Starの 2023-06-14 の目次

Dear Business Report Readers IT IS WITH great regret to inform you that Business Report will no longer be publishing the previous-day closing JSE share prices and related market updates from ProfileData in our weekday print editions, that appear in Independent media’s national titles: The Cape Times, The Star and The Mercury. This will also be the case for www.iol.co.za. The same decision was made with the Unit Trust pages, recently, which will now also not be available online for Personal Finance readers in the interim, either. We are reconsidering our options to bring you a better and more relevant proposition shortly, for both print and online, and we are planning to provide a much wider scope of relevant investment information, in an array of user-friendly formats, to all our…

US legislators ask White House to move this year’s Agoa Summit away from SA AS SOUTH Africa appears to be the verge of losing the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) from the US government, due to the country’s decision to remain neutral in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, economists yesterday warned of the consequences to the already strained economy. This comes as a group of both US legislators wrote to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, asking the White House to move this year’s Agoa Summit away from South Africa. In a letter dated June 9 addressed to Blinken, Trade Representative Katherine Tai and National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, the legislators said South Africa’s government has formally taken a neutral stance on Russia’s unlawful invasion of…

INVESTMENT group Brait’s net asset value per share (NAVPS) fell 16% to R7.06 for the year to March 31 due mainly to the lower Premier Group valuation as a result of its listing and the impact of the rand’s devaluation on the UK pound denominated convertible bonds. Brait repaid its R3 billion revolving credit facility during the year, resulting in R360 million of interest savings per year. Brait’s main investments are in Premier, Virgin Active and the New Look fashion store chain in the UK. Premier’s strong operational performance continued through the 2023 financial year, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) growth of 16%, largely driven by the Millbake business. The listing of Premier in March raised R3.6bn for Brait, in addition to a R900m…

THE SPECIAL Investigating Unit (SIU) said yesterday that Optimum Coal Mine has signed an acknowledgement of debt (AoD) with it to pay back R6.9 million in unpaid motor licensing fees and penalties to the department of roads and transport. In a statement, the SIU said the payment would be paid in six instalments. It said the non-payment of motor licensing fees was a contravention of Regulation 18 of the National Road Traffic Act of 1996. The SIU said the unpaid motor licensing fees and penalties were between January 2018 and November 2022. The mine, which was once owned by the Gupta family, went into business rescue in February 2018 following the Guptas fleeing the country to Dubai. According to the SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, the AoD agreement emanated from…

As food prices soar and the cost of living reaches an all-time high, many shoppers are looking for the best ways to save money. Whereas some are opting for cheaper ingredients while doing the food shop, others are a bit more creative in their money-saving schemes, like one frugal TikToker who wanted to cut the cost of his weekly shop. He has gone viral on social media after he was captured by his girlfriend peeling bananas before weighing them at the self-service checkout in order to make them a little bit cheaper. The couple, named as Mason and Mai on TikTok, and who go by the handle @savingforboba, shared a video with the overlay text: “How my frugal boyfriend saves money on his bananas”. The clip shows his girlfriend Mai…

The sound of cancer cells being electrocuted is one that many people wish to hear. The WPP and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco), the top organisation for doctors and oncology specialists in the world, have partnered to reveal the first-ever audible sound of cancer cells being eradicated by cutting-edge technology. Today, it is anticipated that one in three people may develop cancer at some point in their lifetime. Grey Health & Wellness developed the idea of giving cancer patients a better grasp of how their medication or chemotherapy might directly impact malignant cells in order to support patients during their treatment journey. The team then collaborated with scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School to identify the sound made by breast and lung cancer cells just…

One thousand hours of local content will be made available to the English, French, Portuguese and Spanish markets globally after an international deal was signed between Trace Studios and MultiChoice Studios. The agreement will see Trace represent MultiChoice Studios’ diverse range of content. The partnership expands Trace Studios’ commitment to promoting and representing African IP on a global scale, making MultiChoice’s catalogue accessible to a wider audience in multiple languages and regions. Olivier Laouchez, group CEO and chairperson of Trace, said the two distribution groups shared the same ambition. “Trace Studios is very excited about this new finished programme distribution partnership with MultiChoice. With MultiChoice, we share the same ambition to take African culture to the world. The MultiChoice catalogue includes some of the best ‘Made in Africa’ narratives and…

