Índex per 2023-04-12 a Star

SA INC NEEDS to up its game if it wants to attract much needed investment at the South Africa Investment Conference on Thursday. It needs investment to boost its moribund economy. Last month the SA Reserve Bank’s forecast for gross domestic product growth was lowered slightly to 0.2% from the 0.3% expected in January, as a result of extensive load shedding and logistical constraints. The economy was forecast to rebound and expand by 1% in 2024, up from 0.7%, and by 1.1% in 2025, up from 1% previously forecast. This as the country faces an energy crisis, logistic problems and high crime. Business Unity South Africa (Busa) CEO Cas Coovadia said yesterday that the country competed for investment with countries in Africa and elsewhere, and it needed to work under…

FOOD PRICES in South Africa are unlikely to drop, despite softer agricultural prices, economist say. Dr Marlene Louw, the senior agricultural economist at Absa Relationship Banking, said this week that agricultural commodity prices would soften this year, which could bring some relief to the inflationary pressures apparent in food prices over the past months. However, Louw said although the inflation rate was expected to moderate, they did not see a lot of scope for lower food prices as load shedding and exchange rate dynamics were likely to limit the effect of lower commodity prices and would affect manufacturing and distribution costs in food value chains. “Load shedding will lead to higher production costs and lower volumes in the agricultural and food industries. Limited processing capacity leads to lower production volumes…

Kings of Mulberry Street: Let Love Reign Netflix When Granny Chetty is abducted by an evil ex-cop, Ticky and Baboo return for a wild rescue mission, complete with a prized necklace and a musical show. KE ZAKA (S4) SABC2 at 9.30am Presented by Ayanda Allie the show profiles, celebrates and provides assistance to members of stokvels and burial societies. RESTAURANT ON THE EDGE S3 at 6pm A team of three experts embark on a journey to transform not only restaurants, but also the owners’ outlook, to hopefully put them back on a path to success.…

MAMELODI resident Ezekiel Masemola expressed frustration yesterday as he was preparing to throw away spoiled food stored inside a fridge after it had gone off due to a power outage that hit large parts of Tshwane on Sunday evening. Meat, yoghurt, milk, vegetables and polony were among the groceries destined for rubbish bins after they went off. Masemola told Independent Media that although he had accepted that what happened was an accident, he was worried that he had lost so much money spent on the food. “All the food I stored in the fridge smells because of lack of power. I have not yet thrown the items away, but we noticed this morning when we opened a fridge that it was rotten. I understand that what happened was an accident,…

Freedom fighter and former SACP leader Chris Hani’s life was celebrated at an event in Ekurhuleni despite the fact that the truth about who ordered a hit on his life is yet unknown. Hani’s widow, Limpho Hani, did not hold back in lambasting the country’s judicial system, which she said abused and bullied her and others. Limpho said victims of crime were often blamed and re-traumatised by the courts. “I have first-hand experience. We sat in court and we were blamed and shamed; this is in the Constitutional Court this year. Responding to a supposed to be a sorry letter from my husband’s killer. The judge is pertinent that this letter that I never received should have been responded to positively by me. Dear South Africans, dear comrades, I did…

The Dalai Lama, caught on camera, attempting to perform a perverse act on an innocent boy. Placed on a spiritual pedestal, he has proved that he is nothing more than a perverted, “fallen” human being. The image of what transpired is sickening to watch and digest, so how can any clear-thinking human being on this planet have any respect for him and what he supposedly stands for and symbolises? It seems that no one can be trusted, as time and again, many of those who hide behind the cloth of religion and spirituality are morally corrupt, exercising their carnal demons because they are allowed to and are protected. Root them out and expose their abominable acts. Trust no one!…

MEN and women in the Pretoria area are singing praises for the so-called king of erectile dysfunctions, located near the Mabopane Highway (R80). With sexual health a topic men are gradually starting to be comfortable talking about publicly and admitting when they have problems, voice clips have been circulating on social media about a fascinating spiritual healer and seer in the north of Pretoria. Men have been recommending Mozambican-born “Vuka Vuka”, whose consultation hut is along Soutpan Road and Mabopane Highway in Soshanguve towards Mabopane, Winterveld and Hammanskraal. Phonyamunda Sithole, 50, earned the nickname “Vuka Vuka” (Rise and rise) because of his apparent capacity to mix herbs that boost men’s testosterone levels and give them strength and stamina to “rise again and on demand”. However, it was his position that…

