Inhoudsopgave van 2023-11-01 - Star

Sasfin Group, which reported a 19.4% slide in headline earnings a share in the year to June 30, is resetting strategy as it continues to grapple with issues of financial misconduct among staff and clients. Last year Sasfin indicated that no stone would be left unturned in an expanded investigation into allegations of financial misconduct by clients and staff of its foreign exchange operations. The bank’s investigation revealed a criminal syndicate who colluded to circumvent internal controls. Criminal charges were laid against all implicated erstwhile employees, and information was shared with the relevant authorities. The SA Reserve Bank also started its own investigation into the matter, including a review of Sasfin's compliance, governance, and internal control standards, which Sasfin co-operated with. “The outcome of this investigation has resulted in allegations…

Caused by costs of diesel to supplement generation performance and decrease in sales ESKOM has warned of serious deterioration in its finances for the 2023/24 financial year after doubling its losses in the past 12 months, largely driven by primary energy costs of diesel to supplement poor generation performance, a decrease in sales volumes due to load shedding, and rising municipal debt. The struggling power utility yesterday reported a net loss after tax of R23.9 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, its biggest loss ever, up from R11.9bn the year before. Eskom’s acting CEO, Calib Cassim, said that the generation performance continued to deteriorate, while networks and new build delivered variable performance. Cassim said plant availability deteriorated to 56.03% in the 12 months ended in March,…

RENERGEN, the developer of South Africa’s first helium and liquid natural gas (LNG) facility, said yesterday it came closer to becoming a global helium player in the six months to August 31, after it reached many goals of Phase 2 of the project. It said the Virginia Gas project (VGP) remained a Strategic Integrated Project as designated by the South African government, and it benefited from the support of the US Development Finance Corporation alongside its new lending partner Standard Bank of South Africa. The company said it also cemented a place as a significant player in the local LNG market during the six months. A significant gas shortage, or a “gas cliff” was expected in South Africa from the second half of 2026 and the company had been engaged…

THE WORLD Cup Rugby mood before and after the match was so exhilarating one felt with the rugby victory our luck as a nation had changed for the better overnight. But even the World Cup Rugby victory and the Springboks’ culture of excellence and teamwork could not deliver the magic to keep the lights on. This as the country enjoyed nine endless days in paradise without Eskom issuing a load shedding media alert. Boom, just as the Rugby World Cup came to an end, South Africa was plunged back to stages 2 and 3 load shedding until further notice. And who knows if it will escalate to stage 5 and 6? Eskom is back to around 53% energy availability factor levels. The unit breakdowns have risen to 16 150MW…

Two top offenders for price rises in October were potatoes, leaping 40%, while eggs jumped 19%. This as South African consumers had to fork out R141.81, or 2.8% more for the average cost of the household food basket at R5 297.58 in October from R5 155.77 in September. This was according to the October 2023 Household Affordability Index, produced by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group, which tracks food price data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in various regions in South Africa. Agriculture experts say the high price of potatoes is due to quality issues and lower volumes in some regions as well as greater input costs such as electricity, while egg costs have risen amid an avian flu pandemic, which has crippled the poultry sector.…

Self-proclaimed TikTok doctor Matthew Lani walked out a free man after charges of impersonating a doctor were rescinded by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Lani was apprehended at Helen Joseph Hospital on Sunday night after he was found entering the main entrance of the hospital. His lawyer, Bongani Mabunda, told the media yesterday that the videos Lani made were for TikTok content and further confirmed that Lani was not a registered doctor. “The State has no ‘prima facie’ case against the accused and we have wise prosecutors who ran through the docket and they concurred with us that there is no case against him. As a result, the charges against him have been withdrawn. He was just doing it for entertainment, there’s no complainant here who says he actually…

Two men were arrested by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department for possession of a stolen Nissan NP200. The spokesperson for the EMPD, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, said that when police officers intercepted the bakkie, the occupants claimed it was their friend’s vehicle. “On Friday October 27, 2023 at 6.26am, the EMPD’s Tactical Response Unit officers arrested two male suspects who are 37 and 41 years of age, for the possession of a reported stolen motor vehicle, in the Petit area. “While the EMPD officers were on their way to report for duties, they received information about a reported stolen white Nissan NP200 light delivery vehicle which was noticed, travelling along Birch Road. Officers followed up on the information. “Not long after, the light delivery vehicle matching the description given, with…

