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New Zealand’s preparation for the pending 2025 Rugby Championship have suffered yet another blow with a first-choice halfback ruled out through injury. Cameron Roigard is not available for at least the two Tests in Argentina, New Zealand Rugby announced Sunday, with the scrumhalf joining a worrying injury list ahead of the Rugby Championship. READ: Rassie’s …
The GOOD Party in George expresses its concern over the misuse of disciplinary processes to target councillors for fulfilling their duties to the communities they were elected to serve.
The post GEORGE MUNICIPALITY: COUNCIL INVESTIGATIONS INTO COUNCILLORS MRQHULI AND LENTO appeared first on For Good.
Pieter Coetzé wrapped up an exceptional World Aquatics Championships by getting his hands on another silver medal. The 21-year-old added the 50m backstroke silver to his 100m gold and 200m silver, so becoming the only man to reach the podium for all three backstroke events at these championships. Coetzé lined up for the 50m final …
As African countries scale up collaboration with international mining companies to meet surging demand for minerals, African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 will provide a strategic platform to highlight the role of global players in advancing the continent's mineral production goals.
Craig Miller, CEO of Valterra Platinum, and Vinay Somera, CEO of Isondo Precious Metals, will join discussions on South Africa's Strategic Influence in the Global Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) Market, where the country maintains a dominant position, producing over 75% global platinum supplies. Valterra is expanding its operations to meet a refined output target of 3.4 million ounces in 2025, while Isondo is advancing efforts to use locally sourced PGMs in hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing.
Marna Cloete, President and CEO of Ivanhoe Mines, and Godwin Beene, Country Manager of First Quantum Minerals, are also confirmed to participate on the Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships: Building Resilience in a Consolidating Industry panel discussion. Both companies are pursuing large-scale investments to increase copper production in Zambia, supporting the country's ambition to produce 3 million tons annually by 2031. First Quantum is expanding its Kansanshi and Sentinel operations, and Ivanhoe continues development of its Kamoa-Kakula complex, considered one of the world's most significant copper assets.
The panel, The Future of Gold: Predicting Prices and Managing Market Volatility, will feature B2Gold Namibia's Country Manager John Ross and Pensana CEO Tim George. B2Gold is currently expanding Namibia's largest gold mine, the Otjikoto Mine, while Pensana is progressing Angola's flagship Longonjo rare earths project, which is expected to supply 5% of the global demand for magnet metals used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Darryll Castle, Director of Operations at TechMet Limited, will be present for discussions around the integration of digital technologies in mining operations. Meanwhile, Emma Townshend, Executive of Corporate Affairs at Implats and Board Member of Women in PGMs, will participate in a session focused on Women Pioneering Leadership in Africa's Mining Industry, with emphasis on promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
People who fought for miners with TB or silicosis to be compensated have raised the alarm, but mining companies defend the process
The blow risks the livelihoods of the company’s 500 employees and around 3 000 people working in its local supply chain. South African companies are already starting to face the impact of the US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with one losing R750 million in contracts overnight. Trump ordered the reimposition of 30% tariffs on dozens …
Find out what the latest weather forecast from the SA Weather Service means for your region for 4 August 2025. A cold front will arrive in South Africa on Monday, starting in the Western Cape and moving to the Eastern Cape on Tuesday. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said the cold front will come …
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is not having sleepless nights over the No.8 position ahead of the Rugby Championship. ADVERTISEMENT It’s a position that has garnered a lot of attention from the media and fans in recent weeks, especially with Jasper Wiese’s suspension. The 29-year-old will miss the first three matches of the tournament …
Five people, including a five-year-old child, were killed in a car accident in the early hours of Sunday on Rookdale Road in Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal. According to KwaZulu-Natal transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, one of the vehicles was completely engulfed in flames, with a victim burnt beyond recognition. Duma said the victims have …
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) (https://Meltwater.org/) today opened applications for the 7th edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC 2025), a pan-African pitch competition that equips high-potential startups with funding and hands-on support.
This year's edition is dedicated exclusively to FinTech startups, spotlighting founders who are reimagining how money is moved, managed, and insured across the continent. Applications run 30th July – 26th September 2025, after which 20 semi-finalists and 10 grand-finalists will be selected. The overall winner will secure a US $50,000 equity investment and the opportunity to pilot with strategic partners at scale.
“The MEST Africa Challenge is where Africa's boldest ideas find the opportunity to scale,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor & MAC Lead at MEST Africa. “Our partnership with Absa gives these visionary founders the lift they need—connecting them to the capital, expertise, and networks that turn promising startups into sector-defining businesses and drive inclusive growth across the continent.”
With US $30 million invested in more than 90 startups and 2,000 entrepreneurs to date, MEST is one of Africa's most active early-stage tech investors. The 2025 edition of MAC deepens that impact through a strategic partnership with Absa that aligns the competition with the bank's digital-finance priorities.
"Africa's future will be shaped by bold ideas, local ingenuity, and scalable innovation. At Absa, we recognize the critical role entrepreneurs play in driving inclusive economic growth. This partnership with MEST reflects our commitment to backing those visionaries and shaping the future of financial services. It complements our digital transformation strategy and reflects our purpose of empowering Africa's tomorrow, together, one story at a time,” said Omar Baig, Managing Executive: ARO Retail and Business Banking.
The collaboration between Absa and MEST aims to accelerate innovation by connecting FinTech startups with the resources and expertise needed to scale solutions that drive inclusive growth across Africa.
