Inhoudsopgave van 2023-08-30 - Star

THE NATIONAL Treasury has told Parliament that it’s working with the Land Bank to complete what could be the final version of the liability solution with the bank’s lenders in a bid to cure its default position. The Land Bank has been in default since April 2020 after falling into serious liquidity challenges as it failed to repay about R50 billion maturing loans. Since then, three versions of the liability solution have been rejected by the guaranteed lenders of the bank. The Treasury’s director for development finance institutions, Lefentse Radikeledi, yesterday said that R5.1bn of the R7bn recapitalisation from the government was kept in the escrow account created to protect the fiscal allocation from being accessed by its lenders. He said this would be the situation until the Land…

LOGISTICS and mobility group Super Group’s earnings for the year ended June 30, 2023, accelerated by double digits as its performance exceeded that of pre-Covid levels on the back of new client wins, contract renewals and market share gains. Headline earnings per share increased by 23.3% to 469.4 cents, while revenue increased by 30.6% to R61.88 billion. Operating profit increased by 20.7% to R3.95bn. Super Group’s international operations contributed 54% of the sales revenue, up from June 2022 of 52% and 56% of operating profit (June 2022: 53% normalised). Super Group declared a final gross dividend of 80c from income reserves, compared to the 63c in June 2022. The group said yesterday its competitiveness was evidenced in significant new client wins, contract renewals and market share gains. “The…

SOLAR PV (photovoltaic) energy is an important part of our country’s energy mix and will play an important role in resolving the energy crisis for many. However, many service providers in the industry are still effectively “unregulated”. Although prudent developers, EPCs (a contractor that accepts the full responsibility for a solar PV project or part thereof) and installers follow the applicable National Rationalised Specifications, South African National Standard and International Electrotechnical Commission standards to ensure the safety and performance of their installations, unregulated service providers do not, and are blissfully unaware of the consequences of their actions. As load shedding woes continue, there has been a surge in the adoption of solar energy. However, in this booming industry, a dangerous trend has emerged – the rise of unregulated solar power…

THE BRITISH government was working with airlines yesterday to help ensure passengers stranded in airports across Europe can get home after an air traffic control glitch caused widespread disruption to flights that is expected to last for days. More than 1 500 flights were cancelled on Monday – a public holiday in parts of Britain, and one of the busiest travel days as the school holidays draw to a close – when air traffic controllers were forced to switch to manual systems due to a technical problem. That left thousands of passengers stuck at airports in Europe and further afield. Mark Harper, the transport secretary, warned it would take days to resolve the issues, even though the fault was fixed after a few hours on Monday, as cancellations hit…

Over the years, MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho has made quite the reputable name for himself in the podcast space with Podcast and Chill with MacG. It has garnered controversial views in the past, all because of the topics that are discussed and the bombs that have been dropped in the popular celebrity interviews. The controversial podcast over the years has surely managed to stir up hot disputes, placing it in the naughty corner, but despite this, it has managed to achieve a million YouTube subscribers. MacG entered the entertainment industry as a child star working on a children's show and then later ventured into radio. MacG, in his recent interview with Sekunjalo chairman Dr Iqbal Survé, shared a bit about the challenges he had faced as Podcast and Chill was growing…

Patriot Alliance (PA) leader, Gayton McKenzie has urged the Department of Home Affairs (DHE) to stand “ready” and “deport” the Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa who have vowed to march to their embassy to protest against election results in Zimbabwe. “Home Affairs should stand ready at the Zimbabwean Embassy to deport the whole lot,” he said. It is alleged that scores of unhappy Zimbabwean nationals in SA were planning to march to their embassy in Pretoria protest of the election results. The protest action is also against the re-election of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s (Zanu-PF’s) President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The protesters are taking their displeasure over the election results to the streets. The suspicion is that the elections were rigged, unfair, unequally conducted, and politically damaging. He said the…

Seven weeks later and green turtle Jacques is on his way to a full recovery. That is according to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (Saambr) Ann Kunz, who said that after seven weeks of recuperating in the Saambr Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacques is now well on his way to a full recovery. Kunz said that when they initially shared the green turtle’s story after its arrival, Jacques was so lethargic that he could hardly lift his head or keep his eyes open and needed to be placed in a shallow heated pool for several days after he was admitted. Jacques was also positively buoyant which meant that he was unable to dive below the surface of the water. “The staff are loving and caring for Jacques…

