Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-05-18 i Star

THE LAND BANK has warned that its operational and liability challenges could prevail beyond the end of September after it and its lenders failed to agree on the third liability solution to be implemented before the end of the 2022 financial year. The struggling State-owned agricultural lender and its lenders are collectively working towards September 30 for the conclusion and implementation of the liability solution. This is in a bid to cure the event of default and enable the Land Bank to restart the rebuilding process towards a true development finance institution. Land Bank chairperson Thabi Nkosi said yesterday that the newly appointed board was engaging with lenders on improved measures, including ongoing workshops, to consider all the burning issues raised by the lenders about the proposed liability solution. Nkosi…

IN AN EFFORT to claim back market share, the Pick n Pay yesterday launched a new strategic plan, which “will see the retailer transform into a two customer-facing brands” as it signed a partnership with online retailer Takealot and its Mr D service to ramp up its online sales. The strategy was unveiled by chief executive Pieter Boone as he delivered the retailer’s results for the 52 weeks ended February 27, 2022. He said the the goal of the four-year plan was to “deliver group turnover growth at a compound annual rate of 10 percent, resulting in market share growth for the group of at least 3 percent“. The strategy was formulated after almost a year in customer research, with more than 7 000 customer interviews. “The…

IN SOUTH Africa, almost 20 million people go to bed hungry each day, and 30 million run out of money every month, making it difficult to put food on the table. This is the bleak backdrop against which the next interest rate hike will be implemented by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) this week. Economists at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) warned in a research note that the May increase could be larger than previously forecast. According to the BER, factors such as rapid policy normalisation and the associated recent sharp weakening of the rand-dollar exchange rate, as well as the sustained upside risks to domestic inflation, mean that the SARB is likely to hike the repo rate by 50 basis points next week – far higher…

The four men accused of killing Sam Mbatha appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The case has been postponed to June 29 to allow the appointed senior State prosecutor to finalise the indictment before the matter can be transferred to the high court. Due to the serious nature of the offence, the case was transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide on the high court transfer. Arthur Khoza, 19, Thato Masetla, 22, Junior Modise, 21, and Mahlatsi Nkuna, 21, were all arrested following extensive investigations by the police. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson for the Northwest Division, Henry Mamothame, said: “Masetla and Modise are in police custody, while Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail.” Mbatha, an award-winning MC, voice-over artist, writer, presenter and LGBTQI+…

The SA Weather Service says there is no need to panic after a hailstorm on the West Rand yesterday afternoon, but widespread rain and snow in parts of the country is expected this week. The West Rand was hit by a hailstorm yesterday, and although it may have appeared as if it were snow to some, it definitely was not, said weather forecaster Wayne Venter. Venter added that there were no warnings out and they did not expect any severe weather in Gauteng. “This is the impact of a thunderstorm, the thunderstorms can come with a bit of hail and that is totally normal. People don’t have to worry about damage to their cars or anything like that,” he said. A cold front with rain is expected to sweep through…

Fidelity SecureDrive’s internal database recording hijackings over the past year has revealed that white or silver-grey Toyota Hiluxes and Volkswagen Polos were the most hijacked cars. SecureDrive is part of the Fidelity Services Group. It further revealed that Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal recorded the largest proportions of hijackings on record with December, January and the months between March and June being the highest risk times recorded during the year. Most of the hijackings took place on Thursdays and Fridays from 6am-9am and 6pm-12am. SecureDrive’s head of marketing and communications Charnel Hattingh said with most hijackings taking place close to home, knowing what to look out for and how to prevent falling prey to hijackers was a very relevant topic. “Being aware of your surroundings and knowing how to respond if you…

There is always something going viral online – a hack or a new menu item, but every so often there is a stand-out item way cooler than the rest. Right now, the internet’s new obsession is a tequila that comes in a beautiful ceramic decanter, and while there is never a bad time for tequila, as we gear up for winter, people are going out of their way to track down the bottles. What are we talking about? The luxurious Clase Azul Tequila Reposado. This tequila is currently having a moment in Mzansi. Not long ago South Africans were crazy over the sparkling wine cocktail Ice-Tropez, flaunting it all over social media. After people thought the wine cocktail was not a tasty drink anymore, they started drinking Bernini, and that…

THE Miss South Africa organisation has revealed its top 30 women who are vying for the coveted title. Whoever takes the crown will be following in the footsteps of Zozibini Tunzi who took the title of Miss Universe 2019; former Miss SA 2020 Shudufadzo Musida who is an author and mental health advocate, and the reigning Miss SA Lalela Mswane. The beauty queens are women from all walks of life with a common goal of being Miss South Africa and taking the tittle beyond the SA shores. The contestants come from all over South Africa, with Gauteng leading the field with 13 contestants (with three from Soweto and two from Tshwane); the Western Cape has five; KwaZulu-Natal has four; the Eastern Cape is represented by three women; the Free State…