“HOLD the sharp end!” These are the words of Lali’s vet, Dr Achim Stein- hagen from Steenberg Veterinary Clinic, when he has to administer Lali’s arthritis shot every month. This feisty little Maltese poodle with loads of anecdotes and stories under her collar, enjoyed her 19th birthday celebration with friends on Saturday. The pack of four dogs celebrated with specially made dog-friendly pup cakes and biscuits. Lali was a gift to her now 27-year-old owner, Ashleigh Wichman, when she was only 8. The two grew up together. “I remember how Lali used to keep me company when I had to stay at home by myself after school in the afternoons,” Ashleigh said. The Guinness World Records’ oldest dog, Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, died…

A 19-YEAR-OLD girl was arrested by Ekurhuleni police for selling illicit drugs after she was allegedly found with an assortment of narcotics. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, said: “Following a tip-off from a reliable source about a youngster selling drugs openly to members of the community, officers visited a house on Makhoba Street, in the Mofokeng section. “The young girl, cornered with 96 full mandrax tablets and one ziplock bag of crystal meth valued at R4 800, was apprehended and taken to the Katlehong police station,” said Thepa. “The detained youth, facing charges of possession of illicit substance and possible dealing in narcotics, is expected to appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon.” On Monday, IOL reported that police in Ekurhuleni have arrested a 22-year-old woman,…

ELECTRICITY Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has given his blessings to an initiative undertaken by the City of Tshwane to revitalise municipal power stations in Rooiwal and Pretoria West in a bid to mitigate the effects of load shedding. This was relayed by Ramokgopa’s energy adviser, Silas Zimu, during Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink’s energy sector roundtable with energy industry stakeholders at Tshwane House yesterday. Zimu remarked that the Department of Energy has nothing against renewables but that “we have to look at the reality”. He said South Africa’s economy is “very industrialised” and that it needed the base load “and this base load is sitting in Tshwane”. Zimu said the country attempted to secure power from neighbouring states such as Mozambique and Namibia but “they are not ready”. “The message to…

With the launch of the 12-piece collection, Pandora responds to overwhelming demand from fans, and aims to create a new storytelling platform for wearers. Available from September 28, the collaboration introduced new crafting techniques from the jewellery house, all inspired by the iconic symbolism from the fantasy series. An official collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the Game of Thrones x Pandora Collection brings to life the famed world in wearable designs. Each piece from the collection tells a story, inviting wearers to express themselves through the themes explored across the series. Pandora SVP creative directors A. Filippo Ficarelli and Francesco Terzo commented on the partnership: “Every piece of jewellery in the collection tells a story and brings you back to a moment in the series or a…

There are concerns about the accessibility of vaping products for South Africa’s youth. Asanda Gcoyi, CEO at the Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA), said according to a recent study conducted by the UCT Lung Institute on almost 7 000 learners across 12 schools in three provinces, 26.5% of Grade 12 learners, 17.4% of Grade 11 learners, 13% of Grade 10 learners and 10.8% of Grade 9 learners engage in vaping. “Most of us can attest to the stress associated with exams. Whether it’s burning the midnight oil or anxiously reviewing notes before stepping into the exam room, the exam period is undeniably demanding, particularly for the youth,” Gcoyi said. “In this high-pressure world of academia, learners often find themselves seeking refuge from the relentless stress that exams bring.…

Of all the superheroes in the Marvel cinematic universe, if I had to pick one with qualities that align with those of an effective project manager, it would be Cyclops. He has long been a key X-Man and a team leader for most of his superhero career. He also holds the reputation of being one of the most humble superheroes who neither takes credit nor shies away from responsibility, or runs away from tough decisions. While one is a fictional superhero, the other a real-world professional, their qualities and responsibilities illustrate the importance of effective leadership and management in superhero teams and project management. Project managers play a crucial role in completing projects, including famous landmarks, yet they are not always as prominently recognised as architects, engineers, or designers. This…

