Índex per 2023-04-19 a Star

CAPITEC lifted headline earnings 15% to R9.7 billion in its 2023 financial year and raised the dividend by the same percentage to R42 a share as the digital bank crossed the 20 million client mark for the first time, or nearly a third of the local population. Despite good earnings growth, the share price fell 4.52% to close at R1 670 on the JSE yesterday. ThePassiveIncomeGuy (@hazelwood_dave) commented on Twitter: “Capitec. Their non-performing loans has shown a worrying increase. Capitec management says this is worse than they expected. Bear in mind the full effects of higher interest rates, inflation and load shedding will only show this year.” Wayne McCurrie (@wayneMcCurrie) tweeted: “Capitec results. Earnings up 15%. Disappointing at a 22 P/E ratio. Share down 5%.” Operating profit…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godo- ngwana has maintained his position that Eskom will not be investing any capital expenditure in new generation capacity for the next three years as part of the government’s R254 billion debt-relief programme. Briefing the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance yesterday, Godongwana reiterated that Eskom’s capital expenditure was restricted to transmission and distribution. According to the debt-relief programme, the first condition for Eskom is that only capital expenditure that may be undertaken for generation relates to minimum emissions standards, flue-gas desulfurisation and required maintenance. No other greenfield generation projects will be allowed during the debt-relief period. EFF MP Floyd Shivambu asked Godo- ngwana to justify the logic of not investing in generation capacity on the back of Eskom’s failure to meet electricity demand and implementing stage…

ANGLO American has passed another hurdle to begin the next phase of its Los Bronces Integrated Project (LBIP) at a time copper is in hot demand in the green transition. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was up 0.1% at $8 971 (R163 140) a ton yesterday. Anglo American’s share price closed 3.36% higher at R631.92 on the JSE yesterday. G7 ministers meeting in Japan at the weekend agreed to speed up re- newable energy development and move toward a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels and plastics by 2050 at the latest. Anglo American said yesterday that it welcomed the decision in Chile by the Committee of Ministers to approve the environmental permit application for the LBIP, setting up the next phase of development for one…

MINISTER of Electricity, Professor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has denounced assertions that Eskom was implementing stage 8 load shedding. This comes after rumours that the power utility had imposed stage 8 without informing the public. Ramokgopa was presenting his energy plan to the ANC’s national working committee (NWC) in Polokwane on Monday. The plan aims to reduce load shedding, and will be presented to the National Assembly for approval after the governing party has scrutinised it. The NWC was on a two-day meeting with Limpopo party structures in the province. Referring to weekend reports that Eskom had implemented stage 8 load shedding, Ramokgopa said: “I have noted some reportage that suggests that we are already at stage 8 load shedding. I want to say that such information is not sitting with me.”…

The register of members’ interests for last year has shown that some MPs are moonlighting to supplement their income during the tough economic times. Parliamentarians are required to declare any remuneration or employment outside of Parliament, and that it should be sanctioned by their political parties. A look at the register, which was released on Monday night, showed that ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe is a preacher at Hope of Glory Tabernacle. Meshoe’s deputy Wayne Thring is also a preacher at Kingdom Connect Ministries. ANC MP Giovanni Heinrich receives an extra income from gospel music CD sales. Former EFF MP Mgcini Tshwaku, who is now an MMC in Joburg Metro, was an online tutor at Unisa’s chemical engineering department. Musician and EFF MP Ringo Madlingozi performs for Ristar Music records, while…

Ingredients Base: 1 box (300g) matzah, finely crushed 100g sugar 180ml butter, melted Filling: 180ml milk 165g castor sugar 60ml cream 3 large egg yolks 2 tbs potato starch Juice (240ml) and grated peel of 4 lemons 1 tsp vanilla paste 125ml cold butter, cubed For serving: Raspberries Handful fresh mint Icing sugar for dusting Method Combine the base ingredients and mix well. Press into a greased 23cm round tart tin. Chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until firm. For the filling, heat the milk and sugar in a pot over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Combine the cream, egg yolks and potato starch, and whisk into the milk mixture. Add the lemon juice and grated peel. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes, whisking vigorously.…

