Table of contents for 2024-03-07 in Star

THE RMB/BER business confidence index (BCI) fell only marginally in the first three months, to 30 points from 31 points, but it is well below the neutral level of 50 points, as all five categories of business confidence readings were depressed. “Taking a slightly longer perspective shows a concerning picture, as less than four out of 10 survey respondents were satisfied with prevailing business conditions for seven consecutive quarters,” said RMB’s chief economist and head of research, Isaah Mhlanga. He said business conditions had deteriorated further in the first quarter. “The same supply constraints, including load shedding, logistical challenges, and heightened global and domestic policy uncertainty, keep South African businesses in a stranglehold,” he said. Another drag came from lacklustre demand, which was insufficient to sustain production…

THERE are many different paths entrepreneurs take to realise their dreams and fund a business idea. For some, the journey is a straight-forward trajectory from getting a business loan to selling the first product or service. For others, the journey to success takes many twists and turns, and necessitates an iteration – or even a pivot, to get the formula 100% right. Although there are many tried-and-tested principles that entrepreneurs use to get ahead, these four methods are invaluable steps in the process to the success of a small and medium enterprise (SME): 1. Assess and identify the opportunity Entrepreneurs are known to be eternal optimists – when you believe in a business idea wholeheartedly and have invested emotional and mental resources into formulating it, it can be hard…

MUSTEK’s headline earnings fell 58.81% to 91.34 cents a share in the six months to December, after revenue fell due to a marked decline in green energy product sales, but it is banking on AI to also drive future growth. “We are cautiously optimistic that the AI PC will bring a new round of potential growth in the PC market,” the ICT supplier’s directors said in the interim results. They said they would continue to drive market share growth from the group’s IT stack, such as network and infrastructure, and continue to ensure efficiency in its operations. The recent release of AI-capable systems by original equipment manufacturers, together with a strong focus from operating system providers in 2024, was likely to drive fresh demand in the commercial sector, Mustek…

THE age-old saying, “Be careful what you wish for”, takes centre stage in Lindsay Lohan’s movie Irish Wish, which releases on Netflix on March 15. Apart from the spectacular backdrop of Ireland, a widely relatable theme and an esteemed cast, the romantic comedy also marks a welcome return for the 37-year-old actress, who exploded onto the big screen as a child star in the 1990s. After getting her big break on The Parent Trap in 1998, Lohan starred in big Hollywood productions such as Mean Girls, Freaky Friday and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen in the ’90s and 2000s. But her career experienced a highly-publicised setback in 2007, when she was involved in several personal and legal battles. From being arrested and put on probation, to substance abuse issues,…

Sithembiso Lawrence Mdlalose, the man who confessed to starting the fire that resulted in the death of 76 people at the Usindiso Building in Marshalltown on August 31, 2023, has issued a statement that contradicts his initial confession, according to his lawyer. In January, Mdlalose confessed to having set the building on fire after trying to conceal a murder of one of the residents, resulting in the entire five-storey building being set alight. However, his legal representative, Dumisani Mabunda, indicated that his client has now issued a new statement that contradicts his initial version. This would result in a trial-within-a-trial in which the admissibility of his earlier confession will be tested, he said. “The accused was taken to a police station for the pointing out. However, at the police station,…

A NEWLY registered political party, the Economic Liberators Forum (ELF), is ready to take on the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) over a logo and the alleged similarity of its name to that of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). On Monday, the party lost an appeal against the decision of the IEC to refuse to register them to contest the upcoming general elections. The commission barred the ELF’s attempt to register its party last week following the EFF’s complaint to the IEC about the party’s registration. The Red Berets’ argument was that the new party’s logo and colours, as well as its name, were similar to theirs and were intended to confuse voters come May 29. However, ELF party president Hulisani Mani insists they are willing to go to the…

Media mogul Basetsana Kumalo has pleaded with the Randburg Magistrate’s Court to put author Jackie Phamotse behind bars for defamation. The court found Phamotse guilty of criminal defamation, crimen injuria and contempt of court last year. During sentencing proceedings in court on Tuesday, Kumalo took the stand to read out her victim impact statement. She said Phamotse’s defamatory comments had a devastating impact on her family. She also told the court she had been to the court 51 times seeking justice. In her statement, Kumalo pleaded with the court to give Phamotse direct imprisonment and detailed how the court case affected her family emotionally, mentally and financially. Phamotse’s legal troubles began in 2018 when she claimed in a tweet that Romeo Kumalo had been engaging in sex with other men.…

