Índex per 2022-03-11 a Star

Itumeleng Mafisa THE WORLD’S third largest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, is running out of food for patients, forcing doctors to find ways of feeding their own patients. The Star understands that hospital staff morale is at its lowest, with health-care workers carrying the burden of clinical duties and catering services for patients. Some charity organisations are also donating food to the hospital while some doctors are running projects that would enable them to feed their patients. Bara receives an annual budget of about R3 billion. This is more than what some provincial health departments receive. On a normal day, patients at Bara get bread and tea for breakfast. This would then be followed by lunch in the afternoon, usually be chicken stew and pap. In most…

Anita Nkonki anita.nkonki@inl.co.za THE music industry turned up in numbers for the red carpet affair at the launch of the Basadi In Music Awards, in a star-studded event at the Johannesburg Theatre on Tuesday. Entrepreneur Hloni Modise said she had an idea to bring to life Basadi In Music Awards as a way to honour and celebrate female singers, performers, composers, producers, and other roles in the music industry. Modise said it began as an idea but later thought she should make it for young girls who dreamt but were afraid of taking steps forward. “It looked big, impossible, and unrealistic. When I spoke to people, they said it was a great idea. It’s unreal that yesterday we launched an idea whose time is overdue. “I’m humbled by the support…

Loyiso Sidimba loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za MAYORS and council speakers could soon be paid based on their performance. This is the aim of the SA Local Government Association (Salga). Representatives of the country’s municipalities have made this proposal following its national congress, which ended last week Friday. Salga has called for the introduction of performance management and accountability for all councillors, including mayors and speakers. It will lobby for a “responsive regime” based on performance for the allocation of budget to municipalities by the national government. The association also wants to lobby for responsive remuneration for staff in the country’s 257 municipalities. According to Salga, the new remuneration will be based on performance and dependant on the municipality’s allocation from the National Treasury. The association elected Speaker of the Matjhabeng local municipality Bheki…

Sonri Naidoo THE young unapologetically black queer Johannesburg-based multi-talented creative Ntsikelelo “Lelo” Zane Meslani, known as Lelowhatsgood, is fast becoming a creative marvel who is redefining South African queer culture. As a DJ, he was behind the representation and increase in the visibility of queer creatives in the entertainment industry in Johannesburg – playing on international stages such as Boiler Room and AFROPUNK in 2019. As a writer and multi-faceted content creator, he is breaking down societal stereotypes, generalisations and misconceptions surrounding queer culture in SA. Meslani holds bylines in The New York Times, Mail & Guardian and Hunger Magazine, and earns top spots such as Vodacom’s NXTLVL young creatives under 25 and being Jagermeister creative board member for Night Embassy JHB. “I was playing Boiler Room two weeks ago,…

The Washington Post STEWART O’Nan’s new novel, Ocean State, makes a murder mystery as compelling as the closing of a Red Lobster restaurant. It’s a curious but apparently intentional achievement in a book that feels allergic to its own suspense. Ocean State opens with this shocking line: “When I was in eighth grade my sister helped kill another girl.” Even with the killer’s identity revealed, much remains tantalisingly hidden but only for a few pages. The full horror of the crime is soon revealed: the victim was a popular high school pupil. The two girls were fighting over a boy. Disclosing these material details before the crime is re-enacted in the novel, before the police investigation uncovers the truth and before the trial produces a verdict, O’Nan has purposefully drained…

Farouk Araie | Johannesburg The conflict between Russia and Ukraine exposes the hypocrisy of the world. As a parent and a grandparent, I condemn a war that relegates diplomacy as a last resort. The conflict must be condemned for its savagery. The actions of the world in condemning the violence is laudable, but perplexing. Where was the world when Russian President Vladimir Putin destroyed Grozny, the Chechen capital in 1999, in the Chechen war that killed 80 000 people? Nato’s statements on the conflict in Europe are blatant hypocrisy. When Nato bombed a clearly marked hospital in Afghanistan, killing 22 people, during the war, it was classified as collateral damage. It was not a navigational error; the bomber returned repeatedly to the scene, dropping more ordnance on…