The Labour Court in Johannesburg voiced its dismay at the “now familiar and habitual abuse of the urgent court by employees, especially those who occupy senior positions in all spheres of government, particularly in municipalities”. “These employees, after being placed on prolonged periods of precautionary suspensions, when called on to answer to the charges of misconduct, will take all means necessary in order to avoid the conclusion of those inquiries,” said Judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje. This was during a judgment following an application by a senior officer at the Maquassi Hills Municipality in the North West. The officer, who is not named as he is still facing charges of severe misconduct and dishonesty, turned to court urgently to have these disciplinary proceedings against him overturned. Judge Tlhotlhalemaje said applications such as…

A golf ball Tiger Woods gave to a young fan during the final round of his victorious 1997 Masters tournament has sold for $64 124 (about R1.176-million), auction house Golden Age Auctions said on Sunday. Woods bogeyed the fifth hole and handed the ball to Julian Nexsen, who was nine years old at the time. Bidding for the Titleist ball, which has ‘Tiger’ stamped on it, began at $500 when Nexsen put it up for auction on March 27, the auction site said. Woods, then 21, won the first of his 15 Major titles in stunning fashion at the 1997 Masters with a record margin of 12 strokes, and became the youngest golfer to triumph at Augusta National. “Unless Tiger himself or his caddie Fluff intentionally saved a ball from…

With 100 days to go until the start of the Fifa Women’s World Cup, Banyana Banyana desperately need to raise their playing levels ahead of their opening match in New Zealand at the end of July. After the team’s average performance in a friendly against Serbia on Monday, the team urgently need help to improve their performances in the coming weeks. Serbia ran out 3-2 winners after taking a 3-0 lead in just 22 minutes. The limited statistics available showed that Serbia overwhelmed Banyana Banyana, and the opening 20 minutes were played almost entirely in the South Africans’ half. The stats showed that in the second half there were hardly any final-third entries by either team, and Banyana managed to score a goal in the dying minutes of the…

New coaches have been appointed and player signings completed for the next South African season, all of which will make division two cricket stronger than before. Promotion-relegation has made things a lot more interesting in SA cricket. In the first year of the new structure, there was a clear gap in quality between division one and two. Now that promotion-relegation has taken its effect for the first time, the quality in division two has gotten a lot better. The stigma that division two cricket is not up to standard is quickly fading, as “big” players and coaches start to embrace being involved in the league. Former Proteas wicketkeeper-batter Gihahn Cloete is one of the bigger names who will feature in the second division next season. Cloete will play his second…

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he was sad to see Chelsea’s slump this season, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash tonight. The Italian led the Blues between 2009 and 2011, winning a Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010. Chelsea, 11th in the Premier League, sacked coach Graham Potter at the start of April, and hired their former coach Frank Lampard on an interim basis. “I am sad, yes,” Ancelotti told a news conference yesterday before the first-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. “I have a fantastic memory of this club, of the people that are still working there. “I’m a supporter of Chelsea, of course, because I spent two really nice years there.” Ancelotti, who has a year left to run on his contract with Madrid,…

Economists and analysts fear the worst for the millions of South Africans buckling under cost-of-living crisis MAY THE FORCE be with motorists come next month as early data is pointing to yet another petrol price increase. This comes as the Central Energy Fund released its snapshot of fuel prices on April 10, that showed diesel users could possibly be in store for another price cut while petrol users will be forced to fork out more cash. The data revealed that petrol prices could rise between 63 c and 70c per litre, while diesel could see a decrease of between 38c and 50c per litre. Fuel prices in South Africa are largely defined by the rand/dollar exchange rate and the price of oil. April saw a minuscule drop in petrol prices,…

DIGITAL technologies are transforming markets and creating novel economic opportunities pervasively across all sectors. According to the World Bank, strengthening digital inclusion is of paramount importance for any nation’s competitiveness and social stability. Yet profound obstacles to inclusion remain, and demographic divides continue to entrench in- equalities across the global digital landscape. As discussed in my first article (iol br online, Lessons from the AI Government Readiness Index leaders), research by Accenture has found that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could double annual economic growth rates by 2035 by changing the nature of work, defining new synergies between man and machine, and boosting labour productivity by up to 40%. Furthermore, many governments are looking to use AI to improve efficiencies in their delivery of social services – particularly in promoting citizens’ access…

