Indice dei contenuti per 2023-11-21 in Star

MARITIME operators and fruit exporters have described as a “drastic situation” the delays experienced at the Port of Durban as an estimated 71 000 containers are stuck at sea on the back of operational inefficiencies. Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) yesterday admitted that it would take between seven and 15 weeks to clear all vessels from anchorage at both piers at the Port of Durban. The South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa) said some container carriers laden with Christmas stock have been at anchorage for days, even weeks, and there were no signs of the delays abating. Saasoa CEO Peter Besnard said they were doing everything possible in bringing the respective parties together to try and overcome the extreme problem that was prevailing. “Container-handling equipment at both…

ASTRAL Foods’ headline earnings a share fell by a staggering 148% following R2.1 billion of load shedding, water disruption and bird flu costs, but investors’ eyes are likely to be on the way forward. Revenue for the integrated poultry producer remained stable at R19.3bn for the year to September 30, but the impact of these costs knocked operating profit by 143% to a loss of R621 million. There was a net cash outflow of R1.1bn. No dividend was declared. Smalltalkdaily Research analyst Anthony Clark said the results were “academic and historical”, but there were key questions about the current trading environment and the future that would affect the group and the share price. He said questions likely to be asked by investors in coming days would relate…

STANDARD Bank has seven directors that have potential conflicts of interest regarding their roles at fossil fuel companies and the bank’s commitment to managing climate risk issues, says Just Share in a new report that spotlights key roles that the South African financial services industry plays in the global decarbonisation race. Just Share’s newly released report, How Cool is Your Bank, details potential conflicts of interest for Standard Bank Group directors Nonkululeko Nyembezi, who is also an independent non-executive director of Anglo Ameri- can, and Jacko Maree, who is also an independent non-executive director of the Phembani Group Limited. Other directors of Standard Bank that have potentially conflicting roles at other fossil fuel companies include Trix Kennealy and Nomgando Matyumza who are both independent non-executive directors at Sasol Limited; and…

ACTRESS Halle Bailey is warning fans there will be “hell to pay” if anyone else mentions her “pregnancy nose”. The Little Mermaid actress, 23, has been at the centre of rumours she is expecting a child with her 26-year-old rapper boyfriend DDG since it was claimed online her nose seemed bigger – a phenomenon many believe happens to women in the later stages of pregnancy. Bailey said on her Snapchat Story on Saturday: “If I see one more person say something about my nose one more time, it’s gonna be hell to pay. And you know why? ’Cause I am black. I love my nose. (What are you) concerned about my nose for? Leave me the hell alone!” While shutting down the rumours about being pregnant based on her apparently…

ActionSA has accused the DA of failing Joburg citizens and losing an opportunity to take back the city after the party refused to take part in a sitting to elect a new council speaker. African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor Margaret Arnolds was elected unopposed as the City of Joburg speaker during an extraordinary sitting yesterday. The appointment follows a week of uncertainty brought about by the axing of former speaker Colleen Makhubele by her party, Congress of the People (Cope). On Monday, City of Joburg manager Floyd Brink called an extraordinary council meeting to elect a new speaker to replace Makhubele, who was fired for defying her party by aligning herself as the face of South African Rainbow Alliance (Sara). Brink immediately announced her as the speaker after Arnolds accepted…

Ingredients 30 – 50ml vegetable oil 1 pack chicken thighs 1 pack prawns, defrosted 15 – 20ml Thai Red Curry Paste 250ml chicken stock 15ml brown sugar 15ml fish sauce 1 can coconut milk 500ml cut-up assorted vegetables (sugar snap peas, carrots, peppers, frozen peas, mini-corn, etc.) Method Heat oil in potjie. Add chicken thighs and cook for about 15 minutes, turning regularly so they don’t burn. Add curry paste; fry for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Add vegetables, prawns and coconut milk; allow to cook until vegetables are tender and prawns cooked through, about 10 minutes depending on heat of your coals. Stir in brown sugar and fish sauce until well blended.…

The year is winding down and the festive season is fast approaching. One of the eagerly-awaited rewards for a year of work by workers are bonuses. But what kind of worker is entitled to a 13th cheque or a bonus? And are companies and businesses mandated to give out such? The Consolidated Employers Organisation emphasised that 13th cheques and bonuses are not to be used interchangeably. “A 13th cheque is a bonus that the employee can expect every year if this forms part of their employment contract. “A bonus, on the other hand is a reward based on the employee’s performance and the performance of the business,” said the organisation. According to Labour Guide, it is critical to recognise that there is no legislative duty under labour law to give…

