Table of contents for 2024-10-08 in Star

In a transformative move, Richemont has announced the sale of its online luxury clothing and accessories subsidiary, Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP), to MYT Netherlands Parent (Mytheresa) for €555 million (R10.6 billion), with no accompanying debt. Richemont will also extend a €100m revolving credit facility to YNAP. This sale comes 10 months after a prior attempt to sell YNAP to Farfetch fell through. As part of the deal, Richemont will gain a 33% equity stake in Mytheresa, signalling a strategic shift towards aligning YNAP with Mytheresa’s online luxury platform. YNAP was originally formed in 2015 when Italian online fashion retailer Yoox acquired Richemont’s Net-A-Porter, which was then promoted as “the world’s biggest luxury fashion store”. The current deal is expected to be finalise in the first half of next year. The sale…

Markets could be feeling uneasy due to prevailing geopolitical tensions, says an economist The rand and the JSE’s All Share index started the week on the back foot as tensions in the Middle East escalate and positive data out of the US prompted investors to become more cautious. While the market closed in the red on Friday, with the All Share index down 0.1%, closing at 86 332.42 points, the index recovered slightly yesterday, down marginally at 0.03% to close at 86 309points. However, mining counters were weighing on the bourse, as the full effect of Chinese stimulation packages on commodities has yet to be fully understood. The rand is pulling back and started the week at R17.49 to the dollar, after trading at R17.09 to the greenback as…

South African miners are paying more for reduced rail volumes, which pushes up transport costs for the industry, according to the Minerals Council. Despite this, there are signs of relief in mining inflation for August. Since the South African Reserve Bank started its interest rate cut cycle last month, the rand has remained strong against the US dollar, and fuel prices have fallen, so cost pressures for local producers are expected to ease. “While factors like electricity and wage growth remain significant contributors to cost pressures, particularly in the energy-intensive mining industry, there are signs of relief in certain areas. Transport costs, though still elevated, have shown a slight decrease, and the stronger exchange rate has helped offset some input costs, particularly for imported goods,” said André Lourens, an economist…

It is not a revelation that in today's data-driven world, where information is the lifeblood of businesses, the significance of a robust disaster recovery plan has never been greater. With the spectre of natural disasters, technical glitches, human errors, data breaches, and ransomware attacks constantly looming, the ability to shield and rapidly restore data with minimal disruption has become a critical imperative. However, there are some important considerations if you want your business to reach a state of recovery readiness. Crafting a Resilient Strategy To achieve recovery readiness for organisations, there are five essential foundation steps to follow: Create a Disaster Recovery Plan: Establishing a well-defined disaster recovery strategy forms the cornerstone for swiftly restoring regular operations in the aftermath of a crisis. Protect: Strengthen resiliency and security…

Independent artist Roiii and award-winning rapper Boity Thulo have joined forces to release Oh My (OMG)!, an explosive single promising to redefine the local hip hop landscape. The track, which was released on Friday, sees the merging of Thulo’s prowess with Roiii’s trailblazing drill sound. Co-produced by PLXYGRND and Roiii, their distinct styles also blend over a hard-hitting beat to bring music lovers a banging track. They believe that this collaboration will mark a significant era in the local music scene as it showcases the evolution of the genre and the dynamic potential of cross-genre partnerships. “After so many years of not dropping (music), I feel like a new artist and I’m so excited to be active again,” Thulo said. The Wuz Dat? hitmaker also believes that she and Roiii…

British rock band, Coldplay have released their 10th album, Moon Music, which comes three years after 2021’s Music Of The Spheres. The band comprises of pianist Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer and percussionist Will Champion. The new project contains the chart-topping single, We Pray, featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and Tini, as well as the MTV VMAs-nominated single, Feelslikeimfallinginlove, which reached the top spot on both the UK’s airplay chart and the Official Big Top 40. Sharing insight on the new album, Martin described it as “a response to struggling with conflict”. “It’s a response to struggling with all the conflict within oneself, within myself, and also all the conflict outside, and working out what the best response is. “Moon Music is trying…

Cosatu demanded a moratorium on retrenchments yesterday as hundreds of its members and affiliated unions gathered outside the JSE offices in Sandton, Johannesburg. Yesterday marked the World Day for Decent Work, and the labour federation held a nationwide strike to highlight the plight of workers in the face of joblessness and the rising cost of living. Cosatu national spokesperson Zanele Sabela said chief among their grievances was the high unemployment rate, with 11.3 million people needing jobs. “Despite this, employers continue to retrench workers from the few jobs we do have. Cosatu is demanding a moratorium on retrenchments. As you know, policy is a political choice, so with today’s march Cosatu is putting issues that impact workers on the table so they can be prioritised, and the conversation around addressing…

