Table of contents for 2024-12-24 in Star

Multi-award-winning musician Anatii has kicked off his latest artistic chapter with the release of Boom SZN. Released under Larry Jackson and Ike Youssef’s gamma., the highly-anticipated 14-track album features rap icon Busta Rhymes, along with emerging artists such as Baby S.O.N, Yumbs and AL XAPO, among others. According to a statement: Boom SZN is much more than just a collection of songs, it’s a celebration of life itself, blending the vibrant rhythms of amapiano with the raw energy of hip-hop and the smooth nuances of soulful R&B. “It is all tied together by the unmistakable Bushman Sound. It’s more than an album; it’s a statement, an invitation to step into Anatii’s world where everything is booming -from beats and vibes to aspirations and triumphs,” it read. Speaking on the…

Dakela said to be behind campaign but denies accusations Department of Health employees are concerned for their safety and uncertain about returning to their offices next year, according to sources familiar with the situation. Last week, an employee sent a disturbing “WhatsApp warning” to colleagues, alerting them to a planned attack on the lives of Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Director-General Sabelo Buthelezi. The message also mentioned Ayanda Dakela who, according to his X profile, is an “experienced, qualified mechanical engineer”. The Star has learnt that Dakela was suspended a few months ago for “unauthorised interference with procurement processes at the Independent Development Trust, for entering into an agreement and issuing instructions that were beyond his scope of delegation and for failure to declare critical information during his interview and appointment”.…

Police in North West are still searching for an audacious scammer who targeted a woman, who was a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS), pursued a romantic relationship with her, and later conned her of almost R3 million. During the romantic relationship, the Ugandan national pretended to be a medical doctor, and swindled the unsuspecting police captain, aged 53. In July, North West provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone told IOL that the wanted man in his 30s was known as Kalvin Sofika by the conned policewoman. “The 53-year-old victim met the suspect who is a Ugandan national at a certain shopping complex in Rustenburg (around September last year). “He introduced himself as a Dr Kalvin Sofika, and they exchanged contact details. The woman and the suspect Kalvin…

A tribute to doyenne of community football and netball. I was deeply saddened to receive the news about the passing of matriarch mother, Sundrie Moodley. She was not only a devoted matriarch but also a passionate soccer and netball enthusiast who tirelessly managed and promoted nonracial sports in the community. Together with her husband Mannie Moodley, she played a pivotal role in uplifting and inspiring generations through her work with Bluff Rangers FC. Her legacy of community spirit and sportsmanship will forever be cherished. May her soul rest in eternal peace, and may you find comfort in the wonderful memories of her remarkable life. My heartfelt condolences to the family.…

A RESIDENT in Mamelodi East, Vusimusi Malindisa, has expressed frustration that the City of Tshwane has ignored his request to repair streetlights in his neighborhood for almost two years. Malindisa’s concerns were further fuelled by Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya's recent report claiming improved services in Tshwane since taking office in October. Moya highlighted several key achievements, including the repair and replacement of at least 9 471 streetlights and a landmark agreement with Eskom to settle the city’s R6.67 billion historical debt. However, Malindisa questioned the accuracy of Moya’s information, stating that he had been reporting faulty streetlights on Ramabulane Street, Mamelodi East, since August 2023, without any success. “I am not sure where she gets all the figures about the streetlights that are fixed and in which area or part…

TSHWANE Emergency Services have launched a search operation for a man who was swept away by a river in Centurion after jumping into the water to evade security guards near Supersport Park Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Spokesperson for Emergency Services Lindsay Mnguni said the man who ran into the river after being chased by security guards is presumed to have been swept away by the river. Personnel from the City of Tshwane’s Energy Services Department, fire rescue operation division, and the SAPS are working together to locate the missing individual. Mnguni said the search teams returned to the river yesterday to continue the search, but the river levels remain unsafe due to ongoing rain upstream. “They’ll keep monitoring and determine if the river becomes safe to enter, then they’ll do…

This festive season, as South Africans across the country come together to celebrate their unique traditions, the warmth of family, the joy of making memories and the simple pleasures of food unite communities, enriching the essence of Christmas. Each celebration reflects personal stories and shared moments that make this time of year truly special. In the spirit of togetherness, some of Mzansi’s beloved personalities have shared their cherished traditions and plans for a memorable Christmas. Moozlie: Esteemed TV personality and musician Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena expresses her excitement for the festive season, emphasising the warmth of family bonds. “This year’s Christmas is shaping up to be as magical as ever, with an extra sprinkle of love and warmth,” she shares eagerly. With her sister hosting the family gathering, Mabena plans to…

