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IOL News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
US joins Iran-Israel conflict: Essential travel advisories for South Africans to note
Travellers queue at Cape Town International Airport. Image: David Ritchie/Independent Newspapers (File) The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which now includes the United States (US), which carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, has resulted in a number of travel advisories and alerts that SA travellers should note. On Sunday, the US joined Israel's bombing campaign after days of speculation over whether they would be involvedin the conflict. In a televised address from the White House, after the strikes, US President Donald Trump said: "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace." Previously, on 15 June, the Department of International Relations (Dirco) urged all South Africans in Iran to contact the Embassy in Tehran to ensure that they are registered with and that their whereabouts are known to the Embassy. 'It is important to note that South Africa's support in the country is limited and that it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency, and the South African Government may not be able to help you if you get into difficulty, depending on your location. 'Therefore, citizens are further encouraged to assess their own safety and security and act accordingly.' Following Israeli strikes on Iran in the early hours of 13 June, airspace in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Israel has been closed. According to Flightradar24, the closures affect approximately 3,000 flights per day through cancelled flights or re-routes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to Flightradar24, the closures affect approximately 3,000 flights per day through cancelled flights or re-routes. Image: Flightradar24 Emirates and Qatar Airways are among the few airlines that have issued travel advisories for travellers and have had to suspend their flights. Emirates said on Saturday that due to the regional situation, they have temporarily suspended all flights to Iran (Tehran) and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra), until and including Monday, 30 June 2025. 'Customers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq and Iran will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice. Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their travel agency for rebooking. If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us.' They also urged travellers departing or arriving at Dubai International Airport to check their flight status on for the latest information. 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers. We continue to closely monitor developments. The safety of our passengers, employees and operations will always be our top priority.' The Iranian flag is pictured in front of Iran's Foreign Ministry building in Tehran November 23, 2009. Image: Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters Qatar Airways said they have temporarily cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria. The affected airports in Iran include Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA), Mashhad Airport (MHD), and Shiraz Airport (SYZ). In Iraq, the affected airports are Baghdad Airport (BGW), Erbil Airport (EBL), Basra Airport (BSR), Sulaymaniyah Airport (ISU) and Najaf Airport (NJF). In Syria, the affected airport is Damascus International Airport (DAM). The United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all travel to Iran. 'If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,' they said.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
When South Africa says YES, youth move forward
South Africa is not short of ambition, nor of young people who are willing to work, to learn and to lead. The real shortage is in pathways that convert potential into progress. Image: David Ritchie/African News Agency South Africa's youth unemployment crisis is as structural as it is personal. It cuts across geography, education levels and industry sectors, affecting the country's growth trajectory and the individual dreams of millions of young people. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, 46.1 percent of young South Africans between the ages of 15 and 34 are unemployed. That is not just an economic indicator. It reflects lost potential, diminished hope and the urgent need for systemic change. What lies at the heart of this challenge is not a lack of talent. It is a lack of access. Access to networks, to credible experience, and to the kind of opportunities that allow people to demonstrate their value in real-world settings. South Africa is not short of ambition, nor of young people who are willingto work, to learn and to lead. The real shortage is in pathways that convert potential into progress. This is precisely the gap the Youth Employment Service (YES) was created to bridge. Since its launch in 2018, YES has created more than 187,000 full-time, 12-month work experiences for previously unemployed youth across the country. Backed by more than 1,800 corporate partners and entirely funded by the private sector, the programme has injected over R10.84 billion into the economy in the form of salaries. These are not internships or short-term placements. They are structured, quality work experiences designed to build capability, expand opportunity and catalyse long-term inclusion. At Nedbank, our involvement with YES is not limited to financial support or compliance metrics. We have embedded the programme into our broader strategy to attract, grow and retain young talent. Since 2019, we have placed more than 13,500 youth through YES, with a further 3,873 to be onboarded in 2025. These opportunities are offered both within Nedbank and through implementation partners aligned to our purpose-led focus on sustainability, transformation and inclusive growth. What makes the programme effective is not just its scale. It is the intentionality behind it. YES, participants are placed in future-facing sectors such as digital, finance, environmental sustainability and green energy. These are areas where demand is growing and where the right investment in young people today can yield lasting returns for the economy tomorrow. Our joint Youth4Green initiative with YES is a case in point, opening up work experiences in solar energy, environmental management and conservation – areas with critical skills shortages and high development potential. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The socioeconomic profile of the youth we support reveals just how vital these interventions are. More than 85 percent of Nedbank YES participants come from grant-recipient households, and 86 percent have financial dependents. In many cases, the stipend provided through YES is the only consistent income in the household. But the value of the programme goes beyond the salary. It lies in the transformation that happens when someone enters a workplace for the first time, develops a professional identity, and begins to imagine themselves not only surviving, but that transformation is measurable. Thirty-six percent of Nedbank YES alumni are employed after completing the programme, well above the YES benchmark and another 21 percent have gone on to start their own businesses, signalling that entrepreneurship, too, is a viable pathway when confidence, exposure and support are present. For the private sector, YES offers more than reputational value. It provides a mechanism to earn up to two levels on the B-BBEE scorecard, while also contributing to ESG priorities and sector-building strategies. In other words, it aligns social impact with strategic advantage. This is increasingly important in a business environment that expects organisations to demonstrate real, sustained contributions to transformation and inclusive growth. At the same time, government cannot solve youth unemployment alone. The public sector has neither the absorption capacity nor the agility to respond to the fast-changing needs of the labour market. That is why partnerships matter. YES, works because it is business-led, but nation-minded. It invites the private sector to be not just employers, but active co-creators of the country's future workforce. As we reflect on Youth Month 2025, we are reminded that progress is cumulative. It happens one placement at a time. One conversation at a time. One young person at a time. When someone walks into their first job, it is not just their future that shifts – it is the trajectory of their family, their community, and in time, the economy. Our country is at a critical juncture. We can continue to treat youth unemployment as an intractable crisis, or we can respond to it as a call to innovate, to partner and to invest with purpose. At Nedbank, we choose the latter. Our work with YES reflects that choice, and of our belief that young people deserve more than just a chance. They deserve a system that works for them. Youth employment is not a social obligation. It is a strategic imperative. And when we get it right, everyone benefits. Lerato Mathibela, Head of Group Human Resources Young Talent, Nedbank Group. Lerato Mathibela, Head of Group Human Resources Young Talent, Nedbank Group. Image: Supplied.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Sharp decline in building confidence index clouds South African construction outlook
Data from FNB/BER Building Confidence Index showed that main contractor confidence fell to 35 in 2Q2025 – the lowest level since 3Q2022. Image: David Ritchie/Independent Newspapers The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index has taken a significant hit, plunging five points to a troubling 36 in the second quarter of 2025 after a modest gain in the first quarter. The Index released on Monday characterises a construction industry at a crossroads, where the prospects of a recovery are overshadowed by a consistent drag from the residential sector. This latest reading revealed that nearly 65% of respondents in the construction sector expressed dissatisfaction with the current business conditions, raising red flags for the sector's health as the market grapples with both residential and non-residential challenges. Amid these struggles, the sentiment surrounding main contractors has reached its lowest point since the third quarter of 2022, dropping to a dismal 35. The decline has been primarily driven by an ongoing downturn in the residential sector, which has seen a dramatic drop in activity. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) indicates that real spending on residential buildings plummeted by 8.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. 'The residential building sector is under pressure,' remarked Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, senior economist at FNB. 'Respondents noted a deterioration in activity and overall profitability. Moreover, a deterioration in order books points to continued strain on activity over the short term.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ While the residential segment is faltering, the non-residential building sector has shown some resilience, remaining above the long-term average. According to Mkhwanazi, the non-residential building sector is now outperforming the residential building market significantly in terms of growth. He said this variance can be attributed to a low base caused by years of stagnation and a tangible recovery in demand for industrial and office space. Despite the overall dip in activity, there are glimmers of hope within the industry. The confidence index associated with architects remains significantly above average for the second consecutive quarter, although their business confidence remains stuck at a subdued 38. Meanwhile, sentiments among quantity surveyors have surged to 50, their highest level since the second quarter of 2017, buoyed by increased activity. 'Work at the start of the building pipeline is clearly gaining momentum. However, like with current activity, it seems as if it is largely focused on the non-residential sector,' Mkhwanazi said. 'Moreover, any progress in terms of building activity will be stifled by long delays in project approvals and client payments.' Nevertheless, the construction landscape is not without its complications. Long delays in project approvals and client payments are stifling potential progress, rendering the industry's recovery tentative at best. The downturn in confidence among hardware retailers has been particularly striking, as they experienced the most significant decline this quarter, shedding 24 points. This downturn came after last quarter's substantial increase in confidence and is attributed to deteriorating profitability despite robust sales volumes. Mkhwanazi cautioned that while retailers were optimistic about sales in the next quarter, the factors driving sales growth recently may wane, resulting in potential underperformance in the latter half of 2025. 'Although hardware retailers are upbeat about sales next quarter, it is useful to remember that some of the factors that contributed to better sales in the preceding two quarters, particularly the consumer income windfall from the two-pot retirement system, will likely be less pronounced going forward,' Mkhwanazi said. 'This could lead to a disappointing outcome in the second half of 2025, despite the recent interest rate cut by the South African Reserve Bank.'