“Our partnership with MEST is a strategic step toward unlocking innovation that truly matters,” says Muhammad Ali Bhikhan, Managing Executive and Chief Information Officer at Absa Regional Operations. “It will allow us to connect with visionary startups, build a strong talent pipeline, and collaborate on solutions that can drive meaningful digital transformation and long-term impact across the continent, he concludes.”
Who should apply to MAC 2025?
MAC 2025 invites early-stage startups in FinTech and other high-value, value-chain solutions that are already active in at least one of Absa's priority markets — countries including Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana. To qualify, a company must be three years old or younger, show minimum monthly recurring revenue of US $5,000, and have raised no more than US $1 million to date. Each venture should have at least two co-founders, be able to pitch in English, and—while not mandatory—Delaware registration is considered an advantage.
Founders can submit a short online application, including a three-minute video pitch, on https://apo-opa.co/40P2V41 from 31st July, 2025. Virtual semi-finals will take place in late October, and the top ten teams will present live in Cape Town at the Grand Finale in late November.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa).
Media Contact (MEST Africa):
Ophesmur Adjei
Marketing and Communications Manager
marketing@meltwater.org
About MEST Africa:
Established in 2008 as the non‑profit arm of Meltwater, the Meltwater Foundation drives job creation and economic growth in Africa through software entrepreneurship. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the Foundation's Entrepreneurial Support Organization—MEST—delivers a full-time, in-person intensive tech‑entrepreneurship training to emerging talent from more than 22 African countries and provides early‑stage investment to promising ventures. To extend this impact, the Foundation launched MESTx, a suite of collaborative programs designed and delivered with like‑minded partners to expand digital‑skills training and startup acceleration across the continent. Since its inception, the Meltwater Foundation has trained 2,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 90+ startups across the continent—fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping Africa's next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Learn more about MEST Africa: https://Meltwater.org/
About Absa Group Limited:
Absa Group Limited (Absa Group') is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa's largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Kenya and South Africa. Absa also has offices in the People's Republic of China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.
For further information about Absa Group Limited, visit www.Absa.Africa.
A South African mountaineer answers a telemarketer mid-climb, and has us all in stitches. A little patience can go a long way, literally! South Africa (03 August 2025) – Josh Crickmay, a mountaineer, filmmaker, adventurer, author and ranger, has South Africans giggling after sharing how his friend took a telemarketer’s call – mid-climb, on the …
South Africa faces the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Trump’s strained relationship with the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Other African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days. The decision is a huge blow to South Africa, as …
African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) a subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments, through its IDEAS Fund, has successfully exited stakes in three prominent renewable energy assets, in a transaction valued at over R750 million. The assets include two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects and one wind project, all developed under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power …
The City of Tshwane has warned there is a risk that a large part of Soshanguve may have no water in the coming days as the Soshanguve L Reservoirs are continuing to experience excessively high water consumption. Tshwane said despite having sufficient supply from the Rand Water line, the reservoirs’ levels are unable to move …
Those in government will have to carefully allocate their resources and time in the current moment when there are so many urgent matters that require their participation and efforts. Don’t forget, the foot and mouth disease that we discussed extensively these past few weeks is still very much a challenge. The government, organised agriculture, and …
When a 19-year-old’s car wouldn’t start and her parent was hundreds of kilometres away, a stranger named Zaheer stepped in. Cape Town, South Africa (03 August 2025) – A small act of kindness in Cape Town has left a family deeply touched and reminded South Africans that everyday heroes still walk among us. On Sunday …
The continued erosion of ethical governance under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership is a betrayal of the democratic values South Africans fought to uphold. Research from a 2013 study on South African local government (ResearchGate) underscores a persistent pattern of ethical lapses among public officials, a crisis that has only deepened under Ramaphosa’s watch. The recent …
South Africa’s Champions crushed Pakistan by nine wickets in the final of the World Championship of Legends at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday night. Pakistan’s Champions posted a competitive 195 for five in their 20 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Opener Sharjeel Khan was the mainstay of their innings, scoring …
Malcolm Libera ·3 Aug 2025 The wave of US tariffs has begun to hit South African companies, with one alone losing R750 million in contracts overnight, which is likely a small drop in the ocean of what’s to come. Jendamark Automation has been caught in the crossfire of Washington’s latest tariff decisions. Managing director Siegfried …
The United States’ 30% export tariff on South African goods and the South African government’s failure to secure more favourable terms could cost a factory in Gqeberha R750 million, Rapport reports. Jendamark Automation employs 500 people at its South African factory, where it produces powertrains, catalytic converters, electric vehicle components, vehicle assembly systems, and software. …
Final warning for South Africa’s richest city – BusinessTech BusinessTech Final warning for South Africa’s richest city … Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reportedly given City of Joburg mayor Dada Morero two weeks to … Five illegal immigrants arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi – SAPS Services | SAPS (South African Police Service) It was during this …
Pieter Coetzé wrapped up an exceptional World Aquatics Championships by getting his hands on another silver medal. The 21-year-old added the 50m backstroke silver to his 100m gold and 200m silver, so becoming the only man to reach the podium for all three backstroke events at these championships. Coetzé lined up for the 50m final …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance welcomes the appointment of Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo as a crucial step in strengthening the Judiciary and the rule of law. Justice Mlambo is an experienced and respected member of the Judiciary who has served as the Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court for 13 …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply alarmed by ongoing reports of corruption, financial mismanagement, and abuse at the SAPS Training College in Philippi – issues that have remained unresolved despite investigations dating back to 2019. Most recently, it has come to light that recruits at the college are being compelled to purchase standard-issue …