The collaborative efforts of the University of Pretoria (UP), hearX Foundation, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and hearX Group brought about a successful World Hearing Day event in Atteridgeville on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in community health involvement. Drawing over 500 community members, including over 200 young children who received hearing screenings, the event underscored the critical necessity for accessible ear and hearing care. It also showcased the power of collaborative effort in addressing global health challenges. Professor De Wet Swanepoel from UP and Tersia de Kock from the hearX Foundation set the stage with addresses that emphasised the importance of healthy hearing and its foundational role in fostering communication, relationships, and overall quality of life. The high rate of participation mirrored the World Health Organization’s concerning estimates that one…

IMMEDIATE short-term interventions for the management of alien invasive plants in the Vaal River include the revision of the integrated control approach which will assess the use of a herbicide that is registered with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy provided an update on Tuesday on the clearing of alien invasive plants in the Vaal River by Rand Water. Officials last month back-tracked on their bid to use sub-lethal chemicals to clear the Vaal River following a growing public outcry over the long-term effects on the river. Since December 2023, the Vaal River has been overrun with water lettuce and some water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic species originating in South America, with…

An ELDERLY woman who was not aware that she was fraudulently divorced from her estranged husband, who tried to evict her from her home, had the divorce revoked by the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg. The former couple got married in community of property in September 1981 and built a house in Meadowlands, Soweto. The woman, 67, still lives in the house. In May 2010, the husband instituted divorce proceedings in the regional court. He was represented by a firm of attorneys, Sarlie & Ismail Inc. The wife was self-represented. On May 8, 2012, she was served with a notice to attend a pre-trial conference. However, prior to the date of the pre-trial conference, the husband’s attorneys filed a notice of withdrawal of action on April 18, 2012. During the same…

Mazda has confirmed that its BT-50 bakkie range will no longer be sold in South Africa. The latest-generation BT-50, which is based on the Isuzu D-Max and imported from Thailand, has been a slow seller on the local market. In the past six months, an average of just nine units per month were registered. Earlier versions of the BT-50, locally produced and based on previous generations of the Ford Ranger, were a more common sight on local roads. But the latest version simply could not compete as a fully imported model. “The South African LCV, and in particular the double cab market, is extremely well developed and competitive with locally manufactured brands and nameplates dominating sales,” said Craig Roberts, MD of Mazda Southern Africa. “This factor, as well as an…

The bad news for Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe is that they have suffered hand injuries playing overseas, but the good news for Springbok fans is that they will be fit well in time for the June start of the international season. The Boks warm up for their massive two-Test series against Ireland with a June 22 international against Wales at Twickenham in London. Kolisi has has undergone successful surgery on his hand following an injury he sustained while playing for his club, Racing 92, against Bordeaux last week. The injury was not serious enough to prevent him from completing the game, but a minor operation was subsequently required. Last year, when Kolisi was recovering from a knee operation, he kept South Africa updated with lively posts on social media…

Max Verstappen will return to Saudi Arabia and the scene of a rare defeat last season expecting to face an inquisition this week about his future and that of his Red Bull team. After a turbulent week of stories, speculation and a majestic triumph at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the three-time world champion will need to draw again on his deep well of mental resilience to steer clear of trouble on and off the track. Last year, he was undone by a driveshaft problem in qualifying and started 15th on the grid. He charged forward to finish second behind teammate Sergio Perez, one of only two races won by the Mexican. This time, after a season-opening win last Saturday, he will be seeking a ninth consecutive victory and a 100th…

DURING a media briefing on the advancements in the collaboration between the government and business to boost economic growth, the Presidency underscored the goal of achieving 3% to 5% economic growth and generating 2.5 million jobs by 2030, despite the significant challenges faced by South Africa. This goal seems unreachable after Statistics SA on Tuesday released GDP data which showed the GDP only increased 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023 over the previous three months, only narrowly avoiding a technical recession. However, logistics consultancy Gain said yesterday that the GDP last year would have been above 5% instead of the reported 0.6% if it did not have headwinds, such as logistics constraints that cost the country R1 billion a day, among other woes such as electricity. There…

SMALL AND MEDIUM enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa have weathered some severe storms over the past five years. The Covid-19 pandemic, the riots in KwaZulu-Natal, record levels of load shedding and extreme weather have put their resilience and adaptability to the test. This context highlights why every SME needs to be proactive in anticipating and mitigating threats to its business. Let’s look at some of the most common threats and risks SMEs face, as well as the steps they can take to protect themselves. Power outages and load shedding South Africans endured 332 days of load shedding in 2023, and so far, 2024 has not been much better. While load shedding has become a way of life for SMEs, proactive business owners need to plan for higher stages of load…

