Table of contents for 2022-01-20 in Star

SOUTH African-American businessman Patrick Soon-Shiong opened a new vaccine plant in Cape Town yesterday, intended to help his local NantSA company make Covid-19 shots in future and address the continent’s lack of manufacturing capacity. “Africa should no longer be last in line to access vaccines against pandemics. Africa should no longer go cap in hand to the Western world, begging and begging for vaccines,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa, who attended the opening. Soon-Shiong, who is also a medical doctor, will transfer technology and materials for RNA, adjuvant vaccine platforms and cell therapy from his California-based NantWorks to scientists in South Africa, where they will also work on vaccines targeting cancer, TB and HIV. “We have the capability to use the human capital of South Africans to build 21st century medicine,”…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za THE SOUTH African Reserve Bank (SARB) could possibly hike interest rates by a whole percent this year in a bid to curb the runaway inflation that saw the cost of living in 2021 rising higher than it has since 2017. Inflation in South Africa accelerated to a near five-year high in December 2021, mainly pushed up by shockingly high fuel prices, as well as the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that the consumer price index rose further to 5.9 percent in December, from 5.5 percent in November. This was the steepest inflation rate since March 2017, pushing headline inflation uncomfortably close to the top end of the SARB’s inflation range of 3 to 6 percent…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za KAROOOOO, which owns 100 percent of Cartrack Holdings, will meet all its targets set out in its recent restructuring even though the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business had continued longer than expected, chief executive Zak Calisto said yesterday. Karooooo’s results for the third quarter to end-November 2021 showed total revenue up 22 percent to R720 million, following an increase of 37 percent to 164 385 net subscriber additions for the nine months to November 30. Cartrack is a leading global provider of an on-the-ground operations cloud that maximises the value of data by providing real-time data analytics and business intelligence reports. It assists businesses in digitally transforming on-the-ground operations, including systems integrations, fleet administration, field worker management, video-based safety,…

Dieketseng Maleke dieketseng.maleke@inl.co.za THE telecoms industry hopes that Telkom will withdraw its legal action against the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) in the national interest. This is according to Arthur Goldstuck, the managing director of World Wide Worx. This comes after Telkom took Icasa to court, to block the authority from processing the invitations to apply (ITAs) for the high-demand spectrum earmarked for auctioning in March. Icasa on January 4 confirmed it had been served with an urgent application filed in the High Court, Pretoria by Telkom. In a turn of events, MTN and Vodacom took Telkom to court over its attempt to block Icasa from processing the invitations. With MTN joining hands with Vodacom, this might support Icasa's case to go ahead with the auction. Goldstuck said: “I…

Kedibone Modise kedibone.modise@inl.co.za Reality TV star and dancer Zodwa Wabantu says she’s ready to embrace her spiritual calling. Taking to Instagram this week, she shared a photo of herself in a river, dressed in ancestral attire while holding two horns in her hands. The post got fans wondering whether Zodwa was undergoing a process of ukuthwasa (initiation), where someone who has the ubizo (calling) from their ancestors becomes an inyanga or a sangoma (healer). In a chat with IOL Entertainment, the Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored star confirmed she was embarking on a special spiritual journey, but pointed out that she was not a sangoma nor was she set to become one. “I have recently accepted a calling but this is a different kind of ubizo (calling). I’m not a sangoma.…

CHULUMANCO MAHAMBA RETIRED World Cup-winning Springbok Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira has given back to the children of South Africa by awarding more than R7 million in bursaries and scholarships. Performing its civil duty, The Beast Foundation, alongside its partners, this week awarded more than R7m worth of bursaries and scholarships to help level the playing field for learners. In collaboration with Inspired Education Group, the foundation awarded three high school scholarships to the prestigious Reddam House Helderfontein in Midrand and in collaboration with eta College, two tertiary education scholarships, one in Pretoria and the other in Bloemfontein. The foundation, in partnership with Henley Business School Africa, further announced on Tuesday that it would be awarding five semi-professional and professional athletes a scholarship to study at the business school. Beast Foundation founder…

