Inhoudsopgave van 2024-07-04 - Star

Shoprite Group has introduced an innovative digital solution for its Cash & Carry stores, marking the wholesale brand’s first venture into e-commerce. This comes as the group has upped its e-commerce game as it announced in May that its Checkers Sixty60 was beta testing the new and improved version of its app, enabling customers to shop for more than 10 000 larger Hyper products, with same-day delivery scheduled within a 60-minute time slot. These moves come hot on the heels of Amazon’s launch in South Africa in May, bringing stiff competition to the fast-growing e-commerce retail sector. The largest grocery retail group yesterday said bulk-buying customers could now browse and purchase a wide range of goods at highly competitive prices through a fully automated online shopping system, with free delivery…

French oil company TotalEnergies, which only this week received the Competition Tribunal nod for the sale of its 36% stake in the Natref oil refinery is now also withdrawing from its South African offshore gas field interests, a blow for the country as the gas was meant to revive the Mossgas petroleum refinery. The latest international disinvestment from the oil sector follows the announcement two months ago by Shell to divest of its South African downstream unit, a plan that includes the exit of its interests in the Durban-based Sapref refinery, which has been shut since 2022 due to a spending freeze. Shell also operates more than 600 service stations in the country. Liquid Fuels Wholesalers Association of SA CEO Peter Morgan said while he could not speak on behalf…

An ecosystem is a community that is supported by a foundation of interacting organisms. Each member has a specific role to play in the functioning of the ecosystem, and when a member does not perform its function, it all falls apart. A startup ecosystem, therefore, comprises various interacting organisations and individuals, which serve as its organisms. Typically, these include small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), funders, enterprise support organisations (ESOs) and regulators. While all these organisms are important, they mean very little without the SMMEs themselves. A 2022 study by the University of Western Cape revealed that 70-80% of small businesses fail within five years. Some of the often-cited reasons for the failure of these businesses include lack of funding, lack of access to market and policies that are unsupportive.…

The majority of mining stocks on the JSE yesterday put up a stronger performance despite mining shares on the local bourse, including Thungela, Sibanye-Stillwater and Kumba Iron Ore making up the worst performers in June, with the exception of Pan African Resources which notched up a 50% year-to-date strengthening. This comes as the Minerals Council called on Minerals and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe to use his reappointment to make the industry investor-friendly, saying his return to the portfolio would allow for continuity of policy discussions and interactions. Shares in Anglo American Platinum traded about 7% firmer on the JSE at around R608.91 yesterday despite being 11.78% and 5.73% lower in the past seven and 30 days, respectively. Shares in Sibanye-Stillwater – which announced on Tuesday that it had laid…

Actress Kristen Wiig, who voiced the character of Miss Hattie in Despicable Me has returned to the franchise, but this time as a different character. Wiig lends her voice to Lucy, who is Gru’s wife. In a Q&A, here’s what the renowned actress had to say about her new role on the animated movie. Could you ever have imagined that nearly 15 years after the release of Despicable Me, you would still be working on these movies? “No! I mean, I was so happy to play Miss Hattie in the first movie, but then just kind of assumed that since the girls were adopted, I wouldn’t be in any others. “So, the fact that they asked me to come back and be a different character for the next three films…

Denise Zimba, pictured, has opened up about the challenges she faced in her personal life. The actress and TV personality, who tied the knot with Jakob Schlichtig in April 2022, has been vocal about the emotional turmoil following their separation. Zimba has been caring for their two daughters since the split, while Schlichtig has demanded the children be returned to Germany. Sunday World reported that Zimba left the marriage due to infidelity and Schlichtig’s neglect of his familial responsibilities. In court documents, Zimba said: “What led to my depression, among other things except cheating, was that he was not helping me at all with the children. “The second applicant had mentioned many times that I am not a priority to him, and the 2% energy he did show was for…