South Africa and New Zealand ... There are arguably no two bigger adversaries in the international sporting arena. And while it may previously have been associated only with the oval ball, as the world witnessed so gloriously once again in their epic Rugby World Cup final showdown in Paris last weekend, it has spilled over to cricket too. The Proteas and Black Caps have forged a rivalry that may not go back over 100 years like the Springboks and All Blacks but they have certainly added their own story to the rich tapestry of contests between these two great sporting nations – and particularly at ICC Cricket World Cups. Think back to Dhaka 2011. The Proteas were overwhelming favourites in this quarter-final but through a combination of the portly Jesse…

Following the Springboks’ successful defence of the Rugby World Cup in France, the Proteas have an added bit of motivation to create history at the 50-over World Cup in India. They are a completely different unit now that they are playing for South Africa, and are expected to put on an inspiring performance in Pune today (10.30am start) against New Zealand. We looked at two interesting match-ups in today’s encounter ... Temba Bavuma v Trent Boult The cat is out of the bag – the recipe to neutralising the in-form Bavuma is by no means a mystery. Sri Lanka’s budding youngster and left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka blazed the trail, and it is without any doubt that left-arm seamer Trent Boult will look to follow suit today at the Maharashtra…

While the Bulls had a few opportunities to claim a victory, coach Jake White is still encouraged by their performance in a losing United Rugby Championship cause against Ulster at the weekend. The Pretoria side went down 26-19 at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Sunday night after they were unable to get an equalising seven-pointer while inside the Ulster 22 in the final play of the match. They were trailing 14-0 after just 30 minutes as the home team scored tries through Tom Stewart and Jacob Stockdale. But a try by prop Gerhard Steenekamp got them on the board before halftime, and then new wing Sebastian de Klerk rounded off to make it a two-point game at the break. Ulster, though, feasted on the Bulls’ ill-discipline, with scrumhalf Nathan…

TROUBLED South African sugar processor, Tongaat Hulett, which has postponed a key meeting to consider and approve a business rescue plan, saw basic losses for the year to March 2022 from continuing operations widen from R762 million to R1.07 billion, even as it started to receive dividends from Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe and other losing bidders are disputing Tongaat Hulett’s preference for Tanzanian entity, Kagera to acquire assets of the South African agro-processing group, which also has operations in Mozambique and Botswana. There has also been widespread speculation that Mozambican entity RGS – which is offering double the offer by Kagera – has emerged as the third preferred bidder after the little known but preferred Tanzanian bidder and a consortium led by Mpumalanga businessperson, Robert Gumede. Zimbabwe,…

THE SOUTH African alcohol industry was experiencing a tough year of falling sales and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana would hopefully “stick to policy” and keep customs and excise duty increases on alcohol products in line with inflation, SAB CEO Richard Rivett-Carnac said yesterday. Godongwana would announce his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement today, an event that often highlights planned changes to taxes. Customs and excise duties on alcohol products are routinely increased every year in the government’s Budget, but “to their credit”, over the past few years the increases had been much in line with inflation, Rivett-Carnac said yesterday in an interview at the release of SAB’s third-quarter results. SAB’s results formed part of the results of its parent, the beer multinational Anheuser-Busch InBev, for the three months to September 30.…

GRIT REAL ESTATE Income Group, the pan-Africa property company that has a substantial number of South African shareholders, did not pay a dividend for the year to June 30 after higher finance and administration costs drove down distri- butable earnings. Distributable earnings were 15.5% lower at $4.29 (R80.70) per share. “The financial year to June 30, 2023, was a transitory year characterised by disposals of non-core assets, reducing debt and debt refinancing risks and substantial progress on the acquisition of a majority interest in Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA), the group’s development associate,” the directors said in the results. Global interest rate volatility provided headwinds to a strong property portfolio operating performance, where a 5.7% increase in net operating income (excluding properties sold) was impacted by significantly rising finance costs.…

