Inhoudsopgave van 2021-12-10 - Star

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za STRUGGLING Tongaat Hulett’s share price fell 7.8 percent yesterday, after it announced a headline loss of R254 million in the six months to September 2020 compared with the earnings of R59m in the same period in 2020. The group said, however, that its turnaround strategy was continuing, and processes for a R4 billion capital raise had begun, with partial underwriting for R2bn. The weak results had been due to lower raw sugar production, land sales that were delayed by civil riots, hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, prior period restatements and a R158 million impact of civil unrest on profits. On the positive side, sugar demand was strong across all geographies, there were market share gains, and improvements in ESG were implemented. Tongaat Hulett’s share price…

SOUTH Africa has identified more than 50 strategic integrated projects (Sips) with huge potential to create jobs on a large scale, attract investment and lay a foundation for sustainable economic expansion. The Sips have the potential to create 300 000 job opportunities in the next few years through projects in human settlements, water and sanitation, agro-processing, agriculture, and digital and energy. The government’s commitment to spend R791.2 billion in the next three years, coupled with private sector commitments, is important to push initiatives that will jump-start this economy back to life. However, in order for gains from this project to be realised, the government will need to unblock a number of infrastructure bottlenecks, tackle technical skills shortages and a funding crunch that continues to undermine infrastructure delivery.…

Bang Showbiz Nick Cannon announced the passing of his five-month-old son, Zen, on his own chat show on Tuesday, and Nick is reportedly planning to step away from the spotlight for a period of time. A source explained that the show’s “crew and studio audience were all shocked by the devastating news”. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the insider added that they were all “unaware of the tragic and extremely personal announcement Nick was going to make about the loss of his youngest child, Zen, during the live”. Zen died of a brain tumour and Nick spoke emotionally about his passing on air. He told his talk show audience: “Over the weekend I lost my youngest son to a condition called hydrocephalus that was pretty much a malignant, invasive mid-line brain…

Thobile Mazibuko thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za Fashionistas have something to look forward to this festive season as the iLifa Mall in the Michelangelo Towers is hosting a Street Culture Social Market. The market is a platform for up-and-coming black entrepreneurs to showcase their fashion brands in an original Vilakazi Street way. The market is the brainchild of iLifa Mall manager Karin Vermeulen. “The traditional Sandton shopping experience has been known for its impressive array of international fashion brands but has little to no offering when it comes to authentic South African street fashion,” explained Vermeulen. “The idea is to uplift our local talent by providing them with access to an affluent market as well as to inject some authentic street-culture vibe into the hallways of the mall, making it appealing to both locals…

Thobile Mazibuko thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za Pop into The Gallery on Val de Vie Estate in Paarl this weekend to experience the last showcase of the Summer Song. Curated by Kayleen Wrigley with the help of Walker Scott Art Advisory, Summer Song is a group exhibition celebrating the many joys of summer. It features eight local artists: Alice Toich, Erin Chaplin, Jacques Viljoen, Linda Pretorius, Marolize Southwood, Oliver Scarlin, Sarah Heinamann and Weyers du Toit. “The four seasons have inspired artists of all disciplines, but none more so than summer. It is in summer that we see artists turning their attention to communicating light, languid heat, and the soft sensuality of long summer days. “This summer, we welcome the warmer days with a renewed appreciation as we see the warm light at the…

Parties, civil society bodies concerned over exclusion of CR17 bank statements Lehlohonolo Mashigo lehlohonolo.mashigo@inl.co.za POLITICAL parties and civil society organisations are concerned over the reasons that members of the executive will be forced to disclose their donors, excluding that of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s CR17 bank statement. African Transformation Movement (ATM) spokesperson Mxolisi Makhubu said the bizarre interpretation of the executive members ethics code by the North Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) last week under the leadership of Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo is an assault on our constitutional democracy. “A Full Bench of judges came to the conclusion that the funding of political campaigns is not specifically mentioned in the executive members ethics code, and reason enough to exclude Ramaphosa from being expected to have disclosed his 2017 political funding. How…

Edwin Lombard edwin.lombard@inl.co.za A BABY boy is home and ready to celebrate his first birthday and second Christmas, after health-care companies and top medical specialists recently teamed up to undertake a much-needed operation to repair two holes in his heart. Little Leago Mogale was all smiles and bubbly when he was released from hospital recently after doctors repaired the two holes in his tiny heart. His mother Reabetswe Mogale said: “Leago’s name means ‘building a future’. He loves playing with anything that makes a noise or lights up. “I think he might grow up to be a sound engineer one day,” said his proud mother. “But when doctors first picked up that he had a heart murmur just over a year ago, when Leago was less than a week old,…

