Table of contents for 2024-11-26 in Star

PepsiCo South Africa’s R746 million investment expanding its Isando factory in Johannesburg with a new state-of-the-art potato chip production line will create 100 more jobs. The global company said yesterday that this project will position it to meet the growing appetite for snack foods in southern Africa as well as the export markets. Riaan Heyl, CEO of PepsiCo South Africa, said expanding the company’s potato chip production capacity was an important move to meet the growing demand for South Africa’s much-loved snacks. “Alongside creating new jobs, this new line shows our commitment to innovation and efficiency, as we continue to deliver high-quality products to people,” Heyl said. Potato chips make up a significant part of the company’s snack production, making it an important part of the business. Currently, PepsiCo South…

The Infrastructure Fund (IF), a collaboration between the government, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), National Treasury, and Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), has generated socio-economic benefits worth almost R100 billion in its four years of existence. This was said by the IF chief investment officer, Mohale Rakgate, yesterday as he said the Fund has demonstrated “substantial advancement and early-stage economic disbursements”. Established in 2020 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties, the IF was tasked with helping alleviate the burden on the fiscus through bespoke blended financing solutions by sourcing and blending capital from the private sector, institutional investors, development finance institutions, and multilateral development banks. Its aim is to do so by securing commercial, international and institutional investment for public sector infrastructure projects.…

The South African residential property outlook remains positive with 84% of respondents surveyed in the Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index (HSI) for the third quarter of 2024 registering their confidence in the future of the market. Having maintained this score for the last two consecutive quarters, the index reflects a significant and ongoing cautious optimism among South Africans regarding property investment. This optimism follows a critical period of financial strain imposed on consumers during an extended interest rate hiking cycle. In response to these hardships, the South African Reserve Bank has initiated two anticipated interest rate cuts, marking a critical shift that many hope will alleviate the pressure faced by potential homeowners. “While we expect interest rates to improve further in the coming months, the economic circumstances for consumers remain strained…

In October 2022, Lanre Kolade travelled to Togo for what he thought would be a routine weekend trip. That visit sparked a sequence of conversations that would culminate in one of West Africa's most significant digital infrastructure projects: landing Google's Equiano submarine cable in Togo - a country that wasn't even on the original landing map. "We practically midwifed the opportunity from zero to delivery," reflects Kolade, the former CEO of CSquared, CEO of Koltronics Nigeria and current chairman of ConnectedCompute on a recent African Tech Roundup podcast conversation. "It was a two-year journey involving multiple stakeholders across government, development organisations and corporations." The project's success hinged not on a brilliant stroke of individual genius or aggressive market dominance, but rather on the patient orchestration of relationships, the creative…

Invicta Holdings, the JSE-listed company expanding its industrial parts and components businesses offshore, said yesterday that headline earnings a share fell 14% to 231 cents in the six months to September 30 after a solid trading was impacted by currency volatility. Trading results were consistent with the previous period, but the rand strengthened against major currencies, particularly the US dollar, which led to a R18 million foreign exchange loss, compared with a R33m gain in the prior comparable period. “With our strategy focused on expanding offshore, our business has become more reliant on the major foreign currencies. We believe our strategy is sound and will prove to be beneficial in the long term,” Invicta CEO, Stephen Joffe, said in the results announcement. Prevailing market conditions, notably market uncertainty due to…

During the second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, serious crime decreased by 5.1% overall, including murder, contact crime, and rape. When asked what attributed to the decrease, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu simply responded, saying: “police are at work”. Mchunu was speaking in Johannesburg yesterday, during the release of the second-quarter crime statistics for July 1 to September 30, 2024. He reported that serious crimes in 17 monitored categories declined by 5.1%. Contact crimes dropped by 3%, property-related crimes by 9.9%, and other serious crimes by 3.4%. Key improvements included a 5.8% reduction in murders, a 2.5% decrease in sexual offences, and an 8.8% drop in robberies with aggravating circumstances. Rape cases fell by 3.1%, while residential and non-residential robberies declined by 1.3% and 21.1%, respectively. However, attempted murder, assault…

Ever experienced a hot, rain-starved summer without air-conditioning? Shade and water are at a premium and mid-day naps might last from 11am to 4pm. This is the case in the heart of South Africa's Northern Cape, where the red sands of the Kalahari stretch endlessly. There lies the remote settlement of Witdraai, 18km from the village Askham, which is 185km north of Upington. Here, 100 members of one of the world's oldest cultures, the Witdraai Bushmen, or San people, are the sole inhabitants; they have called this harsh landscape home for thousands of years. Their way of life, deeply intertwined with nature, offers a window into a world that has remained largely unchanged for millennia. The Witdraai Bushmen (an ethnic title they prefer over San) are renowned for their profound…