THE SAPS in Limpopo has been implicated in allegations of corruption, irregular appointments of senior police officials and questionable business dealings with illegal immigrants at the Beitbridge border post in Musina. Recently, non-profit organisation the Conty Lebepe Foundation wrote to Police Minister Bheki Cele calling for a probe into the alleged corrupt activities and the appointment of “unqualified” administrators and heads in Limpopo. The foundation also accused a high-ranking official stationed in the Vhembe district, whose name is known to Independent Media, of murder, as well as shielding criminals and covering up cases involving the smuggling of illicit cigarettes from Zimbabwe. In the letter to Cele, the NPO raises concerns that some police stations in the province – the Musina and Westernburg police stations in particular – allegedly appointed station…

During the memorial service of the longest-serving ex-deputy minister of foreign affairs, Aziz Pahad, former president Thabo Mbeki said the “ANC has not betrayed South Africans”. However, it has failed to renew itself, further said Mbeki. In 1994, the ANC promised voters free houses, jobs, economic growth and quality education. Even in the subsequent general elections, the governing party promised the same. It has never deviated from its promises. Interestingly, Cyril Ramaphosa’s party has failed to deliver on its promises. For instance, load shedding has become part of our lives, causing job losses and economic stagnation, and is expected to be with us for years. In the last few years, the country has also been experiencing water shedding; Munsieville in Mogale City had no water for two weeks. In…

Black Friday weekend came a week too soon for the South African teams as all four lost in bleak round five action. To say that a response is required this weekend is an understatement, especially now that the Lions and Bulls join the Sharks on home soil and the Stormers conclude their tour. The Capetonians have lost three of their five fixtures but how they fought back in their second half against Munster suggests their revival is under way, and it is vital that they kick on and beat a very beatable Cardiff at The Arms Park. The Sharks had only themselves to blame for losing by a single point to a Connacht side that had to rely on their defence to secure the victory at Kings Park. The Durbanites…

TRANSNET board chairperson Andile Sangqu has detailed the challenges that have resulted in massive backlogs at the Port of Durban, and reiterated that it would take at least until mid 2025 to get Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) operating optimally. The troubled State-owned logistics enterprise is busy implementing the recovery plan which was approved by the board on October 14. Sangqu said the problem of port congestion was a complex one and was something that was bound to happen at some point, as a result of many years of underinvestment in equipment and its maintenance. Sanqgu said they were working on a number of measures to turn the situ- ation around, however, the success of those measures was predicated on securing necessary funding to plug the R50 billion infrastructure backlog.…

BARLOWORLD, whose cash holdings in sanctions-hit Russia have more than doubled to R1.2 billion, lifted per share headline earnings from continuing operations for the full year to the end of September by 5.5% to 1 156.3 cents on the back of a 14% surge in revenues. However, after accounting for disposed entities, group headline earnings per share in Barloworld for the same period softened by 27% to 1 291.4c. Shares in the company on the JSE closed marginally lower by 0.05% at R78.15 yesterday and are 8.81% lower in the past six months. Businesses with operations in Russia have been dented by negative sentiment as sanctions from Western countries mounted as a result of the country’s invasion of and war in Ukraine. For Barloworld, there has…

PPC’S HARE price shot up 6.73% yesterday morning after a 4% increase in cement volumes, moderate price increases and rand depreciation caused revenue to rise a sturdy 20.9% to R6.2 billion in the six months to September 30 and the group moved back into the black. The sub-Saharan Africa provider of building materials and solutions reported improved performance at all its businesses and earnings per share, and headline earnings a share increased to 24 cents and 26c respectively, from losses in the comparative period. Operating profit was R675 million compared with R273m a year before, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) was up by 46.8% to R1.1bn, benefiting from expanded margins in the core southern Africa markets. This margin improvement was a good sign…

Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori are reportedly “taking a break”. The rapper, 46, has repeatedly been reported to be controlling the 28-year-old’s life, and The US Sun has reported their apparent split comes after her friends staged an “intervention” over the relationship. A source told the publication: “Her family has never been a fan of (Kanye), and those close to her have questioned whether marrying him was the right decision. “He is a very difficult person to be around and work for, and Bianca has been one of the most patient people ever to deal with him. She’s been all about Ye.” The insider added that even though West “has been a lot happier and more focused with her around”, their relationship seems to have “taken its toll…

