Inhoudsopgave van 2023-01-25 - Star

SASOL, one of the biggest greenhouse gas (GHG) polluters in the country, has signed three power purchase agreements (PPA) to supply renewable power to its South African operations. In one of the biggest renewable energy transactions by the private sector in this country, Sasol which produces chemicals and petroleum fuels from coal, said that it plans to reduce its GHG emissions from its South African operations by at least 30% by 2030, off a 2017 baseline. Renewable power is a key lever towards its GHG emission reduction, as part of the group’s planned transition towards a more sustainable product portfolio. Sasol South Africa (SSA) and Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm (Msenge) have signed a long-term PPA to supply 69MW of wind-powered renewable power to the group’s Sasolburg operations. This deal was…

SOUTH Africa’s growth could face a period of stagnation in the second half of this year as economic activity is expected to slow down on global and domestic headwinds, in spite of the business cycle rebounding in November, 2022. The composite leading business cycle indicator, a measure of early signals of turning points in business cycles rose slightly by 0.1% in November, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in October. Data from the SA Reserve Bank showed that four of the 10 available component time series increased, outweighing decreases in five components, while one component remained unchanged. The largest positive contributors to the November reading were an acceleration in the six-months smoothed growth rate in the number of new passenger vehicles sold, and an increase in the volume of orders in…

WHILE South African JSE clothing retailers for the third quarter of 2023 released positive trading statements and announced increases in their sales, they also highlighted load shedding and high inflation as challenges they are facing. Business Report looked at business updates for The Foschini Group, Mr Price, Woolworths, and Truworths to see how these retailers have fared. In its business update for the third quarter of 2023, released on Monday, The Foschini Group (TFG) said it had achieved a robust performance off a strong base, with group retail turnover growth of 17.3% compared to the third quarter of the 2022 financial year, and growth of 20.8% for the nine months ended December 31, 2022. Meanwhile, the results of retailer Truworths International released on November 3, 2022 for the…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa insists that the DA’s application to the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to declare the ANC’s cadre deployment committee unlawful and unconstitutional is “premature and lacks substance”. Ramaphosa made the submission in court yesterday via his legal counsel, advocate Adila Hassim SC, in his bid to ask the court to dismiss the application with costs. He was replying to the DA’s claim that the ANC used its deployment committee to ensure some of its cadres secured top jobs in the government, media, the judiciary, and other levers of the state to enhance the interests of the party in government and state-owned institutions. The DA also argued that the Zondo Commission found the ANC has used its cadre deployment committee improperly in government institutions, a claim Ramaphosa vehemently…

Claims for cardiometabolic conditions have tripled since 2020, with a 200% increase in claims last year. This is according to Discovery, which insures more than 40% of South Africa’s medical scheme market. They said it was important for all South Africans to make health a priority in 2023. Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for pharmaceutical company Pharma Dynamics, said the increase in diagnoses for cardiovascular and other chronic conditions may be the result of patients forgoing regular health checks due to lockdown restrictions and fear of contracting Covid 19. “After two years of overflowing intensive care wards, some of Covid- 19’s indirect effects are now being felt. Delayed medical care, poor medication adherence, increased barriers to healthy lifestyle behaviours (due to lockdowns), a decline in health check-ups and screenings and regular exercise…

The innovative global competition, Red Bull Doodle Art, where art and technology meet to empower a new generation of artists, makes an exciting return, inviting creatives to showcase their crafts. In this competition, participants let their minds wander, draw casually, and explore spontaneous creations that happen when pen meets paper and the imagination runs free. In this “phygital” experience involving both the physical and digital domains of art, the national champion will be invited to the world final in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where the 2023 Red Bull Doodle Art winner will be chosen by a panel of prominent experts. The application window is now open until March 11. In South Africa, Red Bull Doodle Art will host a series of workshops at application events around the country, including in Cape…

