Table of contents for 2023-10-23 in Star

Uncle Waffles, real name Lungelihle Zwane, is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with. The 23-year-old has been on an upward trajectory for two years and shows no sign of slowing down. The Asylum album-maker said she was under consideration for two Grammy Award nominations under the categories Best Global Music Album for Asylum and Best African Music Performance for Yahyuppiyah, featuring Tony Duardo, Justin 99, Pcee, Eeque and Chley. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: “It’s been an amazing year, I’ve played 100+ international shows this year alone and I’m soo greatful for everything that continues to happen in my life.” She continued to mark the anniversary in which her life completely changed, adding she’s been considered for the Grammy nominations. “Today marks the 2 year anniversary since my…

DEADLY snacks bought at spaza shops across Gauteng have claimed another life – this time that of a Grade 3 pupil from Roodepoort. The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed on Friday that a Grade 3 pupil from Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, had died at the local clinic as a result of food poisoning. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said it was alleged that two Grade 3 boys from the school started complaining of stomach cramps in class and had to be rushed to Tshepisong Clinic. Within minutes of receiving medical attention, one of the boys was certified dead, he said, while the other was transferred to Leratong Hospital for further medical attention, and remained in a stable condition. “It is alleged that the two learners bought and consumed…

It’s a shameful lie to claim that foreigners in South Africa are the cause of our hardships and societal problems. In reality, if the internal systems of governance were strong and effective, foreigners would find it harder than the locals to do as they wish. One of the major justifications for apartheid was that black people would never be able to govern themselves. Therefore black people needed some monitoring as happened with homeland leaders who, despite their failures, managed to keep things going. But we can never say the same about the ANC rule under a black majority since 1994. Rather, they have outdone themselves in confirming racist attitudes and now systematically scapegoating foreigners. For anyone to claim that free or corrupt elections in Zimbabwe are a cause of incompetence…

Last week, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor again exposed South Africa’s weak foreign policy position. On Tuesday, Pandor made a phone call to senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. According to Hamas’s statement released afterwards, she pledged her unwavering support to Hamas, an organisation declared to be a terrorist group by the EU and the US. This unholy call by Minister Pandor will certainly worsen the poor relations between Pretoria and Washington. It comes following US allegations that Pretoria aided Moscow in its conflict with Ukraine, an accusation South Africa has dismissed. More recently, radio veteran Redi Tlhabi and the international CEO of Good Governance Africa, Chris Maroleng, appeared before the White House in an attempt to mend our bilateral relations. Pandor should familiarise herself with the founding principles…

SIMANGA Mandita, 29, who was paralysed after a rugby incident in the Eastern Cape earlier this year, has received a motorised wheelchair and equipment worth R160 000. Pick n Pay donated R500 000 to the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund, which assists players who sustain life-changing head, neck or spinal cord injuries while participating in the game. This donation was used to buy the 15” Gladiator-powered wheelchair for Mandita and will further aid the fund that supports 87 recipients on an ongoing basis unless they make a full recovery. Pick n Pay released the reusable green-and-gold Springbok Supporter bag ahead of the Rugby World Cup, and proceeds from each sale have made this donation possible, Vaughan Pierce, an executive at the retailer, said. “As rugby fans…

Ingredients Fish filling 15g butter 2 shallots, roughly chopped 2 medium carrots, scrubbed and diced 3 celery fingers, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced 5ml ground coriander 2.5ml ground pepper 500ml full cream milk 450g smoked haddock 450g hake fillets Cheese sauce 30g butter 40g cake flour 5ml Dijon mustard 2.5ml fine salt 100g grated Cheddar cheese Mash topping 1.2kg potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 30g butter 100ml milk 2.5ml fine salt 15ml chives, chopped Method To make the fish filling, melt the butter in a deep saucepan. Add the shallots, carrots and celery and fry for a few minutes until softened. Add the garlic, coriander and black pepper. Fry for a further minute. Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring to boil. Lower the…

