Table of contents for 2024-07-30 in Star

Optimism about global growth prospects this year and next is building among hundreds of economists polled by Reuters, with risks tilted toward higher inflation even as they cling to their forecasts for interest rate cuts. While most major central banks were successful last year in taming rocketing inflation rates with rapid rate hikes, a resilient global economy with strong employment and wage growth has kept alive risks of price pressures surging again. In all, a 56% majority of economists – 114 of 202 who responded to a question about inflation in the global poll covering nearly 50 top economies taken July 8 to 25 – said it would probably be higher than they forecast for the remainder of the year than lower. So too with rates. The global economy was…

Meet Ochich Magero. Every time my path crosses with Kenyan multihyphenate innovator and entrepreneur Magero I leave insight-rich. When we first met in February 2017, he and Berthin Ntekezere were intent on breaking the monopoly of foreign participation in Africa’s tech venture capital scene. I remember being struck by the audacity of their aspiration and, frankly, given how closed that posse was at the time, sensing they were going to struggle. And struggle (and fail) they did. However, what has been instructive is watching Magero, with whom I’ve kept in touch, glean lessons from failures and evolve his entrepreneurial outlook and practice. Magero’s eclectic professional experience spans the private, non-profit, for-profit, and government sectors in Africa. He advises and serves on the boards of several start-ups and has worked closely…

Pan African Resources raised its gold production by 6% to 186 039 ounces in the full year to June 2024, selling its bullion for the period at an average price of $2 021 per ounce or R1.2 million per kilogram. The company’s average rand price per kilogram was calculated at an exchange rate of R18.71/$1, it said yesterday. Its Barberton Mines unit produced 71 470oz compared with 64 586oz in the previous year while Evander Mines underground output rose from 40 175oz last year to 40 869oz during the year to June. Output from the Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant was however lower at 18 888oz compared to 19 875oz a year earlier, although production from Elikhulu strengthened to 54 812…

Sabrina Carpenter has been dominating social media and the airwaves with the release of her hit songs Espresso and Please Please Please. As the highly quotable tracks, released in April and June respectively, continue to garner millions of streams online and ascend the charts, the world-renowned musician and actress revealed that fans wouldn’t have to wait much longer for her new music. The 25-year-old took to Instagram to announce that her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet, will be released in August. The 12-track offering, which is a cheeky reference to her 1.5m height, is set to mark a shift in style for the singer. During an interview with Cosmopolitan in March, Carpenter suggested that her new album would see her going in a new direction “Well, I feel so…

Veteran South African rapper, Da Les, aka “The North God”, has suffered a stroke and has been hospitalised. Da Les, whose real name is Leslie Jonathan Mampe jr, missed his birthday party and posted an apology on Instagram over the weekend, saying that “due to unfortunate circumstances, he was not able to attend”. His family have also released a statement regarding his condition, saying: “The family of the renowned South African musician Da Les is deeply saddened to inform the public that he suffered a stroke at home on Friday, 26 July 2024 and has been hospitalised. “While he is in stable condition, this remains a challenging time for his loved ones and his family calls on the public to keep him in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate…

A rare form of healing has taken root in the radiotherapy unit at Johannesburg’s Netcare Olivedale Hospital, where therapy dogs are doing more than hospital rounds by transforming the essence of patient care and bringing joy to patients living with cancer. “These unconventional therapists, with their wagging tails and gentle spirits, bring an unparalleled sense of comfort, joy and warmth to patients in ways that no conventional treatment can,” Netcare’s Cancer Care quality manager, Dr Julie Herold, said. Orlando, a beautiful golden retriever, and his charming colleague Honey, a Labrador, are therapy dogs on a mission to bring comfort. Prioritising patients’ health and safety, the dogs are fully vaccinated, impeccably clean and groomed, and dressed in their “TOP Dogs” uniforms. They visit the radiotherapy unit at Netcare Olivedale Hospital on…

THE EFF and FF Plus in Tshwane are embroiled in a racial row after the red berets’ regional leader Obakeng Ramabodu threatened to draw “Afrikaner blood” during last week’s chaotic council sitting, resulting in him being reported to the Human Rights Commission. On Sunday, EFF chief caucus whip Godwin Ratikwana said his party had also approached the commission to open a case of intimidation emanating from “racist acts” perpetrated by FF Plus councillor Mark Surgeon. “This decision comes in the wake of a series of racially charged incidents and persistent systemic racism that continue to plague our city,” he said. Ratikwana said the recent hostile behaviour exhibited by Surgeon “is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of racism and intimidation perpetuated by certain individuals and groups…