The issue of illegal dumping has reared its head again in the township of Cosmo City, a stone’s throw away from the industrial suburb of Kya Sands. Concerned Cosmo City residents have expressed their unhappiness with the illegal dumping site that continues to produce harmful fumes and a pungent smell permeating in their homes. The residents say the source of the problem is not only waste collectors who make a living from selling and dealing with recycling waste, but that some of the factories operating in the vicinity continue to dump their waste at the illegal dumping site. The Star, during a recent visit to the area, was told of possible involvement of gangs and syndicates who collect money from individuals and big companies who frequent this site. Speaking to…

Newly-appointed Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said he is advocating for correctional facilities in South Africa to produce some of their food, and save millions of taxpayers’ money. IOL reported earlier this week that the appointment of the Freedom Front Plus leader as the new Correctional Services Minister has been welcomed by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru). President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an expanded national executive on Sunday night, with 32 Cabinet ministers and 42 deputy ministers to lead the seventh administration of South Africa. Yesterday, in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Groenewald said he had never said he wants hard labour for inmates. “What I said is, we will see how we can save money for the taxpayers. The facilities …must start to produce their own…

HYBRID cars are nothing new for Toyota. In fact the first Prius was launched in 1997 and, while it was castigated for its looks, it laid the foundation for what was then considered groundbreaking, before the world was going gaga and forcing electric cars onto us. It’s also no secret that the Japanese carmaker has been accused of not doing enough when it comes to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from some sectors, but in true Toyota fashion they are keeping their powder dry and doing a multi-pathway approach rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Apart from traditional ICE and diesel engines, they are doing important work and research to make sure that the best possible solution for a given application is found. Rather than a one battery…

They say there’s a grain of truth in every joke and that may well turn out to be the case with Suzuki’s long-wished-for Jimny bakkie. On April 1 Suzuki Auto South Africa posted a rendering of a Jimny with a load bed on its social media platforms as an apparent April Fool’s Day gag. Suzuki Australia’s general manager, Michael Pachota, has confirmed that a Jimny ute could see the light of day. “Anything that starts with Jimmy ends in sales,” Pachota told Australian media, as reported by CarSales. “The project, I’d say, is not dead. Imagine a Jimny with two seats at the front and nothing at the back?” Rumours of a Jimny bakkie have been swirling ever since the current- generation SUV surfaced in 2018, and the carmaker even…

HAVING missed the first leg of the Proteas Women’s outbound tour to India due to a back injury, experienced all-rounder Chloe Tryon has returned to camp ahead of the three-match T20 series in the subcontinent. Given that this series is the team’s last bit of preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October, Tryon’s return to camp is a massive relief for the team as they now get to prepare with a full-strength team. Moreover, South Africa were finalists in the last edition, meaning that they go into the forthcoming edition with an added bit of pressure and a target on their backs. Tryon told the media yesterday that as frustrating as the lay-off was, it helped recalibrate her mentality and recharge her batteries in what will…

VINCENT Pule, one of Orlando Pirates’ favourite sons over the past six seasons, has been released after a stellar spell at the club, when he made 140 appearances. Pirates’ parting shot to Pule on the club’s website was succinctly headlined “Thank you, Vincent”. Pirates’ statement read: “After six wonderful years, Vincent Pule is leaving Orlando Pirates Football Club. The 32-year-old came here in 2018 from Bidvest Wits and immediately made an impact for the Mighty Buccaneers. “During his time with the club, Vincent went on to record over 140 matches, including 35 goal contributions (goals and assists combined), to cement his legacy for the Soweto giants. “On behalf of the entire Orlando Pirates family, we would like to thank Vincent for everything he has done for this football club. A…

South African private sector activity fell in June as output and new orders slipped on uncertainty over the outcome of the May election, a survey showed on Wednesday. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 49.2 in June from 50.4 in May. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. South Africans voted in the national elections on May 29, which saw the ANC lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago, creating some uncertainty in financial markets. The ANC opted for a government of national unity with 10 other political parties, and markets spent much of June awaiting the composition of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet. “The PMI’s print of 49.2 linked to sharper falls in output and new…

