Inhoudsopgave van 2023-10-10 - Star

MINISTER of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has flagged illegal connections as a major impact on the country’s distribution infrastructure and a hindrance to Eskom’s generation capacity. Illegal connections cost Eskom billions of rand in revenue with the struggling power utility losing R22 billion from “non-technical issues” last year, R7bn in Gauteng alone. Ramokgopa said yesterday that illegal connections were placing significant strain on the grid, and needed to be addressed as it affected the energy ecosystem in the country. “We have made the point that the amount of illegal connections, in addition to posing an immediate physical danger, also plays a significant amount of strain on the distribution infrastructure,” Ramokgopa said. “The capacity of the distribution infrastructure is a function of the demand, and really when Eskom and municipalities…

Developments have seen global oil prices shooting up and markets worry over tight oil flows Investor sentiment in the currency and commodity trading turned sour yesterday as risk aversion in global markets heightened due to the escalating violence in the Middle East. Palestinian militant group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in decades on Saturday, killing several hundreds and taking others hostage. In a swift response to what some have called Israel’s 9/11, Israeli fighter jets bombarded parts of the Gaza Strip, which also resulted in major casualties.The developments in the Middle East saw global oil prices shooting up as the markets worried that the conflict could disrupt already tight oil flows following Saudi Arabia and Russia’s production cuts. Brent crude oil prices rose by 4% to around $88…

KIAAN Pillay, the CEO of payments company Stitch, says South Africa’s robust financial sector is providing fintech companies with opportunities to bring in new payments platforms, but regulatory issues are holding operators from speedily scaling up and introducing new formats that bring added convenience. Stitch has just announced a new $25 million (about R483 billion) funding raise to roll-out new payment platforms for MultiChoice, MTN, Foschini and users under Standard Bank’s SnapScan. The South African fintech start-up is also pursuing omni channel payments and earmarked expansion as its clients grow across the rest of Africa segment. At a time when other fintech ventures in markets such as Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria were folding up, Pillay said, the robustness and highly sophisticated nature of South Africa’s financial services…

MORE THAN A hundred farms, the majority of which have commercial facilities, have reported to be infected by avian influenza, which has led to losses in parental stock for breeders of layers and in broilers, resulting in egg supply constraints seen in various retail shelves across South Africa. This is according to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), which said yesterday that in the past week, it had participated in two critical meetings addressing this immediate challenge. Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at Agbiz, said yesterday that in the first meeting, the Department of Agriculture, Land and Rural Development (Dalrrd) had met retailers with the aim of assessing the severity of the egg supplies at the retail level and to assess various response measures. “Second, the Dalrrd met with…

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken Elon Musk to court again, and this time it could win. Last week, after the agency asked a federal court to force Musk to testify for its investigation into his $44 billion (about R850bn) takeover of social media giant Twitter, marked the third time the SEC has taken Musk to court. It sued him in 2018 and again in 2019, in relation to a tweet Musk sent saying that he had funding secured to take his electric carmaker Tesla private. The 2018 lawsuit was quickly settled on the condition that lawyers vetted Musk’s future tweets. The 2019 lawsuit by the SEC trying to enforce that deal did not go its way. In that case, the SEC was on solid ground…

AFTER an escalation in violence that has claimed the lives of more than 1 400 people in Palestine and Israel, solidarity organisations in South Africa are intensifying their support through protests and demonstrations across the country. On Saturday, Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades conducted an unprecedented and widespread attack, “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm/ Flood”, which saw fighters reach Israel from the Gaza Strip. The resultant attack saw Israel launch operation “Swords of Iron” on Saturday, shelling one of the most densely populated areas in the world, Gaza, with approximately 70% of its inhabitants refugees. Israel also blocked the supply of electricity, fuel, and goods to Gaza. There is currently a land, sea, and air blockade of Gaza. Ahead of the verdict in the reopened inquest of Imam Abdullah Haron, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign…

Amanzimtoti High School rugby player Sandile Nkosingiphile Mbatha’s dream to play abroad depends on his raising enough funds to join the team in the under-16 Rugby Tour of Ireland in December. Sandile, 16, a Grade 10 pupil, was selected in April to participate in the Uhuru Rugby Tournament. Sandile, from Sawpits near Mbumbulu south of Durban, took an interest in rugby last year after shifting from being a cricket player. According to his mother, Precious Mbatha, her son’s dream might be short-lived if he fails to raise the required tour funds of more than R15 000 before October 27. This comes after they have received the adjusted funds’ letter. “We recently received an Adjusted Tour cost requiring us to raise the money,” she said. “If we fail to raise the…

