Indice dei contenuti per 2024-05-30 in Star

THE ROLES of Ministers of both public enterprises and trade, industry, and competition portfolios – two vital departments in the economic cluster – will hinge on the outcome of yesterday’s national and provincial elections. This comes as Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced his retirement early in March. Gordhan’s announcement was followed by another ANC stalwart, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel, saying that he would also not be available to serve in the new Cabinet, just days before the elections. Daniel Silke, a political economy analyst, on Tuesday said that there could be a “broader shuffle” in the Cabinet, partly because of these departures by the Ministers. However, Silke said South Africa will have to wait until after the elections to see who the new Ministers will…

THE WORLD Economic Forum (WEF) chief economists believe that economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa will remain robust in 2024, in spite of global economic volatility and stubbornly high inflation. According to the WEF Chief Economists Outlook for May 2024 released yesterday, about seven out of 10 respondents foresee moderate or higher growth in sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, a slight improvement from January. Earlier this year, the WEF forecast sub-Saharan Africa economic growth to reach 3.4% in 2024 and 3.8% in 2025 after bottoming out at 2.6% in 2023. However, the WEF chief economists flagged the slow pace of disinflation. “For sub-Saharan Africa, the expectation of problematic inflation is even more pronounced, with almost half of respondents expecting high or very high inflation, while another 43% foresee moderate inflation in the…

YESTERDAY millions of South Africans exercised their democratic rights by voting in the national and provincial elections. Thirty years since the end of apartheid, this seventh election is a great manifestation of the healthy democracy that citizens enjoy in South Africa. I still argue that the country has one of the best democracies on the continent, which features an engaging citizenry, active civil society, a working legal framework and, in most cases, a system and processes that are respected if one looks at the professionalism of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over the past few months. About 21 years ago, I did my diploma in Latin Language, affiliated to the Urban University in Rome. I recall that in school we had to reach some consensus with members of…

IMAGINE a South Africa where the wealth of one’s wallet does not dictate the quality of healthcare they receive – a nation where every citizen is guaranteed not just care, but care that upholds dignity and promotes health. This is the promise of the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill. Yet, as a medical doctor and professor, I see the NHI bill through the lens of reality, where good intentions must be met with robust planning and transparent governance. The alluring vision of universal access: At its heart, the NHI bill seeks to provide equitable healthcare access to all South Africans. It’s a commendable goal that mirrors the stories of my patients who face a daily struggle for care. However, the bill offers scant detail on how it will achieve this…

The stakes are high, the end is near, politicians are vying to be elected as the new government, but the people are the deciding voters. Is this the end of a 30-year reign? Yesterday, close to 4 000 South Africans, mostly Gen Zers, flocked to the metro centre in Braamfontein to cast their votes, saying they are hoping for a new government. Braamfontein is known as the epicentre of millennials and Gen Zers, due to local colleges, universities and student accommodations surrounding the metropolitan. The metro centre observed a huge turn-out of voters, and most of them emphasised they are expecting the unemployment rate to subside, an inclusive education system and the representation of young black people in government (and the National Assembly). In particular, Gen Z voters are calling…

WELL-KNOWN Pretoria-based social media influencer, Irvin Mashele, who is is selling atchar at street intersections, says he would rather go fishing than wait in a queue to vote. Fondly known to his customers as “Chairman Atchar”, Mashele is always immaculately dressed in a suit as he sells his atchar to motorists and passers-by at the road intersections. Born in Winterveldt and now residing in Soshanguve, Mashele is loved by his customers because of his colourful personality and for always sharing motivational speeches with them while he plies his trade. He opted not to join millions of South Africans yesterday when they headed to polling stations to cast their ballots during the general elections. In a video clip circulating on social medi, he declared his decision to desist from voting, bemoaning…