IOL News
05-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
How South Africans can unite to combat plastic pollution
Litter seen at Lagoon Beach in Milnerton. Image: David Ritchie / Independent Newspapers South Africans must play their part in conserving the environment by not littering, but instead recycling, because a cleaner, healthier, and more just environment is possible; however, only if every sector of society takes part in the effort to Beat Plastic Pollution, this is according to environmental activists. The activists were speaking ahead of World Environment Day, which is commemorated on June 5 annually, and this year's theme is #BeatPlasticPollution. World Environment Day, established in 1972, is the largest annual event organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote environmental action and address issues such as ozone depletion, toxic chemicals, desertification, and global warming. It was first celebrated in 1974. The World Economic Forum estimates that more than eight million tonnes of plastic enter the world's seas annually, with a significant portion of that plastic washing up on the coasts of countries such as South Africa. In 2022, a study by Plastic SA revealed that South Africa generates an estimated 2.6 million tons of plastic waste annually. Only about 40% of this plastic is recycled, and a significant portion of it ends up in the ocean, negatively impacting marine life. Desmond D'Sa, an environmental activist with the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), said plastic pollution manifests differently across South Africa's diverse socio-geographic contexts. In eThekwini Municipality, for instance, recurring incidents of flooding due to blocked stormwater systems highlight the immediate infrastructural risks of mismanaged plastic waste. He said high volumes of household plastic waste, limited public awareness, and over-exploited landfill sites are prevalent in urban areas, whereas in rural communities, inadequate waste collection services lead to open burning or illegal dumping of plastics. He added that in coastal regions, marine plastic pollution threatens ecosystems, fisheries, and tourism. Thus, there is a critical need for context-specific interventions, such as urban stormwater catchment clean-outs and litter traps, community-based waste management initiatives in rural areas, and integrated river-to-sea waste monitoring systems in coastal zones. 'Awareness and education are vital in combating plastic pollution. Effective strategies in the South African context include school-based environmental education programmes, mass media and social media campaigns, community clean-up events, particularly when paired with incentives and local leadership support, faith-based and traditional authority engagement, to embed environmental messages within cultural practices. 'Over the years, SDCEA has carried out numerous initiatives, including beach clean-ups, community clean-up campaigns, and the removal of waste from rivers and riverbanks,' D'Sa said. He added that environmental activist organisations play a role in raising awareness, advocating for stronger legislation, and mobilising communities, however, they are often faced with challenges including, lack of funding and donor fatigue, especially for grassroots groups, inadequate access to institutional platforms to influence policymaking, and high operational demands with minimal staff or resources. He highlighted that plastic pollution excessively impacts marginalised communities, particularly those residing in informal settlements, peri-urban areas, and along riverbanks or landfills. Exposure to waste burning, water contamination, and uncollected refuse compounds social vulnerability and health risks. Addressing this injustice requires equitable access to municipal waste services and infrastructure, inclusion of vulnerable communities in the design and implementation of waste policies, community health and environmental risk assessments in plastic-polluted areas, and corporate accountability under EPR frameworks, including financial support for clean-ups and community development, D'Sa said. He added that South Africa's pathway to sustainability must be underpinned by a circular economy, a zero-waste culture, and just environmental governance. 'In relation to plastic pollution, the vision should include a national ban on non-recyclable single-use plastics, a fully integrated and formalised recycling economy, inclusive of informal actors, behavioral transformation, fostered through education and consistent messaging, and stronger regulatory enforcement and industry accountability. 'Hope lies in the resilience and ingenuity of local communities, the momentum of youth-led climate and waste movements, and technological innovations in waste recovery and biodegradable materials. Some of the persistent concerns include the pace of political and institutional change, ongoing inequality in environmental exposure and service delivery, and corporate influence that delays or dilutes progressive policy action,' D'Sa said. In Durban's inner city alone, over 500 informal recyclers recover around 150 tonnes of cardboard daily, reducing landfill pressure and supporting climate change mitigation. Similar to this, the informal waste sector remains the backbone of South Africa's plastic recycling system. Waste pickers are responsible for collecting a significant proportion of recyclables but operate without basic protections or recognition, he said. He recommended that the role of waste pickers be formalised through registration systems, cooperatives, and municipal contracts. That they be provided with access to protective gear, sorting facilities, and fair compensation, and that funding streams to support environmental activism and community-led waste programmes be established. While several legislative instruments aimed at mitigating plastic pollution, such as the National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008), the Plastic Bag Levy, and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations introduced in 2021 have been implemented, he said, there are loopholes. 