Julian Richfield julianrichfield2@gmail.com MAYBE better known to a premillennial generation from her role as Alexis Carrington in the television series Dynasty, Dame Joan Collins is now 88 and her career in the limelight has been as an actress, author, columnist, producer, entrepreneur and of course as a global celebrity. Dame Joan has written five volumes of autobiography, six works of non-fiction and six novels. She has kept a diary since she was 12 and her latest book, My Unapologetic Diaries, is very much a “dip in and enjoy” read of her entries between 1989 and 2009. “And now I’m spilling the beans! Well, nearly all of them. Here they are with no apologies to anyone mentioned in them.” You will meet scads of A-list celebrities such as Rod Stewart, Princess…

Dr Thabisi Hoeane | Pretoria SOUTH Africa is really a country of amazing proportions. Many things happen in this country which are beyond understanding and belief. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) – one of the plethora of organizations which are supposed to fight crime, but are getting nowhere – reported recently only R12 million of the R150m swindled under the Digital Vibes scandal has been recovered, a paltry 8% of the total sum. The confusing thing is this: If some of this money has been recovered, why are those who stole it not behind bars and facing the law? Are we saying the SIU just went to these criminals and “begged” them to return the stolen loot? To compound matters, Hermione Cronje has resigned two years into…

In the closest title race since 1974, Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen head into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with everything on the line. Here, Morgan Bolton looks at five factors to keep in mind during this most exciting of F1 seasons. Kimi, my guy This will be the Iceman’s final race as he retires from F1. In a career spanning 20 years, Kimi Raikkonen participated in 352 races – a record – winning 21 and finishing on the podium 103 times. The 42-year-old leaves the sports as a former world champion, claiming the title in 2007 with Ferrari by one point over Hamilton in a McLaren in a memorable title race. Raikkonen will be remembered for his stoic demeanour, calmness and blunt manner, which has somehow endeared…

MIHLALI BALEKA mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za THE detection of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron has sent the Premier Soccer League (PSL) into disarray. And it appears that both the league and its 32 clubs are at fault for not preparing for such eventualities. Last Friday, Kaizer Chiefs appealed to the league, asking that their matches this month be postponed amid the outbreak of Covid-19 at their base as “no less than 31 people” tested positive for the virus. The league has been quiet on the matter, forcing Amakhosi to forfeit their matches against Cape Town City and Golden Arrows. These developments have drawn different reactions from the clubs and supporters. With Amakhosi having initially agreed that the season goes on despite a possible spike in Covid-19 cases, some reckon that the PSL made…

CHELSEA captain Cesar Azpilicueta has urged his teammates to show an immediate response after falling off the top of the Premier League and finishing a disappointing second in their Champions League group. The European champions twice surrendered the lead in Russia on Wednesday night to draw 3-3 with Zenit Saint Petersburg and end their Group H campaign as runners-up, meaning they could face Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. The frustrating result came after they dropped to third in the league after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at West Ham United, spoiling their impressive defensive record so far this season. Thomas Tuchel’s men, who host Leeds United tomorrow, have now failed to win three of their last five league games. Azpilicueta has demanded a reaction from Chelsea, who are…

Oluthando Keteyi Podcaster Macgyver “MacG” Muk-wevho on Monday’s episode of Podcast and Chill hit back at the backlash he receiving from the public since the airing of the controversial Jub Jub interview. MacG had plenty to say as he addressed all that had been said about him on social media, especially on Black Twitter. MacG addressed some of the backlash he received online and singled out a comment by TV presenter and actress Minnie Dlamini-Jones. While MacG has no issue with Dlamini-Jones, he did take offence at her comment regarding the podcast, calling her tweet “disappointing”. He said Dlamini-Jones had been invited onto the show but she had declined. “She’s got the decency to say ‘the MacG and Jub Jub podcast is the most degrading piece of content I wish…

WHAT a year – or rather, two years! Even soothsayers, fortune tellers, numerologists and sangomas couldn’t predict what has befallen our globe. Of course, many of us are just grateful to be alive amid one of the worst pandemics the world has experienced since the likes of the Black Death, the bubonic plague, the most fatal pandemic in human history. This year also taught us that a lot we thought we could control, we simply cannot. Yet, as a glass-half-full kind of guy, I would like to share some of my highlights of the year. • US president’s inauguration: Un- like his predecessor, Joe Biden’s administration took the pandemic seriously, ensuring vaccines are manufactured and distributed to as many countries around the world as possible. And who can forget…