WE SAY GOODBYE to Red October still in the conundrum of a climate and energy crisis as well as the advent of an unfolding transition, which has unsettled workers in numerous sectors and rattled the communities who rely on them for their livelihoods. Our climate resilience development agenda recognises the risks facing the country’s imminent transition to a zero-carbon economy, emanating from job losses in coal, petrochemical, industrial and transport sectors, as well as climatic conditions and extreme weather events that threaten livelihoods. The coal sector remains at risk Since 2010, demand for coal for electricity and exports shrunk and is expected to decline further as countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The war in Ukraine skewed the picture, but recent data by the International Energy Agency showed an increase…

No festive season is complete without a pantomime to wrap things up. And, this year, the doyenne of pantos – Janice Honeyman – has bagged the theatre industry’s crème de la crème for Peter Pan at the Joburg Theatre. If you have watched a pantomime in the past, you know that it is an engaging, fun family-friendly romp that’s accompanied by a wonderful selection of songs. And the good vs evil trope is present throughout the show. As for the principal cast, Honeyman, wearing the hat of writer and director, has Sandi Dlangalala playing Peter Pan, Ben Voss as Captain Hook, Michael Richard as Smee, Captain Hook’s sidekick, Kiruna-Lind Devas as Wendy, David Arnold Johnson as Dame Clementina Coconut and Virtuous Kandemiri as Tinkerbell. This is Dlangalala’s first time in…

EFF leader Julius Malema has slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa for his “man-made” load shedding, questioning how the lights were able to stay on throughout the Rugby World Cup, but power cuts resumed as soon as captain Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup. Malema described the load-shedding situation as madness, questioning the country’s priorities as the power cuts return just as matric pupils begin their crucial final-year exams. “I will end this load shedding in less than no time because when there is World Cup, there is no load shedding, when our children write matric exams, there is load shedding,” said Malema during a wide-ranging interview with Faith Mangope on Metro FM Talk on Monday night. “Have you ever seen such madness where we switch on (the lights) to…

A Rustenburg resident in North West is R64 million richer. The national lottery operator, Ithuba confirmed that the man had claimed his R64,379,943.80 Power- ball Plus jackpot prize from the October 20 draw. Ithuba said the winner was an avid participant in the national lottery and purchased his ticket via the FNB banking app. “With dreams now turned into a reality, he plans to make significant investments in the well-being and future of his family,” said Ithuba in a statement. The winner also envisions plenty more time on the golf course and going on fishing expeditions. “Each win tells a unique story, and we at Ithuba are always honoured to be a part of these life-changing moments,” Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza said. “Our latest winner from Rustenburg is a…

WITH the final exam season approaching, the University of Pretoria’s Department of Library Services has once again teamed up with Touch Our Pets Therapy Dogs to take animal-assisted therapy to students to help them de-stress. Elsabe Olivier, assistant director of Marketing and Quality Assurance at the university’s library services, said: “The Department of Library Services has the well-being of UP students at heart.” Olivier said this time of the year was stressful for students. “We want to support them, not only with library resources, spaces and knowledgeable staff members, but also with initiatives such as this that offer them an opportunity to relax.” The mission of TOP Dogs is to spread comfort and companionship to those in need, including those at hospitals, care facilities, and schools. The dogs are carefully…

A great proportion of African communities rely on grain as an imperative source of food and sustenance. In fact, their heavy reliance on the production and distribution of grain and wheat has kept many of these communities thriving, sustained and alive. While the African continent boasts arable land and a healthy agricultural sector, it continues to tussle with the intricate challenge of exporting most of its grain. For instance, wheat exports to Africa from France previously amounted to $3.6 billion per annum while exports from Argentina recorded a value of nearly $2 billion. On the other hand, Russia, which is a major exporter of fertiliser needed in large-scale farming, exported 60 million tons of grain last year with plans afoot to export millions more in the future. But these ambitious…

