Table of contents for 2024-01-08 in Star

Large drop in share prices earlier last year was probably overdone, says Rode’s Report A BOUNCE back in listed property share prices in the fourth quarter of last year continued into the new year as the market became more convinced inflation was under control and that interest rates would begin to decline a few times in 2024. However, by December 20, the South African Listed Property Index (Sapy) was still below pre-Covid levels, according to the latest Rode’s Report on the South African Property Market. This suggested that the large drop in property share prices earlier in the year was probably overdone, the report said. Share prices of many Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) bounced back in November and December. The Sapy had risen by about 10% to December…

WORLD food prices fell in 2023, with consid- erable declines for grains and oils as supply concerns eased, the UN’s Food and Agri- culture Organisation (FAO) said on Friday. Overall, world food commodity prices fell 13.7% in 2023 against the previous year, the Rome-based FAO said. The FAO’s cereals price index fell 15.4%, “reflecting well sup- plied global markets” compared to 2022, when prices soared after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a major grain exporter. While supply concerns eased for wheat and maize, the opposite was true for rice due to the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon and India restricting exports. Rice prices jumped 21% last year. The vegetable oil price index posted the biggest fall last year, dropping 32.7% thanks to improved sup- plies and…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana on Friday gazetted a notice of with- drawal of the notice of maximum fines for improper conduct of registered auditors issued on June 15, 2023, and issued a new maximum fine notice for a comment period of 30 days. The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (Irba) said in a statement on Friday it wished to clarify that this did not reverse the notice of maximum fines for improper conduct as promulgated by the Minister and these would remain applicable for improper conduct committed from June 15, 2023, until the adoption of the new notice for maximum fines after the comment period. In terms of the notice in June, an individual auditor may be fined up to R5 million per charge and an audit firm may…

Famous faces from Leonardo DiCaprio to Michael Jackson and Donald Trump have been named in sensational court documents identifying associates of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Cate Blanchett, Professor Stephen Hawking and Bill Clinton are also among the celebrities listed in newly-released filings after an order for the documents to be made public was handed down by New York judge Loretta Preska in relation to the 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. More than 100 names are included in the new files, which will include emails, legal documents, depositions and more – though there is no suggestion many of those named are accused of any wrongdoing. They have also put the spotlight back on Prince Andrew’s relationship with Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail…

Embattled pair dismiss damning Outa report as organisation calls for their resignations Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) chairperson Ernest Khosa dismissed yet another damning investigative report by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa). On Thursday, Outa released its latest report following a series of similar investigative reports into tender corruption and mismanagement of student funds at NSFAS, while calling for Nzimande and Khosa’s resignation. The report follows leaked voice recordings of meetings between Khosa and a representative of a service provider as well as a third unknown person. Khosa reportedly met Thula Ntumba, the husband of Tshegofatso Ntumba, a Coinvest director. Coinvest is one of four service providers appointed for the disbursement of student funding. A previous…

The Buthelezi clan under the leadership of the newly installed Inkosi Zuzifa kaMangosuthu Buthelezi has refuted claims of objection to his ascendency to the throne. A week after his installation, early in December last year, a letter purportedly penned by KwaSalabengafi House objecting to his installation emerged on social media platforms. The letter, which was seen by The Star’s sister paper, the Daily News dated December 15, 2023, said the then Prince Zuzifa was not heir to the throne since the position of the Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan is in the house of Mceleni Mbongwefile Buthelezi who, according to the letter, was the heir to the throne after the death of Inkosi Mathole. Mceleni was the half-brother of Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi who were both sons of Inkosi…

The ANC and SACP have paid tribute to Struggle stalwart Joe Slovo. Slovo, who died on January 6, 1995, was a revered Marxist-Leninist who was also a long-time leader and theorist within the SACP and the ANC. He was also a commander of the ANC’s military wing, uMkhonto weSizwe. On Saturday, on the 29th anniversary of his passing, ANC second deputy secretary-general Maropene Ramokgopa delivered a message on behalf of the ANC, while SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila delivered a keynote address at the Joe Slovo Commemoration held at Avalon Cemetery. Mapaila said Slovo had denounced apartheid, fascism and imperialism and had dedicated his life to fighting for the marginalised, adding that if he were alive today, he would have denounced the war in Palestine. “Slovo attached great importance to…