As the Class of 2024 prepares to conclude their academic journey with the traditional ‘pens down’ events, a poignant call to action has emerged from the World Changers Candidate (WCC). The organisation, dedicated to combating drug use among South African youth, is urging parents to remain vigilant as celebrations come with a myriad risks, including substance abuse. Speaking to The Star, Lucas Mahlakgane, chairperson of the WCC, highlighted the alarming correlation between these celebrations and episodes of substance misuse, echoing an urgent plea for parental oversight. “With the final exams wrapping up on November 28, it is imperative for parents to be attentive to their children’s activities and surroundings,” he warned, especially as learners gear up for a long weekend of festivities set from November 29 to December 1. The…

The reality show’s return has promised to deliver a fresh wave of excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments. As he prepares to embrace the role of host, Mdutyulwa reflects on his journey in media, feeling both grateful and excited for this new challenge. “I’m beyond grateful and honestly speechless because this opportunity was always meant to be,” he shares. “Looking back at my journey in radio and TV, it feels like everything I have done has been leading to this moment. “I may not have shouted it from the rooftops or had it on a vision board, but deep down, I knew something big was coming.” He further expresses excitement for the show and aims to ensure he positively impacts everyone’s mood. “I’m excited for the experience ahead and can’t wait…

Max Verstappen may have endorsed his status as the outstanding driver of his generation by claiming a fourth consecutive world title, but he faces a scrap to triumph again in 2025. In the wake of his fifth-place finish under the lights in Las Vegas, where he was outpaced by both Mercedes and Ferraris, on a rare off weekend for McLaren, it was clear - as his father Jos Verstappen explained - that Red Bull will need a much-improved car. Here we look at three things we learned from the race on the streets of Nevada’s gambling capital: Verstappen wants more, Red Bull need fresh momentum At 27, newly-crowned four-time champion Max Verstappen is in his prime and declared he feels “hungry for more” but after a stressful season of team…

India overcame an unpromising start to thrash Australia by 295 runs in the first test at Perth Stadium yesterday, laying down the gauntlet for the rest of the series and putting to bed any question marks about their form. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah led from the front with 3-42, named player-of-the-match after earlier picking up 5-30, as India wrapped up the comprehensive win well inside four days to take a 1-0 lead in the five game series. “We're a new side so I wanted to put myself in tough scenarios when we needed to do something, to make the job a bit easier for the new guys coming in,” he said. Travis Head staged a rearguard action to delay the inevitable with a defiant 89, as Australia made 238, but…

Netcare Group yesterday said it met key operational and strategy goals in its 2024 financial year and increased its final dividend 7.7% to 70 cents a share, while ongoing improvements were expected to continue into 2025 and beyond. This was according to CEO Dr Richard Friedland, who said yesterday that after the earlier school holidays in September 2023, hospital activity normalised in October and November 2024, and acute occupancy was trending at 64.6%. Occupancy at the Akeso mental health facilities was trending at 70.5%. “We will continue to focus on operational efficiency and strategic innovation, streamlining processes to reduce costs, and investing in technology that enhances patient care and service delivery,” he said. The group has forecast revenue for the financial year to September 30, 2025, to grow by between…

Unethical and unjustifiable – that's how the hesitation by the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) to take decisive action in reducing the interest rate is described. This is in spite of CPI inflation having dropped to 3.8%at the last publication - well below the SARB’s midpoint target of the range between 3% and 6%. SARB’s next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press conference will be held on November 21. I believe that if the Reserve Bank fails to announce a rate cut of at least 50 basis points, its decision-makers should take ethical responsibility for the undue hardship being placed on South Africans. Blame it on the model The MPC keeps reminding South Africans that it is bound to its inflation targeting mandate, focused exclusively on inflation and nothing else. It…

At Bluesky, the social media start-up that has been adding 1 million users a day since X owner Elon Musk won his all-in bet on President-elect Donald Trump, the company’s 20 full-time employees have been struggling to keep the site moderated and its servers up and running. It’s not the only company scrambling. Meta, the social media behemoth behind Facebook and Instagram, has launched a raft of tests, tweaks and new features in the past week for its own fledgling X rival, Threads. Several of them seemed designed to fend off the threat Bluesky poses to its status as the leading alternative for people disenchanted with X. “The race to replace Twitter has accelerated,” said Jasmine Enberg, the vice president and principal analyst at eMarketer, a market research firm. “Threads…

