Índex per 2021-09-13 a Star

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za THE GOVERNMENT’S insistence of the centralising of procurement for the Covid-19 pandemic’s vaccines and PPEs threw a spanner in the works of the Competition Commission’s efforts to regulate as the bureaucracy added multi-pronged dimensions of un- qualified suppliers, doubtful quality supplies and corruption, the commission said on Friday. At a Competitition Commission webinar outlining its work over the past 18 months of the pandemic, commissioners said a progress survey conducted after the first wave revealed how the centralising was not of benefit to the concerted efforts. “Procurement of vaccines could have been done by individual companies or hospitals, but government decided to centralise the processes to keep tabs on how much vaccine stock there was. “There were instances where there were complaints about the quality of PPEs…

Lutho Pasiya lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za The importance of water in our diets is hard to overstress. With the human body composed of up to 60% water, water is essential and hydration is key to leading a healthy, happy life. For those of us who enjoy drinking water, this is great news. However, for those of us who don’t like the taste of water or are simply indifferent to it, it can be difficult to take in as much water as the body needs. Of course, there is no substitute for water and it’s important to aim for eight glasses of water a day. However, there are other water sources that can complement drinking water in a pretty powerful way. If you are looking for creative ways to up your fluid intake, here…

Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za Former president Jacob Zuma has widened the scope of his legal battle to force the National Prosecuting Authority’s lead prosecutor advocate Billy Downer SC, out of his corruption trial, by adding two more instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct. On Thursday, Zuma, through one of his lawyers, BM Thusini, filed a supplementary affidavit, asking Judge Piet Koen, of the Pietermaritzburg High Court, to add the instances of Downer allegedly acting in an unethical manner. Zuma alleged that the top prosecutor was exclusively given a medical note detailing his medical condition to back up claims that he was not well and could not make it to court. He said that as soon as the note was sent to Downer, they received a questionnaire from a journalist asking about the…

Cometh Dube-Makholwa | Midrand I fully support Dr Tafara Machiri’s stance not to attend to unvaccinated patients. He has the right to protect himself against any possibility of exposure to the virus. Besides, the argument by the vaccine denialists does not make sense. They believe all of us who have been vaccinated will die in five years from negative effects of the vaccination. But they might die much sooner than that if they become exposed to anyone infected with the virus. Even if that was not the case, who would want to be a miserable loner after everyone around them was dead? The grace period between now and five years’ gives me enough time to enjoy my life a little and do everything I need to do to…

THE AU aims to vaccinate at least 60% of the continent’s 1.2 billion population by next year. It has appointed President Cyril Ramaphosa to champion Africa's Covid-19 response strategy, following his successful tenure as chairperson last year. The AU Commission on Africa’s Covid-19 response was established to support the president in his championship role. The focal area is to enhance access to vaccines, accelerate manufacturing, and provide investment into research and development on the continent. South Africa’s exemplary national vaccine roll-out programme has influenced the aspirations of the AU. The country’s innovative risk-adjusted strategy is driven at the highest level by the National Coronavirus Command Council, chaired by Ramaphosa, and supported by the inter-ministerial committee on vaccines chaired by Deputy President David Mabuza. The multifaceted strategy is based on scientific…

Robbie COREY-BOULET TESFAYE Hagos usually rings in the Ethiopian New Year by buying embroidered cotton dresses for his wife and young daughters, slaughtering a goat and inviting friends around for a feast. But not this time. With war raging in the country’s north and ethnic Tigrayans like himself fearing arbitrary arrest, Tesfaye kept his head down during Saturday’s holiday. “The new year is coming, but it’s far from my mind,” he said. “I’m just going to stay at home and pray for peace.” Africa’s second most populous country adheres to a unique 13-month calendar that begins this month and runs seven to eight years behind the Gregorian version. Saturday marked the first day of 2014 for Ethiopians. The celebrations are usually merry, with families singing and dancing as children gather…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za Sri Lanka 103 (18.1 overs) South Africa 105/1 (14.1 overs) SA win by nine wickets Another spin bowling masterclass from South Africa’s slow bowlers saw the Proteas claim a series win against Sri Lanka yesterday that will provide some much-needed confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup. The spin bowling strategy is not one most rival cricket nations, nor many who follow the Proteas, would associate with them. But in addition to the fast bowling resources, in recent years a stock of spinners has been created, and with the T20 World Cup expected to be played on worn, spin-friendly tracks in the UAE and neighbouring states, Cricket SA and their high performance managers deserve some praise in creating that kind of depth. Of the 18.1 overs…

