Inhoudsopgave van 2023-03-08 - Star

NEDBANK CEO Mike Brown, while delivering robust results for the year ended December 31, 2022, yesterday, called for urgent and decisive leadership on Transnet’s woes, load shedding and water infrastructure. Brown said the network infrastructure provided largely by State-owned monopolies, which were needed to enable higher levels of gross domestic product growth and sustainable job creation in South Africa, had been deteriorating over many years. “In addition, municipal service delivery is poor, and levels of crime and corruption are unacceptably high. Progress on structural reforms to address these matters has been far too slow, and the will of the political and public sector to make meaningful changes is uneven and actual delivery is poor,” he said. Brown said: “This cannot continue, and more urgent and decisive leadership and action are…

SOUTH Africa’s economy is expected to shrink deeper into troubled waters after gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell below pre-pandemic levels in the final quarter of 2022 on the back of intensified load shedding. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday revealed that GDP shrank by 1.3% in the fourth quarter after rallying to an upwardly revised 1.8% rise in the third quarter. This was the sharpest contraction since the third quarter of 2021, following the big surge in rotational power outages towards the end of 2022. StatsSA said seven out of 10 industries recorded declines during the quarter, with finance and trade the biggest drags on growth. Agriculture recorded the largest contraction of 3.3% in the quarter, pulled lower mainly by weaker production figures for field crops…

SHOPRITE Holdings yesterday reported strong sales growth as it upped its dividend, but was hamstrung by a diesel bill of R560 million, which cut its profit. In its results for the 26 weeks ended January 1, 2023, the largest grocer, reported an increase in sales by 17.5% as a result of its customers spending R12.7 billion more with it compared to the same period last year. “Pleasingly, this growth was achieved across the board, with key brands Shoprite and Usave increasing sales by 15.1% and Checkers and Checkers Hyper increasing sales by 16.9%. In both instances this is growth ahead of the market, adding 1.4% to our South African market share as the business grew volumes, customers, and basket spend,” it said. Shoprite Group CEO Pieter Engelbrecht said:…

During a period spanning 36 months, former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, her city manager, the deputy head of DSW (Durban Solid Waste Unit, former deputy head of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and a councillor managed an enterprise that fraudulently bled the city of millions. This is what the State set out to prove in the trial against Gumede and 17 others as well as four companies who were the main contractors in the DSW tender in question. Gumede and her co-accused face more than 2 000 charges, including conspiracy to commit corruption, corruption, fraud, money laundering, racketeering, contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and contravention of the Municipal Systems Act; amounting to more than R300 million in relation to a DSW tender. State advocate Hazel Siramen said in her…

Police Minister Bheki Cele has announced that he will be dispatching a new team of detectives who will be investigating a series of cases that have not been resolved due to allegations that the Sophiatown police were shielding some of the perpetrators of gang-related violence, which has claimed the lives of young people in Westbury. Cele was speaking during a ministerial crime-prevention imbizo in the area yesterday after a new wave of gang violence claimed two lives and resulted in the shooting of at least 11 other people, including boys as young as 18 years old in the space of two weeks. The new spate of shootings is reported to be a retaliation following the killing of Keenan Sheldon Ebrahim, alleged to be the leader of the Fast Guns, who…

WAKE Up, This is Joburg is a collaboration between photographer Mark Lewis and urban planner and writer Tanya Zack. Striking images and beautiful texts follow 10 stories the team discovered in urban Johannesburg. Each chapter captures overlapping stories that come together around a character, a place or an activity. The book is an ethnographic portrait of one of Africa’s most vibrant and intriguing cities. We asked for the stories behind some of its images. 1. Chopping s’kop The most marginal of the activities and spaces the stories explore is the informal butchers who chop up cow heads in a disused parking garage in the heart of the inner city. The condemned building is next to formal structures and within view of banking head offices. The cow heads, or s’kop, are…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says the Mercedes-Benz V Class bought for a government official as gratification for awarding a tender for personal protective equipment (PPE) will now be sold to recover the money the State has lost. On Monday, the SIU announced on their Twitter account that the vehicle had been forfeited to the state and would be sold to recover the money. On Friday, IOL reported that the High Court in East London granted the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit an order for the forfeiture of the car which was bought for a senior Eastern Cape Department of Education official as gratification for awarding a tender for supply of PPE. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class was bought through an elaborate money- laundering scheme which involved payment of R328 000…

