Inhoudsopgave van 2023-07-13 - Star

BUSINESS activity in South Africa is set to be disrupted further on the back of heightened rotational power cuts after Eskom ramped up load shedding to stage 6 indefinitely as demand soars due to the inclement weather. Eskom yesterday started implementing stage 4 load shedding during morning peak hours, which then got ramped up to stage 6 during evening peak hours as a result of loss of generation capacity. The utility said it was forced to shed the load on the grid due to the loss of additional generating units overnight, the extensive use of Open Gas Cycle Turbines, and the inability to replenish pumped storage dam levels. A day before, Eskom noted delays in returning units to service, and increased demand was adding additional strain to…

The energy body will have to raise the matter now with the Competition Tribunal AN ALLIANCE of energy transformation organisations has belatedly raised objections against the merger of South Africa’s largest fuel station chain, Engen and JSE-listed Vivo Energy. In February, Malaysian State energy company Petronas sold its majority 74% stake in Engen to Vivo, which is owned by Dutch energy giant Vitol, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition was in a bid to combine Engen and Vivo’s respective African businesses to create one of Africa’s largest energy distribution companies. The Competition Commission approved the deal on February 9, 2023, after years in the making. Engen’s second-largest shareholder Phembani Group has remained invested as a 21% shareholder in the South African business. However, the Economic Intervention Forum of South…

THARISA Minerals said yesterday that for the third quarter ended June 30 it benefited from continued favourable chrome pricing while dealing with platinum group metals (PGMs) pricing pressures. In its production report, the PGMs and chrome co-producer dual-listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges said chrome prices increased by 7.8% in dollar terms, while its chrome-concentrate production dropped by 6.4% to 378 800 tons, with yields slipping. Tharisa flagged that group net cash increased by almost 40% quarter on quarter to $141.5 million (R2.64 billion), with the basket of six PGM metals it produces increasing by 7.9% to 37 000 ounces, though prices declined by 16.6% in dollar terms. ‘’The pressure seen in the PGM market manifested itself in some un- usual and often aggressive…

I have always regarded myself as a great singer, yet many in my high school will definitely dispute that, saying that I switch too easily from tenor to bass and then to soprano. But I knew that I sounded pretty good. I also sang in the school shower – with my nay-saying critics having a good giggle at my “questionable” vocal talents. But I remained unperturbed, and maybe they were just right, but I believed I really made some effort. Long story short, I needed to really practice to make it as far as many legends that we adore in the industry – and even tried piano in school, but failed dismally. This was a wake-up call, and I eventually hung up my singing mic and closed the piano lid…

ChatGPT describes a Zombie company as a business entity that is highly indebted and unable to generate enough profits to cover its interest payments and operational expenses. In spite of being financially distressed and essentially insolvent, these companies continue to operate with the help of external support, such as loans, bailouts, or government assistance. The term “zombie” is used metaphorically to describe these companies, because like zombies in popular culture, they appear to be alive but lack vitality and sustainable economic prospects. Their existence is sustained primarily through external interventions rather than their own productive activities. Zombie companies typically struggle to adapt to changing market conditions or face fundamental problems within their business models. They may continue to operate by refinancing their debt, negotiating extended payment terms, or receiving financial…

A surprisingly delightful film that just dropped on Netflix has almost instantly been lauded as one of the best released this year. Nimona is an animated film which tells the story of a knight who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is the titular character, Nimona, a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he’s sworn to kill. It is based on the 2015 graphic novel of the same name by ND Stevenson, and takes place in a futuristic version of the Middle Ages. Originally a Blue Sky Studios production, it was set to be released in 2020, but after The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the parent company of Blue Sky, the…

The Ashley Madison Affair (S1) Disney+ The show follows the hack of an infidelity dating website for married people that shocked the public with a scandalous data breach. INSTAPRENEURS SABC1 at 6pm Tonight’s episode features Itumeleng Lekomanyane. Every episode is a day in the life of an Instapreneur as the series follows an Insta-celeb as they consult clients, take selfie faux pas and create content that has given them a large following. Whether it’s a foodie, a chef, a model, an inventor, or a stylist, the viewers will find out what inspires them, how they rose to fame, and what keeps them fresh. TOP OF THE LAKE A twelve-year-old girl walks into the ice waters of an alpine lake. A local woman saves her before she freezes or drowns. As…