WITH the support of friends, family, and the public, more than R260 000 has so far been raised for treatment for 3-year-old Elijah Cottle from Hout Bay who was diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare and serious polio-like condition that left him paralysed from the waist down. Despite the devastating diagnosis, Elijah remained positive and cheerful as he fought for his life in the ICU at Christiaan Barnard Hospital last year. After several months of intense treatment and recovery, Elijah was finally discharged from the hospital in September. While his family was overjoyed to have him home, they knew that the road to recovery would be long and costly. Currently Elijah’s rehabilitation schedule is intense, with 4-day sessions every week consisting of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language…

Gift of the Givers officially reopened the Port Natal School in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. This after the school was damaged by the floods in April last year. According to the humanitarian organisation’s spokesperson, Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers has pumped R40 million into infrastructure upgrade of schools since the floods, with its teams repairing floors, roofs, ceilings, windows, doors, toilets, classrooms, entire buildings, stormwater drains, boundary walls, electrical and water networks. He said many schools were in a bad state of repair, unrelated to the floods, but because of failure of maintenance over the years. “This is a very unique intervention where the principal and management agreed to convert the 90-year-old purely Afrikaans medium school into a dual medium institution, following the Gift of the Givers upgrade of the…

Zwane should go, says Herman Gibbs With Arthur Zwane at the helm, Kaizer Chiefs have made the worst start to a year in league history after the team lost all three fixtures in 2023 and failed to score a goal, while conceding six. Never before have Chiefs started a year with three successive defeats. This state of affairs has had the fans crying out in anguish. One of the three defeats was a 4-0 thrashing by an average AmaZulu team, who made history by scoring their first win over Chiefs in more than a decade. It was the second 4-0 drubbing this season after Mamelodi Sundowns took Chiefs to the cleaners in mid-August. The succession of defeats has resulted in an outcry by fans for Zwane’s sacking, but the Amakhosi…

There have been plenty of signings in the Premiership transfer market this month. Here, we look at five signings who could make a difference for their clubs in the second half of the season. Andre de Jong Stellenbosch FC The New Zealand international showed potential during his first stint in South Africa with AmaZulu, but ultimately failed to find the back of the net for the club. He proved that he can score during his time with Royal AM. Stellenbosch have been poor this season and have struggled in front of goal without Ashley Du Preez, who left the club to join Kaizer Chiefs at the end of last term. If De Jong can find the back of the net, he can help Stellies make the most out of what…

French police detained for questioning rugby federation president Bernard Laporte as part of an investigation into suspected tax fraud, financial prosecutors said yesterday. Earlier this month, Laporte stepped back from his role at the FFR without resigning after being convicted of unrelated corruption charges nine months before France hosts the Rugby World Cup. The most recent investigation dates back to August 2020. Yesterday’s incident comes as the almost 2 000 French rugby clubs are voting on whether to accept Laporte’s appointed interim president Patrick Buisson, with the results expected tomorrow. “He was summoned for questioning by tax authorities … he went there with a lawyer specialising in tax,” said one of Laporte’s lawyers, Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi. “It is perfectly scandalous that the prosecutors have chosen the date of Patrick Buisson’s election…

Share prices in ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) slid as much as nearly 22% yesterday, after it flagged that for the year ended December 31, 2022 its earnings were expected to fall as much as 63% due to steel prices dropping. The shares dropped to an intra-day low of R3.72, having closed the previous day at R4.75. By 3.36pm the share had recovered somewhat to trade at R4.19 on the JSE. They have declined by 23.39% in the past six months. In its trading statement and business update released yesterday, the steel-making group said the earnings per share declined from R5.94 profit per share for the comparative period to a profit within a range of R2.20 and R2.50 per share for the period, representing a decrease of between 58% and 63%.…

