Table of contents for 2023-10-16 in Cape Times

Dieketseng Maleke dieketseng.maleke@inl.co.za THE MARKET cheered Sasfin Holding’s R3.2 billion sale of its Capital Equipment Finance (CEF) and Commercial Property Finance (CPF) businesses to African Bank as it focuses on strengthening its core business. The shares closed 40.02% higher at R31 on Friday and have increased by 24% in the past six months. African Bank will purchase the CEF loan book; plus a R100 million in goodwill, while as regards the CPF business, African Bank will pay Sasfin the Agterskot Amounts “as and when they are realised”. The deal must still be approved by shareholders in a general meeting. If approved, the proceeds of the transaction will be redirected to the continued growth of the group's core businesses and enhancing total return for shareholders. The group retains its…

The WORLD Bank is in talks about a poten- tial $1 billion loan to help enable South Africa to reform its energy sector, a bank official told Reuters, as the country tries to overcome record power cuts that have crippled the economy. The loan, which would be directly to the government rather than to State utility Eskom, is “under discussion”, Marie Fran- coise Marie-Nelly, the bank’s director for South Africa, said in an interview in Marra- kech, Morocco. “It is going to come very soon,” she added, declining to specify a timeframe. South Africa is facing its worst power crisis, with Eskom’s ageing, coal-fired plants often breaking down. Rolling power cuts have crimped economic growth, while fuelling private investment in renewable energy. “It’s a policy development loan which supports critical…

Eggplant is enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-eaters alike all over the world. With a flavour profile that lends itself to just about any preparation, this extra-friendly food has limitless possibilities and is worth getting to know better. It is best to use eggplant soon after buying or picking it from the garden. Within one to three days is a good rule of thumb. Eggplant is delicate and does not store well for long periods. General manager of Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, Sean Granger, shares a tasty smoked brinjal dish you can try at home. Baba ghanoush Ingredients 2 medium-sized eggplants 2 medium cloves of garlic, pressed 2 tbs lemon juice, more if necessary ¼ cup tahini ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing the eggplant and…

A WAVE of violence that has swept through Cape Town leaving a trail of devastation in its wake has seen more than 10 people murdered in just over two weeks. In the most recent incidents, three men were shot dead yesterday in what police believe could be linked to extortion or possibly a retaliation attack in Nyanga. They were ambushed by their killers at around 4pm in Ntlangano Crescent. One of them was found inside his white Toyota Avanza, the other next to the vehicle while the third person was in a tailoring business operating from a container in the street, according to police spokesperson Andre Traut. In another incident six people were shot, four of them killed and two seriously wounded during…

Celebrated annually on October 16, World Food Day is a call to action by the United Nations (UN) to eliminate hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. This year, the theme is “Water is life, Water is Food”. Almost one in 10 people globally are undernourished, and more than three billion can’t afford a healthy diet, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Conflicts such as the war between Ukraine and Russia, the battle between Israel and Hamas, and civil wars in Syria, Sudan, and Yemen, as well as in other parts of the world, have an impact on food accessibility. Climate change, rising food and fuel prices are all contributing to growing food insecurity around the world. In light of these ongoing challenges to global food security, the FAO…

THE brutal and bloody clashes in the Middle East have assumed frightening proportions. Any major escalation will lead this troubling trend into another disturbing dimension. The consequences are chilling for peace in this strategic area. In a writing career spanning nearly 60 years, I have stressed and implored every one to strive relentlessly to resolve the conflict in this war ravaged area. Sadly, these conflicts got larger, ending up with what we are grimly witnessing today. The next battle in the holy lands will involve the use of nuclear weapons. Nuclear actors are preparing for the ultimate and final showdown. Anyone who doubts this scenario, should remember the events of the past week,which some saw as an impossible event. Across the world, military conflicts are raging unabated, while the…

A MOTHER’S attempt to claim damages from the Eastern Cape health department after her child suffered brain damage has failed in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). The court found the mother could not prove medical negligence by hospital staff during the birth of her baby at Frere Hospital. On October 18, 2010, the mother gave birth to her son by way of an emergency caesarean section. He was monitored in the nursery ward after being born with mild respiratory distress, and a day later, was placed in the care of his mother in the maternity ward, where it was discovered he had jaundice. A paediatrician provided supportive treatment and administered intravenous haemoglobin and intensive phototherapy, but the boy’s condition did not change and a blood transfusion was needed, the…