SUSPENDED Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has said the procedures of Section 194 Committee probing her fitness to hold office are flawed and as such there is no reason for her to meet its deadlines. Speaking in a Twitter space hosted on her Twitter profile, Mkhwebane said committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi’s remarks about her failure to meet deadlines were just a cover for the committee’s real intention which was to finish the process without her. “This was the intention of the committee, or whoever is behind this, to finalise the work of the committee and just possibly treat me the way they treated the former president (Jacob Zuma) when he said to (Chief Justice Raymond) Zondo: ‘You must recuse yourself.’ “When that never happened, they continued, they even ended up jailing…

The Department of Roads and Transport has announced that the Maponya Mall licensing centre in Soweto will be closed for two days due to a lack of water supply. The department reported that due to Rand Water’s scheduled maintenance, the licensing centre would be closed yesterday and today. Rand Water’s planned maintenance project forms part of its refurbishment and upgrading of infrastructure. In a statement, the utility said it planned to tie in two valves between the A19 and B14 pipelines, with work undertaken to replace multiple valves at the Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant, Eikenhof Booster Pumping Station and Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant. The Transport Department said that the licensing centre was expected to resume its services tomorrow. Some residents have voiced their dissatisfaction about the shutdown, which they said…

Rumours of Cope being de-registered have sparked a new wave of speculation about the future of the party in anticipation of the national elections in 2024. However, City of Joburg speaker and Cope member Colleen Makhubele has dismissed reports that her party has been de-registered by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Makhubele reacted with fury to the news on social media, branding such reports as fake news. This comes after news reports indicated that Cope has been de-registered with the Companies Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) under the Companies Act. This was reportedly contained in a letter from the lawyers of one of the party leaders, Willie Madisha, who had gone to the IEC in a bid to understand its standing as an electoral body. Cope was registered as…

Rocksuckers, that is the name of the “alien fish” spotted on a beach in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, according to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr). Saambr’s Ann Kunz said that last year, someone wrote to the association asking whether it could identify what they thought was an “alien fish”. Then, over the weekend, they received another request to identify the same species of “strange fish”. “Riaan Wood was walking along the beach at Port Alfred when he came across a strange looking fish, which we identified as a clingfish or rocksucker,” Kunz said. She said the rocksuckers are ‘cute little fish’ found in rockpools along the entire South African coastline and in the deep ocean. “They appear quite ordinary when they are alive, and it is…

AFTER more than a month deployed to fight raging wildfires across Canada, causing widespread destruction, the first group of Working on Fire (WoF) firefighters have returned to South Africa. Two hundred firefighters and 14 managers dubbed “Mzanzi 1 Hotshots” landed at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport South Africa on Sunday, receiving a deserved heroes welcome following their 34-day mission in Alberta, Canada. Two teams, both consisting of 200 firefighters each, left for Canada following a request from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in terms of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Canada and South Africa. The latest deployment was the fifth by WoF to Canada. The second WoF contingent “Mzanzi 2 Hotshots” is currently in Canada and is expected to return next week. Launched in September 2003, the…

Eusebius McKaiser’s friends and family have accused funeral service provider, Avbob, of using the commentator’s memorial and funeral services as an advertising opportunity. They have also raised concerns about two Avbob area managers who interfered with the set-up. This is despite being briefed about the family wanting less Avbob branding visible at the services. The group further claimed that the mortician asked for lip gloss from a family member as McKaiser’s lips looked “cracked and dry”. In a letter addressed to Avbob CEO, Charl van der Riet, McKaiser’s friends and relatives demanded reparations from the company. In the letter, the group claimed that Avbob staff attempted to erect banners at the Empire Place premises on the morning of McKaiser’s memorial service and market its service to mourners. “Avbob staff attempted…

Businessman Bongani Phillip has condemned the ongoing robbery of truck drivers and burning of the haulage trucks, after one of his trucks was destroyed in an arson attack. The seemingly co-ordinated fashion in which the trucks have come under attack, with armed assailants using at least two cars before setting the trucks alight, has raised questions, while the lack of crime intelligence has also been questioned. IOL has reported on a number of the incidents being recorded since the weekend. Phillip who runs a successful coal export company, LI Coal Clean Coal Gasification (Pty) Ltd, with a fleet of about 20 trucks, said the excuse that the trucking industry was targeted because it employed foreign nationals was false and misleading. “I can tell you now, the grievances of these faceless…

