Tabla de contenidos para 2024-08-29 en Star

ABSA HAS REVISED its 2024 and 2025 growth forecasts for South Africa’s economy on the sustained stable supply of electricity, slowing consumer inflation and pending interest rate cuts, as well as the apparent support for structural reforms in the ports and rail sector by the Government of National Unity (GNU). In its South Africa third quarter of 2024 Quarterly Perspectives’ report yesterday, Absa said it was more constructive on growth than in the last Quarterly Perspectives. Absa said recent high-frequency activity data suggest a stronger rebound in the second quarter than it expected earlier after the slight gross domestic product (GDP) contraction in the first quarter. Absa’s Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) senior economist, Miyelani Maluleke, said they had lifted their 2024 real GDP growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has committed his government to working with Business Unity South Africa (Busa) to drive economic growth that improves the quality of life for all, after big business pushed back against National Health Insurance (NHI) in the second Presidential Health Compact. The Presidency last week brushed aside big business’s concerns over the explicit support of the NHI by the second Health Compact, saying that the country needed a compact that was responsive to the challenges facing its health system. Busa said it did not agree with the draft of the compact given the serious differences between it and the government as to the appropriateness of the NHI Act, let alone its feasibility as a legislative instrument to underpin universal health coverage. Addressing the Busa annual general meeting yesterday,…

AGRICULTURAL economist Dr Heinrich Jantjies has warned that the decline in South Africa’s deciduous fruit (peaches, pears, apricots, mixed fruit) canning industry, which has been evident since 2016, will lead to job losses and losses in foreign exchange earnings if allowed to persist. Jantjies, the group risk, safety and security director at Tiger Brands, who recently obtained his doctorate in Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University on the topic of competitiveness in the deciduous fruit canning value chain, said the country cannot afford the above-mentioned situation. One of the key recommendations of a new study at Stellenbosch University was that industry leaders, in collaboration with the Government of National Unity, should craft and implement a Deciduous Fruit Canning Industry Recovery and Competitive Plan (DFCIRCP) to enhance the sector’s competitive performance and…

A RAPID spread of the mpox virus in sub-Saharan Africa could add to the fiscal pressures many countries in the region are already experiencing, ratings agen- cy Fitch said yesterday. Potentially deadly mpox was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization earlier this month after a new strain, known as clade Ib, spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring states. “Virus outbreaks can have significant economic and fiscal effects,” Fitch said in a statement, adding that some of the negative impact could be offset, however, by increased funding from rich donor nations. Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda are some of the Fitch-rated issuers that have reported mpox cases, the ratings agency said. “In most of these, the number of confirmed mpox cases…

WHILE Eskom and its staff have received many plaudits for the continuing absence of load shedding, the business sector partnership with the government also helped to keep the lights on. Business for South Africa (B4SA), an organisation representing organised business, has formed partnership structures with relevant government structures and agencies to address key priorities affecting the economy: energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption. On the energy front, the work is being directed through the government-led National Energy Crisis Committee, and in the logistics sector through the National Logistics Crisis Committee, and also through the Joint Initiative to Fight Crime and Corruption. B4SA provided some key insights into its progress on the energy front so far on its website, saying organised business had invested 9 000 hours of…

Scores of unemployed young people from Soweto took their fight against unemployment to the office of the new mayor, Dada Morero. Their fight to be prioritised for jobs comes just days after the mayor called for the city to consider employing “legally and properly documented foreigners” as Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers. This proposal from the mayor sparked fury among South Africans, mostly unemployed youth, who felt left out by the government amid the unemployment crisis in the country. Vanity Moyo, who was part of the march yesterday, told The Star that she has been unemployed for two years and survives on the R350 social distress grant, which she says is not enough for her two children. “It has been two years being unemployed and, as a 28-year-old mother…

