Indice dei contenuti per 2022-09-29 in Star

SOUTH Africa cannot count on future economic growth to solve the country’s unskilled and semi-skilled unemployment problem as it predicts the unemployment rate could reach 40% by 2030, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) South Africa’s Africa Economic Outlook report for 2022, released yesterday. This downside economic scenario by PwC is alarming given that, in South Africa, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. South Africa’s unemployment rate was at 33.9% in quarter two of 2022. PwC notes: “This exclusion of millions of adults from partaking in the country’s economic life is contributing to the decline in social cohesion. This, in turn, is causing an increase in societal breakdown and stability risks associated with protests and unrest.” South Africa’s…

JSE All Share Index falls to its lowest since 2021 over perceived uncertainty LOCAL stocks plunged to the lowest in more than one year yesterday as another wave of volatility fuelled a risk sell-off sentiment in the markets on the back of a looming recession in Europe. This as the Bank of England was forced to step in with a £60 billion (R1.16 trillion) buy-up of UK government debt to prevent “material risk” to UK financial stability and stop a potential mass collapse of pension funds. The JSE All Share Index fell by more than 2% during early trade yesterday to 62 294 index points, its lowest since January 2021, and down from a previous close of 64 025 points on Tuesday. It later closed at…

BARLOWORLD’S share price leaped 5.13% to R94.20 by the JSE close yesterday after a voluntary trading update indicated double-digit revenue and operating profit increases in the 11 months to August 31. “This achievement is driven by a robust performance from the Equipment businesses, together with the good growth of Ingrain during the period,” the group said in a statement. In Russia operations, revenue and operating profit was 6.3% ahead in dollar terms and the operating margin of 11.4% was steady compared with last year. But the firm order book for Russia at August 31 reduced substantially to $30 million (R540m) compared to $94m at March 31, 2022, due to the impact of sanctions implemented by various countries. In addition, during the second half of the financial year, the business…

History Channel’s reality show, Alone: Polar Bear Island is the ultimate test of human will as contestants endure total isolation among predators looking for a meal. Season nine of the self-documented series follows 10 participants who are dropped into a remote valley in the wilderness of Labrador, Canada, where they are only allowed to carry 10 items that will help them with their 50-day stay in polar bear territory – in the hopes of outlasting everyone else to claim the $500 000 prize. Contestant Dr Teimojin Tan, who took along a sleeping bag, axe, multitool, ferro rod, pot, bow and arrows, paracord, trapping wire, fishing line and hooks, and emergency rations, described his experience on the show as life-changing. Tan was asked to join the show because of his insight…

AFTER voting in favour of the decision to divorce the ANC and urge the SACP to contest the 2024 national elections directly, Cosatu members made a U-turn yesterday and gave the governing party another chance after the secretaries general of the affiliates reached a last-minute comprise deal. The Star has been reliably informed that the deal was struck following concerns it might tear Cosatu apart, after some unions threatened to break away from the labour federation. The threat allegedly forced the union leaders who supported the earlier motion to dump the ANC over salary disputes to grudgingly agree to a reprieve. In a dramatic development at the 14th Cosatu congress in Midrand yesterday, the federation’s leaders gave the governing party’s top leadership another lifeline to resolve the protracted wage dispute…

The Parliamentary portfolio committee on transport has recommended the Department of Transport submit a report within 30 days on the reasons for the rise in aviation accidents. The committee spoke of an alleged inspection by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) suspected to have happened in August. DA MP Christian Hunsinger said “a little bird” had alerted him that an inspection took place last month, and a report was generated following the inspection. He said the report had mentioned significant security concerns in its findings. “Apparently this report is in the hands of four people, which includes the minister and deputy minister of transport. This report has not been shared with staff, authorities or the public, however, we need to establish whether such an inspection took place and if there…

I think there are two mistakes that bring misfortune to Thabo Mbeki. The first one is that as the successor to the great Nelson Mandela, Mbeki refused to be in the shadow of Mandela, but strived to be his own person. And the second is he did something unheard of in South Africa by leaders – he apologised on behalf of the government, on the Eskom issue. Based on these otherwise honourable acts, all the criticism that could not be directed at Mandela was bestowed on him, and all the undealt issues in the democratic project by contrasting and unreconciling black and white people were placed on him. After all, in any society, there must be scapegoats and also those who are adored. Such attitudes are not difficult to comprehend,…

