Índex per 2021-12-21 a Star

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za THE LONG-AWAITED unbundling of Eskom into three separate units, generation, transmission and distribution, has begun, with the utility issuing a notice yesterday of having executed the separation of its transmission division in line with an end-December deadline set in a restructuring plan. It said in an announcement to debt investors that it had executed an order to transfer the transmission division to wholly-owned subsidiary, the National Transmission Company South Africa SOC Limited. The process remained subject to conditions, including obtaining the applicable consents from creditors. Under the plan, its generation and transmission units have to be separated by the end of this year and the distribution division by December next year. Analysts have suggested, however, that the deadline would likely be missed, and the completion of the…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za The rand rose to a two-week high yesterday, ignoring investor concerns about the fast-spreading Omicron variant that drove a risk-off sentiment against emerging markets currencies. The wide spreading of the Omicron variant saw new restrictions being introduced in Europe and New York recording the highest cases on record, forcing emerging market currencies to trade softer yesterday. The Turkish Lira, for one, fell to an all-time low after the country's central bank slashed its policy rate by 100 basis points to 14 percent, meaning the currency has lost nearly 50 percent of its value since the beginning of November. However, the rand regained its strength by 0.04 percent back to R15.78 by 5pm to the greenback on the back of the US Federal Reserve's hawkish stance. The US…

THERE is an expression that says: “You cannot please all of the people all of the time”, and we acknowledge the truth in this. However, the move to generate greater levels of local procurement in both the public and private sectors is not about pleasing people. It is part of the country’s social compact known as the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan and is a well-considered response to our economic circumstances and to the ever-rising levels of unemployment. It is designed to improve the former and reduce the latter. Detractors of localisation as a policy claim that it reduces competition, stymies sectoral growth and results in higher prices for consumers (being the public and private sectors as well as individuals). They also claim that it leads to less innovation in…

Shingai Darangwa shingai.darangwa@inl.co.za After the dread of 2020, I think it’s safe to say we all hoped that 2021 would bring much-needed respite. While things haven’t quite been smooth sailing on several fronts, we’ve at least been blessed with the emergence of some serious local talent. We look back at the year to uncover five of our favourite breakthrough talents: Uncle Waffles There’s really no other place to start than with Uncle Waffles. In just two short months, she’s risen from being a little known up-and-comer trying to find her feet in the entertainment industry, to one of the most on- demand female DJs on the continent. Since her viral video caught the attention of the entire country and some Canadian rapper named Drake, she’s gained over 300K followers across…

Drew Barrymore is helping Cardi B to realise her "meat-free dreams". The 29-year-old rap star is keen to find a good meat-free replacement, and Drew has offered her some advice over social media. The WAP hitmaker initially asked her Twitter followers: "I want to go vegan but I love meat.. are vegan meat replacements similar to meat in taste or not really? (sic)" And in response, Drew said: "YES @iamcardib I HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR MEAT FREE DREAMS. @QuornUS HAS CHANGED MY LIFE! SENDING YOU SOME IMMEDIATELY. PS I LOVE YOU. (sic)" Drew, 46, confessed in a video clip to being "one of (Cardi's) biggest fans ever". The Hollywood star subsequently described herself as a "flex-etarian", meaning she eats "predominantly vegetarian". Cardi was thrilled that Drew reached out to…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za THE award-winning director Vusi Africa Sindane has promised a thrilling 2022 for film enthusiasts after teasing his upcoming film, Surviving Gaza. He released a video snippet of the cast which is a combination of newcomers and renowned actors. Sindane said this would be his first Kwaito film he produced. It also features some of South Africa’s kwaito legends like Mdu Masilela and Ishmael Morabe. Sindane said that black, young and gifted Surviving Gaza was a film they’d been waiting for. The SA Film and TV Awards winner took to his social media accounts to express how excited he was people would witness immaculate performers in this film. “Kwaito gave us some of the most memorable moments in our history. It’s such an honour to get a privilege…

MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg I AM humbly writing and appealing to supermarkets and retailers to please consider the harm of alcohol and to not advertise in the mass media and other social media platforms. Supermarkets and retailers selling alcohol should ponder and keep in mind the social ills and harm associated with liquor, and stop the marketing and promotion of alcohol. People are losing their loved ones, their wealth, dignity and self-respect; children, women and extended families are also suffering immensely because of alcohol addiction. An effective measure to prevent alcohol abuse is not to advertise alcohol in the mass media and other social media platforms. According to studies, constant exposure to alcohol on media and commercial communications is asso- ciated with the likelihood that teenagers will start…

JOHN Whitlock | Germiston SOME time ago, I wrote a letter asking why young males, responsible for impregnating young maidens and resulting in the birth of thousands of unwanted babies, were not held accountable for their deeds. There was no response from anyone. I suggested that the family of the man involved be held responsible for maintaining the health of the newborn and that they contribute financially to its upbringing. Now I read that the government, inter alia the provincial departments, have had a “eureka” moment, and are considering my suggestion. One realises that it takes the government some time to become aware of a problem and then to act. The young studs have had a glorious time in sowing their wild oats but the time has come…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za HIS vibrant and charismatic personality does not only work for him on TV screens but has won its way into the hearts of many South African viewers. After it was announced that Lawrence Maleka would host the highly anticipated new season of Big Brother Mzansi, he was instantly among the trends, with many who believe that he will do justice to the role. The South African Film and Television Award (Safta) winner is known for his role as Zolani on the hit 1Magic telenovela The River. Maleka previously hosted Africa Magic Entertainment’s StarGist, Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs and co-hosted the 2021 South African Music Awards, among others. “I’m excited to be part of this instalment of Big Brother Mzansi,” Maleka said in a statement.…

The situation in South Africa is a microcosm of what is prevailing in the rest of Africa. The marginalised majority have continued, over these three decades, to live in hope. On July 7, former president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma turned himself over to prison authorities to begin a 15-month jail sentence handed down by the Constitutional Court for failing to obey an order of court to appear before an official inquiry investigating corruption allegations. His incarceration set off an unprecedented wave of protests, looting, and rioting unseen in South Africa for the entire period of its young democracy established in 1994. Major highways were barricaded, a large number of long-haul trucks were burnt along the main arterial road from Durban to the economic heartland of Johannesburg in an attempt…

The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year surpassed 375 yesterday, as survivors pleaded for urgent supplies of drinking water and food. The Philippine Red Cross reported “complete carnage” in coastal areas after Typhoon Rai left homes, hospitals and schools “ripped to shreds”. At least 208 people were killed and 52 were missing in the latest disaster to hit the archipelago, with hundreds more injured. More than 380 000 people fled their homes as Rai slammed into the country last week. | AFP…

Smiso Msomi smiso.msomi@inl.co.za Baroka FC, who are at the bottom of the Premiership standings, face yet another difficult proposition as high-flying Royal AM look to further compound their misery when the two clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow (5pm kick-off). Bakgakga Ba Mpahlele have just two wins to show for their efforts this season and are on a torrid run having lost seven of their last 10 league matches. The Limpopo-based side turned to one of their inspiration figures at the club in Kgoloko Thobejane as they sought to find a way out of the relegation zone. The man popularly known for his “Football will kill you” quote has certainly evoked a response from his charges in the way they have performed but unfortunately not in points on the board.…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za STELLENBOSCH University PHD student Takunda Gwanzura has invented a diagnostic biosensor that claims to do rapid testing for Covid-19 in 15 to 30 seconds. Currently the gold standard method of testing is the PCR test, which has a turnaround time of 24 hours or more due to the laboratory processing required. Gwanzura said in a telephone interview yesterday that the new technology, called the Covidometer, could deliver results within 15 to 30 seconds, and it was a portable device that required no lab work. The device would allow large-scale screening of groups of people as they enter a space where social distancing may not always be possible. He said most of the validation work had been done with the help of the PathCare pathology laboratory group. There…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za SOUTH Africa’s Just Transition journey, the shift from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy set to peak by 2035, got off to a good start this year with France, Germany, the UK, the US, and the EU throwing their hats into the ring for the rainbow nation to suckle on a R131 billion ($8.25bn) funding lollipop as it ponders its baby-steps. It is no coincidence that South Africa is the blue-eyed boy of energy transition. Boasting ample sunlight for VHF capacity, wind capability, ample gas reserves, a varying geographical incline, technical expertise fodder, an ailing coal fleet and best of all pressure to conform, it is a no-brainer as a poster child of the developed world’s aspirations. The country has certainly displayed its milk-teeth.…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za TIGHTLY-HELD Onelogix Group’s share price shot up 27.5 percent to R3.06 yesterday morning after it announced a plan to de-list from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The logistics and supply chain solutions group said that trading in its shares has been characterised by “extremely low liquidity” due to its tightly held strategic and controlling shareholding that has deterred potential institutional investor interest in the shares. Previous media reports suggest that the company directors, staff and management hold about 56 percent of the issued share capital. The proposed de-listing would be accompanied by a cash offer of R3.30 per share. The annual report of end-August 2021 said there were 1 170 individual shareholders holding an 8.9 percent stake, directors own 41.2 percent, while 263…

