Índex per 2021-05-12 a Star

EDWARD WEST edward.west@inl.co.za THE DIFFERENCES between the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) executive and senior staff in a department that manages its unlisted investments, Isibaya Fund, was a “management matter” that was “being attended to internally”, a PIC spokesperson said yesterday. Senior employees at Isibaya berated the executives of the continent’s biggest asset manager for failing to renew a mandate with its biggest client, the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), and for general mismanagement, reports citing a letter seen by Bloomberg News said yesterday. The spokesperson said the PIC continued to invest on behalf of the GEPF. The Isibaya Fund was founded in 1995 and manages unlisted commercially viable African projects that have a strong transformation and development impact. According to the PIC’s 2020 report, Isibaya’s total unlisted investments, including unlisted…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za PEPKOR Holdings’ share price rose more than 5 percent on the JSE yesterday after the retailer said it expected its half-year earnings to surge by as much as 57.9 percent for the six months to the end of March, boosted by a strong trading performance during the period. In its second trading update to the market, the retailer said it was likely that its headline earnings per share (Heps) from continuing operations would increase by between 37.9 percent and 57.9 percent, to between 62.9 cents and 72c a share, up from last year’s Heps of 45.6c. In the first trading update released at the end of last month, Pepkor said it expected its Heps to increase by at least 20 percent. Its…

Liam Karabo Joyce liam.joyce@inl.co.za When media personality Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung found himself at the top of the trends list on Monday morning, he was probably just as shocked as the rest of Mzansi. It all started on Twitter when a picture of Somizi replying to his husband’s tweet started making its rounds. In the picture, Mohale Motaung-Mhlongo tweeted: “For the record, abusers and scammers are two different things. I’ll stop here.” Somizi replied to the tweet by apparently swearing at Mohale. The streets of Twitter were in a mess. At face value the tweets appear authentic, with the correct user names for both Somizi and Mohale and the correct profile pictures used, but Somizi has said they are fake. The Idols SA judge tweeted both tweets were fake. “ … this…

Sifiso Mahlangu sifiso.mahlangu@inl.co.za THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has instructed mining giant Samancor to come clean – following reports of business practices against the Competition Commission – or face strike action. NUM national secretary Bonginkosi Mrasi told The Star they are committed to protecting employees and fighting corruption within mining companies. “We are concerned about reports that Samancor may be involved in activities that are against competition laws in South Africa. We are aware of Samancor’s new ownership and we remain convinced this behaviour must be investigated by the Competition Commission. “In cases like this, the commission, and the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy must get involved. We know that the Competition Commission would not have approved these transactions,” Mrasi said. Two weeks ago, The Star published an…

ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za THE post Office, PostNet and SA Express Parcel Association are set to square off in court later this year regarding the delivery of packages weighing 1kg and less. The post office said it was the only entity licensed in terms of the Postal Services Act to courier these packages. PostNet earlier rushed to the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where it secured an urgent order to put a ruling on hold which would have prohibited the franchise from further couriering any package weighing 1kg or less. This was pending the legal wrangle between the parties due to be heard by the high court in Pretoria, on a date still to be announced. The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) earlier informed PostNet that from, March 17 last…

ITUMELENG MAFISA PUBLIC Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has lashed out at politicians who use her office for mudslinging and public spats. Speaking at a charity event at the Moroka Municipality in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga, Mkhwebane said her office was inundated with politicians who were reporting each other for one thing or the other. She said this behaviour has the potential of drawing attention away from the issues that ordinary South Africans are suffering from. “They are using or fighting through our office. We have investigated some of them without fear or favour … all we check is if they acted according to the law and we issue our outcome based on that,” she said. Mkhwebane said the majority of the cases they were investigating were worthwhile and had to deal with…

mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za PHIWE MNGADI has one mission on her mind: training the best permanent make-up artists in the country. “So far I have taught more than 500 people. The most popular and talented in the country went through the Plush Art Studio training. I am really passionate about that,” said the 33-year-old entrepreneur. Her natural creative ability came at an early age and so did her flair for entrepreneurship. “I knew I’d be an entrepreneur in high school because I was already selling things and massaging people’s hands for R5. By matric I was already doing people’s nails.” Mngadi started her business right after high school because her parents did not have money for her to further her studies. “My brother had a salon and I would go and…