The Shoprite Group invites technology students and seasoned information technology (IT) professionals to join Africa’s largest retailer by applying for its bursary programme or various available job opportunities. The retailer’s comprehensive bursary programme covers tuition fees and on-campus accommodation, provides a grocery allowance, and guarantees employment upon graduation. Youth studying scarce and sought after skills are invited to apply on the company’s website by no later than September 30. Home to some of the brightest industry talent, the Group’s Shoprite Technology division uses technology, data, insights, systems and processes to take advantage of and unlock new opportunities. Greytown-born Percival Phakathi, 28, joined the team in 2020 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Pretoria. “The dynamic and inclusive environment at Shoprite Technology…

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said yesterday he had written to the Mozambican High Commissioner in South Africa, requesting help to repatriate Mozambican nationals who died in the Boksburg gas leak tragedy. At least 17 people were killed at the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg last week when illegal miners, known as zama-zamas, allegedly got their hands on a nitrate oxide gas tank which they intended to use in their mining activities. The tank is alleged to have leaked. Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Msimanga said some of the families who lost loved ones were from neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe “and they have been left to their own devices” as they were struggling to raise money to repatriate the dead. Transporting a body to the neighbouring countries can cost up…

The Next-Gen Ford Ranger has been a hit ever since it was launched towards the end of last year. The locally produced truck offers a vast array of new technology and features which has undoubtedly moved the goal posts within the segment. The Next-Gen Ranger is already available in a variety of trim and body style options. From entry-level single cabs to the road demon Raptor. For our first tenure with the new Ranger, Ford South Africa handed us the keys to the entry-level XL Double Cab. Now if I’m honest, I was a bit sceptical because we had a previous generation Raptor for an extended period and that was quite lovely to say the least. The previous Raptor was the biggest Ranger, it was the most hardcore bakkie on…

Decolonisation is not only about political independence from European colonisers in Africa but also the process of changing something concrete, such as the curriculum, to reflect and acknowledge the cultural beliefs and ideals within that context. In this sense, decolonising the Palestinian issue might be possible from different perspectives, with an emphasis on history and the social movements impinging on it. Perhaps the Ottoman Archive in Istanbul has the richest archival documents about Palestine with its 6 042 files named Palestine. The oldest document is about an Ottoman princess Ishafanshah’s endowment for the madrasah in Jerusalem, which dates back to 1414 AD. The documents prove that Palestine was a peaceful territory until World War I. Today, we have 167 archival files at the South African National Archives regarding Palestinians…

Tunisian Ons Jabeur gained revenge for her defeat in last year’s Wimbledon final when she surged back from a set down to beat third-seeded defending champion Kazakh Elena Rybakina 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-1 yesterday to reach the semi-finals. A year ago, Jabeur looked on course to become the first Arab and African women’s champion before fading to lose in three sets. But the dream is still on in 2023 after the sixth seed mounted a spirited comeback, having been distraught after the tiebreaker went against her. Jabeur upped her game after that, remaining positive and going for the big shots as Moscow-born Rybakina’s big serve faltered and the Tunisian won eight of the last nine games. She will play second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semis after the Belarusian beat…

IT HAS TO be an executive’s worst nightmare: that discussion between fellow executives before an investor call with analysts, talk that is clearly not meant for the ears of investors or shareholders, and it goes live on the internet. Well that’s what happened to RMH’s investor call on Tuesday morning. A conversation between RMH chief financial officer Ellen Marais and CEO Brian Roberts, approximately ten minutes before the scheduled investor call, about a sensitive legal dispute that the investment holding company is involved in, was downloaded by them, probably accidentally, and subsequently, went viral on the internet. Fortunately, in this case, the difference between what Roberts and Marais said was not materially different from what they said in the formal proceedings. On Monday Atterbury Europe was meant to have repaid…

Of the COMPANIES we research, the tobacco industry has some of the best structural fundamentals. Tobacco consumption is relatively price-inelastic, which means that price increases can make up for falls in sales volumes. Taxes make up a large portion of sale prices. This creates price leverage, causing consumer prices to rise by less than net revenues received by the business when excise rates do not change. In addition, specific taxes in some countries and efficient distribution make it difficult for new entrants to compete on price, especially since marketing is not allowed in most countries. Combine all of this with a business that doesn’t need to reinvest a large portion of its earnings, given a simple product and falling volumes, and you get companies that are able to grow while…

