South Africa is concerned about the safety of its citizens in Iran, while calling for Israel and the Islamic Republic to de-escalate a conflict that has killed hundreds of people in four days.

“South Africa expresses deep concern regarding the escalation of hostilities between the state of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry of international relations said.

It deplored the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing exchange of missile attacks between Israel and Iran. 

Dozens of civilians, including 30 children, have been killed in Iran since Israel on Friday launched strikes on the country, targeting its energy and military infrastructure in attacks that killed nuclear scientists and senior army commanders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has termed it a pre-emptive operation aimed at halting Iran’s progress towards developing nuclear weapons.

In Israel, at least 14 people were killed on Sunday as a retaliatory barrage brought down an apartment block south of Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities said on Monday another eight people were killed overnight as missiles struck sites across Israel, including an apartment building in the central city of Petach Tikva.

“South Africa emphasises that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be considered legitimate targets,” the ministry said.

“We reiterate our urgent call for de-escalation, restraint and full compliance with international law by all parties to prevent further human suffering.”

The ministry urged South Africans in Iran to contact the country’s embassy in Tehran to communicate their whereabouts. But it cautioned that Pretoria’s diplomatic network in Iran was limited and that South Africans could not count on in-person consular assistance in case of a security emergency.

“Therefore citizens are further encouraged to assess their own safety and security and act accordingly.”

The conflict is expected to dominate discussions between world leaders at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, where they had been expected to focus on the war in Ukraine and the Trump administration’s tariff regime.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending the summit, which formally commences on Monday. In March his office rejected suggestions by the US state department that South Africa was working with Iran to develop nuclear arms.

On 16 June, Africa will commemorate the International Day of the African Child under the theme Planning and Budgeting For Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.

This consequential day in the history of human rights protection in Africa was created by the African Union in 1991 to honour and commemorate the lives of many South African students who were killed in Soweto on 16 June 1976. 

Every year on this day governments, civil societies and other development partners converge to discuss problems, opportunities and progress in promoting and protecting children’s rights in the Continent. 

Despite progressive efforts by African member states in children’s rights programming, there is a “cancer” that still requires proper diagnosis and troubleshooting. This cancer is deeply pervasive and alarming throughout the continent of Africa. It is child trafficking. 

Statistics and figures are difficult to obtain because of the clandestine nature of this criminal enterprise. But the available data and experts’ assessment paint a gloomy picture of the safety of children in Africa. 

Understanding and conceptualisation of child trafficking is becoming an issue in combating this sophisticated criminal activity. Child trafficking is the use of children for exploitation. It is a serious violation of international human rights law and standards. 

The definition of trafficking of children and trafficking of adults is different. For adults, trafficking means recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception to exploit them for profit. 

There is a fundamental difference between the general trafficking definition and child trafficking. When dealing with children, the use of force, fraud, deception and any other forms of fraudulent misrepresentation is not considered. What is considered is the fact that one uses a child for the sake of exploitation. 

Child trafficking is not only a movement-based criminality, as presumed by the majority. Even without crossing borders or moving from one place to another, trafficking can happen. It is happening in our backyards. It is a crime which can happen without movement.  

The most common forms of child trafficking in Africa are: 

Forced labour. The UN Report is showing that three in every four trafficking victims in West Africa are children. The International Labour Organisation reported that more than 70 million African children are estimated to be in child labour, and more than 30 million are in hazardous work. The agriculture sector accounts for the largest proportion of child labour. The majority of forms of forced labour in African States are found in subsistence commercial farming and livestock herding, and domestic work. Nearly 60% of children subjected to forced labour in Africa range from the ages of five to 11 years.  Other child labour trafficking hotspot sectors in Africa are timber production, mining and fishing sectors, where children are being subjected to unpaid labour for relatives and close family members. 

Sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation is a form of child trafficking ravaging the continent of Africa. Almost 80 million girls in Africa have been subjected to rape or sexual assault before their 18th birthday. The Sexual Exploitation of Children in Africa Report revealed that in Tanzania, more than 1,000 school-going adolescents were sexually exploited, in Uganda and Zimbabwe, 19% of children experienced some form of help in exchange for sex, in Nigeria over 8% of children were asked for sex in exchange of goods, in Kenya 7% of children reported having received money for sex.

Child marriages. Some African societies still practice child marriages, which is another form of child trafficking. More than 50 million girls in Southern Africa and East Africa are married before the age of 18. The core legal principle is that children cannot consent to any form of marriage. When a child is handed over to another family, she is likely to be subjected to a lot of harmful practices under the guise of culture, such as sexual exploitation, being forced to perform domestic duties, child care and other unpaid work, which amounts to exploitation. 