The music industry’s inevitable moves towards contemporary genres has forced most notable artists to make a hasty transition to maintain their relevance. Following in the footsteps of other local artists who have made their attempts at trendy music is the iconic talent and philanthropist Bonginkosi “Zola 7” Dlamini. The Lwandle hitmaker made an introduction with the song dubbed Skinny Jean, seemingly riding the gqom wave effortlessly. Different sentiments have been shared on social media after he surprised many fans with a short video of him vibrantly singing along to it. One might recall that Zola 7 is a celebrated kwaito legend who boasts a list of classics that others still gravitate towards. We have seen a sea of musical artists who have also opted to move with the times, while…

It was late afternoon with the highveld sun setting on the Pilanesberg National Park. Etienne and Annemarie Hamman, after a day of game drives, were heading towards the exit when they spotted a scuffle on the road ahead. “After a full day of spectacular sightings, which included an incredible sighting of a male leopard that we were fortunate enough to observe, we decided to head out of the Pilanesberg National Park. Little did we know that one more surprise awaited us,” Hamman told Latest Sightings. A flap-necked chameleon reared up, tense, ready to defend itself against an approaching aggressor. The chameleon’s ability to blend into its environment proved futile as the juvenile boomslang zeroed in on its intended prey. “That’s when we realised what was transpiring right before our eyes.…

THEIR upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-final will give Orlando Pirates a chance to snap Kaizer Chiefs’ run of consecutive Soweto Derby victories. The match will be played on the first weekend in May, and should Chiefs triumph, they will complete a run of six consecutive Soweto Derby victories. They last achieved that feat in 1992. The Soweto arch-rivals last met in February when 10-man Pirates perished after an own goal proved to be the match decider. Pirates defender Nigerian Olisa Ndah back-headed the ball, thinking his goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was in a position to gather it, however, Chaine had come well off his line and the ball looped into the Pirates net two minutes from the end. Ndah, who came on as a substitute, suffered an injury and has not played…

AFTER midnight during Ramadan, makeshift floodlights transform a central Karachi basketball court into an urban cricket arena, where dozens of young Pakistani men chase taped-up tennis balls zipping through the night air. Donkeys watch on from the outfield and goats rummage through nearby piles of rubbish, breaking occasionally for a pitch invasion. "After the Taraweeh (special Ramadan prayers), people crave entertainment so that is why many play cricket," batsman Waqas Danish told AFP. "They play all night, because some people can't wake up for breakfast if they sleep." Tape-ball games are ubiquitous across Karachi's streets throughout the year, but Ramadan sees night tournaments pop up in most neighbourhoods. The uninitiated may struggle to unravel the mayhem of multiple overlapping matches in a cramped space, but for Karachi's street cricketers, there…

THE ONGOING energy crisis in South Africa is expected to continue dragging business confidence lower in the months ahead as sentiment fell to a four-month low in March. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said yesterday that the business confidence index (BCI) fell by 0.6 index points to 111.3 points in March, from 111.9 points in February. This was the lowest that the BCI has been since November 2022 when it was 110.9 points. Sacci said the negative month-to month impacts of the declining real value of building plans passed, lower JSE share prices, and rising real interest rates were of concern to business prospects going forward. From February to March, Sacci said the business environment experienced a rather mixed state of affairs with…

THE TIMING and practicality of a new interim board at SAA are in the spotlight in the wake of the announcement yesterday on the move. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) yesterday continued to demand answers and greater transparency from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) after it announced the new SAA board members. According to a Numsa statement on Monday, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan had secretly fired the old board of SAA on April 14 and had replaced them with new board members. Shortly after their statement, the DPE announced the board. SAA’s new interim board, chaired by Derek Hanekom, was effective from April 15, 2023, and would serve until the introduction of the strategic equity partner, Takatso Consortium. The consortium is poised to acquire…