Cosatu is the latest organisation to launch an attack on City of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink, calling for his resignation. The mounting pressure for his head comes at the backdrop of a municipal employees’ strike action that is entering its fourth month. The capital city has been in a catastrophe, with service delivery taking a huge hit since the strike began in July. Workers are demanding a pay increase but the metro has refused to budge, saying its coffers were empty. To make things worse, city management has fired more than 100 workers who participated in the unprotected strike. Cosatu led a march to Tshwane house on Friday, as part of the International Day Decent Work, to deliver a memorandum to Brink, demanding that he reinstate the 123 dismissed workers…

WITH just two months to go before the summer holidays – when South Africa usually suffers the most road accidents – legal experts have urged the country to take a stand against the government’s new proposed Draft Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill. “Now is the time for South Africans to stand up for their constitutional rights,” said advocate Justin Erasmus, chairperson of the Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyers Association. “A draft bill of this nature with such far-reaching implications, not only for the victims of motor accidents but also on the livelihoods of all South Africans, particularly the poor and marginalised, has been given grossly insufficient time for proper and meaningful public participation.” The draft amendment bill was gazetted earlier this month and proposes major changes to how the fund operates…

The Eagle Christian Centre in Newlands, Randburg, has been left reeling following the killing of one of its pastors during a church service on Friday. Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for six suspects who robbed the congregation at gunpoint before shooting dead Pastor Dwayne Gordon, who was giving a sermon, and wounded three others. The congregants were robbed of their personal belongings. Speaking to The Star yesterday, Bishop Dalton Adams said that as the church, they were still shocked by the brazen nature of the incident. He said the church was re-looking how it could move on from this incident, adding that Pastor Gordon was a bright young man. “It is a tragic thing that happened on Friday night. We continue to share our deepest condolences with the…

The Springboks want to continue their exemplary disciplinary record on Sunday when they face France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Paris to put as little pressure on the match officials. Playing the host nation in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd of more than 80 000 supporters will bring its own pressure, and it could influence the man in the middle. That’s why the Boks want to show him their good side to ensure they do not end up on the wrong end of his whistle. It’s not yet clear who the referee will be for Sunday’s match (9pm kickoff), but seeing that it’s the reigning world champions playing France, leading refs Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Mathieu Raynal (France) are out of…

Orlando Pirates reminded the South African footballing fraternity of their legacy with more success in the MTN8 on Saturday. The Buccaneers’ victory over Mamelodi Sundowns not only broke a run of three defeats to the Brazilians, but may have also enforced a few positives within the squad. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has done enough to earn the trust of coach Jose Riveiro in the past 12 months, but may have just endeared himself to The Ghost with his heroics in the final at the weekend. The 26-year-old put behind criticism from the club’s fans as he saved three penalties in the shootout, in an overall fine performance to ensure Pirates defended their MTN8 crown. Many have likened Chaine’s heroics to ones similar to those of the late Senzo Meyiwa, who also…

Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn insists his team's top-order batting is not a worry but that confidence may not spare Fakhar Zaman, the only man to have scored an ODI double hundred for his country. Pakistan's openers have endured a miserable last five matches with 35 as their highest partnership. There has only been one century stand in the 16 games this year. Left-hander Fakhar managed just 12 runs in a partnership of 15 with Imam-ul-Haq in Pakistan's 81-run win against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on Friday. Fakhar, who famously smashed 210 not out against Zimbabwe in 2018, has a best of just 33 in his last 11 innings, a desperate run which followed three successive centuries against New Zealand earlier this year. For today's game with Sri Lanka, Fakhar…

THE NOBEL Prize in Economics was awarded to American economist Claudia Goldin yesterday for her research that has helped understand the role of women in the labour market. The 77-year-old Harvard professor, who is the third woman to be awarded the prestigious economics prize, was given the nod “for having advanced our understanding of women’s labour market outcomes”, the jury said. “Her research reveals the causes of change, as well as the main sources of the remaining gender gap,” it added in a statement. Globally, about 50% of women participate in the labour market compared to 80% of men, but women earn less and are less likely to reach the top of the career ladder, the prize committee noted. The Nobel Prize in Economics has the fewest number of women…