THE PROPOSED Tobacco Bill will kill small businesses and jobs, but not stop smoking, according to a survey conducted by Clippa Sales. The survey was conducted on more than 200 specialist tobacconists in South Africa, representing 1 769 stores that directly employ a collec- tive of 3 194 people. The respondents have indicated an opposition to the new Tobacco Pro-ducts and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, recently introduced into Parliament. Clippa Sales describes itself as a distributor, throughout Southern Africa, for world-class brands from across the world. The survey comes at a time when the Parliament’s portfolio committee on health invited public comments on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. The bill includes a complete ban on the display of all tobacco and related products…

SOUTH Africa’s small business sector is a tough environment to break into, but those who succeed in weathering the storms of the first few years of business have a real shot at scaling their business to new heights. Arguably, effective financial management is the single most important aspect of running a successful venture, part of which involves saving on a regular and consistent basis. The ongoing quarterly SME Index conducted by Business Partners Limited has found, over a consecutive number of years, that cash-flow remains the biggest challenge to local business owners. Saving and cash-flow management go hand in hand. Contending against multiple market shocks Evidence of this can be found in the events of recent years, which has seen many small businesses buckling under mounting economic pressures. 2020 saw…

PETROCHEMICALS giant Sasol said yesterday that it planned to appeal the decision by the National Air Quality Officer (Naqo) to reject its application to be regulated on an alternative emission load basis for the sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the boilers at its Secunda Operations’ steam plants to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Sasol’s emission sources at its opera- tions in South Africa are regulated in accordance with atmospheric emission licences, which are based on the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). On July 11, Sasol was informed that the Naqo had declined its June 2022 application in terms of Clause 12A of the MES to be regulated on an alternative emission load basis for the SO2 emissions from the boilers at its Secunda Operations’ steam plants from…

Student leadership at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) remains adamant that gates at the university’s campuses will remain closed until Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande addresses the delayed payment of student allowances. As protest action continued to disrupt the academic project at the university for a third day, the Campus Student Representative Council (CSRC) said it would only budge once they had an audience with the minister to provide clarity on the direct payment system implemented by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Keamogetswe Masike, the CSRC president, said although student leaders had a meeting with the executive officials at the university to try to work out a way forward on the issue, no real solution had come up. Masike said that the gates would remain closed…

As Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month (PDAM) is observed in July, Cape Mental Health has placed the focus on initiating open conversations about mental health in the workplace. The organisation’s aim is to help end discrimination against people with psychosocial disorders. CMH is an organisation that provides mental health services to persons with emotional adjustment problems, and those with mental disability (intellectual and or psychosocial) in the Western Cape. Adapted from the South African Federation of Mental Health’s PDAM drive, “Shattering Stigma: sparking conversations and shifting attitudes of mental health”, Cape Mental Health said it would focus on encouraging open and informed conversations about mental health at work. “Open and honest conversations can play a significant role in promoting awareness and fostering a more accepting society. “Much of the stigma…

THE latest World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has found that trafficking of Methamphetamine, better known as tik, is on the increase in Africa. The UNODC report stated that seizures of the drug were reported by 26 countries in the region in the period 2011-2021 – almost triple the number in the period 2000-2010 and accounting for almost half of all the countries in Africa. “The overall largest aggregated quantities of methamphetamine seized in the region over the past decade were in Mozambique and South Africa, followed by Nigeria,” the report read. According to the report, the cheap, easy and fast production of synthetic drugs has radically transformed many illicit drug markets. “Criminals producing methamphetamine – the world’s dominant illegally manufactured synthetic drug…

TSHWANE mayor Cilliers Brink has hailed the BMW Rosslyn plant, which recently announced a R4.2 billion investment, as an important part of the local economy because of its potential for creating jobs and opportunities for the country’s automotive manufacturing industries. Brink visited the plant this week with the DA leader John Steenhuiseun, who on Tuesday launched the party’s voter registration campaign in Soweto ahead of the 2024 general election. His visit to the plant in Tshwane aimed to highlight the importance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) to South Africa’s economy and foreign exports. There had been concerns that South Africa could lose out on Agoa’s benefits from the US government because of the country’s neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Brink said: “Part of our export…