Lehlohonolo Mashigo lehlohonolo.mashigo@inlco.za THE African Transformation Movement (ATM) says it is astounded by the appointment of Mondli Gungubele as the new spy boss. The party believes this deployment is an attempt by President Cyril Ramaphosa to avoid accounting for his failures at state security agencies. The party exemplified this failure through the absence of intelligence information of the burning down of a national key point, such as the Parliament. “The ATM views this move by Ramaphosa as a ploy to shield his incompetence and embarrassment for being unable to protect and defend the sovereignty of the country,” said the party. “It would appear that the factional crisis in the ANC is rearing its ugly head in the affairs of the state and putting the safety of all of us in…

Zaahier Adams zaahier.adams@inl.co.za First ODI, Boland Park South Africa 296/4 (Van der Dussen 129*, Bavuma 110; Bumrah 10-0-48-2, Ashwin 10-0-53-1) India 265/8 (Dhawan 79, Kohli 51, Thakur 50*; Phehlukwayo5-0-26-2, Shamsi 10-1-52-2, Ngidi 10-0-64-2) South Africa won by 31 runs, lead three-match series 1-0 TEMBA Bavuma had promised a new era in one-day cricket for the Proteas, but few could have expected it to go quite as well as it did in the first ODI against India at Boland Park in Paarl yesterday. All the chat before the series opener had been about the Proteas’ failure to win an ODI series since the resumption of play after the Covid-19 hard lockdown and India’s thumping series win in South Africa last time out. One game into the three-match series and it’s all…

Morgan Bolton morgan.bolton@inl.co.za When it was revealed that former Lions stalwart and skipper Elton Jantjies and young sensation Gianni Lombard were departing the union, supporters would have been forgiven if a tinge of trepidation and panic set in. After all, Jantjies was considered the backbone of this Lions side, while his understudy Lombard was to be the leading protagonist within the team in the not-so-distant future. It was a massive double blow for the team, its management and the fans. Subsequently, former Cheetahs man Fred Zeilinga was co-opted into the team on a trial basis to fill the gap at pivot last year, and although much was expected from the 28-year-old, his arrival at the Johannesburg-based team was not an auspicious one. And while it is true that Zeilinga failed…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za BLACK Friday deals in South Africa boosted retail activity to rise above market expectations in November 2021, buoyed by a rise in clothing and general dealers’ sales. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) showed that retail trade sales surged by 3.3 percent in November from a year earlier, up from an upwardly revised 1.9 percent rise in the previous month. This was the third consecutive month of growth in retail activity and the strongest since June, well ahead of the market’s forecast of a 2 percent increase. StatsSA said six of the seven major categories of sales recorded annual expansion in November. But retail activity was mainly boosted by sales of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods, which rose to 10.3 percent in…

Philippa Larkin philippa.larkin@inl.co.za Change was the only constant over the past two years as the world was rocked by Covid-19, according to Top 10 Global Consumer Trends 2022 by Euromonitor International released this week. The report depicts the attitudes that will sway purchase decisions this year and provides actionable business recommendations to boost profitability in 2022. “Radical lifestyle shifts motivated consumers to make intentional, mindful and ambitious decisions. Now the world is on the road to recovery. Consumers are putting their plans into motion, taking chances and seizing the moment,” the report noted. Traditional business models and logistics networks are being challenged and businesses need to evolve as quickly as consumer behaviour is changing. The report outlined the top 10 trends: 1. Back-up Planners Faced with challenges in securing…

Asian News Officially launching the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2022 slate, the first trailer for its new series Moon Knight was released on Tuesday, with the show set to premiere on March 30. Unlike previous Marvel series, which were based on existing characters from the company’s pre-2019 feature films, Moon Knight charts a brand-new path, with a totally new set of characters and a storyline that has no clear initial connection to the MCU. Starring Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector, an ex-soldier who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, the action-adventure series set against the backdrop of modern and ancient Egypt finds the spectral superhero’s multiple identities thrust into a deadly war of the gods. He becomes the conduit for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu, which only further exacerbates Marc’s anxiety over…