COMMUNITY Police Forums (CPF) across the City have joined hands with the police to find solutions amid escalating crime and gang-related deaths in communities. The Western Cape Community Police Board in conjunction with the City District Commissioner, Vincent Beaton, called an urgent district crime indaba on Saturday at the Milnerton police boardroom. According to provincial CPF board chairperson, Fransina Lukas, they were concerned that in one week in September, 130 people were killed and shootings were ongoing in the same communities. The murders were identified in 11 station precincts – Gugulethu, Manenberg, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Delft, Ravensmead, Philippi, Hout Bay and Samora Machel. “It was important to meet and identify what was happening and how we can find joint solutions even if they are implemented in stages. Challenges…

THE Census 2022 report released last week has given the ANC more reasons to boast about what its government achieved, but job creation is none of them. In fact, one has to read economist Mushtak Parker’s “Right on the money” column to understand how the static adult unemployment rate – at 33.5% in 2022 and projected at 32.8% in 2023 and 2024 remains the elephant in the room for the country’s economic growth. Worse still are the figures for youth unemployment, which Parker laments as one of the highest in the world. No government would take comfort from these statistics, especially when most of the affected citizens are ANC voters. Out of the population of 62 million in South Africa, the black African population constituted the largest proportion accounting…

The US House of Representatives still doesn’t have a speaker. That the position, which is considered second in line to the president, should be vacant at a time when the US is dealing with two wars – one that started recently between Israel and the Hamas, and the other that has carried on from February 2022 between Russia and Ukraine – has frustrated many Republicans. And the words “clown”, “clown car” and “clown show” are used frequently by them for their fellow Republicans. Some members have even suggested reinstating Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted by a section of the party. Others have floated a coalition speaker elected with bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats. Some Republicans are angry with Democrats, accusing them of not bailing out McCarthy earlier by…

Riyadh: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for pressure on Hamas during a meeting yesterday with the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has warming ties with Israel but has put normalisation on hold. “Very productive,” Blinken said when asked about the meeting. He “highlighted the US’s unwavering focus on halting terrorist attacks by Hamas, securing the release of all hostages and preventing the conflict from spreading”, the State Department said. Prince Mohammed highlighted Riyadh’s diplomatic outreach “to calm the situation”, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said, an effort that has involved calls to regional leaders including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Blinken was to travel next to Egypt, the sixth Arab country he will visit to pressure Hamas and stop the war…

Nairobi: The collapse of a church after heavy rain in southern Burundi killed at least four children and injured 15 yesterday, officials said. Heavy downpours and strong winds began to lash Kiyange, local government official Esperance Inarukundo said. The weather “caused a lot of damage, including the collapse of the Kiyange pentecostal church”, where children were attending religious education classes, she said. “We are continuing to search the rubble and have already found four children dead and 15 injured in the church,” Inarukundo said. She said residents, the Burundi Red Cross and civil protection were helping the rescue operation. | AFP…

Kibera: Towering models paraded down a 3m high catwalk overlooking the rusting tin roofs of Kibera, the Kenyan capital’s biggest urban slum. The second edition of Kibera Fashion Week concluded in the heart of the sprawling area over the weekend, with hundreds of spectators from Kibera and across the city watching the diverse collections float by on Saturday. “Kibera is full of style,” said designer Avido. “People don’t get to see it because the image they have about Kibera is post-electoral violence, prostitution, drug abuse,” explains the 27-year-old, whose real name is David Ochieng. His creations have attracted global stars from Bruno Mars to Beyonce. | AFP…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will need a few players to fire on all cylinders if the national team is to emerge with some credit from tomorrow's international friendly against Ivory Coast. The team had a warm-up match against Eswatini on Friday but failed to show any sense of urgency and merely went through the motions at the FNB Stadium. The players who can turn around the team's performance in Ivory Coast are Siyanda Xulu, Themba Zwane, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Lyle Foster. Xulu, the well-travelled centre-back can show big match temperament against the strong teams. He did well against Morocco and has become an immovable force on the national side. He does an excellent job when called on to organise the SA defence and leads by example when the side…