With 22 Premiership goals under his belt, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Peter Shalulile is all but certain to win the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award this season. However, the Namibian faces an almost impossible task to beat the all-time goals record in a season of 25 set by Zambian front man Collins Mbesuma of Kaizer Chiefs in the 2004/05 season. To equal Mbesuma’s mark, Shalulile will have to score a hat-trick in Sundowns’ last league game of the season against Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban this weekend. To break it, he will have to score four goals. While this is in the realms of possibility, it is unlikely in reality. Royal AM will also be hungry to get points against Sundowns, as they are still in with a strong chance…

The first time Tristan Stubbs made an impression on the domestic stage was for the Warriors in the T20 Challenge in Durban last year, when he struck boundaries off Simon Harmer, Lungi Ngidi and memorably, Tabraiz Shamsi. It all came with his team in trouble. At 33/4, Stubbs walked to the crease in the seventh over. But nevermind nudging singles or twos and consolidating, the right-hander proceeded to reverse the pressure by attacking more experienced and established international players, with the slog sweep for six against the No 1 T20 bowler in the world providing an emphatic statement. Stubbs made 44 off 31 balls, hitting four fours and a six, and immediately pencilled himself into the “one to watch” category. Most importantly, when the TV cameras were back on him…

Ten years after financial oblivion plunged them into Scotland’s bottom tier, Rangers are on the brink of lifting their first European trophy in half a century as they meet Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the Europa League tonight. Administration, liquidation and relegation all blighted a broken club in 2012, but if the Rangers recovery was complete when they won the Scottish Premiership again last season, a final in Seville now offers them a shot at European glory too. “We’re one game away from making history,” Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey said on Monday as the squad departed for Spain, the final leg of a journey that began eight months ago in defeat and disappointment. With the chance to play in the Champions League on the back of winning the Scottish…

Tiger Woods excited spectators and rivals alike with a back-nine practice round on Monday at Southern Hills, continuing his comeback from severe leg injuries before this week’s PGA Championship. Woods, whose incredible return at last month’s Masters came only 14 months after a rollover car crash, brought a similar buzz to the roars he created at Augusta National. “Just watching him at the Masters, that was unreal, just the crowds and what it does to a tournament when he tees it up,” said Norway’s Viktor Hovland. “Just getting used to big crowds, loud crowds.” Woods played the front nine on Sunday and said his surgically repaired right leg – held together with pins, rods and screws – feels stronger than it did a month ago. “I’m excited,” Woods told reporters…

INCREASINGLY, empty business towers and shopping premises epitomise subdued business activity in the central business district of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, coinciding with price increases that the government now hope to stop by removing duty on goods imported from South Africa and other neighbouring countries. Downstairs at the office towers and across the Harare city centre’s major roads, informal traders duck police and council authorities. Inside the few supermarkets dotted around the city, prices change daily, and sometimes twice a day as operators adjust to the reality of quick-paced exchange rate fluctuations. “We have a new system whereby prices are changed at head office. Sometimes, the price that’s on the shelf is not matched by the one obtaining at the till-point, because the changes are just too much,” one merchandiser with…

THE INAUGURAL Global Startup Awards Africa Summit will take place in Cape Town on June 14-15. Hosted by the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), the event is a culmination of a six-month long process to find Africa’s most promising innovators, the organisers said. With the help of 30 country partners, 50 ambassadors and 250 innovation hubs, the Global Startup Awards Africa found close to 8 000 start-ups and ecosystem actors from 54 African countries with solutions to addressing 12 of the 17 identified Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier this year, 12 continental winners were announced Jo Griffiths, co-founder of GIIG Africa, commented: “We have been incredibly impressed with the calibre of start-ups and the phenomenal world-changing solutions they have created. “We remain committed to find, fund and grow Africa’s next…

Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, written by the late revered playwright Bongani Linda, dominated the 17th Naledi Theatre Awards, walking away with six awards. The epic theatre musical won in the categories Best Choreography in a Play or Musical Theatre production; Best Musical Director; Best Costume Design; Best Director of a Musical Theatre Production; best supporting performance in a musical theatre production; and best lead performance in a musical theatre production. Best Production of a Play went to A Better Life, produced by the Market Theatre, and Best Production of a Musical or Musical Theatre Production went to The Trolley Dollies – A Musical, produced by The Trolley Dollies Productions. The longest-standing national theatre awards, the Naledis took place on the Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre on Monday, after…