SKATEBOARDERS in Mamelodi are a step closer to getting their own facility. The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has given its full support to the building of an educational centre that will incorporate skateboarding in Mamelodi East. Poele Mofolo, who works for an NGO in the area, Tateni Community Care Services, is deeply involved in the skateboarding community. His dream is to get the children interested in the sport to keep them constructively occupied and off the streets. Mofolo has battled for years to obtain land in the area to serve as a permanent home for the club, which is presently operating from a local centre called “Beerhall” but is awaiting permission to use a site next to a police station for skateboarding. Gauteng recently confirmed…

Aubrey Modiba seems to know that statistics are nothing more than numbers on a piece of paper, with very little influence on the outcome of matches. As he looked ahead to Mamelodi Sundowns’ trip to Premiership returnees Polokwane City, the Brazilians’ left-back refused to read anything into their opposition’s previous match. “The previous result does not matter. Right now, they just came back from a loss away from home,” Modiba said in an interview with his club’s media department. “They are at home (against us), so it will be a different approach. They still score goals. It shows we cannot take them lightly.” Sundowns visit Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium today looking to continueon their winning ways that sees them enjoying a first ever perfect start to the season,…

So much for the Golden Arrows coaches not having anything, as per Safa technical director Walter Steenbok ... Abafana Bes’thende’s coaching duo of Mabhuti Khenyeza and Vusimusi Vilakazi may not have the requisite high technical qualifications as demanded by the country’s top technical man, but they are doing a good job with the Durban outfit so far. Hammered 4-0 at Mamelodi Sundowns last month, they have managed an impressive turnaround to win twice since, with yesterday’s 3-0 humiliation of a SuperSport United outfit coached by a well-decorated mentor in terms of not just qualifications but championship honours, coming on the back of a 3-2 victory against Polokwane City. They made the trip to the Peter Mokaba Stadium to face a Matsatsantsa a Pitori side that historically gets the better of…

New Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini said his main goal is for the men’s national team to win the Asian Cup after 27 years, at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) presentation event in Riyadh on Monday. The former Italy coach outlined his aspirations to raise the team’s level in Asia, and detailed his long and short-term plans, adding he will evaluate the players to complete the objective to win the continental tournament. “Our target is to win the Asian Cup after 27 years. Our target before that is that we have four friendlies, we have two World Cup qualifiers and after that, we have a 20-day training camp to prepare for the Asian Cup,” Mancini said. “I am not a magician ... We have exceptional talents, and we can…

Flyhalf Manie Libbok has the backing of one of South Africa’s most prolific goal-kickers, Morné Steyn, to fire for the Springboks at the World Cup in France. Steyn was recently announced as the Lions’ kicking consultant ahead of the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup, after retiring from playing earlier this year. He has signed with the Ellis Park, Joburg-based team for the next two years. Libbok is currently the only specialist flyhalf in the Springboks’ RWC group after Handré Pollard missed the cut after not recovering in time from a calf injury. Pollard, who helped the Boks to the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 in Japan, is on the standby list should there be any injuries among the 33-player squad. According to Steyn, who played in 68 Tests for…

SOUTH African motorists will be singing along to Green Day’s hit song Wake Me Up When September ends as fuel prices are expected to increase drastically in the coming month. It was unfortunate that global supply and demand issues driven also by some geopolitical pressures and the weakening rand, brought such a huge increase at a time when both motorists and fuel retailers were battling hard to survive, Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) CEO Reggie Sibiya said yesterday. According to the latest daily snapshot from the Central Energy Fund, 95 unleaded petrol was looking set to increase by close to R2 per litre, while diesel was to lift by close to R3. Sibiya said the hardships experienced by motorists translated to low fuel consumption which further affected retailers’ profitability which they…

SIBANYE-Stillwater reported yesterday that it had cut the 2023 production guidance of gold, nickel and platinum group metals (PGMs), citing lower metal prices, operational mishaps, and a strike in France. In its results for the six months ended June 30, 2023, the group said the updated gold production guidance of 625 000 to 660 000 ounces was 16% to 17% lower than forecast at the beginning of the year, following a shaft incident at Kloof 4 shaft earlier this month. Guided nickel output was lowered to 7 000 and 7 500 tons, while PGM output from the firm’s US recycling operations was dropped by 100 000 ounces to 350 000 to 400 000 ounces for the year, as a result of lower demand.…