Despite being at the forefront of energy development, the nuclear industry worldwide has long struggled with gender representation. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) statistics show that women make up less than 25% of the total nuclear workforce globally, and in South Africa, the situation is equally concerning. However, government leaders, educational institutions, and community advocates are making concerted efforts to encourage more women to join the field as the nuclear industry’s future will depend heavily on developing a diverse talent pool. South Africa is the only country on the African continent to harness nuclear energy. Koeberg nuclear power plant remains a crucial part of South Africa’s energy mix, contributing a significant portion of the country’s low-carbon electricity. However, the power station is nearing the end of its life cycle,…

UN peacekeepers and Lebanon’s prime minister called yesterday for the Israeli army to speed up its withdrawal from the country, nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. “UNIFIL strongly urges accelerated progress in the IDF’s (Israeli military) withdrawal from and the LAF’s (Lebanese army) deployment in south Lebanon,” the force said in a statement. It called on “all actors to cease and refrain from violations of (Security Council) resolution 1701 and any actions that could jeopardise the fragile stability that currently prevails”. That came after Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the United States and France should put pressure on Israel to complete its withdrawal faster. The United States and France, along with Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL, make up the committee tasked with maintaining communication…

South Korea’s military said yesterday it has detected signs of North Korea preparing to send more troops and weapons, including suicide drones, to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Pyongyang has already provided 240mm multiple rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled howitzers to Russia, and was seen preparing to produce more suicide drones to be shipped there after leader Kim Jong Un guided a test last month, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). “Suicide drones are one of the tasks that Kim Jong Un has focused on,” a JCS official said, adding that the North had expressed its intention to give them to Russia. Such drones have been widely used in the Ukraine war, and Kim ordered a mass production of the aerial weapons and an update of…

WASHINGTON: US President-elect DonaldTrump’s transition team is pushing to pull the US out of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the “catastrophic” impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times (FT) reported. Members of Trump’s team told the experts of their intention to announce a withdrawal on the president-elect’s January 20 inauguration, the FT said, noting that the departure would remove the WHO’s biggest source of funds. The US’ plan to withdraw would be “catastrophic”, the FT quoted Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health at Georgetown Law, as saying.…

South African DJ and producer Echo Deep, born Tshepo Molefe, is on the verge of unveiling his fourth studio album, Music In My Life, set for release on January 24. This fresh offering encapsulates tranquillity and a passion for house music, infused with jazzy sounds and rich African percussion that echo his deeply personal connections. As he embarks on another chapter of his illustrious career, Echo Deep invites listeners on a transformative journey, one that celebrates his artistry and the universal language of music. Growing up in a vibrant musical environment, Echo Deep found music to be an integral part of his identity, serving as a release for his emotions and an avenue to forge connections. “I am grateful for the love and support from my fans ... ,” he…

There has been mixed reactions from political parties to government’s plan to move ahead with the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) with a board expected to be appointed next year. ActionSA posed a parliamentary question to the Department of Health on what specific targets and benchmarks have been set for the implementation of the NHI. In response, the department said that Phase 1 of the implementation of the National Health Insurance is for a period of four years from 2023 to 2026. A board is expected to be appointed by November 2025, while draft regulations are expected to be published soon for public comment. The department said that the associated costs are part of the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) allocations to the department for this period of…

Police in North West Province are warning community members to be cautious when using their bank cards, especially during this festive season where crime reaches its peak. The warning was issued following incidence where two suspects, aged 52 and 56, were arrested in two different incidents in Potchefstroom. In the first incident, it is alleged that December 11, a 55-year-old man attempted to withdraw money from an automated teller machine (ATM) at one of the malls in Potchefstroom. “After inserting his card and pin, he could not get the money he was withdrawing. “Moreover, the man cancelled the transaction and the card was returned, but he noticed it was not his. “A few moments thereafter, he got a notification that there was a cash withdrawal at a nearby filling station…

2024 will surely go down as one of the craziest, full-on hectic and politically explosive years! With the Israel-Iran war having reached terrifying proportions and the ANC taking Israel to the ICJ, the rise of Zuma’s MK Party, the new Government of National Unity taking shape here on local ground, the much debated Bela Act having been signed so unceremoniously by Cyril Ramaphosa... the toppling of Syria’s terror mastermind Basheer Al Assad and the ridiculous attempts on Donald Trump’s life, one could write a few books on the last 12 months! The World is indeed a crazy place, and for those who are not connected spiritually or who do not hold onto the idea that there is something greater, or bigger, than themselves in this life, I struggle to understand…

