Sommaire pour 2024-08-30 de Cape Times

The INDUSTRIAL Development Corporation (IDC) disbursed R15.9 billion into the economy in the year to March 31, 11% below last year, but a “result we are proud of” considering the tough economic environment and that last year’s result was a record year, interim CEO Andrew Jarvis said yesterday. He said in an online presentation the institution had maintained its liquidity and balance sheet strength through the year, despite headwinds such as loadshedding, logistics issues in the country, a low commodity price and investment environment, and high interest rates. The 2023 result was boosted to record levels by pent-up investment demand following the pandemic. However, they were seeing “green shoots” in the fixed investment space. He said during 2024 the institution had remained true to its mandate to drive and…

THE Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) says South Africa’s position on Gaza appeared to have been “watered down since the elections”. The PSC was reacting to a response by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a question-and-answer session in Parliament this week about actions against citizens joining the Israel Defence Forces, among other issues. Earlier this year, South Africa approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intervene in Gaza, seeking an order “for further provisional measures to prevent Israel from causing irreparable harm to the rights invoked by South Africa under the 1948 Genocide Convention in respect of the ongoing siege of Gaza”. “The International Court of Justice has found Israel to be responsible for apartheid policies. “The UN declared Israel an apartheid state in June 2024. South Africa…

World champs ready for old foes, as security beefed up for rivalry at iconic Emirates Airline Park (formerly Ellis Park) There can be no obfuscating the fact that Emirates Airline Park (formerly Ellis Park) gets a bad rap from the rest of the country. Although the precinct in which the famous stadium is situated is well tended and painstakingly looked after by the Lions Rugby Company, travelling to the iconic cauldron can be hair-raising. The term “crime and grime” has been bandied about, and it is for this reason that the Gauteng provincial government has begun to implement steps to arrest the decline of not only Ellis Park, but all major sporting venues in the province. Speaking yesterday at the MTN Pearl of Partnership event – which hosted a gaggle…

FIVE accused extortionists who allegedly targeted residents of the Efata complex for the deaf and blind in Mthatha have been denied bail. The local magistrate’s court turned down the applications of Nkosiphendule Mseswa, Boyce Kani, Sthembiso Mbube, Bongile Mnyanda and Nolimlandelo Pamla. They would allegedly demand payments from the disabled residents in the Mthatha West informal settlement complex of Chris Hani Park. According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the accused went to the homestead of one of the victims, where they demanded keys after she failed to pay “rent” for the house she had called home for more than 14 years. “It is alleged that Mseswa and Pamla, who are husband and wife, are headman and sub-headman of part of Chris Hani informal, respectively, who are not recognised by the…

Rassie Erasmus is the master of mind-games, even when he tries to shy away from it in the media. The Springbok coach did his usual trick on X (formerly Twitter) of following the team that the world champions will be playing next – the All Blacks – before the build-up even started to tomorrow’s massive Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Asked this week why he only follows one account at a time, Erasmus quipped: “Probably a few beers in! “It’s interesting for me … it’s not mind games. Guys tweet stuff about their team, and you see it and you might learn something there. “You might see this guy is not strapped, but they said he’s injured ... It’s just like I get the newspaper … You…

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing yesterday, wrapping up three days of talks aimed at easing friction between the two world powers ahead of November’s US election. As the pair sat down in the Great Hall of the People, Xi told Sullivan Beijing was committed to a stable relationship with Washington. “In this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and co-ordination ... not exclusion or regress,” Xi said. Sullivan told Xi that US President Joe Biden was committed to managing the relationship to avoid conflict and “looks forward to engaging with you in coming weeks”. The White House said after the meeting that the two sides were planning a call between Xi and Biden soon. Over what he later said were 14…

