Table of contents for 2024-09-17 in Star

AIRBUS has announced the opening of its new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg. “This newly established centre will contribute to strengthening Airbus’s local presence and supporting the growth of the African ecosystem. Serving as a hub for customers in the region, the new office will provide tailored support and enhance operational efficiency,” it said in a statement yesterday. The Customer Support Centre would drive the development of local capabilities ensuring access to maintenance and training resources, while fostering a stronger, more collaborative ecosystem in the region. Airbus’s most recent Global Market Forecast, predicts that commercial demand for Africa would reach 1 460 passenger and freight aircraft by 2043, comprising 1 210 single-aisle aircraft and 250 widebody aircraft. Additionally, Airbus’s Global Services Forecast estimated that Africa would…

THE JSE HAS undergone a notable transformation over the past two decades, marked by a significant reduction in the number of listed companies. From its peak of 484 listed companies in 2002, the JSE has seen a decline to 302 as of quarter one 2023, representing a 38% decrease. While these changes might raise concerns among investors, it’s essential to examine the underlying factors driving the shift. A critical observation is that the decline reflects a structural change rather than a temporary fluctuation. Processes of consolidation, growth, de-listings and new listings are at play, not unique to the JSE, but part of a broader global trend observed in major equity markets worldwide. Exchanges in the US, Germany and the UK have also experienced declines in listed companies over similar periods.…

AS AFRICA’S digital landscape continues to evolve, the iGaming sector stands at the forefront of this transformation, poised to tap into the continent's untapped regions. iGaming is any kind of gambling conducted on the internet. However, navigating this complex terrain requires a keen understanding of local markets, strategic partnerships and adaptable technological solutions. Identifying untapped regions: A strategic approach “Is there a demand for the service or product? Or is it a case of demand meeting a solution or a solution creating the demand?” This foundational question helps determine the viability of entering a new market. Beyond demand, one has to evalu- ate the supporting ecosystem. In the iGaming industry, key factors to consider include payment infrastructure, connectivity and regulatory frameworks. These elements will ultimately dictate the type of solution…

SALES volumes in Oceana Group’s Lucky Star division dipped 2% in the 11 months to August 25, 2024, the company said yesterday, highlighting that that had been worsened by a 26% fall in production volumes in its first-half period. The 2% decline in sales volumes for the 11 months under review was recorded against the backdrop of record volumes sold in the prior comparative period, Oceana said in a trading update. However, Lucky Star was capitalising on its recent investments to drive volume growth. “Lucky Star continues to drive growth of canned fish through product affordability, availability and versatility, and optimise its recent canned meat and chicken liver investments to capitalise on its brand strength and wide distribution reach,” said Oceana. During the first half to the end of March,…

PATRICE Motsepe’s African Rainbow Capital (ARC) Investments, which has made further investments into Rain and TymeBank to bump up the group’s total valuation to R20.2 billion, views the current government of national unity (GNU), dissipating inflationary pressures and easing of load shedding as providing tailwinds for its South African portfolio. The business sector in SA has largely been optimistic about the GNU, viewing the inclusion of some opposition parties such as the DA in government as positive for economic and parastatal reforms. While the run-up to the May election period had been characterised by uncertainty, business executives are now seeing upshoots of stability in the South African operating and economic frameworks. ARC Investments said yesterday that its ARC Fund portfolio was positively impacted by the GNU consummation, lower…

All indications are pointing to a cut in the repurchase rate (repo rate) later this week by the South African Reserve (SARB) Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Many economists predict a cut of 25 basis points (bps) will be announced by SARB governor Lesetja Kganyago on Thursday. The repo rate is currently at a 14-year high of 8.25% and the prime lending rate is 11.75%. If a 25 bps cut is announced, the repo rate will fall to 8% while the prime lending rate in the country will drop to 11.50%. Absa’s SA Macroeconomics team said yesterday that they were expecting a 25 bps cut. “Our view is line with the Thomson Reuters consensus, with 18 of the 21 analysts (including Absa Research) polled last week calling for a 25…

Five people were killed in the early hours of Sunday, when the car they were travelling in overturned and burst into flames on the D2945 Road between Mgobobodzi and Madadeni in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga. According to the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, a sixth person was critically injured and receiving critical care. “The cause of the accident is still unknown and under investigation,” the department said in a statement. Following the horrific crash, the Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security, and Liaison, Jackie Macie, pleaded with motorists to be cautious on roads. “We must all respect the rules of the road. With greater caution and considerate driving, more lives will be spared. We must all play our part in ending the devastation that tragedies like these bring to families…