Tomorrow’s fixture against the Netherlands is just as important as the first two matches, as it is an opportunity for some Proteas players to refine their form and for the team to maintain momentum going into more challenging fixtures in the latter part of the 50-over World Cup. Despite the impressive start to the tournament, South Africa still have a long way to go. They have seven matches remaining and some of them are more daunting than others. New Zealand, Pakistan and India are promising to bring the Proteas’ rich vein of form with the bat to a halt, purely because of the skill level that these bowling attacks possess. Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Shaheen Afridi and Jasprit Bumrah are more of a threat than any of the Australian or…

The Proteas women bounced back with a series-levelling victory in the fifth and final T20 international against New Zealand in Benoni yesterday, and coach Hilton Moreeng was content with the improvements the team showed during the tour. Proteas fast bowlers Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk bowled South Africa to victory at Willowmore Park, as the duo picked up three wickets each to help settle the series after suffering a defeat on Saturday at the same ground. Moreeng was pleased with the developments of Klaas and De Klerk. “(Their performances) show a lot of growth,” said Mooreng, following the Proteas’ 11-run victory. “They always had a lot of seniors around them bowling. They always found themselves on the bench because of the quality the other bowlers brought to the squad…

Bafana Bafana have to redeem themselves against 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast tomorrow, if they are to have any chance of making a name for themselves at the tournament next year. Hugo Broos’ team unceremoniously drew 0-0 with neighbours Eswatini on Friday - a result that was unexpected given the latter’s lowly world ranking (144th). And given Bafana’s win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo last month, it was a match that they had to win, and were expected to, at all costs. It was a sentiment that was also shared by Broos in his pre-match build-up. This was not an ordinary game for Bafana. It also served as the penultimate preparation clash for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month and Afcon in January. But…

Talent will get you far but the right attitude will keep you at the top. Reality TV star Nandipha Mlombi, known as Queen Nandi on social media, has been disqualified from participating in the Mrs Southern Africa pageant. Her disqualification from the pageant is proof that social media can make or break you. Let’s just say that the Mrs Southern Africa organisation was watching her being a “comedian” on Facebook and they were not impressed. The lesson to be learned here is that when you’re a contestant in beauty pageants, it is best to limit your social media posts. If you don’t have anything positive to say, keep quiet. It seems the Mrs Southern Africa organisation didn’t find her posts funny. “After careful consideration and thorough review of recent events…

Civil society groups warn that a potential VAT increase being mooted by the Treasury will have a negative impact on poor and middle-class income earners. Economists also warn that it could lead to a huge spike in the price of cars, clothes and processed foods. Reports have indicated that the Treasury has proposed to increase VAT due to the precarious state of the government’s finances, however no decision has been announced yet. In its report on the household affordability index for September, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBJED) said that raising the VAT-rate on food would have severely negative consequences for most South African families. “Increasing the VAT-rate to augment government revenues is likely to cost more money in health care, more money in education, more money to…

More than 2 300 killed, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10 000 wounded, say authorities CIVILIANS trapped in the Gaza Strip remain exposed to Israel’s bombardment of the territory, including in the south, where tens of thousands of people have fled for safety despite Israeli announcements suggesting that there were safe corridors for escape. This is according to global medical rescue organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the latest organisation to call for safe zones to remain in the north and for regular ceasefires. “As the Israeli army has been bombarding the Gaza Strip without restraint for a week, we are calling for the most elementary humanity to be shown. “The injunction to nearly 1.1 million people to move in a few hours to an already overpopulated territory…

THE tragedy of war and human conflict is all too well displayed in the current hostilities between Israel and Hamas. In an effort to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza, the Israeli military has been notifying Gazan civilians to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere before Israel attacks terrorists or terrorist infrastructure on their apartment buildings. Hamas’ Interior Ministry is calling on Palestinians to remain in their homes to serve as human shields. According to the website of Hamas’ Ministry of Interior and National Security on October 10: “We again call on citizens not to co-operate with the recorded phone messages that Israel sends randomly, asking people to leave their homes. Their goal is to arouse panic and fear as part of the psychological warfare accompanying the occupation’s aggression…