DR KOKETJO Tsebe has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the mental challenges faced by elite athletes. Her research and contributions to the field have earned her widespread recognition, making her an invaluable asset not only to South African sports and the Olympic team, but to the sports psychology discipline in the country. In addition, she makes a major contribution in the university’s Health/Pharmaceutical Studies catalytic niche area by elevating sports psychology on a global scale, fostering knowledge transfer in enriching the university’s curriculum, and creating a real-world impact in the practical application of the university’s academic knowledge. As Team SA competes on the global stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tsebe’s expertise will be instrumental in helping the athletes achieve their full potential and to bring the prizes home.…

The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa is shifting gears in its centennial year, driving a new initiative that goes beyond automotive excellence and into the heart of education. In a groundbreaking partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Department of Basic Education, Ford launched a new early childhood development centre in Mamelodi yesterday. This state-of-the-art facility is the latest addition to Ford’s growing portfolio of early childhood development centres, aimed at providing high-quality education and care to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The president of Ford Motor Company, Neale Hill, said this legacy corporate social responsibility project forms part of the carmaker’s centenary celebration in South Africa, with a total of 100 early childhood development centres being constructed through this initiative. “Nelson Mandela highlighted the importance of education as…

The family of an 11-year-old learner who walked from his primary school in Simon’s Town to his home in Khayelitsha, has been blessed with gifts in the form of school shoes and free bus rides. Last Monday, Grade 6 learner Lifalethu Mbasana, walked a distance of about 35km after he was not allowed to board a Golden Arrow Bus Service (Gabs) bus due to a lost ticket. The boy arrived in front of the family’s gate at around 9.50pm with a group of law enforcement officers who had spotted him in Harare, just a few minutes away from his home. The child’s mother, Xolelwa Siba Mbasana, expressed her gratitude to everyone who played a part in his safe return. “The way people responded in this situation, I almost feel like…

The Proteas will begin their tour of the West Indies tomorrow with a tour match against a West Indies Invitational XI, followed by the first Test next week at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad. The visitors won the two-match Test series 2-0 the last time they made the long trip to the Caribbean in 2021. This time, they will come up against a battered and bruised young Windies side in transition and recently mauled 3-0 by England. There will never be a better opportunity for Temba Bavuma and his troops to get their World Test Championship campaign on track. Here, we look at the four talking points ahead of the Proteas tour of the West Indies. Beware the wounded island man On paper, Bavuma and his Proteas side have…

The SA Poultry Association (Sapa) says it strongly believes that targeted chicken products should be included in an expanded list of items that are zero-rated for value-added tax (VAT). This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa, during his Opening of Parliament Address, announced a plan to change the range of food items exempt from VAT, saying it indicated multi-party support for an initiative that would help lower food prices for low-income households. This includes a comprehensive review of administered prices to identify areas where prices can be reduced. Yesterday, Sapa’s general manager Izaak Breitenbach said chicken was South Africa’s most popular and most affordable meat source, accounting for 66% of all meat consumed in the country. “It is therefore the main source of meat protein for millions of poor people, including…

Although the recent promulgation of both the amendments to the Companies Act as well as the Public Procurement Act aim to enhance transparency, cut down on corruption, and improve South Africa’s status as an investment destination, both require political will to implement. After signing into law the Public Procurement Act, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated – in his weekly newsletter issued yesterday – that the law stemmed from work to prevent corruption and State Capture found by the Zondo commission. “The law specifically prohibits any person from interfering with or trying to influence any procurement or trying to tamper with any tender bid after its submission or award,” Ramaphosa said. Law firm Dentons South Africa yesterday said both pieces of legislation will assist in reducing incidents of corruption, especially the Public…

WHEN the Olympics 2024 commenced last week there was one thing missing, the electronic sports (Esports). They are a form of competition that uses video games. Esports often takes the form of organised, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, played individually or as teams There’s already a community of active Esports players in South Africa and across the world. History was made last week when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to create Olympic Esports Games. The first edition will be held in 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 142nd IOC Session in Paris endorsed the proposal by the IOC executive board unanimously. For the organisation of the Games, the IOC has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia for 12 years. This…