Ingredients 65g butter 1 onion, finely chopped 1 leek, sliced, washed and chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 80ml cake flour 250ml chicken stock, hot 1 whole cooked chicken, skin and bones removed, shredded 1 x 410g can Cream Style Sweetcorn 125ml cream 45ml flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 x 400g roll ready-made puff pastry 1 egg 15ml water Method Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the onion and the leek and fry over medium heat until soft. Add the garlic and fry for a few minutes more. Add the flour and stir well. Add the chicken stock and stir until slightly thickened. Add the chicken, sweetcorn and cream to the pan. Gently heat through. Add the parsley and season to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside to…

TOTTENHam Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is set to return to the bench for tonight’s decisive Champions League showdown against AC Milan, but persistent questions over the Italian’s future risk overshadowing the rest of the season. Conte has missed the past four games as he recovered from gallbladder surgery in Italy with his assistant Cristian Stellini taking the reins. During his time away, Spurs have shown the frustrating inconsistency that has blighted the club since the Italian took over in November 2021. A pair of 2-0 wins against West Ham United and Chelsea suggested Spurs were on course to clinch a top-four place in the Premier League. But that optimism faded after a 1-0 loss at second-tier Sheffield United in the FA Cup fifth round, and a drab league defeat by…

AFRICAN energy ministers yesterday wrestled with plans to meet the continent’s vast energy requirements and meet targets of the global energy transition in only a few decades, in the context of an industry fragmented by different country policies and where energy projects can take years just to reach financial closure. Speaking at the 2023 African Energy Indaba yesterday, Mineral and Energy Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who allowed protesters with anti-coal burning and pro-renewable energy placards to stand in front of the stage while he spoke, said there must be a balance between energy demand for socio-economic development and energy supply that is premised on low carbon emissions, and he reiterated that, in the South African context, coal-fired power stations would be part of the country’s energy mix for many years…

SEA HARVEST’S shares plunged 7% after it released its annual results, slicing its dividend to its shareholders as its profit tumbled 33% amid a storm of challenges. The share fell 7.39% to close at R9.90 on the JSE yesterday. The group posted a dividend of 38 cents per share, a 32% reduction from 56c per share the prior year and said Sea Harvest had experienced a challenging year to December 31, 2022. Despite volume losses from the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (Frap), compounded by a reduction in the Total Allowable Catch (Tac), revenue was up in all segments with firm demand in all markets and strong pricing in all channels, it said. However, Sea Harvest said this firm demand was offset by “unprece- dented” cost inflation with cost…

ABOUT 32 waste pickers who have since 2018 been living on land adjacent to the Waterkloof Airforce Base won their legal battle against developer New Africa Development Ltd, which illegally evicted them and destroyed their homes and belongings. The North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ordered that their shelters had to be restored within 24 hours. If this could not be done, Judge Anthony Millar said the developer had to pay each of the waste pickers R5 000 as compensation. He ordered that this money then had to be paid into the account of Lawyers for Human Rights, which assisted these people, known as the “Airfield Community”. In terms of the court order, New Africa Development, New Africa Development Property Income Fund and two security companies, has to grant the waste…

SOUTH Africa is reported as having the highest obesity prevalence, with a projected increase in obesity to 47.7% of women and 23.3% of men by 2025. As the world marked World Obesity Day on March 4, people across the globe were encouraged to reverse obesity through healthy eating and active living. Rene Schickerling, women’s health category manager for Pharma Dynamics, says obese people have a 50-100% increased risk of premature death from all causes compared with those who are within a healthy weight range. South Africa is losing the battle of the bulge, with almost 70% now considered overweight or obese. This increases their risk of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. “If younger women don’t start trimming down, they could become the first generation in the…

A TWENTY-two-year-old aspiring Mayflower musician has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he killed his father for not supporting his dreams. Siphamandla Gift Khumalo appeared in the Mpumalanga High Court after he pleaded guilty to murdering Bheki Eric Khumalo. In his plea, Khumalo told the court that his relationship with his father derailed after he told him he wanted to become a musician. “His father wanted him to pursue a career in engineering. As a result, the accused felt that the deceased was a stumbling block towards his dream career and then left his family home in Mayflower to Ermelo, where the deceased was conducting business,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa. “He armed himself with a knife and waited for the deceased to arrive, then produced a…