The Jacob Zuma Foundation has criticised the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) for what it called a failure to provide certification of prosecution. Yesterday, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen postponed the arms deal matter to August 15. The court heard that the reconsideration application was still on its way to Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Judge President Mandisa Maya. Judge Koen anticipates that Maya would have made a decision by then. Former president Jacob Zuma accused chief prosecutor advocate Billy Downer of being biased, and applied to have him recused from the case in order to have a fair trial. Zuma had asked Judge Maya to reconsider Judge Koen’s ruling, finding that there was no reason Downer could not continue as the prosecutor. Judge Koen said he did not believe…

The Kaserne building was successfully demolished by the City of Joburg on Saturday, May 14. The city cleared the structure to make way for a housing development of mixed housing units such as RDP homes and rental houses. The plan is to build an estimated 1 500 housing units on the site that would be developed into a township, with health facilities and an early childhood development centre. The demolition of the Kaserne building brings to mind another building that was demolished – the Bank of Lisbon building. It was imploded in November 2019. Almost three years later, where the iconic Bank of Lisbon building once stood is a massive gaping hole in the middle of the Johannesburg CBD. There is no evidence that a 31-storey building, considered one of…

It was beguiling, it was enchanting, it was charming: it was the second edition of The Slow Life concept, the event highlight from the last weekend of April in Gauteng – where more than 200 guests indulged in an extraordinarily long lunch of the most delectable Italian cuisine at an elongated table. Afternoon in Puglia is the underlying theme of The Slow Life, an alternative lifestyle experience which is underpinned by an unhurried and relaxed lifestyle. This concept was introduced into the market by The Allure and VS Luxury Group. Puglia is a region in southern Italy that forms Italy’s “boot”. The region is renowned as the birthplace of many unique Italian foods. It has also endeared itself to visitors for its whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old farmland and hundreds…

South African activist and former judge justice Albie Sachs has been honoured for his relentless fight for justice as the Clooney Foundation for Justice names its inaugural award after him. The foundation, established by Hollywood actor and director George Clooney and his wife, British-Lebanese barrister specialising in international law and human rights Amal Clooney, announced on May 12 that its “Albie Awards” are for a group of people across the world whose relentless fight for justice has put their lives at risk. Speaking in a video announcing the 2022 Albie Awards honorees, the Clooney Foundation for Justice co-founder George Clooney said the organisation decided to create an awards show for people who are in jeopardy of going to jail and being killed in the fight for justice, and try to…

Nursing was so highly valued in South Africa, especially in the nursing fraternity, that there were special protocols laid down by nursing associations and accepted as guidelines to be followed when hounoring the burial of a departed nurse. Being a humble down-to-earth person, I used to tell my colleagues when we had such conversations I honestly wouldn’t want all that kind of display when my turn to leave this planet arrived: all the smartly dressed drum-majorettes in their white short dresses and their white boots, the beating of drums and the marching would seem to me like some cruel celebration of my demise. I did not want that. At that time I would be faced with an army of heavenly bodies, carrying volumes and volumes of registers frantically paging…

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says the organisation hasn’t got to the stage of implementing the legal opinions they’ve received on the matter of CEO Jurie Roux. Fronting up to Parliament’s portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture yesterday, Alexander addressed the issue of Roux, who last December lost his appeal against an arbitration ruling that ordered him to pay R37-million to his former employer Stellenbosch University. Since the arbitration ruling that found that he misappropriated funds from the university and channelled it into the Maties rugby club between 2002 and 2010, SA Rugby have defended the decision not to suspend him. In answering various questions on the case yesterday, Alexander explained why Roux has remained in the top position despite the long-running situation, and why they have not made…

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori is set to make his debut in a continental final on Friday, and he’s fully aware that the masses will remember the champions and not the losers. After sustaining an injury while on national duty with Ghana against South Africa at FNB Stadium during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers early in September, Ofori spent the rest of the year in the medical room. Without their No 1, Pirates blew hot and cold in domestic football, although they navigated the CAF Confederation Cup with stand-in goalie Siyabonga Mpontshane. On his return midway through the group stage, Ofori inspired the Bucs to the knockout stage of the continental showpiece, reaching the final after beating Al Ahli Tripoli 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final. Ofori’s best performance…

The timely return of Vincent ‘Shuffle’ Pule has raised hopes that he could well be Orlando Pirates’ saviour in Friday night’s Confederation Cup final against RS Berkane in Uyo, Nigeria. Pule, who lifted the Players Player of the Year trophy at Pirates’ awards last season, is a big favourite with supporters because of his stellar performances in the past. After a seven-month injury-enforced layoff, he finally enjoyed some game-time on Sunday night when he ran out late in the semi-final second leg clash against Al Ahli Tripoli at Orlando Stadium. Around the hour mark, Pule was among the substitutes warming up and this was the cue for the ‘Ghost’ (as Pirates’ fans are known) to chant “Pule, Pule, Pule ...” Twenty minutes later, the Pirates technical staff answered the call,…

