The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for policy changes to bring about change to the country's current Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies of the ANC.
On Monday, the party slammed the current policies, which it said only benefitted a few politically-connected individuals.
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Tupperware, a household name in South Africa and beyond, is rewriting its story once again, this time by swapping its iconic plastic for durable glass.
With the launch of “Voila Glass”, the company is introducing oven-safe, non-toxic containers that can take you from freezer to oven to table.
It’s a bold shift for a brand long associated with school lunchboxes and pantry storage, and one that puts it in direct competition with familiar favourites such as Pyrex.
Since 1946, Tupperware has been a fixture in kitchens across the world, including in South African homes where “Tupperware parties” became a cultural staple.
After a rocky financial patch and a brush with bankruptcy, the brand is back with a fresh strategy - one that’s shaking off its plastic-only image.
The launch of “Voila Glass", its first ever range of glass containers, signals a new era for the company.
Officially launching in the United States on September 18, 2025, the “Voila Glass” line will roll out internationally in the months to follow, meaning South African shelves should see the collection before the festive season.
This puts it squarely in competition with glass kitchenware brands such as Pyrex, but with one major advantage: Tupperware’s airtight lids and steam-vent system, which combine durability with convenience.
The new collection comes in three sizes
A round container (1.7 L) for pies and single-dish meals;
A square (1.6 L) ideal for desserts
A large rectangular dish (3 L), perfect for lasagna or family casseroles.
Product features
Each piece is made from tough borosilicate glass, capable of withstanding –25 °C to 300 °C, making them safe to move from freezer to oven without cracking.
The design also features grippy rims for easier handling, built-in measurement markers, and airtight lids that lock with a press. A clever steam-release vent on each lid allows for clean, even reheating in the microwave.
Pricing
Pricing in the US starts at $24 (about R432) for the smaller dish, rising to $34 (around R612) for the largest.
A bundle of all three is offered at $74 (roughly R1,332), making it competitive with existing premium glass storage sets in South Africa.
To showcase the versatility of the range, Tupperware has even developed recipes like a Berry Cobbler Cake that bakes directly in the dish, highlighting how the containers can transition seamlessly from oven to dining table, then straight into the fridge for leftovers.
As Tupperware shifts its focus to sustainable innovation, “Voila Glass” marks an important milestone in keeping the brand relevant in today’s kitchens.
Botswana declared a public health emergency on Monday after hospitals ran out of essential medicines due to depleted government coffers and steep cuts in US aid.
The diamond-rich southern African country has relied heavily on mining to fuel its economy but faces persistent challenges that have eaten into its gem revenue, leaving most of its 2.5 million people grappling with unemployment and high poverty rates.
President Duma Boko said in a televised address on Monday that the country's medical supply chain had failed and announced over $18 million in emergency funding to restock clinics and hospitals.
"This scenario is not sustainable. We are taking bold steps to ensure that never again will Botswana suffer due to broken systems," he said, adding that the military would oversee drug distribution.
Earlier this month, Botswana's health ministry warned that the system was "severely strained" with $75 million owed to private health facilities and suppliers.
It cited shortages of medicines for hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, mental and sexual health, and stated that elective surgeries were postponed.
Botswana's vast diamond reserves, discovered just after independence from Britain in 1966, make up about 80% of the country's foreign earnings.
But sales have weakened in recent years, pushing a cash-strapped government to suspend certain ministerial purchases last month.
Sweeping cuts in US aid under President Donald Trump have further strained the economy.
Before the cuts, the United States funded a third of Botswana's HIV response, according to UNAIDS, and provided $12 million through the Global Fund to fight malaria and tuberculosis.
The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) said "urgent action" was needed to address the deepening medical crisis in the country, adding that one in five children was underweight in a western district near the Namibian border.
The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) , which represents affiliated federations of charismatic, evangelical outreach mission ministries and pentecostal churches, has raised the alarm about the escalating trend of church robberies, particularly around Mpumalanga.
This week, police in Mpumalanga have launched an investigation into a case of business robbery that occurred at a church in Mkhuhlu, Calcutta, on Sunday.
Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said three unknown suspects allegedly stormed the church while congregants were worshipping.
“The suspects, armed with firearms, instructed everyone to lie down. They then robbed the congregants of their cellphones, cash, and car keys. The suspects fled the scene in a white Volkswagen Polo, which belongs to one of the congregants,” said Ndubane.
“It is further reported that the suspects discharged several shots inside the church; however, fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.”
