Table of contents for 2023-01-24 in Star

RENERGEN’S first production of liquid helium saw the share price of the country’s first onshore gas-producing company rise by 8.3% to R26.80 on the JSE yesterday morning. The JSE and the Australian stock exchange-listed company said in a statement the first production at its Virginia Gas Project made it the world’s newest producer of liquid helium. “The helium module is now operational and being optimised,” it said. The news appeared to be well received by shareholders considering the share price recently lagged after investor scepticism about initial delays in getting the project into first production. The share price traded at R26.80, lower than the R35.80 that it traded at the same day a year ago, and much lower than the more than R42 it traded at in November, last year.…

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said yesterday during a visit to Zambia that it is critically important to restructure Zambia’s debt, and she believed progress could be made after her frank talks with key creditor China last week. Yellen said that Zambia’s debt overhang was a drag on its whole economy and that China had been a barrier to resolving the southern African country's debt problem. However, she said she was encouraged that progress could shortly become possible after her meeting with Chinese officials in Zurich last week. “I specifically raised the issue with Zambia (with Chinese officials) and asked for their co-operation in trying to reach a speedy resolution. And our talks were constructive,” Yellen said. She told Zambian Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane that the timely finalisation of Zambia’s…

THE RELATIONSHIP of international trade and military power is intertwined and foreign relationship policies determine the terms of trade agreements. World events such as Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian and the China/Taiwan looming crises are playing a major role in the terms of agreements, such as import tariffs and limitations on imports. Globalisation is a process of increasing integration and growing economic “interdependence” of countries worldwide. It refers to “the expansion of economic activities across political boundaries of nation states”. It’s important attribute is its increasing degree of openness of domestic economies. It is associated not only with the increasing cross-border movement of goods and services, capital and technology, information, and people, but also with an organisation of economic activities that straddle national boundaries. Its three broad dimensions are international…

Last year was a particularly triumphant one for Simphiwe Dana. After weathering the storm from her acrimonious split with Universal Music Group Africa, Dana came back firing on all cylinders. “The year 2022 was one of regaining all that was lost due to Covid,” Dana told IOL Entertainment. “Remember, artists didn’t work for almost a year. Some got lost in the process, but others, like me, found a renewed verve for their work.” Among her highlights, which notably included a stellar performance at the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival, was the launch of her new show titled Moya, which means spirit. After a successful showing last year, it is set for a return to the Joburg Theatre from March 3 to 5. “Moya is a spiritual journey that…

THE Gauteng Department of e-Government has awarded a full bursary to one of the province’s top achiever matriculants. Former Madiba Comprehensive School learner Tebogo Mohutsioa has made the country proud with his outstanding achievement after he obtained seven distinctions in his final exams, with the highest marks of 97% in technical science and 93% in technical maths. Yesterday, a ceremony was held at the learner’s school in Krugersdorp to honour him, where MEC for e-Government and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mzi Khumalo informed him of his Department of e-Government bursary. Also in attendance was musician Nhlanhla Mafu and ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane. The department said that the bursary would cover Mohutsioa’s full tuition fees, books and accommodation at a learning institution of his choice. Among other things, he…

High-profile fugitive Atul Gupta’s attempts to have a new South African passport issued to him have been dealt a blow after the high court in Pretoria ruled on Friday he “is a fugitive from justice and therefore does not qualify for a South African passport”. “Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi welcomes the High Court Gauteng North judgment delivered on Friday, 20 January 2023, which confirmed that Atul Gupta is a fugitive from justice and therefore does not qualify for a South African passport, as the department had contended,” Siya Qoza, Motsoaledi’s spokesperson, said. On September 25, 2018, having fled South Africa during the advent of the Gupta Leaks, Atul Gupta approached the consul-general of South Africa in Dubai to apply for a passport. “The department rejected this application after…

As we begin our academic year, it’s my wish to see all pupils pass with flying colours. But that can only happen if parents help teachers to inspire kids to take their education seriously. Parents should play their part for pupils to do well. Now is the time for parents to work together with teachers and take responsibility. The habit of distancing ourselves from our kids’ education, as we think that it’s the teachers’ job, should come to an end. The class of 2023 pass rate will not only be determined by hard-working teachers. It also hinges on how united teachers and parents are in educating and inspiring pupils. Let’s also teach our children team work that knows no racial boundaries. Team work is the key.…