FAMOUS Brands, the owner of brands including Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Milky Lane, among others, said yesterday headline earnings per share was expected to be between 221 cents and 178c per share for the six months to August 31, representing a change of between 3% and -17% when compared to the prior comparable period. “The business continued to improve its revenue performance mainly due to further improvements across the value chain. However, the high levels of sustained load shedding, related cost pressures and a challenging economic environment impacted the profitability of the group,” the company said in a trading update. Basic earnings per share (Beps) was expected to be between 225c and 174c, representing a decrease of between 13% and 33% compared to the prior comparable period. A reduction in…

ANGLOGOLD Ashanti yesterday disclosed that its tax bill after it had completed a corporate restructuring had amounted to $286 million (R5.52 billion). The gold miner recently moved its corporate domicile in the UK and a change of its primary listing from the JSE to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company, which now has its group headquarters in Denver, retains secondary listings on the JSE and the Ghana Stock Exchange. It said as disclosed in its initial announcement of the restructuring, on May12, the restructuring attracted various tax payments in South Africa and Australia. These tax payments had now been determined at about $286 million (R5.5 billion), following the successful conclusion of the corporate restructuring transaction. It said AngloGold had a robust balance sheet, with strong liquidity,…

NO ONE CAN argue with the fact that artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm. Since the day internet users started using ChatGPT, AI has been on everyone's lips. What has been lacking, however, is the user experience to convert non- believers into believers. Let me explain. Every technology is nothing until such time that people begin a process of not just using but relying on it for almost everything they do. The netizens are well aware of that itching feeling of checking a status, an email and whatever else online. All digital products that have reached such status have converted you from being a non-believer to a believer or, in simple tech terms, a user. Artificial Intelligence has so far failed to convert most into believers. No one…

THE SEKUNJALO Group’s battle against major banks reveals a deeply troubling pattern of collusion. The hearing held for an extension to a previously granted interim interdict heard before the Competition Tribunal (the Tribunal) last week, has laid bare the co-ordinated effort of several prominent banks to close the transactional facilities of Sekunjalo Group. Extension to the Tribunal’s original relied order granted on September 16, 2022, became necessary with FNB’s sudden termination of accounts. It should be noted that the terms of the interim relief and its subsequent extension to March this year, state that the order would remain in force for six months or the conclusion of the investigation into Sekunjalo’s claims against the banks or whichever came first. Since the investigation had not concluded by March this year,…

South African Jazz music sensation Judith Sephuma is set to open for Bebe Winans in his upcoming It All Comes Down To Love SA tour this December. The tour kicks off at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on December 9 and then moves to Grand Arena in Cape Town on December 15 and ends at SunBet Arena Time Square on December 16. The multi-award winning Sephuma needs no introduction to the South African music scene. She planted her footprint firmly in the hearts of fans when she first released her famous song, A Cry, A Smile and A Dance. Sephuma shared the news on Instagram, saying: “It’s so exciting to be invited to join Bebe Winans for his upcoming tour of South Africa. “Besides loving being on stage and…

Seven suspects who kidnapped a Wits University student by luring him through a dating app, Grindr, are to remain in custody following a postponement of their case. The suspects appeared in a Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and the case was postponed to October 19 after their lawyers asked for more time to consult with their clients. They will then present their case and apply for bail. The suspects were arrested last month at Denver Men’s Hostel in Joburg after demanding R30 000 ransom from the student’s family for his safe return. The Wits student had to be rescued by Gauteng police after he was kidnapped on what he thought was a date. The suspects are facing charges of kidnapping, extortion and attempted murder.…

Various old-age homes and other facilities have been badly affected by the water shortages that have plagued the community of Jan Hofmeyer, Brixton. According to a resident, Monica Joubert, the area is home to three old-age homes and various facilities for children. It has been reported that the community has been living without a water supply for more than six weeks. Yesterday, members of the community protested over water shortages that are not connected to the water shifting recently implemented by Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu to deal with water challenges in Gauteng. Speaking to The Star yesterday, Anita Noah, who is a resident of Radio Cottage, one of the old-age facilities housing more than 20 pensioners, said the issue was compounded when they could no longer use…