Generation Z, despite being of legal age, is reportedly having less sex than any previous generation, and experts warn this could have physical and psychological consequences, including genital shrinkage. Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, a sex and relationship expert, notes that sexually inactive men may experience a rare condition called penile atrophy, where the penile tissue loses elasticity, potentially shrinking by 1-2 centimetres. She also highlights that abstaining from sex for a month or more can increase stress levels due to sexual frustration, anxiety, depression and anger. A 2021 study from the University of California found 38% of people aged 18 to 30 reported no sexual partners in the previous year. Experts caution that prolonged sexual inactivity can harm mental health, causing heightened stress, anxiety and…

A few years ago Volkswagen Germany (ie HQ) pulled the plug on all official racing duties. Touring car activities, rally- cross and WRC were all confined to the history books as the brand tackled electrification. However, the attraction was too much to resist and the GTI returns to race at the 2024 Nürburgring 24 Hours from today to Sunday. Volkswagen is taking the opportunity to celebrate the GTI’s 50th birthday at the famous endurance event, and as an added bonus the carmaker will also be pulling the covers off the new GTI Clubsport. The latest to carry this name is billed as the most powerful derivative to ever wear a GTI badge. Although VW has not yet made that figure public knowledge. The Mk7 GTI Clubsport S had 228 kW…

Have you wondered why certain conversations leave you doubting your thinking? The Digital Age has reshaped the way we interact, think and direct our everyday conversations. The number of digital connections surpasses the number of in-person connections, signalling a tectonic shift in networking paradigms. Conversations have become more dynamic, accessible and influential. However, it is not without challenges as we frequently interact with diverse personalities, all with their unique intentions. Having interactions can often feel sheltered or even beneficial but what happens when someone else’s intention is secretive and their tactics are manipulative? Psychology delves into the secretive world of manipulation to uncover the ingenious, yet powerful, tactics of manipulation. Manipulation can manifest itself in various aspects of our lives, including public spaces, personal relationships or the workplace. This article…

Bafana Bafana have received a huge boost ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers as a Nigerian star has been ruled out with an injury. The reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, has been confirmed as a non-starter for the Super Eagles in their crunch matches against South Africa and Benin. “Camp update: Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen is injured and out for 4 weeks,” the Super Eagles stated. “Super Eagles coach Finidi George has called up Enugu Rangers’ left-back Kenneth Igboke for the WC qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Rep.” Osimhen was untouchable for Napoli in Serie A last season, netting 26 goals in 32 appearances to lead the Naples-based outfit to their first Scudetto in 34 years. However, he hasn’t quite reached those…

Despite going through some tough times due to a lack of regular game time, Bulls scrumhalf Keagan Johannes is excited about helping the team in their bid to clinch their maiden United Rugby Championship title. With Embrose Papier in outstanding form this season, there have been few opportunities for Johannes to display his natural attacking talents for the Pretoria outfit. He has shared the bench duties with Zak Burger, who has featured much more regularly, and hopes to play a bigger part in the Bulls’ potential charge towards the title – starting with Saturday’s last league game against the Sharks in Durban (4.05pm kick-off). Jake White’s team are currently second on the log on 61 points – behind leaders Munster on 63 – and will hope that the Irish province…

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz reached the French Open third round, but suffered a worrying loss of form midway through his match against Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong before winning 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2 yesterday. The third seed was forced to work hard for a two-set lead under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof, but 176th-ranked De Jong refused to be intimidated and extended the match as Alcaraz suffered a third-set slump. An error-strewn Alcaraz continued to struggle as the first four games of the fourth set all went against serve. But Alcaraz regained some control in the nick of time to hold serve for a 3-2 lead, and he broke De Jong in the next game as his gritty opponent finally began to run out of steam. Meanwhile in the women’s draw…