THE SOUTH African stock market found itself in ignominious company in February, alongside the Spanish bourse and the UK mid-cap index, as the only major stock market indices to deliver a negative performance for the month (FTSE/JSE Capped Swix Index) -2.3% month-on-month (m/m)). A raft of earnings announcements and trading updates mainly delivered disappointing news for shareholders. The bourse’s strongest performer, MultiChoice (+39% m/m), was buoyed by the announcement of a buyout offer from French media company Vivendi Canal+. Still, outside of that, there was very little to get excited about, perhaps with the exception of global luxury goods company Richemont (+9% m/m). Miners (-7% m/m) were the biggest drag on performance as falling commodity prices put pressure on earnings. Platinum miners (-12% m/m) were among the…

Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee’s newfound faith has recently sparked curiosity among fans. In a video which went viral on social media last month, the world-renowned musician, whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo, was seen making a public declaration of faith. This spiritual awakening comes in the wake of a harrowing plane crash the DJ was involved in earlier this year. The award-winning DJ, record producer and songwriter sustained significant injuries while travelling on his private plane from Brazil to Argentina. The plane experienced severe air turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing at Montevideo Airport in Uruguay. This prompted the musician to embark on a spiritual journey and, in the video, Black Coffee is seen stepping forward during a church service. Following the accident, Black Coffee said he…

Five men accused of killing Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, popular chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, made their second appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court where more charges of money laundering were added. The suspects, who appeared briefly in court yesterday, now face 12 charges after the State added two more counts related to money laundering relating to R800 000 payment. A police investigation shared earlier indicated that on February 10, 2023, at approximately 2pm, R800 000 was deposited into the First National Bank (FNB) account of businessman Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni. The money was paid to and deposited into the account of the man who the police believe assembled the murderous group, hours before the two were shot to death. The case has been postponed to March 14, when the…

AKA’s bodyguard, Anwar Khan, says the seven men in police custody for the murder of the South African rapper were “small fish”, while he believes the mastermind is still at large. “The mastermind is not among them. You can see that. You can see that these are the small fish. “We want to look the mastermind, the one who actually hired these guys, in the eye. We want to see him go to prison,” he said. Khan owns The Pentagon Group, a private security agency that has provided close protection for the likes of TD Jakes, Joe Thomas and Chris Brown. Police in South Africa have arrested five men in connection with the murder of AKA and his friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in KZN, Natasha…

FROM hair policies to a strict underwear dress code for girls, to enforcing obligatory school uniform rules – these are some of the issues that the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found to infringe on a learner’s right to dignity and that could lead to a lack of access to education for some pupils. The SAHRC tabled a report on its investigation into school uniforms before the portfolio committee on basic education after noting an increase in reports of alleged over regulation of school uniforms and the appearance of learners. The commission found there was no legitimate purpose for regulating hair length, applying different standards to male and female learners, disallowing natural hair, enforcing gender-stereotypical uniforms, regulating the colour of girls’ hair and underwear, and treating appearance and uniform violations…

Ingredients 90g chana flour 120g cake flour 1 tsp ground turmeric (add a pinch of black pepper; it helps with absorption) 1 tsp leaf masala (heaped) ½ an onion, grated or finely chopped 1 tsp salt 1 chilli, finely chopped (optional) 2 spinach leaves or handful baby spinach, finely chopped 1 cup water 2 tsp baking powder Oil, for deep-frying Method Sift all the dry ingredients, except the baking powder, into a bowl. Add the wet ingredients, then add enough water to form a dough with a thick consistency. Add the baking powder. Heat cooking oil until medium hot. Add a teaspoonful of dough to test whether the oil is hot enough. When it rises to the top, the oil is ready. Add tablespoonfuls of dough in batches and fry…

Even though pointing a plastic “toy gun” may be seen as a harmless and playful act, security and crime intelligence experts have warned could land people in trouble with the law and possible attack by violent criminals. While the prevalence of guns in South Africa has been a sore point for those involved in law enforcement for some time, some experts have raised concerns about the use of fake guns. Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis said the legal position in South Africa was that it was a violation of the law to point a firearm at someone, regardless of whether the gun is loaded or not. In addition, section 120 (6) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 strictly prohibits the act of pointing any firearm, antique firearm, airgun or…

Five people have appeared in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court in the North West, facing charges of fraud and money laundering, after a man was conned out of R290 000. The Hawks identified the five accused as Tehogo Kgang, 31; Tebogo Chosi, 32; Tlale Tshabalala, 46; Lebogang Sedumedi, 47; and Zamile Maroti, 51. The five allegedly conned a man who had received more than R800 000 from the Road Accident Fund (RAF). “On July 16, 2021, the complainant received over R800 000 from the Road Accident Fund. “That same month, he was approached by three suspects, who claimed to be employees of the RAF. “They told the RAF beneficiary to install a banking app on his phone to access the remaining money from the RAF. After installing the app, the suspects…