REGARDING Cosatu’s concern about inequality in South Africa, I am sick and tired of this refrain! I am a white woman who understands God’s commandment to care for the less privileged. I have a car, petrol money, time, and the ability to drive. Therefore, I pick up tired domestic workers and drop them off at the taxi rank. Once a month I take (coloured) friends to Drakenstein Prison. I know a white pensioner (83) who gave – not lent – R20 000 (his savings ) to a Xhosa lady to repair her storm-damaged house. Another white man paid for a black child’s studies. White people paid a lot of tax over many years and this government inherited Eskom, dams, schools, hospitals, roads, and working railway services. Who’s names appear in…

Sekunjalo case is a test of our commitment to upholding the principles of justice IN THE realm of law and justice, Aristotle’s timeless aphorism that, “The law is reason free from passion” stands as a guiding light, urging us to uphold the principles of impartiality, fairness, and rationality. In today’s world, however, these principles face an arduous test as the justice system grapples with the relentless onslaught of media and social media courts of public opinion. The case of South Africa’s Sekunjalo Group, its affiliated companies including Independent Media, and their much-maligned group chairman, Dr Iqbal Survé, is emblematic of this predicament. In a world where the court of public opinion often precedes due legal process, South Africa’s banks have made a collective and sweeping decision to close all Sekunjalo…

More than one million people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip in the last week, the UN said yesterday, after sustained Israeli bombardment and warnings about a ground attack against Hamas commanders. Israel declared war on the Islamist group last Sunday, a day after waves of fighters broke through the heavily fortified border and shot, stabbed and burned to death more than 1 400 people, most of them civilians. Seven days of relentless bombing targeting those who masterminded the attack have flattened neighbourhoods and left at least 2 450 people dead in the Gaza Strip, the majority ordinary Palestinians, the health ministry there said. As Israel seeks to avenge the worst attack in its history, the Arab League and AU warned the invasion could lead to “genocide”. It also…

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake killed two people in western Afghanistan yesterday, with damaged prisons emptied, and residents fleeing a region where tremors claimed at least 1 000 lives this past week. Since October 7, a series of potent quakes have jolted Herat province, levelling whole villages, burying families, and leaving thousands homeless. Doctors Without Borders said two new fatalities and 154 injuries were registered at Herat Regional Hospital. The latest quake’s epicentre was 33km northwest of Herat city and was followed by aftershocks of magnitudes 5.4, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, the US Geological Survey said. The quake series began on October 7 with a 6.3 tremor and eight powerful aftershocks, which devastated rural villages north-west of Herat city. The Taliban government said more than 1 000 people were killed, while…

London: Pop legend Madonna kicked off her 40th anniversary “Celebration Tour” at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, three-and-a-half months after a bacterial infection led to her hospitalisation and its postponement. The 65-year-old singer spent several days in intensive care in New York after being found unconscious in her apartment there in June, and has since been recovering, and rehearsing, for the 78-date tour. Madonna had to overcome some early on-stage technical hitches in the first of four sold-out performances at the O2. | AFP…

Quito: Ecuadorans started voting for a new president yesterday, in the midst of a drug war and a rash of political assassinations that cut short the bid of a popular candidate. The finalists in this run-off election – lawyer Luisa Gonzalez, 45, and banana empire heir Daniel Noboa, 35 – campaigned in bullet-proof vests as a climate of fear grips the once-peaceful country. Both have vowed to prioritise dealing with the escalating violence. Crime and violence plague the country, where the murder rate quadrupled in the four years to 2022, as enemy gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control. About 3 600 Ecuadorans have been murdered this year. | AFP…

HE may not have got the fourth title that he was after but Stephen Mokoka proved his worth as South Africa’s king of the marathon with his close second place finish at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon yesterday. The Boxer Athletic Club star was beaten to the line by Adame Kebede Gebre in a thrilling finish in what was a highly tactical race, which led to the athletes getting nowhere near the record time the organisers had hoped would be run. Mokoka crossed the finish line in 2:11.33, five seconds behind the Ethiopian with whom he had had a fascinating duel in the final kilometre. The South African made a break for it and looked to have opened a gap sizeable enough to steal the victory but Gebre proved too…

The Warriors cemented their place in the top three of the Cricket South Africa One-Day Cup as they hammered the Tuskers by eight wickets at St George’s Park yesterday. The Tuskers were handed a hiding of note in Gqeberha as they faced an in-form Warriors side. The Gqeberha-region has enjoyed plenty of rain in the past four weeks or so and because of that, the home team chose to field upon winning the toss, fancying their chances of bowling out the newly-promoted Tuskers. Beyers Swanepoel was the first to make inroads into the Tuskers batting order, forcing an outside edge off the bat of Cameron Delport (4 off 10). Fast bowler Nealan van Heerden took over from Renaldo Meyer at the Park Drive end and quickly made an impact with…

