Table of contents for 2024-02-06 in Cape Times

ANGLO American may consider deeper cost-cutting measures unless market conditions improve after a fall in prices for platinum-group metals and a cyclical downturn that is the worst in 35 years, CEO Duncan Wanblad said yesterday. The diversified miner announced sweeping cuts last year to save about $1.8 billion (about R34 billion). Speaking on the sidelines of the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Wanblad told Reuters in an interview he did not see signs of any early recovery in the platinum group metals (PGMs), although diamond prices showed signs of strengthening. “To the extent that market conditions continue, we will have to cut deeper and we will just knuckle down and get it done,” Wanblad said. Platinum fell below $840/oz in November last year, the lowest since September 2022,…

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI), the introduction of AI technologies, and their impact on the mining industry will be hot topics at the Investing in African Mining Indaba which is taking place in Cape Town this week. Major African mining companies are beginning to realise the immense potential of AI to disrupt entire industries by lowering operational costs, increasing efficiencies, mitigating risk, improving control and streamlining decision-making processes. As a consequence, African mining companies that take advantage and power through growing pains will be able to realise competitive advantages and opportunities in the future. This is particularly as there is growing investor interest in companies that have AI as part of their business model. African mining companies are taking the initiative Several mining companies have taken up the mantle, introducing AI technology…

Already cash-strapped consumers have been urged to monitor their fuel consumption as an anticipated fuel price increase will knock budgets following a three-month reprieve. This comes as current unaudited fuel data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows significant increases for all grades of fuel this month. According to the data, 93ULP and 95ULP petrol are expected to climb by between 64 cents a litre and 66c/litre respectively, while diesel is expected to increase by around 63c/litre. Illuminating paraffin is expected to be 47c/litre more. The AA said the short-lived relief South African motorists enjoyed in the past three months was over. “The increases to the prices of petrol will have a negative impact on household budgets at this early part of the year while most consumers are still recovering…

A Student union wants universities to scrap the application fees paid by prospective students looking for a place to study, saying the fees impede access for poor students. The South African Union of Students (SAUS) said the fees were unjust and at the very least, this money should not be kept by universities but should rather be used to assist students that are already enrolled and struggling financially. With the exception of applications within KwaZulu-Natal, which has a Central Applications Office through which prospective first-year students pay a single fee to apply to all four universities and some private colleges in the province, applications to other universities must be done individually with an application fee applying to each of the institutions. Theses fees are non-refundable. With the recent figures showing…

The provincial Disaster Management Centre has been activated to co-ordinate support needed after widespread electricity outages in the Central Karoo, Garden Route, and Overberg. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell yesterday said provincial Disaster Management Centre officials held a meeting stakeholders to plan and co-ordinate support needed in areas that have been without electricity since Saturday evening. The power outage has affected large parts of the interior of the Western Cape when Eskom suffered multiple power line failures due to thunderstorms. Eskom confirmed that seven power line towers collapsed over the weekend, and ground crews were assessing the damage. “As we do not have an indication on how long it will take to restore the power lines, we must plan for support to critical functions such…

It’s music to our ears that coding and robotics is being rolled out as a subject in government schools from 2024. The South African education system needs to keep pace with these next-generation subjects if we are to be competitive – and confident – participants in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). However, the dream of tech-savvy classrooms is, in some cases, out of step with the on-the-ground reality, and this is where the importance of forging partnerships between the public and private sectors and civil society comes to the fore. We run an education non-profit in rural Mpumalanga and the Free State that has foregrounded digital literacy as key to unlocking the power of wonder-filled learning for children. It’s “cool” to play games on computers, with children learning while having…

Phnom Penh: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will pay an official visit to Thailand tomorrow at the invitation of his Thai counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a press statement yesterday. The two prime ministers will hold talks on bilateral and multilateral co-operation in areas of common interest, the statement added. “They will also preside over the signing of numerous documents on bilateral co-operation,” according to a Xinhua news agency report. Hun Manet will also deliver opening remarks at a Cambodia-Thailand Business Forum, it added. “The visit is expected to consolidate the ties and traditional bonds of friendship.”…

