Table of contents for 2024-12-23 in Star

Reality TV star and businesswoman, Christall Kay, pictured, is making waves in the beauty industry with the launch of her debut luxury perfume, Falling by Christall Kay. This new venture marks Kay’s entrance into the world of high-end fragrance, showcasing her flair for both business and creativity. The perfume features exquisite jasmine notes sourced from esteemed perfumeries in France. Kay’s vision for ‘Falling’ transcends mere fragrance. The Real Housewives of Joburg star said: “Falling represents the many facets of love – falling into it, falling out of it, and the fear and beauty that come with these experiences. “It is a deeply personal project that I’ve always dreamed of creating. The fragrance is fresh yet dramatic, a reflection of life’s most heartfelt emotions.” The name Falling carries significance beyond the…

The Public Servants Association (PSA), representing over 245 000 government employees, is steadfast in its mission to protect the rights and interests of its members while upholding the human rights of all South African citizens. On August 14, the PSA called upon the Department of Social Development (DSD) to urgently address technical issues affecting the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC). This vital service provides immediate and essential support to victims of gender-based violence and femicide. The PSA is pleased to announce that the GBVCC is now fully operational. Through its branch executive, the PSA engaged extensively with GBVCC management on July 2 and with the DSD on July 24 to stress the urgency of resolving the technical problems. The PSA also highlighted challenges faced by social workers within the GBVCC…

To demonstrate deceit, one often hears a phrase shrouded in polite diplomatic language but with a sting: “The honourable gentleman occasionally speaks with a forked tongue.” This certainly applies to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is reported to have called on countries with interests in Syria, following the hasty retreat of Bashar Al-Assad, to “try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts”. If one decodes his warning, the subtext of it contains a threat to the region’s population. Don’t try to emulate Syria by reviving the Arab Spring to depose your tyrants! Blinken has proven himself in words (forked tongue) and action to be a faithful agent of the imperial establishment and a committed Zionist. Born to Jewish parents in New York, he has not…

A new development in Carmel Park informal settlement in Ekangala will provide service stands to the local community, paving the way for low-cost housing, educational facilities and a clinic. Tshwane’s MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, announced that the municipality has partnered with the Gauteng provincial government to construct top structures for low-cost housing for informal settlement dwellers. He emphasised the project’s significance, stating that it is a lifeline for community members who have long been waiting for public housing. “This development is a lifeline for community members who have long been on the waiting list for public housing and are eager for opportunities to build a better future,” he said. However, Maluleka expressed concern about recent spikes in land invasions in the Ekangala area, which hinder community…

For the base: 200 g Tennis biscuits, crushed 80 g desiccated coconut, toasted 125 g salted butter, melted For the filling: 2 x 250 g tubs cream cheese 1 can condensed milk 2 free-range egg yolks 1/3 cup + 5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 Tablespoon lemon zest For the strawberry daquiri jelly topping: 125 g strawberries, sliced into rings 1 x 80 g packet strawberry jelly ½ cup hot water ½ cup strawberry daiquiri drink concentrate Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly grease a 20 cm springform cake tin with cooking spray and line with baking paper. To make the base, mix the biscuits with the coconut and butter. Tip into the prepared tin and press the mixture down to form the base and sides. To make the filling,…

There were some truly great sporting moments for South Africa this past year, and while there was much to celebrate, including the robust health of our political system and democracy, sport continues to remain a powerful national building tool. It is easy to point to the Springboks as leading the charge of SA’s cause on the field this past year. After all, they won 11 of their 13 matches, claimed the Rugby Championship and finished the year as the No 1 ranked team in the world. Their brand enjoys international recognition, and they continue to transform into a team for all South Africans. The Proteas men, Proteas women and Bafana Bafana also improved their standing with the nation – the cricket teams reaching finals in major ICC tournaments, while Bafana…

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday vowed to bring more “destruction” to Ukraine in retaliation for a drone attack on the central Russian city of Kazan a day earlier. Russia accused Ukraine of a “massive” drone attack that hit a luxury apartment block in the city, some 1 000km from the frontier. Videos footage showed drones hitting a high-rise glass building and setting off fireballs, although there were no reported casualties. The strike on Kazan was the latest in a series of escalating aerial attacks in the nearly three-year conflict. | AFP…

London: Christmas travellers in the UK faced festive misery yesterday as high winds forced London’s Heathrow Airport to cancel 100 flights. About 650 flights a day depart from Heathrow, according to the airport’s website. The UK’s Met Office said yellow warnings for wind were in place, Sunday, with gusts of up to 125km/h forecast. P&O Ferries also said that journeys between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in southern Scotland had been cancelled, while rail operator ScotRail said it had imposed speed restrictions on some Scottish services. | AFP…