SONRI NAIDOO TRADE unions in the health sector say their working conditions remain dire. They say nurses have been left to selflessly serve as the backbone in the fight against Covid-19. As the world prepares for International Nurses Day today, unions have raised concerns about the ongoing struggles in clinics and hospitals. Among these concerns was non-payments of salary increases, formation of functional health and safety committees in the workplace, lack of psychosocial services, and safe working conditions. National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) spokesperson Khaya Xaba said nurses needed psychosocial services because of the severe effects the job had on them, emotionally and mentally. Xaba said a promise was made on April 1 about a salary increase. He said this has not come into effect. “Our…

THE theatrics in the ANC leave much to be desired. All of this is due to character flaw and scandals that have become commonplace, setting a bad precedent for the second layer leadership. Sadly, the infighting and divisions have made a mess of the hegemony of our glorious movement on every level of society. Not only is this tragic and posing a real threat to its unity, but also it would paralyse efforts to breathe confidence into both the ANC women and youth leagues. The actors don’t realise that their role and contribution to the mess will cancel out the legacy of our forebears. Some remain associated with selfishness, deceit, ethical controversies and secret deals or money laundering activities. Many disgraced leaders could attest the truth of Winston Churchill’s observation…

AS WE celebrate International Day of Families on Saturday, it is timely to reflect on what may contribute to the happiness and unity in our families. Creating a happy and united family requires new skills and commitment to equality, which encourage communication and mutual trust, respect and affection between husbands and wives, parents and children. According to the Bahá'í Writings: “If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual; but if enmity and hatred exist within it, destruction and dispersion are inevitable.” The belief and practice of the principle of gender equality, in the Bahá'í view, is crucial to the unity and happiness of the family. Being equal partners, neither husband nor wife should "unjustly dominate" the other. The decision-making is…

African countries must embrace the concept of good food as good medicine Fresh impetus is being directed into identifying and advocating for scientific priorities in the area of food security and nutrition across Africa, with a particular focus on health implications. At the centre of these efforts is a five-year project initiated by the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Africa, a partnership between the African Academy of Sciences and the African Union Development Agency – Nepad. This project aims to identify the continent’s most urgent research and development questions and to advocate for investments in these areas. This will go a long way in helping the continent achieve its vision of transforming lives through science. As a professor of pharmacology and having worked in the field of African indigenous medical…

Israel and Hamas exchanged heavy fire yesterday, with at least 25 Palestinians killed in Gaza, in a dramatic escalation between the bitter foes sparked by unrest at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Nine children were among those killed in the blockaded Gaza Strip that is controlled by the Islamist movement and 125 people there were wounded, local health authorities said. More than 300 rockets have been fired by Palestinian militants towards Israel since Monday, with more than 90% intercepted by its Iron Dome missile defence system, army spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said. At least six Israelis were injured. Israel has responded with 130 strikes carried out by fighter jets and attack helicopters on military targets in the enclave, killing 15 commanders from Hamas, said Conricus, while the Islamic Jihad group confirmed…

LONDON: British climate activist Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of the Extinction Rebellion group, was arrested at home yesterday for conspiracy to cause criminal damage and fraud after her group attacked banks such as HSBC and Barclays. Activists smashed the window frontage of HSBC and Barclays in Canary Wharf last month and have targeted Lloyd’s of London. The fraud allegation stems from a campaign to use credit card debt to make donations to groups allegedly damaged by banks – and then refusing to pay off the debt.…

LONDON: A juvenile minke whale that became stranded in London’s River Thames has been put down after its condition deteriorated and vets decided it could not survive in the open water. The whale, measuring 3-4m, was first spotted in south-west London on Sunday and was washed ashore at a set of gates controlling water flow. Rescue efforts by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) service and firefighters failed when the whale slipped its leash and then swam upriver, instead of towards the sea. “The last 45 minutes we were with the whale its condition was deteriorating, its breathing wasn’t right and it wouldn’t have survived much longer,” BDMLR national co-ordinator Julia Cable said late Monday.…

MIHLALI BALEKA @Mihlalibaleka NEW Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he wants his team to win matches, while at the same time being pleasing on the eye. It’s been more than two decades since Bafana won the Africa Cup of Nations. Their form has declined since as the closest they came was in the last edition after reaching the quarter-finals in Egypt under coach Stuart Baxter. They failed to qualify for the 2022 showpiece, which cost coach Molefi Ntseki his job as he was sacked at the end of March. Broos, 69, was not the primary candidate for the job as the SA Football Association wanted either Carlos Queiroz or Pitso Mosimane, but both declined. Broos has a lofty billing on the continent after winning the Afcon title with Cameroon…

