Table of contents for 2024-10-31 in Star

The government is implementing many and substantial reforms aiming to create conditions to attract greater private sector participation in the funding, construction and operation of infrastructure. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said in his MTBPS speech yesterday that these reforms include mobilising significant private sector financing and technical expertise to augment the limited public sector capacity and capability. Well-known economist Dr Roelof Botha said the construction sector at large welcomed these reforms, as the “state capture years” and the Covid pandemic had robbed South Africa of more than a decade of investment in maintenance and new infrastructure investment, and in the meantime, South Africa’s infrastructure requirements had increased due to the energy transition, the bigger economy and population growth. He said the likelihood of lower interest rate in November would increase…

The National Treasury has cut Eskom's debt relief allocation by R2 billion due to non-compliance with asset disposal conditions and is enforcing stricter controls on the power utility's financial support. Eskom remains highly dependent on government support through the debt-relief arrangement, Treasury said in its Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement document. This dependency is despite the recent operational improvement, which has meant that it has not had to impose national load shedding since March 26, 2024, but so-called “load reduction” still impacts residents and businesses where the distribution network cannot cope with excessive demand or illegal connections. Eskom’s most recent financial plan also targets profitability from 2026/27 onwards, but escalating municipal debt arrears continue to negatively affect its financial performance and present an existential threat. The debt-relief arrangement granted to Eskom…

The first Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) under the Government of National Unity (GNU) reflects a delicate balance between fiscal discipline and socio-economic pressures, according to the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) Lisette IJssel de Schepper, the chief economist at BER, said at first glance, the better macroeconomic outlook is at odds with a worsening fiscal picture, with a higher budget deficit, smaller primary surplus and slightly worse debt-to-GDP ratio projection compared to the February 2024 Budget. “The Treasury is dubbing this MTBPS as a “pro-growth agenda”, which is reflected in their expectations for accelerating economic growth throughout their forecast period. Even though the fiscal metric looks “worse” than a few months ago, they still move in the right direction over the next three years. This largely reflects the…

NAMBITHA Mpumlwana recently visited Lungelo KM’s Engineer Your Life podcast, where she opened up about some of the challenges of working with influencer actors. The TV host and former Generations actress recalled a time when she helped a young actress because she could see how eager the actress was to master the profession. She also discussed her experiences with influential actors who took their performances lightly, disrespecting the craft. “She had a love for the craft, she was pushing, and I was like: ‘Okay, let me help you. I know where you going; let me help you’. Whether she received me or not, I would never know because I have not encountered her since, but I tried to leave a part of me with her. “I knew where they (young…

THE NATIONAL Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has reassured families of the Life Esidimeni victims and advocacy groups that it was “taking the case very seriously” eight years since the scandal blew. The promises come after civil organisation Section27 and bereaved family members, while handing over a memorandum at the NPA’s offices in Pretoria on Tuesday, demanded expedited justice and accountability for those implicated in the scandal. They solely fingered Gauteng Health MEC at the time Qedani Mahlangu and former Gauteng director for mental health Dr Makgabo Manamela. The embattled two were implicated and accused of negligence during the course of the scandal that saw about 144 mentally ill patients dying. “We want to assure the families as well as organisations representing the families of the victims that the NPA takes this…

The family of a Grade 4 pupil from Lilydale Primary School in Thembalethu, near Lenasia, has been left enraged and disappointed after a case of rape involving an Indian school security guard from Sharicrest Primary School was provisionally withdrawn allegedly due to lack of evidence. This devastating incident has drawn the ire of the community. The incident unfolded on Saturday, October 28, when the Grade 4 pupil, accompanied by friends, was reportedly lured into the grounds of Sharicrest Primary School by the accused, who promised them bread and snacks. What began as an innocent outing quickly devolved into a nightmare when the man allegedly lured the young girl to the security guard’s house, where he subjected her to a horrifying assault. Disturbingly, her screams went unheard as her friends played…

TSHWANE Mayor Nasiphi Moya has unveiled a bold 100-day action plan aimed at transforming the metro's service delivery, tackling the R6.76bn Eskom debt, and boosting revenue collection under the banner 'Re A Spana'. She presented the comprehensive strategy, which targets six key service delivery priorities, including financial stability and infrastructure development during a media briefing at Tshwane House yesterday. Chief among the priorities was a plan to reduce a R6.76 billion owed to Eskom to at least R5bn by the end of January 2025. Moya announced this week that the City was in talks with the Minister of Electricity Kgosientso Ramokgopa to deliberate on ways to service the Eskom debt. She said yesterday that the City aims to stabilise finances by intensifying the revenue-collection campaign called Tshwane Ya Tima programme…