Blue Origin flew its latest group of six thrill-seekers to the edge of space and back again yesterday, including the youngest woman to complete the feat. Mission NS-26 marked the eighth human spaceflight for the company, founded by Jeff Bezos, as it presses ahead in the emerging suborbital tourism market. Karsen Kitchen, a 21-year-old senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, became the youngest woman to cross the Karman Line, the internationally recognised boundary marking the edge of space, 100km above the Earth’s surface. Blue Origin’s small New Shepard rocket blasted off from the company’s Launch Site One base in west Texas. After lift-off, the sleek and spacious capsule separated from its booster, which boasts zero carbon emissions. Total flight time: 10 minutes. | AFP…

Seoul: South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled yesterday that much of the country’s climate goals were unconstitutional, handing a landmark victory to young environmental activists. The first such case in Asia was brought by children and teenagers who named an embryo as a lead plaintiff. The court ruled that the government’s limited climate targets violated the constitution as they do “not sufficiently protect the basic rights of the people”. In 2021, South Korea made a legally binding commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 290 million tons by 2030, and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. | AFP…

LONDON: The British government said yesterday that its agreement to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would enter into force by December 15 this year after it received the final ratification required. CPTPP is a free trade agreement sealed in 2018 between 11 countries – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Britain is the only European member of CPTPP. The British government said more than 99% of UK goods exports to CPTPP members would be tariff-free, boosting the UK economy by up to £2 billion (R45bn) a year. | Reuters…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday that the government was committed to establishing a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) but the conditions currently did not exist for its immediate formation. Answering oral questions in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said countries with SWF broadly maintained surpluses in their current accounts and budget balances. “At present, South Africa’s fiscal position, with substantial current account and budget deficits, is not favourable for the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund.” He said funding for service delivery remained under pressure and that additional resources were required to improve the recruitment of key personnel as well as increase investment in the maintenance of basic service infrastructure. Ramaphosa said the most appropriate policy path was to use any additional resources at present to reduce the debt burden and improve…

SOUTH Africa, often hailed as the continent’s economic powerhouse, has witnessed a remarkable evolution in its economic landscape, significantly influenced by the entrepreneurial spirit of its women. These women entrepreneurs, who have emerged as key drivers of innovation and growth, are not only navigating but also thriving amid the country’s complex socio-economic challenges. High unemployment rates, stark inequality, and the enduring legacy of apartheid have posed significant obstacles, but women-led businesses are proving to be resilient forces of change. By embracing entrepreneurship, women are creating jobs, supporting local economies, and driving technological advancements that are essential for South Africa's future. Their ventures range from small-scale enterprises in rural areas to tech start-ups in urban centres, each contributing to the diversification and dynamism of the economy. The impact of women entrepreneurs…

HUMAN Settlements Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala left Phumla-Mqashi informal settlement in Mfuleni in low spirits. She saw first-hand the dire living conditions of the family of 1-year-old Sinoxolo Sethi, who drowned in the waterlogged area. The boy’s body was found just outside his home as flood water had saturated the area, creating a number of large and dangerous pools of water. The deputy minister’s visit to the area started on a chaotic note as a hostile group of Green Point informal settlement residents, largely led by men, prevented police, law enforcement and Mahambehlala’s convoy from passing through. Residents blocked the road, yelling that the visitors should leave and find another route to Phumla-Mqashi informal settlement. The protesters felt that other areas were being prioritised compared with those who had been…

Embracing Hope Viktor E. Frankl Loot.co.za (R305) Penguin Published in English for the first time, Embracing Hope by Viktor Frankl shows that by exercising our freedom, we have a duty to ourselves and others. Right from the start, with forewords by Dr Edith Eger and Dr Thomas Esch, I knew I was about to embark on a deeply personal journey. Eger’s words reminded me that “everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances”. Her message is a powerful reminder of the resilience we all possess, even in the darkest times. The book is divided into four parts, each tackling themes like the crisis of meaning, finding purpose, freedom and responsibility, and…

