Table of contents for 2022-09-13 in Star

LIBSTAR, a food producer whose brands include Denny mushrooms and Lancewood cheeses, yesterday announced its co-founder and chief executive Andries van Rensburg is to retire with effect from December 31. Pegged to take over is Charl de Villiers, who is the chief financial officer (CFO) of the company, with effect from January 1, 2023. De Villiers will take over a company with a R3.8 billion market capitalisation and a share price that has tanked 29.99 percent in the past three years. This as Libstar faces supply chain disruptions, significant cost inflation and consumer pressures. The announcement comes as Libstar is set to release its interim results today. Last month, it said in a trading statement that for the six-months period ended June, it was likely to see headline…

FOLLOWING days of industrial action, the public utility company Putco has agreed to the demands of workers who demanded a 6% wage increase. Unions and Putco have been locked in negotiations since yesterday. A source close to the matter informed The Star that the bus company had tabled an offer of 6% and also committed to pay worker bonuses. The Star understands that workers were also demanding that the 105 workers who were dismissed be reinstated as part of the agreement. Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu confirmed that Putco had made an offer and unions were expected to report to their members and come back to management of Putco with a response. “The latest is that we held marathon meetings on Sunday facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.…

The 1860 Heritage Centre has paid tribute to the legacy of Steve Bantu Biko on the 45th anniversary of his murder. The centre said that yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of Steve Bantu Biko’s murder at the hands of four security police in 1977. “While we have the freedom he sacrificed his life for, the type of country he yearned for is in deep crisis,” the centre said. “In paying tribute to the legacy of Steve Bantu Biko on this day, September 12, 2022, it is time for all of us to take off our coats.” The centre quoted Biko’s The Quest for a True Humanity when the Black Consciousness leader said: “In a bid for change, we have to take off our coats, be prepared to lose our comfort…

The issue of awaiting-trial accused who are not out on bail and often sit behind bars for years before they are sentenced, and then receive a life sentence, should be looked at by the Supreme Court of Appeal. This is according to a judge sitting in the Western Cape High Court who presided over an appeal by three men convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. They complained they had been awaiting trial in prison for nearly six years before they were sentenced. This was because, for several reasons, the trial took a long time to conclude. According to them, it was unfair that they were each given a life sentence – 25 years in jail before they can be considered for parole – without the judge taking into…

While some people may identify Podcast and Chill with MacG as one of the most controversial podcasts that stir up hot disputes, Sol Phenduka lauded it for its positive influence. Popular radio host and media personality Phedunka, whose real name is Solomzi Phenduka, praised their podcast for many success stories, despite calls to have it cancelled. This follows some startling revelations that came out of the podcast with guests who were hosted over the past months. In some events, one of the hosts, MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho, was dubbed misogynistic for certain remarks that many of his listeners did not appreciate, particularly about women. Phenduka took to Twitter to speak about how many lives have been changed through their podcast. “Imagine if the podcast had been successfully cancelled. Imagine! Zola’s story…

According to Statistic SA in 2020, over 915 000 people left the country over a period of five years. This is nearly 1 million people. City Press cites the reasons for this departure as economic, social, political and environmental. One in every three African scientists leaves every year, seeking more opportunities, improved pay and safer and better lifestyles. With such huge unemployment problems it is paradoxical and depressing that our top young graduates are leaving Africa to live in England or Australia. The real state of the nation The reasons as to why people are leaving are obvious to anyone who lives in South Africa. Poverty, no jobs, rampant crime, poor delivery, widespread theft and corruption, looting, politics, lack of a police force, chaotic heath facilities, gangster-type shootings, an overstretched…

In recent months, the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have been a topic of robust discussion for communities, scholarly research and even within the educational environment. It is an important time for religious leaders, legal minds, educationists, parents and community leaders to examine the interpretations of the applicable rights of transgender, gender-expansive or binary students (children who display both male and female conditions) on schooling and the religious community. The various religious communities have their own codes of conduct as per their religious teachings. Just as the LGBTQ community are craving their rights, can religious institutions provably solicit their rights in keeping with the Constitution? Living in a constitutional democracy, what are the rights, obligations and boundaries in terms of admission policies in institutions, talks or…

At the end of 2021, South Africa recorded its highest unemployment rate since the dawn of democracy – at 35.3%. The figure has marginally dropped but there is still concern about how the country will tackle this issue. Dori Posel (DP) spoke to Trudi Makhaya (TM), economic adviser to South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as Kenneth Creamer (KC) and Liberty Mncube (LM), who are on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, about unemployment, job creation, the informal sector and the country’s challenges with excessive market power. Dori Posel: South Africa has not been very successful in chipping away at a very high rate of unemployment. What could help? KC: There is a strong correlation between growth and job creation. The question is, why doesn’t South Africa have enough growth?…