It was World Obesity Day on Monday, March 4. Did you observe it, especially if you look like a walrus? Obesity has become a growing worldwide problem, but more so in the First World countries. The world’s human population reached the 8 billion mark in January this year, and according to recent statistics, one billion of us are not just fat but obese. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it’s alarmed that there are so many obese people on Earth. The worst affected are women. The World Obesity Atlas, which monitors obesity, predicts that 50% of South African women will be too fat by 2030. Joining them are the children. But you don’t need these figures to show that obesity is a growing concern in the country. Go to any…

The 2024 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition is entering its toughest phase as the testing days get under way in Gauteng. This year’s competition, once again sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, sees strong representation across many walks of automotive life, from the R236 900 Citroen C3 in the Budget category right through to the R2.8 million Mercedes EQS. The 18 finalists, spread through eight categories, will be put through their paces in a combination of road, track and, where applicable, off-road test modules over two days. The circuit testing will take place through a series of modules at Zwartkops Raceway, which includes skidpan testing to simulate wet weather driving. The local COTY competition is one of the few in the world that conducts physical testing of this…

Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson has made a bold claim ahead of Saturday’s Soweto derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. Chiefs registered their first win of the year on Tuesday night – ending a three-game winless and goalless streak – as they beat Golden Arrows 1-0. That win, which was inspired by Wandile Duba’s solo goal, couldn’t have come at a better time for the Amakhosi, who’ll visit the Buccaneers in their next clash. A Soweto derby win is one of the two things – alongside a top-three finish in the DStv Premiership – that Chiefs can still salvage from the season. The Glamour Boys have stretched their barren run to nine seasons, having missed out on the MTN8, Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup, while the league…

DESPITE elevated demand for platinum group metals (PGMs), global supply levels of the precious and key auto-industry metal are set to fall this year, partly dragged down by mining companies, including big South African operators, that are closing loss-making shafts and laying off workers. South Africa, alongside neighbouring Zimbabwe, has the world’s largest reserves of platinum. The two countries have attracted heavy investment from miners such as Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum and Sibanye-Stillwater, among other smaller players. But with the global platinum market less rosy, with prices continuously falling, investment and production sentiment is faltering. The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) said yesterday that global mine supply of platinum for 2023 marked a 1% uplift to 5.6 million ounces from reduced supply levels of the previous year. This…

MURRAY & Roberts massively reduced its attributable loss to R95 million in the six months to December 31, off a smaller business, from a R2.53 billion loss at the same time last year, and it has also drastically cut debt. The lower loss, debt and other changes at the group likely met with investor favour, as the share price surged 7.44% yesterday to close at R1.30 on the JSE. The order book stood at R14.7bn, versus R16.1bn last year. Net debt fell to R247m from R1.97bn. The group, once one of South Africa’s biggest construction and engineering groups, has become much smaller since the voluntary administration of its Australian subsidiaries in December 2022, which followed the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the Clough Limited subsidiary. Today, Murray &…

Marc Lottering’s So I Wrote That Musical is coming to the small screen . The renowned comedian’s latest success, which will debut on kykNET&kie at the end of this month, is set to take audiences on a hilarious journey through his life adventures. The show is a fusion of stand-up comedy and musical vibes as it centres on Lottering reflecting on his experience of straddling both worlds. So I Wrote That Musical was first brought to life last year when it was staged in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. It received rave reviews, and now the rest of the nation will get a chance to watch Lottering’s comedic and musical showcase at home on their television screens. “I’m very happy to be back in people’s homes,” Lottering said of the…

Some spaza shop owners in Tembisa and other parts of Ekurhuleni have reported that they have been receiving death threats from their foreign national counterparts. This week, a Tembisa-based spaza shop owner spoke of how, after raising capital to open his own spaza shop, he was told that he must close his shop as the economy belongs to Pakistanis, Ethiopians, Somalis, Bangladeshis and other foreign nationals. “Me and my friend opened a spaza shop, buy-and-braai and a car wash here in Tembisa last weekend, and today, three Ethiopians came to tell us that we can keep the two, but spaza shops belong to them, so we must close it or they’ll deal with us. Politicians promise jobs with no proper planning and people cheer them on while real job creators…