Dutch brewer Heineken yesterday posted a €95 million (R1.89 billion) loss for the first six months of the year but a cost drive internationally was likely to see some of the savings invested in South Africa. The company, which owns markets and sells more than 300 brands in 190 countries, took an €847m write-down from the decline in valuation of its stake in China Resources Beer, whose share price has fallen on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Heineken acquired 40% of the Chinese company in 2018. The Dutch group said in its earnings report the drop in China Resources Beer’s share price was possibly due to “concerns on the macro-economic environment in China and its impact on consumer demand”. China, the world’s second-biggest economy, has encountered severe headwinds in…

IN A small courtroom in White River, Mpumalanga, 95 Libyan citizens, suspected to be militia, appeared on charges of contravening the SA Immigration Act. The youthful-looking cohort, who are non-English speaking, were arrested on Friday after provincial police raided a farm outside White River. After delays, under conditions, prosecutor Martin Brits read out the charges to the 95 suspected foreign nationals. Brits asked presiding magistrate Eddie Hall to adjourn the matter for seven days, which was granted to August 5. Mpumalanga police raided the farm last week uncovering what appeared to be a secret military base for training illegal Libyan nationals. It followed a tip-off from community members of Masoyi village near the base. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) received intelligence…

InfoQuest, an online research company, and Responsible Gambling, have raised concern over research indicating an increase in online gambling among the youth. Experts say access to smart phones, laptops, along with the social and entertainment aspect of gambling, posed significant risks to youngsters. InfoQuest, specialising in research into addictions, carried out a recent survey among 300 gamblers, 139 of whom were aged 18-34. Online gaming and sports betting were the two most popular gambling activities among the youth, with playing the national lottery in third place. InfoQuest managing director, Claire Heckrath, said: “The accessibility of online gambling platforms means gambling can now be conducted in-home and anywhere.” Online gaming, sports betting and online slot machines were gambling activities the youth most frequently engaged in, at an average of 11 times…

THE Muslim Judicial Council of SA (MJC) has called on criminals to respect places of worship following a shooting at a mosque in Brooklyn on Friday. Musallis (worshippers) attending Jumuah prayers at the Brooklyn Masjid were left traumatised after a gunman opened fire on an alleged gang boss inside the mosque. Videos and sound clips taken by worshippers at the scene have since gone viral on social media, as some described how they thought the mosque was coming under attack. Police and gang sources, however, revealed that the shooting was allegedly related to an underworld assassination plot. It is understood that the victim, an alleged 28s gang boss, was shot by a lone gunman who opened fire as he tried to leave the mosque. It is understood the gunman entered…

In a memorable ceremony held at the picturesque Hennops Country Venue, the Rotary Club of Waterkloof celebrated a significant leadership transition. Over 45 distinguished guests gathered to witness Dr Thabang Chiloane, president, from July 2023 to June 2024, handing over the reins to Jacqueline van Wyk. The event also marked the induction of five new members and the recognition of past assistant governor Memos Kavallineas and Audrey Mamabolo as honorary members. Among the dignitaries was district governor George Senosha, who inspired attendees with his speech about service above self. He encouraged fellow Rotarians to serve without seeking self-gratification and urged them to invite others to join in serving their communities. In his farewell speech, Chiloane expressed deep gratitude and reflected on his tenure. “It has been an incredible honour to…

South Africa is reported to have a high prevalence of depression, with some cases untreated, says Dr Themba Hadebe, clinical executive at Bonitas Medical Fund, who provides some insights into mental health and how to access help. Hadebe reveals that economic uncertainty, political instability and poor socio-economic conditions in South Africa have added to the burden of mental health issues. Mental health disorders are medical diseases akin to diabetes, cancer, or HIV/Aids, with one in five individuals displaying plausible symptoms, Hadebe notes. “We can’t expect someone to ‘pull themselves together’. They simply can’t. But with the right support and help, symptoms can be relieved, and the recovery rate is encouraging.” Hadebe reports a significant rise in member mental health hospital admissions, highlighting the need for additional support, particularly in the…

