Indice dei contenuti per 2023-05-12 in Star

The currency gallops towards the R20-mark to the US dollar in rapid decline FINANCIAL markets in South Africa entered a new difficult terrain yesterday as the rand galloped towards the R20-mark to the US dollar following a rapid decline triggered by investor sell-off. Foreign investors have been dumping South African rand-denominated bonds in favour of safe havens like gold, selling a net R11.4 billion so far. This rapid sell-off saw the rand breach the psychological R19-mark to the greenback for the first time in three years yesterday, reaching R19.29/$1 at 4pm. This was the lowest the rand has been since May, 2020, and has fallen more than 10% since the beginning of this year, meaning the rand’s buying power will diminish further. Traders are concerned that South Africa was…

SAPPI was impacted by lower sales volumes, cost inflation and operational inefficiencies associated with inventory destocking, and second-quarter earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) halved to $167 million (R3.13 billion) from $337m at the same time last year. “Following the record profitability last year, the group faced a severe downstream inventory destocking cycle. “This led to production curtailment in both the European and North American regions,“ Steve Binnie, the CEO of the pulp and paper group, said in a statement. The share price gained a sturdy 4.4% to R42.49 by yesterday afternoon and closed 6.44% higher at R43.31. Profit fell sharply to $69m from $188m. Earnings per share excluding special items declined to 11 US cents from 35 US cents. Binnie said Ebitda for the third…

A lot has happened since it was first reported that DJ Maphorisa had pulled a no-show at Konka on Sunday, following his arrest for allegedly assaulting his actress and DJ girlfriend, Thuli Phongolo. Not only has Maphorisa appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where he was granted R4 000 bail, he’s also quickly seen the case against him withdrawn by Phongolo. Phongolo opened a case against Maphorisa at Sandton police station on Sunday afternoon, a few hours before he was due to appear on stage at Konka where he was set to be the headline act alongside Grammy winner Black Coffee. “On Sunday 2023/5/7 at about 12pm, I was at my place of residence with my boyfriend, Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, better known as DJ Maphorisa,” said Phongolo in a statement…

Residents at the Reuven Old Age Complex in West Turffontein, Joburg, say they are living in fear and misery as they go for three to four days at a time without power. Pensioner Caroline Bruyns, 84, who lives at the residence but had to move in with her daughter because of the lack of electricity, said most of the residents at the old age complex ranged from 80 to 90 years old and were helpless when criminals broke in. Bruyns said that with no electricity, they had to use the little pension money they had to buy fast food, but they were scared because they did not know who was lurking in the dark. “We are having a break-in every week and they are taking all the fuses and cutting…

THE legal counsels of the five men on trial for the 2014 murder of Senzo Meyiwa have accused the soccer player’s childhood friend of tailoring his evidence after watching the trial proceedings and the evidence given by others broadcast on TV. Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo, on behalf of the fourth accused Mthokoziseni Maphisa, wasted no time pointing out how different Mthokozisi Thwala’s version of events was in comparison to the evidence collected by the police, other occupants inside the house and neighbours’ statements on what exactly happened on the night Meyiwa was killed. Nxumalo began and finished his cross-examination yesterday after advocate Charles Mnisi concluded his cross-examination on behalf of Mthobisi Prince Mncube, the third accused, shortly before the lunch adjournment. First, the legal counsel grilled Thwala because his evidence…

With the music industry known to be a highly competitive domain, esteemed gospel singer Zaza Mokhethi is changing the narrative through her mentorship programme. Mokhethi’s passion to lower the ladder and uplift others was the motivation behind Women in Chronicle, one of her continued women empowerment programmes that she hopes will blossom beyond South African shores. To mark Women’s Day on August 9, the Diphiri hitmaker returns with the second chapter of the programme, where she teaches young women about the crucial ins and outs of the music industry. “Women in Chronicle is a programme that I decided to start last year. My husband and I decided to do the membership programme. We recorded Chapter 1 last year on Women’s Day. So this year, we did auditions last week, looking…