Members of the public have less than 30 days to submit their appeals on why their identity documents (IDs) have been wrongfully blocked, depriving them of accessing key governmental and other services. To clamp down on ID fraud, the Department of Home Affairs on August 16 announced that those in possession of wrongfully blocked IDs could appeal this within 30 days. Written submissions on why the ID should not be cancelled should be sent to Sylvia.Phasha@dha.gov.za. This would also provide an opportunity for the department to resolve what it referred to as a “decades-old” issue of wrongfully blocked IDs while reducing the number of fraudulent documents in circulation. Some of the IDs were originally blocked as far back as 2005 for a number of reasons, including those documents the biometric…

At least 10 passengers have died in a Mzansi Express bus accident which took place at 3 Miles, on the N1 freeway around Makhado (previously Louis Trichardt) in Limpopo. The bus was travelling from Zimbabwe destined for Joburg when the crash happened on Tuesday, according to Phuti Lekganyane, acting spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety. “The bus was en route to Johannesburg from Zimbabwe, when the accident happened just before midnight, on the evening of Tuesday, August 27. All the deceased, five males and five females, are reportedly foreign nationals,” said Lekganyane. “According to reports, the bus drove over a round-about – the last traffic circle from Makhado towards Polokwane – at high speed, lost control and overturned, killing and injuring its passengers in the process.”…

TSHWANE Mayor Cilliers Brink yesterday made a call for the metro’s multiparty coalition bloc to be preserved for the sake of progress it made in service delivery despite the looming threats by the ANC to oust him from office today. This was during a media briefing at Tshwane House, where he was accompanied by two FF-Plus, IFP and DA multiparty coalition partners, who pledged their support for Brink’s administration to remain in charge. Despite being members of the coalition, ActionSA’s MMCs - Hannes Coetzee and Deputy Mayor Nasiphi Moya - who doubles as MMC for Social Development - snubbed the media briefing. Their absence was in spite of the utterance by Brink that he has “an excellent working relationship” with Moya. Speculations have been rife that Brink would be removed…

Some years ago, in the vibrant city of Cape Town, twin sisters Tamsin and Tarynne van Oordt embarked on a remarkable journey filled with challenges that tested their resilience and strengthened their bond. Raised in a modest family, they were taught the values of hard work and perseverance from an early age by their inspirational parents, who always encouraged them to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Despite facing numerous setbacks, the twins eventually secured admission to Unisa. In 2018, they successfully completed a Higher Certificate in Adult Basic Education and Training, which served as a stepping stone towards their lifelong aspiration of becoming educators. The following year, they both enrolled at the university’s College of Education to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree in Foundation Phase, unaware of…

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has released the key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for Limpopo, indicating a decline in HIV prevalence. According to the report, Limpopo’s HIV prevalence decreased from 10.1% in 2017 to 8.9% in 2022, with an estimated 570 000 people living with the virus, a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. The results also revealed that, in 2022, the province’s HIV prevalence was disproportionately higher in the 25-49 age group, with 17.0% for men and 22.3% for women in this age group. A significant 7.4% of rural, formal or farm-rural residents were found to have HIV, with women showing a higher incidence compared to men across all demographics. The study by Professor Khangelani Zuma of the…

Mosima Mpho Ngoasheng comes to the interview in a fetching red dress. She runs Sheeqliving Interiors, a name that derives from “chic”. It is not exactly rocket science that she is passionate about fashion, a fact she readily owns up to. “It hasn’t always been interior design,” she says of her business. “We started many years ago importing shoes from Thailand, Türkiye and all those places.” She still had a corporate job then. “Shoes were a side hustle. And from there we felt the market wasn’t responding very well. We quickly evolved into interior design. At some point we even did events,” she says. In 2003, they boldly launched into interior design, which allowed her the creativity she enjoys, and in 2018 she started working full-time in the business. “It…

KwaZulu-Natal’s automotive components manufacturing industry has received a R1.1 billion boost through a new joint venture between Toyota Motors South Africa, Toyota Tsusho Africa and Ogihara Thailand Corporation. Ogihara SA was registered in 2023 to manufacture automotive components for the localisation efforts of Toyota SA’s next generation Hilux. The company’s new 32 000m² site at Dube TradePort’s TradeZone 2 will include a manufacturing and assembly plant relocated from Thailand to produce pressed steel components for Toyota SA’s vehicle manufacturing plant in Prospecton. The venture will phase in the sourcing of additional local press parts that are currently imported. This significant step will not only boost local industry capabilities and economic growth but will also lead to an increase of 25 000 tons a year in locally procured steel. It is…