A large loggerhead turtle with multiple injuries to her head was admitted into the care of uShaka Sea World Turtle Rehabilitation staff. The turtle was admitted while families across the world were preparing for New Year’s Eve festivities. South African Association for Marine Biological Research spokesperson Ann Kunz said the turtle had been named Delena – the closest they could come to a female version of the name of her initial rescuer, Dylan van Deventer. “She had suffered multiple injuries to her head and clearly needed medical attention, so the kind and caring staff from iSimangaliso Wetland Park made the three-hour journey from Bhanga Nek to uShaka Sea World,” Kunz said. Bhanga Nek lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park just north of Sodwana Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Kunz…

MORE than two decades ago Nkosana Makate came up with a “brilliant idea” which was rated as “a world first – the concept behind the Please Call Me service in 2000 while he was working as a trainee accountant at Vodacom. His idea was eventually developed by Vodacom. At the time, the cellphone giant was Makate’s employer, and his idea was developed into one of Vodacom’s most successful products. It has over the years generated billions of rand for Vodacom. But the concept has been the subject of many legal battles from the high court to the Supreme Court of Appeal. It even made it to the Constitutional Court and is back in the appeal court. Meanwhile, Makate is a patient man. Vodacom reckons that his invention is worth…

THE marathon sex trial of Rivers of Living Waters Church leader Bishop Bafana Stephen Zondo, is far from over, with the charismatic pastor expected to present his defence this year on 10 mostly rape charges. All of Zondo’s alleged seven victims have testified before the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria since the start of the trial towards the end of 2021. The prosecution is expected to wrap up its evidence when the trial resumes on February 19. Although it is not confirmed that Zondo will testify in his own defense, it is anticipated that he will do so. Armed with one of the top criminal advocates in the country, Piet Pistorius, the court was on numerous occasions told that Zondo will testify that his alleged victims are all out to either…

Shebesxht, real name Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke, has left his fans alarmed after claiming that there are certain people plotting to kill him. Chauke wrote a post on his Instagram account saying: “They hired people to kill me. Pray for me.” While people were still in shock, a traditional healer, identified as Mkhulu Qheba, shared a video with a stern warning to Shebeshxt about his life. He explained a message was shared with him about Shebeshxt and further cautioned him against eating or drinking when he performs in the Vaal. “I was taken to a place. This place is in the Vaal. It looks like Sweet Pops lifestyle, I don’t know if there are people who know Sweet Pops Lifestyle. So you were in one of the sections with Mkhulu. But…

SA’s case against Israel tests rules-based international order South Africa has launched a case with the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Genocide Convention, on account of acts committed by Israel in Gaza. The ICJ is the highest judicial organ of the UN. Unlike the International Criminal Court (ICC), which conducts proceedings against private individuals, the ICJ deals with legal disputes between states. Chapter XIV of the United Nations Charter allows the UNSC to enforce orders and rulings of the ICJ. Contrary to popular belief, the UNSC has no veto over ICJ judgments, but under article 94(2) of the UN Charter, the Security Council can “decide upon measures to be taken to give effect to the judgment”. Thus, the UNSC is authorised to ensure compliance of ICJ orders…

CONSTRUCTION will be one of very few economic sectors that will hit 2024 running in South Africa as activity reached seven-year highs in 2023 off a low base following years of under investment on infrastructure, and the impact of the high interest rate environment. A key indicator of the construction sector, the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI), reached its highest level in nearly seven years in the three months to September. The index also measures data from informal sector construction-related sales, while Statistics SA’s (StatsSA)construction data only measures the formal sector. Similarly, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index released in December, although still at a low level with almost 60% of respondents dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions, painted an upbeat picture of the sector, with sub-indices related to growth in activity gaining…