THE SEVERE pressures put on businesses and the economy by the country’s energy crisis continue to worsen. The latest company having to deal with the fallout from Eskom’s load shedding is Stratford Farms in Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal. The dairy farm was forced to dispose of thousands of litres of unpasteurised milk earlier this week after load shedding caused cooling systems and other mechanisms to fail. Ross Stratford, a director of the farm, warned that the cost of milk could skyrocket in the near future if load shedding persisted. Stratford, speaking about the 11 000 litres of milk that the farm was forced to dispose of on Sunday, said, “Due to the poor infrastructure in the municipalities, it is not equipped to handle the effects of load shedding. While our equipment…

Set in the ’50s in Pittsburgh, USA, Fences follows the story of Troy Maxson, his wife Rose and sons, Cory and Lyons. Troy works as a garbage collector alongside his best friend, Jim Bono, whom he has known for decades. Written by renowned African American playwright August Wilson, Fences explores the evolving African- American experience while examining race relations and other themes which resonate with what South Africa experienced during apartheid, into democracy and celebrated over the years. “August Wilson is the most performed playwright in America today. Most of his plays have been adapted into great movies including Fences, directed by and starring Denzel Washington,” said Kani. “Viola Davis won an Oscar for Best Actress for playing Rose. It is so fitting that the Joburg Theatre celebrates this…

Committee agrees to her request to summon predecessor Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has been granted her wish to have her predecessor, Thuli Madonsela, summoned to appear and testify before the Parliamentary committee probing her fitness to hold office. The committee spent its first meeting of the year weighing up the merits of applications from Mkhwebane’s legal team to summon five witnesses, including Madonsela, who had declined to testify voluntarily. The five were Madonsela, PPSA investigator Bianca Mvuyana, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, DA MP Natasha Mazonne and acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka. Before making its decisions, the committee received a briefing from Parliamentary legal adviser Fatima Ebrahim on the principles it should consider in its consideration of the applications. The committee said it agreed to summon Madonsela because…

FORMER Cabinet spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi has received a backlash for insinuating that it was wrong for Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to publicly endorse President Cyril Ramaphosa. The king was speaking in Nquthu, southern KwaZulu-Natal, during the 114th commemoration of the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana, in which assegai-wielding Zulu regiments defeated British soldiers who were armed with rifles. “We have a good relationship with the leadership of the government, from the top to the councillor. We work together. I’m referring to the government. “If it did not please God, he would not have allowed the president to lead this nation. He was anointed by God to govern. God trusts the president and his government,” said the king. The reigning monarch cautioned his subjects against pointing fingers at the president. “Let us…

ActionSA has called the release of an alleged Primrose slumlord – an undocumented foreign national – irrational. This comes after a woman by the name of Patricia Khoza exposed the real person behind the hijacking of buildings in and around Germiston just more than two weeks ago. Khoza is said to have been arrested on property damage charges after exposing the issue of hijacked buildings in the area and reporting her landlord, alleged to be behind many hijacked buildings in Germiston. On Wednesday, after learning of the release of the landlord, ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said the release of the alleged culprit would put the life of the whistle-blower in harm’s way. “ActionSA has just learnt that the Nigerian foreign national who stands accused of intimidation and harassment has now…

Many of us can’t scratch our backs. We need someone else to help us. Human nature dictates if you’re helped you also do likewise. One of the major complaints by South Africans is that foreign nationals are more than them. And a large proportion acquired citizenship fraudulently while others remain in the land undocumented. The criminally charged Shepherd Bushiri of Malawi together and his family members obtained SA identity documents after being three months on our shores. His loyalty lie with his benefactors. There’s a public outcry that many foreigners are voting in favour of their masters. The last local government elections confirm this as many South Africans were apathetic. It’s an undisputed fact our borders are porous and a sizeable number of foreigners are employed in government departments…