The Al Jama-ah and labour federation, Cosatu, declared their support for the City of Joburg’s proposal of renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive. This comes after the proposal has been received with backlash, as civic organisations and political parties stated their disapproval of the motion which was suggested before council members in 2018. The leader of Al Jama-ah and Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, told Newzroom Afrika yesterday that the initial plan was to rename Sandton Drive to Ramallah Drive to strengthen ties with the Palestinian government. A tripartite coalition of the EFF, ANC and Al Jama-ah gained majority support over city council opposition, agreeing Sandton Drive will be renamed after Palestinian political figure, Leila Khaled. Khaled is known for her aircraft hijacking career, and membership of…

South Africa’s first electric minibus taxi model, the eKamva, was launched last week and is said to turn the taxi industry on its head. The minibus taxi model was unveiled by a consortium led by GoMetro, alongside an integrated new electric vehicle (EV) business model and charging infrastructure product called flx EV at the Smarter Mobility Africa summit. The vehicle – eKamva – was launched by a partnership of companies and research institutions, led by GoMetro, a transport technology platform. The partnership kicked off last year to investigate and advance the feasibility of an electric minibus taxi in South African conditions by testing production vehicles in South Africa. The project team, which included various entities within Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering, conducted rigorous and extensive testing in and around Stellenbosch…

Women for Change, a South African women rights interest group, has called on festival organisers, Big Concerts and the Department of Home Affairs to reconsider their position in allowing Grammy award-winning singer Chris Brown to perform in Johannesburg on December 14 and 15. Last week, the multi-talented singer and dancer announced his long-awaited return to South Africa for a two-day performance at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. With Brown’s performance coinciding with the country’s commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Women for Change said this event was a direct insult to the millions of women and girls affected by violence in South Africa and worldwide. The sold-out affair marks Brown’s first performance in the country in nearly a decade. More than 10 000 people have signed an…

THE public has been warned about the dangers of alcohol abuse and its detrimental effects on kidney health. Dr Tseliso Nkuebe, a medical officer at the Harry Gwala District Hospital, in KwaZulu-Natal, was addressing the public on the Department of Health’s social media platforms over the weekend. Dr Nkuebe said: “While it’s tempting to tell people to consume alcohol and acidic drinks in moderation, we recognise that this is often difficult in society. Therefore, we advise patients to avoid these substances altogether.” The doctor went on to explain that the causes of kidney disease range from dietary factors, such as excessive salt, alcohol, and soft drinks, to congenital abnormalities. He urged men, in particular, to take charge of their health and prioritise routine check-ups. “Men should not rely on their…

The tit-for-tat threat between Iran and Israel on each other’s nuclear installations is a dangerous escalation in a very volatile and highly inflammable situation, the prospect of an atomic catastrophe intensifies. If any atomic installation is attacked and damaged, deadly radiation will spread across the Middle East. Its grim consequences are too ghastly to contemplate. The immensity of this catastrophe boggles the human mind. Any party attacking a civilian nuclear institute is guilty of crimes against humanity. Plumes of atomic particles could contaminate vast areas of land and water. Any military assault on a nuclear complex, whether planned or unintentional, could spell doom for a wide area. It will mean in a worst-case scenario, the evacuation of people. A brutal war fought amid nuclear reactors represents an unprecedented and highly…

A boyhood dream of playing next to his brother for the Springboks is fuelling Cobus Wiese to reach greater heights with the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Wiese, younger brother of double World Cup-winning Bok Jasper, recently returned to South Africa after four years of rugby in England to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a Bok. The utility forward, comfortable at lock and flanker, found a home at Loftus Versfeld and has already put in a couple of performances to help the team to victories. He wants to contribute more as the Bulls set their sights on keeping their winning momentum and unbeaten record as they head overseas in the URC. “It’s definitely a dream of mine and Jasper, to play together one day, and it being…

