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IOL News
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Reed dance festival to another palace by Zulu King Misuzulu moves
King Misuzulu has announced that the annual Reed Dance ceremony is moving from the Enyokeni Palace to Mashobeni Palace. Image: archive Maidens gather at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal for the 2022 Reed Dance. Image: Nqobile Mbonambi/African News Agency(ANA) COSTS Amazulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's decision to move the annual Reed Dance ceremony from Enyokeni Palace to a new palace, Mashobeni, could pit him against the cash-strapped KwaZulu-Natal provincial government. In a surprise move, the king at the weekend announced that this year's event will be held at Mashobeni Palace in Pongola in the north-east of the province. The palace which is a few kilometres from KwaKhangelamankengana Palace, is the home of the king's new wife, Princess Sihle Mdhluli from the Mpumalanga province. 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 ✕ The provincial government through the Public Works department has just completed a massive amphitheatre at Enyokeni which cost the taxpayers R140 million. It was expected to be used for this year's event. The dome-designed structure was requested by Misuzulu's father, the late King Goodwill Zwelithini for the purpose of the reed dance and has facilities which do not require the hiring of VIP marquees or toilets. The structure has a seating capacity for 2,000 people. The government is expected to bear extra cost of a makeshift pavilion seating at Mashobeni, where maidens and the public would gather for the king's address after the presentation of reeds by the maidens. Defending his decision, the king said he was honouring Queen Nandi and King Shaka who had a palace in the area. The king said by building the palace there, he was reviving Shaka's palace as well as his legacy. 'I am aware that many are used to this event being held in eNyokeni. Today, I wish to announce that the event will now be held here at Mashobeni palace on 12 to 14 September. We are sorry to those who wanted the event to continue at Enyokeni palace. My decision is in line with the fact that Queen Nandi and King Shaka lived here so it's important to revive his palace,' said Misuzulu. In a short statement, the KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Martin Meyer, said he had noted the announcement made by the king to move the ceremony to Mashobeni royal residence, however, he said his department was just an implementing agent as per the mandate given on each project by a client department. 'In this matter the client was the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture along with the Office of The Premier. Therefore any queries would be best placed before those offices.' Arts and Culture spokesperson Ntando Mnyando said his department could not say anything further about the decision as its' duty is to organise events wherever the king and royal family want them to be. Attempts to get comment from the Premier's spokesperson Bongani Gina were unsuccessful.
IOL News
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Metair Investments navigates market challenges with strategic restructuring
Metair's Hesto Harnesses subsidiary displaying some of its products at a trade show at the Durban ICC. In the six months to June 30, 2025, Metair said the improvement in Hesto's performance was now well-entrenched, the initiatives to stabilise AutoZone were bearing fruit and a restructured debt package provided a sustainable platform from which to further reduce debt. Image: : Nqobile Mbonambi/Independent Newspapers Metair Investments, a leading motor component manufacturer in South Africa, restructured, right-sized and closed certain operations in the six months to June 30, which enabled it to navigate market shifts and volume variability. Headline earnings a share from continuing operations for the interim period are expected to decrease between 6% and 10% to between 69 cents and 72 cents a share. Revenue is expected to increase between 52% and 54%, driven by the inclusion of Hesto as a subsidiary from April 1, 2025, and the recently acquired AutoZone, for the full period. "The improvement in Hesto's performance is now well-entrenched, the initiatives to stabilise AutoZone are bearing fruit, and a restructured debt package provides a sustainable platform from which to further reduce debt. 'Building on the progress we achieved in 2024, manufacturing and production have been further optimised and our stringent focus on efficient project management and operational improvements has resulted in a more flexible operating model, ensuring that the business can deliver optimally to its customers. " said CEO Paul O'Flaherty. The share price was unchanged at R5.99 on Thursday morning. 'Market conditions remained challenging during the first half of 2025, both for local OEMs and local aftermarket trading. While a reduction in interest rates and easing inflationary pressures provided some macroeconomic relief, persistent uncertainty in both local and global markets continued to weigh on business confidence. As a result, consumer demand remained subdued,' they said. Despite these headwinds, volumes at key South African OEM customers improved and were in line with forecasts. The improvement initiatives at Hesto Harnesses, the group's major wiring harness supplier, resulted in higher revenue and improved operating profit. 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 Earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) were expected to range between R440m and R460m, representing an increase of between 24% and 30%. The sale of the Mutlu battery manufacturing company in Türkiye was finalised in December 2024, which had derisked the balance sheet. Operations were restructured into two core segments: the OEM Direct Component Manufacturing segment and the Aftermarket Parts and Retail (AFM) segment, which is focused on serving the independent aftermarket and retail distribution channels. In the OEM Direct Component Manufacturing segment, the group's directors did not expect the US tariff turmoil to have a direct impact on Metair's OEM customers, as these customers did not supply into the US market. However, there would be an indirect impact on South Africa's economy. OEM segment revenue for the first half was expected to increase by between 65% and 70% from R3.29bn at the same time last year. If Hesto was included for the full six months in both comparative periods, OEM revenue would have increased by between 7% and 9%. Revenue from the AFM Segment was expected to increase by between 32% and 35% from R2.39bn in the first half of last year, driven largely by the inclusion of AutoZone. Visit:
IOL News
29-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Boxer Retail's share price rises following positive trading update