Los Angeles: California Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency for several counties in Southern California as a series of winter storms began affecting much of the state with high winds, damaging rain and heavy snowfall. The proclamation covers eight counties – Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, Xinhua news agency reported. The emergency proclamation includes provisions authorising a California National Guard response if tasked, facilitating unemployment benefits for impacted residents.…

Seldom is any match defined by the performance of one individual. But in today’s Betway SA20 Qualifier 1 between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Durban’s Super Giants, it is impossible to ignore the potential impact of the blockbusting Heinrich Klaasen. The Proteas superstar has been prolific for DSG in season 2. Actually, that’s an understatement, because for Klaasen has been phenomenal for all teams he has represented in the past two years. From international cricket to the franchises all around the world, Klaasen has left a trail of destruction and bowling units in despair. DSG opener Matthew Breetzke may have more runs (383), but there is nobody in the competition that has the power to destroy any bowling attack in the way Klaasen has. His impact on matches is immense with…

THE NATIONAL Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says a court settlement that gives control of the Optimum Coal Mine and the Optimum Coal Terminal into the hands of Liberty Coal will save more than 500 jobs through resumption of production at the Mpumalanga operation previously controlled by the Gupta family. Controversy has dogged Optimum Coal Mine ever since the Gupta family was disgraced as corrupt and having captured State institutions to push through their businesses and deals. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) last week obtained a court application in its favour for two forfeiture orders on the grounds that the Guptas bought the mine with proceeds from corruption. Liberty Coal and the NPA jointly approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, with the support of various other vested parties for an order…

THE TRIAL of an alleged bitcoin creator opened in London yesterday, seeking to determine whether an Australian computer scientist invented the world’s most popular cryptocurrency. Craig Wright, 53, says he is Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym of bitcoin’s creator and author of a white paper that introduced the cryptocurrency to the world in 2008. Wearing a striped suit, Wright sat impassive in court yesterday as he listened to the outline of the case against him. The Crypto Open Patent Alliance (Copa), a non-prof set up to keep cryptocurrency technology free from patents, is suing Wright over his claims first made in 2016. The trial at London’s High Court, presided over by judge James Mellor, is expected to last until mid-March. “Over a period of nearly 10 years ... (Wright had) the…

NEWLY appointed Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi yesterday revealed that King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has an ambitious plan for traditional leaders to run the Ingonyama Trust, and not the government. The Ingonyama Trust administers about a third of the land, or almost 3 million hectares, in KwaZulu-Natal and the trust falls under the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Buthelezi has taken over the position left vacant after the death of former IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. He is currently the mayor of Zululand District Municipality and a senior leader of the IFP, but the king shot down any speculation that his appointment had been political. Buthelezi said the king wants amakhosi to play a more significant and hands-on role in the governance of the trust.…

A trip down memory lane will reveal that in February 2000, Nigeria’s Super Eagles sent South Africa’s Bafana Bafana packing in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash after winning 2-0. Tomorrow (kick-off at 7pm), the stage is set for another Afcon final four encounter between these powerhouses of African football. The match 24 years ago was played in Lagos, since Nigeria were the tournament’s co-hosts at the time, with 60 000 impassioned fans willing the Super Eagles to victory over then South African coach Trott Moloto’s outfit. This time around Nigeria will not have home-ground advantage, as the neutrality of the Stade de la Paix awaits. Bafana were arguably a far stronger outfit back in 2000 due to the presence of several international stars, such as Andre Arendse (Fulham),…

A WOMAN who was fed-up with her husband’s lack of ambition for not studying further to improve his earning capacity as well as his alleged infidelity, failed in a legal bid for him to forfeit his share of their house and other benefits upon divorce. The woman, who has a prominent position in local government, said during their marriage she managed to obtain several further degrees, found good jobs and contributed far more financially than the husband. This, while her husband was satisfied with his bachelor’s degree in education. The woman told the Limpopo High Court that she was employed as a teacher at a certain college for training teachers after completing her B.Ed degree in 1994. She later joined government and rose to the level of a director…