A rampant New Zealand scored five tries as they eventually ran away to a 39-0 victory over a defensively dogged Argentina in their Rugby Championship clash at the Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast yesterday. The scoreline did not fully reflect the All Blacks’ dominance with Argentina producing a heroic defensive effort that included more than 200 tackles. The All Blacks secured their third bonus point in as many matches to stay top of the championship table. “We’re delighted. They’re a tough team to play and history shows that they’re hard to score tries against,” All Black coach Ian Foster said, adding there was still plenty to work on. “Clearly we left a few opportunities on the park and some of our decision making, particularly in the second half, I…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za ONLINE shopping in South Africa is on target for becoming the R63 billion- a-year industry by 2025 after taking broadsides from the July looting that saw volumes patter down and suppliers suffer stock losses and logistic bottlenecks. According to Euro Monitor, which did a survey among major retailers offering e-commerce trade, an 18 percent growth trajectory was being achieved a week before the looting, but numbers dwindled sharply thereafter, putting the industry into a tailspin that it is only now recovering from. Stock-keeping-units (SKU) figures for Pick n Pay (PNP), Game Stores, Woolworths, Clicks and Macro depict that the retailers held on by the skin of their teeth, and were now back on the growth path. Pick n Pay tracked 3…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za PARENTS must secure their children’s Grade 1 school placements as phase two in the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE’s) 2022 online admissions begins today. “We have outdone ourselves this year, not just as the department, but as stakeholders, as parents and as guardians in having made the new two-phased approach a success so far. We wish every parent and guardian applying under Phase 2 the very best and we assure them that our team will be there to assist them every step of the way,” said Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi yesterday. Phase 2 applications on the 2022 online admissions begin today from 8am and end on October 8. Phase 2 will be for children going into Grade 1 or Grade 8 in the 2022 academic…

DISINFORMATION by political parties to endear themselves to voters is now being monitored by the 2021 Local Government Anti-Disinformation Project, which warns that offenders face heavy penalties. The 2021 Local Government Anti- Disinformation Project is a first-of-its-kind “country duty” collaborative project against disinformation and misinformation. Project partners include Phumzile van Damme, Right2Know, Code For Africa, Superlinear, Dr David Rosenstein and WITNESS. The IEC code of conduct prohibits political parties from “publishing false information about other parties” and “generally abusing a position of power, privilege or influence to influence the outcome of an election”. With the election date officially proclaimed, political parties, candidates and their agents will now face heavy penalties for spreading disinformation to mislead voters, warns the Local Government Anti-Disinformation Project. Parties that violate the IEC code of conduct…

Dr Thabisi Hoeane | Pretoria Yet another unnecessary controversy around Jacob Zuma, which could have easily been avoided, has erupted, this time around contestation of his parole. There are those who question the legality of his release and are going to court; and those who welcome it. Society should just be patient and wait for the judiciary to decide this matter – either way. However, it raises critical issues that should be confronted regarding the legitimacy of the parole process. For one, if the parole boards are taken seriously, why should the Correctional Services commissioner have the last word in whether a prisoner should be released or not? And this issue goes beyond the persona or Zuma, to an assessment of the process itself. If it is legal…

LABOUR unions and political parties have set a disturbing precedent regarding the unfair treatment of their staff. It is not only the ANC that is mistreating its own staff; the behaviour takes place in unions, parties and other human rights organisations that claim to defend the rights of workers. Recent news reports that the ANC is failing to settle its salary bill does not augur well for the rights of workers. This is not the first time, and probably not the last, to hear about ANC staff not being paid on time or going for months without salaries. Human capital within political parties and labour unions are not a priority. The workers are at risk of not being paid, of sexual exploitation, poor working conditions, no job security and no…

| African News Agency (ANA) Mr Gay World South Africa, Louw Breytenbach, who is passionate about mental health, says it’s time we break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. Every year 703 000 people take their own lives and there are many more who attempt suicide, says the World Health Organization (WHO). At the age of 12, Breytenbach was diagnosed with mental health issues. He has been diagnosed with eight disorders. Breytenbach said his mission is to help inspire young children who feel they don’t fit in. He is involved in a mental health awareness campaign, the Gate of Hope, which aims to honour the memory of LGBTQIA+ people who have committed suicide and those who suffer mental illnesses. World Suicide Prevention Day is marked on September 10…

