Índex per 2022-06-30 a Star

THE Ndlovu family say they are racing against time to arrange a proper send off for their 7-year-old daughter, Sinikizwe Ndlovu, who died on Monday after spending more than a month in intensive care at Leratong Hospital on the West Rand. The Grade 2 learner, who attended Hector Peterson Primary School in Dobsonville, was run over by a school transport driver on May 7. While the Ndlovu family tries to raise enough money to bury Sinikizwe, the Gauteng Department of Education has failed to return media enquiries on whether they have taken steps to help the family. Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona did not answer calls and failed to respond to emails and Whatsapp messages after calls for help from the family, while an official identified as Ms…

Though Belgium was the smallest of the colonial powers it committed some of the worst atrocities. It is estimated that 10 million Congolese perished under King Leopold II. Remember Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese hero who fought against Belgian oppression and gained its independence in 1960? Shortly after he became its first prime minister he was murdered . Now, after six decades, his ghostly figure makes an appearance in the form of a macabre artefact. In a ceremony in Brussels a Belgian official handed over a gold tooth belonging to Lumumba to his family. It was the last remains, kept as a trophy by a Belgian policeman. There has been much speculation surrounding Lumumba’s death. Only after many years the truth about his assassination has emerged. During the Cold War, the…

Due to the depredations of a devastating global pandemic whose threat is still evident as it continues to mutate and, together with the Russian-Ukraine war, almost all of mankind is at the mercy of soaring energy costs, food insecurity and a searing willingness just to be alive! Utility costs continue to escalate unabated, while we have water rationing and load shedding. Fuel price increases are hitting the roof, and this has a ripple effect on all other commodities. While many countries have instituted rescue, revival, survival and stimulation packages, South Africa lacks the initiation, sustenance and continuity of such social and economic initiatives for its hoi polloi, the majority of whom are unemployed, starving and denied basic living facilities, while its servants (government officials and politicians) indulge in the national…

NEXT month is Mandela Month, and Futurelife will celebrate it by aiming to provide a million meals to vulnerable children. This is part of the company’s massive drive to distribute more than five million meals, as well as build a pre-school. Futurelife has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation Early Childhood Development Programme and has invited all South Africans to join it in its initiative. Managing director, Mark Bunn, said malnutrition and hunger were ongoing for many of South Africa’s children. He said 4.6 million children would go to bed hungry tonight. Through this partnership, Futurelife is stepping up to the plate to make sure this figure changes quickly. “Futurelife is a brand that believes in health, hope and happiness and that all people should have access to these through…

SOUTH African consumers should expect a rough ride as we face a series of price hikes next month, including electricity, municipal and fuel price increases. This while we are still feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic – many having lost jobs as a result of businesses closures. Experts warned consumers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase next week. AA has warned that consumers can expect an increase of close to R2 for the price of petrol. It said unaudited fuel price data from the Central Energy Fund showed a possible increase of R1.80 in the price of petrol, and an increase of R1.60 in the price of diesel. The important thing to remember is that the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwane and the Minister of Mineral Resources…

NEW YORK: Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for helping late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls, capping the former socialite’s sordid fall from grace. The sentence was much less than prosecutors sought but still means the 60-year-old is likely to spend much of the rest of her life in jail. US District Judge Alison J Nathan called Maxwell’s crimes “heinous and predatory”, rejecting her claims that she was pursued by prosecutors only because Epstein escaped trial by killing himself in prison. Maxwell’s lead attorney said that she would appeal. | AFP…

BANYANA Banyana begin their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a Group C opener against defending champions and perennial nemesis Nigeria in Rabat on Monday. It is the start of the path to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and coach Des Ellis’s side must finish in the top four in Morocco to qualify automatically and avoid inter-continental play-offs. Ellis has named her squad, which is at full strength, bar the absence of winger Gabriela Salgado due to injury. Here are five players Banyana will rely on heavily for success at the continental finals… Noko Matlou Matlou is still going strong at the age of 36 and remains a cornerstone of the backline for Banyana, having started her international career as a striker. It…

Is there room for more women’s Test cricket? It was the burning question in the build-up to the one-off Test between South Africa and England – the Proteas’ first in eight years and just the 13th played by an SA team in 62 years. The future of women’s Tests is somewhat murky. Only England and Australia, as part of the women’s Ashes, play Tests with any regularity, and while broadly expressing support for more matches, even SA’s captain this week, Sune Luus, reckoned she would wait until after the match to make known her feelings about the format. The ICC’s independent chair Greg Barclay caused controversy with remarks in a recent interview with the BBC, hen he said he couldn’t “see women’s Test cricket evolving at any particular speed.” That…