A number of Ottery parents have expressed their concerns as their children sit at home waiting for calls from schools for placement while the academic year is in full swing. Community activist Chantel Hendricks said one pupil from the Freedom Park informal settlement was at Oaklands High School in Lansdowne but due to travelling costs had to request a transfer. “The transfer was done and all paperwork was filled out. We were told that he would go to Lotus High School but at the start of the school year when he arrived at the school, he was told that he must go back home and wait for a phone call. “He and his mother have been back and forth seeking answers from the school but have not had any feedback.…

Application fees charged by universities serve as a significant impediment to access, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The practice of charging application fees not only exacerbates the financial burden of pursuing higher education but also perpetuates inequality in the country’s education system. The imposition of application fees places an unfair burden on students. For many prospective students, the cumulative cost of applying to multiple universities becomes prohibitive, effectively limiting their options. This disproportionately affects students from poorer backgrounds, who are already grappling with the exorbitant costs associated with university education. Furthermore, the practice of charging application fees runs counter to the principles of equal opportunity and inclusivity. It creates a system where access to education is contingent upon one’s ability to pay, rather than being based on merit and…

US SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken headed to the Middle East for another crisis tour yesterday in a bid to secure a new truce in the Israel-Hamas war, as southern Gaza saw no let-up in fighting. On his fifth trip to the region since Hamas’s October 7 attack that triggered the war, Blinken is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and Qatar. Ahead of the trip he stressed the need for “urgently addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza”, after aid groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm over the devastating impact on the besieged territory of nearly four months of war. “The situation is indescribable,” said Said Hamouda, a Palestinian who fled his home in the Gaza Strip to the southern city of Rafah on the border with Egypt. Dubbed a…

CAIRO: Trade between Russia and Egypt grew by 20% last year, reaching $7.2 billion (about R136bn), according to preliminary data, Russian Ambassador to Cairo Georgiy Borisenko told Sputnik. “Our trade co-operation is developing successfully. According to preliminary estimates, bilateral trade last year amounted, according to Russian statistics, to $7.2bn and demonstrated a 20% growth compared to the level of 2022,” Borisenko said in an interview. Egypt’s accession to BRICS gives an additional impulse to look at the opportunities of transition to mutual payments in currencies alternative to the dollar, the ambassador added. “The dollar has become a toxic currency,” Borisenko said.…

The news that the Springboks are to continue playing the All Blacks, Wallabies and Pumas every year is good news but there is a drawback to not joining the Six Nations. SA Rugby had hoped to gain admission to the Six Nations for two reasons — it is a far more lucrative tournament than the Rugby Championship, plus full alignment with the northern hemisphere would solve the problem of the players currently not having an off-season. As things stand, the European season takes a break in July, August, and September. If South Africa was in the Six Nations, our top players would be off during that period, which is when the Rugby Championship is played in the southern hemisphere. This is the single biggest problem of South Africa having one…

THE South Africa Women’s cricket tour of Australia has taken a sharp turn as the hosts have taken full control of the proceedings once again. South Africa looked like they had finally turned the corner against Australia, beating the hosts for the first time. However, Australia have gone on to win the T20 series 2-1 since then and now lead the ODI series 1-0, with two matches remaining. Here, we highlight where the visitors have gone wrong and what needs to be fixed heading into tomorrow’s second ODI. WICKETKEEPER POSITION: One of the few things that Proteas Women’s coach Hilton Mooreng has probably been criticised for is not rotating his squad and giving inconsistent performers an extended run in the team. Wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta is yet to make…

SCHNEIDER Electric is ready to partner with mining companies, both large and small, to provide sustain- able solutions that will help to reduce costs, improve resilience and protect the environment, Rob Moffitt, the president of Schneider Electric’s global Mining, Minerals and Metals (MMM) Segment told Business Report in an exclusive interview at this year’s African Mining Indaba 2024 in Cape Town yesterday. “The three Ms I focus on cover the mining, metals, cement and glass industries, which collectively account for some 21% of global carbon dioxide emissions. “These industries are the foundation blocks of society and our mission is to collaboratively ensure a profitable future,” he said. This aim is in line with this year’s Mining Indada theme of “Embracing the power of positive disruption: A bold new future for…