With Mamelodi Sundowns crowned Premiership champions last week, we continue to review all 16 teams. Today, we look at those clubs which ended fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth on the log ... Eighth: POLOKWANE CITY Played 30 Won 9 Drew 12 Lost 9 Goals For 21 Goals Against 27 Points 39 Excitement abounded at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on the season’s final match day as Rise and Shine beat TS Galaxy 1-0 to secure a top-eight spot. It was a massive feat for the Limpopo outfit that had only returned to the elite league this season, and had been touted by many as relegation candidates at the beginning of the campaign. City produced consistent results at home and on the road, winning five times at home and being victorious…

IN SPITE OF expectations that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will keep interest rates unchanged today, economists have remained hopeful that the first rate cut since July 2020 is now on the horizon. The SARB’s monetary policy committee (MPC) is widely expected to keep the repurchase rate at a 14-year high of 8.25%, while the prime lending rate would also remain at 11.75% per annum. The central bank started the rate-hiking cycle in November 2021 as the economic hardship and the nationwide lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic had started easing. However, headline consumer inflation has remained stubbornly high towards the upper limit of the SARB’s 3% to 6% target range, leaving the MPC hawkish until inflation is within the 4.5% midpoint. Old Mutual Group chief economist Johann Els said…

ROBUST trading in Pepkor’s popular store brands such as Ackermans, Refinery and PEP, and fast growth from its fintech business, saw group revenue rise a healthy 9.5% to R43.3 billion in the six months to March 31. Retail sales growth strengthened in the second quarter after back-to-school campaigns and strong Easter trade, with brands expanding market share. Gross profit margins benefited from enhanced full-price sales and the continued recovery in Ackermans, where full-priced sales improved by 660 basis points. PEP, Ackermans and Speciality saw double-digit sales growth, while JD Group reported high single-digit sales growth. The group’s overall market share expanded on a three, six and 12-month basis, according to RLC March 2024 data. The retail store base was expanded by 111 new stores to 5 823 stores.…

SOUTH Africans of all walks of life turned out in their numbers yesterday to cast their votes to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces. This was the seventh general election, and many pundits had categorised this as a pivotal election since the end of the apartheid era and the dawn of democracy in 1994. Just like any South African citizens, Business Report staff members and journalists also went out yesterday to exercise their right and had this to share about their voting experience in various voting stations countrywide. BR executive editor, Philippa Larkin: Yesterday I stood for more than two-and-a-half hours in a queue to vote for politicians that I generally have zero respect for. What makes me grateful…

The teachers who were killed in a head-on collision between the taxi they were travelling in and a truck in Limpopo were all SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) members, the union said. Thirteen people were killed in the crash on the R521 between Polokwane and Dendron on Tuesday. Sadtu said the teachers – eight women and two men – were travelling to their respective schools to report for duty. “We express our sincere condolences to their families and the learners they teach. “According to reports, misty weather conditions may have been the possible cause of the accident due to poor visibility. “However, we call on the police to investigate the matter further. “Two of the teachers taught at Bothanang Primary School. The eight others taught at Seakamela Primary School, Kgobokanang…

Leaders of various political parties took time out of their busy schedule to cast their votes for their respective political parties. Among those who cast their votes in Soweto was ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, who voted at the Hitekani Primary School in Chiawelo. BuildOneSA leader Mmusi Maimane cast his vote at his home township of Dobsonville, while EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu cast his vote at the Moses Kotane Primary School in Braamfischerville, also in Soweto. Chiawelo residents came out in their numbers to witness Ramaphosa cast his mark on the ballot, however, issues of service delivery and other complaints did not escape some of the voters who said they want the government to do more to ensure their lives are improved drastically in the new administration. A mother of…

Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC, Mbali Hlophe, says the roll-out of farmyards will restore the lost nutritional value in townships, hostels and informal settlements. The farmyard is an innovative concept largely targeted at the youth and women, she said. These beneficiaries receive re-purposed containers that are converted into stores for local farmers to sell their produce to their communities in an effort to bring into sharp focus the need for a healthy diet. There are about four farmyards in Gauteng’s townships equipped with the necessary equipment and infrastructure as part of the government’s project to revitalise the township economy to migrate Gauteng citizens from dependency on the State to self-reliance, Hlophe said. “This is about bringing back good health and nutrition to our townships. The stats…

