Tabla de contenidos para 2024-08-12 en Star

South Africa’s largest chicken producer, Astral Foods, said on Friday that CEO Chris Schutte would retire from his position in January next year when the company holds its next annual general meeting. Schutte, who has been CEO since 2009 when the company was unbundled from Tiger Brands and listed separately, has seen the company go through several changes in the industry as well as tough times such as load shedding and skyrocketing maize costs. He will consult to the company from February for a year, ensuring a smooth transition process with the incoming CEO, continuing to facilitate key stakeholder engagement and providing strategic insight to both the Astral executive team and the Board. The share price closed 0.35% higher at R168.49 on Thursday. Anthony Clark, an independent analyst at Small…

Publication of the business rescue plan for beleaguered car-parts and accessories retailer AutoZone was extended to later this month from its scheduled August 5 deadline. This was confirmed by trade union Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa), which belatedly registered interest in the process as well as Absa Bank, which has secured an order to attach AutoZone’s assets. “Absa is comfortable with the business rescue extension, and continues to support AutoZone and the business rescue practitioners towards achieving a constructive solution,” an Absa spokesperson said. At its meeting with creditors in July, the business rescue practitioners of Matuson and Associates reported that they had begun discussions with several parties who have expressed an interest in acquiring AutoZone. This raised the possibility that the company may be sold, and the proceeds from…

NASPERS and Prosus said in a statement that Basil Sgourdos would retire as group financial officer and financial director of both companies on November 30 this year after 29 years of “exemplary leadership and service”. Sgourdos has had a broad and varied career at Naspers and Prosus, having joined the company in 1994, initially as the finance manager of the South African operations division in MultiChoice before taking on a number of other global leadership positions within the group. He was appointed group chief financial director of Naspers in July 2014 and of Prosus since its listing in 2019. “While Basil will remain active in his role for another few months, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank Basil for his dedicated service to the company…

That investing in human capital is the best choice that can be made by society is not in doubt. What is in doubt is first, the path and tools deployed towards investment in human capital; second, what measures constitute points of reference as to whether the investment has paid off or not; and finally, what adjustments might need to be made especially in the light of fast-paced and disruptive information technology. Sethababthaba Sa Basotho, established by Reverend Mohlominyane Moeletsi in Lesotho, and Mogweko Secondary School established by the Obonyo clan stand out as public institutions of note. The two broad strands distinguishing pathways in education in South Africa and many parts of the world seem to be between private and public schools. In South Africa, the pathways to matriculation are…

Jubilee Metals, diversified metals producer with operations in South Africa and Zambia, has started operations at its Roan upgrade project in Zambia, adding processing capacity and flexibility to the already operating Roan milling and flotation sections. Jubilee is involved in copper in Zambia as well as chrome and platinum group metals (PGM) in South Africa. The upgrade of the Roan project located in Zambia has added more processing capacity and flexibility to the plant’s milling and flotation sections. Roan’s new front-end capacity has been constructed adjacent to the already operating milling and flotation circuits, increasing the overall capacity of Roan to a maximum design of 13 000 tons of copper per annum (tpa). “The Roan front-end module upgrade project in Zambia has commenced production ramp-up of previously mined material,…

The indomitable women behind some of Soweto’s most popular shebeens are set to take centre stage in a new documentary series this Women’s Month. Shebeen Queens, which will premiere on Showmax on August 22, will feature the larger-than-life entrepreneurs from the Johannesburg township’s drinking establishments such as Alina’s Place, Big Mama’s Tavern and Rams Tavern Produced by Barkers Media, who brought viewers How To Manifest A Man, the Showmax Original follows these women as they try to balance parenting with keeping their businesses afloat in a cut-throat, all-hours industry that is filled with liquor and laughter – and has historically been male-dominated. “Shebeen Queens unpacks the myths we grew up being told and were made to believe about women who run shebeens,” producer Mpho Lengane said in a statement. “Never…

Fortune may be pointing towards Finance MMC, Dada Morero, as the ANC Joburg secretary, Sasabona Manganye, hinted that he would be elected mayor come Friday, replacing Kabelo Gwamanda. Manganye told Newzroom Afrika on Saturday that the call to oust Gwamanda had been finalised following a caucus meeting that took place with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC and Al Jama-ah delegates. “The ANC has engaged with Al Jama-ah officially, in fact, the president was part of that meeting. We agreed that when the ANC is ready, we will advise the executive mayor to resign so that the council can convene to elect the new mayor. “The ANC is concluding discussions. In 2022, we had Dada Morero as a mayoral candidate, but his election was challenged in court, and we lost that…

THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is probing the killing of the younger brother of one of the victims of the Marikana massacre of 12 years ago, after he was recently shot by the police in the Eastern Cape. Aphelele Jokanisi, 30, was travelling with a friend, Yandisa Jajula, on June 30, between Flagstaff and Lusikisiki when they were shot by police multiple times, in the presence of his eight-year-old nephew Ambusise. Ipid spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, told The Star’s sister paper, the Sunday Independent that the case was reported to the directorate and was under investigation. ”Two people died in that same incident and the eight-year-old mysteriously survived without being hurt. “We confirm that there is no arrest at this stage and we are still following up information,” said Shuping.…

Ingredients 150g Biltong, finely chopped 3 tbsp butter, melted 2 cups cake flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tbsp sugar 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated 3 tbsp marmite Handful of chopped fresh chives Method Heat your oven to 190°C and butter up your muffin tins. Mix the melted butter and chives together and set aside to cool slightly. In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt and mix with a spoon. In a separate large bowl add the eggs, milk and marmite and give a light whisking, then add the butter and chive mixture, the grated cheese and chopped biltong pieces. Give it a good mix to combine. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir with a spoon in…

Aren’t you wondering why you don’t see Russia in the Olympics and what strange country is AIN? In the past, Russia featured prominently in the Olympics. But since 2019, Russia athletes were banned for four years from the Olympics for doping which was later reduced to two years after Russia appealed. The World Anti-Doping Agency found Russian athletes had engaged in a state-sponsored doping scheme. No wonder Russia used to do so well in the Olympics. Russia together with Belarus has again been banned from the Paris 2024 Olympics, this time for the unprovoked war against Ukraine. Belarus has been punished for supporting Russia. Their athletes cannot compete under the banner of their countries but only as individual neutrals known as AIN in French. You should have noticed that AIN…

Cape Town City’s faith in Darwin Gonzalez paid dividends after he scored the match winner from the spot in his side’s tense 1-0 win over hosts Sekhukhune United in Saturday afternoon’s MTN8 quarter-final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. It was a big call by City to persevere with Gonzalez as their penalty taker after he missed a spot-kick four minutes before half-time. Four minutes from the end, referee Thabo Mkhabela awarded City a second penalty and Gonzalez was again called up. This time the Venezuelan midfielder kept his shot low and wide of Sekhukhune’s Ivorian goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré, who dived in the wrong direction. Gonzalez’s earlier attempt was kept out by the crossbar. City coach Eric Tinkler said afterwards that Gonzalez was the club’s first choice as a penalty…

CHELSEA announced the signing of Portuguese winger Pedro Neto from Wolves yesterday for a reported fee of £54 million (about R1.26 billion). Neto has signed a seven-year deal and will cost an initial £51m with a further £3m in add-ons, according to reports. The 24-year-old becomes the Blues’ ninth signing of another busy transfer window for the London club since a takeover two years ago by a consortium fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly. Chelsea have now spent around £185m in the past few months, much of which has been splashed on prospects for the long term. By contrast, Neto is expected to go straight into Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans ahead of their Premier League opener at home to Manchester City next weekend. “I feel really grateful to have…

Auto components-manufacturer, MA Automotive Die and Cast in Rosslyn, Pretoria, is putting its workers on short time (fewer working hours) from today, and scaling down capacity for the rest of the year in preparation for the BMW X3, the first electric vehicle to be manufactured in this country, albeit for the export market. MA regional leader Henk van der Merwe confirmed last week that the group was introducing intermittent short time in line with run out of a current model, and introduction of the replacement model. “As we ramp up to reach full volume, so will our short time reduce. We have been very transparent with our people in preparation for the run-out and ramp-up. Our recent communication must be viewed in this context,” Van der Merwe said. This is…

Transnet has confirmed it has appointed an external presiding officer – a senior counsel at the Johannesburg Bar – to chair the disciplinary hearing of its suspended Ports Authority CEO, Pepi Silinga. However, Transnet said proceedings had been delayed by a request from Silinga’s legal team to file a defence. “Mr Silinga’s disciplinary hearing will be scheduled once his defence has been received,” Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said. Transnet indicated in June that investigations had been completed, as it officially announced the appointment of Bowmans Attorneys to implement recommendations of a forensic report by Fundudzi Investigators, which considered the awarding of a tender for the multi-purpose terminal at the Port of Ngqura. Silinga, who has been on leave of absence since January, was implicated along with other managers in alleged…

The Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) has called for South Africa to also consider some meat products to be included in the zero VAT list alongside individually quick frozen (IQF) chicken portions to drive affordable food for consumers in South Africa. This comes after the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) and the DA recently called for IQF chicken products to be VAT zero-rated. It also comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa, during his Opening of Parliament Address, announced a plan to change the range of food items exempt from VAT, saying it indicated multiparty support for an initiative that would help to lower food prices for low-income households. This includes a comprehensive review of administered prices to identify areas where prices can be reduced. RPO CEO Dr Frikkie Maré said…

Headline earnings per share (Heps) for Gold Fields for the interim period to June 2024 are expected to be lower by at least 25% compared to the previous contrasting period, on the back of lower gold production, although the company expects to bump up its output in the second half-year period. Gold Fields expects Heps for the first half of the current year to be in the range of $0.38 (R7.12) to $0.34 a share. This will be lower compared to the 2023 same period Heps of $0.45 by between 25% and 33%. The expected plunge in the company’s earnings has come against the backdrop of an expected dive in Gold Fields’s gold production for the half year, which is expected to be lower compared to the same period in…

On Friday, we honoured the 68th anniversary of the heroic march to the Union Buildings by more than 20 000 women during the darkest days of apartheid. While it was sparked by the pass laws and the dream to be free in one’s own land, equally important was the desire to earn a living wage, and improve the lives of one’s children and families. Without a doubt, we have made great progress as a nation since the democratic breakthrough of 1994, and the coming to power of ANC-led governments. Before 1994, less than 2% of Members of Parliament were women and only one minister under the apartheid regime had been female. Today, South Africa is a global leader with half of Cabinet posts held by women, nearly similar ratios achieved…

JSE- and Australia-listed mining exploration company Orion Minerals has added to its growth pipeline with the granting of additional prospecting rights for its Okiep Copper Project, in the Northern Cape province. These rights encircle the existing Flat Mines Mining Right on which Orion is finalising its Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for Flat Mine North, Flat Mine East and Flat Mine South, the company said in a statement. The prospecting rights, referred to as the “SAFTA PR”, are for the same geographic area, but also provide rights to different commodities, and surround the Orion Flat Mines Mining Right. The SAFTA PR covers seven historical copper mines and seven additional unmined prospects, where previous owners Goldfields and Newmont carried out high density drilling to delineate highly mineralised bodies. The mining right that…

SLINDILE Nodangala won’t be returning for the new season of the popular local telenovela, Sibongile & The Dlaminis. The Durban-born actress played cruel stepmother Deliwe Mbambo in the hit Mzansi Wethu soapie. “Mzansi Wethu bids farewell to Slindile Nodangala,” said M-Net’s director of local entertainment channels, Shirley Adonisi. “With the story evolving and new characters joining the cast, Deliwe’s journey has come to an end. Slindile’s portrayal of Deliwe was captivating and divisive, making her a stand-out character. Her talent has shone brightly on this show and others across Mzansi.” Baby Cele, Azande Mkhungo and Ntando Zondi have joined the show’s second season, which premiered on July 29. Newcomer Nsikelelo Mthiyane has taken over the role of Sibongile, who was portrayed by Luyanda Zwane in the first season. Meanwhile, Zimoja…

Award-winning veteran TV presenter and actor, Nimrod Nkosi, is ready to captivate viewers once again in a new Showmax legal series, Law, Love & Betrayal. Nkosi will lead the cast together with Scandal! actress Dineo Rasedile, who steps into her first lead role. Rasedile is known for her performances on TV shows such as S3’s The Estate, Netflix’s paranormal series, Dead Places, and the 2021 legal series, Justice Served, among many others. The show was created and executive produced by Thandi Ramathesele, who brought viewers more than two decades of 7de Laan before the production ended in July. Law, Love & Betrayal will centre on a tough township lawyer, Gugu Mabaso (Rasedile), who breaks into a chic, family-run Sandton company and discovers that everyone there has secrets, just like her.…

A former City of Joburg project manager has been sentenced to seven years’ jail after being found guilty of stealing diesel amounting to R1 million. Sipho Machuene Dikhoba, 50, was sentenced last week in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Palmridge, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed. Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the case involved theft of diesel amounting to more than R1m between August 2019 and October 2020. Mjonondwane said the Department of Social Development’s finance department had identified irregularities in diesel invoices over a year. The matter was referred to the Hawks. “Further investigation revealed multiple daily diesel purchases and found that the intended generators were non-functional. “When confronted with evidence of his involvement in these fraudulent activities, (Dikhoba) resigned.” The NPA said he pleaded…