No CITIZEN is under obligation or compulsion to adhere to the EFF’s call for a national shutdown on March 20 if they do not wish to. The Bill of Rights confers rights to all citizens. These are inalienable rights that cannot be subverted or undermined by agendas of political parties. Everyone has a right to freedom of movement. A call for a national shutdown must not infringe or violate the rights of citizens should they not wish to participate in such action. South Africans are well aware of what happens when marches, protests and the like are embarked on – it is a key that opens the doors to looting and destruction. The EFF wants the country to be shut down for a day to demand electricity and…

Mamelodi Sundowns are facing another epic showdown with Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the Champions League at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The two teams go into the match with contrasting fortunes. Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch FC at the weekend, although they were resting their best players with the Al Ahly match in mind. Al Ahly, playing at home, ran their Cameroonian visitors Coton Sport ragged, winning 3-0 last Saturday. The bad news for the Brazilians was that their former player, Percy Tau, was one of the stars for Al Ahly and is certain to lead the attack at Loftus. However, Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena will have to send out his best team this week. He will rely on certain players to anchor his side’s challenge…

So, Shukri Conrad went and did it. In the days after the first Test between the Proteas and the West Indies, building up to the second salvo at the Wanderers, there had been plenty of gossip that playing two spin bowlers was indeed a valid option up on the Highveld. ‘The Bullring’ had not seen anything like it since the Springboks became the Proteas in 1992. In fact, the Boks last ventured down the dual-spinner path back at the Wanderers when Harry Bromfield and Atholl McKinnon were paired up in the fourth Test of the 1965 series against England. So, when Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer – both recalled at the expense of the lone spinning all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy from Centurion – line up for the national anthems this morning,…

Almost without fail, the famous words of Nelson Mandela, “Sport has the power to change the world”, have been the rallying cry for local politicians when called on to deliver keynote speeches at sports events. Yet, the gravity of these words is lost on the South African government because, on two counts in the past fortnight, it has failed the sporting fraternity dismally. The budget of Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana dealt national sport a low blow two weeks ago. The crushing blow came at a time when SA’s finest sportspeople are preparing for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Godongwana set aside R117.5-million for SA’s various cash-strapped national sports federations, and that amounted to 8% of the total sports budget. Officials from SA’s 75-odd sports bodies were up in arms…

THE BUSINESS sector yesterday welcomed the appointment of Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa as South Africa’s “Mr Fixit” with cautious optimism, warning of potential “turf wars” between all the ministries responsible for Eskom. Ramaphosa on Monday named Ramokgopa as the Minister of Electricity whose primary task will be to reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding and oversee the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. Ramaphosa said he would transfer certain powers and functions, in terms of section 97 of the Constitution, to enable Ramokgopa to do this work. Ramokgopa is expected to facilitate the co-ordination of the numerous departments and entities involved in the crisis response, work with the Eskom leadership to turn around the performance of existing power stations, and accelerate the procurement of new generation capacity. Business Leadership…

MPACT, which yesterday reported a strong financial performance in the year to December 31, will focus on organic projects to extend its products and services, and generate sustainable energy, CEO Bruce Strong said yesterday. “We’re pleased with our performance. It hasn’t been a very easy year, but we never lost sight of where we are heading,” he said in a telephone interview. The share price of the leading paper and plastics packaging business and recycler gained 1.70% to close at R30.50 on the JSE yesterday, which is about midway between its 12 month high and 12 month low. Apart from robust operations through the past year, investment in solar and backup power increased, while research and product innovation brought the group closer to its customers, he said. Mpact recently announced…

Theatre-makers and performers will be honoured at the 58th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, set to take place at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre in Stellenbosch on March 26. The theatre fraternity raised the curtain on 59 productions eligible for consideration in 2022, despite being hampered by Covid-19 restrictions in the first part of the year. Nominations were made by the panel of judges across 21 categories. “Theatre-makers showed great resilience in another difficult year of producing and mounting outstanding work,” said panel chairperson Africa Melane. “These shows helped us to experience deep-seated emotions and change our perceptions of the world, as well as better understand the struggles and successes of other people and cultures. “They reminded us that we are not alone.” She thanked the public for supporting the arts.…

