Table of contents for 2023-06-26 in Star

In top management, whites account for 62.9%, followed by Africans at 16.9% EMPLOYMENT and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on Friday said he was disappointed with the pace of transformation in the country and it was nothing to boast about. His comments came after the Commission for Employment Equity – which provides the status of employment equity in the labour market as reported by designated employers in the 2022 circle – handed its report to Nxesi. The Employment Equity 23rd CEE annual report was launched and given to Nxesi on Friday in Kempton Park. The report found that the white population held the most managerial positions in the country and that women continued to be the lowest-ranked group. The report said from top management, whites accounted for 62.9%, followed by Africans…

ANGLOGOLD Ashanti’s gold production for the three months ended March 31 this year decreased marginally by 1%, mainly due to lower grades mined at the underground mine as a result of mine sequencing, it said on Friday. In its quarterly results for the period, gold production decreased marginally by 4 000 ounces from 588 000 ounces for the three months ended March, 31, 2022, to 584 000 ounces. “Gold production decreases were recorded at Kibali, Siguiri, Tropicana, AngloGold Ashanti Mineração, and Serra Grande. At Kibali, gold production decreased by 12 000 ounces, or 16%, from 76 000 ounces,” the group said. It flagged that gold production was steady year-on-year as AngloGold continued to progress reinvestment in key assets to improve operating flexibility and…

The backlash from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting two Wednesdays ago still haunted global equity markets last week. The good news of not increasing interest rates further didn’t last long, as it was overshadowed by the Fed’s remarks that interest rates would not be lowered this year. Almost in the same breath the Fed then continued with its hawkish stance – aggressiveness – that the changes are good for another two bank rate hikes in 2023. Share markets started to discount this news from the previous Friday. The all share index on the JSE moved somewhat sideways from the previous Thursday, but since last Monday, after the public holiday, started to weaken during each day of trading last week. The broad all share index lost about 4 000…

FOR SOUTH Africa to accomplish the imagined prosperity and wealth to feed future generations, she requires more than 2.5% economic growth. At this rate, the country is under targeting. As of now the required growth should be 6% consistently over a period of 10 years, as opposed to the projected 2.5% for the financial year 2018. If 6% growth rate is sustained over 10 years, then substantive prosperity could be achieved in a foreseeable future of the contemporary generation. This is a realistic projected economic growth that may guarantee the accomplishment of the National Development Plan 2030. To reset a reasonable target of 6% is not illusionary, but pragmatic, provided our leadership across all sectors manages natural national endorsements and resources productively and responsibly in the national interest. In the…

Playing is often thought of as something that only children do, but it’s recommended for people of all ages. This is especially true in South Africa, where factors like load shedding and other stressors can have a significant impact on mental health. Most Millennials today have fond memories of childhoods spent playing outdoors or using their imaginations to create fun, new games to enjoy. The absence of screen time meant those who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s played to their hearts’ content. Playing is an essential part of childhood and is recommended for children of all ages. Play is not just a way to have fun, but has a crucial role in their development and well-being. According to registered counsellor Luthando Magadla, the mental health of children…

A 25-year-old woman who lost her baby at the hands of “uncaring” nurses and doctors at the Sebokeng Regional Hospital has enlisted legal assistance in a bid to find justice after she was forced to deliver her own child while nurses ignored her pleas for help. Last week, The Star spoke to a teary-eyed Nokwanda Mokoena, from Sebokeng, who said she was denied an opportunity of being a mother by hospital staff on June 12, just days before Youth Day. This is not the first time the hospital has been embroiled in such a scandal. Media reports suggest that Sebokeng Regional Hospital has become synonymous with maternity and medical negligence, which range from forcing mothers to stay 48 hours with dead babies to switching dead babies’ gender. This…

PROMINENT South Africans, including professionals, graduates, chefs, lawyers and politicians were among the 600 people who took part in the 3km Achievers’ Walk in Atteridgeville on Saturday to promote the importance of education in honour of the late political activist and lawyer Tiego Moseneke. Moseneke died two months back after he was involved in a car accident. Former first lady Gugu Motlanthe, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink, Tiego’s brother retired Deputy Judge President Dikgang Moseneke were in attendance at the township’s Mbolekwa Sports Complex, where this year’s Supreme Cadets Institute’s Achievers Walk was hosted. The institute was founded by Tiego’s wife Koketso Moseneke in 2016 to provide a platform for young people to better their lives through education. Part of the institute has “rangers” made up of post matriculants, unemployed youth…