“The courts are with Ramaphosa.” These are the alleged chilling words of former MP and minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson to Mandla Skosana, the husband of suspended Public Protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane in one of the two meetings she had with him, says Mkhwebane. Mkhwebane, in the company of her husband, legal representative and advocate Dali Mpofu, at a media briefing in Sandton yesterday, addressed allegations of bribery against Joemat-Pettersson, ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina, and chairperson of the Section 194 inquiry Richard Dyantyi, who have been implicated in soliciting a R600 000 bribe from Skosana. Independent Media recently reported that Skosana opened a case of bribery against the three Members of Parliament with the OR Tambo International Airport police, which is where two of the meetings between himself and…

Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has expressed concern at allegations of extortion being made against members of Parliament’s Section 194 committee of inquiry into suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office. The Speaker’s statement comes as Mkhwebane’s husband, Mandla Skosana, officially handed over all the WhatsApp messages between him and former energy minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson to support his claim that three MPs tried to extort R600 000 from him. Skosana opened a criminal case three weeks ago alleging that Joemat-Pettersson, the ANC chief whip in Parliament, Pemmy Majodina, and the chairperson of the Section 194 inquiry probing Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, Qubudile Dyantyi, solicited a bribe from him to “manipulate or make the inquiry” against his wife “go away”. Hawks spokesperson Thandi Mbambo confirmed…

THE family of the late Emma Sathekge, who was killed by apartheid police in 1984 at the age of 15 during boycotting of classes in Atteridgeville, wants their daughter to be accorded the same recognition as Hector Pieterson who was gunned down during the 1976 Soweto uprising. Her nephew, Robby Sathekge, told the Pretoria News yesterday that the family was also calling for an inquest to be opened into her murder because they sought to get closure. It was reported that Sathekge was run over by a police van during a commotion that ensued when the police fired tear gas at the protesting pupils. Sathekge told the Pretoria News that the family had, to date, been treating the reports about the cause of her death as heresy because there had…

MORE accusations have surfaced in the “racial” incident alleged to have taken place at an Afrikaans-medium school in Bronkhorstspruit after a rugby match that ended in a brawl. Last week, Hoërskool Erasmus was accused of instigating violence this month during a match against Zayo Academy, a Tshwane school which predominantly has black pupils. The brawl reportedly ensued during and after the match, which Zayo won, when parents ran on to the field to protest against the referee’s ruling against the Erasmus rugby team. Testimonies written by the victims of the alleged violence and submitted to Zayo Academy principal Catherine van Tonder, and seen by Pretoria News, state that white parents referred to them using the K-word. This prompted the EFF in the region to confront the school. Another testimony from…

While TikTok is the fastest growing social medium in the world, it seems everyone is getting in on the action. This week, Ian Cameron, Action Society director of community safety, said he was concerned about the number of videos circulating of inmates going live on TikTok. Cameron tweeted: “Receiving increasing reports of convicts doing live-streaming on TikTok, etc from prison. We know things are messed up, but every day I become more aware that criminals in South Africa have more rights than law-abiding citizens.” The video has since gone viral on social media. Many Tweeps responded that this was “nothing new”. On the actual live streaming, there were up to 32 000 people watching with people asking various questions which included: “How is the food (in prison), is it as…

Former Springbok Ruan Pienaar will return to the Free State Cheetahs this weekend when the Bloemfontein-based outfit host the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup semi-final, but where he slots in is yet to be determined, coach Hawies Fourie revealed yesterday. Pienaar, who was capped on 88 occasions for the Boks, missed the brilliant come-from-behind 31-27 victory at Loftus Versfeld against the same opposition last weekend due to a family bereavement. Due to his enforced non-availability, Fourie selected Rewan Kruger and Siya Masuku as his starting half-back pairing, and that combination will seemingly be changed for Saturday’s clash at the Free State Stadium (3pm kick-off). “Ruan would have played last week, if not for his responsibility towards his family,” Fourie explained unequivocally yesterday during a media briefing ahead of the…

Stay switched on for the “funny stuff”, and avoid the soft moments. That was the advice loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp had for the rest of the Blue Bulls side in order to knock over the Cheetahs in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final in Bloemfontein (3pm kick-off). The Pretoria outfit lost both games to the Free Staters this season, with the first-round 32-7 loss away followed by a hard-fought 31-27 defeat at Loftus Versfeld last week. But while the Bulls were outplayed in Bloemfontein, they were dominant in the opening quarter last Saturday, racing into a 19-0 lead. However, the match was turned on its head when star No 8 Elrigh Louw was given a red card by referee AJ Jacobs – following consultation with TMO Aimee Barrett-Theron – for a dangerous…