It was a time of celebration, and a time of great joy, of memories made, friendships forged, a time of many challenges, of comrades walking the road to triumph, a time of setbacks, of battling against the odds, of Tests won and World Cups set on the line and retained. And like all times of misery and woe, delight and exuberance, it must come to an end … for now. The next few days will be the last halcyon days of Jacques Nienaber and Siya Kolisi’s inspired championship-winning partnership. Hereafter, by the end of the year, the Bok coach will be in Ireland to take up his coaching role with Leinster, while captain Kolisi moves abroad to play for Racing 92 in France. They get to tour the major centres…

Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham said he was targeting Euro 2024 glory with England after winning the Kopa Trophy for the best player of last season aged under 21 at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a sensational start to his Real career, a brace in Saturday’s 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona taking him to 13 goals in his first 13 games for the Spanish giants. But the Kopa Trophy rewards his performances last season. In his final campaign with Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham scored 14 times in 42 games as they came second in the Bundesliga. He also helped England reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. “I am really grateful to Dortmund for the opportunities they gave me over…

There are two Rassies. The first, the mask that the world sees and loathes, is the Rassie Erasmus that is full of bluster and bravado. It is the bulldog, the terrier with a bone; the relentless force that picks fights with New Zealand journalists by posting sheep emoticons; the rugby man that compiles 62-minute-long diatribes about poor officiating; the avatar on social media full of wit and sarcasm that questions the establishment, riling them up into an unhappy scrum of frowning faces, arms crossed in anger, bristling with barely contained wrath. He plays a game of psychological warfare that they attempt to grapple with, only to be undone by their own hubris. Many follow him but he follows only those that he wishes to disturb and unsettle. This Rassie is…

Speedy Englishman Ben Loader could have a new role for the Stormers at outside centre on Friday (9.35pm kickoff) when they face the Glasgow Warriors in their first overseas match of the United Rugby Championship season. Regular midfielder Ruhan Nel picked up a concussion in their last game, and is not on tour with the Capetonians. Loader had to shift into midfield from the wing against Scarlets at the weekend, forming a fairly untested combination with youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. But they did so successfully, and look set to partner up for a vital clash at the Scotstoun Stadium that could set the tone for the former champions’ European tour. According to Stormers defence coach Norman Laker ,they tested Loader at No 13 during pre-season and are happy with what they’ve…

MARKETS and the credit rating agencies will be watching South Africa’s debt projections as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) today. Moody’s Investor Service and other rating agencies will be checking to see if South Africa is able to reduce its fiscal deficit and taking measures to cut expenditure. However, South Africa is struggling on both fronts. Annabel Bishop, the chief economist at Investec, said: “We now expect the gross loan debt estimate for 2023/24 to be raised to -72.8%/GDP (gross domestic product) and 2024/25’s figure will be revised to -73.5%/GDP, while 2025/26’s projection deteriorates to -74%/GDP and 2026/27 to -73.9/GDP.” The September 30 data showed that expenditure was higher than it was this time last year, at 51% for the first half of 2023/24…

ONE OF SOUTH Africa’s most popular retailers, Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL) announced its intention yesterday to acquire 93.45% of the shares in privately owned pet retailer Absolute Pets from Sanlam Private Equity and Absolute Pets management. In a statement issued on the JSE news service, Sens, the group said the remaining management-retained shareholding would be acquired by Woolworths over an agreed period, post the completion of the transaction. Absolute Pets was established in 2005 and has become one of the country’s leading specialist pet care retailer, with extensive knowledge of pet care, loyal customer base and compelling product offering. The business has a national presence of more than 150 stores countrywide, including online, pet spas and pet services. Woolworths said pet care was an attractive and rapidly developing market, with…

South Africa’s Impala Platinum will reduce planned spending across its business to reflect current low metal prices, the company said yesterday. The prices of platinum group metals (PGM), which are used by car makers for catalytic converters that help curb toxic emissions, have fallen steeply this year, squeezing miners still facing high operational costs. Platinum prices are down about 15% so far this year amid concerns over global economic growth, while palladium is currently trading around $1 127 an ounce after peaking above $3 000 in March last year, after top producer Russia invaded Ukraine. The price of rhodium, a scarce, corrosion-resistant PGM, peaked at nearly $30 000 an ounce in 2021, but is currently trading around $4 500. Implats, the world’s second-largest PGM producer…