Kamogelo Moichela and Loyiso Sidimba EFF leader Julius Malema yesterday expressed his satisfaction with the employment patterns in three Mall of Africa restaurants he visited with party MPs Vuyani Pambo and Sinawo Tambo. The EFF’s three-man delegation met owners and management of three Joburg restaurants to inspect the employment of locals and foreign nationals in their establishments. Malema, Pambo and Tambo visited Mall of Africa in Midrand, where they were scheduled to meet the owners of Kream Restaurant, who initially refused to grant them an audience. After a bit of confusion between Kream owners and Malema outside the restaurant, the EFF leader warned that it was in their business interest and that of every business that operates at the mall that they meet and get to understand what constitutes their…

Dr Thabisi Hoeane | Pretoria OF COURSE Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga is correct – the matric pass rate is not 30%, as her critics have charged. They have confused the policy that pupils can attain 30% in some subjects and still pass with the erroneous view that the total average that pupil should attain is 30% for all subjects. But the issue of lowering standards still persists. What does “passing” mean? Does it not, at the very least, require that pupils should pass every subject they study? Why should they “pass” when they have failed some of their subjects with such a low percentage as 30? The current policy decision has many ramifications, no less for those of us in the higher education system. No wonder…

Jason Woosey and Willem van de Putte WITH the launch of the upgraded and now locally built Navara earlier this year, Nissan wants to reclaim the prime spot it once enjoyed on the bakkie sales charts with its earlier Hardbody models, while also rising to prominence in those sometimes fiery braai-side bakkie debates. We recently had the opportunity to test the new Navara PRO-2X double cab model alongside the Ford Ranger Stormtrak special edition and it made for an interesting comparison. And yes, we know that the Hilux should be here too, and that’s what we plan to do when the new Ranger hits the scene later next year. PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY While the imported pre-facelift Nissan Navara was fitted with a modern 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, Nissan South Africa…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail were all included in the ICC Women’s T20 International Team of the Year for 2021 that was named yesterday. The trio were rewarded for impressive performances during the year despite the limited opportunities on offer for the women’s team during the pandemic. Wolvaardt has become a leading star of the sport since the 50-over World Cup in 2017. She has transitioned from that format to become one of the top middle order players in the shortest format. In their citation of her performances, the ICC said the 22-year-old “gave South Africa much-needed acceleration in the middle-overs, scoring her runs at a mind-boggling strike-rate of 161”. Her unbeaten 53 in the second match against India in Lucknow in March last year…

Naomi Osaka played the role of smiling assassin and top seed Ashleigh Barty was ruthlessly efficient at the Australian Open yesterday as they moved closer to a potential fourth-round showdown. The impressive Barty, chasing a first title at her home Grand Slam, barely broke sweat in her second-round match, breezing past Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-1 in just 52 minutes in the heat of Rod Laver Arena. Not to be outdone, defending champion Osaka rushed through the first set 6-0 against Madison Brengle but then had a couple of dicey moments in the second set before polishing it off 6-4 and greeting the beaten American with a smile at the net. Rivals Barty and Osaka, who share six major titles between them, are now one victory away from a…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za CAPITEC Bank Holdings’ share price slipped by up to 3.4 percent yesterday after it announced a R1 billion employee share scheme, the price of which could shave more than 10 percent off its next diluted headline earnings figure. The parent of South Africa’s biggest bank in terms of customer numbers plans to issue shares worth R1bn to 10 000 of its employees to improve its B-BBEE ownership status, the bank said in a statement. However, the market did not appear to react favourably. Capitec’s share price traded lower at R2 030.86 early yesterday afternoon – its market capitalisation of R243.16bn makes it the second biggest of the major South African banks in terms of market capitalisation. The share price later in the…

Rob Gwerengwe THERE are clear signs that the cost of living for South Africans will keep rising in 2022. This is because there could be a rise in interest rates, electricity prices, and certain food groups that are affected by changes in the market. Consumers have received various concessions over the previous two years to assist them in managing the financial burden of the pandemic. Banks extended financial assistance, and the SA Reserve Bank cut interest rates to record lows, while the government launched financial assistance programmes such as the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme to mitigate the pandemic's impact. Despite these efforts, some households continue to face financial distress, and the rising cost of living will exacerbate the situation for many. As a result, consumers must plan ahead for some…