At just eight years old, Elam has seen his childhood stripped away, battling severe aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. Elam, whose surname has been withheld, no longer has the energy to play with his friends or enjoy his favourite hobbies like writing, drawing, or playing video games. His only hope for survival lies in a stem cell transplant from a matching donor, but there’s no match for him on the registry yet. “While over 100 000 South Africans have registered as potential donors over the past three years, there currently isn’t anyone who shares enough human leukocyte antigens (HLA) characteristics with Elam,” Palesa Mokomele, head of community engagement and communications at DKMS Africa said. She explained that for a donor to be considered a match, they and…

DECEMBER 5 went by without much acknowledgement of the founding president of our democracy, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who left us in 2013 amid profound expressions of sorrow resonating across the country and the world. If our universal legend, Madiba, is fated to be simply forgotten or ignored in a mere 11 years, who among us will break this collective lapse of memory and shameful lack of appreciation for such a widely acclaimed leader? Of course, Madiba was the first to concede that he was not a saint, but a mere mortal, a sinner who had flaws, when he was gushed over and praised uncritically. Coincidentally, December 5 marked the centennial of the birth of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. A key mover and shaker in the ANC Youth League, “the Prof” –…

Rome has completed the most ambitious of thousands of construction works that have disrupted daily life in the Eternal City in preparation for the millions of tourists expected during the 2025 Catholic Holy Year that starts this week. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri opened a major new road junction near the Vatican yesterday, marking completion of an $88.4 million (R1.6 billion) centrepiece project among 3 200 public construction works ahead of the Holy Year, otherwise known as the Catholic Jubilee. The new underpass near the medieval Castel Sant’Angelo redirects traffic underground and creates a pedestrian zone from the Tiber River toward St Peter’s Basilica, the centre of Catholicism and one of the world’s most visited tourist sites. The frenzy of work, however, has infuriated residents and left some visitors feeling short-changed in…

New York: Police arrested a man suspected of setting fire to a woman on the subway in Brooklyn who died from the incident, authorities said, calling it “one of the most depraved crimes” a person could commit. The man “calmly walked up to the victim” on the F train in Brooklyn and set her ablaze on Sunday morning, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a press conference. “The suspect used what we believe to be a lighter to ignite the victim’s clothing, which became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds,” she said, adding that police rushed to the scene and the fire was put out. “Unfortunately, it was too late and the victim was pronounced dead on the scene.” | AFP…

BRUSSELS: Alphabet’s Google’s proposed changes to its search results to comply with EU tech legislation has received the thumbs up from lobbying group Airlines for Europe whose members include Air France and Lufthansa. Google has announced a series of changes in search result formats in recent months following conflicting demands from price-comparison sites, hotels, airlines and small retailers, with the latest tweaks announced last month. It is trying to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which prohibits it from favouring its own products and services on its platform or risk fines as much as 10% of its global annual turnover. | Reuters…

Corbin Bosch can hardly imagine the week he’s enjoying. It’s almost as if Christmas came early – and not just once but twice! It was only last week when Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad put his arm around Bosch at the Wally Watson Oval in Cape Town to inform the 30-year-old Titans all-rounder of his maiden call-up to the Proteas’ Test squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan. Bosch, who was playing for the SA Invitational XI, wore a silly smirk on his face for the remainder of the four-day match against the England Lions. The fact that the Pakistan series opener was set to be played at home ground, SuperSport Park in Centurion, added to the excitement. But before any of that could transpire, Bosch got another call. This…

The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE’s) legal team is studying an infringement notice by the Information Regulator (IR), which ordered the department to pay an administrative fine of R5 million. According to the IR, the fine comes after the department failed to comply with an enforcement notice issued by the regulator on November 18, after finding the DBE contravened various sections of the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia). The enforcement notice had ordered the DBE to provide an undertaking “that it will not publish the results of the 2024 matriculants in the newspapers” within 31 days from the date on which the order was served. It also ordered that the department “must make these results available to the learners using methods that are compliant with Popia”. The regulator said…

The National Minimum Wage Commission has proposed the national minimum wage (NMW) hike for 2025, recommending an increase of CPI +1.5%, according to a statement from the Department of Employment and Labour. This is after the commission invited written representations on potential adjustments to the NMW for 2025. Last week the NMW commission published a report in the government gazette that outlined the commission's recommendations for the annual review of the national minimum wage as well as an invitation for the public to submit their written representations. The deadline for the written representation is January 14, 2025. According to the department, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures changes in the prices paid by consumers for goods and services over time, is a key factor in these considerations. For November…

