Starの 2022-11-25 の目次

It’s summer and the weather is playing its part. Well Jozi hasn’t been the friendliest with the weather in recent days. But the party must go on this festive season and nobody wants to be left behind. Gauteng’s biggest commercial youth radio station, Y, is all set to shake the East Rand on November 26 with its LYFE music festival taking place at Carnival City Lawns. With a line-up of some of South Africa’s most accomplished artists, the youth brand will celebrate the start to the Summer of Your LYFE. Everyone attending can look forward to a full festival experience including thrilling acts taking the stage. Grammy award-winning DJ Black Coffee, who returned to South Africa in November following a five-month European summer tour, will take the reins of…

Parents of Ormonde Primary School pupils will stage a protest this morning over a Grade 5 English teacher, who is accused of sexually harassing girl learnrers at the school, some as young as 11. The angry parents want the principal of the school to suspend the teacher. They allege that he is inappropriate with their children making sexually charged comments, while others have claimed to have been touched on their bums, breasts and cheeks by him. On Wednesday, a concerned group of parents visited the school to complain about numerous incidents. One parent, whose child is the alleged victim of the teacher’s sexually predatory ways, said her child was now scared to go to school after the incident this month. She said that instead of suspending the alleged offender, the…

THE Gauteng government is considering using revenue collected from casinos, renewal of motor vehicles licences and other revenue measures to pay its 30% share of the e-tolls debt. This was revealed by the Gauteng Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo in his Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement in the legislature yesterday. This comes after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the national government would take responsibility for 70% of the e-tolls debt, including the improvement of the road infrastructure in other parts of the country. The province undertook to repay a 30% contribution to the e-tolls debt as well maintaining and expanding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project road network. “As Gauteng provincial government, we will optimise existing sources of revenue and introduce alternative sources of revenue without burdening further the citizens of the…

Zimbabwe’s record of violence against women is alarming. Violence against women is there in homes, churches, workplaces and in politics across Zimbabwe and much of it just goes unreported. Jestina Mukoko and Lucia Matibenga were tortured and their rights to fair treatment violated just because they had different political views to those of the Zanu-PF government. The Citizens Coalition for Change Activists, Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marowa and Honourable Joanna Mamombe were abducted, beaten and treated so badly to the point of being made to eat their human waste by state sponsored Zanu-PF operatives. The comedian Gonyeti was abducted and beaten to silence her from making comedy which criticises President Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF. Recently in October 2022 a CCC Member of Parliament for Bulawayo Metropolitan, and other female CCC activists were…

The Light we carry Michelle Obama AT some point when I was a child, my father started using a cane to keep himself balanced when he walked. I don’t remember exactly when it showed up in our home on the South Side of Chicago – I was maybe four or five years old at the time – but suddenly it was there, slim and sturdy and made of a smooth dark wood. The cane was an early concession to multiple sclerosis, the disease that had given my father a severe left-legged limp. Slowly and silently and probably long before he received a formal diagnosis, MS was undermining his body, eating away at his central nervous system and weakening his legs as he went about his everyday business: working at the…

The global drive to reduce emissions coupled with meteoric advancements in technology have radically accelerated the electrification of transport globally. According to the International Energy Agency, for example, just 120 000 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold worldwide in 2012, compared to the new record of 6.6 million sales achieved in 2021 – with electric cars representing nearly one in 10 of all car sales globally. This year, statistics indicate electric car sales could reach new highs yet again, with 2 million sold in the first quarter of the year alone – a 75% increase from the same period in 2021. In fact, successes in the development of new battery-powered electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have even seen European policymakers declare that the region will be implementing a ban…

MOSCOW: Russia and Ukraine carried out the latest in a series of prisoner of war exchanges yesterday, officials in Kyiv and Moscow said. Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine had released 50 Russian soldiers who had been captured. The Ukrainian presidential administration said Ukraine received 48 soldiers and two officers, Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-backed head of the part of Ukraine’s Donetsk region that is under Russian control, said that a prisoner swop with Kyiv was taking place, involving 50 prisoners on each side. Kyiv and Moscow have so far swopped over 1 000 prisoners of war since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in February. | Reuters…

CIANJUR: Indonesian authorities struggled yesterday to get aid to thousands of people displaced by a deadly earthquake in western Java, as rain-triggered landslides and difficult mountainous terrain hampered the efforts of rescue teams. Monday’s 5.6-magnitude earthquake in the town of Cianjur, about 75km south of Jakarta, killed at least 272 people and left thousands sheltering in tents with scant medical and aid supplies. The disaster agency said many had not received aid and nearly 5 000 volunteers were deployed to help distribute supplies | Reuters…