Loyiso Sidimba loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za THE Department of Correctional Services has distanced former president Jacob Zuma from the decision to grant him medical parole in September. Acting Correctional Services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale also told the North Gauteng High Court that being sentenced to direct imprisonment does not prevent an inmate from being freed on any parole, including medical. These are among arguments put forward by the Department of Correctional Services in its challenge to Judge Keoagile Matojane’s ruling ordering Zuma to return to prison after it (the department) released him on medical parole three months ago on the authority of its former national commissioner, Arthur Fraser. According to Thobakgale, Zuma was not party to the decision to grant him medical parole, and was released into the care of one of his…

BETTY MOLEYA betty.moleya@inl.co.za IT WILL be business as usual for all branches of the South African Post Office, which will remain open on weekdays and Saturday mornings throughout the festive season. They will remain open mainly because of the payments of the R350 Sassa social relief grant, but other services will be offered as well. Post Office spokesperson Johan Kruger said their branches would be open, to only be closed on public holidays. “In previous years the post offices did close earlier, but this year we are staying open to help the R350 customers. “We also find huge numbers of customers pay their car licences this time of the year when they can take take time off work and we want to help them too.” People who use the services…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za The multi-award-winning rapper Cassper Nyovest has finally launched his long-awaited alcoholic brand called Billiato at his Johannesburg mansion. Refiloe Phoolo, also known as Don Billiato, broke the internet when he first announced he had an alcohol brand in the works. His fans were ecstatic when he showed a teaser. “I would like to introduce to you, Billiato, a taste of wealth. This is for the dreamers! The future billionaires! Here’s a toast to us. This summer is gonna be lit!!! This is all we gonna be drinking!!! Luxury!!! Follow us.” (sic). In an interview on YFM, Nyovest said a “renowned alcohol guru” approached him to start this venture. “We’re launching with one flavour. One of the things I was thinking of making was a gin, and I…

IN CONSTITUTIONAL democracies, the rule of law is sacrosanct and governments and good citizens seek to uphold it. Rule of law has many definitions; one of my favourites is that of the American Bar Association: “The rule of law is a set of principles, or ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society. Many countries… strive to uphold the rule of law where no one is above the law, everyone is treated equally under the law, everyone is held accountable… there are clear and fair processes for enforcing the laws, there is an independent judiciary, and human rights are guaranteed to all.” Why is it that some among us seek actively to destroy the rule of law? Professor Saths Cooper, the often anti-white activist, referring to the Jacob Zuma matter,…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za Nowadays artists are boldly taking on popular musical classics and adding their sprinkle of creativity in a way that modern audiences can relate to and appreciate. Independent record label, Gallo has also decided to put a fresh spin on some South Africa music masterpieces that they believe will entice modern audiences, as a way of celebrating its 95 years in the business. Mpho Sebina, alongside Sun El musician, Da Capo, Muzi, and Nobuhle are artists chosen by Gallo Records to work on the first Gallo remixed EP, titled Music is Forever. These music stars have pulled classic songs from Gallo’s rich archives and remixed them. They also worked closely with the internationally acclaimed Grammy- nominated South African DJ Black Coffee, who is the executive producer of the…

