future-ready skills. The event featured a panel discussion involving representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), African Girls Can Code South Africa, United Siyafunda, Vodacom and Vodacom’s Code Like a Girl programme. Miss South Africa, Qhawekazi Mazeleni, also delivered a keynote address focused on finding one’s voice, recognising personal potential and using it to create impact. Through practical rotations across Technology, VodaPay, Big Data & AI, Microsoft, AWS and TechStart, the participants gained first-hand exposure to technologies and career opportunities shaping the digital economy. Vodacom said the initiative supports its commitment to advancing gender parity and addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM. The programme was delivered with support from the United Nations and Global Compact Network South Africa, Microsoft, AWS and TechStart. The company said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the pipeline of future women leaders in technology and contributing to a more inclusive digital economy.

South African Reserve Bank ups repo rates to 7.25%

siteadmin — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:41:27 +0000

South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is to increase the policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, effective 25 September 2026. Kganyago said that the inflation outlook faced upside risks with inflation at 4.4%. “Based on the latest survey from the Bureau for Economic Research, expectations have eased slightly, after rising in the previous quarter. That said, they remain high, with longer-run expectations around 4% rather than our 3% target." “A few months back, it seemed that the fuel-price shock might be unwinding, but now it has intensified. We are also seeing global rates moving higher,” Kganyago said. He added that MPC had adopted a measured approach to setting rates amid heightened uncertainty while remaining focused on its price-stability mandate. “It is crucial that inflation reverts to 3% as the current shock fades, and we take responsibility for delivering that outcome. The forecast from our Quarterly Projection Model (QPM) has the policy rate broadly stable through the remainder of this year. The model shows cuts later in the forecast, as inflation falls to 3% and the QPM moves to a more neutral policy stance." “As before, this rate path remains a broad policy guide. Our decisions will continue to be taken on a meeting-by-meeting basis, with careful attention to the outlook, data outcomes, and the balance of risks to the forecast." “Global supply chains are being disrupted by intensifying conflict in the Middle East, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war. This adds to inflationary pressures. In this context, central banks in major economies are raising rates,” Kganyago highlited. Additionally, he noted that inflation is expected to remain elevated through 2027, driven largely by fuel and services inflation. “We currently project that inflation will return to the 3% target towards the end of 2027. The global shocks continue to hurt the South African economy. Despite a contraction in the second quarter, we expect a rebound in the second half of the year. Annual growth is now projected at 1.2%, revised down from 1.4%." “By contrast, food inflation is at its lowest level since 2010. This reflects strong harvests and more stable meat prices following the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The rand has stayed resilient, helping contain import prices,” Kganyago said. At this meeting, the MPC considered a scenario involving higher global interest rates. “Our baseline forecast has the major central banks raising rates by about half a percentage point, between this year and next. Our scenario doubled that, taking the increase to a full percentage point. This causes rand depreciation, which lifts inflation. The model responds with a tighter policy stance, with rates about one hike above the baseline path and slower cuts subsequently,” the Governor said. The MPC also considered a scenario involving higher inflation expectations and wage increases. This scenario also pointed to a tighter policy stance, with the policy rate rising by the equivalent of one to two additional hikes above the baseline peak and remaining higher for longer. “Overall, this is proving to be a difficult year for the global economy, and for South Africa. Geopolitical conflicts have caused severe negative supply shocks, which weaken output and raise inflation. South Africa’s growth recovery has slowed, while inflation has increased well above our target. “Our approach is to look through the initial effects of price shocks, while ensuring that they do not entrench higher inflation. Unfortunately, large and sustained shocks, like those we are experiencing now, are more likely to trigger second-round effects, where individual price changes evolve into widespread increases. To prevent this, we are adopting a more restrictive monetary policy, with rates above longer-term levels,” Kganyago said.

R42 million worth of drugs seized at OR Tambo International Airport

Staff Reporter — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:29:23 +0000

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized a shipment of cocaine valued at around R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), adding to the drug busts worth R13.9 million during the 2025/2026 financial year. According to the police, an intelligence-driven operation was successfully executed at OR Tambo after it received information from SAPS Crime Intelligence’s Border Integrity Unit regarding the suspected drug consignment. SAPS Visible Policing Unit at OR Tambo International Airport, in collaboration with Customs officials and Menzies Aviation operational members, acted on the received information to intercept the shipment. “The cargo, which had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, was intercepted immediately upon arrival at approximately 1 pm. The 95 kilograms of cocaine were seized at the cargo section of OR Tambo International Airport.” The police reported that no arrests were made, while investigations remain ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved in the attempted smuggling operation. They also added that they remain committed to disrupting organised criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade. The police assured that they will continue working with their law enforcement partners to ensure that South Africa’s borders and ports of entry are protected from criminal exploitation. These cases resulted in the seizure of the following quantities:

2 kilograms of heroin
100 litres of ephedrine
1,000 Mandrax tablets
25.9 kilograms of cocaine

The police highlighted that the estimated conservative street value of the drugs seized is approximately R13.9 million. OR Tambo International Airport is not only the busiest in South Africa, but also the busiest on the whole continent, handling over 20 million passengers and 212,000 aircraft movements annually. According to FlightRadar, the airport handles an average of 550 to 580 total aircraft movements (arrivals and departures) per day between domestic, international, regional, and unscheduled flights. Domestic flights total around 285 movements per day, with the route between Johannesburg and Cape Town the busiest, with 38 to 43 daily flights alone. Alongside these, the airport handles around 188 international movements per day, as well as 58 regional movements.

Department of Water and Sanitation tables obstacles with six mega water resources in SA

siteadmin — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:58:43 +0000

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) summarised the challenges it faces with six mega water resource projects in the country at a National Assembly meeting on Tuesday, 22 September. This comes after the DWS updated the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on strategic mega water resources infrastructure projects under construction. Disruptions Dr Sean Phillips, the Director-General of the DWS, said community groupings often disrupt projects. Phillips explained that to mitigate this risk, DWS consults with the local communities and, where relevant, with traditional leaders to inform them of the project, its intended benefits, and the employment opportunities. “The department engages with business forums which come forward and provides them with information regarding opportunities on the projects, and the processes through which these can be accessed. We offer training to local contractors and suppliers on how to submit bids to the main contractors,” Phillips said. “The department’s construction unit has sometimes not performed well, largely due to procurement challenges. We are in the process of putting in place a range of three-year framework contracts. This will enable material to be procured much more quickly and efficiently,” he said. Lesotho Highlands Water Project The DWS said construction on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is underway by an international contractor appointed by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). The DWS said the project will add 490 million cubic metres per year to the Integrated Vaal River System, enabling Rand Water to abstract more water from the Vaal Dam and supply additional water to municipalities in Gauteng. The project began in November 2018 and is expected to be completed by December 2029. The DWS said construction to date is at 56.8%. There are delays with Polihali Dam construction due to weather conditions, technical complexity, work and mining permits and poor contractor performance, leading to slow construction progress. The DWS said delays with the construction of the transfer tunnel from Polihali Dam to Katse Dam are due to difficult geology. Clanwilliam Dam Project Raising the Clanwilliam Dam in Western Cape will enable increased agricultural growth in the area, including new allocations to resource-poor farmers, as well as domestic and industrial water supply to the municipalities. The DWS stated that the project began in 2014, with completion expected by May 2028. The construction is 47% complete. “The project was long-delayed due to indecision in DWS, but this was resolved and the project got back on track in 2021. Progress on both the right bank and left bank excavations remains slow,” Phillips said. Tzaneen Dam Project The raising of Tzaneen Dam Project is 66% complete. The DWS said the critical area to be progressed is the construction of the labyrinth spillway, which is constrained by repeated flooding. The project began in February 2016 and is expected to be completed by December 2026. Phillips said the project delays were caused by above-normal rainfall resulting in dam overspilling and the temporary suspension of spillway works, as well as procurement challenges. He said there was a delay in the appointment of the tower crane service provider. Mzimvubu Water Project The Mzimvubu Water Project – Ntabelanga Dam and associated works project in the Eastern Cape is 15% complete. The project began in February 2015, and completion is expected by March 2030. Once completed, the DWS stated that it will have a storage capacity of 490 million cubic metres and a yield of 241 million cubic metres per annum. “Delays are due to the unavailability of suitable construction materials because of poor performance by suppliers and work disruptions by a business forum and the community, resulting in the closure of the site. The latest disruption by the community led to a site closure that lasted for 4 months,” Phillips said. Professional engineers hired David Mahlobo, the DWS deputy minister, said the department has been transparent with its projects. Mahlobo, who was appointed to DWS in 2021, said the projects were initiated in the previous administration prior to his arrival. He said he was pleased with the current work being done by the various DWS entities. Mahlobo added that the DWS hired professional engineers in management to turn things around in the department. “When we came in, the department was bankrupt. We owed billions and could not do much. We had a turnaround plan. We understand Reddy’s frustration. During our tenure, we decided we have to do something to unblock these problems. We made a decision that these projects must be brought back to life. We have done a planning cycle. If people are going to judge us, let them judge us on the progress we are making,” Mahlobo said.