Table of contents for SW-2021-04-06 in Star

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za QUILTER plc has set its sights on the UK market as its core business going forward following a strategic review of its operations and selling Quilter International business for about £483 million (R9.78 billion) was a clear demonstration of the path the wealth manager is embarking upon. The sale of the former Old Mutual International business to Utmost last week comes after the Isle of Man business was put under a strategic review by the group in December last year in a move that shocked the industry and investors. Quilter expects net cash proceeds of about £450m from the sale after allowing for transaction costs. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the year and is conditional on Quilter shareholder approval,…

Kedibone Modise kedibone.modise@inl.co.za Trans rights activist and celebrity publicist Yaya Mavundla, pictured, is set to give viewers an intimate look into her journey as a trans woman in her new reality show, Becoming. In the show, which is set to premiere on Mzansi Magic this April, viewers will get to witness Mavundla go through the emotional pain of searching for her mother who she never got the opportunity to meet. Mavundla also opens up about the dynamics of dating as a transgender woman. This 13-part reality show delves into the psyche of being a transgender person as well as the barriers they need to overcome to live as their true selves. "When I first received a phone call from Mam Basetsana Khumalo to be part of this show, I was…

| SAKHILE NDLAZI THE chief executives of at least eight public health facilities are facing disciplinary charges for failing to ensure that Covid-19 health and safety measures are implemented. Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi told the legislature that the officials had failed to hold a daily meeting on personal protective equipment and to conduct environmental risk assessments. In addition, they did not hold weekly occupational health and safety meetings. The chief executives are from Chris Hani Baragwanath, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Tshwane District, Wits Oral and Dental and Medunsa Oral and Dental hospitals as well as the Medical Supplies Depot and Forensic Pathology Services. Meanwhile, the MEC said the department had yet to trace the eight Life Esidimeni patients who went missing. Mokgethi said search efforts were continuing, but “it…

BOITUMELO METSING LOCAL non-profit social enterprise Grow Educare Centres has established a new mobile app to help elevate early childhood development (ECD) facilities in vulnerable and under-served communities to 5-star level through the “5 steps to 5 star” ECD programme. The organisation through the Grow App is set to help ECD centres in low-income areas become more professional and financially sustainable. To make this possible, the organisation is calling on all ECD facilitators to join their new programme that empowers educare centres in delivering excellence. Grow Educare Centres chief executive Tracey Chambers said: “Many of South Africa’s ECD centres operate in the shadows – without certification, professional staff or the right resources required to educate and care for young children. Grow has a long history of operating high-quality ECD…

Khotso KD Moleko | Bloemfontein DESPITE the fear and panic generated by the coronavirus and the comfort of having vaccines, a lot of people are still wondering how it was possible to have vaccines for this particular pandemic, so quickly. Why was such a solution easily found for HIV/Aids, malaria and Ebola? The answer surely lies in the fact that the coronavirus threatened all races, both the rich and poor, educated and uneducated and all nations without an exception. As a result, enough resources by the powers that be on earth were finally mobilised to save those who matter the most. This can only mean that there are solutions for most of our problems as humans but it depends on who makes a noise and where they are…

Cometh Dube-Makholwa | Midrand This article was published in The Star on March 12. Faced with a 55.75% youth unemployment rate, the government has proposed the introduction of a basic universal unemployment grant for South Africa’s unemployed youth. I don’t know how the majority of parents feel about this proposal but I definitely would not want any of my children condemned to a life of a government hand-outs in the form of that special grant, as it might have the unintended effect of encouraging long-lasting dependence on it. What criteria would be used to determine who qualifies for it anyway? Because 55% of unemployed youth is a huge number. How much will they receive a month: R350? It’s been hard enough for the government to fulfil its promise…