Child begging. The general thinking is that trafficking always happens behind closed doors and in the darkness. With a child begging, it happens in front of people and it’s normalised. Globally, it is estimated that traffickers are realising more than $40,000 in illegal profits from forced child begging. In most cities and towns in Africa, people see children on the streets and roadside begging. Parents and close family relatives are recruiting these children for begging using psychological and physical coercion so that they get public sympathy and donations. Children who are begging in the streets are also prone to sexual exploitation.  This denies children their right to education, security, safety, health and a normal childhood. 

Recruitment into armed conflict: Conflict and insecurity in some African states worsen child trafficking, which impairs their fundamental rights and freedoms. IN 2024, More than 4000 children were recruited by armed groups in the DRC, in Sudan, 277 children,  Mali 691 children were recruited in 2023,  These children carry arms and are used in combat or are forced to work with the armed group in its operations, acting as spies, messengers, porters, cooks, or cleaning camps, vehicles and weapons. 

Although the African continent has made efforts towards the promotion and protection of children’s rights, child trafficking is a deeply pervasive and alarming issue which requires concerted efforts from member states, Civil Society, UN agencies and all stakeholders to form a formidable front to tackle the scourge. African states should start investing in legal and policy measures, and the capacitation of players in the justice delivery system to secure an Africa which is fit for children. 

Zororai Nkomo is a human rights specialist, legal researcher with the African Union’s Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child with a multidisciplinary background in law, public prosecution, journalism and social justice advocacy. He writes in his personal capacity.

After 30 years of democracy, South Africa continues to grapple with poverty, unemployment and inequality. We remain a society defined by its dualities: rich versus poor, formal versus informal and insiders versus outsiders. 

Socio-economic statistics confirm the material effect of this reality. The richest 10% of the population own more than 85% of household wealth. Unemployment is at 32.78% — and even higher among youth aged 15 to 34, at 45.5%. The Gini coefficient is 0.63 and poverty stands at 21.6% with more than 10 million people living on less than R40 a day. 

As regards education, only 17.8% of the population have a tertiary qualification. It is within this reality — shaped by decades of formalised racial, spatial and economic inequality, and preceded by centuries of colonial domination — that social justice becomes a powerful rallying cry for a more equal, dignified and just society. 

Simply put, social justice advocates for a just and fair society where resources, opportunities and privileges are distributed equitably. It aims to ensure that society is founded on dignity and respect where all can enjoy equality of access and opportunity. On Youth Day, 16 June, it is worth highlighting that young people in South Africa are positioned to step up as champions of social justice and help transform the future of this country.

The isiZulu proverb “Ligotshwa lisemanzi”, which loosely translates to “to teach or to shape while it is still wet”, is appropriate. This proverb emphasises how crucial it is to mould people when they are still young, when their ideals are still developing and their minds are open. The call to social justice — which starts with establishing the values of equality, empathy and accountability from a young age — is powerfully captured by the insight provided by this proverb. It highlights the need to build a foundation for a generation that is not only knowledgeable, but also equipped to confront injustice and drive change by investing in the education and critical awareness of young people. 

The youth of 1976 did not have such a foundation. These brave young people led a popular uprising in Soweto against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools for black children. They did this without easy access to information, in the face of an oppressive regime and without fear of consequences they could suffer. Guided by a deep-seated belief in equality and social justice, they inspired, influenced, organised and led their peers in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

For many, the promise of such a society has not been realised in the last 30 years of democratic government. Persistent poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, unequal access to education and stubborn economic inequality are indicators of the widening gap between the Constitution’s ideals and the lives of millions of citizens. While the youth of 1976 fought for political freedom, this generation is called to struggle for the achievement of social justice. 

This struggle will require leadership firmly rooted in social justice. To paraphrase Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko, social justice should become more than just a theory; it should become “an attitude of mind and a way of life” that makes young people aware of their generational responsibility of advocating for a better, more just and more humane tomorrow. 

Biko once said, “the greatest weapon in the hand of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed”. This reminds us that consciousness must guide the actions of leaders because it is the starting point of action in a reality where many young people have become apathetic and disengaged from active citizenship. 

This consciousness begins with putting our shoulder to the wheel, volunteering in our communities, discussions with peers about social issues, providing thought leadership and holding our leaders accountable for their role in advancing our society. These actions all require leadership from the youth — a leadership that works hard, treats everyone with respect and remains uncompromising in its principles. 

History shows that the youth of this nation have been at the vanguard of change. Young people have continuously spoken up to confront injustice and demand a better future. The Soweto Uprising of 1976, the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements and the recent Justice for Cwecwe demonstrations are cases in point. That legacy calls upon us once more now, but this time it requires us to step up with ideas, compassion and principled leadership. 

Young people must lead the way in advocating for social justice. Our vigour, wisdom and inherent resistance to “the way things are” can propel the change our nation so desperately needs. We cannot fail in this mission, for fear that we prove the popular saying, “youth is wasted on the young”, correct.  

