It arrived with slick branding on the packets, but an instruction leaflet in dense technical language and a warning that it should only be administered by a specialist.

A University of Johannesburg study has found that the number of underweight children in low-resource Gauteng schools doubled between 2020 and 2022, with researchers warning that rising food prices, unemployment and economic pressures are affecting children’s nutrition.

Who is Hangwani Morgan Maumela? Hangwani Morgan Maumela became well known through companies that secured contracts at Gauteng’s Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. He first gained national attention when whistleblower Babita Deokaran raised concerns about some of these companies. Deokaran was killed in 2021. Authorities allege that Maumela and businesses linked to him benefited from irregular procurement processes involving the hospital. A network of companies and family trusts Investigators have focused on a complex network of companies and family trusts allegedly connected to Maumela’s business interests. Court papers suggest these entities were used to acquire high-value assets, including luxury vehicles and premium real estate. Meanwhile, investigators traced the movement of funds linked to hospital tenders. The Special Investigating Unit has pursued preservation and forfeiture orders against several assets. It has also referred evidence of alleged criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible prosecution. The luxury car collection Picture: iStock Perhaps the most talked about aspect of Maumela’s lifestyle is his remarkable collection of exotic vehicles. Court documents and investigations have linked him to several high-end cars, including Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Ferraris, Bentleys and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Among the vehicles specifically identified are Ferrari 812 Superfast models, Ferrari 488 GTB sports cars, Aston Martin DB11 and DBS models, Bentley Continental GTs and multiple Lamborghini supercars. Industry estimates place the combined value of the collection at well over R60 million. This makes it one of the most valuable private vehicle collections to feature in a South African corruption investigation. Mansions and valuable property Picture: Supplied / SIU Beyond the cars, Maumela’s alleged wealth has been highlighted through luxury residential properties. His Sandhurst mansion in Johannesburg became the centre of national attention during a high-profile SIU raid. Authorities have also targeted additional properties through preservation and forfeiture proceedings. Recent court action saw the Asset Forfeiture Unit obtain a final order affecting assets valued at roughly R325 million. This includes luxury homes, high-end vehicles and other property allegedly linked to proceeds of unlawful activities. Maumela disputes the allegations, which have not yet resulted in criminal convictions. The controversy continues The latest developments have centred on the seizure of assets and disputes over ownership of several luxury vehicles. While some cars were temporarily returned to a dealership pending legal proceedings, the SIU maintains that investigations into the alleged procurement network continue. For now, Hangwani Morgan Maumela remains one of South Africa’s most closely watched businessmen. His extraordinary display of wealth has become a symbol of the questions surrounding public procurement.

JSE-listed retail group Pepkor Holdings Limited has announced a major consolidation in South Africa’s informal merchant sector, combining its Flash business with fintech provider Shop2Shop to establish a preeminent merchant commerce and fintech platform valued at approximately R21.3 billion. The merged entity, provisionally designated as “FintechCo” will process an aggregate annual throughput value exceeding R200 billion across both formal and informal economic markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Pepkor will acquire a 57.1% controlling stake in FintechCo through a dual transaction: A cash subscription of R1.57 billion for newly issued shares in Shop2Shop, which will be utilised to settle Shop2Shop’s existing debt and relevant corporate obligations. The full equity contribution of 100% of Flash, valued at R10.6 billion, in exchange for new Shop2Shop shares. The transaction serves as a core execution pillar in Pepkor’s strategy to accelerate expansion within its Informal Market Platform segment, creating a structured pathway toward a separate medium-term public listing for FintechCo. Strategic integration across the value chain The merger brings together two complementary operating platforms serving South African traders: Flash: Pepkor’s digital products and value-added services (VAS) distribution platform. Shop2Shop: A merchant-focused trade enablement platform offering acquiring, payments, cash management, and trade services. Together, the combined ecosystem expands coverage across the informal market value chain, linking physical cash handling, digital card acquiring, merchant payments, and VAS distribution. The platform will integrate into Pepkor’s broader retail-powered ecosystem, which encompasses 32 million known consumers. Commenting on the consolidation, Peter Berry, founder and CEO of Shop2Shop, noted: “Shop2Shop was founded to bring purpose-built solutions to South Africa’s large and underserved informal merchant market, to empower small business owners. “We’ve built a broad product set on a platform engineered for high-volume, low-cost transactions. With Flash, we are able to deepen our offering and scale, and position a proven fintech platform in South Africa,” added Berry. Financial track record and growth dynamics The merger combines two businesses demonstrating strong historical revenue and earnings growth trajectories. Consolidated audited figures for Flash and pro-forma management metrics for Shop2Shop highlight their standalone scale. The financial scale of both entities is underscored by their audited and management performance metrics leading up to the transaction. For the 12 months ended September 2025, Flash generated revenue of R11.152 billion, reflecting a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%, alongside Ebitda of R900 million (a 28% three-year CAGR), profit after tax of R488 million, and a net asset value of R657 million. Meanwhile, Shop2Shop recorded revenue of R9.327 billion for the 12 months ended June 2025, achieving a three-year CAGR of 28%, with Ebitda surging at an 85% three-year CAGR to R661 million, supported by profit after tax of R385 million and a net asset value of R521 million. Governance frameworks and ownership structure Post-implementation, Pepkor will hold a 57.1% majority stake in FintechCo, while the remaining 42.9% minority interest will be held by Shop2Shop (S2S), including management entities and employee structures. Following completion, entities related to Peter Berry will hold an indirect minority stake of 24.0%. Pepkor CEO Pieter Erasmus holds an indirect minority interest of 13.2% in FintechCo via a pre-existing minority stake in Shop2Shop that predates his executive appointment at Pepkor. Because Erasmus’s indirect holding in Shop2Shop is below the 35% associate threshold defined by JSE rules, the deal is not classified as a related-party transaction. Pepkor confirmed that strict governance protocols were maintained throughout negotiations, including Erasmus’s total recusal from all board deliberations regarding the transaction. The independent members of Pepkor’s board concluded that the transaction terms are fair and reasonable, supported by independent valuations and a voluntary fair-and-reasonable opinion. S2S shareholders have agreed to maintain a minimum 15% stake in FintechCo for at least five years from the effective date. To regulate liquidity prior to any medium-term public listing, the shareholders’ agreement includes reciprocal put and call option arrangements exercisable between five and eight years post-completion. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.