Following the death of AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini on March 12, 2021, the royal family convened on March 24 and appointed Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu as regent – although the king’s third wife was his great wife – a royal consort who, by Zulu law, births the king’s successor. The king had five other wives. Before her regency was gazetted by the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, as required by statutory law, the queen died on April 29. On May 14, the royal family unanimously nominated her first-born son, Prince Misuzulu, as successor to the Zulu throne. Later that month, various members of the royal family, notably Queen Sibongile Dlamini, the late king’s first wife, challenged his will and the validity of Prince Misuzulu’s nomination. On March 2 this year, the High…

Violent clashes continued between protesters and police yesterday on France’s Mediterranean island of Corsica as local anger intensified over the assault in prison of a nationalist figure. Yvan Colonna, who is serving a life sentence for the assassination in 1998 of Corsica’s top regional official Claude Erignac, is in a coma after being beaten in jail by a fellow detainee serving time for terror offences. In Ajaccio, protesters broke into the justice building, setting fire to scrap papers. They then ransacked a bank. | Reuters…

SMISO MSOMI smiso.msomi@inl.co.za AND then there was one for Orlando Pirates as they crashed out of yet another competition with defeat to Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup last 16 via a penalty shoot-out. The Buccaneers have had a terrible last five days as defeat to arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs was followed by their elimination from the last local knockout competition. Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids feels his men don’t have time to reflect on their short-comings and he would rather have his team focus on their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup game this weekend. The former Maritzburg United coach spoke after his side’s defeat at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and revealed his displeasure with his players failing to make the most of their opportunities. “We have ourselves to blame, they (Gallants)…

BANDILE Shandu has been a breath of fresh air for Orlando Pirates. He’s been so good that it’s been relatively easy to turn a blind eye to the side’s broader problems as their chances of winning a trophy were further trimmed this week. On Wednesday, Pirates were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Marumo Gallants, and their hopes of winning a trophy now rest on the CAF Confederation Cup. They are also behind in the Premiership title race as they trail leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 19 points. But in the midst of the disappointment at New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Pirates’ knight in shining armour, Shandu, had done all he could to try to drag his side closer to the quarter-finals, only to be denied by the winning penalty kick…

CRYSTAL Palace’s physical attributes and the quality of their forward Wilfried Zaha will pose a difficult challenge for Manchester City when the teams meet in the Premier League on Monday, City manager Pep Guardiola said. Palace, who beat City 2-0 away in October with goals from Zaha and Conor Gallagher, and have lost one of their last eight games in all competitions. “Seeing their run, the physicality, organisation, quality up front especially with Zaha. When they defend deep, they’re so difficult to break down,” Guardiola told reporters yesterday. “Selhurst Park is always a difficult place to go. It’s like a final for us, we know it.” The City manager also heaped praise on Palace boss Patrick Vieira, who captained Arsenal to three league titles and four FA Cup triumphs as…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za MANUFACTURING output in South Africa rebounded sharply in January following three consecutive months of declines as the industry battled to recover from the July unrest. However, the ongoing war in eastern Europe could severely affect material prices and South Africa’s energy crisis could dampen this recovery in the coming months. Statistics South Africa (StatSA) yesterday said manufacturing production rose 2.9 percent year-on-year in January, and was almost in line with market forecasts of a 2.85 percent increase. This was the strongest increase in factory activity since last June, helped by an 11.5 percent rise in the production of food and beverages. Wood and wood products, paper, publishing, and printing categories grew 11.5 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively. The basic iron and steel,…

Anita Nkonki MZANSI Wethu is introducing the channel’s first talk show, Siza Mina (Help Me), aimed at tackling issues that are pervasive in the lives of South Africans. The show is set to premiere on Sunday at 8.30pm, and viewers can also join the conversations on social media as there’ll be plenty to talk about. Siza Mina will be hosted by Siyabonga Vithi, a businessman, radio, and TV presenter who has hosted the breakfast show on Alex FM and Talkback, the youth debate talk show on eNCA. The weekly show features guests, and issues covered will include romantic drama, family problems, unsettled debt, broken friendships, and housing and contract disputes. Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net Shirley Adonisi said they were thrilled to be bringing fresh content to intrigue…

WHEN considering what could bring a city, a country or the entire world together, something as simple as a blanket would never have crossed one’s mind. The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative, in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation Gift of the Givers, is doing just that by knitting a massive blanket to unite the nation. Joburgers are invited to rally together over the next few months to help create the Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope, knitting or crocheting blankets of any size, in bright, vivid rainbow colours to evoke the warm and generous spirit of our nation. The initiative is bringing individuals together to celebrate the compassion and resilience of South Africans through a tough two years of Covid-19 lockdowns. “More importantly, we are giving back to our…