Mamelodi Sundowns came unstuck in the MTN8 semi-final first leg in Atteridgeville last night against Stellenbosch FC after losing 1-0 via Fawaaz Basadien’s penalty. This loss has meant that they’ll have to dig deep for a win in the second leg at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday (3pm start) to progress to the final. Sure, the contest is still at the halfway mark, but Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi came into this match knowing the importance of killing two birds with one stone. He wanted to take an advantage into the second leg and win over the fans, as some are still uncertain about the new dawn following the sacking of Rulani Mokwena. They failed to achieve both feats as they dominated possession, only to struggle in the…

Mark Tele’a has never played in the cauldron that is Ellis Park, and although it will be the first time that he steps onto the intimidating ground in Doornfontein on Saturday, he will do so without fear and the knowledge that the All Blacks have already conquered that particular patch of earth numerous times. Indeed, the Boks and New Zealanders have played 12 times in Johannesburg – including twice at FNB Stadium – since readmission, and have won there on seven occasions, including the last encounter in 2022, when they swept aside their hosts in the last 20 minutes to win 35-23. Since 2010 – which includes those two matches at Soccer City – the Boks have managed just one victory out of six matches in Joburg, a lonely 27-25…

SOUTH African companies are priori- tising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Decent Work and Economic Growth, while aspects such as education, industry innovation and infrastructure as well as responsible consumption and production have fallen in priority, according to a voluntary industry survey. This information was contained in South Africa’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR), which tracked progress against the first one, released in 2019. More than 100 companies engaged in the process of compiling the report, with more than 300 individuals providing insights and 76 companies contributing case studies. Covering companies across various sectors, including Absa, Bidvest, Clicks Group, De Beers, Gold Fields, and Vodacom, the report said the fact that companies were pushing decent work and economic growth was expected, as this is the “powerhouse goal for…

THE PAST 12 months have been a roller coaster for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). As the world grappled with economic uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical tensions, the JSE, like many global markets, experienced periods of significant volatility. However, amid the bearish market sentiment, some South African companies saw an opportunity to make strategic acquisitions, capitalising on lower valuations and setting the stage for future growth. This article delves into how these companies leveraged the downturn, the strategies behind their moves, and what this means for the South African economy in the coming years. A challenging market landscape The JSE, Africa’s largest stock exchange, has not been immune to the global economic challenges that have defined the last year. The market saw sharp declines in various sectors throughout 2023, driven…

Africa’s tourism sector is poised for an exciting ascent and boasted the potential to soar if it is propelled by visionary strategies and robust investments that harness the continent’s unparalleled tourist allure. Bani Haddad, founder and managing director of Aleph Hospitality, a large independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, said the pandemic had several profound effects on the tourism sector. “One of the most noticeable impacts has been the increased desire among travellers for domestic or regional trips, as well as nature-based or less crowded destinations. Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from these trends,” Haddad said. Amid the unprecedented changes of recent years, Africa’s tourist appeal was said to be greater than ever and with the right steps, it can offer more top destinations for…

IN AN EVER-SHIFTING commercial landscape brimming with competitors, the challenge for any business is to rise above the noise and establish itself as a leader in its field. An entrepreneur who has managed to do this successfully is Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa, the founder and owner of Lindiwe Sanitary Pads and winner of the Emerging Business Category in Business Partners Limited’s 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. Lindiwe Sanitary Pads was founded in 2018 after Nkuna-Kgopa discovered that there were no female-owned, large-scale sanitary pad manufacturers in South Africa and possibly throughout the continent. Today, the business not only sells to individual customers but also supplies the South African government’s National Sanitary Dignity Programme in four provinces. Like any business owner, Nkuna- Kgopa faced challenges on her path to becoming a pioneer…

