Table of contents for 2023-02-07 in Star

SOUTH Africa is renewing its frontier status as a mining exploration destination, with the production of many minerals expected to surge as the world shifts to renewable energy and decarbonisation. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said yesterday at the opening of the Mining Indaba in Cape Town – the world’s biggest mining conference – that South Africa’s exploration landscape is becoming more fertile following recent discoveries of world-class deposits of minerals for the future such as lithium, rare earth minerals, copper, nickel as well as the expansion of mineral systems of manganese fields of high-grade quality. A theme fast emerging at the Mining Indaba this year is the many opportunities arising from the substantial additional mineral resources that will be required as the world transitions towards renewable energy…

THE SOUTH African business sector has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to scale down the size of his Cabinet and appoint capable ministers in his Executive. This comes amid a looming reshuffle of government following the swearing-in of four new ANC Members of Parliament yesterday, including Paul Mashatile, who is touted to take over as the country’s deputy president. Though Ramaphosa has managed to streamline his Cabinet from 36 ministers to 28, it still remains bloated with 34 deputy ministers who all earn more than R2 million a year. In a joint letter written by chief executives of Business Unity SA (Busa) Cas Coovadia and Business Leadership SA (BLSA) Busi Mavuso, business said the reality was that a small and focused team can achieve much more than a large…

On Sunday evening, Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode and Wouter Kellerman made Mzansi proud as the local trio won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance for Bayethe during a historic night in Los Angeles. While it was Kellerman’s second win at the prestigious awards, it marked Bantwini and Zikode’s very first wins. “It’s difficult to find the words to truly express how this moment feels and what it means,” said Bantwini over a call from Los Angeles. “This is the most important awards show in the world and for us to be recognized on such a big stage means we’re doing something right.” In the lead-up to the awards, Bantwini had spoken to IOL Entertainment about how regardless of whether he won or not, the nomination alone felt like…

Political fugitive and former Botswana president Ian Khama says South African authorities are yet to be furnished with an extradition letter for his return to the country of his birth. Khama said he fears not being given a fair trial, adding that being tried in South Africa would give him an opportunity to prove, once and for all, that all the allegations against him were fabricated and false. He added that his brother, Tshekedi Khama, will be the one representing him in establishing talks with current Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi about his return to his home country. Khama was speaking during an interview with the SABC at the weekend following reports that Masisi was considering extending the olive branch to the self-exiled former statesman. “It is true what they told…

Persistent load shedding has made chicken more expensive to buy. This is the view of consumers, farmers and small business owners, who said it was load shedding’s fault. Consumers said they were frustrated by the rising price of eggs and chicken, which were expected to go up further by R3.50 soon. Farmer Josi Paulo of Top Tech Growers in Pretoria said he nearly lost 100 000 chickens worth R4 million when his generator failed to kick in during load shedding. He said the impact of load shedding was felt from the moment a chicken was still an egg until it hatched, became a chick and later a chicken. “The process requires energy from electricity because farms use a lot of technology to keep the chickens alive.” Even the eggs had…

The attempt by Equitorial Guinea’s vice-president and son of president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue to rescind an appeal order brought by Daniel Welman Janse van Rensburg has been upheld by the Western Cape High Court. The kidnap victim filed for damages in the Western Cape High Court, which were granted. After the initial judgment, Obiang tried to have the sordid details of what Van Rensburg went through removed from the record by instituting court action. A full bench, however, upheld the initial order with Judge Derek Wille and Judge Andre Le Grange ruling in the majority, while Judge Daniel Thulare disagreed. Obiang brought a rescission application against a judgment of the same court which would allow certain details of how Van Rensburg was tortured, assaulted and captured for over a…

Unarine Mulaudzi has become a beacon of light to many pupils who have been fortunate to benefit from her shoe campaign, which has assisted many from destitute backgrounds in Limpopo. Unpacking the essence of the campaign, the 21-year-old says she is passionate about bringing change. Her initiative started in 2021, and she has since been collecting school shoes and donating them to underprivileged pupils who struggle to attend school because of shoes. “I’m a young girl who’s passionate about bringing about change and giving to those who are less fortunate. “The passion for giving back led me to register the Unarine Foundation, where I put together school uniforms and distribute them to those learners who wear old and torn ones,” she said. She explained that the idea of starting this…