Julian Richfield julianrichfield2@gmail.com CRAIG Revel Horwood is famously known best as being “that judge” on Strictly Come Dancing since it began in 2004. He is also a critically acclaimed dancer, director and choreographer. He has written three volumes of autobiography and now turns his writing talents to a glittering novel, Dances & Dreams on Diamond Street. Revel Horwood dedicates the book to “All the bohemian, nonconformist, alternative, eccentric and idiosyncratic ‘Heartbreakers’ of 49 Pratt Street, Camden Town NW1, where residents lived together in peace harmony and love”. This kind of communal community, with their creativity, aspirations and failures, are the ‘stars’ that set the scene of this breezy novel, which is also set in London’s Camden Town. With the normal ups and downs of showbiz life and sharing a close-knit…

Norman V Mahlangu | Siyabuswa Traditional rigid gender norms applied in raising our boys, as if we are raising supermen who are perceived to be immune to expressing their pain, are one of the factors that lead to violence and suicide some men find themselves entangled in. Such a culture results in men harbouring depression and stress which becomes a ticking time bomb because humans are social beings. We live in a world where men are expected to be providers. Failure to do so breeds frustration, a sense of hopelessness and depression in any normal man. As we engage in combating this phenomenon, let’s find ways that can ease the financial stress on men. They should be taught how to have more than one stream of income. Fathers…

Phumla Williams The right of access to basic water supply and sanitation services is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, and the government is responsible for the provision of water and proper sanitation. Chapter 4 of the National Development Plan envisages a South Africa that recognises the importance of secure and equitable access to water and sanitation as a catalyst for socio-economic development. It is against this background that the Cabinet recently approved the third edition of the National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) for public consultation. The strategy gives effect to the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), which directs the adoption of the NWRS to guide the management of the water resource. The strategy document, which will be published in the Government…

Russia and Ukraine yesterday failed to find a breakthrough on a ceasefire and other humanitarian issues at the first high-level talks between the two sides since Moscow’s invasion. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba met on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya for three-way talks joined by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Kuleba said “no progress” had been achieved on even a 24-hour ceasefire, expressing frustration that “it seems that there are other decision-makers for this matter in Russia”. He also repeated his vow that the country will not give in, saying: “I want to repeat that Ukraine has not surrendered, does not surrender, and will not surrender”. He described the meeting as “difficult”, accusing his Russian counterpart of bringing…

Morgan Bolton morgan.bolton@inl.co.za Klippies or Ricki Louw was the question, and with a smile and schoolboy laugh, Marcell Coetzee answered: “I am definitely a Richelieu fan, it made me do a lot of sins in my time.” You’d be forgiven for believing that the Blue Bulls captain was merely punting the new sponsorship deal signed between his union and the brandy brand, but such is the affable manner of the 30-year-old, that there is no reason to doubt the Springbok’s taste. Coetzee’s journey to Pretoria was completed in 2021 after a legendary stint at Ulster, and since returning to South Africa, he has had tongues wagging regarding his powerful displays in the traditional blue of Bulls. The burly eighthman accounts for these performances as having found a place he can…

Bongani Nkosi bongani.nkosi@inl.co.za CLOSE to 90 rape cases were reported on public TVET college campuses across the country during 2021. Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has revealed that data collated from colleges’ responses to the Survey Hub, a new reporting system, indicated that 88 alleged campus rape cases were reported last year. The highest number of cases – 50 – were reported in Eastern Cape-based colleges. Gauteng and the Free State reported a combined 31 cases and seven cases were reported in the Northern Cape/Western Cape. Nzimande replied to written questions by the DA’s Chantel King, who asked for data on sexual assault cases reported in institutions over the past three academic years. The data King asked for was collected for the first time in 2021, with…