The proposed surcharges for electricity distribution in the City of Joburg and envisaged review of the municipal tariff structure to reflect the cost of supply (CoS) in the open access electricity market are likely to break the back of consumers already overstrained by an underperforming economy. This comes as the R200-a-month surcharge has exposed a chasm in the political leadership in the City of Joburg. The DA in Gauteng yesterday said it had written to the MMC for finance to urgently review or do away with this electricity tariff surcharge and provide clarity on the business surcharge and how it would be utilised to the benefit of residents. A legal wrangle is also in the offing as the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has been enjoined by the…

Consumers in South Africa are expected to continue feeling the price pressure and high borrowing costs in spite of the significant petrol price cuts in June and July, following four consecutive hikes this year. This comes as motorists are to pay R23.26 per litre to fill up with 95 unleaded petrol and R22.86 for unleaded 93 – 99 cents less; just over R1 less than in June respectively, after the new petrol price cut came into effect yesterday. Koketso Mano FNB senior economist said a combination of lower oil prices, lower refinery margins, as well as a less depreciated rand had supported the cuts. “When we think about the oil market, you know … that prices will be sensitive to sentiment and economic data. So despite some interest rate…

South Africa, like many countries globally, grapples with the challenge of youth unemployment. This is supported by statistics indicating a 45.5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15 to 34), in contrast to the national average of 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024. It’s clear, though, that the struggle continues for many South African women, specifically in the area of small business and entrepreneurship. According to the World Bank, Africa boasts the highest growth rate of female-run businesses in the world. But down on the southernmost tip of the continent, women remain in the minority when it comes to entrepreneurship. While more than half of South Africa’s population is female, only 38% of SMEs are women-owned and led. The important contribution that women could make in various sectors continues…

Impala Platinum (Implats) yesterday confirmed that the illegal work stoppage the North Shaft of its Bafokeng operation in the North West province had been resolved. Implats shares on the JSE strengthened by 8.2% to close on the JSE yesterday at R93.65. “Following constructive engagement between the management team and employee representatives, the issues were resolved. As a result, normal attendance levels were recorded at North Shaft from the morning shift today (Wednesday),“ Implats said. However, analysts said yesterday Implats’s acquisition of shares in Bafokeng Platinum mines had so far been tough, . Implats – just like other platinum group metals (PGM) miners such as Sibanye-Stillwater – has been facing turbulence to operations owing to low prices for the precious metal. The South African PGM miners have been forced to…

Movie fanatics can embark on a cinematic journey through Brazil’s rich culture with a variety of films set to showcase at the 2024 Durban International Film Festival (Diff). The festival, which runs from July 18 to 28, is an opportunity for film-makers to expand their networks, by attracting local and international stakeholders. This year’s line-up includes five culturally rich Brazilian films. Diff will be premiering the recently restored, critically-acclaimed and multi- award-winning film, City of God, which originally premiered in 2002 at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the 2003 Oscars. As a statement puts it: “City of God is ground-breaking in its realistic and unflinching portrayal of the strangle- hold that gangs had over life in the favelas of Brazil. It is a powerful and unfiltered…

MUVHANGO fans are reeling from shock after it was announced that the show has ended. The production dropped the bombshell on social media recently when it wrote: “End of the Road for Muvhango, Thank you for watching all these years. #muvhango”. Produced by Word of Mouth Productions, the soapie quickly became a fan favourite and has been running for over 25 years. It has seen award-winning actors like Sindi Dlathu, Dingaan Khumalo, Gabriel Temudzani, Joyce Skefu and Siyabonga Thwala, among other Mzansi veterans who have entered and exited the show. In 1997, it debuted with two branches of the same family fighting over heritage, power and money and has tackled many social ills with dramatic plot twists that have kept viewers at the edge of their seats. They have…

