Índex per 2023-08-25 a Star

DENYS Denya, the Africa Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) executive vice-president in charge of finance, administration and banking services, and one of three executive vice-presidents, told Business Report on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg that this was the first time the bank was attending a BRICS Summit, but given that Egypt, which is where the bank is headquartered, and Ethiopia will join South Africa in the BRICS Group from next year, he was certain that this debut would be the first of many attendances at BRICS Summits. “We came here as the theme of the Summit is about including African countries and we have 50 African countries as shareholders, so this aligns with our mandate of promoting economic development in the African continent,” he said. The theme…

SOUTH African consumers can breathe a sigh of relief as experts foresee food prices continuing to moderate in the weeks ahead, despite some upside risks. Consumer price index data showed that consumer food inflation moderated to 10% in July this year, down from 11.% the previous month. Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief economist Wandile Sihlobo said while there were renewed risks in global agriculture – such as India’s decision to ban specific categories of rice exports and the Black Sea Grain Deal Initiative that facilitated grains and oilseeds exports from Ukraine terminated – they were still optimistic that South Africa’s consumer food inflation would continue to slow during this second half of this year. The products that could underpin the slowing food inflation trend would likely remain similar to those…

Many people seem to treat life insurance like short-term insurance – it’s a grudge purchase and not something worth wasting too much time on, and if you are unhappy with one provider you can always switch to another. Wrong! Insurance on your life or, in the case of disability insurance, on your health, is fundamentally different from insurance on your possessions and is not to be undertaken lightly. You need to get it right the first time, because switching policies or providers, or even upgrading a policy to provide extra cover, involves rewriting the contract between you and the insurer, which will inevitably cost you more. At the heart of the life insurance contract is the underwriting process: an assessment, through your own disclosures among other information, of the level…

WHETHER you’re enjoying a hearty breakfast you fried up yourself or treating yourself to a morning meal at your favourite coffee spot, chances are, you will notice that the cost of your breakfast of champions is leaving you feeling more like a winner these days. While there is an improvement lately, the past few months were very tough, and there is a deeper story behind the volatility in prices of staple foods such as milk, eggs, meat, bread and grains. Understanding the various price drivers sheds light on the challenges faced by farmers and the extent to which the global economic landscape is impacting these essential food items: Milk: A decline in dairy farms and growing import competition. Over the past 15 years, South Africa has witnessed a significant decline…

Still basking in the success of their international tours across the US, Germany and the Netherlands, which included their performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam and the Carnegie Hall Summer Festival in Bryant Park, New York, the Ndlovu Youth Choir is back to serenade local audiences with harmonious melodies. The Ndlovu Youth Choir’s SA Tour started at Montecasino’s Teatro yesterday, and continues today, with two shows tomorrow and on Sunday. The show then heads to Cape Town in October. “The Ndlovu Youth Choir brings an incredible energy to every performance and we are proud to bring Africa’s singing ambassadors back on stage to share their talents with audiences in Johannesburg and Cape Town in this return concert series,” said Tony Feldman of Showtime Management. “The popularity…

Former president Thabo Mbeki has met Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, with the latter describing the meeting as fruitful. Mbeki had earlier held discussions with Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Sandton. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation said Lavrov told the former president that they wanted to build strong relations with South Africa in a number of areas. The Foreign Ministry of Russia confirmed the meeting between Mbeki and Lavrov. “They expressed satisfaction with the high level of political interaction between Russia and South Africa, including at the UN, BRICS, and other international forums, and the closeness of their positions on major global issues. Mr Lavrov told Mr Mbeki about the key areas and plans for bilateral co-operation in trade,…

