Table of contents for 2024-09-09 in Star

PREMIER FMCG has confirmed that it has reduced production capacity at its confectionery plant, Mister Sweet, due to a three-week ongoing crippling workers’ strike. Employees at Premier’s Wadeville confectionery operations embarked on a protected strike last month due to a wage dispute as they demand a living wage of R19 500 from the current R6 000 per month for the lowest paid workers. Premier’s Wadeville Confectionery manufacturing facility produces sugar confectionery for Mister Sweet, Manhattan, Champion, Frutus, Candy Tops and Rascal brands for the broader SADC market and some international markets. Premier on Friday said it reached an agreement with the union, UCIMeshawu, to implement a 7% wage increase backdated to January 2024, which is above average wage inflation. While this was accepted by the majority, Premier said…

CONSUMERS in South Africa will be able to stretch their rand a little further this month after the fuel price decreases were announced this past week. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy dropped the prices of both grades of petrol by 92 cents a litre, while diesel eased by between 79c (500ppm) and R1.05 (50ppm). This means a litre of 95 Unleaded petrol costs R21.40 at the coast and R22.19 in Gauteng, and the cheaper 93 Unleaded is retailing at R21.79. This is the lowest petrol prices since February 2023. The DMRE said September’s petrol and diesel price decreases come mostly as a result of lower international fuel prices, while a slightly stronger rand added around 11c to the equation. Henry van der Merwe, chairperson of…

GROWTH capital firm Aurea on Saturday announced the completion of its acquisition of UK-based cosmetics group The Body Shop, renowned for ethical hair and skin products. The 50-year-old business entered administration in February, which led to FRP Advisory being brought in to try to salvage part of the group. Soon after, The Body Shop announced it would shutter almost half of its 198 stores in Britain. On collapsing, it employed about 1 500 staff across its UK stores, and a total 7 000 worldwide. “This investment demonstrates Aurea’s focus on backing purpose-led and differentiated brands in the Beauty, Wellness and Longevity sector and represents its largest transaction to date,” Aurea said in a statement. Remain- ing stores are expected to continue trading under the new deal. German private…

THE STATISTICIAN-General of South Africa, Risenga Maluleke, his team and the Statistics Council appeared before a parliamentary portfolio committee to discuss and explain the controversy that has engulfed Census 2022. It is not a sweet experience to be left out, but it is a mournful event when a third of the population is left out. This is what is the crux of the debate prior and during the hearing. It ended well, as I expected. The two professors from the University of Cape Town, Tom Moultrie and Rob Dorrington, also correctly vetoed a DA suggestion for a re-run of the census. Indeed, it was a call that Lenin could have labelled an infantile disorder. The two professors nipped it in the bud. But let us take a stroll down memory…

CITY LODGE Hotels’ management is optimistic that demand will continue to improve as business and consumer confidence returns and interest rates decrease, thereby contributing to better disposable income in businesses and households,” chief financial officer Dhanisha Nathoo said. The group, which on Friday reported a 10% increase in adjusted headline earnings per share to 31.8 cents, reported on Friday that room occupancies and revenue had continued to grow in the year to June 30, as it continued to recover from the legacy of the Covid pandemic. “The group is well-positioned, with no outstanding debt, revenue up 13%, and group occupancies of 58%, two percentage points ahead of 2023. “Food and beverage (F&B) revenue has grown 22% in the year,” said Na- thoo. A dividend of 9c (2023: 8c) was…

MOMENTUM Group on Friday said normalised headline earnings a share for the year to June 30 were expected to increase by between 33% and 38%. Despite the rise in earnings, Momentum Metropolitan Holdings’ share price fell relatively sharply by 2.18% to close at R27.39 on the JSE on Friday, although the price was still 36% higher than the price at the same time last year. Normalised headline earnings per share were expected to be between 304 cents to 315c, compared with 228c per share in the previous financial year, the financial services and insurance group said in a trading statement. The full results are expected to be released on September 27. Earnings per share were expected to increase by between 30% and 38% to between 278c and 288c per…

Mzansi’s reality show offerings are set to be injected with a fresh dose of drama as a South African version of the international show Love Never Lies comes to Netflix. The new series will be released in November. The programme is based on the 2021 Spanish unscripted reality series. A Polish version and a Sardinian adaptation of the show have also been released. The local adaptation will feature six supposedly solid couples who will put their love to the test to win some prize money. These lovers who are striving for honesty will also test their trust in each other as they will be strapped to a lie detector test and will be asked a series of questions regarding their relationships. With their partners watching, they must pass the eye-scanner…