THE funeral of the late Mamelodi Sundowns public relations member Alex “Goldfingers” Shakoane will take place in Pretoria on Tuesday. At his memorial service in Mamelodi yesterday, attended by SA’s football top brass, including club president Tlhopie Motsepe, Shakoane was described as a “unifier” and “charismatic” by family, friends, officials and fans. Shakoane died at a Pretoria hospital on Sunday afternoon after a stroke. According to the family, they were not shocked at the news because he had been in hospital since December. Speaking to Pretoria News on the sidelines of the memorial service, family spokesperson Dr Lebo Shako said even though it hurt to lose her uncle, her father’s younger brother, he was in a better place. “As much as it’s painful, devastating and a huge loss to…

Ingredients 1 packet (500g) rigatoni or penne pasta Salt and milled pepper 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil 2 red onions, chopped (white onions work well too) 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 large punnet (500g) cherry or rosa tomatoes, halved 2 tbsp capers (optional) 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 can chopped tomatoes 2 cups passata 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 cans (120g each) shredded tuna in brine, drained For serving: Handful basil (optional) Method Boil pasta in salted water for 7 minutes, then drain, malking sure to reserve ½ cup of the cooking liquid, . Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and set aside. Heat oil over medium heat and sauté onions for about 8 minutes. Add garlic, cherry or rosa tomatoes and capers, if using, and fry…

To cap off what has been a historic year for women’s cricket in South Africa, Momentum have extended their sponsorship of the women’s game. The success of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup has had a huge impact on women’s cricket in Mzansi. The same can be said about the success of the very first women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup that South Africa also hosted last summer. Through both tournaments, women’s cricket at large received the support and attention the game needs. As a result of all the wonderful steps taken towards growing women’s cricket over the last summer, Cricket South Africa and Momentum have announced the extension of their commitment to growing women’s cricket. Momentum have been on many occasions the sole sponsor of women’s cricket in South Africa,…

KAIZER Chiefs striker Ashley du Preez has sent a strong warning to their next two opponents amid Amakhosi’s bid to finish third in the Premiership. After a roller-coaster start at Chiefs, Du Preez has become one of the key figures in coach Arthur Zwane’s team, thanks to his nine goals and five assists in all competitions. Overall, it will turn out to be an impressive debut season for Du Preez that will see him miss out on being one of the Cape-born players who have failed to live up to their lofty billing in Gauteng. While Du Preez has his teammates to thank for his eventual adaptation at Chiefs, there are people who have played a starring role in ensuring he is still part of the team next season. “The…

Things are not yet desperate for the Lions in the Currie Cup, but they can ill afford continuing on a downward trajectory when they face the table-topping Free State Cheetahs tomorrow (1pm kick-off). The Lions could arguably have felt aggrieved after their last match in the competition, when they narrowly lost to Griquas 25-21 in Kimberley. Early injuries in that match, including to the in-form flyhalf Gianni Lombard, certainly did not help their rhythm. They were perhaps also a bit too passive at times in defence, allowing the Griquas to run at them at pace, creating a plethora of options on attack. The Lions will have to be far more pro-active in the contact point this time around by driving their opponents backwards, instead of riding the tackle. Nonetheless, the…

SOUTH Africa’s economy may have skirted a technical recession in the first quarter of 2023, in spite of output in the primary industrial sectors of mining and manufacturing contracting in March. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that mining production shrank by 2.6% year-on- year in March, following an upwards revised 7.6% dip in February. This marked the 14th consecutive month of contraction in mining activity, albeit softer than market estimates of a 7.3% decline, dragged down by electricity supply constraints and logistical bottlenecks. StatsSA said the annual decline in mining output was broad-based, with nine out of 12 divisions falling. The most significant negative contributors were diamonds which fell by 54.7%, and platinum group metals (PGMs), which declined by 9.1%. However, on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis,…