AS NEWS broke of the presence of at least 31 bodies of suspected illegal miners, believed to be Basotho nationals, underground at the Virginia Mine in the Free State, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe accused Lesotho of interfering with South Africa’s economy. Mantashe said Lesotho government officials have more information on the tragic incident, after survivors of the mining tragedy in the Free State “ran to Lesotho to report” without informing any South African authorities. Mantashe said that on Thursday Lesotho’s minister in charge of mineral resources was deployed to Welkom, Free State. He said the Lesotho minister “made a very strange suggestion”, that surviving illegal miners should be deployed to go underground and retrieve the bodies of the deceased illegal miners. “I asked him a very straightforward…

If you lend a friend or relative any amount, with an agreement that you will be repaid the capital plus interest, you cannot enforce that agreement in a court of law unless you are a registered credit provider. A recent court case reaffirmed this requirement of the National Credit Act (NCA). It applies even if the loan is a one-off action between people who know each other, and there is no threshold regarding the loan amount to which it does not apply. In a blog for the Norton Rose Fulbright Financial Institutions Legal Snapshot newsletter, titled “Neither a borrower nor a lender be – the case of an unregistered credit provider”, associate attorney Boitumelo Ramokgopa describes a case in the Western Cape High Court in January. In 2015, Mr A…

The current disagreement between the Wagner and Russian military leadership has brought to the fore the power that private business has in disrupting any country. This situation applies to other countries as well, such as South Africa, where white monopoly is controlling the state. The likes of Rupert Murdoch and the Oppenheimers have a stronghold on the country’s political environment, to the extent that they even have their own private terminal at airports. The case of Wagner and the Russian military leadership is a classic instance of how private businesses can step into the power corridors of a country.Wagner, a private military company, is causing a rift between Russia’s military leadership and the Kremlin, as its influence is seen as a threat to the Russian army’s command and control structure.…

The Springboks will start the final week of their Rugby Championship preparations with the extended squad in Pretoria today. The camp will end on Thursday, after which the world champions will shift their focus to the core squad playing in the first Test of the year against Australia in Pretoria next week. Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber already alluded to the fact that they will choose separate squads for the Wallabies Test and the one against the All Blacks on July 15 in New Zealand, and this week will give them a chance to weigh the two teams up against each other on the field. It is expected that flyhalf Damian Willemse will be ready for his first field sessions this week after a knee injury kept him on the sidelines…

While Orlando Pirates have been tight-lipped about their plans to stage a pre-season training camp in Spain, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC announced they will play the South African Nedbank Cup champions on July 13. Maccabi Tel Aviv, the oldest and most decorated football club in Israel, will also be conducting pre-season training camps in Spain, the home of the 2010 World Cup champions. The post on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s website reads: “Maccabi Tel Aviv will kick off the pre-season training camp in Marbella, Spain, with a practice match against South African giants Orlando Pirates on 13th July. “Coached by José Riveiro, the Buccaneers, who won the South African league title nine times and reached the Caf Confederation Cup final twice (2015 and 2022), finished last season’s South African league campaign…

STEINHOFF International’s share price sank 33.3% to only 4 cents on Friday after it said in interim results to March 31 that the sum-of-the-value of its key investments currently did not cover its debt. This month, a Dutch court approved management’s restructuring plans that had been opposed by shareholders at two previous shareholder meetings. The share price on Friday had already fallen precipitously from a closing price of 29C on June 20, 2023, the day before the Dutch court approved the restructuring plan. At the start of the year, the group, which had needed to restructure as it was unable to repay €10.3 billion (R210bn) in debt by June 30, 2023, outlined a plan that would extend the maturity date of debt to June 2026, but shareholders would…

AS INFLATION tamed down in the past month, it has paved the way for the South African Reserve Bank to pause its interest rate hiking cycle. This is a welcome reprieve for consumers battling the cost of living crisis in the country. June saw the release of the consumer price index (CPI) data for May, which showed that it had slowed to 6.3% from 6.8% in April. At the start of the month, motorists also cheered the fuel price decreases that were announced, and looking ahead to July, there may be further good news to come. Early data suggests that there could be a small cut in petrol prices for next month, while diesel prices could see an increase. The Central Energy Fund said that current data indicates a 6…

BRAZIL is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping. In 2022, China accounted for 9.4% of South Africa’s exports, while India had 4.5% and Brazil only 0.4%, according to the South African Revenue Service. China dominated South Africa’s imports with a 20.2% share, while India’s share was 7.2% and Brazil had a 1.4% share. In rand terms, exports to China totalled R188.4 billion, while exports to India were R90.1bn and exports to Brazil were R8.3bn. South Africa imported R367.4bn from China, R130.6bn from India and R26.1bn from Brazil, resulting in a trade surplus in favour of China worth R179bn, in favour of India of R40.5bn and in favour of Brazil of R17.8bn. One of the reasons for expanding trade within…