THE management at Babel restaurant in Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, have broken their silence about allegations that workers at the posh eatery are subjected to unfair labour practices and don’t have basic salaries. They promised to “rectify” their unlawful acts within five days during a visit by EFF leaders in Tshwane to the establishment yesterday. The visit followed public outrage sparked by claims of workers’ mistreatment exposed by a former waitress identified as Mihlali Nobavu, who took to TikTok at the weekend to share her ordeal. On Sunday, officials from the departments of Home Affairs, the Labour Department and the Hawks conducted a sting operation at the establishment, resulting in the arrest of a manager and two undocumented migrants. In social media video clips that have since gone viral, Nobavu…

The Springbok Women’s attack will rely on a playmaker at flyhalf and fullback against Spain on Thursday (5pm start) in their final Test before the WXV 2 tournament later this month. South Africa and the Spaniards will clash at the Cape Town Stadium and Springbok Women’s performance coach Swys de Bruin only made a couple of tweaks to the team that conquered the Barbarians at the same stadium two weekends ago. The exciting Nadine Roos will spearhead the attack at flyhalf, with fullback Libbie Janse van Rensburg promoted from the bench to cover the backline with the side looking to maintain the momentum after the 59-17 win in the Mother City. In that game, the Boks scored nine tries and want to keep up that attacking form. But they…

CONFIDENCE levels among local manufacturers has remained stable and indicated optimism on the back of the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) despite persisting headwinds in policy formulation and political differences. According to the latest Absa Manu- facturing Survey released yesterday, confidence held steady at 28 points during the third quarter, driven mainly by manufacturers’ optimism regarding policy direction after a peaceful election and the formation of the GNU. The GNU has been a success story for the business sector post the elections, but the working arrangement of more than five political parties participating in the government has faced teething problems due to political differences, as evident in the signing of the National Health Insurance and the Basic Education Laws Amendment into law. Prior to the elections,…

More than 96% of the group’s cars assembled at the plant are exported ABOUT 300 workers at BMW’s Rosslyn plant, north of Pretoria, downed tools yesterday over claims of “mass dismissals”. BMW, headquartered in Germany, has dismissed these allegations as unfounded rumours. This strike follows a recent labour dispute in the automotive sector, where workers from the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) struck at Ford South Africa’s Silverton plant in Pretoria in July. The strike was resolved when Ford paid workers a R20 000 bonus. Yesterday, a worker at BMW’s Rosslyn plant said on condition of anonymity that staff were disgruntled over alleged dismissals at the plant. He would not provide further information and several spokespeople from Numsa, the union representing the workers who have downed…

TOGETHER, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and organised business could improve the business environment, Business Leadership SA (BLSA) CEO Busisiwe Mavuso said yesterday. The dtic could have a dramatic impact on the quality of the business environment, yet for many years, the department had often frustrated business rather than supported it, Mavuso said in the organisation’s weekly newsletter. “I am very encouraged by new Minister Parks Tau who was quick to engage with business to ensure open channels of communication. We have had numerous interactions with him, most recently on Friday as the Business Unity South Africa (Busa) leadership team. “The Minister really gets it. He has highlighted the importance of industrial policy that supports export-led growth and highlighted the need to revisit the Economic Recovery and…

AT THIS YEAR’S Fintech for Inclusion Global Summit, hosted by Accion in London last week, I found myself caught between two opposing forces: the polished, well-intentioned rhetoric of financial inclusion advocates on one hand, and a nagging sense of dissatisfaction with how narrowly we seem to define “progress” on the other. It’s a tension I’ve grappled with for years, one that crystallised sharply during discussions with Michael Schlein, the CEO of Accion, and other prominent glo- bal industry leaders. Schlein’s opening remarks were predictably optimistic, tout- ing the power of fintech to unlock oppor- tunities for underserved populations. He shared that over its 60-plus years of operation, Accion had impacted 440 million people worldwide, helping them access essential financial services. The company claims that more than 168 million were…

GEMFIELDS earned $10.8 million (R190.7m) in revenue from its latest auction of commercial quality rough emeralds held from August 27 to September 13, 2024. About 46 lots were offered for sale, of which 28 were sold, representing about 61% of the slots. The company realised average prices of $4.47 per carat for the latest auction. Yesterday, however, Adrian Banks, Gemfields managing director, said the “luxury-good, diamond and gemstone markets are experiencing distinct headwinds as conflicts, elections, economic uncertainty in China and broader economic turbulence” take their toll on the industry. “Today’s overall result is weaker than expected, exacerbated in part by a competing emerald producer scheduling their own auction to finish in early September 2024, in the middle of ours, and selling through their emeralds at what customers…

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Tito Jackson, who died on Sunday aged 70. Family friend and the musician’s former manager Steve Manning, confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that The Jacksons star is said to have suffered a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma in the US. An official cause of death is not known. Tito became a household name as one of the founding members of the iconic Jackson 5 group. Together with his brothers Marlon, 67, and Jackie, 73, and his son Taryll, 49, they played several shows this year, with Tito last onstage in Munich, Germany on September 10. The older brother of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson and sister Janet, 58, shot to fame alongside his siblings in the Jackson…

