Inhoudsopgave van 2023-04-05 - Star

THE circus at South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom, continues as the National Treasury announced it would exempt the company from reporting on irregular and wasteful expenditure for a three-year period. This comes as the nation finds itself in the worst energy crisis in history, as an over-indebted Eskom imposes rolling power cuts every day this year so far. Through a Government Gazette on Friday, the Treasury exempted Eskom from section 55(2)(b)(i) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulation 28.2.1 for a period of three years. Under these exemptions, Eskom is no longer required to disclose financial information related to irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in its financial statements. The Treasury said this was done primarily to protect Eskom’s credit rating and audit opinion, which could have…

UNSEEN NETFLIX A house cleaner desperately searches for her husband as a dreaded criminal syndicate dredges up past tragedies and ultimately drives her to violence. GIVER S3 AT 4PM The show sees kids working with their community to improve their playground spaces. Today, Giver heads to Guelph, Ontario to refurbish an old playground into a circus themed spectacle. UBETTINA WETHU (S3) SABC1 AT 9PM It’s a good day as Nubia lands the XCLM pitch. Brandon gets dumped after Crystal returns his inappropriate gift. Linda muses on her all-nighter with the owner of the singles night venue. Izzy gets a proposition.…

ALL the parliamentarians in Uganda who helped support and pass the anti-homosexuality bill should be ashamed of themselves, and will one day fall on the very same sword that they yield. This was EFF leader Julius Malema’s cautionary warning for the leaders in Uganda as the party picketed outside that country’s embassy in Pretoria yesterday. The Red Berets protested against the anti-homosexuality Bill after last month, as South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day on March 21, the Ugandan parliament passed the bill, which criminalises same-sex relations and imposes harsh penalties on people found guilty of homosexual activity. The bill is yet to be signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Malema has urged him not to sign it, as it would be akin to supporting rapists and…

The Sebokeng Hospital made history this past week when it performed its first brain surgeries in 40 years on two patients suffering from a subdural haematoma (bleeding on the brain). This milestone followed the recent establishment of a neurosurgery unit at the hospital. Previously, Sebokeng Hospital referred patients in need of brain surgery to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, congratulated the team saying that the surgery was evidence of the support given by her department to its centres of excellence, ensuring that health facilities had the right skills and equipment. “As part of reclaiming the jewel of the Gauteng public health system, one of our key focus areas is to ensure that our facilities function optimally and that infrastructure challenges are…

A KwaZulu-Natal man who allegedly killed his older brother over a meat issue has been arrested. The incident took place on Monday at about 10pm at the Sawpits Reserve in uMbumbulu. It is alleged the family had a traditional function over the weekend and there was some leftover meat. The meat was allegedly taken by the 52-year-old brother. It is further alleged that on Monday night the 44-year-old went to his brother’s house and demanded some of the leftover meat from the function. According to an incident report, a verbal altercation ensued between the two siblings, and the younger brother allegedly stabbed his brother on the left side of his chest. While trying to seek help, the older brother bled out and died of his wounds on the verandah. The…

HIDDEN from newspaper headlines, scores of children born into poverty are fighting for survival on a daily basis, and it is for these children that the non-profit organisation Save the Children is trying to make a better life. While it is a worldwide organisation, Save the Children SA, based in Pretoria, is also serving the country’s provinces and working tirelessly to try to make life a little better for the children. Save the Children SA believes every child deserves a future, and is working towards making this a reality. It ensures children have healthcare, food and shelter, education and child protection services when they need it most. “We work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. When crises strike,…

Google search data has revealed what South Africans were interested in last month. Earlier this year, Google announced that the term “artificial intelligence” was searched for more than ever in 2022 and that interest was not subsiding, with the top searched question in March in South Africa being about AI chatbot ChatGPT. International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, was the second most searched term last month. In addition, South Africans also searched for more information on Human Rights Day, celebrated on March 21, and Saint Patrick’s Day. As South Africans have been warned to tighten their belts, they have looked for answers to some serious questions, including “What is inflation?” and “What is the most direct way to alleviate poverty in South Africa?” Another top-of-mind issue was the weather…