CAPE TOWN Cruise Where: The Homecoming Centre. When: Until April 30. The iconic English play Cruise will be staged at The Homecoming Centre, formerly The Fugard Theatre, from April 12-30. Directed by Josh Lindberg, with original music by John Patrick Elliott, it is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer’s last night on earth. When diagnosed with HIV in 1984, Spencer is told he will have four years to live. So he and his partner, Dave, decide to sell their house and car, spend everything and party like it is the last days of the world. This one-man play is an emotional roller-coaster at times and at others, a hilarious ode to gay culture in the ’80s and how Aids changed the community forever. Its staging is…

THE City of Joburg looks set for more instability following calls for a motion of no confidence against Mayor Thapelo Amad and threats by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to pull out of his coalition government. Yesterday, ActionSA and the DA put more pressure on Amad to resign after he publicly told a national broadcaster that he had sourced a R9.5 billion loan from an unnamed sponsor to help deal with the financial crisis in Joburg. But the MMC for finance Dada Morero said he knew nothing about the loan. The city has just received a R2bn loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). The short-term loan was meant to pay service providers and ensure service delivery continued in the city. Adding to Amad’s troubles, PA leader Gayton…

saps national commissioner General Fannie Masemola expressed satisfaction with the integrated and co-operative law enforcement operations carried out across the country over the Easter weekend. According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS national spokesperson, Gauteng police foiled a cash-in-transit heist on Saturday afternoon. According to Mathe, the interdisciplinary team was following up on intelligence-driven information when they encountered a group of armed suspects on John Vorster Road in Centurion. Mathe said two robbers were fatally shot by police, and three AK-47 automatic rifles were recovered. “Still in Gauteng, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) responsible for investigating gang-related activities in Eldorado Park and surrounding communities arrested six drug dealers,” Mathe said. “This takes the total number of drug traffickers arrested in Eldorado Park to 13, following the arrest of seven more on…

AT LEAST 21 332 nurses were de-registered, for five reasons, from the SA Nursing Council (SANC) between 2021 and last year, Health Minister Joe Phaahla has said. Briefing MPs, Phaahla added that of this cohort, 21 090 were removed from the service “due to their registration lapsing” in the 2021/22 period. This is in spite of nursing being a critical skill. A standing resolution, signed by the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council chief negotiator Maile Ngake and labour unions in September 2019, stipulates that nurses and other staff would be subjected to mandatory deductions. Nonetheless, 21 090 nurses had failed to pay annual fees amid a nursing shortage crisis highlighted during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The rest of the nurses – 242 nationally –…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa not to set up a commission of inquiry into Prasa as proposed by the Zondo Commission, but rather to allow the law enforcement agency to institute a probe. This was revealed by SIU head advocate Andy Mothibi, who outlined his unit’s plan to combat fraud and corruption which had resulted in the government and state institutions losing billions, due to fraudulent procurement practices. Mothibi said the SIU had managed to blacklist more than 34 companies – since its sting operation in 2017. The SIU had also blacklisted several directors of these companies – something that has been lacking in several government departments and agencies. Mothibi has now set his sights on Prasa. “We wrote to the president asking him ……

Ingredients 3 tbs olive oil 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 2 tbs Cajun spice 2 crushed garlic cloves 2 cups cream 400g tagliatelle Salt and milled pepper 3 tbs chopped parsley, for serving ¼ cup grated hard cheese, for serving Method Heat oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Coat chicken with Cajun spice and add to the pan. Cook chicken for 10-12 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside for later. In the same pan, add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the cream and simmer on low-to-medium heat. Reduce the cream sauce until thick. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Set aside ¼ (60ml) cup pasta water. Toss the cooked pasta into…

A NEW hi-tech hospital dedicated to comprehensive eyecare is opening in Suiderberg, Pretoria, today. Mpudulle Eye Centre CEO Dr Tshegofatso Legodi said she was relieved to see the project, that took almost 12 years, finally coming to light. She said the day facility would provide services to people who were suffering from eye diseases and disorders, helping them maintain their vision and quality of life. “Some of the services that patients can expect include screening, diagnosis and management of eye diseases, eye surgery and refractive surgery, as well as a wellness centre focusing on diabetes and hypertension,” Legodi said. “The project required careful planning, from selecting the ideal location to ensuring the hospital has the necessary equipment and personnel. However, the hospital also created job opportunities for medical professionals, support…

Customs officials at Moscow Domodedovo Airport in Russia have reportedly seized more than 350 exotic animals found in the backpack of a Russian national arriving from South Africa. Some of the animals died due to sudden changes in temperature and improper transportation, while others were confiscated and handed over to animal rights activists who are providing veterinary care, rehabilitation, and adequate treatment, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service. Among the confiscated animals were 14 Cape dwarf chameleons, five western leopard toads, an African Rodenvarious insects including woodlice, giant millipedes, painted snails, horned fungus beetles, psammodes (found only at the Cape of Good Hope), and Florida woods cockroaches. “The Russian passenger put the African animals in plastic containers, which he hid from customs officials in a tourist backpack,” the Customs…