Expelled DA MP Renaldo Gouws has revealed that he will be legally challenging his dismissal from the party. On Friday, the controversial Gouws, who has been slammed for his racist social media remarks, was suspended following an investigation by the party’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC). In a statement announcing his removal from the party, spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party had resolved to terminate Gouws’ membership. “The DA can confirm that the party’s Federal Executive has unanimously resolved to terminate Mr Renaldo Gouws’ membership. He has been formally informed of this decision. He therefore forfeits his DA seat in Parliament. “This decision follows a thorough investigation conducted by the DA’s FLC into the allegations against Gouws. The FLC found Gouws guilty of contravening several sections of the DA’s constitution,”…

The funeral service for former Minister Pravin Gordhan will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Thursday and has been declared a Special Official Funeral, Category 2 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Presidency said yesterday. Gordhan who served as minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017, and as minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until his March 2024 announcement of planned retirement, passed away on Friday after a period of illness. The Presidency said the Special Official Funeral, Category 2 would include ceremonial elements performed under the auspices of the SAPS. “The funeral service will be followed by a private cremation. Mr Gordhan’s family has requested that in lieu of floral tributes, mourners offer donations to charities…

Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, David “Son of Sam” Berkowitz, and John Wayne Gacy are all names of serial killers we are familiar with, thanks to popular streaming services and movies. But who are some of the most prolific serial killers in our own backyard? IOL takes a look at some of South Africa’s most notorious serial killers. To be defined as a serial killer, a person has to kill more than three people over a period of time. Born on November 17, 1962, Moses Sithole was not only a serial killer but a serial rapist. The now 59-year-old terrorised Gauteng residents for two years until he was arrested in October 1995. He got his moniker the “ABC Killer” because his killing was spread between Atteridgeville, Boksburg, and Cleveland. On December…

Soweto giant Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates ensured positivity in their camps this week after impressively settling old scores in a blockbuster weekend. Both teams jetted off into enemy territory to complete their missions, as Amakhosi descended upon the streets of Bloemfontein and efficiently dispatched Marumo Gallants in their first Betway Premiership outing. The Glamour Boys had a different kind of swagger about them this time around and looked a rejuvenated side to the one that was blown away by Tanzanian giants Yanga SC in a pre-season friendly two months ago. There was an aura of anxiety that filled a sold-out Free State Stadium ahead of this game as the Amakhosi faithful waited to feast on what new head coach Nasreddine Nabi had been cooking in the off-season, having been…

AC Milan will have to be perfect defensively when they host Premier League side Liverpool in their Champions League opener at San Siro, manager Paulo Fonseca said yesterday. Seven-time European champions Milan are ninth in the Serie A standings, having won one of their four matches and welcome Liverpool today. Liverpool, who convincingly won their first three Premier League games under new coach Arne Slot without conceding, were stunned 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday to sit fourth in the English top flight. “I think Liverpool is one of the strongest teams in Europe. They have a good game and strong individuals. We have to be perfect defensively, you cannot make mistakes,” Fonseca said. “I see it as an opportunity to show our progress. It will lead us…

THE LIFELINE of South Africa’s eco- nomy, small businesses, has shown resilience and maintained confidence in the future after the national elections this year. This was one of the key findings of the Q2 2024 SME Confidence Index. Considering that political change and government formation often result in destabilised business confidence, David Morobe, the executive general manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, said that the cautious optimism shown by SMEs was encouraging. “The formation of the government of national unity (GNU) seems to have boosted SME confidence here, with 60.96% of SMEs surveyed expressing the belief that the inclusion of more political parties in government will make South Africa a more attractive place for investors, potentially stimulating business growth.” Most SMEs described the business landscape as stable, with…

THE AGBIZ/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) recovered by 10 points to 48 points in the third quarter of this year following a sharp decline in the second quarter, where it reached the lowest level since the 2009 global financial crisis. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz), yesterday said the ACI results for the third quarter showed some improvement in the sentiment in the sector. “Although we are moving towards a promising summer season, and that may bring increased positive activity in the South African farming sector, the long-term growth prospects of the sector, which would also deliver jobs, hinges on the Government of National Unity’s (GNU’s) ability to resolve the challenges of the network industries, improve the functioning of the municipalities and…

IN THE VERY near future it will be possible to buy hearing aids over the counter. This has been made possible partly by a US Food and Drug Administration authority ruling about two years ago. It inspired companies, like Apple, to develop a consumer product that will be amongst the first to enable consumers to access hearing aids in retail stores. Apple announced last week that its future AirPods will enable users to improve their hearing. It’s a major innovation by Apple, which will once again make a difference for many who are struggling with their hearing. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 5% of the world’s population – or 430 million people – require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss (including 34 million children).…