The Premier League has welcomed the British government’s announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and chief executive Richard Masters says it is their priority to have full stadiums next season. The government said in February that under the third stage of its four-stage “roadmap”, stadiums would – if all conditions are met – from May 17 be allowed to hold up to 50% of their capacity, or 4 000 people, whichever is lower. A special provision will be made for large outdoor, seated venues, so that they can open their doors to up to 10 000 people or 25% of the capacity, whichever is lower. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday the roadmap would progress as planned. “It’ll be brilliant to see fans back.…

Ashfak Mohamed ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za WINGS in rugby need to have a certain type of attitude if they want to be successful. Some would call it arrogance and others confidence. Madosh Tambwe certainly has “it” in abundance, and it is showing on the pitch. The 23-year-old, born in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo, and raised in Johannesburg, first made his name at the Golden Lions, but after a few years went to Durban and the Sharks. Things didn’t work out for him at Kings Park, where the arrival of Yaw Penxe from Eastern Province and the presence of Sbu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi (soon), as well as Werner Kok, saw Tambwe out of the mix. He decided to shift to the Bulls in February, and now the change is paying off for…

NUTRITIONAL Holdings yesterday warned its shareholders that it had entered into negotiations regarding additional global contracts, which might have a material effect on the price of the company’s shares. The warning comes after the investment holding company concluded two contracts worth more than R2 billion with overseas companies. Nutritional Holdings as interests in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of staple dry foods, cannabis infusions, oils, extracts and related edibles. Nutritional Holdings concluded a R1.26bn three-year contract with GIH Distributors for the supply of Immune Booster to Germany. It will supply 50 000 units a month to GIH. This will increase to 200 000 units a month in the third year. The contract started at the beginning of January. The group also concluded a contract with Grovenor Supplements…

Dineo Faku dineo.faku@inl.co.za TORONTO and JSE-listed Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) yesterday reported the first full month of production following the revamp of its small-scale platinum group metals (PGM) circuit known as Circuit D. Eastplats president and chief execu- tive Diana Hu said yesterday that Circuit D’s first full month of production was an important breakthrough for the company. “It not only created a new revenue stream in addition to the company’s chrome production, but will also assist and accelerate the recommissioning of the PGM Main Circuit, which is expected to add a further 600 to 800 tons of PGM concentrates per month from September, a significant boost to the company’s operation and revenue growth,” Hu said. Eastplats, which sells concentrate to Impala Platinum, said it had dispatched 199.8 dry tons of…

GOITSEMANG TLHABYE goitsemang.tlhabye@inl.co.za FORMER president Nelson Mandela’s great-grandson Mayibuye Mandela has called on Minister of Police Bheki Cele to train and rein in SAPS members who are “terrorising and bullying” people in rural villages. He was allegedly assaulted by members of the SAPS on May 8 while going back home after visiting the Mqhekezweni Great Place heritage site, where the former president grew up. The younger Mandela said as he was making his way home with three other people at around 8pm, they were stopped by the police officers, who asked to search the car they were travelling in. He said they initially complied with the officers’ instructions and allowed them to search the car, but were taken aback when the officers requested that they lie down on the ground…

The SAPS say Constable Thulile Gwala – one of the first female mechanics to be employed at the police’s Eshowe Garage in KwaZulu-Natal – has “thrown a spanner in the works” since she joined last October. This is because whenever a vehicle is brought in for repairs at the workshop, those looking for help – mostly men – ask for the mechanic, only to be told she is the mechanic. Gwala, described as “diminutive” and the “embodiment of the popular saying ‘dynamites come in small packages’” is employed as an artisan at Eshowe Mechanical Services after beginning her career with the police in October 2020. According to post on the SAPS Facebook page, her arrival was met with a fair amount of curiosity. “Cst Gwala is not just an ordinary…

THE Association of Mining and Construction Workers Union (Amcu) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to meet the widows of the miners who died in the 2012 Marikana massacre. Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said some of the living conditions of the widows were deplorable, while some had replaced their husbands at the mines. Mathunjwa said the widows had been traumatised by the massacre. He said he had written a letter to Ramaphosa but he had not responded. Thirty-four miners died in Mari- kana on August 16, 2012 after an instruction by Ramaphosa – then a non-executive director of mining company Lonmin – for officials to take “concomitant action” during a wage strike at the mine. “Can you imagine going underground in that cage full of males going…