Report on Covid fails to satisfy in highly politicised search for virus’s origins THE World Health Organization (WHO) released a 120-page report this week that the most likely path of the Covid-19 virus was from bats to another animal and then to humans, but the report failed to satisfy critics of China’s response to the pandemic. Conspiracy theorists in particular claim that a “weaponised” virus was accidently released from a Wuhan laboratory, although the WHO report stated that a laboratory accident leakage was considered to be “extremely unlikely”. The search had become highly politicised, with for example many Australian products being banned or facing additional tariff and non-tariff barriers in China after the Australian government was one of the first to call for an investigation into the origins of the…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za South Africa’s fiscal metrics have deteriorated further as the Covid-19 pandemic has severely contracted tax revenue for the year ending March 31, 2021. However, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) last week announced a tax shortfall of R175.2 billion, compared to its original estimate of a R312.8bn under-recovery made a year ago. Sars said that it collected R1.250 trillion in tax revenue in the year ended March 2021, which was around 12 percent less compared with the government’s original February 2020 target of about R1.425trln. The initial 2020/21 target of R1.425trln was set by the National Treasury before the Covid-19 pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown in March last year. After the economic decline, business closures and job losses through the pandemic, the Treasury…

DESPITE significant medical progress over the last centuries, infectious diseases such as influenza and malaria still represent significant threats to modern societies. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is a case in point. The spread of a virus can also have important economic implications. These economic implications manifest themselves through aspects such as loss of income, for example, reductions in the size of the labour force and productivity, increase in absenteeism and because of curtailment measures imposed on individuals and societies aimed at interruption, the transmission and spread of the pandemic, which, invariably disrupt economic activity. The successful development of vaccines against the coronavirus and subsequent endorsement of vaccine roll-outs the world over has highlighted the importance of each country developing its own vaccine production capacity to reduce reliance on external sources…

American musician Lil Nas X has reacted to accusations of similarities between the music video of his recently-released single MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) and English singer FKA twigs' 2019 avant-pop hit Cellophane. "I want to show love to @fkatwigs & @andrewthomashuang! The 'cellophane' visual is a masterpiece. “I was not aware that the visual would serve as a major inspiration for those who worked on the effects of my video," Lil Nas X wrote in an Instagram post, which also contained snippets of the music video of twigs' popular single. Soon after the 21-year-old rapper dropped his new devil-themed video, fans pointed out on social media that its pole-dancing visuals are reminiscent of shots in Cellophane, and its director, Andrew Thomas Huang, appeared to agree and tweeted that…

MASHUDU SADIKE THE SABC has formally laid three charges against its economics editor, Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki, for various incidents of misconduct. The offences include intimidation of a colleague, offensive language and behaviour, and violating the Public Finance Management Act. This is in the backdrop of continuous protests by its workers over looming retrenchments that Gqubule-Mbeki opposed at the broadcaster. Last Tuesday, the public broadcaster announced that 621 of its employees would be leaving the organisation at the end of March, shedding about 20% of its staff. In a statement, the SABC said that the retrenchment process was due to its unhealthy financial situation, attributed to its massive wage bill, and implemented its Section 189 process, and would transition to the new fit-for-purpose structure from April 1. In a charge sheet…

GIFT TLOU THE Sedibeng District Municipality local government sector education and training authority (LGSETA) bursary conundrum is believed to be headed to the provincial government. This comes after it was alleged that the municipality awarded a bursary to the daughter of the municipality’s human resources director, Wyckliff Ramotsedisi. The municipality’s spokesperson, Saviour Kgaswane, would not give details on the matter but indicated that the municipality was formally responding to the allegations to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, Urban Planning, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). The LGSETA was established after the 2015 #FeesMustFall protests. The bursary caters for students who are interested in joining the local government sector. It is awarded on an annual basis and requires students to renew. The Star has seen a letter from the…

Chulumanco Mahamba SOUTH AFRICAN citizens and brands got together at the Easter weekend and extended their hearts and wallets by crowdfunding more than R1 million for popular doctor Sindi van Zyl, who is fighting for her life due to Covid-19. The family of the Johannesburg doctor made an appeal to the public via a campaign called #GiftSindiLife on Friday for assistance to help them pay the doctor’s hospital bills after a lengthy stay. The doctor is fighting for her life in an intensive care unit after contracting coronavirus at the beginning of the year. Van Zyl’s husband Marinus called his wife a life-giving friend and inspirational doctor. “She was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the beginning of the year and admitted to hospital in February. Six weeks later she is still…

SCIENCE and religion are two basic knowledge systems on which humanity have always depended. Yet many believe, and are still convinced, that there is an inherent conflict between these two knowledge systems and that one is obliged to choose between being a religious person and following God’s teachings, or a scientist and reason. In the Bahá’í view, there is no conflict between science and religion. On the contrary, the two need each other. The Universal House of Justice, the Bahai governing council, states “science and religion are two complementary systems of knowledge and practice by which human beings come to understand the world and through which civilisation advances; that religion without science soon degenerates into superstition and fanaticism, while science without religion becomes the tool of crude materialism”. Science and…