It IS likely that the kidnapping, extortion, robbery with aggravating circumstances and sexual assault cases against two men will be joined and heard as one with other similar matters they were charged with. This emerged on Tuesday in the Pine- town Magistrate’s Court, where Ntuthuko Mbhense and his co- accused Sboniso Myeza appeared. They are alleged to have committed the offence in 2020 in Mariannhill, near Durban, where it was alleged the victim had responded to an advert on Facebook for a nanny job. She was allegedly fetched in a car by three men, including Mbhense, under the pretext they were taking her for an interview for the job. It’s alleged that the woman was tied up and bound and held for a ransom demanded from her family. The victim…

THE fifth-generation Kia Sportage has no intention of being run-of-the-mill. South Africa is getting the European version, produced in Slovakia. The Euro variant is shorter and sharper looking than the version sold in most global markets, although it is 30mm longer than the outgoing model. Kia South Africa has made the 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine standard across the board producing 132kW and 265Nm, and power to the front wheels only through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The SUV’s cabin has been catapulted straight into the modern age, with its dashboard dominated by a curved dual-screen display that brings together a 12.3 inch central infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. It is offered in five variants, three of which are GT-Line models, and pricing ranges from R539 995 to R734 995. The Sportage…

DILLAN Solomons is unhappy with Kaizer Chiefs’ fall from grace in recent years, stating that he wants to be part of the team that'll end their trophy drought. Chiefs are one of the biggest brands in South African football, thanks to a trophy-laden cabinet and being the most followed club in the country. But they haven’t been at their best in recent years, enduring a seven-year trophy drought. The club has made several changes in technical and playing personnel as the result. Amakhosi appointed club legend Arthur Zwane as the new coach, while they’ve cut out the “deadwood”, signing young blood to rediscover ‘Chiefs' way’. Those new faces include Solomons (22) who was signed from Swallows FC at the end of last season after helping the Birds to avoid relegation.…

WELL, what did you expect? Wholesale changes? That would seem to have been deemed completely unnecessary by Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen after he revealed his match-day 23 for the Joburgers’ clash against Cardiff Rugby tomorrow night in United Rugby Championship (URC). And who can blame him? Indeed, confidence in one’s team is a wonderful thing; and having momentum to build on that positive vibe even more so. Van Rooyen will no doubt have been pleased by his team’s performance against the Ospreys this past weekend, regardless of how narrow the 28-27 triumph was; and it showed in his selections on Wednesday. That means that the biggest question – that of the half-back pairing – has been emphatically answered for this weekend’s clash, with Sanele Nohamba (who was…

ANGLO American Platinum (Amplats) employees are in the money seat after the mining firm yesterday announced a R1.8 billion new employee share ownership plan (Esop), which will see each qualifying employee receiving shares in the firm worth R8 000 a year. The plan will be implemented during the fourth quarter of this year. This is Amplats’s third Esop and will replace the second Esop, which expires this month when the final 2020 allocation vests. The mining firm, with a market capitalisation of R312bn, will also see employees participating in the evergreen ownership of 2% of Rustenburg Platinum Mines (RPM), the operating subsidiary of Amplats. The purchase of these shares would be fully funded by the company, and qualifying employees would be entitled to receive dividends as and when…

TRUWORTHS International is beefing up its management team at a time the team at the South African fashion retailer needs to spice up its growth trajectory. It said yesterday that it had appointed Sarah Proudfoot and Emanuel (Mannie) Cristaudo as the group’s joint deputy chief executives with effect from October 1. The share price slid 1.09% to R52.65 at the close of the JSE yesterday. The share is down 30.09% over three years. In September 2020, shareholders were advised that Michael Mark planned to retire at the November 2022 AGM. A group-wide senior executive succession plan was implemented to ensure a smooth transition in a number of senior management positions, including that of chief executive. Shareholders were also advised that after the successful implementation of the succession plan, it was…

THE SABC has responded to veteran actor Vusi Thanda’s public appeal for financial assistance in a viral video that caused a social media uproar last week. In a statement sent to IOL Entertainment, the SABC’s group executive: corporate affairs and marketing, Gugu Ntuli, said Thanda wasn’t owed any compensation by the broadcaster. “The SABC can confirm that our records show that we are up to date with submitted payments for repeat fees in regard to Mr Vusi Thanda. It must be noted that Emzini Wezinsizwa was last broadcast on SABC1 two years ago, and any claims for the last repeat for Mr Thanda have been settled.” Ntuli said the “SABC empathises with the plight of Mr Thanda” and encouraged him to contact the public broadcaster directly for any outstanding fees…