Experts warned consumers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase next week. The Automobile Association (AA) has warned that consumers can expect an increase of close to R2 for the price of petrol. Layton Beard, spokesperson for the Automobile Association, said unaudited fuel price data from the Central Energy Fund showed a possible increase of R1.80 in the price of petrol, and an increase of R1.60 in the price of diesel. “The important thing to remember is that the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy jointly announced that the General Fuel Levy was reduced by R1.50 from March to June. For July, the General Fuel Levy will decrease by just 75 cents. “In effect, that 75 cents that is being added back to the…

THE double-storey Enyobeni tavern where 21 young people tragically died under mysterious circumstances in East London was illegally constructed and its renovations were never approved, according to the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). This as police expressed concerns about circulating rumours and reports speculating on the cause of death in the tragedy. Police said they received a report of the discovery of bodies of teenagers, the youngest aged 13, at 4am on Sunday. It has been confirmed that the last of the 21 bodies has since been identified at the mortuary. BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the municipality did not receive any land use application and no departure was granted for the operation of a tavern on the site. The establishment also had no approved application for their original trading hours…

THE huge earthquake that killed over a thousand people in Afghanistan last week, is a reminder that many parts of our planet are locked in a seismic grip that erupts without warning. The latest quake was felt as far as India and Pakistan. World-class geologists and seismic institutions have over the past 20 years warned us of the approaching catastrophes awaiting. The evidence is overwhelming. The Cascadia subduction zone and the Saint Andreas Fault line off America’s west coast will rupture in a 9m mega quake. Scientists from The National Research Institute of India and Stanford University analysed the fault that separates the Asian and Intercontinental plates. The report accurately predicted a megaquake in Nepal. The report published in 2012 predicted 40 000 deaths accompanied by landslides and painted a…

THE death of minors in East London left South Africans reeling in shock and people can not stop talking about it. This also attracted media attention internationally with most people eager to know what transpired the night more than 20 teenagers died at Enyobeni Tavern at Scenery Park in the Eastern Cape. The incident also sparked debate across social media platforms touching on alcohol culture and clubbing among minors. Popular musician Msaki spoke candidly about how the incident in her hometown broke her heart. “I’m up to pray for families who have lost children in East London, my home. I can’t begin to imagine the devastation. Sometimes a song just pours out and you don’t know what is making that press on your heart at a particular time. “Imagine me…

“At certain points in human history, individuals emerge who teach us the power of dreams. They believe so profoundly in pursuing a dream, and they pursue it with such tenacity and success that we begin to believe with them. They inspire hope and rekindle light even in the midst of great darkness.” – Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. On June 18, former president Thabo Mbeki celebrated his 80th birthday. The two things, among many, that came to mind, were his "I am An African" speech and his socio-political ideology of the African Renaissance. Like Richard Maponya, the Mbeki generation has been challenged to stand and be counted among nation-builders as he utilised the political platform to achieve that mission. Today, as he mulls over the years he has lived and the political…

For the brother of Shireen Abu Akleh, the Palestinian American reporter killed while covering an Israeli military raid in the West Bank, Joe Biden’s first visit as president to the region in July will be accompanied by a slim hope for justice. Anton Abu Akleh has been regularly in touch with representatives from the US government since May 11, when his sister, Shireen, a veteran Al Jazeera correspondent, was fatally shot in the back of the head while reporting on an early morning Israeli military raid in the Jenin Refugee Camp. He has been requesting the US to take over the investigation into his sister’s killing from the Israeli army, which he says is “trying only to protect their own soldiers”. As a US citizen, said Anton, her government…

COLOMBO: Doctors and bankers were among hundreds of Sri Lankans who marched yesterday to demand the government resolve a severe fuel shortage at the heart of the island’s worst economic crisis in decades. Left with just enough fuel for about a week and fresh shipments at least two weeks away, the government restricted supplies to essential services. Doctors, nurses and medical staff say that despite being essential workers, they struggle to find enough fuel to get to work. More than 100 medical staff of the hospital in Colombo marched to the prime minister’s office calling for fuel and medicines. | Reuters…

WITH her 41st birthday just months away and without a grand slam title since 2017, Serena Williams faces searching questions over her future after a painful first-round Wimbledon exit. The American was back on Centre Court on Tuesday after a year away from singles tennis, but it was a miserable return to the scene of some of her greatest triumphs. The 23-time major winner was cheered as she entered the court and supported throughout by a crowd desperate to see her recapture former glories against unseeded Harmony Tan of France. But she looked a pale shadow of her former self, making 54 unforced errors in an uncharacteristically sloppy display that ended with a tame forehand dumped into the net. Despite her lack of form and fitness, Serena, who lost 7-5…