OVERALL retail footfall to malls had been on a downward trend for the past two years since January 2020, while online retail search had stabilised since the initial increase witnessed, albeit at a higher level than at the onset of the pandemic, Absa said. It said looking at mobility data, Absa could see a clear trend starting to emerge two years since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic as an array of lockdowns and disruptions had resulted in extremely volatile spending behaviour from consumers. “The data from our Merchant Spend Analytics up to March 2022 tells a story of a consumer that is holding firm, with increased spending in categories across the board since lockdowns eased. However, we recognise the gap in the data is the cash trading in the…

The Cannes Film Festival is gearing up for a bumper 75th anniversary edition, with a selection of big Hollywood names, buzzy newcomers and previous Palme d’Or winners – a splashy return, even as the conflict in Ukraine looms over festivities. “I honestly think this is one of the best Cannes line-ups in years,” said Scott Roxborough, European bureau chief for The Hollywood Reporter. The festival is currently on until May 28, resuming its traditional calendar following two years of pandemic disruptions. It was cancelled in 2020, and last year moved to July, when it was held under strict Covid-19 protocols. This year, the parties are back and Hollywood heavyweights will include Tom Cruise’s Top Gun Maverick – bringing the star to Cannes for the first time in three decades…

Ndabeni-Abrahams and Ntshavheni went on R5m splurge while the country was battling effects of Covid pandemic TWO ministers have been found to have spent millions of rand in taxpayers’ money on hotel accommodation in the last three years. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, instead of observing the then strict lockdown regulations and sticking to virtual meetings, have been found to have slept in top hotels on businesses unrelated to the government, paying more than R5 million in taxpayers’ money. Covid-19 restrictions failed to stop the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies from splashing the funds on private accommodation and other expenses. Former minister of communications and digital technologies Ndabeni-Abrahams and her previous deputy in the communications portfolio, Pinky Kekana, as well as current Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and her…

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu says adults using children to beg on the streets is a problem. “While we understand and appreciate the hunger, unemployment and challenges faced by people we find on the streets begging, this is abusive also of the people standing the whole day with a child on the streets at robots with some standing with two or three children,” she said. Zulu was speaking on the sidelines of the Fifth Global Labour Conference under way at the Durban ICC. The plight of those begging was well known, but it was not right for children to be made to stand on the streets the whole day, she said. “Therefore as a department, we need to work with local structures and the provinces to say, ‘let’s look at…

Did you even know that petroleum jelly is one of the most effective beauty hack products? Yes, the soft paraffin or wax combination which is sold as a topical skin treatment can be used in a variety of ways for some spectacular beauty hacks. This basic mixture of mineral oils and waxes was initially created as a protective barrier to assist in the healing of dry skin, but customers quickly discovered that it did so much more. You may incorporate the product into your make-up routine in a variety of ways because it is so versatile. Use petroleum jelly as a highlighter Give your skin a break and use Vaseline as your highlighter for the day instead of your normal highlighter! This will help give you a more natural look.…

Ashley du Preez has seen it all with Stellenbosch FC. From the early days of the club’s inception in 2016, when he was a scrawny teenager battling through the GladAfrica Championship, to scoring a brace against champions Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend to propel Stellenbosch to the dizzy heights they now occupy in the Premiership. Du Preez’s status on the local circuit has certainly exploded, with the speedy attacker being rewarded for his inspirational and energetic displays with a maiden call-up to Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad this week. Equally, his fleet-of-foot performances have not gone unnoticed in Gauteng, where Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and of course Sundowns displaying an interest in the 24-year-old. To Du Preez’s credit, he has continuously dismissed any suggestions of a move away from his home…

Rassie Erasmus was his usual naughty self yesterday, suggesting he might now change his title at SA Rugby to circumvent World Rugby’s new regulations regarding sideline personnel. In what can be seen as a direct shot at Erasmus, World Rugby approved a new global trial yesterday on “limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play during a match” from July 1. On what will apply to all matches around the globe, World Rugby said the trial “aims to improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages without compromising welfare”. But they also stated specifically that in terms of the additional team personnel, the two dedicated water carriers “cannot be a Director of Rugby or Head Coach”. This comes after former Bok coach Erasmus, who is…

The much maligned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is on the Formula One menu this weekend in the Spanish Grand Prix, and it will be the first true litmus test for the new rules and regulations this season. There were questions raised about the Miami GP and how competitive it would be. In spite of all the glitz and glamour – and cringe-worthy pre-race grid walk by Martin Brundle, where he was rebuffed by American ‘celebrities’ with the opinion that they are bigger than the sport – Miami proved to be somewhat of a dud. It did, however, give a limited indication of what to expect from the new rules and regulations, though. Overtaking was difficult, while the street circuit fell into the stereotype of all its ilk as it became a…