JAVIER Maluf will quietly put on a shirt worn by Diego Maradona against England, but other fans at the World Cup have more noisy plans for today’s second anniversary of the death of the flawed genius. Argentina’s legion of supporters may also be praying to the sporting gods that the late football great can still inspire his country to victory over Mexico tomorrow to keep their hopes in Qatar alive. Maluf is like many Argentina fans who have never fully recovered from Maradona’s death from a heart attack at the age of 60. The shirt that Maradona wore during a game against England at Wembley in 1980 is the prized item in Maluf’s collection of 1 000 game-worn football jerseys that he estimates is worth $1million. “I will put it…

QATAR want to prove they can compete at the highest level when they face Senegal today, coach Felix Sanchez said yesterday on the eve of a clash that may thwart their World Cup hopes. The Asian champions are hoping to avoid becoming only the second hosts to be eliminated in the first round at the finals after South Africa in 2010. Qatar lost 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening game of the tournament after a disappointing performance, causing many fans to leave the stadium 20 minutes before the end. “Hopefully we can play freely and without pressure and be better than what happened in the first game, this team have a point to prove,” Sanchez said. “Matches are controlled by many factors, but the most important thing is to give…

SOUTH Africa is still the land of the bloodthirsty fast bowler, right? Newlands offered a hint of evidence that that was the case with Western Province’s seam quartet dismissing the woeful Knights for 110 in 40 overs on the opening day of their Cricket SA 4-Day Series clash. Elsewhere, however, spin dominated. That is unsurprising for Kingsmead, but the Wanderers? There was bounce, but typically at The Bullring, the pace on the opening day was sluggish. However, what was unusual was the amount of spin on offer, which Simon Harmer used to his advantage. The Lions’ batters looked bemused when the second delivery from the off-spinner did strange things. Rassie van der Dussen beckoned opener partner, Josh Richards to have a look at the surface with the Proteas batter animatedly…

Actress and businesswoman Sonia Mbele found herself topping the social media trends list on Wednesday after her son Donell Mbele’s girlfriend accused him of abuse. In a lengthy statement shared on her Twitter and Instagram accounts, the former Generations star condemned her son over the abuse allegations. “I woke up this morning to a different world, a world I thought I had long buried. From the age of 17 to 26, I was with a man who was abusive, physically, psychologically and emotionally,” Sonia said in a statement. “I’m mentioning this so that you understand that as a woman who has suffered all kinds of abuse, I do not stand for, support or condone such a stance.” Sonia said she had not been aware of her son’s behaviour and wished…

ON October 28, 2022, The Star, on its front page published a story headlined “Sex scandal rocks Home Affairs” which suggested that: The DHA deputy director Zulekha Sheik Hassim had a romantic relationship with a former colleague and was “rolling with influential people”. Hassim was instrumental in doing favours for foreigners in getting them visas and permits. Received bribes to the value of R15 000.00. Received employment in the office of the presidency. It has since come to our attention that the statements made about Ms Hassim in the offending article are unsubstantiated. In light of this, we apologise to Ms Hassim and, in particular, the Hassim family for any harm which may have been caused to their dignity, good name and reputation by our publication. As a mark of…

I recently had a discussion with my son about how the World Cup either serves as a societal binding force or a dividing force. We had community of view that many households experience “the worst of times and the best of times”, to use Charles Dickens’s dictum, during the World cup. The time is ripe to mention John Gray’s theory that men are from Mars and women are from Venus becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Most men monopolise the remote control and switch between channels with the agility of a cat. On the other side, women who are less interested in the “men’s game”, find it emotionally draining to miss out on their favourite television soapies and reality shows. The 1990 World Cup is printed on my memory. I experienced a…

Flat out and fearless Peter Lindenberg Loot.co.za (R229) Tracey McDonald WITH a racing career spanning more than four decades, coming second is never an option for Peter Linden- berg. Troubled by a lack of self-confidence, Peter’s “average” childhood saw a bitter parent who doubted his abilities, a demanding school system that forced him to fit the mould, a younger brother who was better at everything, and brutal, undeserved beatings with a sjambok. But when Peter tasted the buzz of barefoot water-skiing he found it impossible to resist, and went on to break records, earn numerous Springbok Colours, and win many world championships. This, however, was just the start. Little did Peter know the sporting magic that would follow in his life – first as a powerboat racer and then…

