Table of contents for 2023-03-28 in Star

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has placed Habib Overseas Bank under curatorship to deal with governance and operational failures, while other banks in the “healthy and robust” local banking sector are unlikely to be impacted. Habib Overseas has five branches including Oriental Plaza, Laudium, Lenasia, Cape Town and Durban. The curator has closed the Bank for 72 hours or a longer period as the curator deems appropriate. Godongwana said the curatorship was not related to recent difficulties with banks in the US and Switzerland, and that Habib Overseas Bank was also not related to Habib Bank AG Zurich, which also operates in South Africa, but is a different bank and not under curatorship. The curatorship followed recommendations by the Prudential Authority (PA) of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB). In May last…

SOUTH Africa has been seeing anecdotal accounts of solar panel shortages, largely contained to residential and small commercial installations, according to the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia). The demand for alternative energy solutions in South Africa is surging amid a power crisis and as the country faces an 18.65% energy tariff increase primed to take effect from April 1, 2023. Sapvia CEO Dr Rethabile Mela- mu, in response to a Business Report enquiry on reported solar shortages in the country, said: “Large Commercial and industrial Engineering, Procurement and Construction procure panels in the multi-MW scale and would have predicted and planned for any increased demand. “However, no formal communication from either our panel original equipment manufacturer members or from our supplier and distributor members have been circulated.” She…

GEMFIELDS, supplier of coloured gemstones, said its latest auction delivered the third-highest price per carat that it had seen across its 21 auctions of commercial quality emeralds from Kagem, a sign that the market remains in good shape. At its emerald auction – comprising commercial-quality rough emeralds – held between March 6 to 24, revenue totalled $21.2 million (R384.65m). The group said 29 lots were offered for sale of which 25 were sold (86%). The average price was $7.13 per carat, and 95% of the carats offered were sold. “The 44 auctions of Kagem gemstones held since July, 2009 have generated $920m in total revenues,” it said. Gemfields managing director for product and sales, Adrian Banks, said: “Gemfields’s first auction of 2023 yielded a sound outcome. While it is…

Film-maker Sihle Hlophe has traded places and got in front of the camera to document her reservations about the transactional, patriarchal, and heteronormative elements concerning lobola. SABC1 recently announced the premiere of the new thought-provoking two-part documentary, Lobola, A Bride’s True Price?, aired last night and on April 3 at 9.30pm. The doccie follows the newly- engaged film-maker as she turns the camera on herself and shares her reservations about this traditional practice. In an effort to learn more about the practice before making her final decision, Hlophe attends the lobola ceremonies of three couples. Their cultures collide during the negotiations, making it abundantly clear that they have different understandings of what lobola is and how it should be conducted. According to a statement released by the…

The shortage of linens across Gauteng hospitals almost cost a breast cancer patient her life. After weeks of delays in securing a date for her operation, Theresa Schultz has been given a new lease on life after she received a life-changing call for her operation. Last month, the mother of two spoke to The Star and pleaded with Helen Joseph Hospital to expedite her operation following her chemotherapy in November last year. She said that she was on the verge of giving up and resigning her life to her fate when she was this week called by the hospital informing her that it had secured an operation date for her. “I am grateful to this newspaper for the help as I have just received a call from the hospital…

A COURAGEOUS little cancer fighter with a big heart has embarked on a “Little Lamb” project, with the aim of supplying children suffering from cancer with a soft, cuddly toy sheep to comfort them while in hospital. Zhara du Toit, 10, was diagnosed at the end of January with pleuro- pulmonary blastoma cancer – a rare but aggressive type of cancer around the membranes of the lungs. Doctors at first suspected she had pneumonia, but a large cyst was later detected. She underwent a major operation on January 23 to have the cyst removed. A biopsy was done and it was discovered two days later that she had cancer, her father, Johan du Toit said. She started chemotherapy on February 13. Zhara explained that her little lamb project was born…

With a medical procedure that takes just 90 minutes tops, Vivari Aesthetics, the newest health facility at the centre of cosmetic surgery at the Vivari Hotel, continues to pioneer new ways to service its patients. Dr Anushka Reddy, the founder of Medi-Sculpt and president of the SA Association of Cosmetic Doctors (SAACD), swears by the latest endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which is a newer type of weight loss treatment programme. Reddy said ESG reduces the size of one’s stomach without the need for surgery, as it is performed using a camera inserted through the mouth to the stomach (endoscopy). She said ESG was a newer type of minimally invasive weight-loss procedure in which a suturing device was inserted into a patient’s throat and down to the stomach. According to Reddy,…