VOLKSWAGEN may book up to €4 billion (R79bn) in provisions for planned capacity cuts as early as the fourth quarter, analysts at brokerage Jefferies said in a note after travelling with company executives in North America. Volkswagen said earlier this month that it was considering shutting plants in Germany for the first time in its history, part of a cost-cutting plan as it struggles to compete with Asian rivals. “The rationale to re-size VW’s namesake (brand) is not new, but management’s sense of urgency and determination to tackle excess capacity and spending patterns both are,” Jefferies analysts wrote in the note. “Three days on the road in North America with management gave us conviction that there is no plan B that would rule out capacity reduction,” they said, adding…

Keyshia Cole: Live in South Africa has been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances”. In June, seasoned concert organisers Glen21 Entertainment announced that the Heaven Sent hitmaker would be bringing her soulful vocals and powerful stage presence to South Africa for the first time in September. A few weeks shy of her September performances in Cape Town at the GrandWest Grand Arena, in the North West at Sun City, and in Pretoria at the SunBet Arena, the organisers have announced that the concert has been postponed. IOL has not yet received a response from the concert organisers regarding the exact reason for Cole’s concert postponement. The new dates for the Mzanzi tour will be in January next year. The Sun City leg of the tour will now be replaced with a…

Tributes have continued to pour in for Darlington “Papa G” Michaels, who became a fan favourite for his role on soapie Isidingo for almost two decades. The actor, whose real name is Teboho Ndarana, died on Friday. His death was confirmed in a statement by his family. The public broadcaster also paid tribute to the talented actor in a statement: “The SABC is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Darlington Michaels. His immense contribution to the entertainment industry will forever be remembered. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Michaels family, friends and fans.” Michaels played Georgie “Papa G” Zamdela on the SABC show for 16 years, after auditioning for the role five times. His vibrant and charismatic character, with his flamboyant silk shirts, fedoras and bold gold…

Minister’s Bela Bill snub sparks fears of a DA parallel Parliament, Cabinet The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has again set its sights on Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, after she failed to attend the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (Bela Bill) into law at an event at the Union Buildings. Sadtu said it was fearful that the DA, which opposed elements of the bill, would run a separate Parliament and a separate Cabinet. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday signed the bill into law but due to opposition from the DA, delayed the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 for three months to allow for negotiations with parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Clause 4 of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act relates to…

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court has once again postponed the case against Longwe Twala, son of musician Sello “Chicco” Twala, this time to September 25. The postponement was to allow his legal representative to prepare. Last month, Longwe and his younger brother, Sello, were arrested for theft after their father opened a case at the Douglasdale police station. However, charges against Sello were dropped due to a lack of evidence. It was reported that Longwe allegedly broke into his father’s house and stole equipment worth more than R200 000 under the influence of drugs. Stolen items also included clothes, household items and equipment. This was not the first time Twala has handed his son to the authorities. In 2020, Longwe was handed over to the Diepkloof police station for allegedly stealing…

A TB HIV Care’s Bio-behavioural Survey (BBS) underscores the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C among people who inject drugs (PWIDs). The survey was conducted between May and September 2023 across four cities – Tshwane (Gauteng), eThekwini (KwaZulu-Natal), Mbombela and Mashishing in Mpumalanga. It found HIV had become prevalent among PWIDs. Tshwane recorded that 72.1% of PWIDs had HIV, eThekwini 49.3%, Mashishing 45.4% and Mbombela 30.3%. Anti-hepatitis C prevalence was highest in Mbombela (90.5%), followed by Tshwane (89.0%), eThekwini (75.2%) and Mashishing (40.8%). The BBS highlighted that drug users were prone to TB, eThekwini recording 7.2%, Tshwane 2% and Mashishing and Mbombela less than 1%. This was the first kind of data captured in South Africa and it called for an intensified need for TB diagnosis and treatment. Andrew Scheibe,…

FROM the moment the lights dimmed and the first haunting notes filled the Arena at the SA State Theatre, The Journey to the South (Incubator) promised an evocative exploration of tradition, heroism and human fallibility. Running until September 21, this drama captures the audience with a potent mix of theatrical prowess and cultural introspection. The story follows a group of elite warriors known as Amangolose, who are on a triumphant return after rescuing a young girl from the oppressive ancient practice of Ukuthwalwa – a heart-wrenching ritual where a young girl is abducted for marriage without her consent. As they embark on their journey back, the narrative begins to unravel, revealing conflict, dark secrets, and ulterior motives among the group’s leaders. Grounded deeply in traditional story- telling, the play skilfully…