The Adopt-a-School Foundation has congratulated the 2022 matric class for achieving the second-highest pass rate since the start of democracy. Established in 2002, the foundation implements a Whole School Development model that goes beyond academic programmes to address basic infrastructure, social influences, curriculum development and school leadership. The model has helped deliver quality schooling to 643 underprivileged schools across the country through public and private partnerships. Through the support of the Department of Basic Education and several committed corporate funders, the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AASF) has also assisted numerous high schools in achieving their targeted matric results. Lefa Freddy Madia was recognised as a top performer at the Free State Provincial Awards. Madia achieved six distinctions and has been accepted at UCT to study mechatronic engineering. Madia said: “I’m so happy…

The City of Ekurhuleni says attacks on Air Quality Monitoring Stations by criminals are putting lives of people and the environment at risk. Poor air quality contributes to among others, respiratory and cardiac diseases. According to the World Health Organisation, poor air quality kills an estimated 7 million people a year. As an industrial hub, Ekurhuleni has deployed 10 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations across the city to help identify sources of potential harmful emissions. The city’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, said the air quality monitoring stations were strategically placed throughout the city to measure key air pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. According to the city, the data collected by these monitoring stations help the municipality understand the sources of air pollution in the area,…

Former winger Jabu Mahlangu has launched a scathing attack on Mamelodi Sundowns’ shopping spree, saying it’s weakening the standard of the PSL. “I personally cannot stand to watch PSL matches because its standard has dropped,” he said in a video that he posted on Twitter on Monday. “We spoke about the introduction of the financial fair play rule. But the Masandawana fans, like any other fans, want their team to win all the time.” The Brazilians are one of the big spenders in African football, having signed some of the finest and most expensive personnel from around the globe and that, which was brought to fruition by billionaire Patrice Motsepe, has ensured steady development at the club as they’ve won five league titles in a row. But, there are experts…

If ever Evan Roos wanted to stake a serious claim for the Springbok World Cup squad, Friday night’s United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster in Belfast is the time to do it. That is when the just-turned 23-year-old Roos will come up against Bok stalwart Duane Vermeulen at Ravenhill Stadium (9.35pm kick-off). Competition for places in Jacques Nienaber’s Bok squad is as tight as ever, and that’s especially true for the loose forwards. The Bok management opted to give Vermeulen a breather from the November tour, with Jasper Wiese the starting No 8. Roos, though, also impressed as a starter against England – with Wiese unavailable due to club commitments – despite sustaining a rib injury in the first half of the 27-13 at Twickenham. The 36-year-old Vermeulen, though, has…

With the Bulls having experienced snow during their last game in Lyon, and now facing more cold weather in Wales, loose forward Nizaam Carr was asked if he wouldn’t mind having one of his favourite Cape delicacies, boeber, right now. “Yoh! Anything now from anywhere in South Africa that’s warm right now would be nice, because it’s bloody cold!” the experienced No 8 said with a chuckle about the warm milk-based sweet drink yesterday from a chilly Llanelli, where the Bulls will face the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night (9.35pm kick-off). The 31-year-old would have experienced such conditions before, having spent a good few years at Wasps in England. But what would have made it tougher for the Springbok link-man was the fact he was…

French police detained for questioning rugby federation president Bernard Laporte as part of an investigation into suspected tax fraud, financial prosecutors said yesterday. Earlier this month, Laporte stepped back from his role at the FFR without resigning after being convicted of unrelated corruption charges nine months before France hosts the Rugby World Cup. The most recent investigation dates back to August 2020. Yesterday’s incident comes as the almost 2 000 French rugby clubs are voting on whether to accept Laporte’s appointed interim president Patrick Buisson, with the results expected tomorrow. “He was summoned for questioning by tax authorities … he went there with a lawyer specialising in tax,” said one of Laporte’s lawyers, Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi. “It is perfectly scandalous that the prosecutors have chosen the date of Patrick Buisson’s election…