Matthew Paterson One surprise from COP26 – the latest UN climate change conference in Glasgow – was an agreement between world leaders on a new set of rules for regulating carbon markets. This would allow countries to trade the right to emit greenhouse gases. Carbon trading is part of how countries intend to meet their obligations for reducing emissions under the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, the manner in which countries agreed these rules may hobble the agreement in its goal of averting catastrophic warming. Carbon markets were central to the design of the Paris Agreement’s predecessor, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which created three different mechanisms for trading carbon. Developing countries had become accustomed to attracting investment via one called the “Clean Development Mechanism” (CDM), which allowed industrialised countries to invest…

Conjoined twin boys from war-torn Yemen who were successfully separated in surgery in Jordan returned to the capital Sana’a this month, the UN children’s agency said yesterday. Ahmed and Mohammed were born on December 16 last year, joined at the chest and abdomen, in Sana’a, the country’s rebel-held capital, Unicef said. They were transported to Jordan after calls for their medical evacuation. The twins were separated in July at Amman’s Speciality Hospital in an eight-hour operation. | AFP…

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said the club would continue to test players for Covid-19 and train for upcoming matches but confessed he had “no idea” if the fixtures would go ahead. Chelsea had only four outfield players on the bench for the 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Sunday after seven positive cases depleted their squad. The Blues had asked the league to postpone the Wolvesgame and now head into the busy period when they are scheduled to play four matches in 12 days. “We have no idea what will happen,” Tuchel said. Chelsea are due to face Brentford in a League Cup semi-final tomorrow before Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Brighton and Liverpool.…

HERMAN GIBBS The Premier Soccer League yesterday announced that it has formally declined a request by Kaizer Chiefs to postpone all their Premiership matches during December. At the start of the month, Chiefs informed the PSL that 31 individuals, including players, technical and support staff, tested positive for Covid-19 when Gauteng was hit by the fourth wave of the pandemic. As a result, Chiefs were unable to field a team and their base at Naturena was closed down. Chiefs felt that they would be unable to fulfil fixtures against Cape Town City, Golden Arrows, Sekhukhune United and Royal AM. Yesterday the PSL finally declared its decision to decline Chiefs’ request and issued a statement which read: “On the December 2, 2021, Kaizer Chiefs Football Club wrote to the (PSL)…

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool served up a festive classic on Sunday, but sadly it was referee Paul Tierney and the video assistant referee (VAR) that dominated the post-match analysis. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was infuriated by several decisions that went against his side in a 2-2 draw – and with some justification. Tottenham’s Harry Kane was only booked for a dangerous tackle on Andy Robertson with VAR deciding not to upgrade it to red. Yet Robertson’s equally rash tackle on Emerson Royal later was changed from yellow to red. Liverpool also had what looked like a clear penalty not given when Diogo Jota was shoved in the back by Royal as he prepared to shoot, with VAR not intervening. Earlier in the day, Newcastle United were denied what looked like…

Dieketseng Maleke dieketseng.Maleke@inl.co.za ANGLO American Platinum (Amplats) has announced yesterday it plans to sell its 49 percent stake in Bokoni Mine to Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals (ARM). In a statement, the mine said the transaction is set to generate R3.5 billion. The transaction is expected to be complete in 2022. Amplats owns the Limpopo-based mine through a joint venture with Atlatsa Resources, which holds a 51 percent stake. Amplats chief executive Natascha Viljoen said the company was pleased the Bokoni mine was sold to an operator with the technical and operational capability and funding to ensure the restart and sustainable future for the mine. “The restart of the mine by ARM is expected to benefit employees, host communities, broader stakeholders, and the regional economy, and allow…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za FOR COMPANIES struggling to retain talented employees amidst scarce skills, HR departments and organisational leaders need to understand what makes their employees tick to keep them engaged in their jobs, according to Sage Africa and Middle East. The multinational enterprise software company’s vice-president for medium business, Gerhard Hartman, said that given that Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) recently announced record-breaking unemployment numbers, the great resignation trend sweeping the developed world may appear to be of limited relevance to South Africa. “However, the reality is that local companies are struggling to hold on to their best talent in fields where scarce skills such as finance, technology, management and engineering are sought after,” Hartman said. The company said that the PricewaterhouseCooper’s (PwC’s) Workforce Preference Study offered some pointers about the…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za LIFESTYLE-focused group Long4Life said yesterday that an Old Mutual private equity fund had made a firm offer to acquire it at about 6.5 percent more than an initial offer proposal. Long4Life said it had received a firm intention letter from Ompe Bidco to make an offer to acquire all of the issued shares in Long4Life at R6.20 per share cash. Ompe Bidco had initially proposed an offer price of R5.50 per share. Long4Life’s share price rose 0.88 percent to close at R5.76 on the JSE yesterday. Ompe Bidco is a subsidiary of Ompe Fund V, a private equity fund managed by Old Mutual Private Equity (Ompe), as represented by Ompe V GP Proprietary, acting in its capacity as the ultimate general partner of the Ompe…