Being a student at Stellenbosch University has made me aware of the value of participation and diversity in a socially just environment. I have been able to further these aspects of social justice through my involvement in the university’s Zulu Society, which aims to create a space for cultural expression and community building where it previously did not exist. In spaces that have not yet healed from problematic views of Black people (in the Biko sense) and their cultural ways of being, free and respected cultural expression can be seen as a form of social justice because it allows for participation and a celebration of diversity that positively affects students’ experience at SU. 

In all that I do, I “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk”. As an advocate for substantive, actionable change that prioritises justice, representation and dignity, I firmly believe that today’s youth have what it takes to become champions of social justice and help realise the promise of a just and equitable South Africa. 

Senzakahle Mazibuko is completing a postgraduate certificate in education (history and French) at Stellenbosch University.

Africa is home to the largest youth population in the world. More than 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, equivalent to more than 800 million young people. This number is expected to grow and, by 2050, more than a third of the world’s young people (aged 15 to 24) will live in Africa, according to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2022. 

Africa’s “youth bulge” presents an opportunity: if properly harnessed, this demographic dividend could drive economic growth, entrepreneurship and innovation, expanded consumer markets, and rapid urban development. But reaping these benefits is only possible if the right investments and policies are made, particularly in education and skills training, infrastructure, and governance. 

Today, Africa stands at a crossroads. According to the African Development Bank, nearly 420 million youth aged 15 to 35 are unemployed and discouraged, and another third are vulnerably employed. Only one in six hold formal wage jobs. Many are stuck in vulnerable or insecure informal employment with limited prospects for upward mobility.

The consequences of inaction are already visible from youth-led movements such as #EndSARS in Nigeria, which evolved into protests against economic mismanagement and corruption, to anti-corruption protests in Uganda. With more than 670 million mobile phones in circulation — equivalent to one for every second person on the continent — the ability to connect, mobilise, and organise is unparalleled, increasing the pressure on governments to deliver or risk growing instability. 

The issue of youth unemployment is now one of the most pressing issues facing African leaders. If left unaddressed, it threatens to entrench cycles of intergenerational poverty, drive civil unrest and, in some contexts, create conditions that extremists can exploit. But there is a growing awareness that the tide can be turned through targeted, forward-looking policies.

Some African countries are taking charge with targeted policies and programmes aimed at promoting youth employment. For example, the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme implemented by the United Nations Development Programme provides a win-win opportunity for host organisations by accruing zero recruitment costs to provide a 12-month placement and by cutting lead time on resources spent recruiting entry-level jobs while also supporting fresh graduates by connecting them to work opportunities. This enables them to translate theoretical knowledge gained in college into transferrable skills required by the labour market. 

Such programmes also help level the playing field, particularly in countries as competitive as Nigeria, which has more than 600,000 graduates from university each year, and where opportunities often favour individuals with greater access — through social or political networks — including those who can cover the financial cost of experiential learning (given that most internships are unpaid). Such programmes represent a blueprint that can be replicated in countries with a vibrant private sector such as Kenya and South Africa. 

In Rwanda, technical and vocational education and training reforms aim to institutionalise a coordinated approach to addressing the mismatch between education and market demands by co-developing curriculum with industry inputs, mandating internships and apprenticeships in private firms and setting up mechanisms for tracking graduate employment outcomes. This has resulted in 67% of graduates being employed within six months, according to the Rwanda Workforce Development Authority in 2019. 

In other countries, investments in expanding access to primary and secondary education by eliminating tuition fees or providing cash incentives to families for sustained enrollment have made a difference. Kenya, Malawi and Uganda saw significant increases in school enrollment after eliminating tuition fees for primary and secondary education. These efforts support a solid literacy and numeracy base necessary for future workforce readiness.

Another promising initiative is Kenya’s Ajira Digital programme, which was developed in partnership with the government, private sector (Master Card) and learning institutions to train youth in digital freelancing skills and connect them to employment opportunities. Since its launch, the programme has supported more than a million youth to be trained, mentored and earn income in the gig economy. 

According to research by the World Bank, skills investment in Sub-Saharan Africa should aim to achieve three policy goals: accelerate overall productivity growth (prosperous economies); promote economic inclusion (inclusive societies); and ensure the adaptability of the workforce in the 21st century (resilient economies and individuals). 

Current policies and institutions in Africa need to be more strategically aligned to balance the immediate needs of a largely agrarian or self-employed workforce against the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy that increasingly values digital and managerial skills. This requires stronger partnerships between education and training institutions and the private sector, supported by policymakers who create incentives and frameworks to reinforce these linkages in the school-to-work pipeline. 

Simultaneously, governments must support informal workers, who make up the largest portion of Africa’s workforce, through social protection programmes and pathways to formalisation. These should include access to finance and credit, simplified business registration platforms and tax incentives for micro and small enterprises to gradually bring them into the formal sector. 

Africa’s youth represent its greatest asset. If governments, civil society, education institutions  and the private sector can work together to ensure access to quality education, relevant training, and decent employment opportunities, the continent could unlock a wave of innovation, prosperity, and stability. But if this window of opportunity is missed, the consequences could be severe, not just for Africa, but for the world.