Eskom fails to give Parliament concrete forecast of when it will end the power cuts ESKOM has failed to give Parliament a concrete forecast of when it will be able to end load shedding completely. The struggling power utility appeared before the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) yesterday to provide an update on the progress made so far to implementing the 23 recommendations that Parliament made following an oversight visit to Eskom early last year. After a detailed presentation by outgoing Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, Scopa chairman Mkhuleko Hlengwa remained dissatisfied that the utility’s recovery plan still fell short of pronouncing the end of crippling power cuts. Hlengwa said that if Eskom did not have tangible targets and milestones to end load shedding, this could possibly place the…

SASOL’S coal export sales fell 25% in the six months to December 31, due to operational challenges at Transnet Freight Rail and the diversion of coal to the Secunda Operations (SO), the group said yesterday in a sales and production update. However, it said group external sales revenue was only 2% lower, driven by lower sales volumes. First-half overall sales volumes were 5% lower, largely due to lower Eurasia volumes offset by higher sales in America. The average basket price rose 3%, but decreased by 14% compared to the first quarter of the 2023 year due to the weaker economic environment. The share price nudged up 4.7% to R316.91 yesterday afternoon. In Sasol’s mining operations, productivity fell in December, 2022 due to the lack of spare parts and safety stoppages.…

Tributes are pouring in for radio legend and “voice of e.tv” Bongani Njoli. Njoli died on Sunday around 11am from health issues. The 52-year-old from Langa in Cape Town enjoyed brief stints at radio stations including UCT Radio, GoodhopeFM, Heart 104.9FM and Magic 828. But he was most well-known for being the voice of e.tv’s promotions. Who can forget that famous voice saying: “Tonight on e” or “Friday action night”, among other lines? Njoli’s partner of 21 years, Sharon Lause Mrawuli, said he leaves behind his 24-year-old daughter, Tembisa Bavuma. Mrawuli told IOL Entertainment that Njoli had been “forgotten” in recent years. She added: “I will miss his voice, of course, his smile too. He was my only friend, we hung out a lot together and listen to his old-school…

The current prepaid electricity voucher system will run out of voucher sequences for the unique tokens produced for each meter by November 24 next year. The City of Joburg environment and infrastructure services department (EISD) said the token identifier system is a security measure that ensures that a token can only be used once and for the meter number it was purchased for. This means that prepaid electricity tokens purchased after this date will not be recognised by the current prepaid meters installed in 1993. In an effort to resolve this system issue, City Power will embark on a programme to upgrade smart meters or replace older meters. “This is a system-linked limitation and not unexpected. However, with the recent articles published in the media, it has caused quite a…

There has been a substantial increase in illegally traded wild animals as pets since the inception of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH), according to the organisation’s legal and operations lead, Wendy Willson. Willson said this increase has been recorded within indigenous species, noting a 200-1 000% (species dependent) increase. This comes after the 8-year-old tiger Sheba was shot dead after she escaped, injuring a human and killing several domestic animals. The organisation said the incident has put the spotlight once more on traded wildlife. “There are animals such as dogs and cats that have adapted and evolved over thousands of years to live alongside humans as part of the family, wild animals have not,” said Willson. She said a wild animal cannot have all its needs for health…

The recent episode depicting violence on Isencane Lengane on Moja Love has sparked commotion on social media, with many viewers calling it irresponsible broadcasting. This follows a heated altercation between Siyacela Dlamuka and Thando Msomi, where Dlamuka is seen turning violent towards Msomi. The episode was not well received by viewers, and as a result, Moja Love came under fire, forcing the channel to justify its action. “The most recent episode of Isencane Lengane, on Moja Love (DStv Channel 157), saw couple Siyacela Dlamuka and Thando Msomi engage in a heated argument, leading to Siyacela becoming violent towards her. Following the broadcast of this episode, there has been an uproar, with some labelling this as irresponsible broadcasting. “Moja Love would like to put it on record that the channel…