As residents of Gauteng endure freezing cold temperatures this week, with snowfall experienced in some parts of the province, concerns have been raised on the how poor families and the homeless people survive the cold. Civil rights organisation #NotInMyName has partnered with non-profit organisation, the Dlalisa Moyeni Foundation, and retail giant Shoprite to lessen the burden on the economically challenged residents of Tshwane, by providing food. Well-known Tshwane businessman, Bongani Skosana, who is also a top official of #NotInMyName said the food distribution drive in Mamelodi was sparked by the glaring need in the community stricken by poverty and unemployment. “Our purpose today is in the spirit of sharing. We started our work here in Mamelodi and today, together with our partner Shoprite we have come to share the little…

Unisa hosted the BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue & Outreach, an event aimed at fostering peace and friendship among the participating nations at the university’s Kgorong Building in Pretoria on Tuesday evening. Principal and vice-chancellor of Unisa Professor Puleng LenkaBula welcomed guests who included ambassadors and high commissioners representing various countries in South Africa, members of the executive and extended management of the university, and ANC senior official Nomvula Mokonyane. “On this important event with a theme that resonates with South Africa, namely, ‘there shall be peace and friendship’ among countries and nations of the world’, I am particularly pleased that you have chosen Unisa as your venue to host this dialogue on a range of political, security and human development issues that affect Africa, the global South, and the…

Media reports of attempts to unseat Deputy President Paul Mashatile are shrouded in mystery and intrigue. A distinct possibility is that Western intelligence agencies are exploiting divisions with the ANC, and are carefully fermenting conflict within the hierarchy of the ANC in a carefully scripted strategy to decide the fate of the party in 2024. On March 14, 1973, then Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, issued a profound statement, imploring the US “not to get involved in any way in seeking to determine how they are governed and by whom”. Historian, Susan Williams, in her widely acknowledged book, White Malice, glaringly reveals Western interference in the destiny of Africa’s affairs. The book captures the arrogance of power and detestable methods to regain control over sovereign states. In…

The long-awaited next-generation Toyota Prado is looking set to be revealed later this year, but we already have a good idea of what it will have to offer. And so starts the teaser campaign for the next midsize Land Cruiser. What you see here is a teaser image showing an all-new SUV alongside the legendary 1960s J40 model that clearly inspired it. The teaser was released by Toyota’s US division, saying nothing more than the fact it’s a new “Rugged SUV” product, but this newcomer is expected to reintroduce the Land Cruiser nameplate to that market. For the rest of the world, this same model is expected to replace the Land Cruiser Prado, and looking closer at the teaser image we can see it’s closely related to the recently unveiled…

Lionel Messi landed in Florida on Tuesday ahead of his move to US Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Argentine television footage showed Messi, with members of his family, walking off a private jet at a small, executive airport adjacent to Inter Miami’s stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The World Cup winner is expected to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal, reported to be worth $60-million a year, before being presented to fans at a stadium event on Sunday. “We are happy with the decision we made. Prepared and eager to face the new challenge, the new change,” Messi said in an interview with Argentine TV show, Llave a la eternidad, released on Tuesday. “My mentality and my head are not going to change, and I am going to…

While some people may disagree with him, the Springboks facing the All Blacks is the biggest rivalry in world rugby, according to flank Kwagga Smith. Playing against New Zealand brings out the best in his game, and that is why he is looking forward to facing the ‘haka’ and running out on Saturday (kick-off 9.05am) at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. “It’s my biggest rivalry, playing against the All Blacks,” Smith said yesterday ahead of the Rugby Championship Test. “Playing against the All Blacks is your ultimate test at this moment. Other teams are also bringing it, but the rivalry and history behind it is really big, and that’s what makes it a high-quality game. “Ardie (Savea) and I have played against each other at Under-20, Sevens, Super Rugby and…

Kevin Anderson, the seven-time ATP Tour title winner who reached a career-high ranking of No 5 in the global rankings, is set to make a comeback to professional tennis. The South African will begin his return at the Newport ATP 250, where he has been awarded a wild card, with the tournament starting on Sunday in Rhode Island. Anderson had announced his retirement in May last year, and has not competed since the Miami Open in the same year. His return will take place at the Newport tournament where he last won a title in 2021. “I’m thrilled to make my return to the tour in Newport,” Anderson told the ATP Tour. “Winning the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in 2021 was a special moment for me. I couldn’t think…