Ingredients: 4½ cups bread flour 1 packet yeast (7g) ½ cup sugar 2 tsp fine cinnamon 2 tsp fine all spice 1 tsp fine aniseed 1 tsp naartjie peel or the rind of an unwaxed lemon 1½ cups warm milk, not hot 4 tbs melted butter 1 egg 1½ cups sultanas or raisins 1 tbs apricot jam 2 tsp hot water Cooks tip: if you don’t have all these ground spices, use 1 to 2 tablespoons of mixed spice. Method: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, spices and naartjie peel. In a jug, add the milk and butter and microwave for 40 seconds, or until the better has melted. Pour in the milk and butter mixture and using the hook attachment, start to knead.…

It has been suggested to all business owners to be vigilant, paying particular attention to those in the restaurant and mobile service sectors. These include expensive catering supplies, coffee makers, industrial blenders, and generators. According to Charnel Hattingh, group head of marketing and communications at Fidelity ADT, there is a pattern in which thieves prey on mobile eateries. “We are seeing a new trend where these criminals are not just targeting traditional brick-and-mortar establishments, but also mobile restaurants. It’s crucial that business owners take proactive measures to protect their assets. “Business owners need to be vigilant, store your high valuable assets out of sight, and ensure they are secure. Make sure their CCTV is working and remain vigilant for any suspicious activity. For mobile business, look into tracking devices for…

UNIVERSITY of Pretoria (UP) Law Professor Joel Modiri has been appointed by the UN Secretary-General to serve on the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. This makes him Africa’s appointee in the five-member group responsible for acting as the advisory mechanism for the Human Rights Council and the UN’s General Assembly on the implementation of global efforts against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. “It is always encouraging to receive such positive recognition for one's work and to be regarded as someone worthy of the challenge of representing the entire African region in the Group of Experts,” Modiri said. Modiri, head of the Department of Jurisprudence at UP, has held fellowships at Columbia University and Oxford University, where he…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo have confirmed that the e-tolls issue is being resolved following talks to secure funds to settle e-toll debt and to address over R4 billion in maintenance backlogs. Mamabolo announced this during the provincial budget on Tuesday, while Lesufi confirmed this via the X platform. E-toll debt currently sits at R47bn. A statement from Lesufi following the MEC’s announcement made it clear that the e-toll matter was finalised. Last week, the DA and other political parties slammed Lesufi over his unclear stance on the scrapping of the e-toll system. Mamabolo said the province was set to meet its target of ridding the province of the e-toll debt in order to start the new financial year on a clean footing. “The premier has…

IT REALLY is a pity that the world is moving further away from sedans and opting instead for the ubiquitous SUV. It particularly hits home when you climb into a car like the BMW 5 Series which epitomises everything that is good about a luxury sedan and, in particular, BMW. I reckon that the 5 Series is the absolute sweet spot in their entire range combining space, design, luxury, comfort and performance in a well-packaged parcel that’s hard to beat. It was a conversation that my driving partner and I had recently while driving up the West Coast in Cape Town with the launch of the new 5 Series. We’ll be getting one ICE version in the 520D and two electric models with the i5 40 and range-topping i5…

The Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge kicks off at the Wanderers tomorrow (6pm start), with the Lions taking on Boland. The Titans are the defending champions and have also named a strong team to defend their title. We look at the potential impact bowlers to look out for – a few bowlers raised their hands during the SA20, while some seasoned campaigners showed the quality and consistency needed to have an impact at the highest level. Bjorn Fortuin (Lions) SA20 statistics – Matches 11; Wickets 6; Average 48.83; Economy 7.15 Known for keeping things simple, as you see with his bowling action, it hasn’t been an easy road for Fortuin as he has fallen behind Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi in recent times. The latter duo are the favourites to…

Kylian Mbappe insisted he had “no problem” with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique after scoring a brace in his side’s win over Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday night. Wearing the captain’s armband, Mbappe opened the scoring a quarter of an hour into the second leg in San Sebastian and struck again early in the second half. PSG won the game 2-1 to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2021. “It’s fine. There is no problem with him, even if people might think there is a problem. I do have problems but the coach is not one,” Mbappe told broadcaster Canal Plus when asked about his relationship with Luis Enrique. Mbappe had either…

The Springboks are participating in their first alignment camp of 2024 in Cape Town this week, where the 43 players invited gained the first information on how coach Rassie Erasmus and his assistants want to go about things as they build towards the 2027 World Cup. A selection of younger and experienced players are attending the camp, and are having boardroom sessions with the coaches as they take the first steps towards Test matches against Wales, Ireland and Portugal in a couple of months. Independent Newspapers takes a look at the outside backs that took part in the camp and what they bring to the Springbok set-up ... Fullbacks Damian Willemse: Even though he has been used as a versatile trump card at the Stormers, he should remain the No…