Researchers at Wits University have successfully enhanced the effectiveness of heat therapy to help treat cervical cancer. With 10 702 new cases diagnosed and 5 870 deaths annually in South Africa, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in the country. The research team at Wits University began testing Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia (mEHT) for cervical cancer treatment in 2014. Dr Carrie Anne Minnaar, who led the study at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre University, said: “The high incidence and advanced stage of cervical cancer in South Africa, especially in the public health-care setting, and the limited resources for treatment, compounded by the HIV incidence, means that we desperately need a way to improve the outcomes, without adding additional burden on the system, or additional costs…

Should the ANC compete with the DA for publicity? The question has been posed and answered in various ways in the past two to three weeks of the early days of the Government of National Unity (GNU). The question is triggered by a news report alleging that the ANC was concerned that ANC ministers were being outshone by their DA counterparts in the battle to capture public opinion regarding their performance. Of course, the ANC has formally rejected this and even played down the concerns about being outperformed by the DA ministers in media engagement and government communications. The question of how different political parties approach political communication still remains a matter of curiosity. It is crucial because in the current political climate, perceptions of performance are as important as…

It was a display of brute physicality and beautiful innovation that laid the foundation for the record-equalling victory that included five well-crafted tries after some typical Bok rugby. Independent Newspapers looks at five talking points from the match ahead of the second clash this Saturday in Perth. Kolbe at scrumhalf, double line-out pods, innovation galore When Cheslin Kolbe popped up at scrumhalf at the first scrum, there was a sense that the Springboks were cooking something up not seen by their opponents and supporters before. What a feast was it not to see the innovation coming from the South Africans, especially with the double pods in the line-out that led to the first try, where the Aussies did not have an answer for their creativity. If Saturday is anything to…

In what has become a normality in the PSL this season, Sekhukhune United head coach Peter Hyballa has parted ways with the club without even sitting on the bench. The club announced the German tactician’s decision on Saturday evening following their MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Cape Town City, and is reportedly lining up former coach Lehlohonolo Seema to return as head coach. Hyballa did not take charge of that match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and instead watched on from the stands, according to the stand-in coach on the day, McDonald Makhubedu. The apparently fiery coach had been embroiled in huge controversy in the week leading up to their first match of the season even though he fulfilled media duties on Monday. Hyballa is said to have rubbed both players…

The SA Revenue Service (Sars) has announced upcoming tax changes to the customs import system effective from September 1, which will affect Chinese e-retailers Shein and Temu, among others. Sars plans to introduce VAT – in addition to the current 20% flat rate customs duty, by September 1 – as an immediate interim measure. The SA International Ecommerce Association (Saiea) said that the early implementation on September 1 did not leave much time for adjustment and streamlining of processes. When local retailers import clothing, they have to pay a 45% import tax. The government feels it is only fair that the importing consumer, who is now effectively bypassing the middleman (the local retailers), also faces an import tax to level the competitive playing field. Imports from online retailers increased from…

TONGAAT Hulett’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) said the failure by shareholders at a meeting to approve a share subscription would result in “a more laborious” business rescue process, but with “effectively the same outcome”. “Considering shareholder approval has not been obtained for the equity subscription, (which would have resulted in the Vision Consortium owning 97.3% of Tongaat’s shares) this suspensive condition is unfulfilled. The BRPs will continue to implement the Adopted Plan,” a statement from Tongaat’s BRPs said. This meant that the Tongaat Hulett business, all its operations and employees, would be transferred and housed inside Vision Investments in future. “The difference is the new owner will have the Vision consortium as its 100% shareholder, instead of 97.3% as was hoped for as an outcome if shareholders voted in favour…

In a landmark judgment, global poultry feed chain manufacturer Technical Systems (TS) has been awarded a more than R180 million copyright infringement claim against upstart Feed Chain Industries, which was proved to have stolen intellectual property to manufacture and sell the feed chain. The feed chain is a conveyor belt that transports chicken feed in a trough. In what Western Cape High Court Judge Mark Sher described as an “egregious and brazen infringement”, Feed Chain founder Christiaan Kurtz, who was employed by TS as a plant engineer from 2001 to 2009, was found to have transferred more than 34 000 electronic files containing drawings, confidential production processes and machinery from his work-supplied Mecer computer to his personal HP and/or Dell laptops and to other hard drives. Through Feed Chain, subsidiaries…

Despite huge volatility and uncertainty on global financial markets last week, South African equity, bond and foreign exchange markets remained stable and even improved. After the worse-than-expected US unemployment data investors feared that the world’s largest economy may go into a recession, which hammered US and global stock markets. Analysts saw the big sell-off of equities last Monday as only a healthy correc- tion, but investors remained nervous. Fears that the US Federal Reserve will not implement a large interest rate cut in its Bank rate of at least 0.5% to counter any recession frights contributed to negative and volatile sentiment. Many felt that the Fed should hold an interim meeting to cut rates. On Wall Street equity prices experienced their most volatile week for the year. The Dow Jones…