Confusion and outrage have greeted the UK government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report. It contains some alarming findings, such as there is little evidence of institutional racism in the UK. So, what does the report get wrong and does it get anything right? From start to finish, the race commission explains away racial inequalities based on the choices of certain groups. Despite the findings of other reports, it suggests that hate crime isn’t worsening but that perceptions of an increase have been influenced by internet trolling. It claims that the term “Bame” (black, Asian and minority ethnic) should be abandoned because structural racism in work, education and elsewhere is hard to prove. Perhaps the most blatant issue is the report’s reliance on tactics that the government appears to…

After a tough year, rugby is set to return to the South African consciousness with full force in the next few weeks. The Rainbow Cup, involving the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers and clubs from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, has been confirmed to start later this month, and after that, world rugby can look forward to the continuation of one of its oldest traditions when the British and Irish Lions visit these shores to face the Springboks in a highly anticipated tour. Last year, with Covid-19 hitting the sporting world hard, a schedule so jam-packed with local rugby seemed intangible, and that SA Rugby managed to host two local championships in SuperRugby Unlocked and Currie Cup, plus the recently concluded preparation series, in short order since October last year…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za Temba Bavuma has seen his Proteas team go to the last ball in one match, the last over in the next, witnessed a top-order collapse, two brilliant knocks from the opposition, lousy fielding from his own side, and been fined for his side maintaining a slow over-rate – all in just two matches. It’s been eventful, and there’s one more ODI to go. His first series as captain will go down to a decider tomorrow in Centurion, following the dramatic conclusion to the ‘Pink ODI’ on Sunday, but Bavuma is taking it all in his stride for now, trying to stay composed while noting all the experiences and filing them away to be utilised again in the future. “I try to be as calm and clear as…

Herman Gibbs THE StellenSport Netball League (SNL) will make its debut on the national sporting landscape with a two-day ranking tournament starting next weekend. The tournament will be the forerunner to the 2021 SNL, which will be introduced in October. It also marks the first steps to establish a professional netball league in South Africa. There will be no cost to players at the event. The SNL will take care of tournament expenses, but players will not receive a salary. As of next year, however, they will receive a partial monthly salary. Over the next few years payments will increase, until 2024, when players will be paid in full for their participation. StellenSport chief executive Freda Kemp said all the necessary plans are in place and tournament organisers will adhere…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za TYMEBANK anticipates hitting the 4 million customers mark in the next 12 months if the digital retail bank maintains its growth momentum of onboarding between 100 000 and 120 000 clients a month. TymeBank, launched in February 2019, reached the 3 million mark in customers at the end of last month despite a challenging environment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, chief executive Tauriq Keeran said in an interview that they did not have a specified time frame for reaching the 4 million target. “Our focus is on ensuring that our customers are experiencing excellent service from us as well as on meeting their broader financial services needs by carefully curating and distributing a selected set of new products. “But should…

Kendall Jenner moves house Kendall Jenner is worried about her safety so has moved out of her Beverly Hills home and has no plans to return. The 25-year-old model recently obtained a restraining order against Malik Bowker, 24, after she was informed by police that he allegedly intended to buy a gun and shoot the both of them but she's decided it's become to risky to stay at her Beverly Hills home and has now left the abode with no plans to return. According to TMZ, Jenner has moved to a safe location with armed security, but it is unclear as yet if she plans to sell her house. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star was recently reported to have stepped up security following the scary threat from Bowker,…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za THE NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said it was extremely worried about the growing number of Covid-19 cases in institutions of higher learning across the country. Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has made an appeal to students, lecturers and all staff to remain vigilant and adhere to the Covid-19 regulations. This comes after the department received reports of pockets of Covid-19 infections within the post-school education and training sector from Higher Health, the agency mandated by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to safeguard student health and well-being. “While Covid-19 has largely been detrimental for the older population groups, the virus is mutating and new variants are showing a higher affinity towards young people who can serve as…