The ANC says it is conducting internal consultations about the implications of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a close ally of Pretoria, who is scheduled to visit South Africa. Last week, Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Dr Naledi Pandor, divulged that Putin had been formally invited to attend the 15th BRICS summit scheduled for South Africa in August. However, the matter has become a headache for Pretoria after the ICC issued a warrant of arrest for the Russian leader. The ICC, which South Africa is a signatory to, has issued the warrant of arrest for Putin for allegedly committing war crimes in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. South Africa would be obliged to arrest Putin and hand him over if…

ON WEDNESDAY, the delusional EFF leader, Julius Malema, in referring to the failed shutdown, stated in Parliament: “I’ve got you by the scrotum. I’m in charge.” (He seems to have an obsession with his testicles). He actually believes he is running the country. A headline in a newspaper, “Malema assures Putin he has his back”, underlines the absurd belief. Malema’s rhetoric in the build-up to the shutdown was inflammatory, divisive and violent, bordering on insurrection and even treason. Yet the weak-kneed government did nothing to clamp down on the wannabe revolutionary. Instead, it spent R166 million on security, thus playing beautifully into the hands of the EFF. The EFF scored a victory in showing that the government is petrified of Malema. This does not bode well for the future where…

BAfana’S ability to deal with mind games, intimidation and physicality could be their undoing in Monrovia tonight. Coach Hugo Broos has done a fine job rebuilding the team, but the mental area seems to have been neglected. In September 2021, Bafana scored an upset 1-0 win over four-time African champions Ghana in a World Cup qualifier in Joburg. Bafana kept Ghana quiet and only allowed them three shots on goal. In contrast, Bafana had 15 shots on goal. Then, in November, when Ghana’s qualifying hopes were hanging by a thread, they bossed and bullied Bafana as they won 1-0 to knock Bafana out. As the match wound down, Bafana lost focus and would have sensed the frustration of Broos, who can be utterly dramatic. Now, in March 2023, nothing has…

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy admits the Premier League club have a fight on their hands as they scramble to save their season after Antonio Conte’s turbulent reign came to an end. The Italian’s departure appeared almost inevitable after his extraordinary post-match rant following a 3-3 league draw at bottom club Southampton earlier this month. But Sunday’s divorce by “mutual agreement”, with just 10 Premier League games remaining, is a gamble by the Spurs hierarchy, who are desperate to secure a place in the lucrative Uefa Champions League next season. Tottenham are fourth in the Premier League table but are just two points ahead of Newcastle having played two games more - finishing in the top four guarantees entry into Europe’s elite club competition. Cristian Stellini, Conte’s assistant at Spurs,…

Consumption expenditure predicted to shrink by more than half this year MOMENTUM Investments has warned that South African consumers could face a prolonged period of dwindling disposable cash, as sentiment remains weak across all income groups due to bleak economic conditions. In the Consumer Pulse report yesterday, Momentum also forecast that consumption expenditure would shrink by more than half this year on the back of weak job creation. This comes as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is expected to hike its benchmark lending rate by a further 25 basis points on Thursday to curb inflation, which rose from 6.9% to 7% in February. This would be the ninth consecutive rates hike since November, 2021, and would bring the repurchase rate up to 7.5% from 3.5% in November, 2021,…

THE ADvTECH Group grew the operations of all its private education brands in the year to December 31, and raised normalised earnings per share by 20% to 145.7c. Operating profit for the private education provider that has grown steadily over more than five years increased by 20% to R1.33bn. A full-year dividend of 60 cents per share was declared compared to 50c previously. A sound balance sheet and reduced borrowings meant the dividend was at the same cover ratio as the previous year. CEO Roy Douglas said in a telephone interview the performance had come from continued enrolment growth and operating profit enhancements, particularly in their other African markets. The rest of Africa tertiary division, in particular, continued to increase its presence and number of placements in 19 countries,…

THE MARKET yesterday gave Thungela’s annual results a thumbs down despite the company declaring a final cash dividend of R40 per share for its 2022 year and bumper earnings. The shares dropped by almost 11% in intraday trading yesterday hitting a low of R174.50, later closing 2.43% lower at R191.60. The shares have decreased by 37.5% in the past six months. In its 2022 annual results, the coal exporter declared a final cash dividend of R40 per share for its 2022 year, more than doubled from R18 in 2021, bringing its total dividend for the year to R100 per share. Headline earnings per share rose to R130.82 a share from R66.57 a share the prior year. Headline earnings in- creased by 143%, amounting to R17.5 billion for the…

Prince Andrew is reportedly planning to write his autobiography. The Duke of York is believed to be in talks with authors in America to follow his nephew Prince Harry in penning an explosive tell-all tome because he is keen to tell his side of the story when it comes to his friendship with late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, an association which led to him ultimately agreeing to a settlement with Virginia Giuffre after she claimed she was forced to have sex with the prince when she was just 17. A source told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: “Andrew was the original spare, and there’s plenty of material. Compared to Harry, he has a far greater depth of history to draw from. “Writing a book would give him the opportunity to fully…