THERE is a critical shortage of ownership and rental housing despite the government’s relentless efforts to tackle the backlog. The government, in fact, sold much of its rental stock over the past two decades, whittling away the existing inadequate rental stock. Insufficient supply means higher rentals because of the demand. Prospective tenants are often forced by market forces and their own distressed circumstances to agree to harsh leases and unexpected developments. A prospective tenant must guard against making a rash decision like paying the security deposit several months in advance to secure a dwelling. The offer to rent can be appealing if the landlord proposes that after payment of the security deposit and the first month’s rental in advance, the tenant does not have to pay for six months. During…

LAST week, a picture popped up on social media of suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, seated and allegedly playing a game of chess. That picture was supposed to convey a message to his supporters that, like former president Jacob Zuma (a known chess player), his moves were carefully calculated and strategic. But instead, Magashule’s play was ridiculed by chess know-it-alls and none other than Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov for being a “photo-op” move. Facing criminal charges over the R255 million Free State government asbestos roof tender, which happened while he was the province’s premier, Magashule was forced to “step aside” in terms of the ANC’s 54th conference resolutions. The “step aside” resolution, adopted at the ANC’s Nasrec conference, was so broad in its interpretation that anyone in the party could…

AS THE drought outlook for the Western US becomes increasingly bleak, attention is turning once again to groundwater – water stored in the ground. It is Earth’s most widespread and reliable source of fresh water, but it’s not limitless. Wells that people drill to access groundwater supply nearly half the water used for irrigated agriculture in the US and provide more than 100 million Americans with drinking water. But pervasive pumping is causing groundwater levels to decline. As a water resources engineer, a water scientist and large-data analyst, in a recent study, we mapped locations and depths of wells in 40 countries across the world – and found millions of wells could run dry if groundwater levels decline by only a few meters. Solutions vary, but most important for protecting…

Scores of bodies are washing up on the banks of the Ganges amid deaths and cremations in India of around 4 000 people a day from the novel coronavirus. India now accounts for one in three reported virus deaths across the world, a Reuters tally shows. Its health system is overwhelmed, despite international donations of oxygen cylinders. Rural parts of India are now also running short of wood for traditional Hindu cremations. Authorities said yesterday they were investigating the discovery of scores of bodies floating down the Ganges in two separate states. “It is very difficult to say where these dead bodies have come from,” said M P Singh, the top government official in Ghazipur district, in Uttar Pradesh. Akhand Pratap, a local resident, said “people are immersing bodies in…

BOGOTA: Colombia’s three largest cities are bracing for an extended third peak in coronavirus cases and over-stretched intensive care units after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests, local authorities said. Demonstrations fueled by outrage at a now-canceled tax plan began on April 28. Protesters’ demands have expanded to include a basic income, an end to police violence and the withdrawal of a long-debated health reform. Marches look set to continue for the foreseeable future, with protest leaders and the government at odds despite an initial meeting to discuss the demands. Capital Bogota is confronting a “hospital collapse,” Mayor Claudia Lopez said in a press conference on Monday.…

MOSCOW: The West uses the environment topic as a shield to justify its attempts to derail Russia’s strategic projects in the Arctic, Russian Security Council First Deputy Secretary Yury Averyanov said in an interview with Sputnik, noting that Western environmental experts who furiously protest Russia’s operation in the region do not say a single word about other countries. When asked whether competitors could be “squeezed out” of economically attractive Arctic territories under the pretext of nature protection, Averyanov noted that such a danger exists. “We see that Western countries are increasingly turning ecological and environmental issues into an instrument of pressure and unfair competition,” Averyanov explained.…

ESHLIN VEDAN and MIHLALI BALEKA RICHARD Mbulu’s 37th-minute goal consigned AmaZulu to their first defeat since February as Usuthu fell to a 1-0 loss against Baroka FC at King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday. The result has effectively cleared the path for Mamelodi Sundowns to stroll towards another Premiership title. Bakgaga’s goal came against the run of play with Evidence Makgopa first producing a dummy before finding Mbulu, who cut in from inside and fired in a shot which sailed beyond AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa. Baroka showed confidence against their second-placed opponents and had their first shot on goal as early as the third minute. Makgopa capitalised following a defensive error from Mbongeni Gumede, though the 20-year-old striker ended up failing to take advantage of the opportunity. After meeting a pass…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za THE RAND BROKE below the key psychological mark of R14 to the dollar yesterday to touch R13.96, buoyed by positive sentiment as manufacturing output rose more than expected. This was the second consecutive day this week that the rand dipped below R14 to the greenback, after briefly hitting R13.99 on Monday, driven by the surge in commodity prices. By 5pm, the rand was bid at R14 against the dollar, 0.01 percent higher from the previous day’s fix at the same time. Citadel Global director Bianca Botes said the rand was testing a sustainable move below R14 to the dollar, boosted by a strong risk appetite, a weaker dollar and robust commodity prices. “Commodity-driven currencies, such as the rand, continue to enjoy benefits over the dollar, as…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za REBOSIS Property Fund was shielded by the defensiveness of its public sector office tenants in the six months to February 28, as its operations started recovering from the lockdowns of last year. Chief executive Dr Sisa Ngebulana said in a presentation yesterday that the group, which has an approximate R13.1 billion portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties, managed to retain 96 percent of its tenants through the period despite the tough environment. He said the office portfolio had no Covid-19 impact. Trading by most of the group’s shopping centre tenants improved since the lockdowns, with home electronic and photographic stores doing particularly well as people bought home entertainment goods, but entertainment sector tenants, such as movies, games arcades and ice-skating rinks, had not…