With the promise of fighting crime, corruption and revitalising the economic fortunes of the Gauteng province, Premier Panyaza Lesufi finally announced his provincial Cabinet and members of the provincial council under the banner of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). The announcement last night comes after days of uncertainty following various delays and postponements due to stalled talks between the ANC and DA. Yesterday, the DA announced it had pulled out of the talks and would serve the province as one of the opposition parties, including the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the EFF. Lesufi said since the results of the elections were announced, the ANC had sought to consult other parties. “As earlier indicated, these are uncharted waters and there will be issues that divide us. In a boxing…

The newly elected Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, hit the ground running by making surprise visits to public health facilities to inspect the quality of work and address grievances from patients. The premier made her surprise visits to various hospitals on June 28. Appearing as an ordinary citizen, the premier visited Bongani Regional Hospital where she encountered unwelcoming behaviour from some staff and heard numerous complaints from patients. According to a statement posted on the provincial government’s Facebook page, Letsoha-Mathae visited the hospital accompanied by hospital management, MEC for Community Safety, Roads, and Transport Jabu Mbalula, and MEC for Health Monyatso Mahlatsi. Patients told the premier that clerks were not helpful and were slow to assist them. “The premier attempted to ascertain from the clerks if that was true. “A…

Delays in processing laboratory tests has forced the Gauteng Health Department to call for patience amid delays in processing of lab tests following last week’s reported security breach at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). In a statement, the department reported that NHLS was hit by a security breach which affected their information technology systems and disrupted laboratory services. The provincial spokesperson for the department, Motalatale Modiba, said cyber attacks at NHLS have led to longer waiting times for test results. “The GDoH understands that this may cause inconvenience as some services are slower than usual. Critical tests such as blood tests for sodium, potassium, glucose, and other vital chemicals as well as urgent tests for infections and other serious conditions are prioritised to ensure that essential health services continue.…

DR BERTUS van Heerden, who graduated recently with a PhD in physics at the 2024 autumn graduation season of the University of Pretoria (UP), was selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate meetings in Germany, which conclude tomorrow. He is one of eight young scientists from South Africa who were selected to participate in the meetings dedicated to physics. These meetings are a forum for young scientists from around the world to engage with Nobel laureates on research and career management aspects. As the official partner of the Lindau Foundation, the Academy of Science of South Africa, with funding from the national Department of Science and Innovation, nominates young scientists from South Africa to attend the meetings. “I’m very grateful and excited to be selected to attend this event,” says…

AVID Cape Town cyclist Adam Jacobs, 22, is gearing up to cycle through 34 African countries to raise R100 000 in aid of mental health programmes for the youth. Known for establishing his “Chasing Adam” brand and social media messaging to “get out there and get moving”, Jacobs is taking his bicycling passion to another level by setting off on the mammoth journey over the African continent, leaving on Saturday. “We all know someone, including ourselves, who has faced mental health battles. Some of us have even lost people to suicide in our circles,” said Jacobs. “The youth globally are showing increasing signs of decreased mental health and the socio-economic situation as well as the normal stresses experienced by the youth of today, exacerbate the need for increased awareness of…

LAST month saw South African new vehicle sales plunge by 14% versus the same month last year, to settle at 40 072 units, according to Naamsa – The Automotive Business Council. According to the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (Nada), the delayed announcement of the Government of National Unity’s Cabinet had an impact on business and consumer confidence, with many delaying big-ticket purchases such as vehicles. However, Nada chairperson Brandon Cohen welcomed the historic government of national unity, stating that “this approach to governance will hopefully bring much-needed stability to the country”. Naamsa expressed optimism that economic conditions would improve in the second half of the year, as the markets appear to have responded positively to the Cabinet announcement. The association said the continued absence of load shedding, lower fuel prices…

While emerging digital technologies, climate change and globalisation are pointing to potential societal futures, there are many unknowns about the personal and civil lives of learners. What is known is that society should prioritise the development of its citizens by enlightening and empowering them to direct the course of the unknowns. This article emphasises how we can perceive and quantify the relevance of education in the 21st century. Despite our best efforts to make sense of this world, minor details could become an obsession. To develop a comfortable society, 21st century learners must aim to normalise and integrate complexity and uncertainty. The 21st century has created important adjustments in all fields of human transactions. It is thus inevitable that there will be potential and global effects. The perception is that…