LOBBYING – a dirty word or fundamental to an open democracy? In simple terms, lobbying is understood as the act of influencing, or attempting to influence, government policy, legislation or regulation towards a preferred outcome. From a competitive perspective, this implies that through lobbying, someone, or some entity is attempting to gain some advantage sometimes in relation to or the detriment of another. But not always. In fact, arguably the most beneficial and legitimate lobbying is conducted in the “public interest”. Think of green activists for example lobbying for changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to tackle climate change. Climate change denialists notwithstanding, climate change activists are no doubt legitimate in their lobby- ing for drastic and immediate cuts in CO2 emissions in the global public interest. However,…

South Africa’s longest-running TV game show, Noot Vir Noot, returns for season 47 this week. SABC2 announced the return of the popular family game show, which will air on Wednesdays at 7pm. Noot Vir Noot puts contestants to the test to showcase their competitive musical knowledge. Contestants need to be the first to answer the game questions and name the music clues, performed by the show’s in-house DJ Shelly. Each episode features a guest artist who performs some of their hit songs in a sound recording studio set-up. The artists will be performing song requests provided by the contestants and their family members, who are watching the show from their own living rooms. Cape Town media personality Emo Adams returns for another season and brings along his comedic charm,…

Nutritional needs differ with gender and age. A healthy diet for a man is different from a healthy diet for a woman. With June being Men’s Health Month, Dr Sivuyile Madikana from Herbalife NAB Southern Africa, shares below six tips to support men’s brain’s optimal function and well-being through food. “It’s been noted in the literature that men often seek health-care services less than women, leading to poor health outcomes and life expectancy,” said Dr Madikana. “When it comes to men’s mental health care, they are even less likely to seek psychological therapies, with only 36% of psychological referrals in some health-care systems being for men. “Reasons include the stigma around mental health and a lack of education and awareness about the topic and its symptoms. The link between mental…

As the world grapples with news of the demise of all five individuals aboard the deep-sea submersible, Titan, which was on a doomed voyage to the Titanic ship wreckage, a world-renowned scientist – who survived a horrific expedition to the site in 2000 – has called for tougher restrictions on expeditions to the century-old wreckage. Dr Michael Guillen, 63, is a physicist and former news correspondent who, among other spoils, boasts of being the first reporter to participate in an expedition to the Titanic wreckage. “Should we allow tourism to continue to the Titanic? I am not going to be so presumptuous as to say yes or no because I can see arguments either way. However, if we allow tourism to continue, then two important questions need to be asked.…

The City of Tshwane is set to crack the whip on a number of Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers who have been allegedly operating outside their juristic precinct, allegedly with private cars. The TMPD says it has received multiple incidents of misconduct about their officers who have been encroaching on Diepsloot, which is under the City of Johannesburg. In a recent incident that took place over the past weekend, two TMPD officers were arrested in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, for operating outside their assigned area using a private vehicle. In another incident, five TMPD officers were found operating outside of their assigned area. They did not disclose where and efforts to obtain this were unsuccessful. It was later reported that a member of the public had allegedly been extorted and robbed.…

Unisa is celebrating its 150th anniversary today. To mark the occasion, former president and Unisa chancellor Thabo Mbeki, chairperson of the university’s council Mashukudu J Maboa as well as the principal and vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula will be among the dignitaries. This historic event will mark a milestone in its history as an institution of higher learning. Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, Unisa has played an important role in providing education to people across South Africa and beyond. Over the past 150 years, Unisa has undergone significant changes and transformations, reflecting the changing needs and contexts of the societies it serves. From its humble beginnings as a small college offering courses in English, maths and grammar, Unisa has evolved into the largest university…

SOME leaders of a group called Concerned Tshwane Residents targeting undocumented immigrants have been accused of demanding “protection fees” from foreigners operating shops in Marabastad. Johnny Jujwana, one of the leaders, believed the protest was weakened in Marabastad last Monday because of “some elements” in the concerned group who received bribes from foreigners in exchange for protecting them. Protesters descended on Marabastad and the Pretoria CBD last week to forcefully remove undocumented foreigners illegally plying their trades. While they were able to intimidate and harass some traders, they were finally chased away by customers, traders and taxi drivers who vowed to protect the precinct against protests. Their march was planned to last for a week, but it only took place on Monday. In one of the videos circulating on social…