The three people facing charges in connection with the grand theft at president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo in 2020 have appeared before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court. Imanuwela David, 39, the man accused of being the mastermind behind the February 2020 theft, was remanded in custody until the next court date in August. He is charged alongside Froliana Joseph, who was a domestic worker at the Phala Phala farm, and her brother, Ndilinasho Joseph. Ramaphosa’s former housekeeper, Froliana, and her brother Ndilinasho, who are accused number two and three, were granted R5 000 and R10 000 bail, respectively in November last year. The State had not opposed bail when the siblings were released. Their stringent bail conditions include that they hand over their passports, and may…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has seized a range of assets from three men accused of orchestrating a Ponzi scheme. The NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane said with the help of the Hawks and SA Reserve Bank (SARB), they seized vehicles, game farms in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and North West. The assets belonged to the accused, Kelvin Cholwich, Theunis Johannes Schoeman and Johan de Clerk and their associates who allegedly benefited from the scheme. The men face charges ranging from fraud to contraventions of the Banks Act. “The fourth mastermind of the scheme Robert Paul Weimer, died in 2017.” The matter stems from a series of complaints in 2015, which prompted the SARB to investigate certain entities that appeared to be the chosen vehicles for running the Ponzi scheme. The…

The Monaco Grand Prix was one of elation for Ferrari but other teams ended the picturesque race with a strong sense of disappointment. Max Verstappen said he and Red Bull had experienced a “weekend to forget” after he finished sixth and Sergio Perez crashed out of Sunday’s processional Monaco Grand Prix. Meanwhile Esteban Ocon faced the wrath of his Alpine team and both potential disciplinary action and a grid penalty in Canada after crashing into teammate Pierre Gasly. Verstappen however said the team had found one positive by identifying the cause of their problems after his worst result since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. In particular, the three-time champion and current leader said their car struggled to cope with the bumpy nature of the track and a need to ride…

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has expressed the club’s desire to rectify the mistakes made in their last cup final against Orlando Pirates. The two clubs met in the MTN8 final earlier on in the season, with the Buccaneers emerging victorious via a penalty shoot-out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. That result came after Pirates had eliminated Sundowns from the same competition over a two-legged semi-final in 2022 as well, something that has not been lost on the Brazilians. On that windy night in Durban, Pirates clinched their third cup final in the last two seasons, and will now look to defend their Nedbank Cup crown against Sundowns this weekend. The two teams will meet in a sold-out affair at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Sundowns…

HOLLYWOOD Athletics Club teammates Cian Oldknow and Irvette van Zyl will have Paris on their minds when they bounce their way through the flat and fast course in Gqeberha during the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Half-Marathon Championships at the weekend. Their majority of adversaries, on the other hand, will be thinking about San Diego. The 21.1km race taking place on Saturday is a trial for a place in Team SA’s squad for next year’s World Athletics Road Running Championships, to be hosted by the California city. Oldknow, having recently been crowned SA marathon champion, would no doubt definitely be keen to go back to the world championships, having been part of the country’s team that competed in Riga, Latvia, last time around. But the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) representative has…

Shaun Maswanganyi feels that he is mentally stronger, and wants to “show the world what I can do” at the Paris Olympics. Maswanganyi – who runs for the University of Houston on the American college circuit, where he is coached by US legend Carl Lewis – is one of few 23-year-old sprinters who has already had a taste of the Olympic Games, and he intends to use that experience to good effect in Paris in August. Speaking to Independent Newspapers from Houston this week, Maswanganyi is determined to go at least one step further than he did at the Tokyo Games in 2021, where he reached the semi-finals in the 100m and 200m. Just last week, he was victorious in the Big 12 college event in Texas, and has been…