SHIPPING giant Maersk said on Friday that it would divert all vessels around Africa instead of using the Red Sea and Suez Canal for the “foreseeable future” after Yemeni rebels attacked its merchant ships. The Danish company cited the highly volatile situation and noted that the security risk remains high. “We have therefore decided that all Maersk vessels due to transit the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden will be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future,” it said in a statement. On Tuesday, the shipping giant said it would not resume passage on the route “until further notice” after putting it on hold over following an attack on the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou. On Sunday last week, the Den- mark-owned and operated container vessel, which was travelling…

GLOBAL energy trading giant Vitol and one of its traders will pay $2.3 million (about R43m) to settle charges by US energy authorities that it manipulated the power market in California in 2013, a regulatory filing showed last week. The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) said Vitol would pay $2.225m and its Texas-based power trader Federico Corteggiano would pay $75 000 in civil penalties to fully resolve the charges. In 2014, Ferc’s enforcement office undertook an investigation of Vitol’s trading activity in California’s electric power market during the week of October 28, 2013. In October 2019, Ferc sought more than $3.5m from Vitol, alleging that Vitol and Corteggiano violated federal market manipulation rules through a scheme to sell physical power at a loss to cause prices in…

WHILE former ANC president and Umkhonto weSizwe Party leader Jacob Zuma continues to drum up support for the newly launched party, the ANC, which is currently preparing for its January 8 Statement, has vowed to act against him. On Friday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, while addressing the media on the sidelines of an ongoing ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Mbombela, said the party would in time act “ideologically against Zuma”. Mbalula said the ANC had no problem with people forming their own political parties, but those people should not use ANC assets when trying to launch their parties. “People have the right to form political parties. However, if they do so by trying to illegally appropriate our assets, we will use the law to challenge them. “Call it…

The ANC says it is gunning for the hearts and minds of the people to ensure that it wins the upcoming elections convincingly this year. The ANC, which is currently preparing for its much-anticipated January 8 Statement to be addressed by party leader Cyril Ramaphosa next Saturday, has been meeting in Mpumalanga to drum up support for its upcoming programme in celebration of its 112th anniversary following a series of NEC meetings in Mbombela. Ahead of the statement, the task team on coalitions led by Parks Tau and David Makhura held a media briefing on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium. Makhura and Tau delivered a report which sought to outline the Municipal Coalition Framework that was adopted by the NEC. The task team was established in April 2023 with…

We don’t call January, Janu-worry for nothing. School fees, clothes and stationery top the list of nail-biting worries that most citizens across Mzansi will wrestle with over the next few weeks. This leads to Stress, with a capital S, and that is because many cannot afford to make ends meet. It’s common knowledge that South Africans of all income brackets regularly struggle with their finances. According to a 2022 study, most middle-income people spend 80% of their earnings within five days of pay day. “The trend also points to a continued culture of consumption, leaving consumers with little to start saving and investing for financial independence,” said then-CEO of FNB Retail, Raj Makanjee. An increasing proportion of South Africans use credit cards to purchase necessities. Economic stagnation and high inflation…

ESTABLISHED in 2007, the 10111 emergency call centre number was meant to bridge the gap between victims of crime and the police, and ensure fast and efficient response from law enforcement and emergency services. With the main Command Centre operated from Midrand in Gauteng and built at a cost of R600 million, the system operates a toll-free number to call from any landline, and which charges minimum tariffs when called from a cellphone. It was established to bring a sense of police visibility and trust in law enforcement and emergency personnel to communities. But, over the years and despite promises to upgrade, adequately staff, and refurbish, it has elicited dissatisfaction from communities across the country, and complaints that they felt let them down at their most vulnerable, forcing many to…

Ingredients Dumpling Ingredients: 250g flour 2ml baking powder 2ml salt 60g margarine 50ml cold water Stew Ingredients: 1kg stewing steak, cubed 25 ml sunflower oil 2 large onions, chopped 4 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced 1 packet Royco® Beef and Vegetable Soup 600 ml water Vegetarian Replace the beef in this recipe with cubes of aubergine and the suggested soup with Royco® Minestrone Soup. Serve your veggie stew with the soft dumplings. Dumpling Cooking Instructions: Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Rub in the margarine, add the water and mix into a soft dough. Stew Cooking Instructions: Heat oil, brown onions, then add the stewing steak and brown. Add the soup powder mixed with 600 ml water. Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour. Uncover and…