Octodec Investments, the JSE-listed real estate investment trust (REIT), is launching an office-to-residential conversion of the Prinsproes building in Tshwane, called Yethu City, that breaks new ground in lowering the entry level for formal rental accommodation in the city. Octodec CEO Jeffrey Whapnick said yesterday if the pilot project is a success – leasing starts in January 2025 – it may well pave the way for other similar conversions of its vacant offices in Johannesburg and Tshwane. Speaking during an online presentation, Whapnick said the development was in recognition of the need for affordable housing in the country, and it also aimed to tap into a bankable market seeking accommodation at slightly less than the current entry-level rentals in Tshwane. He said the conversion also provided an opportunity to deal…

Oceana Group’s headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the 12 months ended September 30 increased by 13.5% to 917.6 cents supported by record earnings from Daybrook in the US, better margins at Lucky Star Foods, and a strong turnaround in the hake operations. A final dividend of 300 cents (305 cents) per share lifted the total payout 13.8% for the year, to 495 cents (435 cents). However, the company faced negative impacts during the year, including weaker results from the African fishmeal and fish oil business due to lower volumes, and poor performance in horse mackerel due to a vessel breakdown and lower rates. Revenue from continuing operations rose 0.7% to R10.06 billion, while operating profit increased by 9.5% to R1.63bn. This growth was primarily due to strong fish oil…

In a thrilling fusion of musical talent, Durban’s innovative duo, Veranda Panda (Jane and Liam Magner), have collaborated with beloved artist Tanner Wareham to release their latest single, Carry Me. The upbeat song is a tribute to their fans and supporters. The collaboration was sparked by a moment of inspiration by Jane, the violinist and vocalist of Veranda Panda. It was crafted on a flight back to Durban after a performance in Johannesburg. Within 24 hours, the groundwork for Carry Me had blossomed into a song. “We drove over to Tanner’s place, pitched him the song and he was immediately on board. This was our most organic and fun collaboration to date and it just clicked,” said Jane. The song encapsulates the raw, vulnerable moments artists experience before stepping…

EFF leader Julius Malema has rubbished claims that senior member Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has been barred from attending the party’s National People’s Assembly (NPA) in December. Malema described the rumours as “shebeen gossip” and “toilet discussions” while he denied any knowledge of Ndlozi’s alleged prohibition. The party is gearing up to host its elective conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre near Soweto from December 12 to 15 where Malema is likely to retain the Red Berets presidency. Addressing the media at the same venue yesterday after a walkabout, Malema reiterated that the EFF had not made any statements about Ndlozi’s position within the party. “I don’t know what you want me to answer on Ndlozi because I never said anything about Mbuyiseni Ndlozi… so do not bring your shebeen gossip…

THE search is on for a delivery man alleged to have stolen pizzas, cash and a cellphone from Debonairs Pizza in Elsies River, after begging for the job. Manager, Siyabonga Lwandle, said staff were left disappointed when they realised the alleged thief, Alex Tzaivaro, had swindled them into believing he was a hard worker who had fallen on hard times. Lwandle said Tzaivaro arrived at the shop about two weeks ago and approached the management about a job as a delivery man. He said one day, they received a complaint from a customer about their pizza not being delivered. “He claimed to be an Uber driver before and we decided to give him a chance seeing that he had experience. “The man was so excited to deliver pizzas and told…

As South Africa observes 16 Days of Activism of no Violence against Women and Children, a mother has shared her journey of how she fled an abusive relationship. *Nozibusiso Ngcobo, a 26-year-old woman from Amanzimtoti on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is a single mother, who has survived brutality at the hands of her children’s father. However, she does not wish to be seen as a victim but, as a survivor. Ngcobo told IOL that she and her former partner met in high school and their relationship started out “sweet and innocent”. “When we were in Grade 12 and 17-years-old, I found out that I was pregnant. “Despite it still being relatively taboo, I was a bit excited as I had always wanted a family. When I told him the…

Dr Mamphela Ramphele, chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust, has shared heartfelt condolences following the passing of Louise Asmal. Asmal, who was reported to have passed on over the weekend, was a steadfast advocate for human rights and cultural integration. In a statement, Ramphele detailed: “In the 1990s, when South Africans began returning home from political exile ahead of the historic first democratic election, among them was the Asmal family, from Dublin, headed by charismatic law professor Kader and his English-born long-time partner in love and Struggle, Louise.’’ She shared that Louise’s dedication to the anti-apartheid movement began as she embraced her life alongside Kader, who was a founding member of both the British and Irish anti-apartheid movements. Louise served as the honorary secretary for decades, actively bolstering…