LAST WEEKEND, former president Kgalema Motlanthe and the former first lady Gugu Motlanthe, hosted the Drakensberg Inclusive Forum, which is annually championed by the Kgalema Motlanthe foundation. Dubbed “dialogue among equals”, the forum brings together stakeholders from the private and public sector, academia and civil society. With close to 200 invited delegates, the forum serves as a think-tank among these key stakeholders to identify, diagnose and provide solutions to the problems that South Africa faces. Some of the key topical areas discussed relate to energy security, the dysfunctional state of local government – exacerbated by the lack of proper coalition frameworks, the quality of education and the importance of skills development, as well as trade and industry. It would be difficult for me to exhaust all these topics on this…

Canadian rapper and singer Drake has once again set the internet streets buzzing with his latest Instagram follow of South African singer and songwriter Tyla Laura Seethal, popularly known as Tyla. This move by Drake comes in the wake of his previous social media connection with amapiano star Uncle Waffles, which left Mzansi terribly excited. According to X users, Drake allegedly has a thing for African women. After realising the rapper and singer have followed each other on Instagram, Mzansi flooded X with concerns on the sudden follow as they thought Drake was obsessed with Uncle Waffles. “He is done ka Waffles (crying face emojis)”, wrote one user. “He has a fetish for petite African girls,” wrote another user. A third commented: “It’s not like he’s going to follow her…

A Grade 11 pupil from Oscar Mpetha High School in Nyanga, Cape Town, has been suspended and is awaiting a disciplinary hearing after he was allegedly found with a gun on him. The gun was confiscated and handed over to the Law Enforcement School Resource Officer (SRO) at the school last Friday. Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said they were made aware of the incident on the same day that it happened. The matter was also reported to Safe Schools and the police. The principal contacted the learner’s mother to inform her of the matter. “The school’s SGB is following the school’s code of conduct and has suspended the learner. A disciplinary hearing will now take place. The sanction is still to be determined. The school will…

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s nuclear medicine head, Professor Mariza Vorster, has received an international award for innovative prostate cancer therapy. Vorster won the Maurits W Geerlings 2023 Next Generation Award for Outstanding Research and Contributions to Actinium-225 Radiopharmaceuticals. She received the award in Munich, Germany, from the International Centers for Precision Oncology Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation established in 2019 under German law for leading international medical practitioners and life sciences entrepreneurs. Vorster was responsible for bringing the innovative cancer therapy for the management of prostate cancer, known as Ac225 Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) therapy, to KZN where it is administered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours in men around the world. “Ac225 PSMA is a form of…

Your spine is a remarkable and complex structure that plays a crucial role in supporting your body and allowing you to move freely. Yet we often take our spine for granted until it starts causing discomfort or pain. Affinity Health, a provider of high-quality health coverage, provides five tips to maintain a healthy and happy spine. Practise good posture Sit properly: When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor, knees at hip level, and your back against the chair’s backrest. Use a cushion or lumbar roll to support the natural curve of your lower back. Stand tall: When standing, distribute your weight evenly on both feet. Keep your shoulders relaxed to avoid locking your knees. Adjust your workspace: If you work at a desk, ensure your computer monitor is…

THE mood was jovial in Building 21 of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria yesterday, as the father of mining magnate and CAF president Patrice Motsepe was honoured with a doctorate degree. Chief Augustine Butana Chaane (ABC) Motsepe died at the age of 92 at his home in Sandton in June 2007, and was conferred posthumously at the institution of higher learning. Present were his children, First Lady Tshepo Motsepe, Patrice Motsepe, ambassador of the Pan African Parliament Bridget Motsepe, former Miss SA Veronica Motsepe, and Fanuel Motsepe. TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke said it was an honour to add the name of ABC Motsepe as the university’s alumni. “Very few people would epitomise what the TUT stands for like he did. In him he is combined as…