After 18 years of keeping viewers entertained and producing music stars, the popular singing competition Idols SA announced season 19 would be its farewell season. Auditions for the last season start on February 12. While the information on the cancellation came as a shock to many, it was not a surprise for those who believed the show had lost its mojo. There were reports Idols SA had last year seen a drastic decline in viewership. Following the departure of Unathi Nkayi and Randall Abrahams as judges from the show, actress Thembi Seete and rapper-producer JR Bogopa were introduced in the hopes of reviving the show. However, this did not seem to have had any influence on enticing viewers to return. According to entertainment commentator Phil Mphela, the ratings of the…

I know you only by reputation and the extraordinary work you have done on radio over the years. Over the past few months, you have shown us your resilience and strength of character as you valiantly fight to improve your health. You have also shown us an inkling of the love that you have for your family, who stand by you, encouraging you and giving you hope for the future. Although many of us complain about the state of the country and all its problems, you fight for those you love, and your life. Your daily updates have inspired many to reflect and re evaluate that which is truly important. Your existence as a human being is to make a difference in someone’s life – and you have, Mark.…

WITH A MASSIVE increase in mining imminent for the “transition” minerals required for global decarbonisation, African countries should not to fall into the same value traps as they did previously, where communities were left out of the benefits, the Mining Indaba heard yesterday. The conference heard yesterday that the global transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation is resulting in massive shortfalls in certain minerals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, lithi- um and graphite, and many African countries hold significant unmined reserves of these minerals. Daniel Mulé, Oxfam’s policy lead for extractive industries tax and transparency, told delegates that the international civil society organisation has scaled up work to promote and accelerate a just energy transition, and also as it pertains to extraction of minerals that will be required for the…

Beyoncé has become the most- decorated artist in Grammy Awards history. The 41-year-old singer broke the record set by Sir Georg Solti in 1997 when she scooped her 32nd award on Sunday, with her album Renaissance victory in the Best Dance/Electronic Recording category securing her place in musical legend. Speaking on stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, she said: “I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night. I wanna thank God for protecting me. “Thank you, God. I’d like to thank my Uncle Jonny, who’s not here but he’s here in spirit. I’d like to thank my parents – my father, my mother, for loving me and pushing me. “I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three children who are…

■ Outcry over controversial church link ■ Sisulu’s office shoots down criticism of association ■ Revelation fuels social media frenzy TOURISM Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s office has shot down criticism of SA Tourism’s acting CEO Themba Khumalo over his links to controversial evangelist Pastor Alph Lukau. Khumalo was thrust into the national spotlight last week when he called an urgent press conference to allay fears concerning media reports that SA Tourism was on the verge of inking a R1 billion sponsorship deal with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The potential deal embroiled Sisulu in the scandal, with media reports making claims, which were later denied, that she was actively involved in ensuring that the contract was signed off before her speculated removal from her portfolio when…

The government under the ANC still has the hallmarks of the apartheid regime, with millions of residents still lingering in poverty and heavily reliant on social grants. So said ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba at the launch of his “South African Dream of an Inclusive and Prosperous Future” outside the building where he established his Black Like Me factory 38 years ago in Ga-Rankuwa yesterday. The factory was a joint venture and, according to Mashaba, it resembled a multiracial union of business associates in spite of the apartheid laws at the time. Not only did Mashaba express his concern about the poor state of the South African economy, he bemoaned the poor state of the once-vibrant Ga-Rankuwa township, calling it a relic under the governing party. According to Mashaba, his…

According to the Department of Health, over one-third of cancers are preventable, which means cancer risk can be reduced. Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said cancer was the second leading cause of death globally. Dhlomo was speaking on World Cancer Awareness Day, under the theme #CloseTheCareGap He said lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer were the most common types of cancer in men. Breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer were the most common among women. “The burden of cancer continues to grow globally, exerting physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems,” said Dhlomo. The department urged South Africans to go for regular cancer screening and testing for early detection, prevention, risk reduction and successful treatment. KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane urged…