Jean-Luc Stalon is the resident representative at the United Nations Development Programme based in the Central African Republic.

South Africa’s young adults make bold yet careful financial decisions and not splurging on luxury brands on credit, as they are often stereotyped as doing, Standard Bank’s inaugural Youth Barometer Report has noted.

The study, which drew on insights from Standard Bank’s personal and private banking divisions as well as from insurance data from Liberty, showed how the bank’s three million clients aged 18 to 35, from 2023 to 2025, allocated income between essentials and discretionary spending, while managing home loans, vehicle finance and insurance. 

According to the barometer, more than 15% of youth in Standard Bank’s credit card customer base earned just over R50,000 a month, while  36% earned less than R5,000 and 43% earned R10,000 or less, signalling significant income diversity in the demographic.

“Our research shows … young people are making intentional, informed choices in how they spend, borrow and save,” said Tshiamo Molanda, the head of youth and mass market segments at Standard Bank.

“From saving for their first home to budgeting for reliable transportation — often through second-hand cars — and ensuring their extended families are protected with funeral cover, this generation is making thoughtful trade-offs with intent and maturity.”

The study found that people aged 18 to 24 allocated the highest share of their income to essentials (58%), focusing on groceries, transport and housing, clothing, healthcare and education. 

This group also showed a strong affinity for fast food takeaways, spending the highest proportion on dining out compared to older youth segments. Fitness and self-care spending on items such as clothing was nearly double that of the 30 to 35 age group, reflecting their prioritisation of wellness. 

“This tells us that younger age-groups have a higher brand affinity to luxury brands,” Shené Mothilal, a digital money manager at Standard Bank said.

Popular clothing destinations for this group included Mr Price, Pep, Ackermans, Shein, H&M and luxury outlets such as Farfetch, Louis Vuitton and Timberland.

The 25 to 29 age group spent 53% of their income on essentials, with groceries, digital connectivity and clothing still featuring prominently. But spending on insurance and loan repayments was higher for this group, indicating growing financial maturity and credit record building. 

Although their fast food spending remained high — second only to the 18 to 24 group — this age group reflected a slight decline in discretionary spending on eating out and entertainment. But they spent more on fashion, favouring brands such as Foschini, Shein and Markham.

By the time they reached 30 to 35, young adults showed an even split between essentials and discretionary spending (49:51) according to the barometer.

They dedicated the highest proportion of their income to insurance compared with the other groups, nearly double that of the youngest segment, and also allocated significant funds to loan repayments, especially for those earning R10,000 to R20,000 a month.

Clothing spend declined compared to younger groups, with this age group favouring affordable and mid-range brands such as Pep, Ackermans, and Mr Price. Their spending on travel and entertainment was also the lowest of the segments.

Credit card penetration among under-35s remained relatively low, accounting for just 16% of Standard Bank’s credit card base. The youngest group comprised only 1% of cardholders, reflecting lower incomes and cautious credit use.

“Many under-35s use their cards primarily for daily essentials like groceries and personal care, as well as transport and dining out,” said Tumelo Ramugondo, head of credit cards at Standard Bank. 

He said customers in the 18 to 24 age group were also conscious of interest charges and made on average three repayments to their cards a month.

Ramugondo added that young adults were also increasingly adopting Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) credit services, with purchases doubling from R102 million in 2023 to R200 million in 2024. 

 “This group is getting smarter about using credit cards to benefit from rewards and to access additional liquidity, especially when repayments are made within the 55-day interest-free period,” Ramugondo said.

According to the barometer, homeownership aspirations were strong across all youth groups. 

From January 2023 to April 2025, 74% of all new home loan applications were from first-time homebuyers, with youth accounting for about 40% of new home loan inquiries. The average home loan granted was R1.2 million, with 70% approved for a term of 20 years.

“Youth are aspirational and determined to enter the property market. For many, owning a home represents both stability and a long-term investment, even if they have to stretch affordability to get there,” Toni Anderson, head of home services at Standard Bank said.

Young people made up 37.7% of Standard Bank’s vehicle finance customers with 65.1% financing their cars without a deposit and 41.4% opting for balloon payments. A significant 73% opt for pre-owned vehicles, with Volkswagen, Toyota and Suzuki leading the pack.

Insurance funeral cover, which often covered extended family, was the most popular insurance product among under-35s, with the youth, mostly women, comprising 26% of all policy holders.

But life insurance lagged, with only 16% of under-35s holding policies, reflecting lower affordability thresholds, immediate cultural priorities and a tendency to prioritise shorter-term risk mitigation over longer term planning.

Dear Young South Africans,

On the morning of 16 June 1976, thousands of students rose with purpose in their hearts. They marched through the streets of Soweto — not with weapons, but with bravery and the unshakable belief that they deserved more: the right to learn, to thrive and to define their own future. That march became a turning point in South Africa’s history. It proved what the youth can do.