Eleven years or so ago, the ANC expelled Julius Sello Malema from the party. When the governing party fired Malema, his political obituary was written. Or so it seemed. As they always say, it’s cold outside the ANC. However, a few years later, Malema rose like a Phoenix and started a new chapter of his political life: Juju established a new political party and named it the Economic Freedom Fighters, popularly known as EFF. Some of the ANCYL members, including Floyd Shivambu (his henchman), joined him in his new political party. Since its inception, Shivambu has been – and still is – the deputy president of the red berets. This year, the EFF is celebrating its 10th year of existence. The pertinent question is: do Red Berets have something to…

The Banyana Banyana Fifa Women’s World Cup squad announcement and send-off gala dinner was a shambles at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Friday night. But Banyana coach Desiree Ellis remained unbowed and dutifully read out the final list of 23 players who will represent South Africa at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. She also read out the names of three standby players who will travel with the team but will return home a few days after the final squad is submitted to Fifa. The three standby players are Nthabiseng Majiya, Amogelang Motau and Regirl Ngobeni. Ellis said that in the event of injury or ill health, these players will provide cover for the squad which will be…

Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia won the Assen TT yesterday to extend his lead in the world championship standings, while pole sitter Marco Bezzecchi finished second, swapping their final positions from Saturday’s sprint race. Red Bull KTM’s Brad Binder had finished third but just as in the sprint, his podium was snatched away from him for a second time when he was demoted for exceeding track limits, handing third place to Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro. With the track outline tattooed on to his arm, Bagnaia probably knows the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ better than most and he did not put a foot wrong in hot conditions to take the chequered flag for his fourth race win of the season. Bagnaia moved up to 194 points in the standings and leads Jorge Martin by 35…

IT IS SHORTLY after sunrise, and Peter Mudenda looks for elephant tracks on a dirt road surrounded by mopane trees. Once a farmer, the 49-year-old gave up the plough several years ago when a massive forest protection project was launched in Binga, a remote semi-arid district in northern Zimbabwe. He now makes a living digging fire-guards, taking care of trees and keeping tabs on wildlife. “I was getting a good yield, but I was quick to appreciate that we could benefit more as a community from a conservancy,’’ Mudenda said. The conservancy is part of a wider project that makes money selling carbon credits, a financial tool aimed at tackling climate change. But in Zimbabwe, the model has been upended by a shock announcement that the government intends to claim…

It has been more than a year since Russia invaded Ukraine and the side effects of the war continue to have an impact on the global economy. Not only has the war squeezed the supply of commodities, but it has pushed up prices of these commodities to unprecedented levels, causing exa- cerbated food shortages and stoking inflation in many countries. Russia’s unjustified invasion in Ukraine has now also become a humanitarian issue as reports show that 354 000 Russian and Ukraine soldiers have been killed or injured in the war while critical infrastructure has also been damaged. When the war began, it sent shock waves to the global markets, especially in the food and energy markets. The war soared global prices as Ukraine is reported to be the world’s…

THE GLOBAL Risk Report of the World Economic Forum 2023 anticipates that as the world faces low growth, low co-operation, and enormous threats to human resilience and development, the opportunities and challenges that rapid technological advances offer can be the developing world’s saviour and false messiah. According to the report, “research and development into emerging technologies will continue at pace over the next decade, yielding advancements in AI, quantum computing and biotechnology … For countries that can afford it, these technologies will provide partial solutions to a range of emerging crises, from addressing new health threats and a crunch in healthcare capacity, to scaling food security and climate mitigation. For those that cannot, inequality and divergence will grow”. For us on the ground in South Africa, the question goes beyond…

Aside from being among the talented cast of Shaka iLembe captivating Mzansi, local actress Ziya Xulu is also one of the new faces on MTV Shuga Down South season 3. Also known as MTV Shuga, an MTV Staying Alive Foundation (SAF) initiative, is back with an exciting 10-part drama series. “I didn’t even think they were going to make another season,” Xulu tells IOL Entertainment. Xulu stars as Warona, a shy, queer teenager who loves music and is a good dancer struggling with weight issues and the death of a close friend. “I’m excited, especially with all the developments that have been made in television since the last season. “We’ve taken it to another level visually, talent-wise, authenticity-wise in so many ways to try to tell the stories as authentically…

Over the past few weeks, the temperatures have plummeted. By now everybody has all their jackets, jerseys and anything else to keep warm. Even though we can keep warm on the outside, our skin still suffers. Especially for those who have dry skin. Icy cold temperatures, low humidity and heaters all contribute to stripping the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, itchy and uncomfortable. Here are some tips on how to treat dry skin during winter. Moisturise regularly One of the primary ways to keep your skin hydrated is to moisturise frequently. It’s important to use a good-quality moisturiser that’s designed for dry skin. Apply it to your skin as soon as you get out of the shower to lock in moisture. Don’t take long hot showers…