The EFF has vowed to fight for better living conditions for South Africans in honour of the late Struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Madikizela-Mandela died five years ago in Johannesburg after a short illness. The party said its headquarters, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela House, was a token of their gratitude to Madikizela-Mandela, affectionately known as “the Mother of Our Nation”. “It was our response signal to our dearly departed that her fighting spirit for the emancipation of the African child lives on,” said the party. Madikizela-Mandela is also described as a woman of substance and the undisputed heroine of the Struggle. She was born on September 26, 1936, in Bizana, in the then-Transkei (now the Eastern Cape). In 1956, she completed a diploma in social work at the Jan Hofmeyr School of…

Romain Folz has been demoted at AmaZulu FC after a string of disappointing results, which includes a mere one win in their last five Premiership matches. On Tuesday, AmaZulu chairperson Sandile Zungu announced that Folz has been moved from the head coach's position to a technical advisor role. As a technical advisor, Folz will be advising the president on the technical aspects of AmaZulu's Vision 2032 project. Former assistant coach Ayanda Dlamini has been appointed interim head coach. The president said the changes come into play with immediate effect until the end of the season. “The game is result driven and with six matches to go, occupying 12th position it is clear the performance is not fitting of a club like AmaZulu,” said Zungu. “The decision we have taken is…

South African cricket is in a better space as the 2022/23 season comes to an end. A dark cloud has covered SA cricket for the last three years, for a host of different reasons. It all started going south when the Proteas exited the 2019 World Cup in the round-robin stage. That was shortly followed by the controversial decision to hire Mark Boucher as head coach ahead of Enoch Nkwe and Geoffrey Toyana, who were not only more qualified, but also more experienced as professional coaches. The Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) hearings followed shortly after, further opening up old wounds. Then sponsors pulled out, and CSA’s competency in running the game was questioned more than ever before. Through all that, somehow, the 2022/23 season comes to an end with…

When Anele Nene’s father and best friend died in 2014, within a space of one week, the Durban artist found solace in writing and the performing arts. In his latest play, The Hymns of a Sparrow, Nene explores themes of loss, love and pain. Written, directed and performed by Nene, it will hit the Durban Playhouse stage from April 18 to 22. Set in the rural areas of eKuphileni, it tells of Babu Mngadi and his constant fights with cattle owners because their livestock eat from his garden. The play is narrated by 10-year-old Simlindile who takes the audience on a journey of Mngadi’s life. Mngadi’s sudden loss forces him to face the challenge of letting go of those he loves and holds dear in his heart. “My father was…

AYO Technology Solutions chairperson, lawyer and acting judge at the Land Claims court, Dr Wallace Mgoqi, has passed away. The retired advocate, attorney, businessman and activist passed away on Monday evening. It is believed he had suffered a heart attack. Mgoqi served as AYO’s chairperson from 2018. During his distinguished judicial and public service career, he served as acting judge in the Land Claims Court from 2014 to 2019, as Chief Land Claims Commissioner in 1999, on the Commission for Gender Equality between 2012 and 2019, and as city manager for the City of Cape Town between 2003 and 2006. Mgoqi also served on the board of the National Development Agency, University of Cape Town’s Alumni Advisory Board and the Ernest Mancoba Advisory Board. He held three honorary doctorates from…

Whenever the concept of private-public partnership is broached, a chill runs down my spine. Profit-making and rendering a service to the general public are poles apart. Corruption in private business is huge, not fairly reported and goes unabated as a result. The G4S head, Johan Theron, armed with 44 years of prison management experience, ran the state-of-the-art Mangaung Prison into the ground. Little information about the prison shenanigans was revealed, and more info was swept under the carpet. Because G4S is an international company run by whites, our official opposition party the DA was eerily silent. Anti-corruption civil organisations such as Outa and black watchdog stooges kept mum. We have been down this road before. The disgraced auditing KPMG, Steinhoff, and major construction companies that colluded and rigged tenders when…