BONGANI NKOSI bongani.nkosi@inl.co.za MOTORISTS are in for a shock tomorrow morning. They will wake up to a whopping R1 a litre fuel price hike. For the second time in three years, petrol prices will surpass the R17/litre mark. Currently selling for R16.32 in Gauteng, the 95 unleaded fuel will be priced R17.32 overnight, while 93 unleaded will spike to R17.10 and diesel will go up 65 cents a litre in Gauteng. The Central Energy Fund (CEF) has confirmed the price adjustments. It pointed out that the R1 increase was inclusive of the 27c that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announced for Road Accident Fund (RAF) levies. These levies were charged on both petrol and diesel. Still, with the levies not applicable, illuminating paraffin will shoot up by 35c a litre. The…

BOITUMELO METSING boitumelo.metsing@inl.co.za NTHABELENG Likotsi, who will be the first black woman to own a mutual bank, says the bank will give first preference to black women. Likotsi, 36, from Botshabelo in the Free State, is the owner of a co-operative financial institution (CFI), Young Women in Business Network. After a four-year journey, she has acquired a licence for her CFI to become a mutual bank. The fourth of five children, she told The Star that, growing up, she had never dreamt of owning a bank. “From a young age I’ve been an entrepreneur and leader, being born in a family that had its own uniform-making store. “I always had in mind that if they close the door on me I’ll open my own doorway, and chances are you'll want…

THEO NEETHLING RECENT events in Palma, a town in the volatile Cabo Delgado province in the north of Mozambique, have taken bloodshed in the region to new levels. Dozens of people were killed when hundreds of Islamist militants stormed the town on Wednesday, March 25. They targeted shops, banks and a military barracks. The attack has been devastating for the people living in the area – as well as the country. The escalating violence has already left at least 1 000 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more. The conflict has put a temporary lid on plans that have been in the making for more than a decade since rich liquefied natural gas (LNG) deposits were discovered in the Rovuma Basin, just off the coast of Cabo Delgado. Western…

Mihlali Baleka mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za Kaizer Chiefs’ attacking midfielder Lazarous Kambole is wary of the threat posed by Stellenbosch FC, saying they’ll have to be at their best and tread carefully if they are going to bag their third win in a row in all competitions. Amakhosi have been impressive lately. Before the international break, they defeated rivals Orlando Pirates in the league to claim Soweto’s bragging rights for the first time this season after three successive Derby losses. That win moved the Glamour Boys from 11th to ninth on the log standings on 23 points, three behind eighth-placed TS Galaxy and 17 behind leaders and champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand. However, it was on Saturday that they claimed what could be their biggest win of the season.…

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has ruled out playing Eden Hazard in today’s home Champions League quarter-final first leg against Liverpool, saying he will not risk another injury setback for his club's record signing. Belgian Hazard, ravaged by injuries since joining Real from Chelsea in 2019, returned to training on Friday ahead of schedule from his latest muscle problem but played no part in Saturday's 2-0 win over Eibar. "Hazard needs to stay calm and be patient. The most important thing is that he is completely recovered and I don't think we'll hurry his return," Zidane said yesterday. “If the player is in good shape then I'll want to play him but right now we're going to take things slowly and see what happens.” Hazard sustained two serious ankle injuries…

Ashfak Mohamed ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za TATJANA Schoenmaker has already surpassed Penny Heyns’ African records in the 100 and 200m breaststroke, but can she emulate one of her idols with a medal at the Olympics? The 23-year-old has been swimming her way into the hearts and minds of South African sports fans over the last few years, with her double gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games really putting her on the map. She followed that up with an historic silver medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 2019 Fina long-course world championships, becoming the first SA woman to claim a top-three spot in the event. Schoenmaker has proved that she is in top shape for the Tokyo Olympics by setting a new 100m breaststroke African record of one minute 05.89 seconds in Stellenbosch…

HERMAN GIBBS Mamelodi Sundowns will continue their remorseless march to a fourth consecutive Premiership title by opening a six-point lead at the top of the standings after their match against basement dwellers Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane today (kick-off 3pm). Since the 2017/18 season, Sundowns have not been unseated as Premiership champions after winning the 2018, 2019 and 2020 titles. After resting several key players in last Friday’s CAF Champions League match against Al-Hilal in Sudan, unbeaten Sundowns can haul out their big guns in Polokwane. After 18 matches, they head the standings by three points, and struggling TTM are unlikely to upset the form book, which shows that they are on a three match winless steak. TTM will also be without a head coach…