TS Galaxy, the Premiership draw kings, are hoping to achieve the rare feat of beating Mamelodi Sundowns twice in a season. This campaign TS Galaxy have replaced Swallows FC as South Africa’s club that will most likely than not draw their matches. Galaxy have drawn 10 of their 17 matches to date in the league this campaign. Previously, Swallows set the benchmark with 20 draws in 30 matches. Last August, Galaxy stunned all and sundry by beating Sundowns at their Loftus Versfeld fortress. After Lifa Hlongwane scored the goal just past the half-hour mark, the star-studded Sundowns team were unable to land the equaliser in the remaining hour’s play. The defeat was one of two the Brazilians have suffered this season in the league. Galaxy's German coach Saed Ramovic is…

The Lions should never have squeezed into a homeground Round of 16 clash – they should have smashed their way into it. But battle into the next stage of the Challenge Cup they eventually did, much to the rising stress levels of their supporters and, no doubt, the blood pressure of coach Ivan van Rooyen. Leading 27-5 at half-time against the Dragons in their final Pool B group match on Sunday, the visitors were cruising to an easy victory. They should have cantered through the second half with little trouble but instead they made heavy weather of the final 40 minutes to hold on for a 30-25 win. The Lions were utterly dominant in the first 40, giving their hosts not even a sniff of an opportunity. All of that…

A ruthless Novak Djokovic ominously warned yesterday his hamstring injury was on the mend after his “best day so far” at the Australian Open as he surged into a 13th Melbourne Park quarter-final. The Serbian fourth seed demolished Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to move a step closer to a 10th Australian title and 22nd Grand Slam crown. With his left thigh again strapped, the 35-year-old was on a mission, expending as little energy as possible in a 2hr 06min romp to edge within sight of Rafael Nadal’s Slam record. Djokovic aggravated his hamstring during his run to a 92nd title at the Adelaide International this month and has been struggling with it since. But he moved freely against De Minaur to set up a…

‘Interference undermining power utility’s leadership’ after PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s attempts to twist Eskom’s arm into delaying the electricity tariff hike in April has been met with serious criticism of “executive overreach” into the regulatory realm. This comes after Ramaphosa yesterday reiterated what he said over the weekend that he had asked Eskom to hold off on implementing the 18.65% tariff increase, a week after saying his hands were tied on the matter. Ramaphosa jetted to the governing party’s provincial conferences over the past two days where, instead of calling a “family meeting” and addressing the nation as head of state, he addressed the energy crisis in public for the first time since cancelling his trip to Davos for the World Economic Forum. Closing the meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal ANC’s…

SOUTH Africa’s government has vowed to maintain and strengthen its 30 years of economic relations with Russia in spite of the country being at the centre of the war in Ukraine that has brought the world into a cost of living crisis. Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Naledi Pandor yesterday hosted her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, who was on his four-nations tour of Africa. Pandor said she was pleased the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (Ictec) remained an active platform for co-ordinating bilateral relations. She said the Ictec continued to meet regularly and had made considerable progress in deepening the co- operation between South Africa and the Russian Federation. “However, it is my view that both our countries can and must do more to develop and capitalise…

DIVERSIFIED miner South32 said that it expected to record an increase of $100 million in working capital in the December 2022 half-year due to South African shipping delays, which led to an increase in inventories. “This impact is most acute in our aluminium value chain in southern Africa due to ongoing shipping delays,” the group said in its quarterly report, released yesterday. The Australian-headquartered South32 also said it continued to truck South African manganese ore from its Northern Cape operations despite road transport being more expensive than rail. “A weaker South African rand was partially offset by the use of higher cost trucking,” it said. Many companies in South Africa have turned to trucks instead of rail to move their goods as state-owned Transnet Freight Rail struggles to perform due…

As an artist it is important to put yourself out there in order to obtain your dreams – nothing is achieved by sitting around waiting in the corner. Celso Fabbri, a musician from Gqeberha, has taken that philosophy and used it to make his dreams come true. Coming from a small town often creates a challenge for artists wanting to make it on a national scale, but Celso Fabbri isn’t letting this stop him from establishing himself in the cut-throat entertainment industry. The national lockdown was a tough time for many artists, but Fabbri used the time to enhance his skills as a DJ. He played at Black Impala Tshisanyama in “GQ”, as Gqeberha has become popularly known, and learned how to play like a proper DJ. His momentum did…