The Leopard in the Lala Ashling McCarthy Loot (R314) Blue Weaver Rhinos and leopards, two of South Africa’s Big Five animals, feature prominently in the books of Glenwood artist Ashling McCarthy. A professional painter, McCarthy recently released The Leopard in the Lala, her second book in the Poacher’s Moon Crime series. It follows almost two years after her debut novel, Down at Jika Jika Tavern. Although they are works of fiction, the conservation information is meticulously researched because that is her contribution to South Africa’s wildlife heritage and the people she dearly loves. McCarthy’s first book deals with rhino poaching, the second with the dangers people pose to the leopard population. The central character in both books is student anthropologist Nonhle Ngubane from Zululand, the only daughter of game ranger…

The University of Pretoria’s (UP) innovative teaching and learning initiatives have been disrupting the norm for several years. A significant milestone in its journey of navigating disruption in higher education has been the Innovation Excellence Award its immersive learning exhibition received. This was presented at the 21st Sasol Techno X Science, Maths, Engineering and Technology Exhibition, held in Sasolburg from August 14 to 18. The award-winning exhibition was hosted collaboratively by UP’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology and the Faculty of Health Sciences. The exhibition targeted learners from marginalised communities in Grade 8 to Grade 12. It was focused on exposing them to the infinite possibilities of a career in science, technology, engineering and maths. Immersive learning is the teaching method of the future. UP envisages a…

As early as the 1500s, women had the choice to either bring a child into the world or not. The driving force behind having children was based on reproductive rights, the needs and the desires of each woman. Millions of women will reach the age of 45 today without having given birth. The social scrutiny of women’s reproductive health has been a long-standing concern. Having children is considered an automatic choice in life, by some. Modern thinking influences the decision to have children, which is linked to something much older, the solemn promises made during marriage vows. Over the past four centuries, women have gained more control over biological decisions about children, in addition to changes in the timing and significance of marriage. Despite strengthening the significance of marriage vows,…

Thatayaone Ditlhokwe believes he’s still on course to achieve his targets at Kaizer Chiefs, even though the team haven’t had the best start to the season. Dithlokwe was one of several signings that joined Chiefs during pre-season with the hope of aiding the revival of the ‘mighty’ Amakhosi, who’ve fallen from grace in recent seasons. However, life as a Chiefs player hasn’t got off to an ideal start for Ditlhokwe, as they are winless in three DStv Premiership matches – with their sole win coming in the MTN8. And while it’s still early days in the season, their league troubles have put them on the back foot, with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns already 14 points ahead. Nonetheless, the former SuperSport United captain is still backing his decision to join the…

AmaZulu FC coach Pablo Franco Martin expects Kaizer Chiefs to emerge as a different beast as the two sides prepare for their league clash at the weekend. Usuthu will make the trip to Johannesburg in search of their first full set of points of the new season when they meet Amakhosi at FNB Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 5.30pm). The KwaZulu-Natal outfit have already tussled with Royal AM, SuperSport United and Richards Bay this season, with all their fixtures resulting in goalless stalemates. Martin and his men will come up against a struggling Chiefs side, with the Soweto club yet to secure a league victory this season even with their raft of supporters in attendance. The Spanish mentor, who arrived at the beginning of the current season, revealed that he anticipates Amakhosi…

AT 20, Canan Moodie has just begun wading into the “adulting-so-hard-right-now” phase. Weighing in at 89kg, the lanky Springbok back has all the world’s rugby fields at his feet, with only possibilities to unfurl before him and manifest as destiny. The word “potential” sits happily on the tongue when referring to the young player, ready for a rush of air to pass through the vocal cords, vibrating at a pleasant frequency and amplitude. Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick was certainly not afraid to hum the word yesterday as he described Moodie’s move from wing to midfield for the Boks’ clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham tonight (8.30pm kick-off). “If I look at the past two seasons working with Canan, we have seen his potential and we have seen what…