Sonri Naidoo AFTER hiding behind the role of different characters, actress Lillian Dube, makes her debut on reality TV show 7 Colours. The show, which premiered on February 17 on HONEY TV, was inspired by the the South African “colourful Sunday cooking” to see how people really make their Sunday meals. In each episode families, friends and loved ones show their cooking skills by “executing” the full plate, the best way they know how. Dube is a veteran SA actress who found fame and prominence on TV shows such as Skwizas and Soul City. She was best known for portraying Masebobe in the soap opera Generations. She said in 7 Colours, she interacts with the contestants and judges their food alongside YouTube comedian Moshe Ndiki. “I am very thrilled to…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za THE Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH) has seen an increase in mental health-care patients seeking assistance. The Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, responding to a legislature question, said the Auckland Park hospital had recorded an increase in mental health-care patients, with some coming from outside the hospital’s feeder area. Mokgethi said in January, HJH treated 876 patients at the emergency department compared to 80 in January 2021. In ward two and three, 1 395 people were treated by January 2022, compared to 620 in 2021, and the outpatient department had treated 520 patients by January 2022, compared to 244 by January 2021. She said the increase in admissions could be attributed to poor socio-economic circumstances aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, large scale use of illegal substances…

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) enjoyed strong public support during the first decades of its 19-year rule, but since December 2013 corruption investigations, it has been involved in the establishment of an oppressive regime to cover up the crimes committed by party members and to stay in power. Erdogan moved away from Europe’s democratic norms to avoid accountability and in the process built a strong economic and political relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Following the controversial July 15 2016 coup attempt, Erdogan went on the rampage targeting all of his critics. The Turkish leader has become critical of Nato and the EU as he faced strong criticism from these international bodies over the purge. He continued destroying Turkey’s democratic institutions and built an illiberal authoritarian…

Sonri Naidoo WITH the continued growth of the digital world, many people were looking for ways to purchase necessities from a garage, such as fuel, food and other items, from the comfort of their own home. Soweto-born founder and CEO of Fula Mobile, Lubabalo Nojiwa, has launched a fast, efficient and reliable app that delivers fuel, food and other necessities such as charcoal, ice, pies and sanitary pads directly to your door from the garage. “What happens when you’re stuck on the highway or on the side of the road and you can’t a reach a garage, or if you are rushing to a meeting and can’t spare 15 minutes from not going to the garage? Fula Mobile app has made these hassles convenient,” said Nojiwa. He said that since…

Staff Reporter YOU’RE on your honeymoon at an exclusive couples-only resort. You receive a note warning you to “Beware of the couple at the table nearest to yours”. At dinner that night, five other couples are present, and none of their tables is any nearer or further away than any of the others. It’s as if someone has set the scene in order to make the warning note meaningless – but why would anyone do that? You have no idea. You also don’t know that you’re about to be murdered, or that once you’re dead, all the evidence will suggest that no one there that night could possibly have committed the crime. So who might be trying to warn you? And who might be about to commit the perfect impossible…

Ndivhuwo Thenga | Centurion The agricultural sector is continuing the trend of being a growth driver in the South African economy after being characterised by low growth for the past few years. This week, Statistics South Africa released the GDP figures for the fourth quarter of 2021. The quarter covers the months of October, November and December. Stats SA said personal services, trade, manufacturing and agriculture were the most significant positive contributors to growth in the fourth quarter. Higher than normal rainfall helped boost agricultural activity. Together with a rise in animal products such as cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, increased wheat production lifted the industry by 12.2%. Despite its continued positive contribution to the country’s economy growth, the agricultural sector is confronted by serious challenges that threaten to…

The City of Johannesburg has acknowledged a paradigm shift from corporative governance to collaborative governance. The city council speaker, Vasco da Gama, has announced that the city has asked residents to guide the metro with regard to the capital projects they want to see in their communities. This is a step in the right direction but the city must also look beyond capital projects and engage the residents holistically. Holism is a prerequisite for collaborative governance. The first step is for the city to develop measures for long-term community well-being. Governments across the world have began defining and tracking indicators of community health. The US has been a trailblazer in the development of long-term community well-being. Local governments internationally have been inspired by the work of a group of more…

A firebrand monk and poster boy of Hindu nationalism was set to retain power in India’s most populous state, vote counts showed yesterday, in a triumph for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party. The likely victory in Uttar Pradesh also strengthens local BJP chief Yogi Adityanath’s chances of succeeding Modi as an even more divisive prime minister of the world’s largest democracy. Adityanath has railed against “anti-nationals”, a euphemism for Muslims who make up a fifth of the state’s population. | AFP…