BHP and Anglo American were yesterday in disagreement over the Australian resource giant’s request for an extension of the deadline for it to make a firm offer for the Johannesburg and London-listed mining group. Under London listing rules, BHP had until yesterday to make a firm offer for Anglo American. Last week, Anglo American agreed to extend the deadline to pave the way for negotiations around BHP’s proposed $49 billion (R906.15bn) takeover, which entails the unbundling of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and Kumba Iron Ore. According to Anglo American, these engagements over the past week failed to reach a common position. “On May 28, 2024, BHP put forward a limited number of socio-economic mea- sures that were confined in scope, impact and duration and that BHP stated would support…

THE AUTOMOTIVE Aftermarket Association Forum (AAAF) has warned that more than 162 000 jobs were at risk among the predominantly black-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the automotive aftermarket industry due to the closure of dozens of workshops daily under the controversial multibillion rand RT46 Government Tender. AAAF this week said that most several workshops in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal were facing closure or going out of business after being allegedly excluded by WesBank from sharing the contracts for the repair and maintenance of the government fleet. The RT46 tender is currently administered by WesBank, NedFleet, and Fleet Africa. It provides vehicle fleet management services to the State for a five-year period, effective April 1, 2021. This tender pertains to the management of repairs…

BILLIONAIRE businessperson Johann Rupert has remained hopeful that interest rates and consumer inflation have started to decline as liquidity from the private and banking sectors improve, although financing costs remain elevated. Rupert’s Reinet Investments, which has investments in British American Tobacco (BAT), on Tuesday said it invested capital worth €128 million (R2.55 billion) during the year ended March 31, with the lion’s share in funds managed by the investment firms Trilantic Capital Partners, TruArc Partners and Coatue. This left Reinet with cash resources of some €357m. The company also has access to additional funds via additional borrowing facilities, which will be pivotal in meeting its investment obligations and other opportunities. “During the past year we have seen interest rates and inflation starting to decline in some major…

South Africans turned out in their numbers to cast their votes in yesterday’s historic elections. The Star visited the Midrand Primary School voting district in the morning and was greeted by long lines of people eagerly waiting for the doors of the voting station to open. Noordwyk resident Shawn Madubela said she couldn’t wait to cast her vote and protect “the gains of freedom”. Madubela said she was a staunch ANC supporter and believed the party had achieved a lot in the 30 years it had been in power. “It is disingenuous for some people to say the ANC has not done anything for the past years. The ANC-led government has built schools and infrastructure; kids have gone to school. “It has built hospitals, roads and houses for the poor…

AS THE country waits with bated breath for the outcome of yesterday’s general elections, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink believes the results will have huge implications in the running of the municipality. Brink expressed his views yesterday as he cast his ballot at Laspossie Kleuterskool in Pretoria East, joining millions of South Africans elsewhere in the elections. As he waited for his turn to vote Brink expressed his excitement at participating in the democratic process. “This is an historical election for South Africa. It won’t just determine the future of the national government and provincial government. “It would also have big implications for the City of Tshwane because we operate within the laws and policies determined at other spheres of government,” he said. Brink believed the outcome would also depend on…

Professor Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University, has been awarded the National Order of Merit, on behalf of the president of France, Emmanuel Macron. The bestowing of the order was officiated by the Ambassador of France Designate to South Africa, Ambassador David Martinon, last Friday. The ceremony took place at Merton Keep in Pretoria, home to the French ambassador. The National Order of Merit was created in 1963 and rewards distinguished merit. “I stand before you in awe and with a heart filled with gratitude and humility as I receive this National Order of Merit from the president of France. I am grateful to the president and the French people for this honour. This prestigious award holds immense significance, not only for me but also to…

THE allegations of sexual harassment levelled against DJ Tumelo “Mr JazziQ’’ Manyoni have spurred debate on social media after YFM drive-time show producer Ngcebo Mcobothi spoke out. A few days ago, Mcobothi took to X alleging she was sexually harassed in an elevator by Mr JazziQ after rejecting his advances. “I am so triggered! Not me being sexually harassed by one of your favourites after rejecting his advances. “This guy literally grabbed me by the waist, trying to kiss me ngenkani (forcefully), the way I had to push him away from me, lapho, we are in a lift,” she said. Manyoni’s team responded that Mcobothi was never in close proximity as she entered the lift before him. “It came to our attention that an X post, published just over a…