After a successful edition in Cape Town, the highly anticipated Cotton Fest returns to Johannesburg with a riveting music line-up. Taking place in the inner city on February 4, the festival will once again bring together established and young emerging local talent performing live across three stages. To showcase the diversities in popular music genres and to fuse the gaps within the different local movements, Cotton Fest also celebrates fashion and sport. Synonymous with celebrating youth culture, this multilayered lifestyle festival includes a full-day concert, merchandise, a cafeteria, and a sports area. Cotton Fest will feature over 160 of South Africa’s finest young musicians, including Cassper Nyovest, A-Reece, Anele Zondo, Blxckie, DBN Gogo, DJ Maphorisa, Musa Keys, Sjava, Uncle Waffles, Young Stunna, Sino Msolo, K.O, Priddy Ugly, Nadia Nakai and…

MULTI-award-winning artist Asanda Mvana, known as Msaki, has left her music fans gloomy after announcing she is stepping away from the glare of publicity. The Ubomi Abumanga hitmaker spoke about the detriment of being a celebrity, revealing that some opinions put a strain on her. “Please release me. I may seem weak … But I am sensitive, sentimental and an empath (this is my most valuable creativity tool), and my skin is not thick ... It is porous, so I feel the changes in the breeze. I’m moved quickly and deeply, and I understand this may be abnormal. I don’t expect everyone to understand, but I know some of you get it. “The same sensitivity where the songs come from ... (I) can’t handle this callous badgering and normalisation of…

The National Department of Health will commence with the compensation of eligible former miners who contracted lung diseases between March 1965 and December 2019. From Monday, January 23 to February 4, the Department of Health will begin with the programme of screening, verification, medical examination and payment of benefits to eligible former mine workers who contracted tuberculosis (TB) or silicosis while working for certain mines in the country during that period. Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. The nationwide programme will start in northern KwaZulu-Natal before moving to other provinces. In 2018, South African gold producers reached a class action settlement with law firms representing thousands of miners who contracted the fatal lung diseases silicosis and tuberculosis.…

“I do not want to South Africa anymore, I want to Azania” (Makhafula Vilakazi in Words). There are several ways in which one can analyse the problem of racism in South Africa. One can look at the recurring racist incidents such as the white woman who said that black men have to be banned and killed and that black women should have their uterus cut out. And most recently, the white men who attacked young black boys in a pool. There is a symptomatic way of thinking which focuses on the manifestation of the problem rather than treating its fundamental cause. Another way is a radical one which instead of emphasising the symptoms of a problem, focuses on the fundamental root of the problem. The criminalisation of racism is indicative…

David Miller has represented 18 T20 franchises and one The Hundred team across his career. That’s plenty of different jerseys and badges, and along with it each team has its own culture and identity. It’s a career path that he chose a long time ago – the life of a T20 freelancer. But that’s why Miller cherishes every opportunity he gets to return to the Proteas national team. For him, it’s an identity; an opportunity to plug into a world that he’s wanted to be a part of since he was a little boy. “It has always been my dream to play for my country, and I remember watching it (the Proteas) on TV and meeting the players,” Miller said ahead of the three-match ODI series against England later this…

Richards Bay co-coach Vasili Manousakis has credited realism and a healthy environment for being the key factors behind his club’s exceeding of expectations so far this season. Prior to the start of the season, most would have expected the league newcomers to be stuck in the relegation battle. Instead, they find themselves in second place, behind only runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. While the KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit will not win the league this season, given that they trail Sundowns by a mammoth 16 points, a top three finish would earn them continental qualification, something which would be impressive given their circumstances. “The Chairman did not demand that we must be in the top four,” said Manousakis. “The second thing is that there is a group of players here that want to improve,…

THE SEVERE load shedding has increased food security risks in South Africa and financial pressures on farmers, agribusinesses and the value chain role-players, and as a result it was it was holding continued engagements with Eskom, the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), said yesterday. It was lobbying for load shedding not to exceed stage 2 or 3 in the near term, it said. It wanted to also develop contingency plans that allowed greater predictability should outages be unavoidable, so companies can plan their operations with more stability. Agbiz has been engaged in meetings with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, as well as Eskom, to find ways to ease the pressure on agribusinesses. “In the near term, Agbiz has urged for less severe load…

CIVIL society organisations have welcomed the Western Cape High Court judgment that berated Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe for his unlawful firing last January of Peter Becker, the civil society representative on the board of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR). The South African team lead at 350Africa.org, Glen Tyler said in a statement yesterday: “It is amazing that a minister needs to be hauled before the high court to understand that having a community representative with opposing views on a regulator’s board is okay. This is more evidence of Mantashe’s biases against a quick and just transition to renewable energy.” Mantashe’s office said in response to questions about his reaction to the judgment: “With regard to Mr Becker’s court case we wish to indicate that the department is…