WOMEN on Farms Project (WFP) is highlighting the precarious and exploitative nature of farmworker transportation. WFP shared images on Facebook of overcrowded and unsheltered trucks, trailers and bakkies ideal for the transportation of goods, instead of persons. The feminist rural development organisation located in Stellenbosch, works to capacitate women who live and work on commercial farms, to ensure their rights are upheld and livelihoods protected. WFP Labour Rights Programme Co-ordinator Denile Samuel said the “inhumane” way of transporting did not consider the health and safety of workers, which continued despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “Transporting farmworkers in this barbaric way has been the norm for years as if they are animals,” Samuel said. “Labour brokers are the main culprits since workers have been outsourced to them. They provide transport to farmworkers…

Harry Kane has set his sights on breaking the Premier League’s all-time goals record after becoming the leading scorer in Tottenham Hotspur’s history. Kane’s first-half strike in Sunday’s 1-0 win against defending champions Manchester City took him past Jimmy Greaves to a record 267 goals for the north London club. The 29-year-old’s predatory finish also made him only the third player to reach 200 goals in the Premier League, behind record holder Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208). Now his place in Spurs history is secured, Kane admitted he would love to break Shearer’s record as well. “I’m sure you guys will be talking about that,” he said. “It’s always there in the back of my mind but I just take it game-by-game, season-by-season. “It’s definitely there to be…

The South African senior women’s national football team head coach Desiree Ellis has announced her 26 women squad set to compete at the Turkish Women’s Cup this month. Banyana Banyana are set to use this competition as part of their preparation for the Fifa Women’s World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand later this year. The tournament begins on Monday and will run until February 23 and will feature the likes of Slovenia, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Zambia. The type of opposition fits Ellis’ as they seek to prepare directly for their World Cup group which features Sweden, Italy, and Argentina. Although without the services of former African Footballer of the Year Thembi Kgatlana, who is still working her way back from injury, Ellis can still rely on most…

THE RAND plunged to a seven-week low yesterday amid the risk-off environment over rising concerns about the impact of South Africa’s power crisis on the country’s outlook. Investors are still concerned about the government’s plan to end load shedding as there is still no decision on declaring a national state of disaster on Eskom, following a Cabinet lekgotla. The South African currency plummeted 0.4% to R17.61 against the US dollar around lunchtime yesterday, its lowest since mid-December, 2022 as a tangible solution to the energy crisis was still not in sight. Rolling power cuts enforced by Eskom to curb a total grid collapse have increased across the country and continue to plague businesses and undermine economic growth, while also fuelling food inflation. Last month, the South African Reserve Bank slashed…

Viola Davis achieved EGOT status at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The 57-year-old actress became the fourth black person to scoop the honour – wins at the Emmys, Oscars, Tonys and Grammys – when her memoir Finding Me was honoured at Los Angeles’ Crypto Arena with the Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording accolade. Taking to the stage to accept the honour, she said: “I wrote this book to honour the 6-year-old Viola, to honour her, to honour her life, her joy, her trauma, her everything. “It has just been such a journey. I just EGOT!” The How To Get Away With Murder actress went on to thank the people who worked alongside her on the book and gave a special shout-out to her husband, Julius Tennon, and their 12-year-old…

Political analysts are questioning the reason for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delay in announcing a Cabinet reshuffle. It is unknown yet when the president will make the announcement. ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile did not allow the media to press him when questioned about the imminent Cabinet reshuffle by Ramaphosa and his predecessor, David Mabuza, who over the weekend announced that he had resigned as deputy president of the ANC and the country. Mashatile, second deputy secretary-general Maropene Ramokgopa, former City of Joburg mayor Parks Tau, and former KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala were sworn in yesterday at a ceremony by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakule. The newly sworn-in MPs made a brief appearance before the media. “We are ready to serve; as you can see, we have just been sworn in.…