Today, nearly five decades later, we face a different kind of struggle. The challenges confronting our youth are no longer just political. They include poverty, inequality, unreliable electricity, outdated education, under-resourced healthcare and one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. As of 2025, 46.1% of South Africans aged 15 to 34 are unemployed (Statistics South Africa, Q1 2025).

But once again, the youth hold the power to lead a transformation. This time, not just through protest, but through innovation.

We need a new kind of uprising. One where we rise through science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation (STEMI). A generation that doesn’t just inherit the future but builds it.

South Africa now stands at the edge of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), which is a moment in history where machines can learn, data can guide decisions and technology can transform our lives. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to detect pneumonia from chest X-rays, guide cancer treatment pathways, manage energy consumption and even personalise digital education platforms for students in under-resourced schools.

These are no longer global fantasies. They are real opportunities. And the question is: will we, the youth in South Africa, lead this revolution or be left behind by it?

Let us be clear that technology alone will not save us. People will. Specifically, young South Africans who are bold enough to imagine, and build, a better way.

We don’t just need African AI in African hospitals. We need African AI in African classrooms. African AI in our energy grids. African AI guiding public service delivery. We need AI tools that understand our problems, and we need young local minds building them.

This is where T-shaped thinking becomes vital. In the 4IR, it’s not enough to only master one field. We need people with deep expertise in one area, and broad curiosity across others — thinkers who can connect the dots between science and society, code and compassion, data and dignity.

Throughout history, it’s been multidisciplinary minds who’ve shaped the world. Albert Einstein was a scientist and a humanist. Marie Curie bridged chemistry and medicine. Leonardo da Vinci painted masterpieces while sketching inventions centuries ahead of their time. They didn’t fit into boxes, and neither should you.

Now imagine what happens when you, a young person from Gqeberha, or Soweto, or Mitchells Plain, start asking your own questions. You don’t need a PhD or funding to begin. You need a mindset of possibility.

Could you build an app that reduces clinic wait times? Code a tool that teaches math in isiXhosa? Train a model that optimizes solar power in your area? Or even use data to redesign the grant system for more transparency?

These are not pipe dreams. They are projects waiting for your fingerprint.

Start small. Learn to code. Python is beginner-friendly. Use free platforms like Zindi Africa, Kaggle or Coursera. Join a local science club. Solve one tiny problem in your community. Then another.

We are not building for Silicon Valley. We are building for KwaMashu. For Mdantsane. For Africa. And our solutions must be rooted in our realities, not imported models that don’t fit our needs.

Because the energy crisis won’t be solved from London. The school dropout crisis won’t be fixed from New York. The health disparities won’t be healed by someone who doesn’t speak our languages.

Only we can build a future that belongs to us.

Youth Day must be more than memory — it must become a movement. Just like 1976, the most powerful tool is still in your hands. But this time, it may be a keyboard.

As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”

And as I say to you today: Don’t just be a consumer of technology, be a creator.

Because the revolution that matters now is one that lights homes, heals patients, elevates education and unlocks the minds of our youth.

If even one of you becomes a climate-tech innovator, an education-tech leader or a cancer researcher — imagine the legacy. Now imagine thousands of you.

This Youth Day, see your mind as your superpower. Your ideas as your responsibility. And your role in South Africa’s story as irreplaceable.

We are not just descendants of the past. We are authors of the future.

Let us build boldly. Let us code with compassion. Let us lead with integrity. Let us rise. With purpose and pride.

Dr Zakia Salod is a medical AI research scientist, software developer, artist and philanthropist. Mail & Guardian Power of Women awardee 2024, STEMI category, youth leader and multi-awarded STEMI advocate in South Africa.

One of the big lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was how a war hundreds of miles away can have an impact on daily life in the UK.

As the price of a barrel of oil shot up, so did our energy bills, and the cost-of-living crisis that was already hitting households hard was exacerbated.

It now appears that Iran and Israel are on the path towards a full-scale regional war, with neither country paying much attention to international calls for calm heads.

As death tolls rise and destruction spreads, many Brits will be concerned about where it’s all going to end – and wonder if we’re likely to see a repeat of three years ago.

Asked if the government could step in to pay steep energy bills, as the Conservatives did in 2022, Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC: ‘I’m not taking anything off the table.’

However, she cautioned: ‘We’re not anywhere near that stage at the moment – indeed, in July, average energy bills are going to come down by about £100 a year.’

Unsurprisingly, events in the Middle East – one of the world’s top oil producing regions – have an impact on the price of oil.

Following Israel’s attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, the cost of a price of a barrel of oil jumped sharply. But there’s a risk the knock-on effects for Brits are much more broad.

Rise in bills

The increase in energy prices largely resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was so significant, the government decided to step in and offer an ‘energy price guarantee’.

If it had not, the price cap for bills could have been pushed north of £4,000 for the typical household.