SHE might still be in a lot of pain, but Pamela Billings-Adams said she was grateful to The Star for intervening following her life-altering botched hysterectomy medical procedure done at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in June. Following this surgery, Billings-Adams said she experienced a great deal of shame and embarrassment after the procedure left her with a weak bladder, which had made her life at home and at work a nightmare for three months. “I had to keep a pack of adult diapers which I could not afford and had to downgrade to children’s diapers to wear around my private area to make sure I did not mess myself as my bladder had been badly affected by the surgery,” she said. At the weekend following The Star’s exposé, officials at…

Controversial former advocate Malesela Teffo’s days are filled with litigation. Not only did he appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of assault and trespassing, but he is also fighting his disbarment. The Legal Practice Council, which succeeded in its bid to have Teffo struck from the roll of advocates earlier this month, confirmed that he had filed a notice to have the judgment by two judges of the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, rescinded. Kabelo Letebele, a spokesperson for the legal sector watchdog, could not provide more details on Teffo’s reasons for choosing this course of action. Legal expert and former chairperson of the Pretoria Society for Advocates, advocate Francois Botes, told Independent Media that in his opinion this was the wrong move. “He must appeal the…

THE standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) has denied a request by Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Dr Blade Nzimande to keep confidential a forensic report on the National Skills Fund. Nzimande wrote a letter to Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa, who then met with his committee yesterday morning and denied the request. In the letter titled “Request to treat and declare the National Skills Fund forensic report submitted to the committee as confidential in terms of rule 189 of the rules of the National Assembly”, Nzimande wrote that the people named in the report had not yet been informed that they were implicated. According to him, if it were released publicly it would “violate those people’s rights”. He said: “As requested in our last meeting that the report should…

Ingredients: Meatballs: 1 small onion, diced 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground allspice 2 tsp ground cumin 500g lamb or beef mince Salt and milled pepper Glug olive oil, for frying Sauce: 1 tub (250ml) sour cream 1 cup lamb or beef stock 1 packet (500g) tagliatelle, cooked (use wholewheat if you prefer) ½ a sliced red onion and a handful chopped dill, for serving Method: Mix the meatball ingredients together and season. Roll the mixture into small balls. Heat the oil and fry meatballs on each side until cooked through. Add the sour cream and stock. Cover and simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Serve on a bed of pasta and top with onions and fresh dill. |…

FOR a manufacturer that essentially broke the mould when it introduced the first Nissan Qashqai 16 years ago, the brand has done well to keep it fresh over the years. Now with the third generation, it continues to do so. Thanks to Covid-19, chip shortages and shipping challenges, the new model has arrived here two years after being introduced in Europe, but the wait has been worth it. It’s a completely new design with three trim levels and one engine across the range with no diesel option thanks largely to European legislation. There’s the entry-level 1.3T Visia, mid-specced 1.3T Acenta and range-topping Acenta Plus which we drove on launch. The Acenta and Acenta Plus are powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 110kW and 250Nm driving the front wheels via…

ORLANDO Pirates midfielder Fortune Makaringe was singing from the same hymn book as that of his coach Jose Riveiro as he looked ahead to Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final, first leg clash with Mamelodi Sundowns. The Buccaneers duo were in agreement that history will have no impact on the outcome of the Orlando Stadium clash, billed by some as the final before the final. After his coach had told the media gathered at the Premier Soccer League offices that “the last two seasons won’t be playing on Saturday”, Makaringe reiterated the sentiment. “It’s a good thing that coach Jose was not there (when Sundowns dominated Pirates). That’s why we don’t dwell much on what happened in the past. We’d rather look to the future. “In as much as I was there when…

ENGLAND’S aggressive approach to Test cricket under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum has paid rich dividends at home and batsman Joe Root is keen to see how it fares abroad in different conditions. Casting aside caution and taking the game to the bowlers in an approach that has been dubbed “Bazbal”, England have chased down intimidating targets with fearless batting to win six of their last seven Tests, all on home soil. They next visit Pakistan for a three-Test series in December followed by two Tests in New Zealand in February and Root told Sky Sports he hoped England would go from strength to strength with their attacking brand of cricket. “The challenge for us now is to keep going for it, keep trying to explore new areas…