REDEFINE Properties’ management believes the group is well positioned for growth amid anecdotal evidence of improving levels of confidence in the property sector. The group’s asset platform, valued at R100.4 billion, comprises assets in the retail, commercial, logistics and industrial property sectors in South Africa and Poland. Over the last five years, Redefine has transformed its asset platform by reducing exposure to multiple risk universes through non-core asset disposals and reallocating capital to growth sectors and geographies like Central and Eastern Europe, where there is the prospect of emerging market growth at a lower risk premium. CEO Andrew König said at a Capital Markets Day on Tuesday that their strategy of sectoral and geographic diversification was aimed at delivering stable returns by mitigating the cyclicality of sectors and reducing…

South African feature film Carissa has been officially selected to form part of the Horizons section at the 81st Venice Film Festival. The festival, which started on Wednesday and runs until September 7, is one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world. Carissa will screen alongside several international films such as Happy Holidays (Italy), Familiar Touch (USA), Marco (Spain), Mistress Dispeller (China/USA), Of Dogs and Men (Israel/Italy) and Pavements (US). Produced by Na Aap Productions, a company devoted to preserving the history of indigenous people and cultures, the feature is written and directed by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar. Last year, the film was selected for the Final Cut in Venice (FCV) at the same festival. The process entailed presenting the working copy of the film…

For a movie to be a riveting success, it must meet several criteria. It should include a talented cast and crew and have a storyline that will linger with viewers long after the film ends. The Union, released recently on Netflix, was punted as a groundbreaking action movie. Adapted from a screenplay by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim and directed by Julian Farino, who is renowned for helming much of the first three seasons of the HBO series Entourage, the cast includes three Oscar winners. They are Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg in leading roles and JK Simmons as a supporting act. Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Lee and Jackie Earle Haley round off the cast. And while there are enough superstars to draw viewers to the…

THE rights of reclaimers, or waste pickers as they are commonly known, have come under the spotlight in the Supreme Court of Appeal. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is arguing that the rights to housing and work for persons working in this informal sector must be protected in line with international law and standards. The ICJ entered the fray as a friend of the court in the case which arises from an appeal of the City of Johannesburg against a decision of the high court handed down in Ryckloff-Beleggings Ltd, where the city was ordered to afford alternative accommodation for the waste pickers. The city has tendered alternative accommodation, but on condition that the occupiers are prohibited from sorting and storing their reclaimed goods at the alternative accommodation. The…

Higher prices and shortages of potatoes will hit the country in the coming months as black frost destroys potato production. The limited supply of potatoes means the cost of potatoes and frozen chips will rise as from September. M&R Marketing, based at the Epping Fresh Produce Market and specialising in exporting and distributing fresh-produced fruit and vegetables, has issued a notice about a potato shortage expected to worsen in September. It said farmers experienced frost for six days a few weeks ago, such as they had not seen for 20 years, and the frost had destroyed their crops. M&R Marketing buyer Mohammed Adam told The Star’s sister newspaper, Daily Voice, that “the black frost killed a lot of potatoes in the Limpopo region, and that has caused a shortage. The…

THE Tshwane metro police officers have come under fire following a post of their pictures on social media showing them confiscating vegetables belonging to street vendors plying their trade on the roadside in Winterveld. A media statement by Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) spokesperson, Isaac Mahamba, indicated that “perishable food items” were confiscated during a by-law operation in Winterveld on Bushveld Road on Monday. In the pictures a group of metro police officers in full uniform could be seen loading potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes and onions, among other items, into marked TMPD bakkies. According to Mahamba, the by-law enforcement was one of the operational successes recorded by the TMPD in the past few days. He said: “The TMPD cautions residents and motorists to abide by the law.” The TMPD by-law…