MTN GROUP’S shares took a beating on the JSE after it said yesterday for the first quarter of 2023, it continued to navigate difficult macroeconomic, geopolitical and regulatory conditions, including South African load shedding, as it reported revenue growth. By 5pm the share price was 5.13% lower at R109.10 on the JSE yesterday. In its quarterly update for the period ended March 31, 2023, released yesterday, the group said revenue grew by 15.6% to R52.8 billion, with data usage jumping by more than a quarter. Core profit grew 11% to more than R24bn, but fell almost 7% in South Africa. The group’s core profit margin dropped by 2.7% points year-on-year to 43.7%. MTN Group president and CEO Ralph Mupita said: “MTN’s resilient business model and operational execution…

A cloud of thick black smoke from burning tyres was seen as a group of angry residents in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, again took to the streets in protest over a lack of electricity supply. The exasperated community members said they have not had electricity for four days, a violation of their human rights. The residents made the place a no-go area. There was visible destruction, including streets barricaded with burning tyres, strewn rubble, rocks and tree branches. Infrastructure belonging to the municipality was torched. Some residents and children were seen loitering on the streets as there was no school or work due to the protest. Major roads, including the N4, were not spared; motorists travelling between Witbank and Pretoria were advised to exercise caution as the angry residents stepped up their…

Serves 2 as a main meal, 4 – 6 as a side dish. Consider cooking up a bulk batch to save energy. Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container and can be used to replace rice, potato or other carbohydrates in any meal or salad. Ingredients 150g emmer wheat or other grain 80g Brazil nuts (or other nuts) 2 tbs maple syrup or other sweetener 200g broad beans (podded weight – about 500g pods) 8 apricots, halved, stoned and then torn into large pieces 6g hijiki seaweed (or other seaweed), soaked for 10 minutes in cold water and then drained 50g bean sprouts, optional 4 mint sprigs, leaves picked, stalks finely chopped 4 parsley sprigs, leaves roughly chopped, stalks finely chopped 2 tbs…

MPHO Makwana, the new Eskom chairman, is going balls to the wall to discredit De Ruyter, but sadly for Makwana, the previous chairman, has come out strongly defending the actions De Ruyter took to establish who the “vermin” on the coal piles are. It seems that Pravin Gordhan was the minister who encouraged De Ruyter to establish who the vermin are. The vermin continue to operate freely within the Eskom structure, milking the system, as though it were a healthy milking cow. Eskom is now a failed entity – it took 30 years of infantile mismanagement and gargantuan gluttony to “flatten” the utility. The blame game will continue, behind mahogany desks and plush board rooms, whilst despair engulfs the country. The new minister will have to rip apart Mantashe’s and…

The number of young people infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to increase, according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla. He said adolescent girls and young women were most affected and the trend was a major challenge for South Africa. “Through our youth prevention strategy, called Zikhala Kanjani, we hope to reduce HIV and STIs for the 15-24 years age group by 40% by 2025. To increase efficacy and viral suppression, we have made the drug dolutegravir TLD more accessible for adults and adolescents and a number of new, safer and effective treatments have also been added.” Phaahla said an effective treatment for children called dolutegravir (DTG) had been approved by the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra). When Sahpra approved DTG, its CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela,…

THE good news for Mamelodi Sundowns as they seek to put themselves in line for a Champions League final is that they have no problem with finding the opposition net. The Brazilians, who take on defending champions Wydad AC in the first leg of their semi-final at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca tomorrow, are the highest scoring team of the four remaining sides. In 10 matches, the South African champions have found the opposition net an incredible 35 times – way more than Wydad, as well as Esperance and Al Ahly, who meet in the other semi-final today. Granted, a big chunk of those goals (16) were scored in the early round against lowly La Passe of the Seychelles. But that should not be allowed to take away from…

Bafana Bafana’s all-time top goal-scorer Benni McCarthy continues to make waves in England with yet another legend singing his praises. The 45-year-old Capetonian secured a dream move to his beloved Manchester United at the beginning of the season, joining the club’s coaching staff as an attacking coach. McCarthy, who scored over 50 goals in the colours of Blackburn Rovers during his time in the Premier League, has made an immediate impact at the Red Devils. One of McCarthy’s biggest fans both as a player and now as a coach is Arsenal’s second highest all-time goalscorer Ian Wright, who has urged fans of the beautiful game to not ignore the work McCarthy has done at United. Wright, who scored 185 goals for the Gunners, believes McCarthy’s arrival can be closely linked…