The Lions would do well to recall the hard lessons from their defeat to the Stormers in December. It is this match that the Joburgers have cited as the one that truly knocked them back and which heavily mauled their confidence in reaching their objectives. The Cape-based side that won 40-8 on the day was not their first-choice 23, and it was expected before the match that the encounter would be a much closer affair. A run of poor performances followed in which the Lions lost to Munster, Stade Francais, Connacht and the Sharks for a second time. Coupled with off-field problems, the Lions were down on their luck and out of self-belief. It took a string of victories to overturn that lack of form, starting with the Glasgow Warriors…

Faf du Plessis continues to strengthen his case for selection in the Proteas’ white-ball set up. Although new Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter hasn’t ruled out Du Plessis from his plans, his inclusion in the team will come at a cost. Reeza Hendricks has been in good form opening the batting with Quinton de Kock and Du Plessis’ inclusion will mean one of Hendricks or De Kock would have to make way, disrupting the balance that the team is building under new captain Aiden Markram. The most important question is - is it worth the risk? Du Plessis has been dominating T20 tournaments all around the world and has made himself difficult to ignore for the national selectors and the new coaching staff. Since making his debut for Royal Challengers…

DIASPORA Zimbabweans are the target of a new wave of construction and property development investment vehicles, as confidence in the country's banking sector wanes. Banks too have been foraying into mortgage-based property developments targeted at Zimbabwean expats settled in countries such as South Africa and the UK. The Financial Sector Reform Initiative says that “Zimbabwe is at heightened risk of bank runs because of low liquidity and lack of confidence” in the banking sector. “Despite Zimbabwe’s dollarised system and the presence of a few well-capitalised banks (particularly foreign owned and large), liquidity risk is still high. “Because of these risks, it is necessary for the Zimbabwean government to explore and implement a comprehensive plan for addressing bank vulnerabilities,” it notes in a report. As Zimbabwe battles currency weakness and a…

Veteran show organiser Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza has finally spoken about Makhadzi’s show in Mutare, Zimbabwe, which was nothing short of a disaster on Good Friday. The South African songstress was left terrified and had to run for cover after some of the concert-goers started throwing missiles at the VIP section. An undisclosed number of fans were reportedly injured and taken to hospital for treatment, according to the Manica Post. Initial reports suggested that fans threw missiles after being angered by her decision to use pre-recorded tracks. Another report circulating is that the venue was overcrowded, resulting in a stampede as fans clamoured to record the songstress on their phones. Chimbodza apologised to Makhadzi and said he would like to set the record straight. He said that fans overpowered security and…

The IFP has become the latest opposition political party to join the “moonshoot pact” in a bid to ensure that the ANC is eventually unseated come the 2024 general elections. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika yesterday, IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said that in the country’s best interests, the IFP has accepted DA leader John Steenhuisen’s invitation to discuss the prospects of joining the party’s proposed coalition agreement. Coalition governments have become a reality in some of the country’s biggest metros, including Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, where political parties join hands in the running of these metros, he said. However, Hlabisa cautioned the DA against a “big brother mentality”, as the party has been accused of adopting, especially in coalition governments in some metros, including in the Joburg metro. “We will therefore…

The Advertising Regulatory Board has banned a Volkswagen advert, labelling it discriminatory and offensive. Consumer Joy Sixholo lodged a complaint at the Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board, saying the advert had homophobic undertones and promoted toxic masculinity. The radio commercial voice-over says: “It’s 1am and you’re stuck somewhere in the Karoo. You don’t have food and it’s cold. But you do have your colleague Andile. And you remember that whole body warmth tip. So, who’s the little spoon? Andile’s 6-foot-two, and you, Themba, half the size. Snuggle up! It’s going to be a long night. Next time, use Volkswagen Genuine Parts with a two-year warranty so you won’t end up in parts unknown, playing the part of the little spoon.” In her complaint, the consumer said there is…