Bernelee Vollmer Bernelee.Vollmer@inl.co.za One of the things that make South Africa such an amazing place are the beaches and the spectacular views. In fact, it’s almost impossible to choose the ’best’ beaches because South Africa has countless beaches, each with their own drawcard. Here are some of the best beaches you can visit in the coastal cities. Western Cape Clifton Beaches Clifton is one of South Africa’s most spectacular seaside suburbs, and straddles four separate beaches, one, two, three and four, and is situated between Camps Bay and Bantry Bay. During summer these beaches are popular with both locals and tourists, with spectacular views of Lion’s head Lion’s Head and Table Mountain in the background. Gordon’s Bay Beach Dynamite comes in small packages, and that is certainly the case with…

Thobile Mazibuko thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za People in the Capital City are expected to be in their feels this weekend as Mandisi Dyantyis and Msaki perform live at the State Theatre. Dyantyis will be bringing his instrumental skills today and Msaki will be performing tomorrow. Cape Town-based singer/songwriter Dyantyis has just released his sophomore album Cwaka, following the success of his debut album Somandla. He is a celebrated trumpeter and singer, and his shows are also a spiritual awakening. Msaki has worked with Black Coffee, Kelly Khumalo, Prince Kaybee, Nduduzo Makhathini, Mobi Dixon and Tresor. She is expected to perform some of her new songs from her recently released second album, Platinum Heart Open. Tickets for both her show and Dyantyis’ show start from R250. On Friday night, Msaki has another gig…

Lehlohonolo Mashigo lehlohonolo.mashigo@inl.co.za AMNESTY International has urged southern African countries to take immediate action and protect young girls from gender-based violence (GBV) as there is a rise in sexual abuse of girls, some as young as nine. Survivors of sexual abuse and GBV, according to Amnesty, have been left without protection and support by their governments’ inability to prioritise access to key services and information. “The perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence, meanwhile, are rarely prosecuted despite regional efforts to ensure adequate laws. Authorities across the region must urgently address this crisis by providing free maternal health services including antenatal care and skilled birth assistance and ensuring pregnant girls can continue their education,” the organisation said in a statement. The statement said between last year and this year, in South…

Julian Richfield julianrichfield2@gmail.com WHEN Facebook started back in 2004, it was an innocent idea that went on to become a great success story. An Ugly Truth delves deep into the controversial doings that are plaguing Facebook. “This book is the product of more than a thousand hours of interviews with more than four hundred people, the majority of whom are executives; former and current employees and their families, friends and classmates; and investors in and advisers of Facebook. “Throughout its history, Facebook’s massive gains have repeatedly come at the expense of consumer privacy and safety and the integrity of democratic systems.” It seems that an unbridled Facebook has become a Big Not So Friendly Giant. An Ugly Truth is a sobering and topical read. We are tempted to keep away…

Sonri Naidoo sonri.naidoo@inl.co.za FOLLOWING the 2021 launch of the #NoExcuse Bride Armour campaign, ahead of 16 Days of Activism, Carling Black Label has further intensified its efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and decrease the incidence rate throughout the year by opening a support centre for victims of abuse and transgressors looking to make a change. On Wednesday, the brand, in partnership with Father A Nation (FAN) and supported by Lifeline, opened the doors to the support centre at an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by locals and community leaders of Alexandra township at Nobuhle Hostel. In early 2020, during the lockdown period, there was a concerning spike in the incidences of GBV. Carling Black Label’s #NoExcuse movement, FAN and Lifeline partnered to provide support to victims. Carling Black Label brand…

Mike Greenaway mike.greenaway@inl.co.za ROC Nation Sports president Michael Yormark believes the South African sports industry needs to change drastically if it is to survive and that it needs to do more to capitalise on the potential of its ‘star’ members – the players. Global entertainment giants Roc Nation are in partnership with the Sharks and Mamelodi Sundowns and Yormark was speaking at the recent 2021 Hollard Sport Industry Awards where he said there has to be a dramatic change in the relationship between governing bodies and the players, who he feels are disempowered. “In South Africa, the players have no voice and there is no true partnership,” he said. “The governing bodies control sport, whether it’s rugby, cricket or football – the players don’t have a seat at the table…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za AMAZULU FC will fancy their chances of ending their frustrating five-match draw streak when they face off against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon. Usuthu have won just three Premiership games so far this season, while they have drawn 10 – the most of any side in the South African top flight. Benni McCarthy’s side could not have asked for better opponents than the Chilli Boys to return to winning ways. The Eastern Cape side are threatened by relegation and enter the game on the back of consecutive defeats against TS Galaxy and Golden Arrows. Usuthu’s next three games could have a big bearing in terms of how they fare this season. They play twice against Chippa before visiting Marumo Gallants. If…