WORKFORCE Holdings, the Level 1 B-BBEE human capital services group, experienced difficult trading in the six months to June 30, because of the low economic activity, load shedding, high interest rates, lack of client confidence and less demand for personnel services. The company, which operates through four clusters comprising Staffing and Outsourcing, Training and Education, Healthcare, and Financial Services, lifted revenue 7% to R2.1 billion, with the growth mainly due to the financial services cluster ensuring continued market presence, CEO Ronny Katz said at the release of the results yesterday. He said overhead costs increased 12% because of high inflation rates and operating expenses geared for growth that did not occur due to the prevailing economic climate. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell sharply to R32.8…

JUST SEVEN months before the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc in the world, Dr Bernie Fanaroff – the former founding director of the world-acclaimed Square Kilometre Array South Africa, former deputy director-general in the office of the late revered statesman Nelson Mandela and an anti-apartheid activist – urged the sugar industry “to look beyond the horizon” to ensure its sustainability. Fanaroff delivered this key message during his keynote address at the 92nd South African Sugar Technologists’ Association (Sasta) Congress in Durban in 2019. Four years later, speaking at the Sasta Congress in Durban on August 15, 2023, Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, provided a detailed update on the economic state of the country and the rest of the world. South Africa is hosting…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the 15th BRICS Summit as successful. The summit that ended in Sandton, north of Joburg yesterday, is the first summit to be hosted in person since the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global travel restrictions. Ramaphosa said leading up to the summit, there was a wide-ranging BRICS business programme aimed at attracting investment, promoting collaboration and showcasing opportunities within South Africa, Africa, and BRICS countries. He said they welcomed the clear vision of Dilma Rousseff as the president of the New Development Bank on the role that the bank should play in supporting infrastructure and sustainable development in Africa and the Global South. Ramaphosa said they celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the BRICS Business Council and welcomed the self-review by the council…

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has revealed that Africa is charged eight times more than the US and 16 times more than the UN and other European countries on development loans. He said there has to be a way to change the exploitative nature of world financial and aid institutions which, in spite of global developments, continue to treat Africa as second-class citizens. Guterres was speaking during the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue sessions chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday morning. The BRICS leaders said that they were committed to seeing Africa develop and modernise itself in light of the many challenges imposed on the continent. The session was attended by more than 60 African and world leaders who presented their views on the many issues affecting the African continent,…

With South Africa reported to have the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes, Lee Callakoppen, principal officer at Bonitas Medical Fund, shares important facts about diabetes. Callakoppen, with the scheme’s clinical team, also explores why a proactive and holistic approach to the management of the disease is essential. He says the danger is that most people are unaware of the risk until they are diagnosed as pre-diabetic or having Type 2 diabetics. “Diabetes is the third most significant risk factor for disability and early death in South Africa. While 4.5 million South Africans are currently diagnosed with the condition, what’s more alarming is it’s estimated that 61% of diabetics remain undiagnosed. “The International Diabetes Foundation predicts that by the year 2040, over 642 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with…

An SAPS investigation is under way to determine the cause of a gas explosion at the Zodwa Special School in Atteridgeville, which resulted in two deaths and other people sustaining injuries. A badly burnt and charred body of a male person was discovered during firefighting operations after the blast. City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Charles Mabaso said that a second body was later discovered as operations continued. He said that the emergency services responded to a fire incident resulting from a gas explosion that was reported at about 10am on Wednesday. “Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a collapsed structure of container classrooms that was on fire. “They were informed that one person was still trapped in the burning containers,” he said. Mabaso added that four…

A SPECIAL council sitting, convened yesterday by Tshwane speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana to debate the poor state of services in the metro due to workers’ strike, was postponed because the council didn’t have a quorum to hold the meeting. The Tshwane multi-party coalition, consisting of the DA, Freedom Front Plus, Action SA, and the IFP, stayed away from the meeting, claiming that there was violence planned against their councillors. Joint caucus chairperson Jacqui Uys said: “The multi-party coalition believes that the special council meeting called at late notice at the insistence of the ANC and the EFF is an attempt to undermine the City’s position at the bargaining council, including the use of violence against councillors.” She said such a risk could have been mitigated by holding a virtual meeting. “Many…