TELKOM CEO Serame Taukobong said yesterday that the mobile operator did not need a rescuer to save it as the business had the right levels of liquidity and that the journey Telkom had been undertaking would deliver the true results. “We do not need a knight in shining armour, be it my former employee or my former employer,” Telkom CEO Serame Taukobong said at the company’s results presentation. He was reacting to an unsolicited proposed takeover bid by a consortium of companies led by Telkom’s former CEO Sipho Maseko. Telkom has since requested further clarity on several matters, including the proposed offer price and certainty of funding, from the consortium. When asked about why Telkom seems to be reluctant to accept offers, Taukobong said: “Let me be cultural and philosophic.…

THE EXTENSION of the ban on the export of scrap metal has created significant barriers to growth and created a lot of uncertainty, according to the Metal Recyclers Association (MRA). In its submissions to the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) on why the ban should not be extended for another nine months, the MRA said disinvestment and pessimism in the industry were at highs and there had been reckless and intimidatory policing on its members, who were already highly regulated through membership and the second-hand goods act. The Department of Trade and Industry in November imposed a six-month ban on the export of copper and copper-alloy scrap, as well as most ferrous scrap as part of the first phase of a three-phase intervention designed to combat the rampant theft of…

SOUTH Africa’s chances of utilising nuclear energy as a bedrock for the energy mix are clear and feasible, experts agree, especially as the country already has at least two sites with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and a clear pathway to a request for quotation by March next year. This follows Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe publicly breathing life last month into the plan to acquire 2 500 megawatts of nuclear energy. The generator will be Eskom or any other organ of state or in partnership with a business. The buyer of the electricity will be Eskom, or any entity designated as the buyer of electricity after Eskom unbundles. The procurer (the buyer) of the new nuclear power station will be the Department of Mineral Resources and…

THE PASSENGER Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) said yesterday that it would need the government to fork out another R6 billion to get its operations in working order. This while its capex of R12.9bn this year, R13.5bn next year and R4bn the year after would be tied down in refurbishment of infrastructure and replenishment of the rail fleet. Appearing before Parliament’s portfolio committee on transport, Prasa CEO Hishaam Emeran said the agency was seeing a slow recovery in passenger numbers, which had fallen from 50 million per year to peak at about 15 million at present, a situation worsened by the badly dilapidated infrastructure vandalised by scrap-metal and copper thieves. “There are two issues that are top priority for the organisation right now: the first is the cost…

Researchers found women are less inclined to take chances than men because they are more sensitive to the pain of potential losses than to the satisfaction of potential profits. This study was published in the British Journal of Psychology. The study also discovered that men are “significantly” more optimistic than women, making them more inclined to take chances. Dr Chris Dawson, associate professor of business economics at the University of Bath School of Management in the UK, said the findings were significant and could help explain sex-specific outcomes in several employment sectors and financial markets. “It is widely acknowledged that men, across many domains, take more risks than women. “These differences in how the sexes view risk can have significant effects,” Dawson said. “For instance, differences between the sexes in…

Kidding is a captivating and innovative play that offers a fresh take on the challenges and complexities of growing up in present-day South Africa. The play, which focuses on how young people struggle to navigate the pressures of school, friendship and the digital world, is the brainchild of future industry leaders. The exciting youth production is a project by second-year students of the Market Theatre Lab. Through a dynamic blend of dance, music and text, Kidding brings to life the untold and tragic stories of young people in modern South Africa. Directed by Thabang Chauke, along with assistant director Mzwandile Mphiti, the play is mentored by Stella Dlangalala. Chauke said he was thrilled to be directing the theatre production that would give the audience an understanding of the issues facing…

THE ANC will not discipline national executive committee (NEC) members who voted against party lines during a parliamentary vote on the Phala Phala scandal, and will instead call on those with strong links to KwaZulu-Natal to assist the party ahead of next year’s elections. ANC sources said the party was unlikely to take disciplinary action against former health minister Zweli Mkhize and minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma before the 2024 elections as they are both seen as central to the party’s leadership, especially in KZN. The ANC in the province is under pressure from its biggest rivals, the DA and IFP, with the party that once ran the province making inroads into previous ANC strongholds. These discussions were held when the party’s National Working Committee was in KZN a few weeks…