What strain has broken out in South Africa? The outbreak caused by a highly pathogenic (HPAI) strain of H7N6 avian influenza is causing the most concern at present. The strain was first confirmed in chickens near Delmas, north of Johannesburg, at the beginning of June. This virus is a novel mutation of a strain which originated from wild birds at or near the location of the original outbreak. The strain is well-adapted to chickens – it infects them easily and replicates effectively in them, in preference to other avian species – and spreads very easily between birds and farms. An estimated 10 million have become infected while 6 million died from the H7N6. A further 1.7 million died from H5N1 earlier in the year. The conventional control measures (collectively known…

Israel’s military announced intensified strikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza ahead of a planned ground invasion, as the Pentagon said yesterday it was bolstering defences in the Middle East over “escalations” by Iran and its allies. A first trickle of aid entered the blockaded Gaza Strip on Saturday, but the 20 trucks permitted to cross were described as a “drop in the ocean” given the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation for 2.4 million residents. Israel has pounded Gaza with relentless strikes in response to Hamas’s murderous October 7 attack, in which militants killed at least 1 400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death, according to Israeli officials. The bombing campaign has killed more than 4 300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and reduced swathes…

KITSHANGA: Clashes in eastern DR Congo at the weekend pitted M23 rebels against pro-government soldiers and armed groups, stirring up tension in the Masisi region, sources from the area said. M23 rebels and militias loyal to the government have battled across the area recently, breaking a truce that has lasted for months. Kitshanga, has changed hands between powers several times this year, with fighting resuming three weeks ago after a six-month truce. The Rwanda-backed, Tutsi-led M23 seized the town in January, continuing its conquest of vast swathes of territory. | AFP…

After successive Cup failures in domestic competition, PSL giants Mamelodi Sundowns rose like a colossus in Angola to claim a convincing win in their opening African Football League fixture. Sundowns entered the AFL quarter-final first-leg clash in Luanda on Saturday on the back of defeats to TS Galaxy (Carling Knockout last 16) and Orlando Pirates (MTN8 final) after failing in penalty shoot-outs. On Saturday, Sundowns ran out 2-0 winners against Petro de Luanda, but coach Rulani Mokwena, in his post-match conference, played down his team’s advantage ahead of tomorrow’s second leg at Loftus. Mokwena assured the media that the scoreline did not guarantee his team a place in the semi-finals. “No, we are not in the semi-finals. You have seen many things happen in football. You have seen teams come…

Aston Villa climbed to within two points of the Premier League lead as Douglas Luiz struck twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham yesterday. Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were also on target as Unai Emery's men recorded an 11th consecutive home Premier League win. Villa have been transformed in just over a year since Emery took charge and showed why they harbour ambitions to qualify for the Champions League for the first time this season. Luiz is just one of a number of players that are performing at a different level under the Spaniard and continued his scoring streak at Villa Park. The Brazilian became the first Villa player to score in six consecutive home Premier League games when his strike from the edge of the box had…

China’s move on Friday to curb exports of graphite, a key electric vehicle battery material, will only accelerate efforts to develop alternative sources and materials, but that will take time, industry executives and analysts said. China, the world’s largest graphite producer and exporter, will require export permits as of December 1 for some graphite products, including spherical graphite used by carmakers. It refines more than 90% of the world’s graphite into the material used in almost all EV battery anodes, which is the negatively charged portion of a battery. China’s decision may escalate trade disputes globally and spur other countries to prioritise research into alternative sources and materials, industry executives said. “We see China’s move as a potential catalyst to highlight the urgency of improving (US) graphite supply,” said John…

More and more RET proponents within the ANC and outside the party are likely to join the EFF in the run-up to the general elections next year. Former ANC member and now African Radical Economic Transformation Movement member, Nkosentsha Shezi, said this could be done by uniting leftist formations in a single bloc or through direct recruitment by the EFF. The EFF was becoming a force to be reckoned with, which is why some ANC RET members having a difficult time with their ideologies finding expression in the ANC, saw the EFF as a better alternative, he said. Shezi’s comments came after former public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, joined the Red Berets. In May, the EFF bagged another RET ally, Mzwanele Manyi, who at the time was with the African Transformation…