Local woman-owned beverage brand BT Signature has partnered with the MENstruation Foundation to help end period poverty in South Africa. Too many women are disempowered daily by period poverty, which is a fundamental problem. The collaboration will help raise awareness of this vital issue, and reinforce the agenda regarding it, as part of its aim to put an end to the problem. Siv Ngesi, multi-award-winning entertainer and co-founder and director of the MENstruation Foundation said: “It’s through partnerships with and support from like-minded businesses such as BT Signature that we can keep this initiative of ours alive, and create a dignified, sustainable impact. “What society doesn’t seem to understand is that this is not a women-only problem; it is a humanity problem. “Without women, and without menstruation, we wouldn’t be…

It’s the dress rehearsal for the Springboks’ World Cup campaign tonight when they face the All Blacks in front of a packed Twickenham (kick-off 8.30pm). In the build-up to the tournament, South Africa only lost one match – against New Zealand – out of their five Tests, and will be looking to set the record straight for some valuable momentum ahead of the pool stages. We looked at five goals that the Boks will want to achieve against the Kiwis ... Defence the best form of attack This match provides the last chance for the reigning world champions to sharpen up on their defence. They had a decent outing last weekend against Wales and conceded a lone try and they have ground out some good wins previously with their defence.…

NEWLY appointed Proteas women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt is hoping to bring a “calm and level-headed approach” to the role on the upcoming tour of Pakistan. Independent Media revealed Wolvaardt’s appointment earlier in the week already, with Cricket South Africa confirming the news yesterday. Wolvaardt has been handed the job on an interim basis for the Pakistan trip and incoming New Zealand tour, which follows shortly after the Proteas return home from the sub-continent. It has been a period of great upheaval for the Proteas since their historic maiden appearance in the T20 World Cup final at Newlands in February. The uncertainty surrounding coach Hilton Moreeng’s future has been the greatest point of conjecture, which has directly led to former captain Sune Luus handing in the towel after the T20 World…

Eight goals and six points from their opening two games have put Brighton & Hove Albion on top of the Premier League for the first time in their history – proof, if any were still needed, that they are one of the best run clubs in the top-flight. Brighton, homeless and facing an uncertain future little more than a decade ago, welcome West Ham United tomorrow looking to continue their dream start. Last year’s sixth-place finish was the best in the club’s history, taking them into the Europa League. Inevitably, their big-name players became targets for the Premier League’s so-called elite, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and midfielder Moises Caicedo lured to Chelsea, and Alexis Mac Allister joining Liverpool – the three deals worth close to £200-million. Clubs built on less…

Under-siege Cape Town Spurs and visiting Chippa United will be desperate for a first Premiership win of the season at Athlone Stadium tonight (kick-off 7.30pm). Spurs and their coach Shaun Bartlett are at their lowest ebb as they are winless after three matches. They have scored one goal and conceded six after losing to TS Galaxy, Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City. Chippa and their ostentatious mentor Morgan Mammila are also yet to register a Premiership win after three consecutive draws and a 2-0 loss to champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Spurs and Chippa are two of six sides who have yet to record a win this season, with the Capetonians propping up the 16-team league. After losing to TS Galaxy in their opening match, Spurs produced improved performances but still suffered defeat…

UNIONS and civil society bodies have had a mixed reaction as the National Minimum Wage Commission calls for public submissions on the increases for 2024. This comes after the commission asked the public to comment on a possible adjustment to the minimum wage by Friday, September 8. According to the commission, the comments concerning possible adjustments to the national minimum wage will be considered by it before it publishes its annual report and recommendations on the annual review of the national minimum wage (NMW) later in the year. The current NMW jumped from R23.19 to R25.42 for each ordinary hour worked, effective March 1, 2023. Labour law specialists, Confederation of Employers in South Africa (Cofesa) has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to scrap the NMW. According to Cofesa, last year…