THE appointment of Roman Cabanac, podcaster and member of the Purple Cow Party, to the position of Chief of Staff to the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has raised numerous eyebrows, with people citing his previous tweets and utterances as proof of his racism. This article won’t deal with that. What I find astonishing about the appointment is that Steenhuisen appears to have no experience in agriculture. He will need to surround himself with people who do have such experience. Cabanac is not such a person. As Chief of Staff, Cabanac’s role will be that of a strategic advisor to Steenhuisen. He will have to formulate strategies, set priorities and ensure that the vision of the Minister is implemented. Yes, he will also have a role in co-ordinating activities and…

The death toll climbed yesterday as Israel pressed a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank for a second day, despite UN concerns that it is “fuelling an already explosive situation”. The operation was launched as violence raged on in the other main Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by war since Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attacks. Israel began co-ordinated raids in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem early on Wednesday, in what the military called a “counter-terrorism” operation. Columns of Israeli armoured vehicles backed by troops and warplanes were sent in before soldiers encircled refugee camps in Tubas and Tulkarem, as well as Jenin, and exchanged fire with Palestinian militants. The army said it killed five militants in Tulkarem during the…

CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed aside suggestions of US involvement in a new Pacific security accord after he was recorded privately discussing the deal with a senior Biden administration official. In the clip, recorded at a Pacific forum in Tonga, Albanese speaks with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell about the Pacific Policing Initiative unveiled this week. Under the terms, Australia will spend A$400 million (about R4.8 billion) to help boost security in the island states. Albanese joked with Campbell that “you can go us halvies on the cost if you like”. Albanese denied Campbell had said the US withdrew its initiative at Australia’s request. “It is Pacific led,” he said. | The Washington Post…

Kampala: A Ugandan shrine owner is under investigation for human sacrifice after 24 skulls were discovered at the site on the outskirts of the capital Kampala, police said yesterday. The grisly find comes a month after 17 other skulls, including those of children, were unearthed in a separate case in the country. Officers raided the shrine of Godfrey Ddamulira, who claimed to be a traditional healer, and discovered the skulls on the floor of a building. He was detained and helping with police investigations. He is being probed under anti-human sacrifice laws, which can result in a lengthy jail term or a death sentence. | AFP…

JSE-LISTED Blue Label Telecoms’ bid to increase its shareholding in mobile operator Cell C is moving closer to the finish line, with regulatory hearings set to be completed by the end of the year. Blue Label, which distributes prepaid products as well as virtual merchandise and value-added services, yesterday reported revenue of R89.3 billion in the year to May when PIN-less top-ups – a recent line of offerings – are included. This compares with R76.8bn reported last year. Excluding PIN-less top-ups, revenue would have been R14.6bn. Headline earnings per share came in at 76.08 cents, a year-on-year gain of 40%. However, excluding a positive contri- bution of R66 million in the current year and a negative amount of R523m in the prior year, mostly because of Cell C’s…

THE start of the corruption trial against former President Jacob Zuma has been delayed by another two weeks. Zuma appeared at the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday for what was supposed to be a pre-trial hearing on his arms deal corruption case that has dragged on for almost two decades. The parties will be heading back to court on September 11 to receive the reasons why Judge Nkosinathi Chiliza had dismissed Zuma’s application for State prosecutor Billy Downer to be removed from the case. Zuma has been fighting for Downer’s recusal in the arms deal case, accusing him of bias. This application was dismissed earlier this year. The Mercury understands that at the time, it was said the reason for the dismissal of the application would be part of the judgment…

A CALL has been made to acknowledge and preserve the significant historical contributions of coloured farmworkers in the development of Stellenbosch at the Aan Den Wagenweg site. This follows the Council’s approval of a Remgro application to install signs explaining the heritage site’s significance. The issue was presented to the Council after Remgro asked the municipal manager to issue a letter supporting their application to Heritage Western Cape, facilitating the installation of signs along a municipal road. A council meeting agenda stated that the surrounding owners have all sent letters to indicate that they support the application. At a council meeting on August 23, the application was adopted by Council by majority vote. There were ten abstentions said Stellenbosch municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar. “Recognising the architectural, social, cultural, and historic…