THE City of Tshwane is yet again leaderless after the new mayor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela, was disqualified as a councillor following revelations that he was declared insolvent by a court in 2016. However, Makwarela yesterday told The Star’s sister paper, the Pretoria News, that he would not back down and would immediately approach the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to interdict the announcement of his exit made by city manager Johann Mettler. “We are interdicting it. The city manager is trying to cover himself,” he said. He said the IEC’s process, which eventually saw him ushered in as Cope’s sole councillor in Tshwane, was properly followed. “Our lawyers had written to him that the process was properly followed, but he didn’t consider that,” Makwarela said. Mettler announced…

The case in which JSE-listed AYO Technology Solutions (AYO) is defending itself against claims by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) that a subscription agreement entered into by both parties in 2017, was illegal, opened with evidence from a former PIC staffer, Victor Seanie. Seanie, who worked at the PIC as an assistant portfolio manager at the time, and who later had disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the PIC, was led in evidence based on a statement he gave at the Mpati Commission of inquiry. Western Cape High Court Judge Ashley Binns-Ward heard that the PIC disciplinary inquiry against Seanie found him guilty on three allegations. These were listed as: Deviation from prescribed procedures; dishonest information and breaching his employment contract. The chairperson of the PIC disciplinary committee upheld the…

Following the Cabinet reshuffle, as well as the appointment of new ministers by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the taxpayer will now have to pay even more to maintain the lives of the politically elite. As of Monday night, there are 30 ministers in the Cabinet, who are each paid a little over R2.4 million per annum. According to the 2019 Guide for Members of the executive committee, the current document in use, they also receive a host of other benefits at the cost of financially-strapped citizens. They will receive additional staff, which includes household aides to a chief of staff, at a cost of around R8.62m per year. They will also receive VIP protection worth R8m, water and electricity worth R120 000, and vehicles for around R1.5m. Each minister costs the…

Across six South African provinces – Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and the Free State – the two Trek4Mandela 2022 expeditions have raised enough money to support more than 5 000 girls. The Trek4Mandela Expedition marked the 10th anniversary of the first summit in 2012. The first group, which included 19 esteemed individuals, reached its peak on July 18 last year (Mandela Day). The second group, which included 10 inspired individuals, reached the top on August 9 (Women’s Day). Through their combined efforts, they were able to raise enough money to provide a full year’s worth of sanitary protection to thousands of girls across six provinces in South Africa. The 2012 launch of the Caring4Girls programme addresses the problem of period poverty, which many girls experience. The organisation…

A MAN from Tshipako, outside Thohoyandou, has created a botanical garden in his village called Exotic Nurturer of a Healing Heart. Dzulani Trevor Sidogi said he used the Covid lockdown to do something creative and also to keep the people in his community entertained since there wasn’t much to do at that time due to the lockdown. “It all started as an ordinary garden here at home until I noticed how people used to compliment my space due to it always being clean. I then decided to make something good out of it. Bit by bit, I tried to change how it looks by upgrading the garden and trying to get more materials that I could use just to improve the park, like more flowers and beautiful rocks from nearby…

After a challenging 10 weeks of quarantine at the SA Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) Cape Town facility, due to an outbreak of avian flu in endangered African penguins, Sanccob has released 342 rehabilitated and hand-reared seabirds back into the wild. In November last year, the facility received positive test results for African penguins undergoing rehabilitation at its Cape Town centre, which set in motion an immediate implementation of “strict bio-security measures and eventual temporary quarantine state” applied by the Western Cape Veterinary Services to prevent further spread of the disease. Western Cape Department of Agriculture state vet Laura Roberts said Sanccob’s quarantine was lifted on February 1 after all the birds tested negative for the avian flu virus. There have been no more cases since. Sanccob…

The Proteas may have won the first Test against the West Indies by 87 runs at Centurion, but there is still plenty of room for improvement in the second and final encounter at the Wanderers this week. Here, Zaahier Adams, who will be at ‘The Bullring’ for the second Test starting today, highlights five things the Proteas need to do to secure the series 2-0 … Batters have to come to the party The repeated mantra of anybody being interviewed on behalf of the Proteas is that there is a lot of talent in that dressing-room. Nobody doubts their belief, but it is becoming hard to swallow. However, there were some signs of a rainbow at Centurion in the first innings when South Africa passed 300 for the first time…