Teenage opener Sam Konstas says he is ready and equiped to take on India’s feared pace attack in the Boxing Day Test after being called up to Australia’s squad for the first time. The 19-year-old is poised to open alongside veteran Usman Khawaja – twice his age at 38 – at a sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground after Nathan McSweeney was axed after just three Tests. “I’m very excited,” he told Fox Sports, after being dismissed for a three-ball duck playing for Sydney Thunder in the T20 Big Bash League on Saturday. “I want to be challenged and I’ve got a few plans against India’s bowlers. I feel like I’m moving really nicely so hopefully I get that opportunity.” Australia's top order have been terrorised by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah over…

Jay-Z and Rihanna’s relationship dates back to the early days of her career, which began when the Barbadian star was just 16 years old. Standing in front of industry heavyweights like Jay-Z and Antonio “L.A.” Reid at such a young age would intimidate anyone. In the light of recent allegations against both Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs, a joke Jay-Z once made to Rihanna has taken on a much darker tone. The video, taken from an interview on The Tyra Banks Show, shows a young Rihanna nervously recounting her audition for the label. She recalled performing her breakout hit Pon de Replay, which immediately grabbed the interest of the music executives. But what stood out was a comment Jay-Z made during the meeting. “There are two ways to leave here:…

Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau has postponed his decision on the awarding of the fourth National Lotteries license pending the consideration of matters Tau said required further evaluation. The running of a lottery is a complex undertaking upon which many vulnerable people and important organisations depend, Tau said. Tau added that he must ensure that the owners and managers of the successful applicants are, as the National Lotteries Act states, “fit and proper persons” and that no political party or political office-bearer has any direct financial interest in the applicant or a shareholder of the applicant. “I must choose an applicant that has demonstrated the necessary commitment to the social responsibility programme and to the advancement of those disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. ‘‘For this reason, some of the…

TLU SA has noted that all members of the Government of National Unity appear to have agreed on Friday, 20 December 2024, that the BELA Act will be fully implemented. This announcement marks a watershed moment for minority groups. While the timeframe for implementation will be determined by the Minister of Basic Education and norms, standards and regulations for application are yet to be finalised, the reality is that the ANC will act unilaterally despite previous agreements. TLU SA is deeply concerned about the broader implications of this legislation, particularly the unacceptable state interference in the foundation of children’s education. Parents from Christian households make a baptismal promise to educate their children in the fear of the Lord and to ensure they are taught accordingly. The state is in effect…

Some Gauteng residents have been living in fear after using what they thought were counterfeit condoms sold at spaza shops dotted across the province. An investigation by IOL has been under way to verify the authenticity of Trust condoms, specifically the “studded” variety with sky-blue packaging. In Sunnyside, residents expressed concerns about differences in the packaging, sparking panic and the compromised quality of the condoms. One of them, Desmond Mpofu, shared his experiences after noticing discrepancies in the packaging of the condoms bought at a spaza shop along Reitz Street in Sunnyside. Mpofu, a father of four, used one of the potentially counterfeit condoms and immediately went to get an HIV test due to concerns about the condom’s authenticity. He observed a discrepancy in the labelling on the packaging of…

Multi-award-winning director and producer Tebogo Malope, renowned for his trailblazing contributions to film, television, documentaries, and music videos, is preparing to premiere his debut independent film, aptly titled Spirit. This highly anticipated project is inspired by the powerful themes explored in the music video for the song Spirit by South African rapper Kwesta featuring Wale, a video that Malope himself directed. Building on the groundwork of identity, resilience, and freedom laid in the original music video, Spirit aims to provide audiences with a deeper, more immersive experience. While the music video famously showcased the artistic synergy between Kwesta and Wale, Malope’s film seeks to delve into the complex narratives of self-discovery and the universal human condition. In a recent statement, he revealed his vision for the film, highlighting the journey…

A recent ruling by the Johannesburg High Court has put the definition and control of the “family house” under African customary law under the spotlight. The ruling touches on sensitive issues of cultural heritage, statutory laws of property, and South Africa’s history of racial discrimination. It highlights the tension between customary norms, which underlie the idea of a communal family house, and the common law, which restricts ownership to the individual whose name appears in a title deed. The notion of a family house is not provided for in South African law. And prior to this ruling, it was unclear how control in this type of property should be exercised by extended family members. The ruling concerns a property in Soweto. In 2016, Sylvia Dhlamini obtained an eviction order against…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government pledged yesterday to investigate whether security services could have prevented the Christmas market car-ramming attack that killed five people and injured over 200. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the heads of the domestic and foreign intelligence services will face questioning by two parliamentary committees on December 30, after opposition parties had demanded quick answers. The Saudi man arrested at the scene of the attack, 50-year-old psychiatrist Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, had made online threats to kill German citizens and had a history of court appearances and quarrels with state authorities. News magazine Der Spiegel, citing unnamed security sources, said the Saudi secret service had warned Germany’s spy agency BND a year ago about a tweet in which Abdulmohsen threatened Germany would pay a “price” for how it…