Exxaro Resources has blamed low offtake of coal volumes by Eskom and depressed prices for the expected fall in its earnings for the half-year period to June, though it expects a higher contribution from its wind energy business in the second-half of the year. Exxaro expects its headline earnings per share (Heps) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024 to decrease by between 31% and 45% to between 1 686 cents and 1 344c compared to the previous contrasting period. The JSE-listed company has attributed this to “lower sales prices and sales volumes, amid ongoing logistical challenges and reduced offtake” by Eskom. However, this had partially been offset by a slightly weaker exchange rate for its coal business. Nonetheless, Exxaro is expecting “a higher contribution from our energy business…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to oppose bail today for Moroadi Cholota, ex-personal assistant of former Free State premier Ace Magashule, legal expert Melusi Xulu has said. Xulu said the State’s argument would be that Cholota was a flight risk. “We’ll see how that will be done and how the defence will fight. I think her legal team is ready. I saw a report that they were already indicating that she is just being used in this case, because she refused to be a State witness against Ace Magashule,” the expert said. Cholota was expected to make her first court appearance today in Bloemfontein’s Magistrate’s Court. This follows her successful extradition to South Africa after it was authorised by the US government on July 31. She landed…

Five accused were remanded in custody when they appeared before the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court in North West facing charges of illegal dealing in unwrought precious metals, and theft of unwrought precious metals. In a joint statement, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the five also face charges of illegal possession of unwrought precious metals. Hawks North West spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula named the five as Claudette du Plessis, 36, George Sambo, 37, Michael du Plessis, 40, Alphigio Tavavinga, 42 and Hendrick Viljoen, 67. “The accused were arrested on Wednesday in Rustenburg and Brits by the North West Hawks in collaboration with KZN Hawks, DPCI’s Tactical Operations Management Section, SAPS Airwing and Digital Forensic Laboratory,” said Mathebula. Initially, seven suspects were arrested,…

THE Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa has opened its heart to youth sport climbers who will participate at the 2024 International Federation of Sports Climbing Youth World Championships later this month in China. Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to South Africa Wu Peng on Women’s Day handed a donation of R200 000 to the South African youth climbing team manager, Carmen Bouwer, during a ceremony at the embassy in Pretoria. These young female and male athletes, ranging in age from 13 to 19, have demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and passion for the sport and are eager to compete against the best youth climbers from around the world. The team, selected through a rigorous national qualification process in March, includes climbers who…

SPRINGBOK and Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse showed some deft touches but, more importantly, came through his comeback match against Griquas yesterday unscathed. Hendrikse helped orchestrate some enterprising play in the Sharks’ impressive 40-21 Currie Cup defeat of the courageous men from Kimberley. In fact, Hendrikse opened the scoring with a neat dummy and dart over the Griquas’ line from a ruck. It was a nice “welcome back” for the 24-year-old after four months of injury. The Sharks exploded into a 21-0 lead after tries by Hakeem Kunene and Eduan Keyter, thanks to neat passing by flyhalf Lionel Cronje. Griquas were in danger of being overwhelmed but their spirits were lifted when flanker Marco de Witt burst through a gap for a try, only for De Witt’s opposite number, Jannes Potgieter,…

SOUTH Africa’s reigning marathon champions lived up to their status with gutsy displays at the Paris 2024 Olympics at the weekend, although the results were not really something to shout home about. Elroy Gelant and Cian Oldknow shone brightest in the men’s and women’s races with Gelant narrowly missing out on a top-10 finish by coming in 11th, while Oldknow crossed the finish line in 32nd place. Oldknow, a debutant at the Games and a marathon newbie having only completed two official races before yesterday’s race, did well to finish finish ahead of the seasoned Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl on Sunday. Steyn, expected by many to challenge for a top-10 finish, crossed the finish line in a disappointing 45th place, while Van Zyl finally completed the Olympic marathon,…

The US pipped China for top spot in the battle for medals yesterday as Paris brought the curtain down on one of the most successful Olympic Games in history. South Africa, meanwhile, finished 44th at the Games with six medals, including a gold, three silver and two bronze. SA was the third-best African nation in Paris, behind 17th-placed Kenya and Algeria, who finished 39th. In a thrilling finale that capped 17 days of spellbinding action, the US women’s basketball team squeezed past France 67-66 to clinch the last gold of the Games. The win – the eighth consecutive Olympic women’s basketball event won by the US – ensured the Americans finished level with China on 40 golds each as the Games drew to a close. The US, however, finished on…