South African Tourism teamed up with the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation to celebrate the legendary musician at Dizzy’s Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, over the weekend. A highlight of the event to honour Masekela’s contributions to jazz music and his impact on South Africa as a cultural destination, was the induction of the late jazz maestro into the Ertegun Hall of Fame. Other artists who have received this recognition for exceptional achieve- ments in the music industry include Julian “Cannonball” Adderley (inducted in 2019), Louis Armstrong (2004), Nat “King” Cole (2018), John Coltrane (2004) and Miles Davis (2004). A pre-induction reception was attended by special guests, jazz enthusiasts and journalists who gathered to pay tribute to Masekela's legacy as one of the greatest jazz artists of all-time.…

ABOUT four generations of Jewish communities gathered at Pinelands Jewish Cemetery No 2 to pay tribute to the 6 million men, women and children killed during the Holocaust. Among those who attended was 101-year-old survivor Ella Blumenthal. The 80th Yom HaShoah tribute ceremony saw attendees following a broad Jewish tradition of placing white stones on a grave to symbolise a visit, honouring the deceased and noting connections of generations. Green Point and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation spokesperson Rabbi Pini Hecht said: “We place stones as a memorial because a Hebrew word for stone is Even/Eben that can be broken into two words, Eve and Ben, meaning father and son or parent and child. By placing stones, it notes connections of generations and carrying forth the memory of someone.” Reflecting as…

As World Haemophilia Day is observed on April 17 under the theme “Access for All: Prevention of bleeds as the global standard of care”, health activists are trying to raise awareness of some of the realities of the lesser-known disease. Haemophilia is a blood disorder where the blood does not clot properly, which can lead to a person bleeding severely. Bleeds can occur internally, into joints and muscles, or externally, from minor cuts, dental procedures or injuries. Haemophilia is caused by a mutation, or change, in one of the genes that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot. This essential blood clotting protein is called Factor VIII, also known as anti-haemophilic factor. Haemophilia affects all races and ethnic groups but occurs almost exclusively…

Former ANC NEC member Trevor Manuel has described the country’s crime levels as an epidemic that needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Manuel also slammed political leaders for not doing enough to help fight crime and load shedding. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika yesterday, he said the SAPS had failed to solve the murders of rapper AKA and former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa. “The epidemic of crime and corruption does not appear that we are about to turn the corner on this. If we look at some of the crimes, there are about 16 000 kidnappings a year in SA, according to available statistics. There are about 30 000 murders a year and 82 per day. “This is a large number and if you compare it to the…

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has granted the City of Cape Town – in line with the mayor’s request – an exemption from provisions of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act that require a competitive tender process for all contracts of a certain value. This means the city can (and will) start buying electricity from anyone willing to sell it, including residents and businesses with solar installations on their rooftops. The fact that electricity can now be sold on to municipalities is big news because it makes investing in solar much more financially viable. The private sector is already coming up with a range of innovative financing models to make solar even more accessible, especially for those who don’t live in the Cape. However, the single factor deterring most middle-class…

A snake catcher, with the help of others, rescued a massive 3.3m southern African python weighing 23.95kg, from a Clare Estate, Durban, home. Durban snake catcher Nick Evans said that on Saturday he received a call from his friend Vincent of the Clare Estate Action Committee, who helped him on mamba calls in the past. Vincent told Evans about a rock python on a property in Clare Estate. Evans replied: “Vincent, it will be someone’s pet boa.” The southern African python, previously known as the rock python (now the East African subspecies), does not occur in this area; historically, in the Palmiet Valley, but they have since been wiped out. “Vincent was going to check it out and call me,” Evans said. Minutes later Vincent called back: “Nick, it’s a…