BYTES Technology Group (BTG), a software, security, and cloud services specialist, said yesterday that despite the macroeconomic headwinds in its market, including the invasion of Ukraine, it was a resilient business that benefits from the technological tailwinds. Bytes is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), with a secondary listing on the JSE. In its annual report released yesterday, BTG chairperson Patrick De Smedt said the terrible invasion of Ukraine, which had caused great suffering, showed no sign of ending. “Closer to home, in the UK, we’ve had political and economic upheaval, adding to the sense of uncertainty. However, BTG is a resilient business that benefits from the technological tailwinds, whether it’s migration to the cloud, cybersecurity, or future developments in technology, such as artificial intelligence. “And our market share…

JUST A MONTH in power, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already received foreign entrepreneurs and investors at his villa, telling them Nigeria is open for business after a flurry of surprise economic reforms. The former Lagos governor has added a diplomatic step this week, becoming chairperson of the West Africa bloc Economic Community of West Africa States (Ecowas), with a call for more democracy and co-operation in the region ruined by coups and jihadists. Tinubu, 71, has made a swift start, defying critics who fear for his health and appearing determined to propel Africa’s most populous nation back into the regional spotlight. “Nigeria, we are back,” he said, accepting the rotating presidency of 15-member Ecowas in Guinea Bissau. His financial overhaul – floating the Nigerian naira and ending a…

PREMIER Fishing and Brand’s (PFB) share price notched up 13.8% to R1.15 on the JSE yesterday after it announced the terms of its delisting in August. The group said Sekunjalo Investment Holdings had made a firm offer to acquire the 15.98 million shares of PFB it does not already own, and excluding those ordinary shares of PFB held by African Equity Empowerment Investments Limited and 3 Laws Capital South Africa, constituting 6.14% of the issued ordinary share capital of PFB by way of a scheme of arrangement. PFB said yesterday all the scheme conditions had now all been fulfilled. The listing would be terminated on August 1 this year. In May Premier Fishing and Brands saw a strong uptick in performance in the six months to February 28…

An exciting “Cinderella” story is about to capture the hearts and attention of DStv’s Mzansi Wethu viewers. The channel’s first local telenovela, Sibongile & The Dlaminis, which stars an exceptional ensemble cast including award-winning actor Siyabonga Shibe, Isibaya star Ayanda Borotho and Zodumo Shange, among other talented actors, bring this “rags to riches” story to life. Produced by Rhythm World Productions, well known for producing captivating dramas like Umkhokha-The Curse, the storyline is pinned on the journey of Sibongile Mbambo (Luyanda Zwane), an innocent rural young woman forced to leave her family and dreams behind, to become a domestic worker in the mansion of the affluent Dlamini family. But Sibongile is in store for an unexpected Cinderella story in the form of a forbidden romance. The burgeoning relationship transforms Sibongile's…

l Verbal abuse and racism l Food poisoning, dirty water A Soweto man has described the appalling conditions endured by trainees of the crime warden initiative launched by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Mandla Nyaqela, 42, said he had been admitted to the programme that was supposed to produce 6 000 crime wardens who would help the police combat crime in the province. “More than 20 people were forced to share in 8-metre-long containers. We drank water from boreholes, and there was a serious scarcity of the very same unhealthy water we drank and showered with. The water was always cold, and it was very hard to take a shower during winter. There was a scarcity of food and the food was never…

The Plant Powered Show – the first of its kind on the African continent – takes place next month at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre. Doors will open on Friday, August 4 at noon and close on Sunday, August 6 at 5pm. The Plant Powered Show is an unmissable event aimed at those looking to live and enjoy a healthier, more conscious and sustainable lifestyle. The three-day show brings together top chefs, food personalities and celebrity cooks, mixologists, health and wellness experts and a marketplace stocked with plant-based food, drink and conscious-living products with hundreds of new and familiar brands for show visitors to discover, experience, be inspired by and purchase. One of the main attractions at both shows will be, The Checkers Plant Kitchen, powered…

One doesn’t have to look far on Facebook to come across a post of a parent, usually a frustrated mother, having a go at the other parent for not paying papgeld. In a perfect world, this wouldn’t happen, as every parent – mother and father – would honour their duty when it comes to the well-being and legal maintenance of their children. But we don’t live in a perfect world. The following information from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s website gives insight into child maintenance. Is it compulsory? Yes. It is a legal obligation of the child’s biological parents, grandparents or legal guardian. Can I claim maintenance from grandparents? Maintenance can be claimed from the biological grandparent if the parents cannot pay. Who can apply? The…