A learning organisation is one that actively promotes and supports a culture of continuous learning and growth. It recognises that learning is not limited to formal training programmes but is an ongoing process that occurs through daily experiences and interactions. The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) plays a vital role in regulating and promoting the highest standards of expertise and professionalism within the industry. With our mission to ensure the delivery of sustainable and quality-built environments, it is important for us to reflect on our past experiences. It is through reflection that we are able to analyse critically our successes and failures, identify areas for improvement, and gain valuable insights for future decision-making. This introspection enables the CBE to learn from its mistakes, make informed changes, and continuously enhance…

The Sharks are already knee-deep in trouble in the URC after an eighth loss of the season at the weekend against the Lions. And if head coach John Plumtree and his players can’t rectify the mistakes they are making, it could spill over into the European Challenge Cup over the next two weekends. Should that happen, it will add to the misery in Durban and probably mean the end to their chances of challenging for any silverware in 2024. The Lions’ comeback win at Kings Park was an all-new low for the Sharks and condemned them to the bottom of the URC points table. Any home team having a healthy 18-3 lead at half-time after scoring two well-worked tries, but then giving that lead up for a 20-18 loss, should…

CONSUMER prices in South Africa have been forecast to average around the midpoint of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) target range for the first time since 2021, on the back of slowing global oil prices that could also result in easing interest rates. However, economists have warned that consumer price inflation (CPI) risks were to the upside, including potential rand weakness, rising food prices and the global shipping crisis. Headline inflation in 2023 remained above the 4.5% midpoint of the inflation target range as a result of volatility in fuel prices, the impact of severe rotational load shedding and logistical challenges at South Africa’s ports later in the year. But the petrol price fell by 76 cents a litre this week and diesel by R1.18/litre, after falling by 64c/litre…

IN 2024 WE will be celebrating 30 years of our democracy. Millions of people were given an opportunity to vote a new democratic government into power for the first time in 1994. This was the result of the visionary leadership of two of the most esteemed political leaders of our time, the late presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk. Both realised that South Africa could no longer continue with its race-based system of exclusion, in short apartheid. A system characterised by marginalisation, disenfranchisement, forced removals, job reservation and militarisation of the State, especially against its black citizens. De Klerk, erstwhile leader of the National Party, and Mandela, leader of the ANC, were instrumental in laying a firm foundation for the establishment of a free and democratic South Africa through…

The year is only a week old and there is already a show that is dominating headlines, conversations and viewers’ leisure time. Fool Me Once, a crime thriller which was released on Netflix on New Year’s Day, has viewers on the edge of their seats as the riveting series continues to capture the attention of audiences across the globe. In fact, the eight-part offering from renowned American writer Harlan Coben is trending among the most viewed shows in most parts of the world. This includes the US, UK and South Africa, where it secured the top spot for the number one most watched television programme on the streaming platform, for most of last week. Fool Me Once centres around the Stern family, whose world is rocked when their patriarch Joe…

THE National Department of Health says it is working with the provinces to address the issue of post-community service on behalf of unemployed doctors. This comes after the SA Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) revealed that current data from a recent survey showed more than 800 qualified doctors remained unemployed following the completion of their two years of medical internship and one year of community service. Samatu general secretary Cedric Sihlangu said despite the department overseeing a rigorous 3-year practicum for medical graduates, there was a lack of strategy to keep these skilled doctors on board post-training. “Annually, the department cites budget constraints as a barrier to hiring qualified medical doctors, yet no substantial measures are evident to solve the funding dilemma,” said Sihlangu. He said this contributed to the…

THE death toll in KwaZulu-Natal has risen to at least 40 following storms in December and early January that left a trail of death and destruction in various parts of the province. This is according to the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) on Saturday.Cogta spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said the death toll had increased as the department’s teams continue with assessments in different areas. “As our teams continue with assessments, the number of people who have tragically passed away has increased to 40, with five still reported as missing,” he said. In recent incidents, Mngadi said, three drownings were reported in the Harry Gwala District, while two farmworkers were killed when they were struck by lightning in Bergville. “We also confirm that two people have been discovered…