Following the resounding success of Losing Lerato, Bakwena Productions is in works for the continuation of this heart-warming tale that spotlights the deep love between a father and daughter. Nearly 10 years after the local film first made its debut and won numerous awards, Losing Lerato 2 returns with new cast members on Thursday on Netflix, and satisfies the audience’s curiosity about what happens next. The star-studded cast includes Kagiso Modupe, Nefisa Mkhabela, Zolisa Xaluva, Samela Tyelbooi, Zia Kani, Lerato Kani, Lerato Marambe, Aubrey Poo, and Dineo Langa, among other talented stars. Producer, director and actor Modupe has been teasing fans with glimpses of the movie on social media, stirring excitement and alerting audiences to prepare for an emotional roller-coaster. In a video shared on Instagram, he said: “Losing Lerato…

IN A shocking display of irreverence, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris kicked off with an offensive parody of the Last Supper of Christ, with drag queens in flamboyant costumes blasphemously depicting the roles of Jesus Christ and his disciples. The grossly inappropriate artistic choice has outraged Christians worldwide, who celebrate the Last Supper as a holy sacrament of their faith. It is a disturbing sign of the times that the organisers of the iconic sporting event, with its global audience, chose to use a key cultural moment to mock a sacred cornerstone of the Christian faith. The Last Supper is a profound moment of spiritual importance to millions of Christians worldwide. The sacrilegious portrayal is an attack on their beliefs. Christian leaders and organisations are…

South Africa’s swimming goddess Tatjana Smith stormed to a first Olympic 100m breaststroke gold medal at the Paris Olympics yesterday evening. It was also South Africa’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics after mountain biker Alan Hatherly had won a bronze medal earlier in the day in the men’s cross country to go along with the Blitzboks bronze medal in the rugby sevens. Smith, who was in tears at the end, bettered her silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics with a time of 1:05.28. China’s Tang Qianting claimed the silver medal (1:05.54), while Ireland’s Mona McSharry won bronze (1:05.59). Despite being far back at the halfway point, Smith ‒ formerly Schoenmaker ‒ dug deep into her reserves to speed past Qianting and McSharry over the final 50m.…

Toronto-based Africa Energy Corporation (AEC), holder of a 10% interest in the significant Brulpadda and Luiperd gas finds offshore of Mossel Bay, said yesterday that they would remain a shareholder and were confident the fields were commercially viable. It said it was confident the fields could produce gas for South Africa during its transition away from coal-fired power plants. AEC’s continued participation was good news for the project, as TotalEnergies South Africa, operator and 45% shareholder, confirmed yesterday also that it would exit the project because it was too difficult. TotalEnergies said in a statement it withdrew from the Blocks 11B and 12B offshore exploration fields following a decision to exit the fields by another partner in the project, CNRI (Canadian Natural Resources International) which had held a 20% stake.…

South Africans went to the polls on May 29 to vote for their preferred political parties. This was preceded by intense campaigning on all fronts, in which many manifestos were presented to the electorate. This occurred against a backdrop of record unemployment, growing inequality, violent crimes and high poverty rates. These, combined with load shedding and a weak economy, must be the seventh administration’s top priorities to encourage investment, build the economy, restore confidence and assist South Africa in its transformation. Instead of producing a clear winner, the results forced political parties to co-operate for the good of the nation, and the results of these engagements is what is referred to as Government of National Unity (GNU). There have been many murmurs from many places, and it seems that…

Business transformation in SA is primarily defined by the transition from analogue to digital, from manual to automated, from traditional ways of working to those compatible with 4IR technologies and implementations. Transformation projects have accelerated in the past few years, and local organisations now recognise the need for agile and scalable IT infrastructure. Effective business transformation involves a complete overhaul of companies’ existing processes and systems, as well as instilling a culture that improves efficiency, enhances customer satisfaction, and maintains a competitive edge in their respective industries. Technology leads the way Though digital transformation looks and feels different for each organisation, it all boils down to integrating digital technologies to advance operations and unlock new value. We see the impact of technology on business transformation practices across various industries. In…

South Africa Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) delivered a 11.1% total return in the first half of 2024, making listed property the best of the various investment asset classes, according to data published by the SA REIT Association. This followed a strong June when share prices of property companies rallied 9.4%, after the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the latest Rode Report said. The best performing REITs in the first half in terms of total returns were Attacq with a 21.1% return, Emitra 26.9%, Texton 32.8%, Fortress-B 26.2% and Fairvest-B 17.7%. Equities, represented by the JSE All Share Index, performed second best of the asset classes, with a 5.8% return in the first half, with SA-focused companies shining after the elections. Bonds came in third and cash…