State-owned enterprise seeks deeper accountability framework, cost reduction, and better relations with stakeholders TRANSNET’S board said on Saturday it had developed a turnaround plan that it would submit to its shareholder, the government, this week, and that it would also ask for additional funding to support its operations. On Friday, the Presidency clarified misleading reports saying: “Inaccurate media reports have created the impression that the Presidency seeks to place Transnet under private control. This is not the case. “South Africa’s port and rail infrastructure are strategic national assets and government has taken a clear stance that they will remain in public ownership.” Media reports were leaked that among other plans, the Presidency aimed to set up an independent port and rail regulator and a rolling stock leasing company, which…

WITH an official case of the H7 high pathogenicity Avian influenza detected in George at the weekend, a Khayelitsha farmer said fears that her poultry would become infected had prevented her from growing her business. The Western Cape had until Friday managed to avert an outbreak that has spread in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and Limpopo in recent months. Agriculture MEC, Ivan Meyer, said the infection was likely due to the transportation of chickens. “It is very unfortunate and a blow to the Western Cape poultry industry that the first case of HPAI was diagnosed in the George area of the Western Cape. “This follows the introduction of chickens from an infected province in the north. “The George farm has been quarantined and culling on the farm has already started.”…

30g unsalted butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion , finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 500g chicken thigh, cut into bite size pieces 2.5 tbsp flour (or 1½ tbsp cornflour / cornstarch) 500ml milk 500ml chicken broth 225g long grain white rice, uncooked 1 tsp dried thyme (or other herb of choice) Salt and pepper 1 large head (400-500g) of broccoli, broken / cut into small florets 200g shredded mozzarella or cheddar (or other cheese of choice) Finely chopped parsley, optional garnish Melt butter and heat oil in a pot over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add chicken and cook until it changes from pink to white. Turn stove down to medium. Add flour and stir for 1 minute. Add half the milk, stirring…

THE shocking events in the Israeli/Gaza conflict are hard to digest. Notwithstanding the historical facts, inter alia, that prior to 1948 the area today known as Israel was in fact known as Palestine and shared by Christians, Jews and Arabs. For 75 years Palestinians have been crammed into a tiny strip of land blockaded by Israel … sea, land and air. Bottom line is that Gazans live by the grace of Israel so why would they be happy with this? Conversely, what did Hamas who run the show in Gaza think was going to happen when they went into Israel and murdered 700 innocent Jewish settlers? They grabbed a tiger by the tail and the war declared on Hamas by Israel is a direct result of this. Hamas fires rockets…

OUDTSHOORN residents have extended their condolences to the family of rugby player, Sydwell Muller, who suffered a heart attack and died during a rugby match in Sedgefield, Knysna on Saturday. The 34-year-old, who is the son of Freedom Front Plus (FF+) councillor Christene Muller, collapsed about six minutes into the game. Emergency services were dispatched to the field and he was declared dead on the scene. Muller played for the All Blacks Football Club. The team was playing against the Harlequins Forces Rugby Club. The club’s chairperson Damon Gysman said the team was still in shock and would receive counselling this week. “We are in the process of getting some professional help for all of us. “As chairperson, I am confused on how this could happen to such a strong…

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) believes that a police officer, issued a final written warning after he assaulted a prisoner with his service firearm while he was allegedly intoxicated, walked away with a slap on the wrist. Sergeant Albert Gqabi, 41, based in Robertson in the Western Cape, was found guilty last week of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, and contravention of the Firearms Control Act by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court. Ipid national spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu, said the cop attacked 28-year-old Tlali Falatsi, a Lesotho citizen, in August 2021. Gqabi was transporting Falatsi with a colleague to Boksburg, Gauteng, where he was awaiting trial. “Sergeant Gqabi is said to have been drunk at the time because he was drinking in the car while his colleague…