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder grafted hard to keep up with the front runners, and he left the Japanese GP with the advantage in the run for the fifth-place finish in the world riders’ championship standings. With Ducati having a field day with four riders occupying the Top 4 positions, the midfield riders were left to collect the rest of the scraps. Heading into the weekend, Binder was trailing rookie Pedro Acosta by eight points. Despite missing out on potential points in the sprint race due to a technical issue, Binder was the sole beneficiary of any points this weekend, as he walked away with 10 after his sixth-place finish. Acosta’s crashes in both the sprint and on Sunday’s main race, handed Binder the advantage, but things could have…

Eskom took another step forward on its turnaround plan yesterday with the formal launch of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), the first step of a proposed splitting of Eskom into three companies, focused on generation, transmission, and distribution. Yesterday’s launch comes three months after July 1, 2024, when the NTCSA became an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom Holdings. The NTCSA’s board was appointed in January, and the company received trading and import/export licences in July 2024, while its transmission licences were granted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) in July 2023. NTCSA chairperson Priscillah Mabelane and interim CEO Segomoco Scheppers yesterday presented the company’s strategic vision for sustainable energy access and to support inclusive economic growth. Key focus areas include accelerating the Transmission…

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an essential engine for economic growth in developing economies and South Africa is no exception. The country's strategic location, diverse economy and access to key markets make it an attractive destination for international investors. However, despite its appeal, attracting and sustaining foreign investment requires an environment conducive to long-term returns. One of the foremost concerns for any foreign investor is political stability. Investors need confidence that the government in power will not only remain stable, but will also maintain clear, consistent policies that support the free market and economic growth. While South Africa enjoys a stable democratic process, there are concerns about policy uncertainty, especially in areas such as land reform and mining regulations. For instance, the government's stance on expropriation without compensation has previously…

Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz), shared several reasons for optimism about agriculture in South Africa. Like other economic sectors, South Africa's agricultural industry has shown signs of growing optimism since the start of the Government of National Unity, boosting confidence in its future direction. The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI), a sentiment indicator for business conditions in agriculture, which was released last month, rose by 10 points to 48 in the third quarter, Sihlobo noted. Although the index is still below the neutral 50-point mark, the 10-point increase is an encouraging sign of positive momentum. One key factor supporting this improvement in sentiment is the country's more stable electricity supply. "South Africa’s horticultural production—including fruit, vegetables, and floriculture—relies on irrigation and requires…

The African continent has often been treated with little respect by leading technology companies. Even lawmakers who invite tech leaders to address their concerns are ignored. Once, the South African Parliament invited one of the leading social media companies to get a better understanding of their activity in the country. This invitation was not even acknowledged. It is therefore surprising when a tech company makes an effort to treat the continent with respect. Some tech companies however are beginning to change this behaviour. One of them is TikTok, a leading social media company. In August 2024, TikTok took major steps at the TikTok's Safety Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya to boost safety on its platform across Sub-Saharan Africa with the launch of its inaugural Safety Advisory Council and the…

Eastern Platinum (EastPlats) has commissioned a platinum group metals (PGM) processing facility at its Crocodile River mine along South Africa’s Bushveld, transitioning the company from a tailings chrome recovery operation into a concentrate metal producer. The facility will produce PGM and chrome concentrates at a time the company was already anticipating production of platinum metals to be elevated this year. The Toronto- and JSE-listed junior miner said in May that it was focusing on ramping up underground operations at Zandfontein while it weighed capital plans for re-opening full operations at the mine. Now, it has commissioned a PGM and chrome processing facility, with Wanjin Yang, the CEO for EastPlats, saying the company is looking forward to “reporting PGM and metallurgical chrome revenues from the Zandfontein underground section as run of…

International rock sensation Goo Goo Dolls are set to rock South Africa during their three-city tour this festive season. Renowned for their electrifying chart-topping hits like Iris, Slide, and Black Balloon, this will be the Grammy-nominated American rock band’s first visit to the country. The duo, which comprises guitarist and vocalist John Rzeznik and bassist and vocalist Robby Takac, will perform in Cape Town at the Kirstenbosch Gardens on December 4, at the ICC Durban on December 5 and at Pretoria’s Voortrekker Monument on December 7. “Whether you’ve been a long-time fan or recently discovered their timeless tunes, this is your chance to sing along to all their greatest hits, live in South Africa,” a statement read. Tickets, which range from R645 to R1 295, are available through Webtickets. Goo…