Pep GUARDIOLA faces a meticulous balancing act in Manchester City’s quest for a treble, having to fend off Arsenal in their chase for a third consecutive Premier League title, while keeping one eye on their bid for a first Champions League trophy. City play desperate Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday in what could be a pivotal Premier League game for both teams. Guardiola’s side is just a point clear of Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, with four matches remaining, and with the Gunners refusing to go away, the Spanish manager has little luxury to rest players. Everton are two points and one place above the relegation zone. City are on course to match their local rivals Manchester United, who achieved the feat in 1999, by capturing the…

When Joey Mongalo was at Pretoria Boys High, he played Craven Week rugby for the Blue Bulls in 2003. His coach happened to be Jimmy Stonehouse, the very same man who will head the Pumas against Mongalo’s Sharks in today’s Currie Cup match at Mbombela Stadium (5.05pm kick-off). It is a coaching clash between an up-and-comer on the South African coaching scene and one of the veterans of the game. Mongalo already has one up on his old mentor – his Sharks shocked the Pumas in Durban in round one of the competition. “Going to Nelspruit is going to be tough. Coach Jimmy has been going strong there for a long time. He coached me when I was at Craven Week in 2003,” Mongalo said. “That is how long he…

Their job is just this weekend. Nothing lies beyond tomorrow afternoon. That is the mental approach the Stormers will take ahead of their URC semi-final against Connacht at Cape Town Stadium (4pm kick-off). Although there will be a chance to reach back-to-back URC finals, the defending champions are wary of looking too far ahead just to come unstuck against a tricky Connacht. “We got a ‘get out of jail’ card last week with that result,” coach John Dobson said, referring to his side’s home semi after Connacht dumped Ulster out of the competition. “In these very tough economic times and the area where we are, most of our fans are not very affluent, so the people coming out in their numbers – the over 44 000 of last week and…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the South African government will be slowing down its planned decommissioning of coal-fired power plants as part of the country’s Just Energy Transition Programme in a bid to secure its energy security first. This endorses Minister of Electri- city in the Presidency Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa's proposal to delay the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations. In reply to written and oral questions in Parliament yesterday, Ramaphosa told the National Assembly that South Africa was fully committed to the Just Energy Transition Programme. However, he said that the government had to consider a number of factors in implementing the programme, including the negative impact of a rushed transition while the security of electricity supply had not been secured. “We have said we will transition to cleaner…

HUME INTERNATIONAL, the import, export, and distribution of frozen foods company, has warned of high chicken tariffs if the government doesn’t reduce the anti-dumping duties by July. In a statement yesterday, the group said food distributors have celebrated the government’s recent decision to lift the ban on Irish chicken after the country had been declared free of bird flu, stating that this would provide an important supplement to the local market as global supplies come under pressure. “But with punitive 158% anti- dumping duties on the horizon, this relief will be short-lived unless the government decides to extend the current suspension on tariffs past July this year,” Hume said. Hume International managing director Fred Hume said: “In keeping with international trade standards, South Africa’s decision to lift the trade ban…

Treat your mom to all things lekker at the Lekkerland Carnival on May 13, where the theme of the day is fun and entertainment for the whole family. The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is the backdrop for the event where music, food and carnival rides will reign supreme. Kids under 15 enter free. Hosted by King Price Insurance, the annual festival started in 2017 in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. The public can expect an outdoor world-class stage and sound experience, a carnival area offering super rides, food trucks, a beer garden and fun activities for the kids. Every act in the line-up is known for stellar live performances and it includes one of SA’s legendary rock groups, Prime Circle, who will share the stage with the popular multi-instrumentalist folk pop group Georgetown…