Government officials and senior executives in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and constitutional bodies will from September 1, 2024 have to justify their expenditure on hiring consultants, hosting and attending local and international conferences, as well as travel and subsistence. National Treasury yesterday published the revised cost-containment measures directed to accounting officers in all government departments, constitutional institutions, and public entities as per schedules 2 and 3 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). This comes as the public finances continue to deteriorate, with the national government having spent R2.04 trillion in the 2022/23 financial year, representing a rise of 6.1% from R1.92trln the previous year, with more than half of total expenses allocated to grants paid to other levels of government, institutions, and foreign governments. Treasury said accounting officers and accounting…

South Africa is in many ways one of the most modern countries in Africa, particularly with respect to electricity access. Yet while its numbers compare favourably with most other African nations (as of 2021, 89.3% of the population had reliable access to electricity, making it the fifth-highest ranking on the continent, according to the World Bank), it shares some of the same core problems as the others: an unreliable energy supply facing a rapidly growing population, an expanding economy and increasing urbanisation. With climate change looming large over any debate about energy, the pressure is on from more economically developed nations for Africa to bypass older energy technologies and jump straight to renewables. As wonderful as that may sound in theory, the key to supplying a growing nation is stability,…

A GROUP of young entrepreneurs are making significant strides in the field of education. They have developed an innovative online streaming platform and app called SpongeIn, designed to provide learners with access to the entire CAPS curriculum through video lessons. Co-founder and managing director of SpongeIn, Lebone Segolodi, shared with Business Report how the idea of the business came about. Segolodi said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, he and his business partner came across an image of a little girl who, while the world was adjusting to the new digital way of learning, was saying: “I love technology but what about me?” surrounded by barren land, a visible lack of resources and it became very clear that she and many others like her will get left behind academically due to…

Shell South Africa has affirmed that its exploration rights to conduct a seismic survey off the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape remained valid subject to further public consultation, and the renewal application on the back of an impending Constitutional Court challenge. This comes as the Wild Coast communities, including Sustaining the Wild Coast, All Rise Attorneys, Natural Justice and Greenpeace Africa have filed petitions in the Constitutional Court to appeal the order of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) that granted Shell’s exploration rights to conduct the seismic testing. In the SCA, a successful high court judgment was upheld but the order to set aside the exploration right granted to Shell was suspended, pending a decision by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on Impact Africa and Shell’s…

The SACP says it is deeply concerned by the latest developments following the May 29 national general elections and the propping up of an imperialist foreign agenda to remove the ANC from political power. The SACP’s media briefing on Monday came a just day after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new Cabinet of the Government of National Unity (GNU) which is dominated by ANC and DA representatives. SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila said the SACP – and ally of the ANC within the tripartite alliance – is seriously disturbed by alleged foreign interference in the national and provincial elections which took the ANC’s support to just 40% for the first time since the dawn of democracy in 1994. This, after the party’s Central Committee claimed interference and meddling by US…

XOLANI Khumalo, former host of the popular Moja Love show Sizok’thola, is due back in court next month after his case was postponed when he made a brief appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The court postponed the case to August 30, and the murder trial has been transferred to the regional court. Khumalo is facing a charge of murder, robbery and damage to property after Robert Varrie was allegedly assaulted in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, in July last year. According to State prosecutor, Pheello Vilakazi, the investigating officer had been looking for the other suspects and traced one to his grandmother’s residence. “The grandmother said the suspect was chased away, and she has no information or idea about his current whereabouts,” Vilakazi said. Varrie, the deceased, who was a…

Two former Absa employees in the Eastern Cape have been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering totalling over R1 million. Florika Shenay Owusu, 31, and Abongile Tyusha, 30, were sentenced by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for crimes committed while they were employees at Absa between November 2019 and June 2021. The two were sentenced to five years for fraud and theft, and 10 years for money laundering, with four years suspended for five years on the condition that they do not violate the Organised Crime Act during that period. Provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (Hawks), Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said Owusu worked as a consultant at a branch in Patensie, while Tyusha was transferred to the Dutywa branch. “Their duties…