In the wake of the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court (Concourt) on an interdict, which is an interim order to keep Sekunjalo’s accounts open, it is important to note that the court has not yet ruled on the main case against Nedbank, which still needs to be heard. The Sekunjalo Group, a black-owned conglomerate committed to transformation, remains resolute in its fight for justice against the discriminatory practices of South African banks, particularly Nedbank. Despite the media spin, propagated by journalists like Karyn Maughan, the Concourt ruling is not the final chapter in this ongoing legal battle. Sekunjalo remains confident that the real fight, which is yet to take place in the Equality Court, will vindicate them and expose the deeply ingrained racial and economic prejudices at play. It…

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and the City of Tshwane have confirmed the death of Constable R Mnisi from Region 3 Sector 2 (Inner-city), who tragically lost his life in an accident while on duty. Mnisi’s TMPD motorbike was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Justice Mahomed Street and Gerhard Moerdyk Street in Sunnyside on Saturday. Mnisi was a true warrior, he tragically lost his life while in uniform returning from a duty in Brooklyn, where he was stationed at a marathon event, TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said. “He was known for his professionalism, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. He will be remembered as a reliable and hardworking officer who always put the needs of the community first.…

Online short courses have been made available to expand one’s skills, especially as an employee to grow your career. Despite strides to grow one’s skills set, CEO at G&G Advocacy, Micheal Gullan, cited research that employees tend to immediately forget new information or skills they have learnt. The biggest drop in retention happens soon after learning. G&G Advocacy is an e-Learning consultancy in corporate. He therefore advised employers to familiarise their employees with the “spaced repetition technique” to quickly grasp and retain information for a long period of time, instead of instant forgetfulness. Instead of cramming information, the spaced repetition technique means an employee breaks an online course, or workshop, into short sessions where they constantly repeat the same information. This technique has proven to be more effective, as it…

South Africa is a country with diverse social economic backgrounds and statuses. There is the centre, affectionately referred to as the urban, and then there’s the marginal, disposed as the rural. The country is a third world, thereby, the impoverished outskirts, are God forsaken. Before the democratic rule of 1994, the rural were at an incredibly more favourable stand point, as they were half autonomous, because of two factors. One, there were the Bantustans, where African natives were given nominal countries. The second factor was that people in rural areas regarded themselves as national native vanguards, since the introduction of industrialisation was enforced through an atrocious colonial project of genocide and dispossession. The rural maintained the stand of keeping land in the hands of the native while the urban were…

The Sharks beat the Bulls 24-18 in a Currie Cup clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park yesterday to strike a psychological blow ahead of this week’s semi-final between the two teams in Pretoria. In the other semi-final, the Lions host the Cheetahs at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. In Durban yesterday, both sides fielded most of their United Rugby Championship squad players who had been rested for a mandatory eight-week period and it was a cracking match The game was played in the first spring rains on the east coast and the Sharks will feel they have made a statement by taking the best the Bulls could deliver in the first half before coming back strongly in the second half to secure the spoils. Many South African rugby supporters have asked…

PETER Steenkamp, the chief executive of Harmony Gold, says he is seeing offshoots of stability and recovery in South Africa’s operating environment under the Government of National Unity (GNU), though feels more needs to be done to address investor concerns around crime and logistics as there has already been steady improvements in electricity supply. Harmony Gold last week lifted headline earnings per share for the year to end June 2024 by 132%, driven by higher gold and elevated production boosted by higher grades and cost containment, with Steenkamp saying there was strong support for bullion prices to remain elevated. Harmony Gold has said it is preserving cash for capital projects aimed at solidifying its production profile, while it is also investing in copper. Steenkamp last week emphasised that the company…

EQUITY markets across the world traded down last week. Two major economic indicators for the US that were released show that the US economy may contract sooner and stronger than expected. Many investors are nervous that the decision by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) on interest rates is too late and is behind the cycle. It is feared that even if the US lowers rates over two weeks, it will have a limited effect on its economy that moves towards lower growth and higher unemployment. On Wednesday, it was announced that manufacturing production in the US dropped by 0.3% from the previous month in July of 2024. The US Institute for Supply Management announced that: “Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in July for the fourth consecutive month and…

LOWER platinum group metals (PGM) and coal prices tipped full year headline earnings in African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) for the year to June downwards by 43%, with the company’s total dividend for the year resultantly falling to R15 per share compared to R26 per share in the previous corresponding period. This saw the company’s share price on the JSE dragging down by 2.9% to R157.29 per share at the close of Friday’s trade session. Year to date, ARM’s stock is 21.4% weaker. Headline earnings for the full year to June 2024 dipped 43% to R5 billion or R25.91 per share. “The decline in headline earnings was mainly due to the decline in the average US dollar 6E PGM basket price and the lower thermal coal prices,” said ARM on…