Toxic snacks kill 5 children from local spaza shop in Soweto “I saw my child turning purple and grey right before my eyes while holding her. By the time she wanted to say something about what happened, it was too late. All I can say is my child suffered and whatever she had eaten was too much for her.” These are the chilling words of Zinhle Ida Maama’s father, Dumisani Masilela, who told The Star yesterday that his daughter was one of the six children who allegedly ate poisonous snacks called Brown Dash, reportedly bought from a local spaza shop operated by alleged illegal immigrants. Sunday’s tragedy is a further blow to the community of Naledi in Soweto, which is still grappling with the loss of three children who died…

Several vehicles of the SAPS were yesterday deployed to the offices of the regulatory authority Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) as activists arrived to picket over the closure of pay TV platform StarSat. Security guards at the Centurion main entrance said they had been told to block journalists from entering the premises when five protesters were escorted by police into the premises. One of the picket organisers, Felicia April, said she represents an organisation called the Rejected Cornerstone Foundation and is also a member of the Patriotic Alliance. “We are here today because there are 600 employees of StarSat who are going to be unemployed once the company is shut down. We are going through a tough time as a country, the economy is a mess, and we…

Ingredients 400g Lucky Star Middlecut 2 Tbsp Cooking oil 1 Small onion, chopped or sliced 2 Medium red chillies, chopped or sliced 1 tsp Paprika 1 Medium carrot, peeled and grated 1⁄4 Medium white cabbage, shredded 1⁄4 Medium red cabbage, shredded 2 cups Cooked Basmati rice 1⁄2 cup Fresh or frozen peas Salt and pepper to taste Method In a medium saucepan, heat oil and add the onion, chillies, paprika and fry for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, white cabbage and red cabbage and fry for further 3 minutes. Cook rice according to packet instructions and add the fish, peas and cook for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring gently. Garnish with parsley or micro herbs and serve warm. |…

Authorities in Limpopo are probing an incident where a Grade 12 learner from a high school in the Capricorn North District took his life. The Limpopo Department of Education said allegations of ill-treatment by school administrators have been made, given as reasons for the learner taking his own life. Media reports stated that the teenage learner left a suicide note, detailing the alleged abuse at the school. The learner died under “distressing circumstances”, according to a statement issued by the Limpopo Department of Education. The spokesperson for the Limpopo provincial education authorities, Matome Taueatsoala, said the allegations of ill-treatment will be thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Education, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, has expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of the Grade 12 learner. “The department extends its sincerest condolences to…

FORMER public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane will know tomorrow whether she is entitled to the R10-million gratuity payment which has been the subject of a fierce legal battle between her and her former office. The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria will deliver the judgment after Mkhwebane turned to the court to compel the Office of the Public Protector to pay the R10 million gratuity she claims she is entitled to. According to Mkhwebane, the payment formed part of her remuneration package. Mkhwebane's counsel, Dali Mpofu, argued that she was entitled to the gratuity payment, and the fact that the parliamentary inquiry made findings against her, had nothing to do with her right to this payment. Her application was fiercely opposed by the Office of the Public Protector, which said there was no…

Reggae music legend, Burning Spear is set to make his South African return for the One People Africa Tour at the Emperors Palace (The Park), on October 19. In July this year, Burning Spear announced that he will be performing in Zimbabwe and South Africa as part of his tour. Among those set to grace the stage alongside the two-time Grammy award winner are the Lucky Dube band, Kebra Ethiopia Sound System, Colbert Mukwevho, Nicky B, Bongo Riot, Reign Africa, Skeleton Blazer, and many others. His return coincides with the country’s commemoration of South Africa’s 30 years of democracy. He will be accompanied by his renowned band, The Burning Band, who will be lighting up the stage in Johannesburg for an unforgettable performance that promises to unite and inspire audiences…

Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal pulled clear of the chasing pack at the top of the Premier League, as Manchester United again failed to fire in a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa. Tottenham’s winning run came to a dramatic end as Ange Postecoglou’s men blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton. Here, we look at three talking points from the Premier League weekend. Goal-shy Red Devils United’s return of five goals from their opening seven games of the season is the club’s poorest in the Premier League-era. Three of those goals came in one game at winless Southampton and Erik ten Hag’s men have failed to find the net in three consecutive league games. “We know in this moment we have a lack of goals. That’s an area…