As South Africa experiences a spike in car repossessions by banks amid economic hardships, the Ombudsman for Banking Services said it has observed a major increase in customers crying foul over the transaction to finance the car, or how the vehicle was repossessed. Reana Steyn, the Ombudsman for Banking Services said at times customers feel that the banks have tracking devices on the financed vehicles – after representatives of banking institutions confront the defaulting motorists at places, including shopping malls. “The starting point is to always remember, and not many consumers know this, that the bank remains the legal owner of that property that you financed,” Steyn spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Tuesday. “Even though you drive it around, and you probably have driven it for years – it…

With the cannabis sector being heavily touted by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government in recent weeks, IOL spoke to a South African cultivator who shared insight into the business, from seed to harvest and beyond. Marco Brink, 42, has been farming the plant since 2018, after the Constitutional and High Court rulings. His farm’s location is not being disclosed due to safety reasons. Brink was a farmer before putting his first cannabis plant in the ground and has years of experience in agriculture. After the ruling came out, which stated that citizens could cultivate for personal use, the 42-year-old decided to enter the industry. “I was farming prior to this, so it’s not like I’m only relying on cannabis. But it would be nice to have another feather in my hat.…

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has already begun her succession plan for the national team after moving a step closer to qualifying for next year’s Paris Olympics. Ellis’ team booked their place in the third round of African qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday (3-1 on aggregate). While stand-in captain Thembi Kgatlana starred with a brace, it was the performances of new players all around the pitch that caught the eye. The African champions missed key players such as defenders Bambanani Mbane and Noko Matlou, as well as midfield general Refiloe Jane through injury. The absentees presented Ellis with an opportunity to shuffle her pack a little and hand chances and responsibility to a few youngsters, who stepped up to the plate –…

One of the unsung heroes of the recent Springbok World Cup victory is one of their back-room staff lurking in the shadows but who certainly had an unquantifiable impact on the teams’ success. Irishman Felix Jones has enjoyed much success with the Boks since joining in 2019, and this past week, he also enjoyed the gratification of winning his second gold medal with the team when they beat New Zealand 12-11 in the final at the Stade de France in Paris. Bok skipper Siya Kolisi could not help but wax lyrical of the 36-year-old assistant coach, pointing to Jones as an example of the change that has occurred within the Bok set-up and the buy-in that all accepted as the path to triumph and immortality. “When you talk about…

Double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya’s major aim is no longer to win medals but to continue her legal battle against World Athletics to overturn requirements that female athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) medically reduce their testosterone levels. Semenya (32) wants to hold World Athletics to account for what she terms discrimination against athletes with hyperandrogenism, a condition characterised by higher than usual levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases muscle mass and strength. Although still training, Semenya appears to have given up on her career on the track as she turns to coaching and maintaining her legal battle to have the regulations abolished. “My last chance to win at the Olympics was in 2016 – Paris is not my goal,” Semenya said. “It is more about winning…

US Open champion Coco Gauff said she was “feeling the love” in rainy Cancun after her 6-0 6-1 demolition of Ons Jabeur in her first group stage match of the WTA Finals on Monday. The start of the match was delayed and then later interrupted by rain when Gauff was leading 1-0 in the second set. She maintained her momentum when play resumed to claim a dominant win over her Tunisian Group B opponent. “I got a marriage proposal yesterday, so I’m feeling the love here in Cancun,” Gauff said with a laugh after the match, thanking the crowd who showed up despite the weather. “I honestly wasn’t expecting as much support today ... I appreciate you guys, and hopefully we can get a lot more people to come as…

Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza has blasted the criteria to determine the Man of the Match ahead of the club’s Carling Knockout Cup clash with AmaZulu. Abafana Bes’thende will take their good form to Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7pm) where they’ll face eternal rivals AmaZulu in the quarter-final stage. The 41-year-old has signalled concerns regarding the recipients of the R100 000 reward that comes with the award given to the most outstanding performer on the day but Black Label has given the power to the supporters to determine the winner of this award and this has proven to be troublesome. Khenyeza expressed his confusion and disappointment at many recipients in the last round for the competition and said that it brought the competition into disrepute. “Maybe I don’t…