The invasion pushed oil prices to almost $130 a barrel, meaning costs to suppliers soared, and that was passed down to customers.

After an initial jump of 10% after Israel’s first strikes on Friday, the cost of a barrel of oil has dropped back to $75 – lower than it was in January.

But the big question is whether this conflict will continue for more than a few days or a couple of weeks. That could result in higher prices on a more sustained level, which could feed through to bills.

End in cuts to interest rates

The Bank of England’s base interest rate has a direct impact on households across the country, as it is widely used to set the interest rate on mortgages.

It’s also used by the Bank to try and push down inflation when it gets a bit too high – when the interest rate is increased, people spend less in the economy, which brings down inflation.

Since inflation in the UK has fallen from its extreme high in 2022, the Bank has steadily decreased its interest rate over the past year, easing the pressure on people with a mortgage to pay.

But high energy prices mean items in shops get more expensive, and if they become more expensive than they were a year ago – well, that’s the definition of inflation.

Dr Muhammad Ali Nasir, an Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Leeds, explained the potential impact.

He told Metro: ‘If the increase in energy prices causes another round of sharp increase in inflation, the central bank could change the direction of their policy and start to increase the interest rates again, causing more pain to the household and firms in terms of their borrowing costs.’

New wave to cost-of-living crisis

A sustained increase in energy prices would be enough to increase the cost of a weekly shop in the UK on its own.

But that’s not the only way the conflict between Israel and Iran could have an impact.

There have been concerns Iran could try to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital supply line for global oil as it links the oil fields of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and wider ocean.

But Dr Nasir suggested events could lead Iran’s Houthi allies to step up their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which leads to the Suez Canal.

He said: ‘This could be a massive shock to global trade which is already suffering due to the [US-China] trade war.

On top of that, the economist said there is a ‘sharp increase in the uncertainty around the economic and trade policy due to the conflict’ as the world wonders what will happen next.

‘Overall, this conflict is the last thing the global economy wants at the moment,’ he said, before adding: ‘Of course, loss of human life is an even bigger issue.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

It’s not often that you hear about a huge residential development in the centre of Cape Town being cancelled. Especially one that had already broken ground and was poised to make African property development history by being the first biophilic — or nature connected — building in Africa.

But that’s what has happened with The Fynbos on 142 Bree Street. 

What was once marketed as Africa’s first truly green residential tower — a sleek, visionary project with sustainability at its core — has now been called off. 

Construction has been slow, and there has been little activity on the erf over the past year. Aside from a couple of bulldozers occasionally sprinkled on the site, there has been little movement.

On 13 May, the developer of The Fynbos informed purchasers that the original plan had been cancelled.

The reason? A shift in the market and strategy. According to a notice sent to purchasers, the original developer, Lurra Capital, made the call to withdraw. The site has since been handed over to a new player: Tricolt. It’s a familiar name in the jungle of Jozi. And this will be its second Mother City project in the pipeline. 

The Fynbos wasn’t just another boutique build with a couple of dozen apartments and some rooftop amenities. A cancellation of this magnitude is a big deal. 

With 689 residential units right in the middle of the city centre, it would have been one of the biggest projects ever launched to market over the past decade. 

For a city already grappling with housing pressure and a tricky approval process for new large-scale projects, this cancellation isn’t just a bump in the road; it’s a thunderclap. 

The original site had a decent-sized building on it that housed a Supa Quick Fitment centre and a debt-management company in the office section at the top. Spear Reit was the original owner of this building and sold it to a shelf company with one director for a whopping R150  million. A few months later, The Fynbos scheme was launched to market. That’s a pretty high land acquisition cost. 

It raises questions about confidence, funding and the appetite for large-scale residential developments of this kind in Cape Town. It also speaks to the complexity of the inner-city property market, where buyers want well-located, future-proof apartments, but developers are having to juggle construction costs, interest rates, political instability and shifting buyer sentiment.

From my point of view, it also underscores just how fragile even the most hyped projects can be. When a site that is this high profile hits pause, even after excavation, lateral support and years of planning, it’s a reminder that the market remains volatile. Even with all the right ingredients (and paired with reputable developers), nothing is guaranteed.

While the cancellation is a blow, it’s not entirely depressing, because the baton has now been passed to a developer with a track record of making things happen. 

I’ve been following Tricolt’s work for years. It’s not your average developer churning out cookie-cutter units on the city fringe. It plays big, bold and beautifully.

It was founded by Tim Kloeck, whose first project was building his own house. He scaled the company from the ground up. Tricolt is now one of Johannesburg’s premium residential developers. Since 2010, it has completed more than 5 000 luxury residences, with an end value north of R16 billion. It’s currently juggling eight projects in Gauteng, with a combined development value of more than R5  billion.