ORLANDO Pirates’ quest for a second CAF Champions League title exactly three decades after they were first crowned African club champions was elevated immensely in difficulty after the group stage draw in Cairo on yesterday. The Buccaneers will have to navigate their way out of the round robin stages by contending with record winners and holders Al Ahly, who are the top seeds in Group C. The Buccaneers are the third seeds and will also not have it easy against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad. Also in their group is 1966 champions Stade Abidjan of the Ivory Coast. Pirates, champions in 1995, would love nothing more than to add a second star above their crest on the occasion of their 30 year anniversary of that glorious success, achieved courtesy of a splendid…

The local citrus industry is not being threatened by a new greening disease, Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA), said in statement yesterday. “African Citrus Greening (ACG) is under official control in South Africa by preventing movement of propagation material from greening areas to greening-free areas. It is important to note that ACG cannot be spread by fruit or seed, and resultantly there is no restriction on the movement of citrus fruit – and this applies worldwide. Therefore, any suggestions that export citrus can spread this disease is incorrect,” he added. The statement came after CGA said some media outlets were incorrectly reporting that South Africa faced a new disease threat in the form of the African strain of the citrus-greening disease. HLB (Huanglongbing…

Jubilee Metals is pursuing further near surface copper resource opportunities in Zambia after completing a due diligence for an open pit mine in the southern African country where it intends to ramp up production. Leon Coetzer, the CEO of Jubilee Metals, said yesterday, "Zambia holds numerous near surface resource opportunities, which we are actively pursuing.” The completion of due diligence studies for the Project G open pit copper mining operation in Zambia had resulted in Jubilee opting to “acquire a majority interest” under revised terms. These entailed increasing Jubilee’s holding to 65% from the previously announced 51% interest. It will pay $2 million (R35m) for acquisition of the 65% holding in Project G in cash instead of shares, giving it two open pit mining operations in Zambia. Jubilee has also…

In the relentless pursuit of digital innovation and AI-driven transformation, a curious pattern is emerging: tech giants are circling back to the fundamentals of human connection. As I observed during three enriching days at the NOVACOM Africa 1-to-1 Telco Summit in Franschhoek last week, there's an undeniable power in intentional, high-quality human connectivity that no algorithm can replicate. This revelation isn't just anecdotal. Reid Hoffman, founder and CEO of LinkedIn, recently reflected on what he'd do differently in the platform's early days. His insight? "What you're going to get wrong is thinking that the key thing is delivering the amazing value when a connection is made for a job or a hire or a sales opportunity," he noted. Instead, what truly drives engagement is "business thought leaders sharing advice and…

In September 2024, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Global Food Price Index (FFPI), the benchmark for global food commodity prices, experienced its fastest increase in 18 months. Prices rose across all five of the FFPI’s commodity group price indices, with sugar leading the surge. The FFPI averaged 124.4 points for the month, marking a 3.0% increase from August and a 2.1% year-on-year rise. The FAO Sugar Price Index saw the most significant jump, climbing 10.4% month on month (m/m). This spike was driven by worsening crop conditions in Brazil and concerns that India's decision to lift restrictions on sugarcane for ethanol production might reduce its sugar exports. The FAO Cereal Price Index rose 3.0% m/m, mainly due to higher wheat and maize prices. International wheat prices have increased,…

Those closest to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ are set to divulge explosive details about their time with the disgraced rapper in 50 Cent’s Netflix documentary. The 54-year-old star is imprisoned in New York as he awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges and the streamer’s series – which is being made by his former rival – will reportedly hear from his ex-associates as it delves into the charges as well as revealing more about the sexual abuse allegations that he faces in several civil lawsuits and his infamous “freak off” parties. An insider told The US Sun about the 50 Cent (whose real name is Curtis Jackson) documentary: “Diddy’s former security and inner circle have all signed deals with Netflix for Curtis’s documentary. “He’s been working on exposing Diddy for…

Akon, the Grammy-nominated music megastar, triumphantly returned after a five-year hiatus with a new single, Akon’s Beautiful Day. The uplifting anthem, which was released on Friday and features a viral hook from his old song which is sung by a young Jamaican student named Edwards, aims to spread positivity and unity across the globe amidst challenging times. The release comes on the back of the musician taking a five-year sabbatical. His last album Konnect was released in December 2016, and, since then, he has been running his record company Konvict Muzik, which has signed the likes of megastars like Lady Gaga and T-Pain. The Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer and businessman has also worked with African musicians such as the late Costa Titch, Black Coffee as well as Nigeria’s Burna…