Eight years after stealing R520 000 from the bank branch where she was employed, a former bank manager has been sentenced to prison, along with her husband and three others. Carmen Kolbee was the branch manager at the Standard Bank in Kuils River at the time of her arrest in 2016. On Friday, Kolbee and her estranged husband Kensley Kolbee were each sentenced to 15 years. Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority explained: “I can confirm they were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment each on Friday.” The husband-and-wife duo were convicted last month after appearing at the Blue Down’s Regional Court. The State proved Carmen had been the mastermind behind the heist and that they had planned to steal R3 million from the bank but only managed to get…

To describe the ride of the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d as comfortable doesn’t even get close to it. It’s to be expected, I suppose, being described as the S-Class of SUVs, but it really surpassed all my expectations. It’s thanks to the Airmatic suspension that adjusts automatically to driving conditions, load and speed soaking up any road imperfections with spectacular ease. When you select Off-Road Mode it increases ground clearance and it can also lower the big SUV for easier access or loading goodies into the boot. There’s a stretch of badly corrugated gravel road close to where I live that I often use to see how vehicles react and the GLS rates as one of the best. In Off-Road Mode the MBUX infotainment system provides lateral inclination, compass bearing and…

Some players in world rugby find the haka intimidating, but for Springbok prop Ox Nche, it is a call to arms. The roly-poly loosehead has been on the winning side in four of the Tests he has played against the Kiwis, and the sole loss was at Ellis Park in 2022. He would love to avenge that defeat in Saturday’s Rugby Championship match at the same venue (5pm start). And when he faces the haka, he will gladly accept the declaration of war. “It gets you in the moment and you have to decide it is us or them,” the 29-year-old said, smiling, yesterday. “When the All Blacks are lining up for the haka, it is the time when I think carefully about my job on the field. You respect…

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz survived US Open first-round wobbles on Tuesday night to stay on course for a semi-final showdown, as two-time champion Naomi Osaka made a tearful and colourful return to Flushing Meadows. World No 1 Sinner fought back from a set and break down to defeat 140th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald in his first match since being embroiled in a doping test controversy. Alcaraz, the third seed and 2022 champion in New York, overcame a second set blip to defeat 186th-ranked qualifier Li Tu of Australia 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1. Italian Sinner battled to a 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 win over American opponent McDonald on Arthur Ashe Stadium, racing away with 18 of the last 22 games. The 23-year-old was returning to action just a week after it was…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is expected to stick to his tried and tested personnel when he announces his final 23-man squad today for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers next month. Bafana will assemble for camp early next week ahead of their Afcon qualifiers against Uganda at Orlando Stadium next Friday (6pm start), and away to South Sudan on Tuesday, September 10 (3pm). Having announced a strong 38-member provisional squad, which included the usual rearguard and some interesting new faces, Broos’ job will not be easy. While the discerning observer would love to see some new faces infused into the team, including Dutch-based striker Simon van Duivenbooden, Broos will be wary of trying to fix things that aren’t broken. Most of Broos’ usual strikers – Evidence Makgopa, Lyle…

THE CAPE TOWN meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) beginning this week highlights the benefits of South Africa’s role in global institutions such as the G20 and BRICS+. Dawie Roodt, the chief economist of the Efficient Group (EG), said the benefits were obvious. “There are trade and investment opportunities and the opportunity to borrow from the NDB at favourable rates. But there are other benefits as well like the exchange of knowledge and being part of a club with some political influence,” Roodt said. North-West University Business School economist, Professor Raymond Parsons, said the country must nurture its key trade and supply chain links, encourage positive investment trends, and promote the currency stability that are linked to these relationships. “South Africa must leverage its membership of the BRICS, the…

IN THE EVER-EVOLVING world of investment strategies, individual investors are constantly seeking ways to optimise their portfolios. While investing in an S&P 500 index tracker has long been a cornerstone of many portfolios, there has been growing interest in blending the traditional approach with sophisticated hedge fund strategies that are now readily available to the broader investing public. The traditional approach: S&P 500 index trackers S&P 500 index trackers have been a popular choice for investors for decades, and for good reason: 1. Low-cost exposure to 500 of the largest US companies across various sectors. 2. Simplicity in investing without requiring in-depth knowledge or active management. 3. Solid long-term historical performance, often outperforming many actively managed funds. However, index trackers are de- signed to match market performance,…