One Pot - Cookbook for South Africans Louisa Holst Loot.co.za (R280) Human & Rousseau The author of the bestselling The South African Air Fryer Cookbook is back, this time with another winning idea for busy folk in the kitchen – a book that gives wonderful ideas for a meal all made in one pot. Holst refers to one-pot wonders as "wonderful comfort food simmered in a pot" and with her clear and easy-peasy cooking methods she could not have done it better. The chapters are also user-and reader-friendly. Flash in the Pan will get you making stir fries and “quick as a flash” dishes in that one pan; the easy way out "Short Cut Pasta" offers flavoursome pasta dishes; in another chapter, for example are some fab but easy-to-prepare…

Dark Wives Ann Cleeves Loot.co.za (R259) Pan Macmillan A body is found by an early morning dog walker on the common outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work. DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. Her only clue is the disappearance of 14-year-old resident Chloe. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility. Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie are soon embroiled in the case, but when a second body is found near the Three Dark Wives standing stones in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, folklore and fact begin to collide. Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get…

Remembered through changes that came about through sweat and tears IN THE recent article on “Lessons from African women who reshaped social work” (August 22, 2024), Busi Madikizela-Theu turned the spotlight on African women who, through their social work practice and activism, became recognised leaders in their communities and countries, from South Africa (Winnie Mandela and Charlotte Maxeke), Zimbabwe (Victoria Fikile Chitepo) and Kenya (Priscilla Ingasiano Abwao), to Morocco (Aicha Chenna) and Senegal (Mame Seck Mbacké). Black women across Africa experienced discrimination, oppression and patriarchal subjugation. However, their social work training and experience allowed them to move beyond the clinical case work practice to a more community-focused practice that enabled them to understand and address the challenges, suffering and hardship experienced by poor and marginalised communities. The insights allowed them…

US Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump 45% to 41% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll published yesterday that showed the vice president sparking new enthusiasm among voters and shaking up the race ahead of the November 5 election. The 4 percentage point advantage among registered voters was wider than a 1 point lead Harris held over the former president in a late July Reuters/Ipsos poll. The new poll, which was conducted in the eight days ended Wednesday and had a 2 percentage point margin of error, showed Harris picking up support among women and Hispanics. Harris led Trump by 49% to 36% – or 13 percentage points – among both women voters and Hispanic voters. Across four Reuters/Ipsos polls conducted in July, Harris had a 9 point lead among…

Millions of people were ordered to evacuate their homes as Typhoon Shanshan lashed southwest Japan with strong winds and torrential rain yesterday, knocking out power, snarling air traffic and forcing major factories to close. At least three people have been killed so far and at least 80 injured in what authorities have warned could be one of the strongest ever storms to hit the region. Toyota suspended operations in all of its domestic plants due to the storm, while other automakers Nissan and Honda, and semiconductor firms Renesas, Tokyo Electron and Rohm, also temporarily halted production at some factories. Bringing gusts of around 180km /h, strong enough to blow over moving trucks, the typhoon was near Unzen city in Nagasaki Prefecture and moving northwards, according to the weather agency. More…

Tunis: Around 40 migrants and asylum seekers from sub-Saharan Africa, including children and pregnant women, have been displaced and abandoned near Tunisa’s border with Algeria and needed immediate medical assistance, rights groups said yesterday. The group was expelled from the coastal city of Sfax, Tunisia’s main departure point for Italy, and was taken by authorities to the governorate of Gafsa, which borders Algeria in south-western Tunisia, according to rights groups. “This morning we lost contact with them,” the FTDES rights group, said. “They have no water or anything to eat and are in a very isolated area.” | AFP…

WELLINGTON: Amazon.com Inc has won approval to buy a small piece of land in New Zealand as part of its project to deliver internet from space. Amazon will install and operate telecommunications equipment on the land, the Overseas Investment Office said yesterday in Wellington. The consent was granted in July and is for a 500m2 site at an undisclosed location. Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to offer broadband internet from a constellation of more than 3 000 satellites in low Earth orbit, providing competition for Elon Musk’s Starlink network. It anticipates launching its first satellites this year. | Bloomberg…