THE message from the annual Autumn jamboree of the IMF/World Bank last week in Marrakech, Morocco, could not be clearer. The global economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, from the food and fuel supply chain disruptions due to the Ukraine conflict and the resultant monetary tightening to contain rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, remains slow and uneven with widening divergences between developed and developing nations. The resilience of countries says the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) 2023 launched last week in Marrakech is nothing short than remarkable, albeit economic output has slowed not stalled and the world is limping towards recovery albeit there are signs of a softer landing over the next economic cycle largely due to better-than-expected US economic fundamentals. Despite economic resilience earlier this year due to…

Australian Indigenous leaders called yesterday for a week of silence and reflection after a referendum to recognise First Peoples in the constitution was decisively rejected. More than 60% of Australians voted “No” in the landmark referendum on Saturday that asked whether to alter the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people with an Indigenous advisory body, the “Voice to Parliament”, that would have advised parliament on matters concerning the community. Australia’s first referendum in almost a quarter of a century needed a national majority and majorities in at least four states to pass. All six states rejected the proposal. “This is a bitter irony,” the Indigenous leaders said in a statement. “That people who have only been on this continent for 235 years would refuse to recognise those…

Poles voted yesterday in a parliamentary election which the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) hopes will earn it an unprecedented third term in office, while the opposition, the liberal Civic Coalition (KO), led by former European Council president Donald Tusk, warns that it could put the country on a path to leaving the EU. Opinion polls suggest PiS will come out ahead but could lose its majority amid intensifying discontent over its democratic record, which has cost Poland billions of euros in EU aid, and concerns over women’s rights and the cost of living. PiS has cast the election as a choice between security from migration, which it says its opponents support, and a creeping Westernisation. PiS says its reforms aim to make the country and its economy more fair…

KHANKENDI: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev yesterday raised the national flag in the capital of the former breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after a military operation last month brought the territory back under Azerbaijan’s control. The capital, known as Khankendi by Azerbaijan and as Stepanakert by Armenians, fell to Azerbaijan after security forces crushed ethnic Armenian fighters last month, prompting most of Karabakh’s 120 000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by Armenians, is a landlocked mountainous area in the South Caucasus. The territory is recognised as part of Azerbaijan. | Reuters…

Kabul: The Taliban will attend China’s Belt and Road Forum underscoring Beijing’s growing official ties with the administration despite its lack of formal recognition by any government, reports say. Taliban officials and ministers have travelled to regional meetings, mostly those focused on Afghanistan, but the Belt and Road Forum is among the highest-profile multilateral summits it has been invited to attend. The forum in Beijing tomorrow and Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s global infrastructure and energy initiative. China has been in talks with the Taliban over plans for a possible copper mine in Afghanistan. | IANS…

There has been a number of occasions where the Proteas have let their guard down when they were clear favourites. The defeat to Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup is prime example of how the team has a tendency of going into a fixture as favourites only to emerge defeated. Complacency also led to Sri Lanka becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa, breaking a long-standing record that has made South Africa one of the toughest places to tour in world cricket. The most recent slip up was the defeat to the Netherlands last year in the World T20 Cup, where South Africa’s performance was shocking, resulting in them being knocked out of the showpiece event. “I wasn’t there,” said Proteas head coach Rob…

Afghanistan pulled off one of the greatest 50-over World Cup shocks yesterday when they defeated defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi. Chasing 285 to win, after opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had hit a blistering 80, England were bowled out for 215 despite Harry Brook’s 66 with spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan claiming three wickets each. After Gurbaz and the recalled Ikram Alikhil, with 58, had given them a decent target to defend, Afghanistan’s bowlers went to work, striking at regular intervals. Jonny Bairstow (two) was lbw to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second over before Joe Root was clean bowled by 22-year-old player of the match Mujeeb for 11. Mohammad Nabi got rid of Dawid Malan, who made 140 against Bangladesh, for 32 to precipitate a slide…

Banyana Banyana midfielder Nomvula Kgoale says they are well placed to overcome the challenges they will face in the upcoming Paris Olympic qualifiers, having set the bar in recent months. Banyana are the team to beat in African football. They achieved the improbable last year in Morocco, winning their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title. And with that historic run serving as a qualifier for the World Cup, they again etched their names in the history books in Australasia, qualifying in the last 16 of the global showpiece for the very first time. Those were not only achievements that showed the progress of women’s football in South Africa, but also made them one of the teams to beat on the continent. Banyana will be the team to beat when they…