UNEMPLOYMENT statistics in South Africa are like that persistent relative who always shows up uninvited – troublesome, omnipresent, and seemingly expanding with every visit. The latest figures, courtesy of our friends at the government’s statistics office, paint a bleak picture. Unemployment has climbed to a staggering 33.5% in the second quarter of 2024, up from an already painful 32.9% in the first quarter. This translates to a jaw-dropping 8.4 million South Africans without jobs. With the job market looking more like an arid desert, where do we turn? The answer might lie in an unexpected oasis of the educational landscape: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. These institutions are more than just schools. They are potentially the engine rooms of innovation and job creation that South Africa…

MURRAY & Roberts Holdings said yesterday it expected its headline loss a share to improve by between 90% and 94% for the year to June 30, following an improved financial performance for continuing operations. The JSE-listed South Africa-based international specialised construction and engineering group said in a trading statement that the improvement was also at an attributable earnings level which, for the prior year, included losses associated with the deconsoli- dation of the Australian businesses. The headline loss per share was expected to be between 47 cents to 27c per share versus the 473c loss a share in the 2023 financial year. The group said the voluntary administration of the group’s Australian businesses in December 2022 and the loss of dividend flows from these businesses created severe liquidity constraints…

BIDCORP’S share price increased strongly by 8.5% yesterday after its international food service operations lifted headline earnings a share (Heps) 15.5% in the year to end-June, despite tough consumer markets where economic growth was anaemic, stagnant or sometimes negative. The group also rewarded its shareholders, lifting its dividend 16% for the year, after the final dividend was raised to 565 cents a share from 500c. Capital expenditure was also higher than usual, at about R6 billion. “Most of our businesses have improved their performance against previous record achievements of the 2023 financial year,” said CEO Bernard Berson. While the business in China did not report year-on-year growth, its results were considered good considering the difficult market conditions,“ said chief financial officer David Cleasby. He said in an interview…

Nicole Kidman has a knack for playing a wealthy woman with a complicated family dynamic at the centre of a murder mystery. After taking centre stage in whodunit shows like Big Little Lies, The Undoing and Nine Perfect Strangers, the Hollywood star is among those leading the cast of the new Netflix series, The Perfect Couple. It is based on an adaptation of the 2018 novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand. The 57-year-old actress will play Greer Garrison Winbury, a famous novelist and mother. The rest of the cast includes Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, Meghann Fahy, Michael Beach, Jack Reynor and Billy Howle. The Perfect Couple centres around Amelia Sacks (Hewson), who is about to marry into the wealthy Nantucket-Winbury family. This is despite the disapproval…

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has referred six car dealerships to the National Consumer Tribunal for adjudication. This comes after the commission received complaints from consumers alleging that these suppliers had contravened provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The NCC investigated complaints against Autoview Pre-Owned (PTY) LTD based in Boksburg in Gauteng; Cederquist Trade Transmission based in Stikland, Bellville in the Western Cape; Myaa Auto CC, Super-Tech-Motor Holding trading as BMW (PTY) Ltd based in East London in the Eastern Cape; Avura Motors trading as Avura Executive Motors from Rustenburg in the North West; as well as Plett Motors from Plettenburg in the Western Cape. “The NCC received and investigated two complaints against Autoview Pre-Owned (Pty)Ltd, the first supplier, alleging that the supplier contravened various sections of the CPA,”…

Internationally acclaimed author Amitav Ghosh will be delivering a highly anticipated public lecture at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Javett Arts Centre. The event, which is being hosted by UP’s Centre for Asian Studies in Africa, is expected to attract a large audience of academics, literature enthusiasts, environmentalists, students and members of the public, eager to gain insights from the celebrated author of bestselling novels and non-fiction works. The Centre for Asian Studies in Africa has brought the Indian writer to South Africa in collaboration with colleagues at the University of the Witwatersrand, and will host the event on September 13, 2024. Ghosh’s lecture offers the audience a unique chance to engage with an author whose works have won multiple prestigious awards. “Mr Ghosh is the author of globally acclaimed…