LOCAL tourism industry is truly on a path to recovery as income from tourist accommodation continues to increase though it was still falling short of reaching its pre-Covid numbers. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that the total income for the tourist accommodation industry increased by 191.6% in July compared with the same month last year. StatsSA said that income derived from the tourist accommodation sector rose sharply year-on-year on base effects, intensified by the riots and unrest that took place during July 2021. Tourism activity was severely impacted by last July’s political unrest that took place in KwaZulu-Natal, one of South Africa’s popular tourist destinations, which saw shopping malls, industrial parks and other business places vandalised and set alight. This was coupled with the tighter lockdown restrictions…

ASCENDIS Health, the drugs maker forced to restructure due to a debt crisis and shareholder revolt, managed to improve its operating loss of continuing operations by 32% to -R317 million in the year to June 30. “We are extremely excited about the new financial year after the many changes and shifts over the past 12 months,” chairperson Harry Smit said in a telephone interview. He said much of the impact of the changes would only be reflected in the new financial year’s results, and that the businesses that the group has been left with “have good bases that we can build on”, he said. The taxed loss from continuing operations of R758m was much improved on the prior year’s R1.66 billion taxed loss, its results showed yesterday. The…

HITMAKER Costa Titch has scored six nominations at the 2022 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), set to take place from December 8 to 11. The hip hop star received nods in five categories for his 2021 smash hit, Big Flexa: Song of the Year; Breakout Artiste of the Year; Best African Collaboration: Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro; and Best Artiste, Duo or Group in Use of African Dance/Choreography. Other local artists in the running for awards include Zakes Bantwini, Nomfundo Moh, Kabza De Small, Ch’cco, Mello and Sleazy, Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Mafikizolo, Major League DJz, A-Reece, Blxckie and Kelvin Momo. Public voting is currently open on the official website: www.afrima.org…

n Trio appear on charges of fraud, theft, corruption and money laundering FORMER mineral resources minister and ANC MP Mosebenzi Zwane maintains he is innocent after he was granted R10 000 bail yesterday. “I pleaded not guilty. I’m happy finally this matter has seen its light of day in court, where I can be given a fair chance to say whatever I want to say. This matter has tainted my name for the past 10 years, outside the court of laws, anybody saying whatever they wish to say about this matter. I think this is the right platform for people to come to say whatever they want to say. I’m ready. I’m going to co-operate with the court,” Zwane said. Zwane and two co-accused, former (Gupta-owned) Sahara employees Ugeshni Govender…

Parents and caregivers could use the shorter October school holiday as a chance to make sure their kids know exactly how to be safe. Public schools are scheduled to close between September 30 and October 11. “The safety of our children has received a lot of media coverage in recent weeks. This holiday is the perfect opportunity to make sure your children know how to be safe and what to do in an emergency,” says Fidelity ADT’s head of communications and marketing, Charnel Hattingh. There are basic and practical safety precautions parents can share with their children regardless of whether they are left with a caregiver, domestic staff, or stay at home by themselves. Hattingh says parents could consider this shorter holiday as a ‘dress rehearsal’ ahead of the longer…

I’m not always a fan of modern SUV designs but the new Honda HR-V is simply gorgeous. Things are just as agreeable when you step inside. Honda has gone for a minimalist design for the cockpit which strikes a good balance between digital modernity and good old-fashioned analogue functionality. The new HR-V is powered by the familiar normally aspirated 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, which offers 89kW at 6 600rpm and 145Nm from 4 300rpm to the front wheels through a CVT gearbox, and this is where the problem lies. Continuously variable boxes drone annoyingly at high revs, which is why they work best with turbocharged motors that produce most of their torque low down in the rev range. Honda’s 1.5-litre engine is relatively high-revving, and it doesn’t produce enough power…

First T20I South Africa 106/8 (Maharaj 41, Markram 25, Parnell 24; Singh 3/24, Chahar 2/24, Patel 2/26) India 110/2 ( KL Rahul 51*, Yadav 50*; Rabada 1/16, Nortje 1/32) India won by 8 wickets, lead 3-match series 1-0 SOUTH Africa were suitably chastened, embarrassed and will hope that it does not happen again anytime soon. They will hope to leave Thiruvananthapuram and their batting catastrophe in the first T20 against India at Greenfield International Stadium yesterday in their distance as they move on towards Guwahati, desperate to avoid a repeat in the second match on Sunday. To be reduced to 9/5 within 15 balls of the innings is as unacceptable as it comes in international cricket. The fact that they rallied to 106/8 is merely a reflection of how inept…