Miguel Timm was roped in as part of an attempt to bulk up Orlando Pirates’ squad this season, and provide excitement for what is a new project at the club. Timm arrived at the Sea Robbers in a dramatic turn of events as Pirates landed the services of the former Marumo Gallants midfielder from under the noses of Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs. The 30-year-old midfielder arrived alongside Thapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Bienvenu Eva Nga, who have all spoken about the pressures of representing one of the biggest clubs in Africa. Timm, however, has revealed that he feels no pressure and in fact has channelled the expectations of donning the black and white of Pirates into a positive. “I understand that this is a big club, one of the…

Mzansi content creators were celebrated on Saturday at the inaugural DStv Content Creator Awards, which were held at The Galleria in Sandton. It was a night dedicated to the content creators who have been bringing joy to the country with content that had many of us double tapping on social media. Comedian Loyiso Madinga hosted the awards and viewers at home got to be a part of the action as the awards were broadcast live on entertainment platform partner TikTok, with Halle B Berry and Dezz Lee bringing all the blue carpet action. The opening dance piece, choreographed by Bontle Modiselle Dance Studio, brought life to some of the most viewed social media reels and videos and set the tone for the night. Robot Boii had the audience convinced he…

Angry mom of 16-year-old tries to serve daughter’s fellow learners, who allegedly attacked her, with protection orders A 16-year-old Grade 10 learner in Roodepoort is afraid of going to school after an alleged bullying incident where her hair was pulled out and she was left bruised and humiliated. The mother of the learner from Princess High School in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, wants justice after her daughter was assaulted and humiliated by four female pupils. The mother said the incident happened on Tuesday last week. The mother told The Star that what was more disturbing was that the tourism teacher, who was in the classroom when the incident took place allegedly did not intervene. “She instead left the class,” the mother said. She said after the teacher had allegedly left…

It is one of the most intriguing weeks in the world of fashion, as designers, models and fashion fanatics gather in New York City where some of the most head-turning garments, a fusion of style and creativity is being showcased. New York Fashion Week (NYFW) kicked off on September 9 and is set to run until September 14. It is one of the “Big Four” fashion weeks, along with London, Milan and Paris. People from different parts of the world have already made their way to the Big Apple in anticipation of this event which has already had many sharing their explosive experience. All the extraordinary talent is seen on the runways as models walk boldly while exhibiting all the phenomenal ideas brought to life by designers from across the…

The Zondo Commission’s report has named Brian Molefe as one of the kingpins of state capture. An intimate friend of the Guptas, he was seen regularly wining and dining at the Gupta compound in Saxonwold that it became almost a second home to him. The Guptas befriended the former Eskom CEO to win lucrative coal contracts with the national power utility. Molefe’s rise and fall has been rapid and spectacular. As one of the blue-eyed boys of the ANC’s cadre deployment policy, he moved rapidly up the public service ladder. Starting in the National Treasury he became a successful CEO of the Public Investment Corporation, then, with the influence of the Guptas, moved to Transnet and, finally, the big one, Eskom. How could the Guptas not curry favour with such…

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work and change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” Robert Kennedy. At last! On September 1 Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s Foundation was launched. It was a sense of great relief to him and a source of exciting news to his band of admirers. Like all other statesmen of Shenge’s calibre, he deserves a foundation that would serve as a catalyst in reminding society about what his leadership encapsulated, and preserve his legacy and make conscientious future generations know about what he did to make South Africa a better place, mainly through his bravery and commitment to serving his people. This foundation will…

Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids and hooker Malcolm Marx were on press conference duty from Buenos Aries yesterday, and a tense media engagement it was as they did their best to not answer questions on the Elton Jantjies drama. What Davids did say was that the Boks were determined to focus on beating Argentina and would do their best not to be distracted. “We have dealt with the situation in a professional manner (Jantjies and Bok dietician Zeenat Simjee were sent home in disgrace) and our focus is completely on the task at hand,” Davids said. “They are a tough team to beat, especially at home, and that needs all our focus.” Davids was asked whether director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and coach Jacques Nienaber understood the responsibility that the…

Kaizer Motaung, the founder of the Kaizer Chiefs empire, can no longer stand by idly and watch the club plumb the depths of despair. For many years, Chiefs earned the title of aristocrats of South African football, but its relevance pales into insignificance these days because the club has not won a trophy in seven years. Currently, Amakhosi are hovering above the relegation zone in 14th place on the Premiership standings. Arthur Zwane was handed the coach’s position by the Chiefs hierarchy, which includes team manager Bobby Motaung and sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. They are not occupying those positions because they emerged from a list of qualified candidates who applied after the posts were advertised. Rather, those key positions were awarded due to pure nepotism as the incumbents are…