Whether you are in your 20s, 30s, 40s or even your 50s, you are always learning new things. This can also be applied to your finances and the manner in which you manage your money. The financial needs of a person in their 20s is completely different to the financial needs of a person in their 50s. Therefore, people should take steps to take care of their financial future. Here are money tips for your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s: Your 20s Learn the value of compound interest According to Mariska Oosthuizen, chief marketing officer at Sanlam, the sooner people start to invest, the more time they have to take advantage of compound interest. Compound interest is the interest you earn on your savings, so the sooner you start saving,…

JSE-LISTED Balwin Properties has inaugurated a new dual carriageway that is set to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in the Hazeldean area, east of Pretoria. According to location technology company Tom Tom’s latest Traffic Index, Pretoria ranks as South Africa’s most congested city, with an average of 145 hours (6 days) spent in rush hour per year, while the average time it takes to drive 10km is 16 minutes. Speaking at the launch on Friday, Steve Brookes, CEO of Balwin Properties commented: “We have a proud track-record of developing beyond our fence line, and benefiting the communities in which we operate. The newly constructed Hazeldean Boulevard is an important link between Mamelodi and Silver Lakes that will take significant pressure off Silver Lakes drive. “I’m proud to hand over this important…

SURGING cancer statistics in South Africa have prompted SA United Against Cancer founder Tshepang Lutshaba to find ideas about how to curb the problem. In February this year, The World Health Organization estimated that 1.1 million new cancer cases were being reported in Africa each year, with about 700 000 deaths in the continent from the disease each year. Lutshaba’s aunt succumbed to cervical cancer, while a number of her family members battled with the same disease, resulting in the birth of SA United Against Cancer – an NPO organisation based in Joburg. According to Lutshaba, her organisation aims to bring about a paradigm shift in the approach to cancer prevention by developing new communication and advocacy methods. Now she has organised a wellness walk against the disease. “The initiative…

Excitement is mounting on social media ahead of the inaugural South African Social Media Awards (Sasmas), that will take place on October 29 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Radio host and voice-over artist Weza Matomane will host the event, alongside Summary, PD Jokes and DJ Khathu, with performances from Nkosazana Daughter, Seemah, Cici and Kutlwano. These awards recognise individuals whose efforts on social media have a beneficial impact on the lives of people. Sasma project manager Tuwani Motapa said all the nominees in each category deserve the trophies, which acknowledge the efforts and hard work the nominees and the winners have put in to turn social media into a business or vehicle for change. “The South African Social Media Awards acknowledge and reward great influencers, content creators, digital tools and…

Tyla Seethal has made her name known in the charts with millions of plays across various platforms just a few days after releasing an official video for her smash hit song Water. The 21-year-old’s career path is on an upward trajectory as she continues to mark momentous moments since she introduced herself a few years ago. It has also been predicted that Water has a chance of debuting on the top 70 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100, which will become her first career entry on the chart. The World Music Awards social media page also revealed that Seethal scored her first UK Top10 hit with her much-loved breakthrough hit, which is #1 on this week’s UK official Afro- beats Chart. She is the fourth female artist after Tems, Libianca…

We wish to express our revolutionary appreciation to the national executive committee for its continuing support. This enabled us to stage, successfully, the 2019 Manifesto Review Rally at Harry Gwala Stadium. We gathered after this province and Durban, in particular, had hosted a spectacular MTN8 Final. The game was watched by millions of people on television. This was in addition to more than 54 000 soccer fans who filled Moses Mabhida Stadium. We remain grateful to Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for their excellent display of talent. We extend our deepest appreciation to the acting CEO of the Premier Soccer League, Mato Madlala, and PSL for their continued confidence in KwaZulu-Natal. We reiterate the message we communicated when we welcomed our visitors during a breakfast held in Inanda township, that…

Ongama Gcwabe The No 3 position in the batting order is probably the most important in the line-up. It demands a complete package of a batter - an accumulator, an aggressor and a master in reading and adapting to conditions. It asks of a player to be at his best in setting targets and in chasing down scores. At No 3 a batter needs to be able to willingly shift through the gears according to what the games needs and to guide the middle-order to a solid foundation. As we have seen in the ongoing World Cup, the two new-balls used in 50 over cricket heavily favour the bowling unit, thereby putting opening batters at the mercy of the skill of the new-ball bowlers. Meaning, more often than not, Rassie…