The TX Theatre in Tembisa’s Moses Molelekwa Community Centre is getting ready to host the much-anticipated theatrical show Mr. President II when it returns tomorrow. This production promises to be a gripping portrayal of the socio-political realities faced by marginalised communities in South Africa, particularly resonating with the unemployed youth of Ivory Park. More than merely a theatrical engagement, Mr. President II also serves as a vital platform for the voiceless, delivering profound narratives that highlight the struggles of youth, women, and people living with disabilities. Audiences can expect a raw, authentic critique of the ongoing challenges in these communities, conveyed through scintillating performances and evocative storytelling. Evolving from its roots as a series of short video explorations into a full-scale production, the second instalment of the production seeks to…

Hats off to the good people at BMW that thought it wise and managed to get the BMW M3 Touring Competition into local showrooms. While SUVs continue to dominate sales and sedans struggle to maintain a foothold, South Africa hasn’t had a huge appetite for estates or as we like to call them, station wagons and to date the only option has been the Audi RS4 Avant. It was a bold move and seems to have paid off with the full allocation already taken up. The M3 Touring along with its bigger M5 sibling was shown for the first time at the recent BMW M-Fest held at Kyalami. It’s the biggest BMW event of its kind in the world and proving just how popular it is and how strong the…

Twenty years ago, it was Jose Mourinho. Now it is Ruben Amorim, who appears set to move from Portugal to the Premier League with a reputation as Europe’s next coaching superstar. Amorim has emerged as the favourite to take over at Manchester United following Erik ten Hag’s sacking. His club Sporting Lisbon have confirmed the English club’s interest. Amorim is 39, two years younger than Mourinho when he left Porto and took over a Chelsea side poised to dominate English football. Other coaches have come from Portugal with huge reputations, but not all have succeeded. Andre Villas-Boas, for example, failed to live up to expectations after following Mourinho’s path from Porto to Chelsea in 2011. But everything about Amorim – who was also linked to the manager’s job at Liverpool…

African mixed martial arts athletes, coaches, fans, administrators and all involved in the sport have every reason to be excited about the latest development on the continent. Following the recent buzz around the UFC’s first trip to Africa, with a strong focus on South Africa, global superstar Francis Ngannou has revealed that PFL Africa is also set to be rolled out next year. Independent Media contacted the Professional Fighting Championship, which confirmed a report from Canadian-American MMA journalist Ariel Helwani that one of the most popular international brands will indeed break ground in Africa next year. “We can confidently say that PFL Africa will be the first premium mixed martial arts league featuring African athletes and that events will be held across the continent,” says PFL Senior VP of Corporate…

The first Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) since the Government of National Unity (GNU) failed to inspire confidence among investors, with the rand dropping as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled a speech that warned of slower economic growth, higher debt, and fewer revenue collections. The rand weakened from about R17.59 to as high as R17.76 as the minister spoke, Chantal Marx, the head of investment research at FNB Wealth and Investments said in a note yesterday. The currency was at R17.66 in late afternoon trade, while the JSE’s All Share Index ended the day at 86 759 points, 0.62% down. Marx said the JSE didn’t react much, although there was “some downward pressure on the SA Inc segments of the market – largely explained by the rand and bond yield…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reassured stakeholders about the government’s commitment to preparing for the National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout, despite a lack of direct funding allocations for its implementation over the next three years. Godongwana’s remarks come amid scrutiny of the NHI framework and growing discontent among the business community regarding its implementation and consultation processes. According to the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) documents, the health sector will continue to enhance health infrastructure through sustained allocations in direct and indirect infrastructure grants in preparation for the implementation of the NHI. However, major funding shifts are not expected in the 2025 medium-term expenditure framework period as the focus will be on developing systems and mechanisms that support this reform, as outlined in the NHI Act of 2023. Briefing…