A Mpumalanga man surprised his partner at the finish line of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday by producing a ring and popping the question. Louise Haggard, who said yes to the proposal, was taken by surprise when her partner Carl Symington asked her to marry him just after he had finished running the marathon. The love birds from Witbank, Mpumalanga, met 17 months ago. Speaking to The Star’s sister paper, The Mercury, Symington said there were a lot of factors that led to him deciding to propose at the end of the race. He said he and Haggard had trained for the race together but she had been unable to take part due to unforeseen circumstances. “I had to use this chance as I saw that our bond had…

Sports lovers all over the world had a thrilling weekend of sports and watched several records being broken. It all began with Polish tennis player, 22 year-old Iga Swiatek who maintained her firm grip on her number one position when she powered past gutsy Beatrice Haddad Maia of Brazil in the French Open final to win her third grand slam in straight sets. Then it was the turn of Man City. They won the Champions League for the first time and became only the second team, after Man United, to win the treble, making its manager Pep Guardiola a legend in the world of sports. On Sunday, it was the Comrades, the world’s toughest marathon, and the French Open men’s final. Novak Djokovic edged past Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam…

RESIDENTS in Pretoria West, under the umbrella of Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville and Saulsville Civic Association, have asked Tshwane council speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana to convene a special council sitting with a view to have various political parties voting in favour of scrapping the estimated municipal bills. Its chairperson, Tshepo Mahlangu, said the request was contained in a memorandum of grievance handed over to Ndzwanana during a community meeting on Sunday in Atteridgeville The organisation has repeatedly complained about fraudulent letters of demands sent to defaulting customers by people masquerading as municipal officials wanting to extort money from residents. Mahlangu said: “The communities of Tshwane should buy whistles and blow them to chase contractors distributing final letters of demands and disconnecting residents from power supply. We also told residents to avoid calls…

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has challenged youth to #ClaimYourSpace and make South African roads safer this youth month. This comes as the country celebrates Youth Month with the theme “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”. In a statement, the RTMC called on youth to prioritise safety on the roads to ensure that the country has a sustainable future. Statistics collected by the RTMC revealed that about half (49.7%) of people who died on the roads in 2022 were youth and young adults aged between 20 and 39 years. “Youth-related road crashes and injuries constitute a major health challenge and exert a heavy burden on the economy and social infrastructure. “Young people between the ages of 20 and 39 years are more likely to die or be…

Words like “grey listing”, “basis points” and “interest rate” seem like jargon to someone who has never had to pay bills before, making it confusing for the youth to see how and where they fit into the economy. It is important for the youth to understand how the economy works, says client engagement and team lead at Metropolitan GetUp, Liezel Gordon. She said South African youth were facing many challenges and that the country was complex with many factors affecting and influencing the economy. Gordon explained that South Africa has the highest Gini coefficient in the world – which is the disparity between the rich and poor – stemming from the history of apartheid. This has impacted on the distribution of wealth and economic imbalances. Gordon said that in addition,…

Arthur Zwane’s days are numbered as Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly started negotiations with Nasreddine Nabi, the Tunisian coach who recently guided Young Africans to the Caf Confederation Cup final. For several weeks, speculation has been rife that Zwane, who had an underwhelming debut season at Chiefs, will be replaced as coach. The club finished in a disappointing fifth position in the Premiership and went trophyless for an eighth successive campaign. Zwane still has two years remaining on his contract. But should Nabi be appointed, Zwane will probably end up as an assistant. He could also return to the youth ranks, where, according to Chiefs, he was very successful in grooming up-and-coming talents. Informed sources say Nabi has entertained the possibility of coaching Amakhosi, and he is keen on bringing in…

Matthew Breetzke was the lone surviving soldier yesterday as the South Africa A batting unit crumbled in the first ‘Test’ against their Sri Lankan counterparts in Dambulla. Breetzke was undefeated on 59 – almost half of the SA side’s paltry 131 – with the tourists’ top order failing yet again in response to the hosts’ 325. Sri Lankan off-spinner Lakshitha Rasanjana may have claimed the plaudits with his magnificent haul of 5/19 in 10 overs, but the real damage was inflicted by new-ball bowler Dilshan Madushanka. The left-arm seamer has been a thorn in the flesh of the tourists, claiming nine wickets at an average of just 12.33 in the preceding three-match one-day series. Madushanka (3/31) followed his white-ball exploits with another fresh burst that ripped out the visitors’ top…