Buthelezi claims he was not aware Misuzulu was married Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za LEAKED documents from the Department of Home Affairs show that the new King of the Zulu nation, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, has been married since Thursday last week. The documents show that his marriage was registered on the same day his mother, the late Zulu Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, was buried. Furthermore, the documents stipulate that the king married his long-time sweetheart, Ntokozo Mayisela, 36. Independent Media understands that around 2009, Mayisela studied towards a diploma in popular jazz and music in Durban. It is also understood that Mayisela and the new king met in August 2009 during the royal wedding of the king’s sister, Princess Bukhosibemvelo and former Transnet executive Sipho Nyawo. Royal archives show that Mayisela played music…

THE chief executive of South African National Parks (SANParks) has been placed on special leave after allegations of assault and sexual assault were levelled against him. Fundisile Mketeni will be on leave from all work engagements after complaints were laid against him last Friday at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. Dr Luthando Dziba, the managing executive for conservation services at the entity, will be acting in his place. SANParks board chairperson Joanne Yawitch said: “In line with our commitment to ethical conduct and the seriousness of the allegations, Mketeni has requested to take special leave until such time that this matter has been resolved and the law has taken its course.” Mketeni and three others appeared in court on Monday, all facing similar charges. Two of his co-accused are…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za THE CITY of Johannesburg has said that corruption has no place in the city after three bogus Pikitup recruiters, who made about R400 000 from a scam, were nabbed. The three bogus recruiters, Phumzile Hlungwani, 37, Linky Khumotso Machete, 31, Esther Chuma, 44, all made an appearance in the Protea Magistrate’s Court in Protea North, Soweto, yesterday for allegedly selling job opportunities at waste management service provider Pikitup. The trio of women were arrested on Thursday last week by the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team in partnership with the City of Joburg’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) in Protea North after an investigation that started in February. GFIS spokesperson Lucky Sindane said on Monday that law enforcement pounced on the three suspects while they were addressing…

Vernon Mchunu ZULU King Misuzulu kaZwelithini would be compelled by culture to become a married man first before he could officially issue royal orders. This is according to culture and history expert, Jabulani Maphalala. Unless extraordinary circumstances did not permit it, Zulu culture dictated a king could only be recognised officially once he was married, said Maphalala, a professor emeritus at University of Zululand. University of KwaZulu-Natal senior lecturer Dr Gugu Mazibuko concurred, saying if a king was not married, it would be difficult for senior married elders to respect his orders. Mazibuko said the late King Goodwill Zwelithini also swiftly got married so that he could ascend the throne. In addition, there were customary ceremonies which the king as a male could not practically run. Citing the…

Kristin Engel kristin.engel@inl.co.za CAPE Town-based visual artist Loyiso Mkize has made a breakthrough, becoming the first South African to illustrate an international comic. Mkize, 34, was originally from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape and studied graphic design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Partnering with Warner Bros’ DC Comics, he has illustrated a Batman comic, set to be released next month. Mkize has illustrated volume 4 of Batman: Urban Legends, with Batwing, aka Luke Fox, taking on “The Riddler”, which is set to go on sale on June 8 in the US. In the DC universe, Batwing is often referred to as the “Batman of Africa”, which has contributed to Mkize’s career being centred on comics since its inception. Mkize worked as head illustrator of the popular soccer…