The uptake of educational technology in South Africa’s higher education sector has been uneven and slow. Before the pandemic, most courses offered in universities had some form of Learning Management System. Students could access course guides and readings, upload their assignments, and possibly communicate with their lecturer and peers via forums. But beyond that, many academics seemed to resist using technology, even though it could allow for greater engagement and interactive learning. And then 2020 happened. Suddenly, everyone found themselves thrown into the online world. The higher education sector can be proud of the rapid pivot that was made as universities rushed to ensure that academics had the skills to teach online and students had the hardware, software and data needed to learn from home. Collaborations between universities were central…

NEARLY a month after its takeover, there has been no formal recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. But that step appears increasingly irrelevant, at least for the short and medium term, as countries across the world have established varying degrees of relations with the militant regime. For some, including the US, the need to extricate its remaining citizens and Afghan partners has imposed acceptance of the Taliban as the sole national authority. At the same time, the Biden administration has pledged to continue humanitarian aid that has amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars in the past few months alone. “There is no diminution in our humanitarian assistance to the people of… any country around the world where we may have differences, including profound…

Wynona Louw wynona.louw@inl.co.za Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says their ill-discipline cost them in their 28-26 Rugby Championship loss to Australia in Gold Coast yesterday. The Boks’ winless run Down Under, where they haven’t won since 2013, continued as Quade Cooper completed a stunning performance with a penalty after the hooter to give the struggling Wallabies the win. While the Boks scored three tries to the hosts’ one, they conceded 11 penalties, while they also missed 21 tackles – an uncharacteristic statistic for the South Africans. In stark contrast to Cooper, Handre Pollard had a poor performance as he struggled with his decision-making, handling and, most importantly, his goal-kicking as he hooked two penalties and a conversion. Speaking after the game, Nienaber said that the Boks’ high penalty count gave Cooper,…

Ashfak Mohamed ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za THE Blue Bulls have conquered South Africa for the second consecutive season, but coach Jake White knows that his well-resourced squad’s real test will come in the United Rugby Championship later this month. The Pretoria side swept the Sharks aside 44-10 in the Currie Cup final at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, with six sizzling tries and a barn-storming performance from the forwards setting up what became an easy victory on the day. White spoke afterwards about being “very proud” of the fact that his team could pull off back-to-back championships for the first time since they did it in 2004 (which was three in a row from 2002), and that it was a record 34-point victory margin in a final, surpassing the 1980 title decider…

Mike Greenaway mike.greenaway@inl.co.za It was Groundhog Day for the sloppy Springboks yet again Down Under as they added another chapter of misfortune to their long history of losing matches on Australian soil that they were expected to win. Since readmission in 1992, the Boks have won just five times in Australia, but on this occasion at the Robina Stadium in Gold Coast they were widely expected to confirm their world champion status by sweeping aside a very average Wallabies team that had been obliterated in three matches in a row by the All Blacks. In the “curtain-raiser” to the match, the self-same Kiwis blew Argentina away as they build up steam to the big 100th anniversary match with the Boks next Saturday, and after the Springboks failed to ignite in…

Daniel Ricciardo won the Formula One Italian Grand Prix yesterday as the Australian took advantage of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s dramatic crash which eliminated both championship rivals. Ricciardo was followed by his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the British team’s first win since the 2012 Brazilian GP, while Valtteri Bottas inherited third, despite starting in last place, due to a five-second time penalty for Sergio Perez. Red Bull’s Verstappen still leads seven-time world champion Hamilton by five points at the top of the drivers’ standings as they both finished in the gravel following their crash halfway through the race. Ricciardo, whose father is from Italy, was delighted with not only his first win since Monaco in 2018 but also McLaren’s first one-two finish in 11 years, greeting the fans…

EDWARD WEST edward.west@inl.co.za Dubai-based DP World has made an opportunistic, R12.7 billion offer for Imperial Logistics considering the good prospects of the Pan-Africa integrated market access and logistics solutions provider, but analysts disagree whether the valuation is fair. According to PSG Asset Management fund manager Justin Floor, the bid is too low. Floor said in a phone interview on Friday that they owned some 7.5 percent of Imperial’s shares on behalf of investors and planned to vote on the DP offer in the imminent shareholders meeting this Friday, with a longer-term perspective of the company. Another stock exchange analyst, who chose to remain anonymous, however, did not agree with Floor and said the DP World offer was fair considering the downside risks and length of time that was likely…