As many as 417 courts across the country are rendered dysfunctional during load shedding WHEN the lights go out, 417 courts across the country are rendered dysfunctional. Only 139 courts are able to continue functioning during load shedding because they have alternative energy sources such as generators. Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola now wants Eskom to exempt the courts from load shedding as hundreds of courtrooms are rendered dysfunctional when there are power cuts. Lamola said he has made the request to Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. “I have written to the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as the Minister of Public Enterprises, requesting that Department of Justice and Constitutional Development service points be red-flagged…

Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane has called on Police Minister Bheki Cele to resign amid convicted fraudster, rapist, murderer and fugitive Thabo Bester’s walk-out of a Mangaung prison without being noticed. Currently, Bester’s whereabouts are unknown. It is reported that celebrity doctor, Nadipha Magudumana, was allegedly involved in aiding the convict to escape. The two are said to have vanished without a trace. Bester’s escape has attracted a lot of attention after the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed that the convict escaped after faking his death in May last year. Last year, the DSC reported that Bester had committed suicide by setting himself alight in his Cell 35 at Mangaung Correctional Centre, a public-private partnership facility operated by G4S. In 2012, Bester was sentenced to…

Bafana Bafana have seemingly turned what appeared to be one the easiest ways to qualify for an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament into an anxiety-filled mess. Bafana’s calamitous final 20 minutes against Liberia last week has thrown their chances of qualifying up in the air as they face an uphill battle in needing to secure their spot away in Monrovia. Coach Hugo Broos and his charges will need to rid themselves of the emotional turmoil of their previous encounter when the two sides reconvene again today (6pm kick-off). Bafana are still the favourites against a Liberian side ranked 150th in the world. Although guilty of not being able to finish the job, the likes of Themba Zwane, Percy Tau and Lyle Foster showed the difference in quality between the…

Former Kaizer Chiefs man Njabulo Blom, who now dons the colours of St Louis City in Major League Soccer (MLS), says he hopes his recent illness doesn’t hamper his chances of representing the South African national team in the future. The 23-year-old made a 13-minute appearance off the bench on Sunday as his side became the first expansion team to win their first five MLS games by beating Real Salt Lake. Prior to his latest appearance for the club, Blom had been called up to the Bafana squad to play Liberia twice in the Afcon qualifiers however he had to withdraw after catching Covid-19, a situation that frustrated coach Hugo Broos. Blom spoke to the St Louis Dispatch and revealed his disappointment and that he felt the most logical decision…

Indian cricket administrators and pundits hailed the Women's Premier League as a huge success yesterday after the inaugural tournament ended in fireworks with the Mumbai Indians winning the trophy in front of a huge crowd. Franchise and media rights for the women's version of the Indian Premier League sold for around $700-million (about R12.8-billion), making it the second-most lucrative domestic women's sports competition after US professional basketball. Mumbai beat the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in a thrilling final on Sunday to conclude the three-week Twenty20 extravaganza of the newest addition to women's cricket. England's Nat Sciver-Brunt hit the winning runs to trigger wild celebrations at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium, which was nearly full to its capacity of 20 000. "It was like a festival for women's cricket which the entire…

Brad Binder and Red Bull KTM will have learnt much from their RC16 machines after the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday. The 27-year-old started the MotoGP race in 15th position and in an almighty effort, battled his way to a respectable sixth, one position better than teammate Jack Miller. Suffering from a neck and shoulder injury, Binder managed to out-race Miller, who started fifth on the grid, and pushed as high as a possible fourth-place finish before Johann Zarco took advantage of that scrap to sneak into the position during the last two laps of the race. Binder might be building a reputation as ‘The Sunday Man’ but his qualifying pace remains a concern, and although he can be well pleased with his performance at the Algarve International Circuit,…

WOOLWORTHS Holdings Limited (WHL) has finally closed the chapter on its ill-fated Australian purchase of David Jones, placing the retailer on a stronger footing. The retailer informed its shareholders yesterday that it had successfully concluded the sale of shareholding in David Jones to an Australian equity fund, Anchorage Capital Partners, after years of underperforming. Woolworths bought David Jones in 2014 for about R21.4 billion, but the investment soured leaving it struggling with debt and a poor performance. Last year the group announced that it was looking to sell David Jones despite its performance having improved. Woolworths cut David Jones store space in order to improve cost controls and trading densities, as well as renegotiate leases. At the time, Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini said: “The strategic rationale at the time…