Popular music streaming platform Spotify is celebrating five years as one of the biggest music and audio platforms in South Africa. Spotify looked at the data of how South Africans have been listening, creating and connecting in that time. It found that South Africans spent 1.2 billion hours listening to music and spent 23 bn hours listening to podcasts. In March, the platform kicked off a first-of-its-kind, four-day tour of Amapiano history hot spots across Mamelodi, Soweto and Johannesburg. Kwaito, House and an amalgam of other South African cultural forces led to the development of the Amapiano genre. Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, managing director for Spotify in sub-Saharan Africa, spoke about the influence of Amapiano. “Amapiano’s unique sound and infectious beats have captivated audiences around the world, and are sure to keep…

A new report dissecting how social media conversations might deepen understanding of gender-based violence (GBV) has looked at the killing of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, which triggered several tweets about abuse allegations against him. The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change HeCareZA programme is aimed at engaging and supporting men to effectively promote gender equality, and to dismantle the cycle of gender discrimination. The report looked at conversations between the sexes online, with a view to facilitating discussion on attitudes, perceptions and practices on gender roles and expectations. The primary source of data for the report was sourced from the Twitter platform in February this year. The top topics of conversation during February included the killing of AKA and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, as well as those of two…

The Joint Tactical Headquarters KwaZulu-Natal has bid farewell to Operation Corona soldiers after operational successes which included the recovery of stolen vehicles worth R23 million, confiscation of dagga worth more than R4m and recovery of 16 weapons. Captain Anelisiwe Tamela said that recently, there was an air of festivity for 5 South African Infantry Battalion, as the Joint Tactical Headquarters KwaZulu- Natal held a certificate ceremony to honour members who have excelled in the execution of their tasks on Operation Corona deployment. She said the 5 South African Infantry Battalion was deployed for border safeguarding duty under the Joint Tactical Headquarters KwaZulu-Natal for the past six months. “With a borderline of 130km on the Republic of South Africa/eSwatini and 81km on the Republic of South Africa/Mozambique border, their operational successes…

A 27-year-old man who allegedly stoned to death his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of his baby, has been arrested after he handed himself over to police. The murder happened in Dzingidzingi village on Saturday at around 3am. The wanted suspect was arrested on Monday, said Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. “The suspect handed himself in at Giyani police station, accompanied by his relative, after he allegedly fled to the Malamulele policing area,” Ledwaba said. “It is alleged that the victim was with her friend, coming from the local tavern and going home, when they met her ex-boyfriend. It is alleged that the two had a confrontation before the suspect assaulted the victim with a stone. “Her friend screamed for help and ran to nearby households. When she…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena feels consecutive clean sheets are of greater significance than firing blanks in back-to-back Premiership games in the past week. Sundowns will be away to Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium tonight, and Mokwena is undeterred by the back-to-back 0-0 draws against Cape Town City and relegation-threatened Swallows FC. The match against City was the first time that Sundowns played as the 2022/23 league champions, and since then Mokwena has called several players who were returning from long-term injuries. These fit-again players include Ethiopian Abubeker Nassir, Uruguayan Gaston Sirino, Bongani Zungu, Moroccan Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Thapelo Morena. “The recovering of the players is so nice to see as Nassir, Zungu, Gaston, as well as AB (Boutouil) and Thapelo returned to the pitch,” said Mokwena. “We have…

The ‘Beast from the East’ Ferdinand Omanyala will be unleashed at the Tuks Athletics Stadium tonight in the first Athletics South Africa Grand Prix meeting. Kenyan superstar Omanyala, the African record-holder in the 100 metres, is keen to claim at least a medal at the world championships in Budapest in August, after last year’s campaign in Eugene, Oregon, was hampered by a visa delay, which saw him arrive in the United States just a few hours before his first heat. He didn’t make it to the final after finishing fifth in the semi-final in a pedestrian 10.14 seconds, with American Fred Kerley claiming the gold medal in 9.86. Omanyala’s African record stands at a blisteringly quick 9.77sec, and he began 2023 in fine style with a 9.81 in Nairobi in…

Marumo Gallants physiotherapist Tebogo Dhlomo and media manager Rufus Matsena suffered great mental anguish while at the mercy of a Libyan hotel owner for 19 days at the Alfakhama Hotel Suites in Benghazi. During this time, they feared for their lives and the surroundings in the vicinity of their Benghazi hotel were hardly comforting. Matsena said there were vandalised buildings and even an army presence in Benghazi, which was once a stronghold of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Dhlomo and Matsena were forced to remain in Libya after Marumo Gallants could not settle bills following the team’s CAF Confederation Cup match there on March 19. While Marumo Gallants were unable to pay, the two officials remained in the hotel to appease hotel owner Ali Elzargha, a Libyan businessman. Yesterday, the two…