Oluthando Keteyi Award-winning daily TV drama Scandal! has been a firm fixture in South African homes for close to two decades. Over the years, the drama has collected numerous accolades and on Tuesday, the 4 000th episode was flighted on e.tv, adding another milestone for eMedia’s local production. The show premiered on January 10, 2005, and has stood the test of time. Scandal! is one of the most-watched dramas in South Africa, averaging five million viewers per night. The dedicated writers, producers, directors, cast and crew have all contributed to the success of thought-provoking stories that have made Scandal! a household show. The soapie’s strength lies in their consistent ability to challenge conventions, unearth talent and tell compelling stories. “Ochre, the production company, is super proud of the team of…

Sonri Naidoo POLICE are investigating cases of murder after five bodies were discovered with gunshot wounds next to Golden Highway in Eldorado Park yesterday. Police spokesperson Dimakatso Sello said the circumstances surrounding the incident were unknown at this stage. “Police request anyone who may have information that can assist with investigation to contact their nearest police station or the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111, alternatively anonymous tip-offs can be left on MySapsApp. All information received will be treated as strictly confidential,” Sello said. Community members who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Star that the five found dead could be victims of revenge after six City of Joburg security guards were killed at the Goudkoppies landfill last Tuesday. Gunmen entered the Pikitup landfill site and started shooting,…

Baldwin Ndaba baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za THE ANC and other opposition parties in the City of Joburg appear likely to go to court to challenge Speaker Vasco da Gama’s insistence that the upcoming elections for Section 79 committee chairs will be held through a show of hands. However, a decision to go to court may be decided in a meeting of these opposition parties at the weekend. All will depend on whether the parties believe it is feasible for them to approach the court jointly as opposition parties in council. Yesterday, Mpho Moerane, the ANC caucus leader in the City of Joburg, did not rule out court action but said they were planning to hold a meeting with the EFF and other minority parties such as the African Independent Congress (AIC), the UDM,…

Jason Woosey jason.woosey@inl.co.za IT’S already common knowledge that the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok will be based on the new Ford Ranger and built in the latter’s factory right here in South Africa. But now VWSA has confirmed that the new double cab’s global debut will also take place here. “This year will be a monumental year for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which will see the launch of the best-selling new Caddy range as well as the new Amarok. The Amarok’s world premiere and global media launch will both take place in South Africa later this year,” VWSA confirmed in a statement. The Volkswagen Amarok is one of many new products that the German carmaker plans to launch in South Africa this year. These include the facelifted Polo (due next month), the updated…

MIHLALI BALEKA @Mihlalibaleka Bafana Bafana’s failure to qualify for the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations hasn’t deterred South Africans from coming together to find a common favourite and enemy in the continental showpiece in Cameroon. On Tuesday night, social media platforms were buzzing as local football fanatics backed Comoros against Ghana. This was an ambitious pursuit, given the fact that Ghana are a powerhouse, while the islanders are minnows. But to the surprise of the football fraternity, Comoros, the Afcon debutants and 132nd-ranked nation in the world, won 3-2 to knock the four-time African champions out of the tournament. It was an utter disgrace from the Black Stars, who finished bottom of the group with one point, while it was justice for some of Bafana’s fans who felt they were…

IVORY Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle yesterday railed against the state of the pitch in Douala where his team must face Algeria in a decisive final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations group match. Beaumelle was speaking about the farcical error in injury time by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare that gifted Sierra Leone a 2-2 draw in Sunday’s meeting of the sides in Cameroon’s economic capital and prevented the Elephants from securing a last-16 berth. “I think this part of the pitch is a disaster. Everybody knows,” said Beaumelle. “The pitch is decent. “I didn’t say it is fantastic, it is decent, but day after day, game after game, of course when you use a pitch it is quite difficult to maintain in a good condition.” His comments come amid…