South32’s disposal of the Illawarra coal mine in Australia for $2.5 billion (R46bn) is now unconditional following the fulfilment of all conditions precedent to the transaction, the company said yesterday. The diversified mining and metals group expects the deal to be completed at the beginning of September. The Illawarra coal mine is being disposed to an entity owned by Golden Energy and Resources and M Resources which are established participants in the Australian metallurgical coal industry. For South32, the disposal “will significantly reduce the company’s capital intensity, with Illawarra Metallurgical Coal currently comprising 35%,” of its capital expenditure, it has previously said. The company said yesterday that “all conditions precedent to the sale of Illawarra Metallurgical Coal” had now been satisfied. Accordingly, the transaction is unconditional and…

South African father-and-son duo Cantrel have released their new two-track EP, Something in the Orange. Composed of Neil and Jesse Breytenbach, they hope their music serves as a source of inspiration. They are ready to make their mark on the music scene with their father-son bond. The EP includes a radio edit and an acoustic version of the track, originally written and performed by American country artist Zach Bryan. It was re-imagined by Cantrel into a compelling adult contemporary ballad that highlights Jesse’s rock voice. “Country music has a rich tradition of storytelling, often painting vivid pictures with words,” Neil said. “With our rendition of Something in the Orange, we hope to really draw listeners into the song, making them feel like they are part of the story.” Neil is…

NSYNC are “seeing if the car will still drive” with fans clamouring for a reunion. The Bye Bye Bye hitmakers – made up of Justin Timberlake (JT), JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick – recorded a new song for Trolls Band Together last year, before joining JT on stage during his Forget The World Tour in March and later releasing Paradise on his latest album, Everything I Thought I Was. When asked about plans – including a tour and new music – Kirkpatrick told Entertainment Tonight: “We’ve been talking about it for a while. “We’re kicking the tyres, seeing if the car will still drive and we’ll see where it leads.” The 52-year-old singer is adamant that the iconic boy band “can’t disappoint” their…

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has revealed that a significant milestone was achieved by Eskom with available capacity reaching 35 000MW, a level of available capacity that has not been seen for six years, specifically since July 16, 2018. This means Eskom has an operational margin of 13.9% above the evening peak demand of 30 740MW, and thus is getting closer to the international benchmark of having a 15% margin above the evening peak. During a media briefing yesterday, Ramokgopa said that six power stations recorded an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) greater than 70%. The facilities are Medupi, Kusile, Matla, Matimba, Grootvlei, and Lethabo, while an additional four power stations achieved an EAF above 60%. The improvement in plant performance is reflected in the EAF which was 67.68% in week…

AHEAD of World Ranger Day tomorrow, the University of Pretoria (UP) announces a key partnership in a new 10-year research programme focused on injury prevention among game rangers. Drawing on expertise from UP, the NGO Game Rangers Association of Africa, and expert researchers in injury prevention from the UK, South Africa and the Netherlands, the programme will run from 2024–2034, focusing on rangers involved in African anti-poaching operations. Rangers, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, will be called upon to protect nearly a third of the planet in the next decade. In the past year, however, 140 rangers were killed in the line of duty throughout the world. With 42 of those deaths taking place in Africa, African rangers face the highest exposure to life-threatening situations. The research…

The Pension Funds Adjudicator has dismissed a complaint by the estranged spouse of a deceased to claim a larger amount than the 1.43% she was allocated of a total benefit of more than R1.7 million. Pension Funds Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane said she was satisfied that the Metal Industries Provident Fund board had considered all relevant factors and had made an equitable allocation of the death benefit. The complainant was married to the fund member at the date of his death, but they were, however, separated for six years, she said. The deceased was a member of the fund until his death on May 4 when a lump sum death benefit of R1 743 909 became available for allocation to his beneficiaries. The fund allocated to the spouse 1.43% of the…

Orlando Pirates can breathe new life into South Africa’s domestic season by laying down a marker with an emphatic MTN8 performance against SuperSport United in Soweto this weekend. More and more fans are sensing that Pirates’ pre-season form in Spain indicates that Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance in local football is about to end. Sundowns have been runaway Premiership champions for the past few seasons, making it a one-horse race. Pirates’ pre-season itinerary took them to Spain, where they were impressive, with a win over seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla and draws against Granada (Spain) and Plymouth Argyle (England). In their final tour match, they lost 3-2 to Al Sadd, the Qatar Stars League club. On their return to Mzansi, they played friendlies behind closed doors against Angolan side Bravos do…