THE worst is over in terms of waste removal in the City of Tshwane as opera- tions are gradually returning to the nor- mal schedule across all seven regions. This was said by MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, during a clean-up campaign on Friday in Atteridgeville. Zwane was among the municipal workers who removed waste littered on the streets by frustrated residents. As a result of uncollected garbage for weeks, many resorted to disposing of their waste in open spaces. The schedule for refuse collection was disrupted by striking workers who intimidated colleagues who wanted to report for duty. In some instances, waste removal trucks were torched and workers physically abused by those believed to be the instigators of the strike. On Friday, Zwane was optimistic that…

THREE brides, two of whom the first wife did not approve of, came back to bite a husband as his first wife obtained an order that he may not receive half of her pension benefits upon their divorce. The husband, who, ultimately, had four wives, turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to obtain a divorce against wife no 1. As part of the divorce order, he wanted what he termed his half of his first wife’s pension because they were married in community of property. The wife, however, launched a counterclaim in which she asked that he forfeit his half of the benefits of their marriage, as he had married two of the three wives after her, without her consent. She told the court that her husband would unduly…

It’s been a busy time at South Africa’s most famous holiday resort with a new solar system already yielding results and the Lefika Villa project nearing completion. Sun City has taken its name to heart and installed a R16 million solar plant to reduce electricity consumption from the national grid. Located on the border of the Pilanesberg National Park, with many sunny days throughout the year, the grid-tied solar photovoltaic system is expected to generate 1.4 megawatts of energy for use around the resort complex. Senior operations engineer at Tsebo Energy Solutions, TM Lesetla, who installed the system, said it constitutes 2 584, 550W monocrystalline solar PV modules installed on the roof of the Sun City hotel. “These panels will be married into Sun City’s internal electrical network, including…

Martti Ahtisaari, the former Finnish president, died on October 16 at the age of 86. Born in eastern Finland, he was two years old when his family fled from the Russian invasion at the outbreak of World War II. A trained school teacher, he moved in 1960 to the Swedish Pakistani Institute in Karachi. In 1965 he joined the Finnish foreign service. His posting as a diplomat in Tanzania in 1973 was the beginning of lasting bonds to the African continent. Only two years later, he started his commitment to the Struggle for self-determination of the Namibian people. Namibia, then called South West Africa, was under the illegal control of apartheid South Africa. According to the UN, it was “a trust betrayed”. Namibia and its decolonisation have been among my…

GRAN CANARIA: More 1 000 migrants arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands in a single day on Saturday after making the dangerous journey from Africa, including a boat carrying 320 people that rescuers said was the most packed vessel they had ever seen. The Red Cross, which was helping to treat the migrants, said a wooden boat that arrived on the island of El Hierro marked a record number in a single boat. The previous record was a boat carrying 271 people that arrived in El Hierro on October 3. Saturday’s arrivals included 783 in El Hierro, 98 in Tenerife and 150 in Gran Canaria. At least 1 000 people have died trying the crossing so far this year. | Reuters…

SEOUL: South Korea, Japan and the US, held a joint aerial exercise near the Korean peninsula yesterday, the South Korean military said, marking the first such collaboration between the three countries. The drill aimed to expand the countries’ response capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. It involved a US B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets. The aerial exercise is an effort by Washington and its two Asian allies to strengthen ties amid tensions with North Korea and China’s influence in the region. Also yesterday, South Korean and US navies ended a joint anti-submarine exercise. | Reuters…