Popular Durban restaurant Wish on Florida has announced its imminent closure following the fatal shooting of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. Forbes was gunned down on February 10 outside the restaurant in the presence of his friends. The restaurant also revealed that they will be hosting “The Last Supper” on April 10. “It is with great sadness that we announce the imminent closure of Wish on Florida effective April 10, where we will be hosting ‘The Last Supper’. “In light of the recent tragic event on our doorstep, we have experienced a severe downturn in business, which leaves the directors with no other choice but to close the business permanently as the brand equity of Wish on Florida has been deeply hindered. “Wish on Florida was certainly a wish come true…

TWO men convicted in November 2007 for transporting cannabis from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape have won their appeal to place new facts before the court, following “administrative delays”. Errol Haggis and Patrick Daintree were arrested in 1996, went on trial in September 1999 and sentenced eight years later on January 24, 2008. On the same day, they were given leave to appeal against their sentence. The charges against Haggis, Daintree and five other accused originated from a project launched by the Organised Crime Unit of the SAPS in regard to the trafficking of cannabis into the Western Cape. Daintree had previously been a police informer and another of their co-accused was a police officer at the time. The evidence presented at their trial related to two consignments…

People in South Africa are struggling financially. Food and fuel prices are soaring, electricity is getting more expensive despite constant load shedding, and interest rates have increased by thousands of rand for home and auto loans. “Citizens are collectively tightening their belts to cope with the rising cost of living,” said Peter Olyott, the CEO of Indwe Risk Services. “Together with monthly budgets, saving goals, managing expenses and picking up a side hustle, people are looking for other creative avenues to reduce their living costs without creating undue onerous exposures.” Olyott suggested six ways to cut or optimise spending in order to lessen the financial burden: Transport Transport costs can add up quickly with rising fuel prices. Attempt to reduce the amount of kilometres you drive by carpooling or ride-sharing…

Blue Bulls Rugby Union president Willem Strauss said the franchise “now need to get behind our team and coaches” following a 10-match losing streak across all competitions. The latest defeat came on Sunday, when the Pretoria side went down 33-9 to French giants Toulouse in a Champions Cup last-16 encounter. That now makes it four losses each in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Currie Cup, and two in the Champions Cup on the trot. The current winless run started on January 20 with a 31-7 away loss to Lyon, followed by a 37-28 defeat to the Scarlets. Then it was 23-19 to the Stormers, 29-25 to the Lions, 63-15 to the Pumas, 41-33 to Western Province, 32-7 to the Cheetahs, 32-23 to Ulster, 32-28 to the Griffons and 33-9…

It is ironic that coach Arthur Zwane would say this is his worst season at Kaizer Chiefs at a time when his team are enjoying a five-match unbeaten streak for the first time in six years. When Chiefs laboured to a 2-1 win over Stellenbosch FC at the weekend, it marked their fourth consecutive Premiership win. During this streak, Chiefs also won their Nedbank Cup last-16 match against First Division outfit Casric Stars. Stars showed Amakhosi to be an average team, and again, Chiefs’ two-goal haul in the match included a penalty. Their former German coach Ernst Middendorp managed five wins in a row in the 2019 season when he was doing his third stint as the Amakhosi coach. However, two of these were cup matches, which Chiefs won through…