Car companies don’t often give motoring journalists base models to play with, but then Kia South Africa doesn’t seem to shy away from exposing its full line-up to the world. With that in mind we recently got to spend a week with the Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi LX, which is the cheapest model in the midsize SUV range, although cheap is perhaps a relative term given that it costs R662 995. If you’re reading this in the future, meaning you haven’t been forced to board Elon Musk’s Starship to Mars after AI staged a hostile takeover of Earth, it has probably become more expensive, so go check on Kia’s website. Future prophecies of doom aside, the Sportage LX does offer a unique proposition within its class,…

IT’S been a long time coming but Toyota have finally released and let us drive the new Hilux GR Sport III. As a reminder, the GR Sport III is more than a few decals slapped on with black rims and red interior stitching. It’s not a completely new double cab from the Prospecton factory in Durban, for that we’ll have to wait 18 months or so, but it does stand out significantly from its ordinary garden variety sibling. It features an increase in tread, the lateral distance between the wheels has been expanded by 140mm at the front and 155mm at the rear with an upgraded front coil and rear leaf spring suspension system with KYB larger diameter monotube shock absorbers and 265/65 R17 BF Goodrich all terrain tyres…

THE smile that flickered across Makhehleni Makhaula’s heavily bearded face as he looked ahead to Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final told the story of a man about to participate in arguably his favourite match. Makhaula is a certainty to start for Orlando Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns in the decider of the country’s premier club knock-out competition at Mbombela Stadium (3pm kick-off), and the prospects of a third winner’s medal has got the 34-year-old fired up. “This cup final means a lot to me (because) it will be my third medal if I take it, if we defend it,” Makhaula told journalists at the Buccaneers’ open day at Orlando Stadium this week. Though he has two winners’ medals, the man from Mohlakeng, near Randfontein, has only ever played a mere four…

The Proteas will go into unknown territory when they kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in New York on Monday (4.30pm, SA time). With the game having made huge strides in the past two years, they will need to have an answer for every phase of their batting game without any noticeable identity. The 2014 World Cup semi-finalists’ history at ICC events has them flying under the radar, without a lot of expectations from the rest of the world. But they will possess one of the tournament’s best batting line-ups on paper. It is a continuation of a story, with one chapter that has constantly had to be revisited over the years. You look around the games leading up to the tournament, the squad selected and…

The Lions need an almighty effort against the Stormers on Saturday (1.45pm kick-off) if they are to make their United Rugby Championship play-off dreams a reality.We looked at five players for the Doornfontein-based outfit that could have a massive impact on the game, if they are ready to roar in the Cape Town Stadium ... Quan Horn The young fullback is finally receiving the recognition he deserves, with a recent call-up to the Springboks’ alignment camp.Horn is a solid operator. Big and strong, he is unafraid to run at the opposition on the counter, but also has a booming left boot that can drive rival teams back. Marius Louw The skipper missed the Glasgow triumph due to a knee niggle, but should be back to lead the Lions this weekend,…

Real Madrid’s superstars usually grab the headlines, but quietly steering the ship in the direction of Champions League success yet again is coach Carlo Ancelotti. If Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s final at Wembley, Ancelotti can become the first coach to lift the trophy five times. The Italian is already the most decorated manager in the history of the tournament, winning it twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, and then twice with Madrid in 2014 and 2022. With the latter, Ancelotti surpassed Liverpool manager Bob Paisley and his Madrid predecessor Zinedine Zidane, who boast three each, to become “Mister Champions”. Ancelotti won the competition twice as a player with Milan, but his exploits as a coach have become the stuff of legend, along with his recent…