THERE is a rule called a carpenter’s rule, it says: “Measure twice and cut once”. The rationale behind the carpenter’s rule is that you plan extensively and prepare wisely before embarking on any action in life. Because once you take the action to implement a plan you have only one opportunity to do it right. This all relates to planning. I am quite worried about the Koeberg power station. There are too many interferences that are hindering the continuing work of repairing and extending the lifespan of the Koeberg power station. Some of the interferences seem deliberate to delay the finalisation work needed to be completed on the Koeberg unit 1 and unit 2 steam generator works. These interferences will further push delays on the power station units to return…

In the vibrant tapestry of South African culture, there exists a powerful sentiment that resonates with the strength and resilience of women – Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo (You strike a woman, you strike a rock). But behind the facade of courage, many women find themselves caught in an impossible dilemma – the elusive pursuit of “having it all”. Juggling a successful career and a family seems like an unattainable dream, forcing them to make tough choices and leaving them struggling silently. While women are rightfully praised for their unwavering strength, there's a hidden battle that often goes unnoticed. Twice as many women experience depression compared to men. What’s even more alarming is that many of these women silently suffer from high-functioning depression, skilfully masking their pain as they navigate through…

Young men and boys have pleaded with President Cyril Ramaphosa to help end the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and protect them against discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. The young men from across Gauteng schools addressed Ramaphosa on a range of issues affecting them as young people as well as their fellow female counterparts. They were speaking during a Presidential Young Men and Boys Indaba held at Maponya Mall in Soweto yesterday. “As openly gay young men, we face discrimination, and we are not protected as the LGBTQI in our communities and in our schools,” one of the young men told Ramaphosa. During his address, which responded directly to some of the questions raised, the president urged those gathered and across the country to respect and protect…

Spring is almost here and along with its arrival, come plans around the annual household spring clean. While traditionally spring cleaning has been focused on sprucing our surroundings, people would do well to evaluate the other areas of life that can do with a review. The areas could include, self-care, hobbies and a review of finances and policies. Start with actual spring cleaning Cleaning your environment is much easier than it seems, especially when approaching it step by step. As master organiser, Marie Kondo, advises a five step approach to organising your home: commitment to tidying, imagining what you want your space to look like, discarding the old before anything else, tidying by category not room and asking yourself if the items you want to keep spark joy. The benefits…

UNISA yesterday broke new ground in a construction project that will cater for students with disabilities. The development project will be built at the university’s Sunnyside campus from this week. The 24-hour facility will accommodate over 300 students and include a computer laboratory for over 400 students in Gauteng, as well as the Unisa Centre of Excellence in Disabilities. In a sod-turning ceremony at the campus yesterday, surrounded by the institution’s dignitaries, Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula said the centre was intended to be a world-class specialised research facility for disability inclusion and provide comprehensive and extended support to staff and students with various types of disabilities. The new premises will primarily offer translation of research into practical applications to persons living with disabilities using techniques and assistive technologies. In…

Rustenburg-based journalist Nyakallo Mosala turned to online videos to hone her baking skills. Mosala, of Bokamoso, near Rustenburg in the North West, said her baking business idea came into effect after the Covid-19 pandemic. The full effect that the pandemic had on South Africa and the world at large would be known for years, but Mosala decided to roll the dice during the shutdown and pursue a new hobby – baking. During the hard lockdown, she said she kept baking to keep busy. “I passed my time baking and trying new recipes. I would look at the ingredients I had in the pantry and wonder what I could bake. I watched YouTube videos and tried as much as I could to bake delicious delicacies,” she said. Mosala, the owner of…

Multi-award-winning music sensation Makhadzi is raging after her team was allegedly pushed off stage while she was set to perform at the Africa Music Festival in the UK. Makhadzi said she was billed to perform for 45 minutes, but her performance was “sabotaged” as she could not perform for the specified time. In a video shared on social media, the Ghanama artist shared her ordeal, saying that she was forcefully moved off stage and was told the festival was for Zimbabweans. “It’s like the whole thing was planned for us to fight. The road manager was supposed to manage time. So all I can say is that whatever happened was planned for me and Jah Prayzah to fight. When Winky D ended his performance, there were only 40 minutes left…