Prominent liquidator’s ethics and behaviour called into question amid a brewing industry war “Liquidations have been weaponised in South Africa.” This was a tweet from forensic investigator Chad Thomas a few weeks ago. It appears that there may be a war on liquidators, as evidenced by the shooting of Cloete, 57, and his son Thomas Murray, 28, and the attempted hit on Advocate Vaughn Victor. The Murrays were involved in some of South Africa’s most contentious liquidations, including Bosasa, which was involved in countless allegations of state capture; and Victor has been involved in investigating the international cryptocurrency scheme Mirror Trading International and is at the forefront of the current liquidation into Forever Diamonds and Gold. Following the assassination of the Murrays, it came to light that there were serious…

Jina, the loggerhead sea turtle that survived a shark bite, appears to have adopted Durban as her new home following her release. The South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (Saambr) Ann Kunz said that Jina spent 11 months in Saambr’s Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World due to the partial amputation of both her front flippers after narrowly escaping becoming a tiger shark’s lunch near Umkomaas. “She was released at Cape Vidal in December 2022 and it did not take her long to head down to Durban which she seems to have adopted as her new home,” Kunz said. Kunz said that Jina was their favourite ‘Durban Undersea Club member’ and a shark bite survivor that continues to embrace life in Durban Bay. She said that Jina has…

POLICE in Garsfontein, working with private security, have arrested four suspects in connection with the rampant crime targeting businesses, particularly filling stations, in the Pretoria East area. Spokesperson for the Tshwane District SAPS, Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, said the police had been on high alert following a series of armed robberies that occurred in the area policed by the SAPS Garsfontein. “A joint task team comprising members of the SAPS and Brinant Security company was established to combat this criminal activity. Armed with a description of the suspects’ vehicle, the team worked tirelessly to apprehend the perpetrators and safeguard our community,” said Van Dyk. Last week, the task team conducted surveillance operations and at around 10pm, the Volkswagen Golf used by the purported criminals was identified while it was…

Famous music star Nadia Nakai has spoken out about the night her lover, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, was fatally shot in Durban. Nakai, who was in a relationship with Forbes, says when the news broke she did not think it was a fatal incident. She was a guest on the L-Tido podcast, where she spoke candidly about her reaction to the news. She said she communicated with Forbes shortly before he passed away. “It didn’t register that he was shot fatally at all until I got the news that it was fatal. I really thought he was shot in the shoulder or, like, in the leg,” said Nakai. She has also been writing lengthy messages about her grief on social media. “My Heart is shattered; this is not what our future…

Free State Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie is hopeful his Currie Cup champions will receive another invitation to participate in next season’s European Challenge Cup. The Cheetahs were crowned South Africa’s best domestic rugby team on Saturday after beating the Pumas 25-17 in the final in Bloemfontein. Fourie was chuffed about the win and voiced his team’s desire to play in another international competition. The Cheetahs had a string of bad luck after being booted from the United Rugby Championship’s predecessor, the Pro16, in 2020, making space for South Africa’s four other franchises in ProRugby after being the first local team, alongside the Southern Kings, to venture into European rugby. Since they were ejected from Europe, few opportunities to play against overseas clubs have come the way of the Bloemfontein-based…

Test centurions Michael Hooper and James Slipper will co-captain Australia in the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup this year, with coach Eddie Jones saying yesterday they “embody what it means to be a Wallaby”. It is the first time the Wallabies have installed two captains, with the inspirational Hooper now appointed leader of the national side under four separate coaches. “Michael and James are both world-class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby,” said Jones in announcing their appointment through 2023 among a 34-man squad for the Rugby Championship. “They have worked hard with the leadership group since January, and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.” Flank Hooper, who spent two months out of the…

Local football’s silly season is in full swing and over the next few days, it will feast on rumours and heaps of speculation around players and coaches. Locally, Kaizer Chiefs, being the country’s most popular club, attract the most attention even when their media officer is as quiet as a church mouse. A case in point is Golden Arrows winger Pule Mmodi and Marumo Gallants striker Ranga Chivaviro. Chiefs have not said a word about either player but for the past few days, these two players have kept Chiefs in the spotlight. It has been reported that Mmodi has opted to sign for Chiefs rather than their arch rivals Orlando Pirates. The source who leaked the information was informed enough to know that Bafana Bafana international Mmodi would have received…