The 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) saw a deterioration in the fiscal metrics against expectations, causing the rand to weaken to R17.76 against the dollar from R17.63 as bond yields rose. However, strong GDP growth in the US yesterday for the third quarter of 2024, at 2.8% quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted, resulted in a reduction in risk aversion and US dollar weakness. This counteracted much of the rand’s reaction to the MTBPS, indicating that the US remains on track for a soft landing, with the rand chiefly affected by international events, particularly those in the US. The projected budget deficit rose to -5% this year (2024/25), versus the -4.5% projected in the February Budget, and the -4.4% of the Bloomberg consensus (all as a percentage of GDP). Similarly, the MTBPS…

AMERICAN-born Kelsey Egan, who directs The Fix, was determined to showcase South African talent in the sci-fi horror. The local movie, which premiered on Showmax as part of its Halloween offerings, features a range of top homegrown talents alongside US and British stars. The star-studded cast includes Keenan Arrison, Nicole Fortuin, Tafara Nyatsanza, Caleb Payne, Robyn Rossouw and Tina Redman. They are joined by Grace van Dien in the lead role, Daniel Sharman and Clancy Brown. Shot in Cape Town, the production is set in a dystopian future where the air is toxic. Model Ella (Van Dien), after an emotional breakdown, takes a new designer drug at a party and suffers a shocking transformation. Pursued by forces with competing interests in the substance’s effects, she discovers that her mutations…

Bogus doctor, Matthew Lani, is now living in a shelter and has no phone – that’s why people haven’t seen him on social media. For months, Lani fooled social media followers into believing that he was a medical doctor and would regularly give medical advice online. He further claimed to have conducted various procedures but his “medical career” ground to a halt when it was revealed that he had stolen an intern doctor’s identity. In a video on TikTok, Lani said he and his mother were living in a shelter in Johannesburg. “I’ve been in the shelter for four months. It’s challenging but it’s better than being out in the street,” Lani said. He said he had to swallow his pride, humble himself and recognise the situation he was in.…

As the festive season draws closer, South Africans are breathing a sigh of relief, given the reprieve in perennial load shedding which has dogged Africa’s most industrialised economy, condemning countless jobs and worsening the scourge of poverty particularly among the poor. It has been a significant more than 210 days of no-load shedding across South Africa and an upbeat Minister of Energy and Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told journalists in Pretoria last week that this can also be attributed to the role of Independent Power Producers that have connected to the grid since 2011. Also, in a written parliamentary reply, Ramokgopa has recently told the National Assembly that unlike previous years, South Africa will likely have a festive season with no load shedding. Apart from the Eskom generation fleet "showing more…

The serene surroundings of Nirox Sculpture Park in Kromdraai, Krugersdorp, will transform into a vibrant hub where food, fashion, music, and art gracefully converge. On Saturday, the second edition of the BMW Art Generation will showcase a diverse array of talent, headlined by the award-winning artist Thandiswa Mazwai, alongside Kujenga and the captivating sounds of Kopano Jazz Collective. The event promises not only a feast for the ears but also a rich intellectual engagement for art enthusiasts. Kicking off the proceedings will be a thought-provoking conversation featuring two formidable figures in contemporary painting: Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi and Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi. This exchange, moderated by Janine Gaëlle Dieudji from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, aims to illuminate the intersections of art, culture and society. Attendees can also indulge their…

THE recent decision by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to issue Muslim marriage certificates has drawn ire from the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC). In a statement the MJC, which oversees Islamic jurisprudence, said the documents by themselves could not constitute a Muslim marriage, and were not compliant with sharia (religious regulations). Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber on Friday announced the issuance of the first batch of 33 certificates for Muslim marriages, facilitated by changes made to Home Affairs internal systems. The MJC said it remained committed to the Muslim Marriages Bill and the Muslim Personal Law in the precise form submitted to the South African government in previous years. Moulana Ismail Tofie, secretary general of the MJC, said this agreement was fundamental to their engagement with the legislative…

The Chinese infiltration of the South African vehicle market will surely go down as one of the industry’s biggest disrupting forces in decades. The Haval Jolion played an instrumental role in making history, as it was the first Chinese product to sell in significant volumes on the local market, after being introduced in 2021. Since then, the GWM product has faced stiff competition, particularly from Chery, who’s slightly cheaper Tiggo 4 Pro has overtaken it on the sales charts. With no intention of letting the grass grow beneath its tyres, Haval released a reworked version of its compact SUV earlier this year, changing its name to Jolion Pro and pitching it at the R400 000 plus market, while the previous version carried over with minor updates and a more budget-friendly…