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has implemented some big changes to personal income tax returns, trust tax returns and pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) penalties for the Filing Season 2023, that affect individual taxpayers, trustees, employers and tax practitioners. Each year, there are several changes in tax legislation, which means keeping up to date with and understanding the legal intricacies can be challenging. Fortunately, there are experts who can navigate this quagmire. Tax practitioners keep informed about all tax legislation updates – so that you don’t have to. “The purpose of tax practitioners is to provide you with assurance that you don’t under-claim, and that you are safe and sound from a Sars audit,” said Keith Engel, the CEO of the South African Institute of Taxation (Sait). It is important to check…

IN AN ERA marked by increasing population growth, shifting dietary preferences, climate change uncertainties and intricate trade networks, ensuring global food security has become a pivotal challenge requiring collaborative efforts across nations, sectors and disciplines. While not immediately apparent, global food security holds significant implications for financial markets due to its interconnectedness with broader economic and geopolitical dynamics. For example, fluctuations in global food prices can lead to market instability. Food price spikes can impact inflation rates, affecting central bank interest rates and monetary policy decisions. The fluctuations can also impact consumer spending patterns and investor sentiment. Furthermore, disruptions in food supply chains due to trade disputes, export restrictions or natural disasters can lead to market uncertainty. Naturally, financial markets react to the disruptions as they influence cross-border trade, shipping,…

Millions of South Africans and others around the world are still digesting the news of the loss of the media industry giant, Derek Watts. Watts was diagnosed with skin cancer a few months ago and after struggling to recover, he had stepped down as anchor from Carte Blanche. He died on Tuesday. His former “partner in crime-busting”, Devi Sankaree Govender, who worked with Watts for many years, told East Coast Radio: “Derek was the same person on and off screen, which is quite a unique quality to have on television because you find that a lot of people want to project a whole other kind of image and the moment the cameras are switched off, well then they are just somebody else. “He was easygoing, fun, he never stood…

The defence in the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa want Warrant Officer Thabo Mosia to come back and clarify inconsistencies in his testimony and pocketbook. On Wednesday, Colonel Sikheto Ngomana, whose responsibility was to keep registers at Vosloorus police station, went through Mosia’s pocketbook, which recorded his movements. Mosia was the first officer to arrive at the Meyiwa murder scene. Ngomana went through Mosia’s records captured on the day of the murder and the next day when he went to the scene. Contradictions appeared regarding the times Mosia provided when testifying and those recorded in his pocketbook. However, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng said Ngomana can’t be cross-examined on evidence that was not captured by him. Yesterday, the judge asked the defence whether they still wanted to…

THE prosecution yesterday grilled a social worker who had presented a pre-sentencing report to the court regarding the hardships faced by the four men convicted of the murder of billionaire Wandile Bozwana. Prosecutor Jennifer Cronje asked whether the social worker did not regard them as a danger to society. Cronje this week asked the Gauteng High Court Pretoria to reject the report as being one-sided. He said while the report had set out the circumstances of the accused, it mentioned nothing about the hardships of the families of the victims. The social worker, whom the court asked the media not to identify as per her request, said she did not have the contact details of the Bozwana family, thus she did not contact them. She said, in any event, the…

It’s Monday evening, the hustle and bustle of the Newtown cultural precinct has died down. The spot to meet is right opposite the home of South Africa’s performing arts, the Market Theatre. It is a perfect setting to talk to seasoned multiaward-winning actor, director, producer and film star Hamilton Ntokozo Dlamini. He is sitting at one of the outside tables talking and laughing with one of the patrons at the eatery. Years after the popular Mzansi Magic soapie/telenovela Isithembiso reached its expiry date, Dlamini, is still known for his role as Banzi, which explains the commotion at the venue. He bagged the prestigious Golden Horn Award for best actor in the TV show category at the SA Film and Television Awards in 2018. In blue jeans, a brown sweater and…