Scores of Jewish South Africans congregated at the Houghton Great Park Forest in Houghton, Johannesburg, yesterday, to commemorate the first anniversary of the conflict that reignited between Israel and Palestine. The deadly Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, have resulted in the loss of over 1 200 lives and the abduction of 250 individuals. As part of the anniversary, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) honoured the day through a three-day exhibition held at the Great Park Forest in Houghton. The exhibition consists of artworks, pictures, and remnants of burnt cars and homes that were destroyed more than a year ago. It also includes yellow ribbons (as a symbol of solidarity with the hostages), stones (a Jewish tradition to place stones on gravestones) as well as candles for…

A 22-year-old man from Limpopo has been arrested for allegedly murdering his two-year-old biological son and mutilating the toddler’s body. The incident occurred on Sunday in Shongoane village, in the Villa Nora policing precinct, outside Lephalale. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said police were alerted by concerned community members and responded to the scene at around 6am. “Upon arrival, they found the child’s mutilated body on a bed. The 22-year-old suspect, who was in possession of some of the victim’s body parts, was arrested,” said Ledwaba. The father has been charged with murder. “This senseless killing has left many in shock, and the motive behind it is still unknown. However, ritual killing cannot be ruled out,” added Ledwaba. Meanwhile, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Major General…

More than 1000 SAPS trainees who were part of Project 10 000, graduated in Bishop Lavis on Friday. Provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, said it was his honour to stand in front of the new constables. “As we bring to a close the 2024 Project 10 000 recruitment drive, I am honoured to preside over this significant occasion. “Celebrating the commitment of these individuals who responded to the call when the South African police announced it was looking for fit and proper new recruits to join the ranks of the police, to serve and to protect the citizens of this country. “Your decision to join SAPS reflects a noble commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all. “By coming forward when you were called, you have displayed the…

South Africa’s celebrated and much-loved TV chef, Siba Mtongana, has clinched another prestigious international culinary award at the fifth annual World Culinary Awards. For the second year running, Siba: The Restaurant at the five-star Table Bay hotel was named as Africa’s Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant. Voted for by culinary professionals, media and consumers worldwide, the award recognised Siba: The Restaurant’s commitment to excellence in fine dining at a gala dinner held in Dubai last week. Speaking at the event, Mtongana said: “Family, we did it. South Africa, we did it. Africa, we did it. “I am always honoured to accept this award on behalf of my team who puts in much hard work to maintain our high standards. This is what keeps guests coming back for more, and spreading…

The annual Mpumalanga Tourism Expo, a dynamic platform to showcase a diverse range of tourism products and services, continues to thrive in acting as a crucial driver for the recovery and expansion of the tourism sector. This year marked four years after its inception and it was hosted at Riverside Mall in Mbombela from October 4 to 6, promoting domestic tourism in South Africa and Mpumalanga province. One of the major highlights of the event is offering provincial tourism students a unique opportunity to interact with exhibitors, gain industry insights, and enhance visibility for their guest-houses, restaurants, or other tourism-related ventures. The exhibitors included Happy Valley Hotel Ezulwini, an ultimate African luxury establishment, Extreme Adventure Camp, Mount Lu Casa, Ebundu Lodge, various travel agencies, and multiple travel agencies showcasing their…

The Stormers won't fall into the trap of thinking a hurting Edinburgh will be an easy target in their final tour match on Saturday. After easily overcoming Zebre Parma 36-5 this past weekend in Italy, the match in Scotland will allow the Cape side to end their opening United Rugby Championship (URC) tour with success should they win. They've targeted two wins away from home at the start of the campaign, but getting back-to-back victories overseas has been difficult for South African sides in the URC. With Edinburgh winless after three matches, the Stormers have the perfect opportunity to add to their own winning momentum by getting one over their Scottish opponents coached by two South Africans, Sean Everitt and Scott Mathie, who will know the Cape side quite well.…

World No 1 Iga Swiatek split from hers after three seasons. Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff were both at the China Open with new ones. Three of the biggest names in women’s tennis have in the past month jettisoned their coaches, casting a spotlight on the relationship between players and the people behind them. Swiatek was the latest to announce a change when she said Friday she would no longer be working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after a hugely successful partnership. The five-time Grand Slam champion did not detail the reasons for the split, but after winning the French Open in June her form has tailed off. The 23-year-old Pole, who did not defend her China Open crown in Beijing because of “personal matters”, is in the process of finding a…