The recent breakdown of Germany’s so-called “traffic light coalition” – an alliance between the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance 90/The Greens (the Greens), and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) formed after the 2021 elections – wasn’t entirely unexpected. The coalition, regarded in its early days as a model of collaborative governance, had been unravelling for months under the weight of internal divisions, external crises, and mounting voter discontent and apathy. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s sacking of Finance Minister Christian Lindner was the final nail in the coffin, prompting the FDP to withdraw from the government. While often hailed as models of compromise and co-operation, coalition governments can quickly become battlegrounds for ideological clashes when the political stakes rise and politicians place party over country. The breakdown of Germany’s coalition highlights…

The great disappointment for the Lions this past year, was a heart-breaking Currie Cup final loss to the Sharks. The championship seemed secured with the Lions leading 14-13, and the clock ticking over into the 81st minute. But a dreadful tactical error by the Lions conspired against them as they lost 16-14. he Joburgers had little time to wallow in their despair; they quickly began the United Rugby Championship (URC) 2024/25 season against Ulster. Any regret was quickly forgotten as they dispatched the Ulstermen 35-22, followed by Edinburgh 55-21. They would go on to beat both Dragons and Zebre, before suffering their first defeat of the tournament to Leinster. Nonetheless, the Lions’ Currie Cup Player of the Year, Jarod Cairns, revealed last week it was difficult losing out on the…

Peabody Energy set to take over resource group’s steelmaking coal mines in Australia Anglo American has lined up a $4.9 billion (R88.4bn) windfall from the disposal of its steelmaking coal operations, with the company reaching an agreement to spin off the Australian assets to US-listed Peabody Energy for $3.78bn at a time BHP still has legroom to make an offer for the London and Johannesburg-traded resource group. As per London listing rules, BHP has to make an offer for Anglo American by the end of this month. This follows the rejection of its offer by Anglo American, which then sought to fast-track its own restructuring process earlier this year. Anglo American’s restructuring includes the disposal of assets such as platinum group metals (PGM) operations, diamond mining, and its steelmaking coal…

The Standard Bank Group yesterday said it has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand local currency lending and accelerate development projects across Africa. This collaboration aims to expand local currency lending and accelerate essential development projects across the continent, a crucial step for countries struggling with currency liquidity. This partnership will see Standard Bank and IFC work together on cross-currency swaps and derivatives, enhancing the market expertise that both institutions bring to the table. The primary goal is to improve access to local currency financing for businesses, especially in regions where such financing is often challenged. The bank said its ongoing partnership with IFC contributes to sustainable development across Africa, supporting its sustainability and development goals, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris…

As 2024 draws to a close, when one looks at South Africa’s technological progress, there’s a reason to rejoice. Globally, artificial intelligence has without a doubt dominated; however, in the South African context, there are major tech developments that are worthy of celebration. The first one, which stands out in the fintech sector, is the Yoco Table, a restaurant device, which goes beyond the capabilities of the small payment device. The Yoco Table completes the Yoco product suite. In the past, restaurant owners had to use other hardware products with the small Yoco payment device. The Yoco Table, together with the management software, enables restaurant owners to get tech power from Yoco. It’s something beautiful to watch from a growth point of view. Here’s a startup that started with just…

Heavy industrial and mining equipment company, Barloworld, has raised dividends to 310 cents per share for the full year to 30 September, marking a slight increase from the previous financial year’s 300 cents per share. This comes amid a tumultuous financial landscape for the group where Barloworld faced a 21% decline in group headline earnings per share (HEPS) and a 6.9% dip in revenue. Although Barloworld lowered gross debt by 29% to R7.9 billion as at the end of the period under review, operating profit from core trading activities was lower by 12.6% at R3.8bn. Shares in Barloworld traded 0.87% weaker in the afternoon trade on the JSE yesterday. This was after HEPS from operations for the period fell by by 21% to 1 022 cents while revenues for the…

Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, has firmly rejected allegations that the death of an eight-year-old learner from Thabisile Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, was caused by the provincial school feeding programme. The case of Kutlwano Olifant has reignited public concerns about food safety in schools and local food vendors. Kutlwano fell ill after consuming biscuits purchased from a nearby spaza shop, which has since been closed as a precaution. By Friday, her condition had deteriorated significantly, leading to her admission to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Family and community members have expressed their grief and anxiety, especially in light of recent foodborne illnesses and fatalities in the area. During a visit to the grieving family yesterday, Chiloane emphasised the need for thorough investigations to ascertain…