Sao Paulo: At least nine people died when a small plane crashed yesterday morning in Gramado, in southern Brazil, authorities said, slamming into a commercial area of the tourist city. The aircraft crashed into the chimney of a building, struck the second floor of a house and then fell on a furniture store, the Rio Grande do Sul state security secretariat said in a statement. An inn was also damaged, it said. Authorities have not yet confirmed how many passengers and crew were traveling on the plane, but earlier said they thought it was carrying 10 people. | AFP…

As Mozambique awaits the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the disputed election results, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has vowed to bring “chaos” to the southern African country should the court uphold the result that put him second with 20 percent. The court’s decision is expected today. The opposition leader, 50, known simply by his first name, claims to have won the October presidential vote, rejecting as rigged the election commission announcement that the Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo came out on top with 71 percent. Already at least 130 people have been killed in two months of violence, most of them opposition demonstrators shot by security forces, according to local NGOs. Cities, mines, borders and ports have been affected by protest action. An engaging and forthright speaker, Mondlane’s searing criticism of the…

The controversial articles 4 and 5 of the Bela Act cannot be implemented until the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, establishes a timeline and develops the necessary norms, standards, and regulations. Practically, this means that these articles cannot take effect immediately. This meets an important part of the demands of the Solidarity Movement, including Solidarity, AfriForum and the Solidarity School Support Centre (SOS). This announcement aligns with Solidarity’s agreement with the government at Nedlac. This agreement stipulates, among other things, that the controversial articles cannot be implemented until norms and standards have been developed. According to this agreement, norms and standards must determine that Afrikaans schools that are full cannot be forced to change their language policy, while the language needs of the surrounding community rather than the education…

SOME municipal officials in Tshwane are allegedly involved in a scam in which they are asking unsuspecting residents for “Christmas presents” in the form of bribes or gifts in exchange for services. MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, warned residents against falling victim to “Christmas present” requests from municipal officials. “I am deeply disturbed by reports of municipal officials and contractors of the City of Tshwane demanding “Christmas presents” from residents while they render services. This behaviour is completely uncalled for and undermines the City’s values,” she said. Residents were encouraged to report such demands to the City’s Anti-fraud Hotline on 080 874 9263 or to their represented councillors. Morodi said: “It is imperative to understand that officials working during the festive season are regarded as essential services…

On October 25, Regent Business School celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was not only a time for celebration, but also for some serious reflection on our journey as a purveyor of business education. We realised that the core curriculum of business schools is increasingly being scrutinised for its relevance and effectiveness in preparing students for a rapidly changing global landscape characterised by political volatility, major disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the digital age, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) challenges of sustainability, the widening gap between industry and business education, Covid-19, corruption, unethical behaviour, need for new skills and competencies, unemployment, increasing economic disparity and persistent poverty. In the context of the above, an overhaul of business school curricula is essential to equip our students with the critical…

ANKARA: Four people were killed in southwest Türkiye yesterday when an ambulance helicopter collided with a hospital building and crashed into the ground. The helicopter was taking off from the Mugla Training and Research Hospital, carrying two pilots, a doctor and another medical worker, the health ministry said. Mugla’s regional governor, Idris Akbiyik, said the helicopter first hit the fourth floor of the hospital building before crashing into the ground. No one inside the building or on the ground was hurt. The cause of the accident, which took place during heavy fog, was being investigated. | Reuters…

WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage, which allows ships to cross between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. In a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump also warned that he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands”, and he seemed to warn of potential Chinese influence on the passage. A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson Holdings manages two ports on the Caribbean and Pacific entrances to the canal. | Reuters…

This year has encapsulated the dual journeys of the Proteas cricket teams – a tale of resilience in the Test format juxtaposed against the heartache of near glory in limited-overs cricket. As fans continue to rally behind their side, Zaahier Adams cannot help but wonder if the elusive trophy awaits just around the corner. AT TEST LEVEL If there is a fairytale story of the year it’s the Proteas’ Test side. Having started the year under the most problematic circumstances with Shukri Conrad forced to take an extremely under-strength team to New Zealand, to being top of the ICC World Test Championship log and just one victory away from qualifying for the final at Lord’s next year, is utterly remarkable. Conrad was faced with the unthinkable when the New Zealand…