A group of Stellenbosch University (SU) medical students are harnessing the power of algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to raise the need for awareness of organ donation in South Africa. The initiative is being driven by Save7, a non-profit organisation founded by students that aims to share the message that every South African has the potential to save seven lives by donating their kidneys, heart and lungs after they die. Third-year medical student Jonty Wright, 20, founded Save7 after meeting patients in hospital who were desperately awaiting organs. “There was nothing more doctors could do for them, and they were literally waiting to die,” said Wright. He turned to technology, and built a website to raise awareness and then taught himself to programme an AI chatbot to answer questions about…

Max Verstappen is running away with the Formula One championship to such an extent that the Red Bull driver no longer seems sure who his main rival is. Teammate Sergio Perez is mathematically closest, and fighting with the same equipment, but the Mexican is already a whopping 99 points behind the double world champion after 10 of 22 races. Perez has also not been the closest driver to Verstappen at the chequered flag since he was second in Miami in May, six races ago. Verstappen has won the last six races in a row, most recently at Silverstone’s British Grand Prix on Sunday, and has had five different teams and drivers finish second in that same period. After Perez, it was Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in Monaco, Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton…

THE country is facing a crisis of never-seen proportions, and the truck-torching crisis should be a cause for concern for the government, especially considering the state of the economy. In just under a week, it is reported that 14 trucks have gone up in flames. The sad state of affairs is that the country’s economy is now dependent on these heavy load vehicles to transport goods. This has been caused by the ongoing problems in the rail transport sector, and with many railroads having seen unprecedented vandalism and attacks. The government has been engrossed in unending talks about the importance of reviving rail transport, which was regarded as the most affordable, reliable and safe mode of heavy goods transportation. The presence of these heavy goods vehicles on the country’s roads…

Double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya said yesterday the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights that her human rights were violated by courts in Switzerland is “only the beginning” of a new chapter in her legal fight. The 32-year-old said in a statement a day after the ruling she was “elated” by the decision, which “has been a long time coming”. “Justice has spoken, but this is only the beginning,” Semenya said. She appealed to the France-based ECHR after the Swiss Supreme Court rejected her appeal against World Athletics’ rules that she must take medication to lower her testosterone levels if she wishes to continue competing. Semenya, who is classed as having “differences in sexual development (DSD)” but has always been legally identified as female, has refused to…

African Bank’s decision to partner with the Soweto Marathon for the next five years had to do with more than the fact that both institutions are “for the people”. Speaking at the launch of the 2023 edition of the ‘people’s race’ in Orlando West yesterday, Sbusiso Khumalo, the group chief marketing officer of the bank, said they felt an obligation to save the race. “We believe in this race. We believe in Soweto. We understand that there are ups and downs,” he said, referring to the recent challenges that saw previous members of the Soweto Trust Board declaring the race as cancelled, only for them to be suspended and replaced by the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), who then made sure that the race goes ahead. “People often resonate during difficult…

Banyana Banyana will be hoping that the players give inspired performances against Costa Rica in Saturday’s international friendly (kick-off 4am) at the Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub in Christchurch, New Zealand. The match against the 36th-ranked Central American country will serve as a warm-up encounter ahead of Banyana’s opening World Cup Group G match against world No 3 Sweden on July 23. Coach Desiree Ellis, Banyana’s three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, is likely to field her best XI in the hope of securing a morale-boosting performance. Three players who have been in good form in recent months are Andile Dlamini, Noxolo Cesane and Thembi Kgatlana, and Banyana Banyana, ranked 57th, will be relying on them to bring their form into the match and lead the charge. Andile Dlamini…

Banyana Banyana have grown since their first Women’s World Cup in France and that’s why they fancy their chances in Australia and New Zealand. The South African women’s team crashed out in the group stage of the 2019 global showpiece after they lost all three of their matches to Spain, China and Germany. Those losses had the potential of deterring them going forward, but the Desiree Ellis-coached team chose to build on the positives instead. Banyana became the team to beat on the continent, winning the Buhari Cup in Nigeria, where they also beat the hosts, while they continued to export more players abroad. Their greatest reward to date, though, was winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) for the first time last year to seal their spot in…