A 31-year-old woman has been arrested in Mpumalanga for allegedly masterminding the murder of her husband, a 40-year-old man who was shot dead last Wednesday. The killing took place in broad daylight at his business premises in Ermelo, where he was gunned down in front of his employees and clients. Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi, said: “According to information, during the incident, an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones belonging to the deceased, clients, and employees were also robbed. “It was established during the investigation that four suspects – two armed with firearms – entered the premises and opened fire on the victim that was certified dead by medical personnel on the scene.” Police launched an investigation that resulted in the arrest of the victim’s wife. Further investigation led…

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has recovered five hijacked and stolen vehicles as it intensifies crime-combating operations ahead of the festive season. TMPD spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, said the five vehicles included a black Land Rover Defender which was reported stolen in North West. “Criminals involved in vehicle theft and hijackings are feeling the heat as the Tshwane Metro Police Department’s tactical unit members nip the crime in the bud. Five stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered in different areas in Tshwane,” said Mahamba. He said the TMPD’s tactical unit members were performing crime prevention duties in Hatfield on Friday when they received a call about a grey Toyota Yaris vehicle that was stolen in Centurion, Lyttleton area. “The members swiftly reacted and followed up on the information.…

Suspended Brigadier Tiyani Hlungwani, who allegedly exposed corruption within the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Crime Intelligence unit, has gone to the Labour Court in Johannesburg in a fierce battle to save his job. Hlungwani was suspended in April 2019 with a full salary of over R1 million per annum until it was stopped in September 2024 while his disciplinary process was still ongoing. This prompted Hlungwani to seek relief at the Labour Court for reinstatement to his position, seeking the opportunity to return to work and receive his salary. Hlungwani’s reprisal started after he thwarted a R45 million deal aimed at getting a spying device known as a “grabber” which was intended to buy delegates and sway votes at the ANC’s national conference held in Nasrec in December 2017.…

In a gesture aimed at bolstering bilateral relations and enhancing cultural co-operation, the ambassador of China to South Africa Wu Peng, donated a significant batch of table tennis equipment yesterday. This initiative underscores China’s commitment to fostering sporting ties and cultural exchanges with the Republic of South Africa. The donation, comprising various table tennis gear, is facilitated by the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Table Tennis Association. The handover ceremony took place at the iconic Freedom Park Heritage Site in the City of Tshwane and was organised by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. The event drew notable figures including the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie; the president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), Barry Hendricks; KwaZulu-Natal MEC…

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned South Africans against purchasing Ozempic and other variations of Semaglutide from websites due to the rise in counterfeit products. Medications under the Semaglutide umbrella were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes and have not yet been registered in South Africa for weight management. The public demand for the drug has resulted in a shortage of the medication for South Africans living with type 2 diabetes. The global trend of using the diabetes drug Ozempic for weight loss has quickly seen it become one of the most sought-after drugs in the country. As celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Sharon Osbourne and Elon Musk have spoken publicly about their weight loss with Ozempic, people globally have been scrambling to get the…

I read an interesting opinion piece recently regarding the injustice against Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN). I was so moved by the topic that I decided to pursue it in the public domain. Pipe Dream or Reality was penned by Mr Jordan Erradu, a former LSEN school principal who has 37 years of experience and several degrees, including a Master’s in inclusive education. It’s a cri de cœur (passionate appeal) from a man who has spent a lifetime with the kids. For far too long, pupils in this category have been marginalised and negated by education authorities, stakeholders and broader society. Down’s syndrome, autism, ADHD and dyslexia make up the LESN sphere. The kids had no choice – they were born this way We cannot simply forget about them…

Two years after Rishabh Pant feared his cricket career was over in a serious car crash, the wicketkeeper has become the most expensive player in Indian Premier League history. The 27-year-old left-hander recovered from his injuries to make a stunning return to elite cricket and was part of the India team that won the T20 World Cup in June. On Sunday Lucknow Super Giants paid 270 million rupees (R57.8 million) at auction for his services in the upcoming season of the lucrative IPL. That broke the 2023 record of 247.5 million rupees Kolkata shelled out for Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Lucknow coach Justin Langer called Pant a “character that can lift a team”, the Times of India reported. Lucknow's mentor, veteran Indian bowler Zaheer Khan, said he had spotted…

SOUTH Africa Women are one-nil down in the three-match T20I series against England following their four-wicket defeat in the first match at Buffalo Park Stadium in East London on Sunday. This week, the series is moving up country to the highveld with the second and third matches scheduled to be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Wednesday before wrapping up at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday. Going into the last two games of the series, Proteas Women's all-rounder Nadine de Klerk stressed the importance of batting partnerships in winning matches in T20 cricket. In East London, South Africa's partnership was between De Klerk and Annerie Dercksen as the pair combined for a 42-run stand for the sixth wicket, a feat that De Klerk says was their downfall. On…