The television industry has been hard at work to bring viewers the best content when it comes to new seasons of popular shows. Below are the shows which will be returning for new seasons: Adulting S3 (Showmax) The hit drama series, which centres on a group of varsity friends whose bromance has stood the test of time, is getting a new season. The show stars award-winning heartthrob Thembinkosi Mthembu as Bonga, alongside Nhlanhla Kunene as Eric, Luthando BU Mthembu as Vuyani and Thabo Rammusi as Mpho. While an official release date, plot details or new cast members have not been announced yet, Showmax took to social media recently to announce the new season. Only Murders in the Building S5 (Disney+) The hit Emmy-Award-winning comedy series has already been renewed for…

Former president Thabo Mbeki told members of ANC in the Free State to move from talking to action. Mbeki said the era of having endless discussions in the ANC were over, adding that implementation of party policies needed to take centre stage. “To regain voter support, we must move from talk to action. As a province, we need to be judged by what we do, not just by what we say. “The very important part of winning back the support of the population which in the last elections moved away from the ANC, to win back that support, is going to depend on what we do, not what we say,” he added. Mbeki was addressing the provincial executive committee lekgotla held in Welkom over the weekend, on what the…

ELEPHANT Charley – formerly of the Pretoria Zoo – was released into a new enclosure at Shambala Private Reserve this week where he can now roam in one hectare of the savannah and start foraging for food by himself. With a special feeding and trust-building programme, the African elephant is being prepared step by step for his life in the wild by an expert team of global animal welfare organisation Four Paws, and his future caretakers in Shambala. Charley is rapidly adapting to his newly won liberties after he was saved from what is said to be life-long abuse for human entertainment in a circus and zoo. Four Paws vet Dr Marina Ivanova said: “Charley is a very special elephant. He is a fast learner and adapts really well to…

HONOR, a global leader when it comes to smart devices, has brought a number of innovations to the IFA Berlin 2024 industrial exhibition. HONOR is constantly adapting its offers to consumers’ changing requirements. “HONOR stays close to consumers and understands the challenges they face,” said HONOR CEO George Zhao. The brand uses AI to empower hardware, offering innovations such as AI Defocus and AI Motion Sensing Capture and Harcourt Mode on the HONOR Magic V3 – the thinnest foldable smartphone. Features such as Face to Face translation and AI eraser, developed incorporating Google Cloud AI, provide enhanced performance for daily use. The brand is dedicated to unlocking creative potential while prioritising user privacy through human-centric design philosophy. The HONOR MagicBook Art 14 features a modular camera that is detachable and…

Sandile Ngwenya, known to millions of music fans as Mapaputsi, is the kwaito legend who has been single-handedly credited with keeping the the genre’s music culture together. The man behind the hit song Izinja died on Thursday. His death was revealed to his fans the next morning. In an official statement released shortly after his passing, the family confirmed that the inspiring hitmaker with a gravel voice had died due to an undisclosed illness. “The family of the South African kwaito legend Sandile Ngwenya, popularly know as Mapaputsi, are saddened to confirm to the media and public the passing of their son Mapaputsi,” the statement said. “Mapaputsi (passed away) in the late hours of Thursday, after a short illness.” The music industry which has suffered many similar losses in…

WHEN news broke about a new national government dispensation and the possibility of a government of national unity based on multiparty governance, many South Africans and even the market responded positively about the country’s future. However, the reality at the local government level remains grim. Local government is in serious trouble. The recent auditor-general report reveals that 90% of municipalities are either in distress or serious dysfunction. This is particularly concerning because local governance is where effective government should have the most direct impact. It is at the local level that people live their daily lives, relying on basic essential services such as transportation, water, energy, safety, health and sanitation. Alarmingly, most metros (six out of eight) are struggling to meet the growing demands of expanding populations. By 2050, it…

THE ROLLOUT of the Two-pot retire- ment system has led to a surge in activity for Sanlam Corporate, which received more than 20 000 savings component claims via its portal and app in just the first two working days of September, according to the Financial Services Provider. According to Sanlam, this volume far exceeds the monthly average of 7 000 to 8 000 retirement, withdrawal, or retrenchment claims usually processed by Sanlam Corporate. The average claim amount remained steady at R20 000 over the two days. “Most claims were processed through Sanlam’s straight-through processing capabilities, requiring minimal manual intervention” said Nzwa Shoniwa, Man- aging Executive at Sanlam Corporate. “This indicates effective communication with our clients prior to Two-pot imple- mentation and the success of the prepa-…

IS THE SOUTHERN African Customs Union (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa – Sacu) in danger of slowly disintegrating, and this is not good for any of the people living in the union. The objective of any customs union is to improve the welfare of the member states more than if they were not members. The best example of this is the European Union (EU), which has, on average, improved the wellbeing of its members. But Sacu, despite being the oldest customs union in the world has not delivered on this promise, and I’m not sure it can unless some rather drastic steps are taken. All the customs and excise duties collected in the five countries is put into the Common Revenue Pool which is then shared between the…