It has long been accepted that Cape Town is the semigration capital of South Africa and a magnet for international property buyers, but it appears that Gauteng is not far behind when it comes to attracting foreign currency spend. Real estate professionals say that while the Mother City is drawing in luxury homebuyers from Gauteng and abroad, South African expats are snapping up property in the country’s economic powerhouse. Expats are returning to South Africa in droves and, contrary to popular opinion, they are not all settling in the Western Cape, says Rory O’Hagan, Chas Everitt International’s principal in Hyde Park and Sandton. “A very large percentage are actually buying homes in Gauteng, and in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg in particular. We receive enquiries daily from South Africans of…

WITH the festive season wound down, the medical sector says blood stocks remained low, which could adversely affect those who required life-saving procedures in which blood transfusion was needed. The sector said the festive season presents a challenge every year of maintaining an adequate blood supply, and urged people to donate as much as possible to ensure that stocks are replenished as and when they are required. “Regular blood donors go on vacation, schools and workplaces close, and recently fluctuating weather conditions often lead to the cancellation of mobile blood drives, which account for many of the blood units collected daily,” the SA National Blood Service (SANBS). Calling on both current and potential donors to help boost blood stocks by giving blood nationwide, they appealed to everyone to find the…

This Cape Malay coconut curry served with charred apricots is the perfect supper meat-free supper dish. Ingredients Charred apricots 250g dried apricots salt and freshly cracked black pepper Cape Malay coconut curry 3 Tbsp Canola oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 Tbsp of your favourite masala curry mix 1 tin coconut milk 2 boxes Fry’s Spicy Pieces To serve handful of sultanas handful of roasted cashew nuts, crushed handful fresh coriander, chopped Method Charred apricots Skewer the dried apricots on satay/ kebab sticks, drizzle with oil and season with cracked salt and pepper. Cook over hot coals, turning frequently until charred. Cape Malay coconut curry Heat a little of the oil in a skillet, add the the onion and fry until golden, then add…

On the contrary, any delay would make a bad, chaotic situation worse. First, with the proliferation of political parties happening weekly, we would possibly end up having more political parties than voters – a scenario that would inevitably guarantee the ANC a majority win. Secondly, postponing would be playing into the hands of unscrupulous politicians who are determined to win by any means possible, by affording them enough time to acquire as many fake SA IDs as possible for foreigners who are promised a better life in South Africa if they vote for a particular political party. It would be naive for South Africans to hope for free and fair elections this time; the stakes are high and vote-rigging will be part of the game, for those who do not…

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal pulled out of the forthcoming Australian Open yesterday with a “micro tear on a muscle” barely a week after making his comeback from a year-long injury absence, but said he remained positive. The 37-year-old had been out of the game since injuring his hip at last year’s Australian Open, undergoing surgery before making his return at the Brisbane International. He won his opening two matches in straight sets and looked in good touch, but needed a medical timeout towards the end of his quarter-final loss to Australia’s Jordan Thompson after feeling pain in his upper left thigh. “During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that, as you know, made me worried,” he said on X. “Once I got to…

Audi veteran Stephane Peterhansel left his rivals trailing in the dust on Stage 2 of the Dakar Rally yesterday in a treacherous 463km race through the winding dunes of the Saudi desert. Only nine-time rally world champion Sebastien Loeb got anywhere near Peterhansel, finishing 29 seconds behind him as American rookie Seth Quintero came home third, trailing by 3:11. The 58-year-old Peterhansel scooped his 50th Dakar Rally stage win to become joint record holder with Ari Vatanen. “I stopped counting a long time ago, but it’s good to know I can still beat him,” Peterhansel said. But the result leaves Audi’s Carlos Sainz sr in the overall lead at 8:49:38, with a lead of 1:51 over Saudi Arabian Yazeed Al Rajhi, who came fifth yesterday, while Loeb sits third at…