When police officers arrived at the scene, they found several spent cartridges on the church’s floor.
“At this stage, no arrests have been made, and the investigation continues,” said Ndubane.
“The police urge anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact Lieutenant Colonel Skhumbuzo Ceko on 082 922 9902, the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or send information via the My SAPS App. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and callers may remain anonymous.”
Acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the church robbery incident.
“It is deeply concerning that criminals now boldly target places of worship, which should be sanctuaries of peace and safety,” he said.
Speaking to IOL News, national spokesperson of the SA Union Council of Independent Churches, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said the frequent robberies suggest that churches are viewed as “soft targets by heartless criminals” who have no regard for the sanctity of life.
“The firing of gunshots in the house of the Lord shows the extent to which the criminals are desperate and will not stop at anything. Churches are therefore advised to take precautionary measures and minimise cash transactions for tithes as well as offerings particularly during evening services,” said Kgwele.
“We are appealing to police not to leave any stone unturned until the culprits who defiled the house of the Lord and put the lives of congregants at risk are behind bars.”
He suggested that increased police visibility around church neighbourhoods will contribute towards addressing opportunistic crimes that are terrorising churches and communities across South Africa.
Earlier this month, IOL reported that a church service in Klipfontein, Witbank, was violently interrupted when a group of armed suspects stormed the premises, robbing and kidnapping nine congregants, including the pastor.
Two suspects were arrested, and the victims were later found, according to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
“According to a report, on this fateful day, a group of more than five armed males stormed into the church premises, threatening the congregants with firearms. About nine church members, including the pastor and church elders, were present at the time, and were ordered to lie down,” Mdhluli said at the time.
The victims were subsequently searched by the armed intruders and tied with cable ties before being robbed of their mobile phones, wallets containing bank cards, laptops, as well as a computer screen belonging to the church.
“The suspects further demanded car keys and PIN codes for the mobile phones that they took. The victims were also forced into three vehicles belonging to them (the victims). The suspects then drove off to a remote area in the bushes, where two of them remained to guard the victims while the others went away, only to return later and collect their two accomplices,” said Mdhluli.
Family members of the victims later reported the incident to the authorities.
A former branch advisor at FNB has been barred from continuing her career in the financial sector following serious breaches of integrity.
A former branch advisor at First National Bank (FNB) has been barred from continuing her career in the financial sector following serious breaches of integrity.
Kgomotso Dikobe was debarred by FNB after she altered a client’s contract without the client’s consent or signature.
As a branch advisor, she was responsible for opening customer bank accounts and concluding relevant agreement with the customers.
As part of her job description, she was required to accurately capture customers’ bank details and ensure that the relevant customer signs the relevant documents once those details have been captured.
Where a branch advisor fails to record these details properly, they are recorded as having a “KYC Fail” (Know Your Client Fail), meaning they have failed to discharge their function.
In October 2024, Dikobe assisted a customer in concluding a business customer agreement and opening a business account.
After the customer had left, Dikobe's line manager informed her that she had incorrectly captured the customer’s name on the agreement documents.
Dikobe then amended the customer agreement to rectify the error and called the customer to return and sign the amended agreement documents. However, the customer was at that time not willing to come back and sign the amended agreement. It was already after 5pm.
Thereafter, Dikobe attempted to cut and paste the client's signature which was previously provided by the customer when signing the documents. However, her line manager told her that what she was doing was prohibited conduct and was grounds for dismissal. She reminded Dikobe that the customer was required to sign the amended agreement herself.
However, Dikobe told the line manager that if she reported this misconduct, people would think she had a personal vendetta against her.
In November 2024, Dikobe attended a disciplinary hearing and did not dispute that she had amended the customer’s agreement without the customer signing for those amendments, however, she disputed that she was guilty of misconduct. However, she admitted that she didn’t want a KYC failure on her record.
She was subsequently dismissed and unsuccessfully appealed the decision.
In December, FNB notified Dikobe of intentions to debar her on grounds that she had altered a customer agreement without the client’s signature, presence, or consent. Her actions violated the bank's policies, and she had been advised against this conduct but still proceeded.
She was eventually debarred in January 2025.
Unwilling to accept her fate, Dikobe sought recourse through the Financial Services Tribunal (FST), where she attempted to clarify her methods in amending the client contract. She asserted that instead of cutting and pasting, she had created a new document with the corrected information.