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested two suspects who are linked to the attempted murder of Advocate Coreth Naude. Naude was shot at by two gunmen at the entrance of a hotel in Umhlanga, north of Durban on July 18 this year. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that on the day, Advocate Naude was driving into the hotel when she was ambushed by two armed men who opened fire at her. “The advocate managed to drive inside the hotel where she received emergency medical attention before she was rushed to hospital. “The suspects fled from the scene in a silver Toyota Corolla. “The case was assigned to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime: Murder and Robbery Unit which hit the ground running in search of clues and possible leads.” Netshiunda said…

Rape and murder are everyday crimes in our country. They happen so often that the media hardly pays much attention to them, unless one out of the ordinary happens, like Sbusiso Lawrence who justified the gruesome killing of his ex-girlfriend Ntobeko Cele on social media. The callous killer then hung himself from a tree not far from the murder scene in Umzinto. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year over 50 000 were victims of sexual violence. Of these only a few make news headlines, like the 63 year old grandfather from Mitchell’s Plain who got a life sentence for raping his thirteen-year-old granddaughter. As horrible and disgusting as this rape is, nothing beats the mass rape of 72 year old Gisele Pelicot in France that shocked the world. Her former husband…

Ordinarily the poor do not have much to celebrate at Christmas other than the sense of community we have built in conditions of oppression. Year in and year out we continue to be excluded, exploited and repressed by the state and the capitalist system, with elites and middle class people often pushing for us to be removed from well-located land and neighbourhoods to human dumping grounds. This year we received a valuable gift in the form of the judgment delivered by the Constitutional court of South Africa in the matter between the city of Cape Town and the residents of Bromwell Street (Commando & others VS The city of Cape Town) on 20 December. This judgment by the highest court in the country affirms our dignity and the right for…

With the festive season in full swing, South Africans have been taking much-needed getaways, whether it's a short trip to a guesthouse or a family retreat at a remote lodge. However, while we seek rest and relaxation, the excitement of leaving town can inadvertently make our homes vulnerable to crime. Charnel Hattingh, Group Head: Marketing and Communications for Fidelity ADT, offers crucial advice on how to keep your home safe and ensure your peace of mind during holidays. Hattingh emphasises the importance of vigilance, regardless of your destination. “The mere fact that people go to guesthouses and farms to switch off is what criminals take advantage of,” she warns. Therefore, before embarking on your journey, it is essential to conduct a thorough security check of your home. “Do not leave…

Fikile Mbalula has once again made his position clear – ANC members questioning the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act will face consequences. In a fiery declaration, the party’s secretary-general warned against any internal dissent, dismissing it as populism and an attack on ANC leadership. Mbalula’s words left very little room for ambiguity. But Mbalula’s tough talk reveals more than just a defence of the Bela Act, it exposes a party battling with internal fractures. His loudness, aimed at silencing detractors, suggests a fear of public criticism from the ANC ranks. “Why would others speak on the sidelines as though there is doubt about leadership?” he demanded, clearly frustrated by the cracks showing in the ANC. The Bela Act itself is no stranger to the ongoing controversy…

Mozambique’s highest court confirmed yesterday the ruling party’s victory in a disputed October vote after allegations of rigging triggered weeks of deadly street clashes. Fears are high that more violence could break out in the southern African nation after the opposition threatened to call an uprising following the decision. The Constitutional Court said the ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo secured 65 percent of the vote, revising down provisional results from the electoral commission which said he got nearly 71 percent. Chapo’s main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, received an upward revision to 24.2 percent of the vote. The final results extend Frelimo’s half-century grip on power, lining up Chapo to take over from President Filipe Nyusi whose second term ends on January 15. Mondlane has said that…

BRASILILA: At least nine people were killed on Sunday morning after a small plane crashed in the tourist city of Gramado in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, authorities said. The plane, with 10 people onboard, took off from Canela Airport near Gramado and crashed in the city of Gramado a few minutes later, the local civil defence department confirmed. The plane first struck the chimney of a building, before crashing into a furniture store. The accident also injured 15 others on the ground, according to authorities. | Xinhua…

DAMASCUS: A Saudi Arabian delegation led by a royal court advisor on Sunday met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, at the presidential palace in the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to Al-Arabiya TV. Details of the meeting have not been disclosed, and neither side issued an immediate statement. The visit comes amid a wave of high-level contacts between Syria’s new authorities and regional as well as international representatives, reflecting a broader reassessment of relations with Damascus as the country navigates a sensitive political transition following the downfall of the previous government on December 8. | Xinhua…