Africa could reap the benefits of expanded co-operations in information and communication technologies (ICTs) as the BRICS consolidates intra-group co-operation towards harnessing new technologies to achieve sustainable development. Although the absorption of proliferating new technologies has grown, turning Africa into one of the largest tech markets, the continent lags in internet penetration and tech capabilities. Africa falls behind the major and middle powers in terms of producing its own technologies suited to its own conditions. There is not a single African company among the major tech giants, although Africa is gradually rising in the production of techpreneurs, and the absorption and use of ICTs. However, the BRICS’ focus on tech co-operation could stimulate growth of ICTs sectors and endogenous production of new technologies, building on the continental innovation which has…

Novak Djokovic ensured he will return to the top of tennis’ world rankings with an emphatic first-round victory at the US Open on Monday night as women’s World No 1 Iga Swiatek and American rival Coco Gauff advanced. Djokovic, chasing a record-extending 24th Grand Slam singles title in New York, shrugged off a late-night start on the Arthur Ashe Stadium to demolish France’s Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in just one hour and 35 minutes. The win means Djokovic is guaranteed to replace defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz as World No 1 when the tennis rankings are next updated after the tournament. Djokovic is playing in New York for the first time since suffering an agonising defeat in the 2021 final in New York. He was barred from entry…

AmaZulu FC midfielder Ethan Brooks is thrilled about the prospect of lining up against his former club TS Galaxy in a reunion that could potentially produce fireworks. Usuthu were yesterday hard at work preparing for the visit of the Rockets to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tonight (kick-off 7.30pm) with both sides looking to bounce back from defeats in their last outings. The hosts are currently on a run of four games without finding the back of the net, a conundrum that has blighted their overall progress under new head coach Pablo Franco Martin. Under the Spanish mentor, Brooks has seemingly found a new lease on life, turning out in a deeper playmaker role. The 22-year-old Bafana Bafana international is a graduate of the Galaxy Academy, having made his first…

Farmers will be able to access grant funding from R500 000 up to R1.5m, depending on size INTENSIVE energy-using farmers in South Africa have been thrown a lifeline against the impact of rotational load shedding through a R1.2 billion fund aimed at helping players in the sector to procure equipment for alternative energy sources. The government yesterday launched the Agro-Energy Fund (AEF), a blended finance programme to provide funding support for the acquisition of alternative energy assets to alleviate the impact of load shedding on farming operations and the agricultural sector. The fund was established by the Land Bank in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (Dalrrd), and will support all producers in the agricultural sector, from smallholder, medium scale, large scale to mega…

SOUTH Africa is one of the most carbon-intensive countries in the world, heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs. At the same time, the country also experiences the triple challenge of significant levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment. These need to be addressed to overcome the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, and achieve social and economic progress. In response to these challenges, South Africa has chosen to embark on a Just Transition to respond to both the climate crisis and advance its economic and social development objectives. It is well established through our daily experiences that climate change mitigation and adaptation will leave some behind resulting in an Unjust Transition. The impact of climate change will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and, therefore, safety nets and income support…

IN AN ERA where media holds the reins of public opinion, the tactics employed by news outlets can significantly impact how we perceive public figures. Leading the charge, are News24 and Daily Maverick, who have both embraced a playbook approach to reporting, leveraging their influence to shape public perception for their own designs. By repeatedly highlighting controversies and casting shadows over achievements, they have constructed a narrative that aligns with their chosen agenda. As US broadcast journalist and war correspondent Edward R Murrow cautioned, we must not mistake dissent for disloyalty and remember that accusation alone does not equate to proof. The playbook tactics employed by these outlets have left no stone unturned in their bid to tarnish the reputations of certain dissenters to their narrative. One such target is…

The Marvelous Wonderettes takes audiences on a nostalgic journey back to the 1950s and 1960s, celebrating the music and culture of the era. Known for its catchy songs, vibrant costumes and performances, charming depiction of the past and comedic elements, The Marvelous Wonderettes celebrates the enduring power of friendship and music. Written by Roger Bean in 1999, the smash off-Broadway hit pays homage to the “cheesy” song leaders of the ’50s and ’60s. After a successful debut in Cape Town and Paternoster, this musical extravaganza is set to delight Joburg audiences, at the Theatre on the Square, Sandton, from September 5-9. With Emma Amber as the director and Angelica Hattingh as the choreographer, The Marvelous Wonderettes promises a dynamic and engaging experience for theatregoers. “It’s the end of winter. Let’s…