With load shedding being the main cause of hours of missed TV time, South Africa always seems to come up with a survival plan. Openview’s new anti-load shedding channel Power-UP! is one such initiative and will ensure there will be no more missing out on your favourite entertainment caused by load shedding. Now you can stay up to date with all your favourite soapies, thanks to Openview stepping up as a beacon of light and giving households nonstop-entertainment with their favourite shows. The industry-first initiative also adds value to brands and advertisers by repeating their ads on a pop-up channel for 18 hours, daily. Loyal followers of the Afrikaans telenovelas won’t be left behind as the new channel will showcase the omnibus repeats on Saturdays and Sundays. These shows include…

Carl Niehaus, a former ANC member and founder of civil society group the Radical Economic Transformation Movement (Retmo), has presented his 10-point plan to transform the organisation into a socio-political force. Niehaus’ RET rhetoric within the ANC has seen him break ranks with most of the current leaders of the ruling party, whose neo-liberal policies have taken over the ANC in recent years. In the lead-up to the ANC’s 55th national conference in December, the former uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association spokesperson was booted out of the ANC, accused of bringing the party into disrepute. Among some of his ambitious proposals, contained in his draft policy statement, are the scrapping of the privatisation of state-owned enterprises; the nationalisation of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB); the establishment of a state bank;…

THE DA and AfriForum yesterday asked the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to declare the ANC deployment committee illegal and unconstitutional, saying it “belongs in the apartheid era”. The parties argued that the ANC used its deployment committee to appoint only its members in senior positions in government, the judiciary, media and other levers of state. Advocate Anton Katz SC, for the DA, told the full Bench of the high court that the deployment committee consisted of 15 members, drawn primarily from the national executive committee (NEC) of the ANC. “It is chaired by the deputy president of the ANC. “The secretary of the deployment committee monitors the media and government bulletins for advertised vacancies in the public service. “Cabinet ministers are also required to inform the deployment committee…

South Africa’s popular and much-loved youth ensemble, the Ndlovu Youth Choir, was set to showcase its special musical artistry in the America’s Got Talent: All-Stars competition in Los Angeles with an exemplary performance. Ndlovu Youth Choir returned to this prestigious stage as one of the most beloved and memorable contestants from the thousands who were part of the competition. The performance was set to be broadcast on NBC at 8pm in the US last night. Local fans can catch a glimpse of the Ndlovu Youth Choir performance today after the NBC broadcast. They can also tune into YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook this morning after the broadcast. With more than 70 local renditions of Got Talent produced across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, AGT: All-Stars brings together…

Former winners Leinster and La Rochelle ended top of their groups thanks to impressive victories at the weekend, but questions remain with South African sides taking part for the first time. Here, we look at three talking points from the Champions Cup pool stages. South African teams settle The inclusion of three SA teams raised eyebrows among traditional followers of the sport as the competition lost its European exclusivity. During the pool stages, the Stormers travelled 30 hours to Clermont and Bordeaux-Begles took 24 hours to get to Durban to face the Sharks, raising questions over player welfare, the environmental impact of the flights and the lack of away support, a huge part of the competition’s history. Last week, it was announced that if the SA sides were to reach…

Chelsea’s record sale last year has proved to the Glazer family that now is the right time to sell Manchester United, industry experts have revealed, with any deal for the Premier League club having the potential to be the biggest in sporting history. British billionaire and long-time United fan Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS has entered the bidding process to buy the record 20-time English champions after he failed to acquire Chelsea, who were sold for $5.2-billion (about R892b) in May. United have not won the league in a decade, with the unpopular Glazers the target of several fan protests, but they are still an attractive prospect, according to CLV Group CEO and co-founder Neil Joyce. The club is one of the world’s biggest sporting brands and generated €689-million (about R12.9bn)…

Orlando Pirates are enjoying a remarkable purple patch that has seen the club score seven goals in their last two Premiership matches. After 15 matches, the club had scored 10 goals but the terrific strike-rate in their last two outings have seen their aggregate shoot up to 17 goals after back-to-back wins for the first time this season. On Sunday, the Sea Robbers thumped Stellenbosch 4-1, and afterwards their coach Jose Riveiro made a bittersweet admission. He was thrilled that the team managed four goals but was disappointed that they allowed the opposition to score a consolation goal. “It was a long week with five training sessions before the game and every session was better than the previous one,” said Riveiro. “The consequence was a full performance in which we…