LIVERPOOL’S 6-1 mauling of Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night was their best performance of the season according to manager Jurgen Klopp, who has not ruled out a push for a Champions League place in the final weeks of the campaign. The victory was Liverpool’s first in six games in all competitions since they beat Manchester United 7-0 in early March, as they inflicted a record home Premier League defeat on hapless Leeds who are battling against relegation. “I think it’s the best game we’ve played this season from all different perspectives,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “We forced a lot of errors, sensational goals and counter-pressing, the best game for long time. “There were a couple of tough moments, we conceded an unnecessary goal, but these things happen.…

ENGLAND star Ben Stokes was named the Wisden Almanack’s leading men’s cricketer in the world for the third time in four years on Monday. Stokes was selected for his dynamic captaincy of England’s Test team in 2022, as well as his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup final. The all-rounder, who appears on the cover of the 160th edition of Wisden alongside England Test coach Brendon McCullum, previously won the award in 2019 and 2020. Stokes has masterminded 10 wins in 12 matches since taking over as England captain, with his attacking and imaginative approach revitalising a previously moribund team. Stokes also made waves in the white-ball game, helping to deliver the silverware for England’s T20 team as his half-century settled the final against Pakistan in November. “It’s hard…

I WAS FORTUNATE enough to attend the South Africa Investment Conference 2023 (SAIC), organised by The Presidency, Invest SA and the Industrial Development Corporation. It is safe to say that the overwhelming message was that South Africa is a “diamond in the rough”. Multiple themes came up relating to infrastructure, energy security, logistics networks, co-operation between the State and the private sector, among others. The list of the most urgent reforms needed in the public sector to unlock investment opportunities, confidence and investor interest in South Africa is well understood. The themes aren’t new, but it is important to re-emphasize them as they are critical enablers of the economy. I suspect most attendees were surprised when Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who also happens to chair the ANC NEC Economic…

TELECOMS giant MTN, whose brand is valued at R74.3 billion, is South Africa’s most valuable brand for the 12th time in the past 13 years, according to brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance. Brand Finance looks at 5 000 of the biggest brands and ranks them across all sectors and countries. According to Brand Finance, MTN's brand value increased by 24% as it continued to grow in 2023, meaning that its value is now up 50% from its pre-pandemic level. “This is an impressive statistic considering the difficult operating conditions and the complex geopolitical environment that the brand has been faced with,” Brand Finance said. MTN’s total subscribers rose 6% in 2022 to 289 million, while the brand also saw higher demand for its data and fintech services.…

After a successful debut at the Tate Modern in London in 2018, which was followed by sold-out shows in New York, Amsterdam and Germany, William Kentridge’s The Head & The Load is headed to Mzansi for its Africa premiere. It’s is set to run at the Joburg Theatre for a limited season, from Friday until May 6. This internationally acclaimed exploration of Africa’s role in World War I illuminates the untold story of the millions of black African porters and carriers who served, and in many cases died, for British, French and German battlefield forces. A play on the Ghanaian proverb “The head and the load are the troubles of the neck”, the historical significance of their crucial role in the conflict has remained largely unexamined. The show sees Kentridge…

THE Pan African Parliament (PAP) president is at the centre of a sex scandal involving his 27-year-old niece. Chief Fortune Charumbira, the president of the parliament based in Midrand, is facing arrest, according to Masvingo Central Police in Zimbabwe, who confirmed that they were investigating an indecent assault. The victim, who is a teacher and a married woman, secretly recorded Charumbira on two occasions wanting a kiss amid him allegedly assaulting her by putting his hands between her thighs and touching her private parts. According to the memo from the police, the victim is a high school teacher, and they confirmed a case was registered against Charumbira. “The complainant is a teacher, and the accused is Charumbira; he is also the president of the Chief’s Council of Zimbabwe and the…

A serial rapist who raped his victims at the Tsakane Cemetery has been convicted in the Pretoria High Court sitting in Benoni. Petetona Abel Lebele, 43, was found guilty on four charges of rape and four counts of kidnapping. Provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Lumka Mahanjana said the crimes were perpetrated between January 2017 and, just before his arrest, in August 2019. The victims were aged 7, 13, 16 and 32. Lebele pleaded guilty to the charges. In his plea explanation, Lebele told the court he would grab and drag his victims to the Tsakane Cemetery where he would rape them. His first victim was also his youngest victim at the time. According to his plea explanation handed to court, Lebele said that on January 19, 2017,…