Saudi-backed LIV Golf’s feud with the PGA Tour was set aside by players at Monday’s first practice for the 87th Masters, but LIV boss Greg Norman hopes for a fiery finish on Sunday. Reigning British Open champion Cameron Smith and two-time Major winner Dustin Johnson were among LIV players receiving a warm welcome from PGA rivals at Augusta National. “Lots of laughs, lots of handshakes and it was really nice,” Smith said of his one-hour workout. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to expect walking onto the range but it was good to see some familiar faces and lot of smiles.” Australian Smith said the reception was important for the sport. “There’s too much rubbish going on ... I don’t think there’s any kind of hatred going on between…

Several star Proteas showed their commitment to the national team’s quest to qualify for the 50-over World Cup in India later this year by giving the opening IPL weekend a miss, instead staying home to face the Netherlands in the one-day international series. But now that business has been taken care of, they have headed off to the IPL. Several Proteas have played in the IPL for years, but there was plenty of movement in this season’s auction … David Miller (Gujarat Titans) After several years at Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Rajasthan Royals, Miller moved to the Gujarat Titans last season. It proved to be an immediate success as he played a pivotal role in leading the new franchise to the title last season. He will aim…

FRENCH firm Bureau Veritas, a leader in testing, inspection and certification, said in an interview last week it considers the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a game changer in the continent to foster intra-continental trade. AfCFTA came into force on May 30, 2019. Bertrand Martin, Bureau Veritas’s senior vice-president for Africa, told a recent media briefing that Bureau Veritas played a key role in creating a sustainable trade environment. The company’s ambition was to boost intra-Africa trade, he said, which is currently low in comparison to international trade. For example, he explained that in 2021 Africa to Africa exports were $86 billion (R1.5 trillion), whereas African exports to the world were at $557bn and African imports from the word amounted to R609bn as reported…

South African rap star Khuli Chana recently announced that he has graduated with an Honours degree in innovation and entrepreneurship at South African film school AFDA, the School for the Creative Economy. Chana also shared through an Instagram post that he’d won the Innovation of the Year award for 2022. “Honours degree in Innovation and entrepreneurship and innovation of the Year 2022 award winner @afda.co.za. “What an amazing journey. Thank you Wendy van Schalkwyk, Bozuko Nomlala, and Bata Passchier for your support and giving me the opportunity to learn and grow.” He also went on to thank his wife and popular DJ, Lamiez Holworthy, for believing in him and promised that it was only the start. “@lamiez_holworthy Wame we made it!! From Mojolo to marriage to parenthood, from Entertainment to…

In the past three years, more than 452 cases of sexual misconduct have been reported to the South African Council for Educators (Sace). The 2022 crime statistics show, among other things, that 294 of the reported rapes took place at school. AfriForum said since it was clear that the criminal justice system failed victims of sexual offences, it advised schools, teachers, parents, and learners to act pro-actively against sexual bullying behaviour. The organisation said this follows reports, as well as Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s reaction in Parliament last week, about the increase in sexual offences in South African schools. “These figures are alarming, and it is important that these cases are thoroughly investigated. In South Africa, sexual crimes and bullying are increasing daily. Schools must be a safe haven…

A 47-YEAR-old Phoenix woman is due to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court this week after she allegedly faked her own kidnapping. Police said the woman, who faces a charge of perjury, allegedly hatched the plan to demand money from her businessman husband. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the woman went to use a toilet at her home, which is a short distance away from her husband’s business premises. “The husband received a call from his wife, claiming she had been kidnapped. She pleaded with him to deposit an undisclosed amount of money for her release. A few moments later, the husband received another call from a man who threatened to hurt the woman if the money was not paid,” Netshiunda said. But police investigations revealed the woman…

A petition calling for an inquest into the death of Struggle icon and anti-apartheid activist Chris Hani is growing. This comes as the country prepares to commemorate the brutal killing of Hani on April 10, 1993. The petition, which is accessible through Change.Org, was initiated by SACP Central Committee Member responsible for Campaigns, Tinyiko Ntini. In less than two hours after it was posted, the petition had gardened more than 188 signatures by 7pm on Monday to reach its target of 200 signatures for a recommendation. In a detailed explanation, Ntini said this year marked three decades since Hani was assassinated outside his Dawn Park home in Boksburg, east of Joburg. “Following the Concourt judgment handed down on November 21, 2022, the SACP launched 135 days programme of activism towards…

