More than 30,000 foreign nationals are incarcerated in South Africa, costing the state billions annually, as a new agreement with Zimbabwe could eventually allow sentenced prisoners to serve sentences there.

Prepare for a mixed bag of weather this Wednesday in South Africa, with rain and isolated showers in the east and south, alongside strong coastal winds affecting the Western and Eastern Cape.

The Northern Cape holds some of the richest and largest operating mines in South Africa and mining contributes 19% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the province. It has the best ore deposits in the country, such as iron ore, manganese, copper, lead, zinc and many other base metals. These high-grade reserves anchor the province’s economy and fuel international exports. Presently, however, the province serves largely as an extraction centre, the raw and dusty periphery, with less than 5% of local mineral beneficiation taking place. This trend of exporting raw ore and minerals gives birth to poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment. This is a common trend across all post-colonial countries and is colloquially called the resource curse. In May 1992, the ANC formally adopted its seminal framework document, Ready to Govern: ANC Policy Guidelines for a Democratic South Africa. This policy included “encouraging beneficiation and the creation of a world-class mining and mineral processing goods industry”. Beneficiation is fundamentally about adding value to what is embedded in the rich soil, which are raw minerals, semiprecious minerals, ore bodies and agricultural products. According to data compiled by the Minerals Council South Africa, the localised value-add rate for platinum group metals varies at a mere 3%, iron ore stands at 11% and manganese hovers at 14%, while the tracking data for chrome remains notoriously shaky. The single sector where the democratic state performs adequately is coal, sitting at a 69% domestic usage rate, which is directly consumed in local power generation, industrial chemicals and synthetic fuel production via the Sasol value chains. However, on all other critical, high-value minerals, South Africa is not doing well. In reality, the situation regarding mineral beneficiation is even worse across the continent. The move towards green transition technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy grids and advanced microprocessors has created a historic opening for African resource nationalism. Global demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper and platinum is projected to increase exponentially over the next decade. This creates an unassailable strategic leverage for African states and provides transformative macroeconomic opportunities. The first opportunity is the reshaping of globalisation. Traditional 20th-century industrial policies, such as inward-looking import substitution industrialisation, failed because they tried to isolate national economies from global trade behind high tariff walls, resulting in costly inefficiencies and foreign debt traps. Modern mineral beneficiation does not retreat from globalisation, it reshapes it. By refusing to export unrefined ore, African states can compel multinational corporations to relocate the high-value, downstream stages of production such as smelting, component manufacturing and final assembly, directly onto African soil. The second opportunity is technology transfer and skills dividend. When the state mandates that minerals must be refined locally, it forces a direct technology transfer from foreign monopolies to domestic enterprises. This demands the training of a sophisticated generation of African chemical engineers, metallurgists, data scientists and industrial technicians. The third opportunity is operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Area. The historical integration of Africa has been paralysed because intra-continental trade remains stubbornly low, hovering beneath 15% of total commerce. This is because African nations produce similar raw materials and sell them to the same Western and Eastern markets. By establishing a regional division of labour, individual states can build interdependent supply lines. For example, Zimbabwe’s lithium, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s cobalt and South Africa’s manganese can be pooled into a single, unified regional value chain to manufacture electric vehicle batteries in the subcontinent, creating a massive and captive internal market of over 1.4 billion people in Africa. But, the primary constraint facing mineral beneficiation is that refining and smelting are exceptionally energy-intensive operations. The extraction of raw lithium or manganese requires minimal local power, but turning those ores into industrial-grade concentrates or components demands a stable, uninterrupted and massive supply of electricity. Across many parts of the continent, national energy grids are under severe strain or near total collapse due to decades of underinvestment and institutional mismanagement. Another challenge is the imperialist countermeasures and tariff escalation. Developed economies have designed international trade architectures specifically to penalise African beneficiation through tariff escalation. Under Western and Eastern tariff structures, unrefined, raw African minerals are allowed to enter foreign markets with zero customs duties to feed their own factories. However, the moment an African state attempts to export refined metal sheet, copper wire, or processed component, the destination markets slap massive import taxes on them. In the ’60s and ’70s, genuine attempts were made in Ghana, Uganda, Egypt, Tanzania and Kenya to develop the continent through import substitution. This failed because Africa did not possess the internal capacity to produce the heavy machinery needed to run its factories, creating a dependency on Western capital goods. Mineral beneficiation is not merely an alternative industrial policy, it is an existential imperative for our sovereignty.

I don’t want to alarm anyone, but the human body is clearly a prototype that was rushed into production. There are just too many unnecessary features. And not enough upgrades, my hairdresser told me yesterday. Admittedly, she is known for her “free cracks at wisdom”. Hence her full appointment book. Let’s start with the obvious, the appendix, she went on while snipping away. A mysterious little organ whose main job is to sit quietly for years and then, one day, try to kill you. No warning. No explanation. Just pain and inflammation. Then there are wisdom teeth. Named, I assume, because you need a great deal of wisdom to understand why they exist at all. They arrive late, cause chaos, push everything out of alignment, and then get evicted like problematic tenants. Honestly, they’re the body’s version of uninvited relatives. Don’t get me started on toe hair. What evolutionary meeting did that come out of? Also, that one rogue eyebrow hair. It grows overnight, defies gravity and seems to have ambitions of its own. You can pluck it, but it will return. Stronger. Angrier. Possibly with friends. And then there’s the body’s ability to make weird noises at the worst possible moments. Your stomach will remain silent all day until you’re in a quiet room with other humans. Then suddenly it sounds like you’ve swallowed a washing machine. Now, while we’re clearly dealing with a flawed design, what should the human body have included? I asked with a straight face. A fuel gauge. Not for hunger, but actual fuel, she piped up immediately. A little digital display on your arm that tells you, “You have 12% energy remaining. Stop pretending you can function.” Also, a mute button. For everything. Knees that crack, stomachs that protest, people who insist on talking during movies. One button. Silence. And definitely interchangeable joints. Imagine being able to unscrew your knees after a long day and pop in a fresh pair. Or upgrade to “sports edition” on weekends. Game-changer, she giggled. And, finally, I would like to propose a rewind button. Not for life – just for moments. Like when you wave back at someone who wasn’t waving at you. Just a quick rewind. Two seconds. Dignity restored. But no. Instead, we got an appendix and toe hair. I had to agree with her. Here we are, walking around in bodies that creak, leak and occasionally betray us in public. And yet, somehow, we make it work.