One of Tricolt’s standout developments is Ellipse Waterfall, with four sleek high-rise towers in Waterfall City, built in partnership with Attacq Ltd. The first three towers are sold out. The final tower, Galileo, is nearly complete. Price tags? About R8  million to R15  million for penthouses, with one record-breaking unit that sold to a tenant who lives in it for a staggering R95  million — the most expensive penthouse ever sold in Gauteng.

And then there’s Olympus in Sandton, which was launched in February this year with 510 units. Tricolt has partnered with South Africa’s largest listed landlord, Growthpoint Properties, to bring this project with an estimated project value of R2  billion to life. It hit R1.3  billion in sales just weeks after launch. That’s some serious momentum if you ask me. 

So, when I say this site in Cape Town is in good hands, I mean it. This isn’t just about swopping developers. It’s about a shift in vision, scale and delivery capability.

Tricolt has a proven model: large-scale luxury, desirable locations, amenity-rich living, and an understanding of the modern investor-buyer. It partners with big names and isn’t afraid to spend to deliver a polished product. The developments are aspirational and experiential.

Amenities in Tricolt’s developments include rooftop sky bars, wine cellars, wellness centres, boutique spas, co-working lounges, fire bomas, pools with a view and plenty of imagination and detail.

I am excited to see what Tricolt will do with 142 Bree Street, Cape Town, which should put it to the test. Cape Town is not Johannesburg. The property market there dances to a different rhythm. It’s slower, more cautious, fickle and preservation-focused, with far stricter heritage overlays and municipal red tape. Add to that a highly vocal local community, and it becomes clear that this will be a new kind of challenge for Tricolt.

Although the Cape Town market has its quirks, the fundamentals remain strong: high tourism appeal, robust short-term rental performance and growing interest from investors — for the right product, in the correct location.

Word on the street is that Tricolt is planning more Cape Town launches soon. 

Its first new development here (aside from the former Fynbos site) will be a boutique block of 35 apartments called Cantabella, launching in Gardens in July 2025. It will be located at the corner of Buitengracht and New Church streets. This is also a prime node with walkability and stunning views. 

So what does this mean for the Cape Town property market? 

It brings fresh capital, expertise and new energy, and perhaps a mindset shift. One that treats Cape Town not just as a postcard city, but as a viable, investable, scalable place to build aspirational living spaces at scale.

Naturally, we need to acknowledge the original vision behind The Fynbos. It was meant to be Africa’s first green residential tower, a vertical forest in the city, a symbol of sustainable urban living. The cancellation of that specific concept is disappointing. The 1  200m2 vertical garden was to consist of 20 species of shrub and 30 species of trees. Older development brochures used to boast that “flying” gardeners would have been a first for Cape Town when it came to TLC of the garden. 

But I also believe that sometimes, projects evolve, and that’s okay.

The bones are still there. The location is world-class. The groundwork has been completed, with the basement and lateral support work already done. And now, a new chapter begins. Construction could restart next year pending city approvals. No new plans or renders have been released yet. The entire scheme is being redesigned. That means new layouts, new pricing (probably higher) and a new vision that is in the planning stages. Updated details are expected within the next four to six months. 

Buyers who were initially signed up for The Fynbos have been refunded, and Tricolt has extended an olive branch: it’s offering to cover the first year’s levies for those who choose to re-invest. 

Yes, losing The Fynbos as originally envisioned is a blow to Cape Town’s skyline and its sustainability ambitions. But this is not the end of the story. 

Ask Ash examines South Africa’s property, architecture and living spaces. Continue the conversation with her on email (ash@askash.co.za) and X (@askashbroker).

On 12 June, the United States department of agriculture released an update to its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, presenting an optimistic outlook for grains and oilseeds production. 

For example, the department forecasts 2025-26 global wheat production at a record 808 million tonnes, up 1% from the previous season. This is based on the expectation of an ample harvest in the European Union, Russia, Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom and India, among other key producing countries. 

With that said, consumption is also expected to remain strong, mainly because of the rising demand for food, feed and industrial use in various countries. Thus, the stocks may remain slightly tight, estimated at 262 million tonnes, down 0.5% from the previous season. Still, wheat prices have come under pressure in recent months and could remain at relatively lower levels for some time. 

Moreover, the department forecasts a 2025-26 global maize harvest of 1.3 billion tonnes, up 3% from the previous season. There are expected ample harvests across most major producing countries, mainly the US, Brazil, Argentina, Ukraine, China, European Union, India and Russia. 

But industrial use, feed, and food consumption are also set to increase, thus pushing stock levels down by 3% to an estimated 275 million tonnes. This means that although global maize production has increased, the price levels of maize may remain stable or possibly rise slightly due to robust demand. 

The department forecasts global rice production for 2025-26 at 542 million tonnes, a 0.1% increase from the previous season. There are expected large harvests in various Asian major producing countries that support this decent harvest, primarily India, Vietnam, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Importantly, with consumption expected to remain stable, maize stocks increased by 0.3% from the previous season to 188 million tonnes. 