QUESTIONS are being asked on whether the Senzo Meyiwa murder case will ever end with an outcome that is just and equitable, considering the unprecedented court of public opinion’s interference. The case was this week postponed to May next year, rendering the tired adage “the wheels of justice grind and grind slowly” nauseatingly true. From newspapers and TV coverage of the trial, one has but to ask if the sub judice rule still applies in any form. The case seems to be tried in two parallel fora: the criminal trial before Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and the court of public opinion on social media. Whatever Judge Robert Nugent said in his Western Cape 2007 judgment on relaxing the sub judice rule in favour of freedom of expression and the right to…

Kabul: More than a dozen Afghan women protested briefly in Kabul yesterday, calling for their rights to be recognised on the eve of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Afghan women have been squeezed out of public life since the Taliban’s return to power in August last year. Organisers said the Taliban had briefly detained three of the protesters, releasing them after they were “humiliated and insulted”. Most women government workers have lost their jobs. Women have also been barred from travelling without a male relative, and must cover up with a burqa or hijab when outside. | AFP…

A slightly different career path could have seen Yunus Musah lining up alongside fellow 19-year-old Jude Bellingham for England against the US today. He could even have been playing for Ghana against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal yesterday. Instead, the teenaged midfielder will pull on the US shirt for the 20th time in today’s World Cup Group B clash in Al Khor when his side will try to spring a major upset. Musah was born to Ghanaian parents in New York’s Bronx, spent his early years near Venice and moved to London with his family in 2012 and came through the ranks at Arsenal’s academy. His path into the Premier League looked mapped out when he represented England from Under-15 to Under-18 level but he opted for a move away from Arsenal…

INDEPENDENT Media, Independent Online (IOL) and journalist Thabo Makwakwa were yesterday granted leave to appeal an interdict by the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, which prevented the publishing of an intelligence report on alleged activities of the CIA in destabilising the ANC. Titled “US Interest In ANC Party Dynamic”, the report in question was compiled by the State Security Agency (SSA). The report was handed to Makwakwa by concerned sources from within the SSA in December last year. The SSA had previously obtained an interdict preventing Independent Media from publishing the report. Independent Media editor-in-chief Aziz Hartley said the publisher, Makwakwa and IOL, all cited as respondents of the original interdict, were of the professional opinion that it was the media’s right and responsibility to report on matters that were…

I am surprised I do not hear of any nominations for Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to become the president of the ANC after all the xenophobic workouts that kept him busy and propelled him suddenly into the headlines in the past few months. Just think of the transport minister who waited until a few months before an elective conference to announce the big news that the department responsible for “constructing” roads will now strive with all its might to repair potholes and that identifying ghost workers is a fulfilment of a mandate and election promises. Then the energy minister and his president came up with the most brilliant strategy of the century by simply placing a white person before a severely complex energy problem and load shedding. Motsoaledi, too,…

THE Office of Health Standards Compliance was established in 2008 to inspect health institutions to ensure they comply with national health standards. According to inspections conducted in the financial year 2016/2017, 696 health establishments were inspected, and only five found to be compliant. Why was there a need for this office when inspections of health institutions had always been one of the functions of the South African Nursing Council (SANC), among many others? What else do the staff of this office do when not busy with inspections? What made the duplication of services necessary? What corrective measures if any, are undertaken by the office once appalling results are found? Unless there are compelling reasons why the Department of Health needs its services, in addition to the SANC’s, the employees…

CHILDREN who grow up with absent fathers can suffer lasting damage. They are more likely to end up in poverty or drop out of school, become addicted to drugs, have a child out of wedlock, or end up in prison. To address these challenges, the Growing Up Without A Father South African Foundation hosted its annual #NoExcuse men’s conference. The event is to uplift and educate men to be better people. This year’s conference took place on November 19 in Midrand, and was attended by 150 men and 10 women. The purpose of the conference was to raise awareness of the impact of fatherlessness in South African communities, educate men about mental health issues, and highlight men’s use of strength positively in an effort to eradicate gender-based violence. Founder, Charley…

Long Shadows David Baldacci Loot.co.za (R275) Macmillan FBI agent Amos Decker returns in this action-packed thriller to investigate the mysterious and brutal murder of a federal judge and her bodyguard at her home in an exclusive, gated community in Florida. Things are changing for Decker. He’s in crisis following the suicide of a close friend and receipt of a letter concerning a personal issue which could change his life forever. Together with the prospect of working with a new partner, Frederica White, Amos knows that this case will take all of his special skills to solve. Judge Julia Cummins seemingly had no enemies, and there was no forced entry to her property. Close friends and neighbours in the community apparently heard nothing, and Cummins’ distraught ex-husband, Barry, and teenage son,…