'There is inadequate enforcement capacity at the municipal level that impedes implementation, the lack of uniformity across municipalities results in fragmented waste management approaches; inadequate monitoring and compliance mechanisms for EPR schemes; and the informal sector remains excluded from formal planning, despite playing a significant role in recycling,' D'sa said. Lisa Makaula, advocacy officer at The Green Connection, said plastic pollution in South Africa has been mostly due to industry use of plastic materials, much of which ultimately end up in oceans via rivers, threatening marine life. The biggest problem is single-use plastics, like shopping bags and plastic wrapping. 'Stronger regulatory frameworks are required to reduce plastic production and ensure the limited use of plastic products. However, the public must play their part by not littering and implementing recycling methods instead. 'A key part of The Green Connection's work has been advocating for proper governance and ensuring that environmental laws are followed, especially given that plastics come from oil, which is a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change. Industry and citizens have been part of plastic recycling as well as plastic reduction, and beach clean-ups, but more needs to be done,' Makaula said. The production of more plastic will ultimately mean more extraction and production of oil, which increases the risk of oil spills that could negatively impact the livelihoods of those dependent on healthy oceans. Rivers polluted by plastic waste impact the health of our environment, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities who might be dependent on these resources, she said. Makaula said there are fewer resources for environmental NGOs that work with communities, which means that fewer resources go into plastic clean-ups and recycling initiatives that can help improve the livelihoods of affected communities. 'Often, without NGOs, communities struggle to access information about proposed projects that could affect them. Our vision for South Africa is a clean, safe, plastic-free, marine environment with climate adaptation measures in place to ensure communities do not bear the brunt of pollution and natural disasters,' she said. [email protected]
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Lucky Montana fights back against SARS's asset attachment claim
Former Prasa CEO and Member of Parliament Lucky Montana challenges SARS over R46 million tax claim. Image: David Ritchie/ Former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana has publicly challenged the SA Revenue Service's (SARS) application to attach his assets, claiming the tax claim against him is unfounded and politically motivated. The dispute revolves around an R46 million tax assessment SARS sought to recover from Montana. The tax authority's application, filed in the Pretoria High Court, also seeks to declare Montana insolvent. SARS alleges that Montana owes this amount in taxes, penalties, and interest from assessments dating back over a decade. The case is currently before the court, and the proceedings are expected to shed light on the validity of SARS's claims. Montana, the former CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), vehemently denies owing money to SARS. In a detailed statement issued before Tuesday's court hearing, Montana described the case as a 'personal attack' aimed at humiliating him. 'I don't owe SARS,' Montana declared firmly. 'This matter is aimed at humiliating me and tarnishing my reputation just before the court hearing.' 'The truth is, this case goes back to 2018. The papers in this specific leg of the SARS application are from May 2023, but I want it to be clear—I owe no outstanding amounts to SARS, and I will not be paying SARS any money.' Montana recounts that in 2018, SARS initially contacted him regarding an outstanding tax amount of R1.6 million, which he agreed to pay. 'I informed SARS that I was in the middle of a property sale and would settle the amount once the transfer was complete. I later paid R1.49 million from the proceeds of that sale,' he said. Following this, he said SARS conducted a decade-long retrospective assessment (2009-2019), claiming Montana had undeclared income of R23 million. 'SARS claimed I owed roughly R8 million, but I have made it clear I do not owe them this,' Montana emphasised. 'I have objected to the assessment and believe their calculations are incorrect. I have evidence and legal advice to support my position.' Montana criticised SARS for 'vindictive' actions, including raising taxes on six vehicles financed through hire purchase, which he argues was inconsistent with tax principles. 'SARS said the funds to settle these vehicles did not originate from my account. But standard practice is that dealership settlements are routine, and my legal advisors say SARS's treatment of this is incorrect,' he stated. 'Some of my vehicles were financed and sold at a loss, which should not result in additional tax liabilities.' He also pointed out that SARS targeted him during periods when he was unemployed. 'I understand my tax obligations, and I pay taxes when legally required to,' he declared. 'But this case is not about tax; it's about abuse of power, illegality, and victimisation by an institution that is supposed to serve the people.' He firmly stated, 'I will not be bullied or victimised. If necessary, I am prepared to defend my legal rights to the Constitutional Court. This is a fight for justice, not just for myself but for all South Africans who believe in the rule of law.' Furthermore, he emphasised his commitment to lawful compliance. 'I understand my tax obligations, and I pay taxes when legally required to,' he declared. 'But this case is not about tax; it's about abuse of power, illegality, and victimisation by an institution that is supposed to serve the people.' He firmly stated, 'I will not be bullied or victimised. If necessary, I am prepared to defend my legal rights to the Constitutional Court. This is a fight for justice, not just for myself but for all South Africans who believe in the rule of law.' Cape Argus