Also worth noting is that the 2025-26 global soybean production is forecast at 426 million tonnes, a 1% increase from the previous season. There are expected to be decent supplies in South America, China, India, Ukraine and the US, among others. 

Although global soybean consumption is expected to remain strong, stocks will still be decent. The 2025-26 global soybean stocks are forecast at 124 million tonnes, a 1% increase from the previous season. 

Importantly, these optimistic production prospects depend on the Southern Hemisphere season, which begins in October. In the Northern Hemisphere, the planting season is under way and looking favourable in most regions. 

But, for the Southern Hemisphere, it will be a few months before we have some level of comfort regarding the agricultural conditions, and the weather outlook in key producing areas of South America will be a primary focus, among other things. 

Still, these preliminary estimates indicate a substantial grain and oilseed harvest for the 2025-26 season. 

Wandile Sihlobo is an agricultural economist.

When I saw the news about Poundland closing hundreds of stores and potentially shedding thousands of jobs following a sale, my mind created a slide deck of historical high street grief.

Woolworths, BHS, C&A, Jane Norman, Blockbuster. Institutions I never thought would go, until they did. And now, although Poundland has been ‘saved’, the chain remains in crisis, and I for one feel sadness and panic. 

Not just because I go there fortnightly to feed my tealight obsession and fulfil my Biscoff biscuit habit without breaking the bank, but because it’s been with me through every era of my life. It’s more than a shop. It’s a part of my story. 

I first found this quids-in heaven as a poor, caffeine-addicted media studies student at the University of East Anglia in the late 90s.

There it stood, strategically based opposite the bus stop. A welcoming turquoise oasis with student-friendly prices, a place where a pound went far enough to stop you starving. 

Coffee, toothpaste, soups, soaps, shampoo, shower gel, medicine, even makeup that might make you look slightly orange, all for that one pound coin. 

It truly did feel like it had everything, and remember this was long before Aldi’s infamous middle aisle. 

Student finances didn’t stretch far, even back then, and Poundland became part of my survival system. I still associate the whiff of Dove shower gel with that time in my life. 

Reactions to Poundland’s sale are a mix of humour and economic doomscrolling. Of course it was purchased for a pound.  

The social media spiral of laughter has turned into late-stage capitalism rage. One minute it’s ‘best headline of the year’ bants. The next, meltdown about venture capitalists and our obliterated high streets.  

In a way, that reflects my relationship with the brand. I used to laugh at Poundland and then rely on it. It was a joke then a lifesaver. 

In my early career, I had the odd period of joblessness, like basically every other media graduate. When I was unemployed, dragging myself to the Jobcentre at 9 am on a Monday, the local Poundland was, once again, opposite. 

Then, it wasn’t merely a cheerful student staple, but a genuine lifeline. 

Single, skint, and scared of my overstretched mortgage payments, I found myself back in those aisles with more desperation than joy. 

This time, searching for a 2-in-1 shampoo and a sense of purpose. I’d walk out of one soul-destroying queue at the Jobcentre and into another, but at least the second had KitKats and Toilet Duck.

And I’d have change from a fiver. Poundland. Constant. Familiar. Cheap.

Fast forward to now, while I’m doing financially better, I’m still going. Every couple of weeks, I pop into one of my local Poundlands. It’s a little ritual. 

This time for wood polish and bin bags instead of pot noodles and lip gloss. I pick up gardening bits, essentials, books, the occasional out of season tat (everyone loves Christmas lights in June). 

And even before yesterday’s news, there was a snobbishness around Poundland, even from those who want us all to shop more mindfully. The same people who crow about ‘buying less and better’ are, in my experience, often the first to sneer at those who can’t. 

They mock budget shops while preaching sustainability, forgetting that a cheap washing powder might be the difference between dignity and desperation for someone who can’t afford to find the best organic sustainable option. 

Sure, it’s not exclusively the land of £1 anymore. But that’s about inflation, not betrayal. It’s still a cheap and accessible high street shop. Still serving people who need it most. This isn’t about cheap Fairy Liquid. It’s about people. Real people. 

Those jobs are under threat. Communities that can’t afford to lose any more from the high street without turning into ghost towns.

So yes, this news has hit me. Hard. And while Poundland might not have the nostalgia of something like the Woolworths pic ‘n’ mix, it’s a potential loss we should take seriously.

I pray Poundland survives. And stays how it is: Unpretentious, practical, comforting in its chaotic seasonal aisles, without aimless diversification (part of the chain’s problems stem from the chain’s misguided focus on clothing). 

If it does go the way of Littlewoods or Topshop, I’ll mourn it. Genuinely. For some of us, Poundland wasn’t only a shop. It was a lifeline.

To anyone sneering: Take a breath. Poundland might not be your thing. 

Maybe you’ve never needed it. But for many, students, parents, pensioners, carers, single renters, minimum wage workers, or even just those of us who value a bargain, it’s been there when nothing else was. 

And plenty of people will miss it when it’s gone.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.