Nhlakanipho “Versatile” Ntanda is set to take the music scene by storm in as many ways as possible. The 28-year-old from Pimville, Soweto, said his music is a fusion of Afropop, amapiano and hip hop. He attributes this ability to transverse the different genres to growing up in one of the most culturally diverse townships in South Africa, which afforded him the opportunity to gain inspiration from everyday local stories, which makes his output authentic and relatable. “From a young age, I always had a big interest in music and I began collecting my own music when I was in Grade 2. After that, writing became a natural thing to me,” said Ntanda. Ntanda also produces music and it was during his varsity days when he took his music career…

Ingredients 3 tbs sunflower or canola oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely grated 1 tbs masala curry powder 1 tsp ground cumin (or cumin seeds) 1 tsp ground coriander 1 star anise 1 stick cinnamon 1 sprig curry leaves 1 tbs fresh ginger, finely grated 1 can chopped tomatoes 1 tsp sugar 1 large potato, peeled and cubed into 1cm cubes ½ a cup water Salt and milled pepper 1 can hot chilli or tomato-flavoured sardines 8 mini rolls of choice Fresh coriander and tomato salsa, for serving Method Heat oil over a low to medium heat and cook onions and garlic until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in ground and whole spices and curry leaves. Add ginger, canned tomatoes, sugar, potatoes and water. Season. Cover…

From the onset, I profusely apologise to all the eThekwini municipality customers who are experiencing intermittent provision of basic services such as electricity and water. Chapter 7 of the Constitution spells out clearly that the City has the responsibility of providing basic services to communities in a sustainable manner. We regret that there have been circumstances that are beyond our control, in some parts of the City, which have been a hindrance in us living up to this constitutional mandate. The City buys electricity from the power utility, Eskom, to the tune of R13.2 billion a year. We then provide this electricity to customers in accordance with tariffs approved by Nersa. The power utility has recently experienced breakdowns at seven of its coal-powered stations. This has resulted in the deficit…

In his relatively short Proteas career, Anrich Nortje has worked with quite a number of national team coaches. From Ottis Gibson to Enoch Nkwe and then Mark Boucher and lastly Malibongwe Maketa, the fast bowler has been through a few. And now ahead of the three-match one-day international series against England, the bustling fast bowler will meet the latest coach of the Proteas team. Rob Walter, who has been installed as the new white-ball mentor is not available, so Test coach Shukri Conrad will instead guide the team against England in Bloemfontein and Kimberley. Nortje is keen to experience the fresh energy and ideas Conrad will bring to the Proteas. “I have not worked with him before, but I am excited to see what he is going to bring to…

Antonio Conte insists he is proud to be Tottenham Hotspur manager despite a troubled season at the north London club and uncertainty about his future. Back-to-back defeats raised question marks about Conte’s position, but Monday night’s 1-0 Premier League win at Fulham revived Tottenham’s hopes of challenging for a top-four finish. The Italian looked emotional at the final whistle at Craven Cottage after Harry Kane’s goal just before half-time sealed a vital win for Tottenham. Kane became Spurs’ joint all-time record goal-scorer as he produced a trademark finish on the stroke of half-time to notch his 266th goal for the Londoners. Kane’s effort drew him level with the late Jimmy Greaves, whose 266 goals came in 379 games. England skipper Kane reached the total in 415 appearances. Fulham were the…

Stefanos Tsitsipas said he was “a different player” from the past after blasting into a fourth Australian Open semi-final and a showdown with Karen Khachanov yesterday. The Greek third seed proved too powerful for unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Arena, storming home 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-4 as he zeroes in on a maiden major title. He will face Russian 18th seed Khachanov for a place in his first Melbourne Park final, having crashed in the semis three times previously, including in the past two years. Russia’s Khachanov booked his place when American Sebastian Korda retired hurt with a wrist injury while trailing 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-0. Asked afterwards if he felt differently from previous years and believes this could finally be his year, the 24-year-old Tsitsipas said: “I’m feeling great…