Forever Home Graham Norton Loot.co.za (R240) Coronet Carol is a divorced teacher living in a small town in Ireland, her only son now grown. A second chance at love brings her unexpected connection and belonging. The new relationship sparks local speculation: what does a woman like her see in a man like that? What happened to his wife who abandoned them all those years ago? But the gossip only serves to bring the couple closer. When Declan becomes ill, things start to fall apart. His children are untrusting and cruel, and Carol is forced to leave their beloved home with its worn oak floors and elegant features and move back in with her parents. Carol’s mother is determined to get to the bottom of things, she won’t see her daughter…

​ON the list of fun things to get your festive season going should be the Soweto Farmers’ Market in Protea Glen at the Soweto Barnyard on Sunday. The market is said to be the first of its kind for the township and is suitable for the whole family.​​ Visitors can expect stalls for a quick but exciting shopping experience and then kick back and relax, ending the day with a picnic with loved ones. Owner of the Soweto Farmers’ Market Lindo Buthelezi says the day will bring a multitude of experiences – from deliciously prepared market food to funky drinks and good music, with a promising entertainment line-up. “The objective of the market is to introduce a different cultural experience within the township. “We’ll do this whilst creating and promoting…

One of the political challenges in Qatar is that most of the population is left behind when the royal family forges ahead with socio-political modernisation. Unlike in most countries where change is often driven by civil society, in Qatar it is the royal family who have that role. Hence, the Gulf State has found itself caught between pleasing foreign football fans and the West on one hand, and possible domestic unrest on the other with regard to the arrangement made for the World Cup. Since winning its bid to host the tournament in December 2010, Qatar has faced almost continual criticism, with many people doubting its capabilities for hosting it successfully. Four main issues have been dominating such criticism. Given its mean temperatures, could the state host a tournament traditionally…

Eastern Europe’s arms industry is churning out guns, artillery shells and other military supplies at a pace not seen since the Cold War as governments in the region lead efforts to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Allies have been supplying Kyiv with weapons and military equipment since Russia invaded its neighbour on February 24, depleting their own inventories along the way. The US and Britain committed the most direct military aid to Ukraine between January 24 and October 3, a Kiel Institute for the World Economy tracker shows, with Poland in third place and the Czech Republic ninth. Still wary of Russia, their Soviet-era master, some former Warsaw Pact countries see helping Ukraine as a matter of regional security. But nearly a dozen government and company officials and…

BLANTYRE: Malawi is in the grip of a cholera outbreak which has spread across the country, killing 292 people and infecting 9 447 since March when the first case was reported, according to the health ministry. Most deaths from the disease, which is spread through contaminated water and food, are in four districts bordering Lake Malawi and in Blantyre. Treatment camps have been set up and patients are arriving in droves, putting pressure on a health care system depleted of essential medicines and equipment. The outbreak now has a mortality rate of 3.1%, up from 2% in March. | Reuters…

ENGLAND’S Jude Bellingham, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, has been named the most valuable player at the 2022 Fifa World Cup, according to the authoritative CIES Football Observatory, the research group based in Switzerland. And Gareth Southgate’s charges take the prize for being the highest-valued squad at the World Cup. Somewhat surprisingly England have pipped Brazil as the most valuable squad at the World Cup. Over the years, the world’s most expensive players hailed from Brazil but this has changed in recent years with European nations fielding some of the world’s finest players. England are gunning for their second World Cup title, and their squad is valued at a tournament-topping £1.31-billion, ahead of 2022 favourites Brazil (£1.27b), France (£1.17b) and Spain (£1.05b). The 831 players at the World Cup have a…

IT was around the fifth race, with Nicholas Latifi seemingly twiddling his thumbs instead of having them on the steering wheel of his Williams, dilly dallying at the back of the grid, that it became clear that Formula One had fallen into a familiar pattern. Williams, it was clear, would suck. Ferrari, meanwhile, was battling with the pressure of early season expectation, while one team was building up a head of steam to dominate. For once, it wasn’t Mercedes, but rather Red Bull. The roles were reversed but the outcome remained the same. That was perhaps the only real surprise this season – even George Russell’s first GP victory was predicted, but that it took until the penultimate race in Sao Paulo was a late fulfilment. This Formula One season…