There weren’t too many surprises as Rassie Erasmus narrowed down the Springbok squad for the upcoming Test series against the All Blacks, but it has provided insights into who impressed the head coach the most during the July international window. When looking at the options at scrumhalf, the Springboks have an embarrassment of riches, with Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach firmly settled among the top two in the pecking order. In terms of back up options, you then effectively have Faf de Klerk, Embrose Papier and Herschel Jantjies all in close competition, while Jaden Hendrikse can’t be completely ruled out if he is able to get back to full fitness. As it stands, though, De Klerk remains out of the mix, and it won’t be easy for the 34-year-old to work his way back unless there is an injury or two. Rassie Erasmus makes his call at scrumhalf Interestingly, Embrose Papier – who was the in-form scrumhalf during the URC season – has now been released back to the Bulls after featuring against Scotland on 11 July. Van den Berg remains with the squad after recovering from injury, while Jantjies – who featured off the bench against Wales this past weekend – cracks the nod among the four scrumhalves retain in the latest 43-man group. After not featuring for the Springboks for three years, Jantjies now appears to have moved ahead of both De Klerk and Papier. “The players released to their franchises will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games if they are selected,” Rassie Erasmus commented. “Which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR (Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series), so we see this as a win-win situation for the team and players.” All to play for The Springboks have the week off to spend time with their families, with the 43-man squad set to assemble at their training base in Johannesburg on Sunday. They will train for a week before the travelling squad to Argentina (for a one-off Test on 8 August) departs for Buenos Aires in two groups the following Sunday and Monday to continue their on-field preparations for the match. The Springboks will face the All Blacks in four RGR Tests – at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (22 August), the DHL Stadium in Cape Town (29 August), FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (5 September), and the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA (12 September). Erasmus added: “We are limited in the number of players we can take to Argentina, so it makes sense to give everyone a fair chance to compete for spots in the RGR squad, and some of the players who will train in Johannesburg will be in the final stages of their recovery from injuries, which will allow them to do so under the supervision of our medical team. “Then there are other players who have played a lot of rugby this year and for us during the Nations Championship, and need a match off to allow their bodies to recover.”

Rassie Erasmus has named a 43-man Springboks squad for the next phase of the international Test season. Meanwhile, five players have been released back to their unions, suggesting they are in line to feature against the All Blacks in mid-week matches during ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series. FIVE SPRINGBOKS RELEASED TO THEIR UNIONS Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter, Jaco Williams and Embrose Papier have all been released to their respective unions. Mchunu, Roos and Venter will return to the Cape-based Stormers, giving coach John Dobson a timely boost ahead of the team’s clash with the All Blacks on Friday, 7 August. Meanwhile, Williams returns to the Sharks after an eye-catching Test debut against Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. The exciting speedster marked his first Springboks appearance with a try. Now, he is set to strengthen the Sharks for their meeting with the All Blacks on Tuesday, 11 August. Finally, the explosive Papier heads back to Pretoria to rejoin the Bulls. His pace around the breakdown and lightning-quick service will be a welcome addition as the Bulls prepare to host New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 15 August. ALSO READ: UPDATED WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS VAN HEERDEN ON STANDBY Meanwhile, the Springbok lock Ruben van Heerden was the only player placed on standby. Therefore, if the Springboks suffer an injury during training or while in Argentina, Van Heerden will join the national squad. The Springboks take on Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, 8 August in a once-off warm-up match. This Test match serves as their final preparation match before ‘RGR’ with the first Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August. PLAYERS RELEASED TO PLAY FOR THEIR UNIONS IN RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY Forwards: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all Stormers) Backs: Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Embrose Papier (Bulls) Standby: Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier) 43-MAN SPRINGBOKS SQUAD FOR NEXT STAGE OF INTERNATIONAL SEASON Props: Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Lions) Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears) Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls) Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers) Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls) Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers) Your thoughts on the Springbok squad selected to take on the All Blacks? Give us your thoughts and predictions in the comments below …

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