A police officer who was part of the investigating unit tasked with solving the murder case of Senzo Meyiwa, has testified that accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, willingly confessed to the crime after his arrest. Sergeant Bathobakae Mogola was testifying in a trial-within-a-trial in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, yesterday. Mogola told the court about the events that unfolded regarding the arrest of Sibiya. Sibiya and accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi, claim they were assaulted, tortured and electrocuted by police officers to confess to Meyiwa’s murder. The trial-within-a-trial is being heard to determine whether the confessions made by the two accused were made under duress or willingly. Mogola testified she was in the company of Sergeant Sadiki and Sergeant Buthelezi when they went looking for Sibiya at his place in…

South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks, is the sixth most valuable national rugby brand at $117.2 million (around R2.14 billion), according to Brand Finance. Despite beating the All Blacks, going back-to-back to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, the Boks are not even half as valuable as the New Zealand national rugby team, which is valued at $282 million (R5.18 billion). The Springboks are number four on the top 10 list for “Strongest Rugby Brands”, which is again led by the All Blacks. Managing director for Brand Finance, Mark Crowe, said revenue from sponsorship and merchandising drove the boom of the All Blacks rugby team. Even though South Africa beat them at every tournament clutch moment, the Springboks are behind England as the “Strongest rugby brand” with…

South Africa has a new piano deep vocalist in town. Big Sbuda is the latest entrant to the country’s biggest musical exploit, the amapiano movement which has, over the years, taken the world of music by storm. The American-born musician, real name Ronnie Dunn, says he has fallen in love with the country’s biggest sound. Big Sbuda whose single, Motherland, a song about Ubuntu and its ability to fill the void nestled deep in most people’s hearts for the love of Africa, says he feels a special connection with the continent, its culture and its music. This is the reason why he was drawn to take up piano deep as his musical choice. “We all have that connection with the motherland, longing to be here and chase our roots,” says…

THE newly-launched City of Tshwane’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) digitised job recruitment system is user-friendly, accessible and will streamline the registration process. This was said yesterday by Community and Social Development MEC Peggy de Bruin during the USSD platform launch at Sammy Marks Square in the Pretoria CBD. The municipality previously used an electronic lottery system to hire job-seekers in a bid to eliminate patronage in the recruitment process. De Bruin said: “EPWP registration through the lottery process has been a challenge, often causing delays and hindering the efficient implementation of the programme.” She said the USSD platform was designed to be inclusive, ensuring that every individual between the ages of 18 and 60, regardless of their background or access to technology, can participate in this transformative programme. By…

THE widow of murdered billionaire Wandile Bozwana said in a victim impact report presented to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria yesterday, the fact that her husband’s killers were behind bars, was cold comfort as they had taken away the one who had protected is family from the dangers of the world. Tsholofelo Bozwana submitted a report to the court on how the family was coping after the October 2015 gunning down of Bozwana at the Garsfontein offramp, off the N1, in Pretoria. The accused – Sipho Patrick Hudla, Robert Mutapa, Mamelodi businessman Vusi “Khekhe” Mathibela and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo – are set to be sentenced this week for the murder of Bozwana, and the attempted murder of his business associate, Mpho Baloyi. Baloyi, who was driving the car at the…

AFTER a five-year process of restorative justice, the sacred human remains unethically brought to UCT in the 1920s will be reburied in Sutherland next weekend. This follows the relevant authorisation by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture earlier this year and a permit granted previously by the South African Heritage Resource Agency, UCT said. The reburial programme will be held over three days, from Friday to Sunday. In 2018, UCT disclosed that during an archiving audit, sacred human remains of nine people from Sutherland were identified as having been unethically brought to the university in the 1920s by a medical student. UCT’s interim vice-chancellor Daya Reddy said: “We have admitted to this wrongdoing, apologised for the injustice, and acknowledged this as a shameful chapter in UCT’s history. “A collaborative…

Some goods destined for the Christmas rush in the South African market may not reach the shelves as 63 vessels are anchored off the port TRANSNET has warned that it would take until around February or March 2024 to clear the backlog affecting the docking and offloading of container vessels that are clogged up at its Port of Durban as a short-term intervention. However, a long-term measure to get the port operating optimally will take until mid-2025 if Transnet manages to procure the necessary equipment. This means that some goods destined for the Christmas rush in the South African market may not be on the shelves as the troubled State-owned freight and rail company works around the clock to clear the 63 vessels at anchor off the Port of…