THE INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the governments in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) will not be able to finance the large climate mitigation investment needs, but the private sector will have to cover a major share of this. This was said in the October 2023 Global Financial Stability Report at the official kick-off of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco yesterday. Achieving the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 requires substantial climate mitigation investment in EMDEs, which currently emit around two-thirds of greenhouse gases. According to the International Energy Agency’s report in June, these countries will need about $2 trillion (R38.6trln) annually by 2030 to reach that ambitious goal, with most of that funding flowing into the energy industry. This is a fivefold…

JSE-LISTED Balwin Properties, a property developer, yesterday said it inaugurated a newly built dual carriageway on Friday, October 6, that was set to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in the Hazeldean area, east of Pretoria. Speaking at the launch, Steve Brookes, CEO of Balwin Properties, said: “We have a proud track record of developing beyond our fence line, and benefiting the communities in which we operate. The newly constructed Hazeldean Boulevard is an important link between Mamelodi and Silver Lakes that will take significant pressure off Silver Lakes Drive.” Hazeldean Boulevard spans 3km and includes an underpass at the N4, linking Ridge Road in the Hazeldean Precinct with Lagoon Drive in Riverwalk, providing Hazeldean residents with a northern exit point to Bronkhorstspruit Road, and Riverwalk commuters with a southern exit point…

Considering the constantly evolving and increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape, the state of cybersecurity, resilience and data protection in Africa potentially has global implications. The advent of the internet has essentially abolished borders, meaning that a cyberattack on the African continent can directly or indirectly impact individuals and organisations outside the region. Thus, governments and cybersecurity organisations are constantly working to increase cyber resilience on the continent. However, it is always tricky to stay one step ahead of crime syndicates and bad actors as any cybersecurity and data protection strategy is only as strong as its weakest link. Despite this, it is very important that Africa does not become a fertile breeding ground or point of entry for global cyberattacks. While it is widely understood and acknowledged that this conti-…

CHINA aims to boost the country’s aggregate computing power by more than 50% by 2025, according to a plan released by authorities yesterday, as Beijing tightens its focus on supercomputing and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations. The plan comes amid rising competition between China and the US in many hi-tech areas, ranging from semiconductors and supercomputers to AI, including US export controls on chipmaking equipment. The plan, released by six departments in Beijing, among them the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), has set a target for China’s total computing power to reach 300 Eflops by 2025. Eflops, equal to one quintillion floating-point operations per second, measures a computer’s speed. The MIIT revealed in August that China’s computing power has reached 197 Eflops this year, up from 180 Eflops in…

Scores of ANC employees gathered in Johannesburg yesterday, staging a protest outside the ruling party’s headquarters. The protest is believed to be over salary increases and other demands that the ANC has allegedly failed to honour since the start of the negotiations over eight months ago. The protesters, dressed in ANC regalia, paraded placards stating “Pay the agreed salary increase now” and sang and danced on Pixley Ka Seme Street outside the ANC offices in demand of 8% increases that were allegedly promised by the governing party. Last year, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) filed papers in the Labour Court to force the ANC to pay its staff their outstanding salaries. Speaking to The Star during the picket yesterday, Nehawu secretary general Thabo Medupi said that…

The biggest worldwide waddle to save African penguins will be held on Saturday. These events will be held in countries from the US to France, South Africa, Mozambique and Japan. They will highlight the looming extinction of African penguins. The #NOOWcampaign is barely a year old. It was conceptualised by scientists and conservationists to raise awareness and encourage the South African government to enact laws and protections to safeguard against endemic African penguins from going extinct in the wild in just 12 years. Their numbers have dropped 99% in just 100 years. Unesco has recognised the importance of this movement and the October 14 waddles have been endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development as a decade activity. All of South Africa’s major cities are…

Ingredients 60ml green curry paste 30ml sugar 6 chicken breast fillets, cut into strips 10ml chopped fresh root ginger 400ml can coconut milk 2 fresh lime leaves, cut into pieces 2 medium or 1 large eggplant, cut into cubes (optional) 30ml fresh lime or lemon juice 60ml chopped fresh basil or coriander 1 red chilli, seeded and cut into thin strips 10ml Snowflake cake flour, for thickening 250g (½ quantity) shortcrust pastry or ½ quantity (about 300g) puff pastry 15ml beaten egg and milk for glazing Method Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan. Add curry paste and sugar and stir over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add chicken and ginger and stir well. Add coconut milk and lime leaves. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes,…