ASCENDIS Health’s headline loss per share improved 75% to -29.4 cents in the six months to December 31, a period that marked the first time since listing in 2013 that it has an unleveraged balance sheet. Further signs of being restored to financial health included the operating loss more than halving to R123 million, while net finance costs reduced by R354m. Revenue maintained at R777m. Gross profit fell 9% to R312m. Net asset value per share increased by 34% since June 30, 2022, following the disposal of Ascendis Pharma for R444m. During the period R101.5m was raised in an oversubscribed rights offer. The senior debt was fully repaid post-period end. “Ascendis and its subsidiaries have undergone fundamental change across the business and the team has worked to…

While John Wick: Chapter 4 more than delivers on the super-violent action that previous instalments have become well known for, there are moments when the action does feel too choreographed. In the latest entry of the successful action franchise, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Reeves is joined again by Laurence Fishburne’s character (Bowery King), as well as by action legend Donnie Yen as Caine, an ex-assassin and an old friend of Wick’s. Additionally, Ian McShane is back as Winston, owner of the Continental Hotel, while Lance Reddick returns as the concierge, Charon. Bill Skarsgård…

BUSINESSMAN George Barkhuizen, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife Odette in 2015, is a free man after the South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, overturned his murder and fraud convictions on appeal. Barkhuizen was convicted of murdering Odette when she drove out of the Oakdene business premises on June 11. She was shot in her car. The reason given by the prosecution for the murder was that Barkhuizen wanted to cash in on an R7.5 million insurance payout. He was convicted of fraud, illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. The fraud allegations were that he took out three separate life insurance policies worth R7.5m on behalf of Odette. The State alleged he forged her signature and paid the premiums. The…

South African Tourism spent more than R500 000 to travel to London in January to discuss the now-canned Tottenham Hotspur marketing deal. This was revealed by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Haseena Ismail. Ismail wrote to De Lille wanting to know about the costs and the number of board members who travelled. Ismail also enquired whether she and Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela were involved in every aspect and discussion with the board on the Hotspur deal. In her written response, De Lille said the travel costs for the four board members amounted to R523 274.97. “SA Tourism indicated that four members are the chairpersons of the sub-committees of the board, led by the chairperson.” De Lille said she was not part of any…

Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) has arrested a City of Ekurhuleni employee for driving a municipal tractor while under the influence of alcohol in the Tsakane area. “On Friday, at about 5.30pm, members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Tsakane precinct arrested a 53-year-old African male suspect for driving while under the influence,” said EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Kelebogile Thepa. “Members spotted a blue tractor moving suspiciously slowly. Officers instructed the driver to stop and be inspected. After a brief interview with the driver, the inspected vehicle was discovered to be a City of Ekurhuleni council-issued vehicle deployed in the Springs area. It was apparent the driver, who is an employee of the city, had a strong odour of alcohol,” said Thepa. The driver was taken to the Tsakane police station,…

A new Statistics SA survey has revealed South Africa’s population is increasingly ageing and the cohort of those aged 60 and older now makes up 5.6 million people, or 9.2% of the population. Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said this data, taken from the General Household Survey, was further confirmed by the increase in the ageing index, which measures the proportion of persons aged 60 and older to the population of children aged 15 and younger. The ageing index increased from 30 in 2017 to 33 in 2022, showing that the population is progressively ageing. The survey also found the older population was disproportionately female; older persons in all provinces are more likely to be female. Maluleke said the South African population structure was characterised by declining birth rates and improved overall…

More than 600 disabled people are waiting for wheelchairs at Gauteng hospitals, the DA said yesterday. The party said this was due to delayed wheelchair deliveries across the province’s health facilities. Gauteng DA spokesperson on health, Jack Bloom, said this was revealed to him by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature. Bloom said the biggest shortage was at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where 253 patients are on the waiting list for wheelchairs. Some of the reasons given include delays in ordering processes, delayed deliveries of wheelchairs by the supplier, insufficient storage for bulk wheelchairs, and a flooded storeroom. “Wheelchairs are due to arrive at this hospital by June 30. Meanwhile, they intend to improve the processing of orders…

Banyana Banyana defender Lebogang Ramalepe has found a new lease on life following her return to South Africa from Europe. The right-back recently put pen to paper with the all-conquering Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies side, arriving as a free agent following a terrible last few months in Belarus. The Limpopo-born 31-year-old enjoyed a successful run in the colours of Dinamo Minsk before contractual disagreements and a serious injury led to an unpleasant break-up between the two parties. Ramalepe spoke to the media during the Women's World Cup trophy tour event at Shapa Nike in Klipspruit, Soweto, last Wednesday and revealed details surrounding her exit from her last club and also expressed why she felt the Brazilians were the perfect fit for her as Banyana also steps up preparations for the World…