THE SA RESERVE Bank (SARB) needs to delve much deeper into the psycho- logy of why so many people in South Africa remain unbanked. This also has its roots in trauma towards money. According to the World Bank as many as 12 million South Africans do not have a bank account, and many others have limited access to banking. Earlier this year I attended an HR masterclass where one fabulous black entrepreneur related how she was scared to go to a legacy bank as she felt they would reject her business case. She didn’t want a white banker. She found a sympathetic banker and cleverly changed her banking habits to get a business bank account. But not so many entrepreneurs can think outside the box to do what she…

TELECOMS firm MTN on Friday dismissed complaints against CEO Ralph Mupita for alleged favouritism after an independent report cleared his name. It said in a statement it had noted the media reporting in the past few days regarding allegations of complaints against members of the Group’s executive. “MTN shareholders are advised that the Group board (the Board) held a special meeting on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to deliberate on a report by an independent law firm, assisted by counsel, tasked to verify allegations contained in an anonymous complaint against members of the MTN executive. “The independent report (the Report) stated that attempts to engage with the complainant were unsuccessful and found that there was no evidence of improper conduct by those cited in the complaint,” it said. MTN…

Award-winning South African actor, Nimrod Nkosi returns to screens as a hotshot attorney in Showmax’s new series, Law, Love and Betrayal. The drama is centred on a township lawyer hell-bent on making her mark at the elite, family-run firm, Gumede & Associates, helmed by Gatshe Gumede (Nkosi). He is powerful, well-connected and ruthless, stopping at nothing that gets in his way. “He is a man of great traditional values, a man respected by his peers, an award-winning lawyer, a man that’s an expert in constitutional law, a man that won’t take no for an answer and who loves law more than anything else in his life,” Nkosi said. “He can be a ruthless man, but he is a father as well. He doesn’t have a perfect family and he has…

The Gauteng Department of Health (says it will investigate social media user Tom London’s maltreatment allegations against Helen Joseph Hospital. According to him, the hospital treats its patients like cockroaches. Also a patient at the hospital, in a video posted on social media he said he has not seen a doctor come to a patient and greet them like a human. “I have not seen in my ward any one doctor who has come up to a patient and greeted them. They treat them with absolute disrespect. “This is from a Wits medical intern, all the way up to senior doctors. I have never seen a level of disrespect against human beings such as this in my entire life. “Yesterday, I was taken down for a CT scan, to…

Afrika Tikkun Bambanani has noted that by the time children are six years old, they should have been exposed to at least 10 000 books to build a strong foundation for their literacy skills. In celebration of National Book Week, which commenced on Thursday and ends on Wednesday, the organisation piloted an early childhood literacy (ECD) curriculum across 300 ECD centres in South Africa, where a startling 81% of Grade 4 learners lack literacy skills. The internationally accredited curriculum offers pre-reading skills for learners at ECD level to cultivate their reading and writing, and social and cognitive skills for effective readiness in time for formal schooling. So far, the learning programme has benefited more than 30 000 children and boasts a 99.8% school readiness success rate. “This curriculum…

Professor Mongane Wally Serote was inaugurated as a South African poet laureate in 2018, following in the footsteps of other veteran poets, Keorapetse Kgositsile and Mazisi Kunene. Serote was an anti-apartheid activist from the 1960s, espousing the conditions of the oppressed through the prism of Black Consciousness. After spells of detention and bannings he left South Africa in 1974 and studied at the University of Columbia where he obtained a Master’s in Fine Arts. As an ANC activist, he underwent military training in numerous countries for Umkhonto we Sizwe. His published poetry and novels include Yakhal’inkomo (1972), No Baby Must Weep (1975), Tselo (1974), Behold Mama, Flowers (1978), To Every Birth Its Blood (1980), The Night Keeps Winking (1982), A tough Tale (1987), Third World Express (1992), Come and Hope…

Simone Kruger lived up to all expectations and conquered the world’s biggest stage to secure South Africa’s second gold medal, as the curtain on the Paris Paralympic Games drew to a close yesterday. Track and field again dominated SA’s medal tally, with four of the six medals coming from various events in the iconic Stade de France. The remaining two medals were secured by wheelchair tennis and road cycling. Kruger, in her second Paralympics, improved on her fifth place finish three years ago in Tokyo. She secured a Paralympic record with a winning throw of 38.7m in the F38 discus. The 19-year-old fought off competition from China’s Yingli Li (38.64m), as well as a 38.36m throw from Colombian Xiomara Saldarriaga to triumph. “It was an amazing thing for me to…