CELEBRATED fashion designer Thebe Magugu brought an interesting twist to his Spotify Fashion Forward playlist after bringing it to life at Nirox Sculpture Park in Johannesburg. Recognised as the first African designer to curate the global streaming platform’s Fashion Forward playlist, he used music by South African artists to tell the stories that inspired his latest folkloric collection. The folk tales were recreated by black-clad muses throughout the event and artist performances by Zoë Modiga, UkhoiKhoi, and The Brother Moves On, which combined 21st-century dynamic storytelling while paying homage to African customs and traditions. The night’s programme centred on the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire. There was also an intersection of music and fashion evident throughout the event, from the matching ponchos for each of the guests…

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has clarified its decision to withdraw the country’s amended protected species regulations to allow the department more time to consider issues brought forward by affected hunting associations. The regulations would have increased legislative protection of more terrestrial and freshwater species. Environment Minister Barbara Creecy recently withdrew regulations pertaining to threatened or protected terrestrial and freshwater species (Tops) and the associated species list in the government gazette on March 31 pertaining to stricter management of elephants, rhinos, leopards, the alien and invasive species list, and the list of critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and protected species. This followed concerns raised in a legal challenge by Wildlife Ranching SA (WRSA) and the Professional Hunters Association of SA (Phasa) against the department’s amended list, claiming there…

WHEN Erling Haaland takes the field for Manchester City against Bayern Munich in Munich tonight, the Norwegian will face the club who tried to sell the farm to buy him but failed. Bayern’s late first-leg capitulation in Manchester means the six-time winners need to overcome a 3-0 deficit to make it through to the semi-finals. Not only must Bayern do so against Europe’s form team, but they need to somehow find the goals that a toothless front-line have lacked in 2023. Midway through the second half at the Etihad, Bayern, 1-0 down after a Rodri wonder goal, were dominating possession and had carved out several chances, but failed to put any of them away. Then, in a six-minute period, the brutally efficient Haaland showed what Bayern were missing up front,…

SIYABONGA Mabena could have allowed all the hype around him to go to his head but he knows that he has to remain focused and grounded. Tipped to be a star in the making after making his Mamelodi Sundowns senior debut at 16 years of age, Mabena has been the talk of town in the last few weeks. Despite the overwhelming hype, the KwaMhlanga-born footballer has been soaking up the pressure the best way he knows how: balancing his studies and football career. This was a lesson that he learned from an early age, having cut his football teeth at the revered football academy, the School of Excellence, which produced some of the best talents in the country. Those lessons have served Mabena well as he enrolled at Clapham High…

THE driving maul has become a bit of a concern for the Stormers over the last two weekends, especially the defence, and it’s an aspect of their play they want to sharpen up on ahead of the URC knockout phase. On Friday in Stellenbosch, the defending URC champions face Benetton (6.30pm kick-off) in their final round-robin match and it provides them the perfect opportunity to get their rolling maul in perfect shape. Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup and Munster in the URC last weekend exploited the Stormers’ failure to stop mauls, using it as an effective weapon to strike. Usually, the maul defence of the Cape side is one they pride themselves on, but lately, they’ve been struggling to stop good mauling teams. Benetton are another one of those…

THE Lions want to rectify their mishap of last weekend by ending the regular season of the URC with a bang. After a disappointing defeat against Leinster, where they blew a healthy lead and lost 39-36, they are looking to make amends by finishing the regular season on a high with a victory over Zebre on Saturday at Loftus. It will be their stalwart flank Jaco Kriel’s final match in a Lions jersey and they want to make it an extra special performance to send off one of their best. Then there is also the chance to improve on their log position of last season if they can get a victory over their Italian visitors. “It’s been a real up-and-down season, but I think over the last two months we…