Eskom’s load-shedding crisis is costing the country’s economy R1 billion a day, says Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Addressing delegates at the opening of the annual Investing in African Africa Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre yesterday, he offered the assurance that the government was working on a plan to resolve the embattled utility’s power supply problems in the next 12 months. Mantashe said key focus areas to stem load shedding included maintenance of existing power stations, buying electricity from neighbouring countries and improving the skills capacity at Eskom. Resolving the energy crisis was the government’s biggest task to boost the country’s economy, which had suffered as a result of rolling blackouts, with stage 4-6 load shedding implemented since the start of last year. “At…

A HIKER, 54, was rescued from a cliff-top ledge high above Camps Bay at the weekend. Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) said the woman’s location was confined and very exposed, with a 10m cliff below. “Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from WSAR were called to assist the 54-year-old woman on Saturday morning from Cairn Ravine, the first ravine after the Kloof Buttress, on the Camps Bay side of Table Mountain. “The hiking group had been scrambling up a steep section of the route, when a member miss-stepped and fell 5 metres backwards, landing on the broken ground below,” the search and rescue organisation said. “Fortunately, her backpack offered some protection, but her shoulder was injured, and she was unable to proceed.” A WSAR team on board an Western Cape…

Ingredients For the base 300g puff pastry 1 egg and 1 extra egg yolk, beaten together For the filling 2 tbs vegetable oil 700g braising steak, diced 200g lamb kidney, diced 2 medium onions, diced 30g plain flour 850ml beef stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper A dash of Worcestershire sauce Method Preheat the oven to 220ºC. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and brown the beef. Set aside, then brown the kidneys in the same pan. Add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, then return the beef to the pan, sprinkle flour over, and coat the meat and onions. Add the stock to the pan, stir well and bring to the boil. Turn the heat right down and simmer for 11⁄2 hours without a lid.…

Pop culture has the biggest influence on African youth, followed by the US and Europe. These are the findings of the “Who is Influencing Who? Unpacking Youth and Influence in Africa” report, which investigates Africa’s influence on the world, its influences on African youth, and how dominant narratives about Africa shape the youth’s perception of the continent. The report said the main influences on respondents were pop culture (57%); social media (27%); family and friends (44%); religion (74%); and their communities’ cultural practices (54%). For the report, 4 500 people aged between 18 and 35 were interviewed in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in April 2021. Random sampling was used to reach 500 respondents in each country. The report revealed that 57% of…

Teachers in the UK are striking over salary and working conditions. But how do their salaries compare with teachers on the African continent? And why are teachers on the continent silent over their poor pay and working conditions? In the UK, members of the National Education Union last week went on strike for seven days after talks with the government broke down. The salary of a newly qualified teacher in England is $2 816 (about R49 000), while a teacher who has not obtained the necessary teaching qualification, gets about $1 944. According to the BBC, teacher salaries in England fell by an average of 11% between 2010 and 2022. This is not to put down their legitimate labour battle, but the pay of British teachers is substantially more than…

Arthur Zwane is hellbent on helping Kaizer Chiefs write new chapters going forward, instead of focusing on their previous fortunes. Having amassed 93 trophies in their first 46 years of existence, Chiefs were expected to grow in leaps and bounds, but they have been on a downward spiral, enduring a seven-year trophy drought despite continuous investment in the club. Enter Zwane. The Amakhosi legend has his work cut out for him as he must ensure that his troops find the club’s identity and win silverware as well. “We don’t want to focus on the past. It’s gone. We must look at what it is that we can do now and help the team to improve,” the 49-year-old said. “It’s not about the history of the club now. But we have…

Sunrisers Eastern Cape batter Temba Bavuma scored a half-century in his second SA20 match and, having qualified for the semi-finals, he reckons momentum is crucial going into the final on Saturday at the Wanderers. The Sunrisers lost to the Joburg Super Kings at the Bullring on Sunday with a sublime 92 from skipper Faf du Plessis the difference between the two sides. Gqeberha-based Sunrisers had Bavuma fight hard for them at the top of the order with a crucial 50, but the 32-year-old just wasn’t able to convert that score into a big one which was what was needed on the day. “The most important thing is when you do have form, you must score big runs to cash in on that. I think you’re wasting form if you’re doing…