AMELIE Mauresmo has been appointed as the director of the French Open, the country’s tennis federation (FFT) said yesterday, becoming the first woman to lead the Roland Garros tournament. Former world number one Mauresmo, 42, will succeed Guy Forget, who stepped down from the role on Tuesday with his contract expiring at the end of the year. “I am very proud to join the Roland Garros team. I have accepted the position of tournament director with clear ambitions,” Mauresmo said. “I will carry them out with the same high standards, freedom and passion that have always driven me.” Mauresmo won the Australian Open and Wimbledon. She has also coached several top players, including former No 1s Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka.…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za BLAME it on expanded squads because of bio-secure environments, but international cricket squads in the age of a pandemic don’t have as many surprises any more. Basically, the selectors can choose everyone. The real debates arise when the starting XIs get chosen. It’s the same for India as it was for South Africa. They’ve picked a 17-man squad for the three-match Test series against the Proteas that contains no “left-field” picks. It’s helped the Indian selectors that the team have been in such good form in the last 12 months. In that period, India have played 15 Test matches – South Africa have played only six – and won eight times, including a series triumph in Australia. There was no need for too much fiddling. They have…

Dineo Faku dineo.faku@inl.co.za MINERAL Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe yesterday defended South Africa’s right to capitalise on opportunities in its natural resources, including oil and gas amid the push back against Shell’s seismic survey in the Wild Coast. Mantashe who recently returned from a four-nation visit to the Sest African region led by President Cyril Ramaphosa told the media in Pretoria yesterday that oil and gas resources proved to be game-changers elsewhere. “We consider the objections to these developments as apartheid and colonialism of a special type, masqueraded as a great interest for environmental protection. South Africa’s economic development is oppressed in the name of environmental protection when we have environmental framework that ensures that licensing is done with the utmost environmental care founded on Section 24 of…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za OPERATORS under the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, the majority taxi owners who scrapped their vehicles and surrendered operating permits, are calling for a review of the BRT act as they are opposed to going through the open tender in a competitive bidding process as the first 12-year licences expire in June next year and the next batch in February 2023. The SA Bus Rapid Transit Association and Academy (Sabrata), whose members collectively are estimated at 10 000 businessmen, said yesterday that there were concerns in being expected to compete on an unequal and prejudicial basis. “Sabrata has concerns with the entry points for tender renewal as they are not equitable. In our view, there is no fairness and justice in such a process.…

If you’re a super fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, then you might have also become a bit exhausted from all the Drag Race we received in 2021. It kicked off on January 1 with the start of season 13. And since then, seven other Drag Race seasons have aired from various parts of the globe, with Canada’s Drag Race season 2 and Drag Race Italia currently airing. When it was announced that the cast of season 14 of the US version would be made public last week, it was received with excitement and dismay since it meant a new season was starting in early 2022 – with the release date set for January 7. However, for those of us who RuPaul Charles has in a chokehold, we eagerly waited…

Survivor Australia All Stars: Finale M-Net at 6pm For the first time in Australia, the season features 24 returning contestants from the four previous seasons. In the finale, three become two in an epic showdown of endurance and strength in the last challenge, and then arguments are pitched and the jury votes are cast to crown the ultimate survivor. My Festive Menu SABC 3 at 5.30pm The celebrity chef and best-selling author The Lazy Makoti (Mogau Seshoene) hosts a festive urban green Christmas dinner for her sister Mosa Malesoane Seshoene. Mogau honours her sister, who has had the most significant impact on her life to date. Together they enjoy this glittery festive dinner. Influence Streaming on Showmax Diana Neille and Richard Poplak’s globe-trotting documentary charts the recent advancements…