Mpiletso Motumi mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za LUX influencer Tshego Manche loves being in the kitchen. Not only does food bring people together, it is also at the heart of celebration and culture. Manche teamed up with the La Cucina Malfy culinary experience series to introduce consumers to the “La dolce Vita” lifestyle, demonstrating how to create a dining experience with both food and at-home entertainment. All this was inspired by the food, drink, culture and aesthetics of Italian living. Manche spoke to The Star about her favourite food memories: Q: What are some of your favourite dishes and must-haves for any friend/family get-together? A: I love anything with rice and pasta. I know that’s a lot of carbs! (Lol). Also, anything with lots of sauce and chilli. Q: What was the first dish…

I WAS cautiously optimistic when DStv launched its Curiosity channel (185) a while back but my expectations faded rapidly under a barrage of substandard offerings, many of which earned the official John Gardener Frown of Disapproval. Which was a pity, following hard on the heels of some pretty decent channels which were arbitrarily cancelled for no apparent reason. The other day, however, I discovered a new series, Behind the Artist, in which each episode comprises a dramatisation of a particular artist’s life. The first episode I watched was about Vincent van Gogh and it was excellent. About five minutes before the end, however, there was an ad break and I waited anxiously for the final segment to show and bring the matter to an unhappy conclusion. The final segment never…

IT was nice to read the president’s statement last week, which glorified press freedom and the role the media played for a just democratic society, and was released on World Press freedom day (WPFD). But, he made no mention about his Cuban pals – they have anything but press freedom and intimidate, harass, arrest and imprison journalists who write and express their opinions against their repressive government. Coincidentally, the day before WPFD, the Cubans arrested a so-called by the Cuban government “dissident artist” Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, accusing him and other artists pressing for free speech and expression, for political revolt, and even confiscated all his artwork. In SA, what we do is carry on regularly sending 800 local students to study “bush” medicine in Cuba and, since last year,…

Donald McMillan The Covid-19 pandemic saw an increased demand for hospital beds which resulted in a shortage of medical resources to handle other infirm patients and ensure their recovery. To help counter this shortage, medical aids are now providing cover options for professional home-care services. While this will ensure that patients requiring post-operative care can get the medical attention they require in the comfort and safety of their own homes, the demand for nurses is still high. This points to a need to source alternative resources in providing medical home care, which is where Temporary Employment Service (TES) providers come in. TES providers that specialise in the medical industry can play a critical role in facilitating homecare while helping to reduce rising unemployment numbers. As South Africa enters its…

At least 10 people were killed after shooting broke out yesterday at a high school in the central Russian city of Kazan, local news agencies reported. Citing local sources, agencies reported that two people had opened fire at School No 175 in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s republic of Tatarstan. Interfax reported that one of the attackers, a 17-year-old, had been detained but that a second assailant was still inside the school building. It said nine pupils and one teacher had been killed and that police had sealed off the fourth floor of the school and were attempting to detain the second attacker. News agency Tass also reported 10 dead and said 10 people had been injured, including several children. Tatarstan president Rustam Minnikhanov had arrived at the scene, agencies…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) would continue to “work with full engagement” towards a safe Olympics, an IOC spokesperson said. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said this week: “We must first prevent the spread of the virus.” Suga’s government is under fierce criticism over its handling of the pandemic. An IOC spokesperson said: “The IOC has initiated an already very successful vaccination programme for the national delegations coming to Japan. This will ensure that the vast majority of the residents of the Olympic Village will arrive in Japan vaccinated.” So far Japan has only managed to vaccinate 240 000 of those aged 65 or older with the second of their two jabs. In the following two weeks, the government said it would deliver enough vaccines to local…

Luxembourg: One of two whistleblowers behind the so-called Luxleaks scandal that revealed tax breaks for multinational companies lost an appeal at Europe’s top rights court Tuesday against a conviction for sharing confidential documents. The LuxLeaks scandal erupted in 2014 and sparked a major global push against generous deals handed to multinational companies, which grew even stronger with new revelations such as the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers leaks. Raphael Halet, a former employee of auditing company PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), was fined 1 000 euros in Luxembourg over his role in sharing internal tax documents with a journalist. He failed with an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) yesterday.…

Timing is everything in life and in cricket and while the heavens may not be aligned right now with Hashim Amla still scoring double centuries in the English County Championship and preparing to turn out for Western Province in the new domestic structure next season, I can't help but feel the Mighty# may just be the man to fix the Proteas' batting woes. There is no hiding from the fact that South Africa's batting has been on a downward spiral, particularly in Test cricket, for a number of years now. Current Proteas coach Mark Boucher raved about Jacques Kallis' contribution to the national team during his short stint as the batting consultant and there was almost a national outcry when Kallis recently joined the England set up. I have no…