Ingredients 1 kg firm white fish, skinned and deboned Juice of 1 lemon Salt and pepper to taste Sunflower oil for frying 2 onions, thinly sliced 190 ml white wine vinegar 125 ml water 15 ml (1 T) mild curry powder 2.5 ml ground turmeric 2 bay leaves 30 ml (2 T) Rhodes Quality Apricot Jam 6 peppercorns Grated rind of 1 lemon 10 ml (2 t) brown sugar Method Trim the fish into even-sized pieces and season with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set aside. Heat some oil in a pan and fry the onions until soft. Remove from the pan and set aside. Fry the fish in oil in the same pan for a few minutes on both sides until just cooked, then set aside. In a medium-sized…

A Century City, Cape Town, resident who has offered a R10 000 reward for his missing parrot named Sky, is still hopeful his beloved bird will be found after having followed up on fake leads and being contacted by alleged scammers. Sky went missing last month after she was chased by a crow between buildings in Century City while free-flying. “Normally she would circle and return home. But not this time. She must have been spooked,” said her owner, Waseef Allie. “I have searched everywhere around the area she flew away from. I’m hoping someone will find her and bring her back to us,” he said. A R10 000 reward was offered last month to anyone who may have seen her. After the offer of the reward was published on…

The N Shed, located at Durban’s old harbour, was abuzz on Monday when one of the longest passenger ships in the world Queen Mary II docked in the city. The 950 crew and more than 2 000 passengers were given a warm Durban welcome by Zulu dancers and singers as they disembarked. According to the website Ship Technology, Queen Mary II is the seventh-largest cruise ship in the world. The ship is managed by the luxury Cunard Cruise Line. The vessel was delivered in 2004. Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard for Cunard in 2003, the Queen Mary II was, at the time, the largest ocean liner constructed. The liner embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in January 2004. eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, with…

Springbok legend Jaque Fourie says the Lions are not going to Glasgow simply to make up the numbers in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, but to kick on from their excellent win over Racing 92 at the weekend. Defence coach Fourie was in a buoyant mood yesterday when he spoke to the media following his team’s phenomenal 51-28 defeat of the top French side – plus they had to do it with 14 players for three-quarters of the match. In-form flank Emmanuel Tshituka was red-carded after just 18 minutes, and has subsequently been suspended for three weeks. As well as the Lions played, this week’s opponents, Glasgow Warriors, are on a hot streak and last week smashed the Dragons 73-33. The last time the Lions played Glasgow was in the United…

Lionel Messi is “much more likely” to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season than sign a new deal, a source close to the club said yesterday. “The dynamics have completely changed, with PSG less pushing to renew (his contract),” the source said, adding that there was “no deal, no exit yet. But exit is much more likely”. World Cup winner Messi, who will turn 36 in June, joined in 2021 on a two-year deal, which expires at the end of this campaign. On Sunday, the Argentine’s name was jeered by some PSG fans as the teams were announced prior to the 1-0 home defeat against Lyon. Supporters of the Qatar-owned club are unhappy at the malaise around the team since they were eliminated from the Champions League…

Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am says the Sharks have learned from the Bulls’ defeat to Toulouse at the weekend, and will focus heavily on their discipline when they face the same opponents in France in Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final. “I thought the Bulls did really well until the 50th minute of that game on Sunday, and what cost them was the penalty count,” Am said yesterday. “All South African teams like the confrontational and physical side of things, and if we bring that against a side like Toulouse, who have a big pack, it will give us confidence. “But we need to have good discipline to minimise their opportunities to get into our 22. That is what cost the Bulls on Sunday.” Fortunately, discipline is an area where the Sharks have…