Interesting to note two completely different and conflicting points of view from two legal experts regarding the parole of Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius was originally sentenced to six years for murder with intent. The Supreme Court overturned this sentence and substituted it with a 13-year and five months conviction. Dr Llewelyn Curlewis, a law expert, believes Pistorius “has paid his dues to society” and that “he is the one person that as shown remorse and has rehabilitated” after being incarcerated. Conflict criminologist Dr Casper Lotter, however, feels that Pistorius is “supposedly rehabilitated” and asks “to what extent society has been rehabilitated”. What has the one got to do with the other? South Africa has, over the last 30 years, spawned a completely lawless and extremely violent society, especially with regard to…

The media’s huge influence comes from the fact that it is capable of affecting public perceptions. In the light of this, we set out to understand how South Africa’s print media write about foreigners. And the implications of the representation on local attitudes towards foreign nationals. Our recently published study looked at the representation of foreigners in some of South Africa’s biggest print and online newspapers. These included the Mail & Guardian, Sowetan, Times Live, Daily Maverick, Independent Online (IOL) and News24. Foreigners make up about 7% (4 million people) of the country’s population. Their presence in the country receives a great deal of media attention and has sparked many xenophobic attacks. Between 1994 and 2021, there were 796 incidents resulting in 588 killings, 1 000 physical assaults and almost…

JOSE Riveiro is ready to soak up all the information that will help him steer Orlando Pirates to greener pastures in the Caf Champions League this season. Riveiro had an underwhelming reception in the PSL. His naysayers regarded him as a “plumber” – a coach who boasts international qualifications with no winning record. But the Spaniard quickly turned his detractors to admirers, winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, while guiding Pirates to a runners-up berth in the Premiership in just his first season. And having exceeded expectations, Riveiro is in for a tougher second season in charge, given that there are not only three, but five honours to challenge for. Pirates have had a mixed start to the season, cruising to the MTN8 semi-finals – where they will face Stellenbosch…

THERE is no such thing as a friendly match between the Springboks and the All Blacks, according to Bok captain Siya Kolisi, and the World Cup warm-up encounter between the teams in London tonight will not be treated any differently. It is the reigning world champions’ final preparation before they take on Scotland (10 September), Romania (17 September), Ireland (24 September) and Tonga (1 October) in the pool stages in France. Kolisi and his teammates are under no illusion as to what awaits them at Twickenham (8.30pm kick-off), and they are ready to fight tooth-and-nail to build valuable momentum heading into the World Cup next month. There are minor changes to the All Blacks team that comfortably beat the Boks 35-20 in Auckland last month, and according to Kolisi, they…

FORMULA One returns after its mid-season recess at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix. Here, we look at five things ahead of the 13th race of a season dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull ... Vettel’s record in jeopardy Verstappen has a significant milestone in his sights on his home patch. A ninth consecutive win will draw the 25-year-old double world champion level with Sebastian Vettel’s record set in 2013, also in a Red Bull. In a different stratosphere to his grid rivals, the Dutchman is enjoying a dreamy sweet spot, where his flawless touch at the wheel of an unstoppable car has left him seemingly nailed on for a third straight title. At Spa-Francorchamps before the mid-season break, despite starting from sixth on the grid, he was so comfortably…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena could not contain his emotions as he broke down in a post-match conference amidst a barrage of criticism on Wednesday night. Speaking to the media after the Brazilians recorded a fifth successive league victory as they overcame Richards Bay FC 1-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium, the 36-year-old was emotional when quizzed about the criticism he has had to endure. Mokwena said he feels continuously targeted by various sections of football fans who disregard his work because he is the coach of all-conquering Sundowns. “I would rather not answer that, because of anything I say ... because I always tell you guys that I have a different set of rules. Everything I say is interrogated,” said Mokwena. “Everything I say is sometimes misconstrued and sometimes deliberately…