THE Health Department is pleading budget constraints as around 800 unemployed doctors who completed statutory community service programmes are struggling to find work in the public sector. Health Minister Joe Phaahla yesterday briefed the media about interventions, after the department had met with unions over the current state of unemployment among doctors despite staff shortages at many health facilities. “The issue of doctors who wish to stay in the public service employment is of major concern to us as the department, hence we are doing everything possible, working with the provincial health departments to mobilise resources to fund vacant posts, especially in health facilities in under-served communities,” Phaahla said. According to the minister, at the beginning of January, unions submitted a list of 825 medical doctors deemed to be unemployed,…

Mining Indaba told of how the State is turning the tide against illicit mining On THE day commemorating eight years since the Lily Mine tragedy, concerns over deaths, injuries and billions of rand being lost every year due to rampant illicit mining activities were among the issues topping the agenda at the 30th Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention (CTICC). About 8 000 delegates were in attendance for the first day of the indaba yesterday, with 11 000 people registered to attend from 126 countries. Yesterday’s proceedings came exactly eight years after Solomon Nyirenda, Pretty Nkambule and Yvonne Mnisi were engulfed in a sinkhole at Lily Mine in Mpumalanga. Their families have yet to find closure because efforts to retrieve their bodies failed.…

MUZIKAWUKHULELWA Sibiya, the first accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, has alleged that he was tortured by investigating officers and only confessed so that the abuse would stop. After the State closed its case in the trial-within-a-trial relating to the admission of statements made by Sibiya and his co-accused, Bongani Ntanzi, defence advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, who is acting for Sibiya, called him as a witness. The trial-within-a-trial began in the main trial in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria in October last year, after the legal counsel for the five men accused of the 2014 murder of soccer star Meyiwa objected to the admission of confessions made by Sibiya and Ntanzi shortly after their arrests. Both men opposed the admission of the confessions as evidence by the court, alleging that…

Frankfurt: Ground staff at German airline Lufthansa will go on strike tomorrow in the latest industrial action to hit Europe’s biggest economy, the Verdi union said. Some 25 000 staff will take part in the walkout, which will last for around 27 hours, the union said yesterday. The workers are demanding a 12.5% pay increase over 12 months as well as one-off bonuses to counter inflation, it said in a statement. The strike will affect Germany’s biggest airport in Frankfurt as well as those in Munich, Hamburg, Berlin and Duesseldorf. “There are likely to be major flight cancellations and delays,” the union said. Lufthansa said it was working on a “special flight schedule”.…

DAKAR: Security forces used tear gas to disperse an opposition rally outside Senegal’s parliament yesterday, shortly before the start of a contentious debate on postponing this month’s presidential election. Several dozen protesters could be heard chanting “Macky Sall dictator” referring to the incumbent president after being scattered by security. Senegal has been grappling with a political crisis since President Macky Sall on Saturday announced a delay to the February 25 presidential poll, just hours before campaigning was set to officially begin. Opposition leaders have denounced the move as a “constitutional coup”, saying it is an assault on democracy. |…

Britain’s Prince William is returning to royal duty this week after taking time off following his wife’s abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace said yesterday. William, 41, the eldest son of King Charles III and heir to the throne, postponed public engagements to care for his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales and their three children after she was admitted to hospital on January 16. William will conduct an investiture at Windsor Castle tomorrow and attend the London Air Ambulance annual fund-raising gala in central London tomorrow night, the palace said. Britain’s royal family had a double health scare in January when it was announced that Charles would be treated for an enlarged prostate and the Princess of Wales was recuperating from abdominal surgery. The king left hospital on January 29, three days…

As Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana reignite their titanic rivalry tomorrow evening in Ivory Coast, the statistics from their past Africa Cup of Nations clashes make for grim reading for Mzansi fans. It will be only the second time the two countries clash in an Afcon semi-final, with three matches in the record books overall. In their only previous encounter in the last four, Nigeria sent South Africa packing with an emphatic 2-0 win in February 2000 in Lagos. Since Nigeria were co-hosts of that edition of the tournament, they enjoyed home-ground advantage, with 60 000 people in the stadium spurring them on to victory. Nigeria’s hero in that match 24 years ago was the Ajax Amsterdam striker Tijani Babangida, whose first-half brace was enough for the…