The Bailiwick of Jersey might seem like an odd place for a World Cup-winning side to isolate itself from the rest of the globe, but it appears that the Channel island has been the perfect space for the Springboks to prepare themselves for the upcoming Test window. The Boks are set to play Scotland next week Sunday at Murrayfield, followed by trips to Twickenham to face England on November 16 and then Wales on November 23 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, as they conclude their 2024 international season. The 33-man squad assembled earlier this week on the largest of the islands – Jersey – to get their affairs in order for the final batch of matches, enjoying the seclusion of the British Crown Dependency. The nearest mainland is France,…

The South African Football Association have officially backed Patrice Motsepe for a second stint as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), solidifying support for the business mogul as he prepares to seek re-election in 2025. Motsepe, who assumed the presidency in March 2021, has been a transformative figure in African football governance over the past few years. In a statement released by CAF, it was revealed that repeated requests from various member association presidents and key stakeholders have led Motsepe to confirm his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for March 2025. The announcement comes amidst a backdrop of significant achievements during his first term. At a press conference at Safa House in Johannesburg yesterday, president Danny Jordaan, alongside representatives from football associations in Malawi, eSwatini, Zambia…

Godongwana says government will stick to its debt-reducing strategy and confront trade-offs Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that the government will stretch every rand to the maximum and do more with less as the public debt will breach the R6 trillion mark, or 75%, in relation to gross domestic product (GDP), in the next fiscal year. However, presenting the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament yesterday, Godongwana allayed fears and said the government would arrest fiscal deterioration in the medium-term. Godongwana said the government would stick to its debt-reducing strategy and confront trade-offs in a bid to create the necessary conditions for a fast-growing economy that facilitates employment. “To achieve the goals of our fiscal strategy, we must better manage our debt. Debt has risen too fast…

The government has forecast lower tax revenue for the next two years, with one reason being the reduced VAT gained from the ending of the boom in alternative energy product imports that occurred through the period of loadshedding. Despite this under performance in near-term revenue collections, however, the tax-to-GDP ratio was expected to remain resilient and tax collections were expected to remain buoyant, National Treasury said in the MTBPS. "Overall, revenue growth will improve over the MTEF (Medium-Term Economic Framework), helping to narrow the budget deficit," said Nedbank Group's economic unit yesterday. Treasury said revenue collections over the first half of 2024/25 were 5.2% higher than the same period last year, but the low economic growth environment and lower VAT receipts had crimped the tax collection and the government revenue…

Given the fine budgetary line that still had to be walked by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the GNU’s first MTBPS comes across as a pragmatic, realistic and credible strategy to again tackle South Africa’s challenges of low economic growth and high public debt. The 2024 MTBPS was broadly aligned with the GNU’s overarching commitment to higher inclusive economic growth and job creation. It is welcome news that South Africa is now achieving a primary budget surplus and that the debt-to-GDP ratio is to be stabilised at 75.5%, although debt reduction is to be spread over a longer period. Also, risks to the fiscal outlook remain elevated. On the spending side the public sector wage bill remains the biggest single immediate risk to South Africa’s public finances. The emphasis in the…

Liam Payne’s musical legacy will live on through a new single due to be released tomorrow. The UK musician’s collaborator, Sam Pounds, announced that he would be releasing their duet, Do No Wrong, as Payne’s first posthumous track since the artist died in Argentina on October 16, aged 31. The Strip That Down singer died from “multiple traumas” that caused “internal and external bleeding” after he fell from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Preliminary autopsy findings found that the results were consistent with his 10m fall. As Payne’s funeral is expected to take place next month, Pounds recently took to X to post images of the track’s artwork and its release date. He wrote: “I pray that this will be a blessing to the…

Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ legacy continues with his posthumous feature on K.O’s new single, King Size. The hip hop track is also seen as a way to pay tribute to the rapper who was shot dead in Durban in February last year. “King Size is more than just a collaboration, it is a tribute to AKA’s life and legacy, keeping his voice alive for fans,” a statement read. “Known as trailblazers in the South African hip hop scene, K.O and AKA have consistently dominated the genre, both acclaimed for their artistry and influence that have reshaped the local music scene.” It said the special collaboration showcased their shared mastery and respect within the hip hop industry and that their individual flair resonated through the song. K.O is thrilled about the track,…