Joost van der Westhuizen’s lookalike son Jordan has posted a touching tribute to his late father at a Springbok’s Greatest Rivalry match against the All Blacks at Ellis Park over the weekend. The late rugby hero died in 2017 after a painful battle with motor neurone disease He left behind his wife, Amore Vittone, and their two children. JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN’S SON POSTS TOUCHING TRIBUTE On his TikTok account, Joost van der Westhuizen’s son Jordan shared a collage of his time at the Springboks vs All Blacks match at Ellis Park last weekend. Jordan – a doppelganger for his dad with his brown hair and hazel eyes – wore a Springbok-themed shirt as he watched the team from the stadium seats. Jordan included a picture of him and his sister, Kylie, joining their famous father on the pitch The pic was taken at Ellis Park in 2014, amid Joost’s public battle with motor neurone disease As they did over the weekend, the Springboks took on the All Blacks, a respected rugby rival. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Joost was able to walk onto the field, beside his children, with the assistance of a ReWalk Robotic suit, which is designed to help individuals with lower-limb paralysis. The emotional scenes touched not only fans but also the players on the team, who won the match 27-25. WHAT IS JORDAN DOING NOW? Jordan van der Westhuizen was 13 years old when his dad, Joost, died of motor neuron disease in 2017. He is now 22 years old, has a flourishing modelling career and a blonde girlfriend, and is pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

LIVE UPDATES 90′ The referee blows his whistle three times. It ends Orlando Pirates 2-0 Sekhukhune United. 82′ The Buccaneers enjoy full control as they wind down the clock. 62′ Goal! Appollis taps in to punish Babina Noko’s defence. Radiopane with the assist. Orlando Pirates 2-0 Sekhukhune United. 49′ Ramabo’s header goes narrowly wide. 46′ The second half has kicked off. 45′ The referee has blown for the half time break. Orlando Pirates 1-0 Sekhukhune United. 36′ Goal! Radiopane hits the net inside the box. Orlando Pirates 1-0 Sekhukhune United. Sebelebele with the assist before Radiopane finished on the right channel. 28′ So close! Radiopane’s effort flies past the mouth of the goal. 28′ Msendami’s shot goes straight to Buthelezi’s hands. 17′ The visitors go on the counter but Sebelebele clears. The score remains Orlando Pirates 0-0 Sekhukhune. 3′ Save. Zulu’s attempt in the six yard box is denied by Buthelezi. 1′ Kick Off. We’re underway at the Orlando Amstel Arena. Orlando Pirates starting line up: Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema, Zulu, Hotto, Mokobodi, Mthiyane, Msendami, Masilela, Appollis, Radiopane. Substitutes: Dladla, 43. Chabatsane, 19. Rapoo, 20. Selepe, 26. Mmolai, 47. Ngwato, 49. Kgositsile, 23. Lungu, 31. Pedersen Sekhukhune starting line up: Buthelezi, Ndlozi, Matsimbi, Cardoso, Kazeem, Khiba, Mkhize, Ramabu, Rammala, Mojela, Ndlovu. Substitutes: Nsabata, Mcaba, Mobbie, Malivha, Tlaka, Mokoena, Phiri, Mahlangu, Nkwana. Orlando Pirates welcome Sekhukhune United to the Orlando Amstel Arena tonight, August 25, 2026, in an intriguing Betway Premiership clash scheduled for a 19:30 kick-off. The fixture is the second meeting in a demanding three-game trilogy between the two clubs over an eight-day period. The Buccaneers head into the encounter with the psychological advantage after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium just three days ago in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final. ORLANDO PIRATES TARGET ANOTHER WIN Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men currently sit at the top of the Betway Premiership standings and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. Bucs have shown encouraging consistency under their new coach, with their attacking approach allowing them to stretch opponents and create opportunities from wide areas. However, they will need to be cautious against a Sekhukhune side that caused them problems in the league last season. Babina Noko managed to claim a victory and a draw against Orlando Pirates in their two league meetings last season. That record will give Sekhukhune United confidence despite their recent defeat to the Buccaneers. SEKHUKHUNE UNITED SEEK RESPONSE Under new head coach Cedric Kaze, they arrive in Johannesburg sitting fifth on the log and looking to improve their attacking output. Kaze will have to make adjustments to his starting XI, with first-choice full-back Vuyo Letlapa unavailable through injury. Tshepho Mashiloane is also set to miss the match because of parent-club loan restrictions. Sekhukhune showed defensive discipline during Sunday’s MTN8 encounter, particularly when protecting their goal through a compact low block. However, they will need greater composure and sharper movement in the final third if they are to trouble the league leaders at the Orlando Amstel Arena. Orlando Pirates will therefore enter the match as favourites, but the demanding schedule and familiarity between the two sides could make this another closely contested encounter.

MTN alone has been pushing 90 million Sim cards a year, and says the base is riddled with bad registrations.

Group CEO Ralph Mupita wants an open system that routes tasks to the best frontier or open-weight AI models.