DELTA Property Fund, a black-managed and substantially black-owned real estate investment trust (Reit) with a significant sovereign underpin, sold seven properties in the year to February 28 as its disposals and debt reduction strategy gained traction. The group, which has properties valued at R6.9 billion, said yesterday the properties were sold for R208.9 million in total, and debt totalling R352.9m that was repaid. Considering the lower revenue and increased interest rates, the board resolved not to declare a dividend for the year. The positive impact of the disposals and debt repayments was diminished by substantial interest rate increases. Finance costs were 11.3% higher than in the prior financial year, as the group felt the full impact of increasing interest rates. “The prime lending rate increased by 4.25% since…

MULTICHOICE, the JSE-listed pay tele- vision group, which reported a bigger knock as a result of headwinds in its South Africa market, is anticipating an improvement in its exposure to exchange rate losses from its Africa operations, mainly in Nigeria, after the removal of fuel subsidies by new Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The South Africa market has been roiled by load shedding, declining discretionary incomes and higher interest rates as the South Africa Reserve Bank tries to contain inflation. This is eating into MultiChoice’s bottom lines to the extent that it did not declare a dividend for the full year to the end of March. “No dividend was declared by the board due to a cautious outlook on currencies in South Africa and Nigeria, a challenging environment in South Africa,…

WEST OF CENTURION, Pretoria, there are two well-known Indian suburbs, Laudium and Erasmia. These townships were well known for having a highly successful, thriving entrepreneurial community. At one point, they hosted the largest concentration of brand new BMW and Mercedes-Benz top of the line car ranges. However, the power crisis South Africa faces has changed this picture of success. Many of these once-successful business owners have had to close shops amid intense load shedding, which has bludgeoned the already weak economy, adding to South Africa’s already onerous unemployment rate. Unfortunately, Laudium and Erasmia are not alone. The rest of the country is in a similar situation as the energy crisis sheds not just power but livelihoods. And a few months ago, CNN reported the economic devastation caused by load shedding,…

MINING production in South Africa surprised on the upside and rebounded in April in spite of intensified power cuts, but the ongoing structural challenges are expected to hamper higher levels of output. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) showed that mining production in April rose by 2.3% year-on-year, following a downwardly revised 2.2% slump in March. This rebound in production marked the first month of growth in mining activity after 14 consecutive months of decline. StatsSA said five of the 12 mining divisions underpinned the 2.3% annual growth in April, with the largest positive contributions coming from gold and coal. StatsSA’s principal survey statistician Juan-Pierre Terblanche said output also increased for copper, building materials, and nickel. “After 14 consecutive months of year-on-year decline, mining production turned positive in April, increasing…

SINGER Kelis is refusing to confirm or deny her rumoured romance with Bill Murray. The Milkshake singer, 43, was last week reported to be dating Ghostbusters actor Murray, 72, after the actor was spotted at her shows in London, with The Sun reporting the pair have been “getting close for a while”. Kelis was asked on her Instagram by a fan as she continues to holiday in Greece in the wake of the rumour: “Ma’am would you care to address these Bill Murray allegations?!? Cuz damn! What he doing with all that?!?” Breaking her silence for the first time since talk started, Kelis said: “Lol no babe, I wouldn’t bother at all.” Murray shares six sons with his ex-wives, and he and Kelis are said to have bonded over their…

Joburg’s residents will receive a 14.97% increase in electricity tariffs, said City of Joburg MMC of finance Dada Morero, during his Budget presentation in the council chambers yesterday. The hike comes as the municipality is battling to clamp down on illegal connections and theft of electricity. “The electricity tariff increase applicable for the 2023/24 financial year is 14.97% based on the Nersa determination for local government. Despite resources being limited, this Budget has sought to increase allocations for electricity infrastructure renewal and maintenance to counter the effects of service disruptions. We have also made money available to safeguard our infrastructure from theft and vandalism,” Morero said. He said many municipalities, like Joburg, were looking for alternative power sources to plug the supply gap. “Through a feasibility study with clear timelines,…

CITY oF Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda says there is no leadership crisis in the metro. Gwamanda was speaking at the second part of the State of the City Address (Soca) Debate, which concluded yesterday. He was responding to criticism from opposition parties, which said that the municipality was not stable under his watch. The mayor has been tackled on his role in the Ithemba la MaAfrika, an investment scheme that allegedly scammed the elderly in Soweto out of thousands of rand. He had also been criticised for missing a number of activities because of poor health. Gwamanda used his speech in council to hit back at his detractors. He said that he was a young mayor and determined to lead the city in the manner that he saw fit. “I…