THE municipal parastatal Housing Company Tshwane (HCT) has been accused of being anti-poor after it reduced its annual target to build 156 Chantelle social housing units in the north of Pretoria to 50 units. The reduced target is captured in a revised business plan for 2023/2024 that was recently tabled in council. The plan noted that the budget for the construction of new units in Chantelle is being adjusted from R52.8 million to R20m. The Chantelle project was started after the 2022 sod-turning ceremony officiated by former City of Tshwane mayor Randall Williams. When it started it had a budget allocation of R131m and it was hailed as the second-largest social housing project in the country consisting of 1 098 mixed-use rental units after the Townlands Marabastad project with…

Seasoned TV actor Muzi Mthabela has called for an end to gender roles in society. Mthabela said that as times change, gender roles should not be a stumbling block in building relationships and raising families. Mthabela and other celebrities including Thembinkosi Mthembu, Khuzani Mpungose, and J Something are part of the #QinaNdoda by OMO campaign to address these traditional stereotypes. The actor said that the relevance of traditional gender roles should be questioned. He said that these days, gender roles were difficult to hold on to in practice when both men and women had to work, which was why it was important to lay a foundation of love and understanding. He said that in a situation in which a man had a job that allowed him to arrive home earlier,…

Ford has a long tradition of producing compact cars that are fun and even a bit spicy. Think back to the Escort 1600 Sport of the 1970s, that wedge-shaped XR3 of the 1980s and many of the early millennium Fiesta models from RSi to ST and many in between. We thought that tradition had all but died in recent years as products like the Focus, Fiesta and Figo were discontinued and Ford seemed hell-bent on becoming a bakkie and large SUV company. But with the local introduction of the Puma late last year, it’s encouraging to see that a bit of that fizz has returned. Sadly it comes at a price. Priced from R570 400 in Titanium trim to R614 400 in ST-Line Vignale guise, the Puma is prohibitively expensive.…

Grade 12 pupils have completed their midyear exams and are now considering various applications to tertiary institutions in South Africa. Managing and perusing an application is daunting, especially if one is expected to present themselves for the first time to an institution for admission. This is a stressful exercise as South African universities at present need more capacity to accept all our Grade 12 graduates. In 2023, it was recorded that UKZN had only 8 500 seats available for 1st-year students and had approximately 250 000 applications from 110 000 students. Similarly, the University of Cape Town accepted over 3 000 first-year students and had approximately 90 000 student applications. The University of Johannesburg had capacity for 10 500 students from a pool of over 200 000 applications. Over and…

THE 2024/2025 pre-season preparations have already begun for all DStv Premiership clubs alongside relative movements in the transfer market as well. As it’s always been the case for many years, whether for good or bad, Kaizer Chiefs have hogged the off-field spotlight with wholesale changes expected at the club. The club is set to announce a completely new five-man technical team led by Tunisian-born Nasredinne Nabi ahead of the new season. The 58-year-old mentor, who boasts extensive tactical know-how and experience, is expected to be supported by Fernando da Cruz (assistant coach), Khalil Ben Youssef (second assistant coach), Ilyes Mzoughi (goalkeeper coach), Madji Safi (strength and conditioning coach) and Ayman Makroud (performance analyst). While these alterations may signal a radical change in how the club has been run for…

FIVE years ago, South African cricket was at its lowest ebb. That year, the team went from handing Sri Lanka their first Test series victory here at home due to complacent performances in Durban and Gqeberha, to crashing out of the ODI World Cup in the group stages in the UK a few months later. The cricket on the field was average while behind the scenes, SA cricket continued to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, with coach Mark Boucher’s name coming up in Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza’s Social Justice and Nation Building Hearings. During that time, the national team lost its main sponsor and went for multiple years without one. With a few rearrangements in the suits running the game behind the scenes, a new coaching staff and a…