The Washington Post Serial killers in love, the obscenely rich in crisis, scammers in too deep: This year’s best TV offerings, with one notable exception, reflected our extremely 2021 desires to get back to normal. After experimenting with Covid constraints last year – remember all those socially distanced, Zoom-based shows only TV critics seemed to watch? – television largely ignored the pandemic, exploring what feels like any other issue under the sun. But programming appears to be more affected by delta than it'd like to admit. (The production side of things certainly is.) Eight of 2021’s top 10 shows are either from Netflix, which announced shortly after quarantine began that it had plenty of content in its endless pipeline, or HBO/HBO Max, which has steadily beefed up its wares with…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za “Sassa status check”, “Euro 2020” and “Squid Game” emerged as the top trending searches in Google South Africa’s 2021 Year in Search. Google South Africa this week revealed the results of its 2021 Year in Search, showing the moments, people, topics, events and places that captured the world’s attention this year. According to Google SA, as the pandemic entered the second year, “Sassa status check” emerged as the top trending search in 2021 – a reflection of the impact Covid-19 has had on the livelihoods of South Africans. The list also revealed South Africa’s love for sports and entertainment as Euro 2020 and the Korean TV series Squid Game both topped their respective categories. The trending general searches in 2021 included: “Sassa status check”, “Euro 2020”,…

Lehlohonolo Mashigo lehlohonolo.mashigo@inl.co.za THE SA Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop) head Dr Yumma Minty said the “shadow pandemic” of gender-based-violence (GBV) has heightened mental health impacts for victims during Covid-19. Sasop said this will outlast the physical health effects of the pandemic. Minty added that with a new variant of the coronavirus, recently identified and the prospect of a fourth wave of infections and renewed restrictions on the cards, there was a need to ensure that both government and civil service such as helplines, victim support centres and shelters are able to remain operational regardless of lockdown level. “Given that remote working under pandemic conditions means that women may be stuck in their home environment with an abuser and be unable to leave or make a phone call to seek support,…

The number of journalists jailed around the world hit a new record in 2021, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said yesterday. In its annual report, the CPJ listed 50 journalists imprisoned in China, 26 in Burma, 25 in Egypt, 23 in Vietnam and 19 in Belarus. Adding those jailed in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, the CPJ said a total of 293 journalists were in prison worldwide as of December 1 – up from 280 the year before. It also counted 24 journalists killed this year. | AFP…

SOUTH Africa’s boxing fraternity is in uproar after screaming “daylight robbery” following last Saturday’s WBA Pan African title bout at Emperors Palace after the referee failed to adhere to the agreed rules for the bout. The bout between Cristiano Ndombassy and Roarke Knapp for the vacant WBA Pan African junior middleweight title was refereed by veteran official Tony Nyangiwe. He has worked numerous WBA bouts as a referee and judge in the past. The World Boxing Association’s representative Stanley Christodoulou was at ringside as the fight supervisor, and one of his tasks would have been to ensure that the bout proceeds according to the rules. Knapp, reeling under a barrage of Ndombassy’s punches, went to the canvas down four times in round three. Nyangiwe ruled the third time a…

MIHLALI BALEKA mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za MAMELODI Sundowns are not sweating over the fact that their defence has been breached in their last four matches. Instead, they are determined to score more than the opposition, as that will ensure that they get the much-needed results. The Brazilians are the team to beat in the Premiership. They are unbeaten in all 14 matches thanks to 10 wins and four draws. Their first two stalemates were goalless away to Chippa United and Cape Town City. After the match against the Citizens, the Brazilians conceded their first goals of the season, drawing 2-2 with neighbours SuperSport United before conceding in the 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC and in the 3-2 win over Royal AM. The goals they conceded against SuperSport and Stellenbosch didn’t dent their impressive…

XAVI Hernandez said the Europa League is not where Barcelona belong, but another heavy defeat by Bayern Munich on Wednesday again showed how far they are from the Champions League elite. After six games in Group E, Barca had scored two goals in a pair of 1-0 victories over Dynamo Kiev. Against Bayern and Benfica – the two accomplished sides in the group – they failed to score a single goal and conceded nine in a stalemate at home to Benfica, and three 3-0 defeats. When Xavi took over on the back of consecutive wins over Dynamo, there appeared to be a way back, a possible path to qualification. But that always assumed Xavi’s arrival would initiate a bounce in form that, in truth, is yet to materialise. Barca suffered…

ARGENTINE goalkeeper Willy Caballero is set to make his Southampton debut against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend, manager Ralph Hasenhuettl said as the club's two senior goalkeepers remain injured. Former Manchester City and Chelsea stopper Caballero joined the south coast side this week on a short-term deal as both Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy have picked up injuries. Southampton, 16th in the standings on 16 points, travel to Arsenal tomorrow looking for their first win in five matches. When asked at a news conference if Caballero would start at the Emirates, Hasenhuettl said: "Yes, it is likely possible. "Alex is out for three-four weeks. Fraser tried this week but it is still a little bit too early for him. So he will not make it to the game…