Siphokazi Vuso siphokazi.vuso@inl.co.za DEATH threats directed at the country’s leading Covid-19 scientists and researchers are being probed by the Directorate for Priority Crime (Hawks), as experts continue to defend the detection of the new Covid-19 variant in the country. The news has also reached President Cyril Ramaphosa, with his office condemning the incidents. South African scientists last month became the first to detect the Omicron variant, and have since reported attacks and threats from members of the public, mostly on social media. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Study at Stellenbosch University, Professor Eugene Cloete, said despite the criticism, not making the information public would’ve been “irresponsible science”. SA Medical Association (Sama) Employed Doctor’s Forum national chairperson, Dr Akhtar Hussain, said they were seriously concerned about the threats…

Beverley Tsitsi Mutandiro | Human Rights Activist IT IS extremely disheartening to keep on witnessing negative sentiments and lack of concern by the Zimbabwean government about citizens who are continuously leaving their country in search of better economic conditions in other foreign countries particularly South Africa. As we observe migration today, it is worth reflecting on why the corrupt Zimbabwean government is hoping South Africa will renew special work permits for Zimbabweans. The Zimbabwean government should be ashamed that it has failed an estimated six million Zimbabweans who are scattered in South Africa. If the government could manage the country, Zimbabweans in South Africa will not be begging for the special work permits in the first instance. This shocking scale of migration regarding Zimbabweans was created by mismanagement…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za SHE IS popularly known as an actress and a book author, but most viewers know her for playing Phumelele Zungu on Mzansi Magic’s telenovela, Isibiya. Ayanda Borotho has added executive producer to her biography after producing one of the much-loved series called Nqobile, about a young woman who rises above domestic violence from her husband and turns her life around. Borotho used her advocacy against gender-based violence (GBV) and put it into a television series that mirrored real-life scenarios. In an interview with News24, she revealed how fulfilling it was to tell a story many can relate to. “I advocate on such issues on my social media platforms and in my book, so I think that this is just an elevation of my purpose. God has…

At least one policeman died yesterday in the eastern DR Congo city of Goma as police fired tear gas and live bullets to break up a protest against rising crime. The demonstrators converged on roads, setting up barricades and burning tyres. Banks and schools were closed after a call for a general shutdown to denounce rising crime in the city of 600 000 people. The protesters oppose the entry of Rwandan policemen in Goma as per an agreement signed between the two countries to combat trafficking. | AFP…

Gabriel Boric, a tattooed 35-year-old former student leader from the far south of Patagonia, has secured a crushing victory to become Chile’s president-elect. Boric narrowly lost the first round of the vote in November to far-right populist José Antonio Kast but managed to reverse his opponent’s advantage to take 56% of the vote in the runoff, compared with Kast’s 44%. “Thank you to all of the peoples that live in this place we call Chile,” Boric said on a giant stage erected in the centre of the capital, Santiago, to rapturous applause. “The future of Chile needs [all of the candidates] on the people’s side,” he said, thanking each presidential hopeful in turn, including Kast. Kast called Boric on Sunday to concede defeat and congratulated him on his win. He…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za Cricket South Africa (CSA) suffered another blow yesterday with the decision to postpone the 2022 Mzansi Super League because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The tournament, which was cancelled last season as well because of the pandemic, was scheduled to take place in February next year, but was called off for what CSA described as difficulties in making it a “premium international T20 tournament” because of the increased travel restrictions imposed by a number of countries against South Africa. Those travel bans were imposed after SA scientists identified the Omicron variant of Covid-19. “Restrictions such as stricter travel possibilities, the bio-secure environment frustrations, fear of the new variant, and the weak Rand/US Dollar exchange rate are some of the main reasons why CSA has taken the decision to…