OSWIN APPOLLIS was in imperious form against his former club SuperSport United as he helped Polokwane City to a surprise 4-1 smashing of Matsatsantsa a Pitori in their own backyard. The 22-year-old, who played just five official matches for his former club, being loaned out to AmaTuks and then later joining Pretoria Callies prior to joining Rise and Shine, scored the opening goal and created the third for Hlayisi Chauke, who netted a brace. It was a result not many would have predicted but such has been the nature of this new Carling Knockout that many ‘giants’ have fallen with SuperSport’s neighbours Mamelodi Sundowns being the first to fall by the way side midweek against TS Galaxy while Kaizer Chiefs were dispatched by AmaZulu. The visitors went into the break…

ADCOCK Ingram, one of South Africa’s top five companies in the private and public sector pharmaceutical markets, was able to adapt to changing market dynamics and affordable brands would continue to be sought to add to the company’s range, chairperson Nompumelelo Madisa and CEO Andrew Hall said. The annual report released on Friday said that in the consumer division, the heritage brands would be used to leverage new launches within the portfolio. A focus was on reducing the above normal cost increases from suppliers to ensure sustainable profitability. Opportunities would also be sought to close gaps in the portfolios in areas the company doesn’t compete in. New channels, markets and adjacent categories would be targeted. Brand-led initiatives such as the Island Tribe solar programme were expected to contribute toward the…

THE BLACK Management Forum (BMF) is heading to its annual policy conference scheduled for November 10, 2023. The theme and goal for this conference is to have conversations that will craft the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) blueprint for the next 30 years of our democracy. The BMF intends to own and drive this conversation as the midwives of the BEE concept. What we all agree on by now as a country is that the current BEE model has taken us as far as it could. We now need new answers to our old question of how may we end poverty in our lifetime and bring more people to meaningfully participate in the economy. We need to think about new ways of achieving this goal sustainably. The BMF has historically placed…

WHEN grown men and children cry out of gratitude that their team has made it to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final – even by the skin of their teeth – then you must know that you’re doing something right to bring joy to a nation while representing it on rugby’s biggest stage. That is what the Springboks did on Saturday night as they clinched a nerve-racking 16-15 win over England to head to a fourth final and one step closer to winning the title back-to-back and becoming the first team in history to win the Webb Ellis Cup four times. It was far more comfortable earlier on Saturday when the Proteas romped to a 229-run triumph over the same foe at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during their Cricket World…

Amid rising poverty levels, unemployment and a struggling economy, it’s no secret that our esteemed government officials are living it up in the lap of luxury. With lavish perks ranging from two luxury mansions, two fancy cars and VIP security to free flights for family members. It’s pretty difficult to justify such indulgence in a country where the majority of people struggle to make ends meet. In terms of gross domestic product growth, our country ranks 37th in the world, yet we have 30 ministers, each with a deputy minister, earning in excess of R1.7 million a year. We seem to have lost focus on competency and management. Instead, we depend on the ANC allies who led the Struggle against apartheid. One wonders whether experience, professionalism and qualifications still matter,…

THE SOSHANGUVE Magistrate’s Court on Friday denied bail to three men accused of selling muffins laced with marijuana to learners outside a Soshanguve school. The trio, Amukelani Nyulunga, 19, Ofentse Maluleka, 21, and Katlego Matlala, 21, were arrested after 90 Pulamadibogo Primary School learners were admitted to hospital after eating the muffins allegedly sold by them. Presiding magistrate Reginald Thulo said the court could not trust that the accused would honour their bail conditions should they be released. The State argued that the accused forced the learners to consume the marijuana-laced muffins. Community members and some parents of the learners, who wer picketing outside the court, could not hide their jubilation when they heard that the three were denied bail. Tlou Thansha, a Soshanguve resident who had been in…

Are South Africa’s female inmates being disadvantaged in South Africa’s correctional facilities compared to their male counterparts? A recent report by online publication The Conversation indicates that is the case, but Correctional Services disagrees. A hard-hitting report by the online publicationsaid females are being disadvantaged in prison, with Correctional Services limiting their rehabilitation programmes to mostly domestic skills, which includes bead-work, knitting, sewing and laundry, and taking care of the sick. In contrast, male offenders are allegedly offered a richer array of skills programmes, increasing their chances of being gainfully employed or self-employed, and lessening their chances of re-offending. The report also says all female offenders are being forced to read the Bible, regardless of whether they are Christian or not. But Correctional Services rubbished the reports, insisting that…