A SECOND death after vaccination with a Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Covid-19 jab has been recorded in the country. Early last month, the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) reported the first fatal case linked to the vaccine. Sahpra yesterday said it was informed of a second fatal case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). “Causality assessment of the reported case was conducted by the National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee (Nisec) using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) methodology. “The events reported in the vaccine recipient were consistent with the case definition of GBS and no other likely cause of GBS was identified at the time of illness. “As previously communicated, GBS is a very rare but potentially severe neurological adverse event that is associated with the administration of various vaccines and other…

SINCE a photo of Lehubedu “Lemo” Mohlabe selling coffee at a busy intersection along the R55 in Centurion went viral on social media, the father of four has been overwhelmed by the support he has been receiving. Mohlabe has been unemployed for three years, and the Covid-19 pandemic made it harder to find work. He said his unemployed status frustrated him to a point where he decided to be creative. With the help of his wife, he found some inspiration. “I used to go out of my way for coffee, and still be late for work. I then came up with the idea of selling coffee and biscuits along the streets for the convenience of those heading to work in the morning. My wife and I worked on the idea,…

THERE will be a hive of activities during the South African National Parks (SanParks) free week offer to nature lovers in most national parks across the country, including the world- renowned Kruger National Park (KNP). The 17th annual SA national parks week that runs until this Friday, grants free access to almost all of the 22 national parks for those who wish to visit during the day to explore nature. The pass, however, excludes access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities. Under the theme “Know Your National Parks”, the initiative, since its inception in 2006, has drawn over 619 252 day visitors across all participating parks, and hopes to attract visitors from neighbouring communities too. Besides opportunities to see South Africa’s “Big Five” in the Kruger’s wilderness, activities for…

I recently witnessed a young man weaving in and out of heavy traffic, on his delivery motorbike, as he attempted to make the “60 minute” delivery time demanded by his employer. Sadly, this young man, in his frantic attempt to meet this insane deadline, lost control, and ended up under the wheels of a truck. Passers-by attempted to comfort him until an ambulance arrived. This raises a few questions: Are these drivers licensed? Does the company they work for offer a medical aid? Are they permanent or casual staff? Will this young man be taken care of while he recuperate? The foolish and irrational marketing ploy to deliver within 60 minutes should be turfed into the garbage bin of corporate lunacy. Shame on those retail giants who chase profit…

YESTERDAY marked the 45th anniversary of the death in police custody of an outstanding liberation figure of black pride, Steve Bantu Biko, then aged 30. In a tribute to Biko’s illustrious leadership author Andile M’Africa titled his book, The eyes that lit our lives. Biko, a prominent and a charismatic leader of the black people, would have marked his 31st birthday on December 18, 1977. He died a few months earlier – killed by the oppressive, racist, minority apartheid regime. In Biko’s brief life, his ideas translated into liberating deeds. Stamping his brave entrance at the centre of oppressive South Africa’s political arena, history books could not avoid opening new pages to record the rise of Black Consciousness, which breathed life back into liberation politics. What apartheid South Africa had…

According to Sunday news reports, it was a 12-year-old boy who first rumbled Elton Jantjies at a guest house in Nelspruit, where he had gone for a night of passion with the Springboks’ dietician, with whom he is allegedly conducting an extra-marital liaison. The child wanted an autograph and reportedly commented to his father something along these lines: “I have got his autograph before when he was with his wife, but this is not her,” when referring to Zeenat Simjee; and a Google search of Elton Jantjies wife did the rest ... Another guest recorded “noises of passion” from Jantjies’ room, mostly because he was annoyed that he could not sleep; and then later that night when the couple were allegedly having an argument and this fellow objected to the…

Williams Formula One driver Alex Albon suffered “respiratory failure” and was left on a ventilator following complications from surgery on his appendix. Albon, 26, was ruled out of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza with appendicitis on Saturday morning, before being transferred to nearby San Gerardo Hospital for treatment. The Thai driver underwent surgery but then ended up in intensive care after he required assistance breathing. Williams say Albon was “removed from mechanical ventilation” on Sunday. A statement from the British team said: “Following surgery, Alex suffered with unexpected post-operative anaesthetic complications which led to respiratory failure, a known but uncommon complication. He was re-intubated and transferred to intensive care for support. “He made excellent progress overnight and was able to be removed from mechanical ventilation (Sunday) morning. He has…