Boxer produced consistent market share gains through the 17-week period to June 29, 2025. and also saw positive recent trends, as the high base from the first few months of 2025 normalises, Image: : Nqobile Mbonambi/Independent Newspapers Boxer Retail was one of the top biggest movers on the JSE Tuesday morning after it reported a strong performance for the 17-week period to June 29, despite a highly constrained consumer environment and internal food selling price inflation of -0.6%. The soft discount retailer, which was listed out of Pick n Pay in November last year, saw its share price rise 3.58% to R69.21 early Tuesday morning after the release of a trading update that showed turnover up 12.1% and 3.9% on a like-for-like basis. The share price is not far off the R63.51 it traded at when it listed. This represents a positive trend when compared with the 9% turnover and 3.7% like-for-like growth reported for the second half of its 2025 financial year, as disclosed in Boxer's results for the 53 weeks to March 2, 2025. 'Boxer has produced consistent market share gains through the period and also seen positive recent trends, as the high base from the first few months of 2025 normalises,' its directors reported. They said the internal food inflation on a volume-held-constant basis represented a further reduction from the volume-held-constant inflation of 0.3% for the 2025 financial year. 'Despite the challenging economic environment and the mild deflation reported for the period, Boxer remains comfortable that it is on track to meet its previously guided low-teens FY26 turnover growth objective, given the like-for-like momentum and store rollout program,' the directors said. 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 Boxer opened 7 Superstores and 10 liquor stores in the first four months of the 2026 financial year, and it was on track to meet its previously communicated store roll-out targets, the directors said. 'Boxer remains confident with its FY26 gross margin outlook, despite the inherent margin management challenges in a low inflation environment,' they said. Boxer, which is still 65.6% held by Pick n Pay, said it was switching to reporting volume-held-constant inflation, which more appropriately reflects its effective selling price inflation to customers. For the 2022, 2023, and 2024 financial years, Boxer's volume-held-constant internal selling price inflation was 4.2%, 10.1%, and 3.1% respectively. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Inmates can have access to personal computers, other devices for studying, says Concourt
In a unanimous judgment, the court held that the blanket prohibition on personal computers in inmates' cells infringes the right to education, because inmates cannot access reading material for their studies and complete educational tasks when they are in their cells. Image: File Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi / Independent Newspapers THE Department of Correctional Services has been given 12 months to prepare and promulgate a revised policy relating to the use of personal computers in inmates' cells to further their education. This after the Constitutional Court dismissed an appeal brought by the Minister of Correctional Services challenging the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) which ruled in favour of inmate Mbalenhle Sidney Ntuli. In a unanimous judgment, the court held that the blanket prohibition on personal computers in inmates' cells infringes the right to education, because inmates cannot access reading material for their studies and complete educational tasks when they are in their cells. The court held that the right to further education enshrined under section 29(1)(b) of the Constitution plainly encompasses access to textbooks and other tools necessary for fulfilling the right, including electronic tools. For that right to be effective, education must include adequate learning resources, said the apex court, adding that this is true both inside and outside prison. 'The Policy Procedure Directorate Formal Education, as approved by the second applicant and dated 8 February 2007, is unconstitutional and invalid to the extent that it prohibits the use of personal computers in cells for purposes of further education in circumstances where such use is reasonably required for such further education, and is set aside. The order of constitutional invalidity is suspended for 12 months from the date of this order. The applicant is directed, within 12 months from the date of this order, to prepare and promulgate a revised policy,' the court ruled. Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald. Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers This case relates to the constitutional validity of a blanket ban imposed by the Department of Correctional Services on the possession and use of computers by inmates in their cells in correctional centres. The ban emanates from a departmental policy, the Policy Procedures on Formal Education Programmes (Policy), which regulates the use of computers by inmates who have registered for studies and require the use of a computer. The Policy was approved by the Acting Commissioner for Correctional Services on February 8, 2007. At the time Ntuli was an inmate at Medium C in Johannesburg prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence. He was registered with the Oxbridge Academy to pursue computer studies with a focus on data processing. He has since passed and graduated. While he was studying he needed to use a computer for his course. He had been transferred to Medium C from the Medium 'B' Correctional Centre (Medium B) on July 20, 2018 for undisclosed reasons. While in Medium B, he was authorised to have and to use a personal desktop computer in his single cell for the purpose of furthering his tertiary education. However, after his arrival at Medium C, the desktop was taken away and he was told to use the computers in the computer room. The computer room was open from 9am to 12pm. It re-opened at 1pm until 3pm on Mondays to Fridays. It occasionally opened on weekends but never on public holidays. Since every cell in the entire centre is opened at the same time, the centre was exceptionally noisy and studying with many distractions was extremely challenging. His overall complaint was that he was often deprived of sufficient time to study. The department's objection to Ntuli being allowed use of his computer in his cell was based on the contention that it would create a security threat. 'The applicants' primary concern was that inmates may smuggle modems into their cells or use illegal cell phones to create hotspots. According to the applicants, inmates are searched on a daily basis, and there are regular security breaches where cell phones or electronic devices are found in the possession of inmates. Illicit possession of a cell phone in and of itself provides the possessor and user access to the internet. They do not need a computer to achieve such access. But there is an even bigger problem for the applicants – not an iota of evidence of incidents manifesting this alleged grave risk was adduced. In sum then, the applicants have failed to put up justification for the limitation of the respondent's right to further education,' the court held. Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) who represented Ntuli welcomed the outcome. 'This is a vindication of our client's rights who at the end of the day only wanted to further his education and increase his capabilities. We hope no incarcerated student seeking to upskill themselves has to undergo what Mr Ntuli has experienced,' said Head for the LHR Penal Reform and Detention Monitoring Programme, Nabeelah Mia. The Minister's office did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Cape Times