A WOMAN from Jozini in the north of KwaZulu-Natal has been given props for “keeping it within the family” after she divorced her husband and married his younger brother over the weekend. Sister paper Isolezwe reported that Babazile Mtshali, 38, from Jozini in uMkhanyakude District Municipality, divorced her husband Mzwandile Mzulwini, 51, only to turn around and marry his younger brother Nkosinathi Mzulwini, 49. The actions of the pair have reportedly left the Mzulwini family divided, with some members of the family hating Mtshali, describing her as a woman who did not behave well and intended to tear the family apart. Other family members, however, were reportedly behind Mtshali and supported the union as they believed that the elder brother was abusing his former wife. Mtshali admitted that she did…

The SABC is an important statutory institution established to play an active role in the realisation of democracy, in line with the key tenets of the Constitution. The fundamental existence of the Constitution is to protect the rights of citizens as stipulated in the Bill of Rights, and the SABC, as a public service content provider, continues to play a pivotal role in the protection and preservation of these rights. One of the key aims of the Constitution is to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society on a firm foundation of democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights. The SABC has proven to be a catalyst for social change by raising awareness and educating citizens about their rights and restoring their dignity through diverse programming.…

The great sporting teams have the priceless ability to find a way to win when the cause looks lost. We saw this from the Springboks in their heart-stopping semi-final defeat of England in rainy Paris on Saturday night. The South Africans seemed to be heading for a surprise defeat to the team they beat in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final but they dug deep and in the 77th-minute took the lead for the first time when Handre Pollard landed a magnificent penalty goal. Siya Kolisi’s team hung on for the last three minutes to edge into the final where they will meet their Old Foe, the All Blacks, at the Stade de France on Saturday night. The concern before the semi-final that the Boks would be fatigued from their…

Tehran: Iran’s judiciary yesterday announced lengthy jail sentences for two female journalists arrested after reporting on the death last year of Mahsa Amini, which sparked nationwide protests. Elaheh Mohammadi, 36, and Niloufar Hamedi, 31, were both found guilty of collaboration with Iran’s arch enemy the US. The Revolutionary Court handed Mohammadi six years in jail, and Hamedi seven years in prison. The pair were also each given five-year jail terms for conspiring against state security and one for propaganda against the Islamic republic.The terms will run concurrently. | AFP…

MADRID: Bleeting sheep replaced beeping cars on Madrid’s streets yesterday, as shepherds guided their flocks through the city centre following ancient herding routes to southerly pastures for the winter. The annual event was revived in 1994 as part of Madrid’s annual Fiesta de la Trashumancia, after the Spanish parliament recognised the traditional routes used to herd livestock. Once they passed through quiet countryside, but yesterday the shepherds had to cross some of the busiest areas of the city, including the Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid’s main squares. Bystanders lined the way snapping pictures. | Reuters…

Bulls (28) 63 Tries: Cameron Hanekom (2), Stedman Gans (2), Ruan Nortje, Johan Grobbelaar, David Kriel, Akker van der Merwe, Wandisile Simelane; Conversions: Johan Goosen (9) Scarlets (14) 21 Tries: Taine Plumtree (2), Johnny McNicholl; Conversions: Ioan Lloyd (3) Despite Loftus being a sandy patch and the grass breaking up under the pressure of players’ boots, the Bulls pulled off a stunning display of pace and power yesterday in a sunny Pretoria to beat Scarlets quite easily in their United Rugby Championship opener. The home team sealed their bonus-point for four tries after 28 minutes already and turned on the fireworks in the second half to score five more five-pointers for a convincing 63-21 win. Thanks to their pack of forwards dominating from the get-go -…