With Parkinson’s disease having no known cure to date, a Cape Town-based research group is investigating the use of curcumin, one of the primary components of turmeric responsible for giving its striking yellow hue, and its potential use for the alleviation of Parkinson’s symptoms. Parkinsons is a progressive brain disorder caused by a loss of neurons in the substantia nigra, located in the midbrain and responsible for movement and the production of dopamine. Head of the Parkinson’s Disease Research Group based at Stellenbosch University’s Biomedical Research Institute, Professor Soraya Bardien said: “Curcumin has many really great therapeutic properties. “People use it for when they have a cut and they want to stop the bleeding, but it’s also known to have anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidant properties, and these are actually key processes…

The history of sport in South Africa has been traditionally male focused and yet, particularly in the last decade, it is the women’s teams that have been making significant strides. For example, in football, while the women’s provincial football league was only established in 2009, Banyana Banyana are the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Champions, Africa’s number two in the Fifa rankings and 54th in the world. Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana are ranked 66th in the world and 12th on the continent – and yet women’s football players earn under 10% of what Bafana Bafana players get paid for a match. The Premier Soccer League was established in 1996 coming out of the various leagues that existed prior to the first democratic elections in 1994, a reality not unique to…

THE UNIVERSITY of Pretoria’s vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Tawana Kupe, has resigned six months before his term was due to end, sparking concern that there is a “direct purge” of black vice-chancellors at higher education institutions in South Africa. Kupe’s resignation from UP, one of the country’s leading higher education institutions, follows the widely publicised conflicts and eventual resignation of UCT vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and ongoing issues at Unisa with its principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula. News of Kupe’s resignation was shared in a message from the chairperson of the university’s council, Kuseni Dlamini, to members of the university yesterday. Dlamini said the university had accepted Kupe’s decision to resign from his position with effect from July 31. His term was due to conclude in January 2024. “While…

By using artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality as art mediums – visual art exhibition, Spiritual Technology by the Magolide Collective looks at the relationship between spirituality and digital technologies to explore whether this contributes to our experience and understanding of spirituality. Johannesburg-based artists, Adilson De Oliveira and Mzoxolo “X” Mayongo (“X”, formerly Christopher), a duo who practise together as the Magolide Collective, had their first solo exhibition at Cape Town’s World Art gallery recently. The Magolide Collective works to transform a barrage of historical narratives, cultural events, and academic texts – into visual renderings that incorporate performance, digital and video media, and more traditional disciplines like printmaking. These notions are creatively accomplished through a decolonial lens and performative satire to provoke and challenge the power structures and relationships…

The Lions bolstered their squad depth yesterday with the unveiling of three new signings to the union for next season. Former Zebre players Richard Kriel and Erich Cronjé, as well as Conraad van Vuuren from the Free State Cheetahs, have joined the Johannesburg-based outfit. Zander du Plessis, who has played for the union at franchise level, meanwhile, will make a permanent move from Griquas. Tighthead prop Van Vuuren has played a handful of matches for the Cheetahs in their Currie Cup campaign this season, including their last two matches against the Blue Bulls and the Pumas. The 27-year-old will find healthy competition for the No 3 jumper at the Lions as he will be up against the likes of Springbok Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Smith and arguably their best front-row player…

Morocco’s Atlas Lions, the rock stars of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, were fairly subdued in their 0-0 draw against lowly Cape Verde Islands in Rabat on Monday evening. The game attracted a 55 000 capacity crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, but that could not inspire the home team to produce a match-winning performance. The international friendly was arranged to serve as a warm-up for their clash against Bafana Bafana at FNB Stadium on Saturday (5pm kick-off). The squad will be travelling for the dead rubber in Johannesburg with their galaxy of stars that includes Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, who ranks as the best right back in the world. The other stand-out players include Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech, West Ham United centre-back Nayef Aguerd, Sevilla striker Youssef…

They are a group of desperate men wanting to make the Sharks jersey proud, and that’s why they will leave everything on the field on Saturday in their efforts to make it to the Currie Cup final. But they are playing the current champions of South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition in the Pumas and Sharks captain Reniel Hugo believes they can’t take this game lightly. The two teams square up at Kings Park on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off), with the Durban side hoping to get back to winning ways against the reigning champions. Hugo, who has led the Sharks with aplomb in the Currie Cup, said they don’t need any motivation ahead of the clash with the Pumas. The Sharks group that compete in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and…