AFRICA, and specifically South Africa, needs to accelerate its vast potential of renewable energy to meet domestic energy market demands and deliver into international markets to fill the gap opened by Russia’s reduced supply to Europe, but it needs to act urgently to seize this opportunity, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). It said in its 2023 Africa Energy Review, released yesterday, that South Africa had the potential to be a hub for green hydrogen, with Sasol having produced the first green hydrogen from Sasolburg in June 2023 and anticipated exporting 0.1mtpa (metric tons per annum) with green corridors potential identified in areas including Mpumalanga and in the Northern Cape. PwC said the country and continent offered a wide range of energy sources and could both act as…

OMNIA Holdings’s headline earnings a share fell 4% to 295 cents in the six months to September 30, but net cash increased by more than 100% to R1.6 billion and the second half was often the strongest, CEO Seelan Gobalsamy said yesterday. Revenue decreased 14% to R10.4bn, due in the main to falling commodity prices and the operating profit was down by 15% to R684 million. Gobalsamy said in an interview though he was cautiously optimistic about the second half, as the commodity cycle had started to turn, and a debt-free balance sheet with some R4.5bn of available facilities meant that they were in a good position to conserve and build the business if and when required. There had been strong growth in volumes in agriculture and…

One wouldn’t be blamed for being in disbelief that the 29th South African Music Awards (Samas) have actually taken place after all the drama in recent weeks. When it came to this year’s awards, the nominations were announced later than the previous year, with the ultimate cherry on the cake being the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs of KwaZulu-Natal withdrawing its funding. That left the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) in hot soup after having to find a new location. “SAMA29 was filled with multiple challenges but through the art of collaboration, artists, industry professionals, guest presenters and hosts, we were able to celebrate all our winners,” said RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi. On Saturday evening, SAMA29 finally took place at the SunBet Arena at Time Square,…

Intimacy is an essential and deeply ingrained human need that is universally sought after. It encompasses a sense of emotional, physical and psychological closeness with another person. From an evolutionary standpoint, forming close bonds and social connections has helped humans thrive and survive as a species. We are social beings and we thrive on connection and a sense of belonging. Intimacy allows us to establish deep connections with others and form meaningful relationships. It provides a sense of validation, support and understanding, making us feel valued and accepted. It creates a safe space where we can be authentic, seen and heard. The emotional connection generally makes us happier. Physical intimacy, such as hugs, kisses, cuddling and sexual encounters, is an integral aspect of relationships. A touch releases endorphins, oxytocin (the…

THE election of former President Jacob Zuma as the KwaZulu-Natal chairperson of the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has been welcomed by the ANC in the province. Zuma was elected in absentia on Sunday, having been previously elected to the position earlier this year in a disputed provincial election. This resulted in the former president and others steering an interim structure following the disbandment of the organisation’s provincial leadership structure. At the weekend Sanco, an alliance partner of the ANC, resolved its differences, electing Zuma as chairperson, Lawrence Dube as his deputy, Sizwe Cele as provincial secretary, Lucky Hadebe as deputy provincial secretary, Sabatha Mzimela as provincial treasurer and Mduduzi Hlatshwayo as provincial organiser. The ANC in the province has for months been saying it was crucial to include Zuma…

EFF leader Julius Malema and five fellow party MPs walked out of a disciplinary hearing into their conduct after the State of the Nation Address (Sona) by President Cyril Ramaphosa was disrupted in February. Malema said the hearing was a “kangaroo court” and stated that he will not be persecuted – in reference to initiator Anton Katz, SC – by a “white man”. This took place after their legal team, led by Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, SC, failed to have the disciplinary hearing postponed to next year. Malema is charged for contempt of Parliament along with EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, Marshall Dlamini, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Vuyani Pambo and Sinawo Thambo for ascending to the stage with placards when Ramaphosa was delivering the Sona and their actions prompted security officers to storm the…

The 2023 Women in Tech SHEvolution Experience held in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Thursday was a resounding success. Women attendees converged on Vodacom World in celebrating and awarding of women-owned tech SMMEs for their remarkable contributions and achievements in the tech industry. This year, WIT2023 called on women to join the SHEvolution to highlight the need for greater change towards gender equality, and to provide solutions, encouraging more women and young girls to participate in STEM fields. Tashline Jooste, chief executive officer of Innovator Trust, delivered a visionary address, emphasising the transformative power of technology in Africa and the pivotal role women play in driving this change. Her commitment to impactful small business development and empowering entrepreneurs has been a driving force behind the success of Innovator Trust. Jooste believes the…