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the global leading cause of mortality, which caused 19.7 million deaths in 2019, and 38% of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases. To understand the prevalence of CVD globally, the World Heart Federation (WHF) released the City Heartbeat Index report that assessed the efforts of 50 world cities in tackling the medical challenge. The Index evaluated the cities through five domains, naming social determinants, physical environment, health risks, health services and governance. The Index indicated CVD had risk factors, where employment accounted for 76%, obesity stood at 74% and poverty scored 70%. Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes scooped 64%, while hypertension scored 59%. Access to quality health care reduces the risk of chronic heart diseases. “London stands out as the sole city in the study with…

Having recently made the decision to acquire a new set of tyres for my well-travelled Land Rover Defender, it was time to set the wheels rolling and see whether the advice and research would pay off. The Defender 90 had always been shod with mud terrain tyres and this would be my first time driving an extended distance on a set of all terrain rubber. I had opted for the Wrangler Duratrac RT which are designed for a 50/50 on/off-road application and seeing as we were heading into Botswana to the Makgadikgadi Pans that’s exactly what we would be doing. There would be three couples going, all of us in Defenders, to attend the “Oppipanne Fees” just outside Nata and about 25 kilometres into the Pan. I do oil and…

When we fail, it is easy to blame others. But what if the real problem lies in the shadow in the mirror? Our failures often reflect our hidden flaws as we choose to ignore our shortcomings. The blame we direct at others is often a projection of our insecurities, fears and weaknesses, a mind game, a way to escape the discomfort of self-reflection and the responsibility that comes with it. By facing this shadow, we can transform our failures into lessons, and use them to move forward – whether it’s reviving a stalled career, rebooting a struggling lifestyle or rewriting a relationship gone wrong. Why not unlock a possible magical chapter and discover the strength within to rewrite our stories? The modern world has created an environment that fans the…

Local football finally came to the Mother City to kick-start the 2024/25 season, and Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates rose to the occasion to deliver a high-tempo MTN8 semi-final first leg at the Cape Town Stadium last night. Played under chilly but clear skies after the match was postponed from Tuesday’s scheduled start due to the prevailing weather conditions, the tie finished level at 1-1, with goals in either half from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jaedin Rhodes, respectively. Pirates will have the advantage heading into the second leg, having scored the all-important away goal, but the Buccaneers were fortunate to hang on for the draw after an inspired performance by City in the second half. The visitors, fresh from their 4-0 mauling of Disciples FC in their CAF Champions League…

The official draw for the Paris Paralympics wheelchair tennis event was unveiled during a ceremony held on Tuesday at the prestigious Le Club des Loges, Roland Garros. South Africa is proudly represented by five exceptional athletes – Kgothatso Montjane, Mariska Venter, Donald Ramphadi, Lucas Sithole and Alwande Sikhosana – competing across the women’s, men’s and quads categories. The event is set to begin tomorrow, with the finals scheduled for next Saturday, September 7. Three-time Grand Slam champion Montjane, currently the world No 8, is seeded seventh in the women’s singles draw. She is eyeing her first Paralympic medal in Paris, starting her campaign against China’s Luoyao Guo, who is ranked 19th globally. Should she progress, Montjane could face a formidable challenge in the quarter-finals against the Dutch top seed, Diede…

AT the age of 18 years and 137 days, Kwena Maphaka became the youngest South African to play international cricket when he made his Proteas T20I debut against the West Indies last week. Maphaka eclipsed former fast bowler and national convener of selectors Victor Mpitsang’s record, which stood at 18 years and 314 days. Unfortunately, Mpitsang represented his country in only one further match, bowling just three overs, after his one-day international debut in Bloemfontein in 1999. While Maphaka’s international career may still be in its infancy, it can comfortably be assumed that the teenager, who now already has three T20I caps, will play many more games in the green and gold in the future, judging by Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter’s assessment. “He’s got speed. Left-armers always give a…