HAMAS and those who trained, funded and supplied weapons to them will pay a heavy price for their heinous attack on Israel. Palestine, as we know it, will not exist in future, as Israel exacts retribution against the cowards who orchestrated the attack. Thousands will die and injuries will mount. The Islamist onslaught against Israel was, no doubt, given the blessing of the diabolical Medusa’s head, which has tentacles in Iran and Pakistan, coupled to the “money men”, the financial backers of this so-called jihad, nameless phantoms who could be living anywhere. The secretive long game of planning and executing took months, if not years, and, sadly, caught the Mossad and other international security services off-guard. The retaliation will be devastating as the planners will be hunted down and exterminated…

THE City of Tshwane has completed the rebuilding of the temporary Pyramid substation near the Rooiwal power station after it was destroyed by fire as a result of lightning during a heavy storm on September 20. The storm uprooted trees and caused multiple shack fires at Kameeldrift informal settlement and widespread power supply interruptions. A fire also broke out at Garsfontein’s Summit restaurant. The damage to the Pyramid substation’s transformer left mostly farming communities, who are customers supplied from the facility, in the dark. Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo praised the work done by a team of technicians in rebuilding the facility and restoring power to residents after 18 days. “Following unprecedented severe storms of Wednesday, 20 September 2023, that swept through parts of the metropolitan municipality, the City of Tshwane…

DR PAUL Nassif has seen it all. The good, the bad, the ugly and the downright over-the-top plastic surgery gone wrong. Nassif is a world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specialises in obtaining natural results in rhinoplasty and ageing face rejuvenation. The co-star of the popular TV hit series Botched has received international recognition by patients, peers, and the media for his innovative surgical techniques. Patients from around the world come to the Nassif MD Plastic Surgery Center in Beverly Hills for help in correcting the most complicated cases. The Pretoria News sat down with Nassif to talk about his work and to find out the “why’s and how’s” of plastic surgery gone wrong. Elective cosmetic surgical procedures like a facelift or rhinoplasty had been performed for decades, but…

WITH Kenya leading the charge in the resurgence of R&B, Spotify summoned artists, songwriters, and producers from across Africa and beyond to Nairobi for a multiday R&B writing camp. The streaming giant partnered with Colors x Studios to leverage the growing popularity of the genre. Monica Kemoli Savanne, Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships manager, East Africa, told The Star about the camp and their hopes going forward. “We have seen that R&B is a genre that has been growing across sub- Saharan Africa (SSA). Obviously, Afro-beats are having their time and so is amapiano. But we are always on the lookout to see what else can we support, especially in representing the diverse range of music that is coming up in the continent. And R&B is beginning to stand out…

Banyana Banyana are on a mission to secure passage to the knock-out rounds of the Cosafa Cup Women’s Championship. Today, the South African senior national women’s team will play their final Group A clash against neighbours Eswatini at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto (kick-off 3.30pm); and only defeat will prevent them from reaching the semi-finals. After their loss to Malawi in the opening round, Banyana will need another point to finish in second place behind the log leading Scorchers. South Africa defeated Madagascar 3-1 over the weekend in their second group clash. The other remaining Group A match is between Madagascar and Malawi. It will be played at the same time today. Banyana are campaigning with a rag-tag squad due to the fact that the Hollywoodbets Super League clubs would…

The France rugby team's medical director Bruno Boussagol said yesterday they will take an "intelligent" approach to captain Antoine Dupont's return to full training before this weekend's World Cup quarter-final The 26-year-old scrumhalf had surgery on a fractured cheekbone last month but will be able to take part in contact sessions in the build-up to Sunday's last-eight tie with holders South Africa. Earlier yesterday, Dupont was given the green light by his surgeon to return to full sessions with the squad, days out from the highly-anticipated match at the Stade de France. "Everything went very quickly because he didn't suffer any after-effects from his trauma," Boussagol said. "The pre-requisite of his being to return to contact training was the agreement of the surgeon. Last week, he did individual contact with…