CAPE Town-born former professional footballer Leroy Maluka has suggested that new Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has a lot to offer South African football. Riveiro was recently appointed new coach of the Buccaneers in a move that surprised many. The Spaniard had never before coached in South Africa and much of his work in football management has been in assistant roles. Maluka, who spent the bulk of his playing career in Finland, is one of the few South Africans who is familiar with Riveiro. The 36-year-old has also since forged a coaching career in Finland and earlier this year was appointed as assistant coach of Espoon Palloseurran Jalkapallary (EPS). Riveiro arrived with assistant coach Sergio Almenara and fitness trainer Miguel Bellver Esteve. Mandla Ncikazi, who co-coached the Sea Robbers along…

FOREIGN nationals whose applications for asylum in South Africa were rejected do not automatically have the right in law to reapply. If they do, this will allow for a never-ending cycle of asylum applications, according to a judgment by the Western Cape High Court. This followed an application by three Burundian nationals, who applied for asylum in South Africa. Their applications were rejected as being manifestly unfounded in terms of the Refugees Act. The refusal was automatically reviewed by the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs, which confirmed the finding. In terms of the Refugee Act a person qualifies for refugee status if it is proven their lives would be in danger if they were to be sent back to their country of origin. But in this case home affair’s officials…

THREE days spent in a filthy cell following allegations that a granny damaged her neighbour’s carport will cost the taxpayer R120 000. Avril Diljan initially claimed damages against the police in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court but a magistrate found that the officers who had arrested and detained her had done nothing wrong. She appealed the decision in the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, which also ruled against her. It was third time lucky for Diljan. The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that her arrest and detention were illegal and she should be paid R120 000 in damages. Her arrest and detention happened after two constables received a call from the Community Service Centre about a complaint lodged by a Ms Goliath in Eldorado Park. When they got there, Goliath…

NEARLY four decades since the Soweto Uprising, South Africa still commemorates the day. This has encouraged the youth make their voices heard. The struggles faced by the youth in 2022 are different from those of the class of 1976. In order for the youth of today to shape the future, they should take initiatives and every opportunity presented to them. For example, while we grapple with the issue of youth unemployment, more must be done to encourage the youth to participate in agriculture and rural development. Though agriculture is not regarded as fashionable by the youth, it is capable of creating employment, thereby eradicating poverty. The government's efforts in creating awareness by holding roadshows showcasing opportunities for the youth are welcomed. Initiatives like the Young Farmers Mobilisation Workshop organised by…

The current crop of ANC leaders and followers ought to be ashamed of themselves. This organisation was formed under the guidance of royals, scholars and priests, among others, as a pioneering way of uniting marginalised Africans in the south and the rest of Africa. At one stage, the ANC was known as the congress or convention of natives and thereafter included other congresses like those of Indians and other South Africans, who can be seen as minorities. It is for these reasons that the ANC was called a broad church or a gathering of diverse people united under a common ideal. But today, the ANC has lost all of its founding principles and frameworks for unity and progress and adopted diabolic principles, which include modern political forms of propaganda, and…

Africa has great potential for drug discovery. The continent has natural resources, indigenous knowledge and human capacity. And it has the need: it bears more than 20% of the global disease burden. There are many internationally recognised African scientists undertaking cutting edge research. But a lack of resources makes it difficult to conduct world-class science. A team of African biochemists, cell biologists and bioinformaticians shares some thoughts on what it would take to establish an Africa-wide drug discovery ecosystem. The authors are the key members of the Covid Drug-Africa Consortium – the consortium for rapid Covid-19 drug development in Africa. What are the challenges to drug discovery? Access to infrastructure, long-term funding and supply chain constraints are among the challenges. In South Africa, spending on research and development (R&D) as…

Geneva: The World Health Organization warned yesterday that the US Supreme Court’s ruling ending the nationwide right to abortion risked having a detrimental impact far beyond the US. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the decision to scrap half a century of constitutional protections for abortion rights as “a setback”. Conservative-led US states have moved swiftly, at least eight imposing bans on abortion. Tedros warned that access to safe abortion was about more than the right to choose. “It saves lives,” he said. | AFP…

Los Angeles: Los Angeles county officials have approved a plan to return California beachfront property to the descendants of a black family who had the land seized from them a century ago, a move hailed as atoning for racial injustice. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to transfer ownership of a piece of land in the city of Manhattan Beach to the great-grandsons of Charles and Willa Bruce, who had operated a resort for black residents who had few options for enjoying the California coast, until it was taken away from them in the 1920s in what the board called “an act of racism.” | AFP…

IF there is one area where Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber must have slight concerns as the Boks build towards the World Cup in 2023, then it surely must be at flyhalf. The No 10 stocks are thin at the moment, and against Wales in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, starting No 10 Elton Jantjies will be the only recognised specialist in that position. Nienaber, no doubt, continues with his plans for the position behind the scenes. Handre Pollard will become available for the second Test in Bloemfontein next week, while Johan Goosen is in the Bok set-up recuperating with injury. This weekend, however, it will be up to Jantjies to marshal the backline during the opening stages. Fullback Damian Willemse could slot into the position later, or…