Lehlohonolo Mashigo SOUTH African medical professionals are up in arms over proposed changes in new pharmacy guidelines. The SA Medical Association (Sama) is opposing the proposed changes that will allow pharmacists to provide guidelines, give diagnoses and prescribe medication to patients. In a statement, Sama raised concerns on broadening the role of pharmacists. “Pharmacists are not educated, trained or experienced in treating patients,” Sama said. The body expressed its dismay in a written submission to the SA Pharmacy Council. Sama chairperson Angelique Coetzee said: “What is being proposed, quite simply, falls far outside the scope of pharmacy and squarely within the scope of general and certain specialist medical practices.” Coetzee said its also unclear what is being proposed as it seemingly falls outside the scope of pharmacy and…

Zintle Mahlati zintle.mahlati@inl.co.za September 12 marks the 44th anniversary of the death of Steve Biko and he is still being remembered for his legacy of black consciousness. For Seth Mazibuko, who was a young activist in the June 16, 1976 uprising, Biko’s legacy has not been treated with the importance it deserved. He believed the government had not done enough to elevate Biko as other Struggle heroes, particularly from the ANC, have been remembered. “There is a point of trying to play down Biko’s legacy. It is unfortunate the government of the day does not give space to that legacy, it actually undermines that legacy. “Most of those historical events, ideologies, that do not sit easily with our current government, they will downplay them. They have done that with…

Peter Bachtis | Benoni NEWLY crowned world champion for public speaking is our very own Verity Price from Cape Town, and the first woman in 80 years to win the coveted Toastmasters International accolade. It’s like winning an Oscar. A wonderful achievement and inspirational, proving that overcoming the fear of public speaking can be managed by attending the awesome courses run by a Toastmasters branch close to your home. Toastmasters welcome you and help you to relax as they teach you to “lose” the fear of standing in front of an audience. The public speaking “fear factor” has met its match. Yes, Toastmasters will help you conquer that fear. Ask Verity. She tackled her fear head on, and won. Bravo Verity, we salute our world champion!…

US President Joe Biden urged Americans to show unity, in a video posted for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks on Saturday. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among some of the world leaders who also commemorated the anniversary. The queen said in her message to Biden that her prayers remained with the victims and survivors of the 2001 attacks on the US and paid tribute to the communities that joined together to rebuild after the devastation. Modi said that it was an attack on humanity and such tragedies can only be avoided by inculcating human values. A total of 2 977 people lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attacks in US history. More than 24 500 people were injured in four co-ordinated attacks…

Zaahier Adams zaahier.adams@inl.co.za Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 Kekana 8, Shalulile 63 Kaizer Chiefs 0 CHAMPIONS Sundowns showed they will remain the team to beat in this season’s Premiership with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus yesterday. Sundowns may have endured a week where the harmony in their camp, and particularly the relationship of their three coaches was placed under scrutiny, but they remain a potent outfit when the serious business on the field gets underway. Chiefs may have opened up their cheque book and splurged on a whole new group of players, including former Sundowns talisman Keagan Dolly in a bid to unseat the four-time reigning champions, but it will take more than just money to get the better of the Brazilians. The much-anticipated contest began…

Pole sitter Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of Ducati held off a spirited challenge from Honda’s Marc Marquez in an epic battle to win his first MotoGP race at the Aragon Grand Prix yesterday and move up to second place in the championship standings. Marquez, who was seeking a sixth premier class victory at the track, started fourth on the grid but quickly moved up to second after turn one when he overtook Jack Miller to split the Ducatis. The former champion piled on the pressure in the chase and overtook Bagnaia seven times with three laps to go, but the Italian took the position right back by lunging on the inside each and every time before taking the chequered flag. “It’s a dream come true to get my first victory,” Bagnaia,…

Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed even his own expectations as he delivered on the hype of his return to Old Trafford as a Manchester United player by scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday. A full house reverberated to a chorus of Ronaldo chants and songs from long before kick-off as he took his tally for the club to 120 goals, 12 years on from swapping Manchester for Madrid. The final game of the Portuguese’s first spell with the Red Devils was a Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in 2009 that signalled a changing of the guard in European football in which Ronaldo played a large part. Barca were crowned champions of Europe again in 2011 and 2015, while a Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid won the competition four…