TWENTY-three-year-old Denzel Ncube from Vleifontein in Limpopo is convinced that not all snakes are as dangerous and poisonous as people portray them to be, and we humans just need to learn about snakes in order to understand them well and act accordingly if one bites us. Ncube’s love for snakes was discovered at an early age when he was found playing with a big snake at the age of two, and the snake did nothing to him as the two were joyfully playing together until the snake left. His mother was shocked after witnessing this and attributed it to a curse or an evil spirit. Little did she know that it was a blessing and an indication of what her son was destined for. Twenty-one years later, Ncube is now…

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has suspended two officials following a leaked audio of a rant by Minister Blade Nzimande. In the audio recording, Nzimande is heard speaking to members of his communications team, as well as Deputy Minister Buti Manamela, director- general Nkosinathi Sishi, deputy director Lucky Masuku and departmental spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi. “I am never covered by the DHET wall. Never ever, yet I am the department’s chief spokesperson for both the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Higher Education. Now I want an explanation here today as to why that is the case,” said Nzimande in the audio. He added that every time he needed things to be done right, he had to complain. “It is not the first time. In…

Terrence Dzvukamanja could have allowed the ‘boo boys’ to get into his head. Instead, it had a silver lining that turned his season around. The arrival of a new coach normally lays a clean slate for players – especially the fringe ones – to fight for starting berths. That was the case when Jose Riveiro arrived at Orlando Pirates, as the little-known Spaniard was expected to have his ‘own team’ instead of recycling the ‘failed products’ over the years. Riveiro’s team, indeed, reigned supreme, winning the first domestic trophy of the season, the MTN8, that ended the team’s season-long trophy drought. But in the wake of the likes of Monnapule Saleng emerging from perennial loanees to regulars in Riveiro’s refurbished team, Dzvukamanja failed to look the part – making one…

Marumo Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka has expressed huge frustration at his team’s inability to utilise goalscoring opportunities after suffering a loss in the CAF Confederation Cup. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’s aspirations to reach their first-ever continental Cup final took a huge blow as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Tanzanian side Young Africans in the first leg of their semi-final battle on Wednesday. Marumo Gallants could not withstand the pressure of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and lost their composure at crucial moments in front of a hostile crowd. Mdaka could not hold back his disappointment at the nature in which his side lost as they performed well, but did not receive the requisite results thanks to their inefficiencies in front of goal. “We feel it was not a game that…

World number seven Ons Jabeur said women players should not have to wait to receive the same prize money as their male counterparts at the Italian Open after tournament organisers announced plans to achieve pay parity by 2025. Tennis has sought to be a leader in the battle for equality in the last couple of decades, with equal prize money offered to men and women at the four grand slams. WTA Tour events, however, still often offer less prize money than those on the separate men’s circuit. In the Rome tournament, the total “financial commitment” for the men is $9.51million, while for the women it is $3.5m. Italian tennis federation chief Angelo Binaghi said last month the event had started a process that would lead to equal prize money over…

The Blitzboks will use this weekend’s France Sevens in Toulouse as a trial for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, according to coach Sandile Ngcobo. This may sound strange, considering the Blitzboks are seventh on the World Sevens Series log with two tournaments left, but Ngcobo has an explanation. “We had a good look at who we are playing in our pool, and realised that it is actually a carbon copy of what can happen at the Olympics,” he said. “Considering next year’s Games, our Pool C is a ‘mini-Olympics’ of its own. Our first game on Friday (today) is against France, who will host next year and are hosting here in Toulouse. “They will have massive home support in their opening match and we expect no favours. “There will…

“Disappointment” and “heartbroken” were just some of the words used by Elrigh Louw to describe the mood in the Bulls camp following their United Rugby Championship (URC) exit last weekend. But life has to go on, and now the Pretoria side are setting their sights on the Currie Cup title, starting with tomorrow’s clash against Griquas in Kimberley (3pm). Jake White’s team went down 33-21 to their arch rivals the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium last Saturday, which was their sixth consecutive defeat to John Dobson’s outfit – and eight if you count two Currie Cup losses as well. White spoke immediately after the game about fixing things and heeding the lessons from an up-and-down campaign, and he pondered whether to begin the next URC pre-season this week already.…