DEMOTED EFF member Vusi Khoza says he will abide by the decision of the party’s top structure to remove him as an MP following his failure to organise buses to transport members to the party’s birthday celebrations. The former EFF KZN leader was one of the members that was banned from attending the party’s 10th anniversary celebrations at FNB Stadium in Gauteng earlier this month as he had not organised transport for members and supporters. Khoza expressed the commitment to perform his tasks as a branch member and to drum up support for the EFF ahead of next year’s elections. He said organising buses to transport members and supporters had become a near impossible mission because it demanded a lot of money, which was difficult to raise because of the…

In the age of instant gratification and readily available credit, consumers have the freedom to make choices that satisfy their needs and wants, according to Charnel Collins, CEO of National Debt Advisors. Collins said that if consumers don’t manage those decisions, they can get stuck in the debt trap. Janine Horn, a financial adviser at Momentum, said that consumers have been forced to sacrifice savings in order to cover expenditures and service their existing debt, but savings is a key component of a sound financial plan. Although you may have debt, there are steps that you can take to start saving money. Here are four ways you can save more money even if you are in debt: One seed at a time Do a thorough inspection of where you can…

Seven men, including four members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga after they were arrested in connection with the August 11 cash-in-transit robbery where R8 000 in coins were stolen from a Fidelity truck. The case against the seven accused men was postponed to today, after they appeared in court on Monday. The four police officers were arrested after police followed up on information regarding a SAPS Flying Squad vehicle that was transporting illegal firearms on August 17, at Malelane in Mpumalanga. After their arrest, the four police officers joined the list of three suspects who had already been arrested for the same crime. Spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said the four additional suspects were members…

AS PART part of the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Tuks Robot School programme, students from the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology have been teaching pupils from underprivileged township and rural schools about robotics, computer programming and sensor technology to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths careers and prepare them for the future world of work. The programme was inspired by UP’s 10-year-old annual Robot Car Race, which saw many asking the university’s Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering and Unit for Community Engagement to initiate a similar experience for school pupils. The Tuks Robot School was founded in 2021 and gives UP students an opportunity to transfer their skills to high school pupils. A curriculum that targets Grades 8 to 11 pupils was designed…

Belinda Davids is back by popular demand. South African singing sensation Davids has returned to the Joburg Theatre with The Greatest Love of All at the Mandela Theatre, running from now to September 10. Davids, a RiSA chart-topping artist who has performed alongside the likes of Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole and Monica and featured on Fox TV’s Showtime at the Apollo, Britain’s Got Talent and BBC1 TV’s Even Better Than the Real Thing, is performing a special return season, including additional songs from the Whitney Houston repertoire. The state-of-the-art sound, lighting, vision and theatrical effects together with mesmerising vocals by Davids brings Houston’s musical legacy to life. The Greatest Love of All is an acclaimed tribute show described as “mind-blowingly spot on”. Critics and fans the world over hail this…

Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram says his team don’t see the three-match series against Australia as one “where we’re going to sit back and see what happens” as they aim to emerge victorious, starting in Durban today (6pm start). This will be Markram’s second series as permanent T20I captain. His announcement as the skipper came on the back of an impressive captaincy stint in the SA20, where he led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the title. The leadership qualities were always easy to spot in Markram’s game and personality even early on in his career. At only 23, he captained the senior men’s side for the first time in a one-day international series against India when then-skipper Faf du Plessis was ruled out due to an injury. In what was…

As Kaizer Chiefs roll into Cape Town tonight to face Stellenbosch FC (kick-off 7.30pm), the spotlight will be firmly on the two goalkeepers in this crunch Premiership encounter at Athlone Stadium. At a time when Chiefs have come under great scrutiny due to their slow start to the new season, their goalkeeper – and captain – Brandon Petersen has only added fuel to the fire. Petersen’s displays have been erratic, to say the least – swinging wildly from sublime saves to horrendous individual errors against both champions Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy, with the latter being an own goal that cost Amakhosi dearly. The Amakhosi faithful are unforgiving, especially with club legend Itumeleng Khune still part of the Chiefs squad and waiting for a chance off the bench. Ironically, former…

Regional representatives of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) have demanded the immediate resignation of the body’s chief, Luis Rubiales – but stopped short of calling for a motion of no confidence – for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the World Cup. The federation’s move came as the situation has spiralled into a national row over women’s rights, macho behaviour and sexual abuse with many acting ministers asking for Rubiales to leave. Many of the federation representatives had applauded Rubiales when he announced on Friday that he would not quit, but late on Monday asked him to step down and called for a restructuring of key positions in the federation “to allow for a new phase of management in Spanish football” with more gender equality. “Following recent events…