The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) said it will deploy an experienced team of food inspectors to monitor spaza shops in townships in the province. This comes after six children died in Naledi, Soweto, after eating snacks they bought from a local store owned by a foreign national. This caused an uproar in Soweto after the residents accused the owner of selling contaminated snacks to their children. However, the Department of Health clarified that the snacks were not the cause of death for the deceased children. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the media earlier this week that a chemical known as organophosphate was the cause of death of six Soweto children. Speaking to the media yesterday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that his government’s unwavering commitment is to protect the health…

Despite various water challenges facing Johannesburg residents, day zero is not on the cards, according to mayor Dada Morero. Morero said interventions were in place to mitigate the ongoing water crisis. He also refuted claims that residents will reach a point where there is no water. Day zero is a critical point when a city’s water supply is forecast to almost be exhausted, resulting in dry taps. The city is currently facing a severe water crisis due to ongoing drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change, high levels of non-revenue water, illegal connections, and infrastructure challenges. On several occasions, residents have been forced to queue outside their homes to get water from roaming water tankers. Some have gone over five days without water in their areas. This has also resulted in…

Police in Mpumalanga have welcomed a sentence of 10 years behind bars handed down by the Lydenburg Regional Court to a 39-year-old man who was convicted for raping his friend’s wife. The name of the convicted rapist is withheld to protect the identity of the victim. The court heard that in May 2022, a group of four friends, including one woman who was 44-years-old at the time, came together for some drinks after a funeral in Lydenburg. “The victim (the woman) felt tired and decided to call it a day. They all got into a car and dropped her at home. Thereafter, they went back for entertainment, and the house was locked by the victim’s husband,” said Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli. During the trial, the court heard…

Thulisile “Thuli P” Phongolo and Themba “DJ Maphorisa” Sekowe, local music sensations, have again taken the grip of the spotlight after news that they were no longer in a romantic relationship. This revelation comes hot on the heels of a viral video showing DJ Maphorisa socialising with influencer Cyan Boujee, fuelling fresh speculation regarding his relationship status. Responding to claims made by prominent celebrity gossip commentator Musa Khawula, Phongolo took to social media to clarify her stance and said: “I’m not dating Phori; let that man live, man.” Their relationship has been marred by controversy in the past, notably an incident that occurred last year involving a violent altercation where Sekowe was seen slapping Phongolo. Following the event, Maphorisa faced arrest, but Phongolo later withdrew her assault charges at the…

Debate on gun ownership and rampant violent crime has once again been rekindled after an armed motorist turned the tables on suspected hijackers, killing three of the assailants on the N1 freeway in Soweto. IOL reported on Tuesday that in a dramatic turn of events at the Diepkloof Interchange, an armed civilian defended himself against a group of suspected hijackers, leading to the deadly confrontation. The Star newspaper – citing various witnesses, reported that six men in two cars attempted to pull a motorist off the road, posing as law enforcement officers. In the confrontation, the motorist travelling in a white bakkie then allegedly shot and killed the three assailants. Pictures of the dead men have been circulating on social media, once again reigniting the contentious debate on gun ownership…

Volkswagen plans to close at least three factories in Germany and slash tens of thousands of jobs as part of a drastic cost-savings drive, workers’ representatives said this week, calling the proposed cuts “of historic dimensions”. The plan laid out by management, which affects the namesake VW brand, also includes a 10% pay cut for all staff, the company’s powerful works council said in an update to staff. Bosses also want to downsize remaining plants and move “entire departments” abroad or outsource them completely, the statement added as thousands of workers assembled for meetings at the company’s plants nationwide. There was no immediate comment from Volkswagen bosses, with a spokesperson citing the “confidential” nature of the talks with unions and the works council. The financial daily Handelsblatt had earlier reported…

TONY de Zorzi became the second black African player after Temba Bavuma to reach the magical three- figure mark in Test cricket for South Africa during the second and final match against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chatto- gram this week. De Zorzi was dismissed yesterday for a superb 177, scored off 269 balls. He acknowledges the efforts of the black African players of the past in instilling the belief in him and his peers as the up-and-coming youngsters in South African cricket. The 27-year-old did, however, emphasise that the new-age cricketers, regardless of race, have the belief and confidence to continue pushing the envelope and take the opportunities that they earn at the highest level. “The guy who did it before me (Bavuma) is a leader…