FNB opposed Dikobe's application, asserting that she had been warned that her actions could lead to dismissal. Instead, she attempted to persuade her line manager to cover up the misconduct. FNB contended that this demonstrated her unsuitability to be a financial representative, as she lacked honesty and integrity.
At the tribunal, it was noted that a correct contract is an essential part of the transaction, the consequence of an altered document without authorisation could undermine the transaction should a dispute ever arise between FNB and the customer. Dikobe, however, minimised the seriousness of her actions in changing the contract, failing to understand this critical factor.
"Altering a client’s contract without that client’s consent or knowledge is undeniable dishonest and reflects a blatant disregard for the principles of integrity and good standing expected of a financial services representative," said the tribunal.
In addition, the FST said Dikobe's conduct undermines the public’s confidence in the financial services industry and creates a significant risk of harm to clients.
"The respondent’s (FNB) decision to debar the applicant (Dikobe) was, therefore, based on sound legal and regulatory principles...The tribunal finds no grounds to interfere with the respondent’s decision to debar the applicant.," said the FST.
The murder case against controversial business tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, his wife, and two others is expected to resume at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, north of Johannesburg, on Tuesday morning.
He is expected to face additional charges as legal proceedings over the alleged attempted murder of socialite Tebogo Thobejane continue to unfold.
Matlala and his three co-accused appeared in court in Alexandra last month.
They face charges related to a 2023 shooting on the N1 near Sandton, during which Thobejane – known for her role in the television drama “Muvhango” – was shot in the foot. A female passenger sustained a serious spinal injury.
The state has announced plans to centralise two other pending matters – one in Pretoria West and another in Lyttelton – into the current case.
Magistrate Rennie Boshoff postponed proceedings to August 26.
“All the cases for the accused have been remanded to August 26,” Boshoff said.
During the court appearance, there was a large police presence by the members of the special task force.
Matlala, 49, appeared in shackles and was transported under heavy guard to the maximum-security C-Max unit at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
He is accused of orchestrating a network of corruption, fraud and violence.
The co-accused include his wife, Tsakani Matlala (accused number four), Musa Kekana (accused number one), and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela, also known as Danny (accused number two).
The charges include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.
In May, Tsakani Matlala was added to the charge sheet and granted R20,000 bail due to poor health and her role as a mother to young children.
Her bail conditions included surrendering her passport, remaining in Gauteng, and avoiding contact with witnesses or relatives of the other accused.
Matlala was arrested in Midrand on May 14, following what police described as a “high-profile investigation.”
He stands accused of orchestrating the alleged hit on Thobejane and laundering millions, including funds linked to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services tender.
The contract, awarded to a company linked to Matlala, was cancelled in May by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who said the firm should never have advanced past the initial bidding phase.
The contract has since been scrapped.
Once known for flaunting luxury vehicles and opulent properties, Matlala is now classified as a high-risk inmate at the C-Max unit in Kgoshi Mampuru Correctional Centre, where he is held alongside convicted killer Thabo Bester.
Matjhabeng Local Municipality is set to start generating its own electricity sooner than anticipated. Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa confirmed there are no legal barriers preventing the move, marking a significant step towards energy independence for the region.
Speaking during his visit to the municipality on Monday, Ramokgopa stated that the initiative is part of a broader intervention aimed at achieving universal electricity access for all, regardless of their demographics.
“There are about 1.6 million households in South Africa without electricity. We need to reduce that number, even in rural or informal settlements that have since been formalised,” said Ramokgopa.
He added that he would not be deterred by the annual budget allocation when it comes to initiating Matjhabeng’s procurement of generation capacity and other related projects.
According to him, the issue is not the size of the budget, but rather how it is utilised.
Although we have a budget of R4 billion, we are currently working with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) to attract additional investment. We already have seed capital, and the R4 billion is secured. This is funding received over time — the aim now is to leverage and accelerate its impact,” he said.
A delighted Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipha, said the construction work will be carried out by the municipality itself to empower local residents with skills and knowledge.
“We are preparing for our investment summit in October, which is intended to attract investors for our energy hub. The City of eThekwini already has its license — we’ll be visiting them because we want to be the first local municipality in the country to obtain that license, in the interest of our people. We want them to benefit. Construction will be done by Matjhabeng, not private contractors — we are going to empower our people,” he said.
Ramokgopa noted that Matjhabeng is home to 1,400 megawatts of Independent Power Producer (IPP) generation capacity, making the municipality a highly attractive location for energy production. He urged the municipality to begin investing in its own IPP projects rather than relying solely on the private sector.
