Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-02-01 i Star

DESPITE Shoprite delivering double-digit first half sales growth, its profit margins are under pressure due to load shedding. In an operational update for the six months ended January 1, the country’s largest grocer said to operate generators across its South African supermarkets to trade uninterrupted during Stage 5 and Stage 6 load shedding had amounted to R560 million for the period. But a record Black Friday and festive season boosted the local supermarkets division to achieve sales growth of 17.5% during the period. On a like-for-like basis, Shoprite’s sales increased by more than 11%. This segment, which accounts for just more than 80% of group sales was also able to raise selling prices by 9.4%. “The growth in sales reflects a record Black Friday and festive season, underpinning 46 months…

VODACOM Group lifted revenue 14.8% to R30.7 billion in the three months to December 31, after benefiting from the Vodafone Egypt acquisition, rand depreciation and continuing fast growth in financial services. The cellphone operator said group service revenue was up 16.1% in the third quarter of its financial year, with normalised growth of 3.5% supported by growth in data revenue and financial services. Service revenue in South Africa grew 3% to R15.39bn following a strong performance in mobile prepaid. International service revenue increased 18% to R6.98, driven by data revenue growth and a weaker rand. Financial services revenue increased 30.6% to R2.6bn, with VodaPay app downloads reaching 4.5 million. Vodafone Egypt was consolidated from December 8, 2022, and R1.88bn in revenue was reflected. Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said the acquisition…

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Highveld region has confirmed having met Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan over the Eskom crisis. The meeting follows hot on the heels of a recent march to Luthuli House, which was organised by the DA in relation to the energy crisis. At the ANC’s lekgotla this week, the party resolved to declare load shedding a national disaster. The NUM meeting took place on Friday last week, with discussions focusing on the power crisis and sabotage at Eskom. NUM regional chairperson Thapelo Malekutu said the union had given Gordhan food for thought in his turnaround strategy for the embattled power utility. “NUM, which is the majority trade union at Eskom, submitted a very comprehensive and detailed plan to the minister on how we believe we…

When the weather is hot, babies and young children should be kept in a cool, shady place, given enough clean, cool water to drink, and get plenty of rest. This is according to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). In a statement, they said babies and children have thin skins and may easily suffer from sunburn. They should wear wide-brimmed hats that allow the air to move through them. “If you think your baby or child is suffering from heat illness, get medical help as soon as possible. Tiny red spots, like blisters or pimples can be a heat rash. It is not a medical emergency,” said the SAMRC. Beware these signs of heat illness: Loss of consciousness. Irritability, restlessness, confusion. Floppy body and no energy. Difficulty breathing. Dizzy.…

The SPCA in Edenvale said it was searching for the missing tiger that was spotted at an office park on Monday morning. In a statement on Facebook, the SPCA said the investigation was continuing, despite social media reports that the tigress was captured, sedated and taken to a sanctuary. “No confirmation or proof has been handed to the Edenvale SPCA by SOS security yet they have made statements on their social media platforms that she has been captured and relocated. “SOS security is the only organisation that has confirmed the tiger’s capture and relocation but has failed to hand over this information to the Edenvale SPCA “SOS security are not permitted, equipped, trained or experienced to handle wildlife yet they have stated they have captured her and moved her.” The…

For the media to reduce Israel’s bloody atrocities against Palestinians as mere “violence between Israel/Palestine” is to detract from the truth of the ugly reality of the Zionist Frankenstein. As South Africans who were repeatedly warned by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to not be fence-sitters and “neutral” in the struggle against apartheid, it is a damn pity some of our media houses have forgotten his bravery and sage advice. Tutu’s courage to speak truth to white supremacist power in his awesome way is sorely lacking today in public discourse on Israel’s self-declared Jewish supremacy. This is particularly glaring in the media, especially in what can be described as “tip-toeing” in the compilation and broadcast of news, suggesting “neutrality” – exactly what the Arch had rebelled against. To make sense of…

It’s no wonder that Eben Etzebeth is saying that he is “enjoying life and rugby”. Not only was he named the SA Rugby Player of the Year yesterday, but he is also getting married to Anlia van Rensburg on Saturday. To add to the celebrations, Etzebeth’s long-time friend, Bok prop Frans Malherbe, is also tying the knot on Saturday – to Ingrid van Huyssteen. You would’ve thought that the two Bok stalwarts would have discussed their wedding dates, but it was an unavoidable clash. Nevertheless, Etzebeth got his due reward yesterday after missing out on the World Rugby gong, which went to Ireland’s Josh van der Flier. “It’s obviously a privilege, and the names on the trophy, and there are wonderful individuals on there. We all know it’s a team…

One of the last Club World Cups in its current format begins today in Morocco, where Real Madrid will be favourites to continue Europe’s dominance of the much-maligned Fifa competition. Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced during the World Cup in Qatar in December that an expanded Club World Cup is planned from 2025. The bigger competition, which would feature 32 teams, has been a controversial pet project of Infantino’s for some time. A 24-team Club World Cup, involving eight European sides, had been due to take place in China in 2021, only to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fifa is yet to reveal any further details of the plans, but global players’ union FIFPro has already complained of Infantino making the announcement “unilaterally without seriously consulting…

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen is likely to be ruled out until early May by an ankle injury he suffered in the FA Cup win over Reading, the club said yesterday. Eriksen left Old Trafford on crutches on Saturday after being caught by Reading striker Andy Carroll in their fourth-round tie. The loss of the 30-year-old Danish playmaker is a blow for United, who lie fourth in the Premier League and in the Champions League qualification places after a good run of form that only ended with the 3-2 defeat by leaders Arsenal on January 22. United said in a statement: “Christian Eriksen is expected to be out of action for an extended period because of an ankle injury sustained in our FA Cup victory over Reading on Saturday. “While…

In July last year, Aphelele Fassi was dropped from the Springboks after defensive failures in the historic loss to Wales in Bloemfontein, and he returned to Durban under no illusions as to what Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber wanted him to work on. They would have emphasised that as good as his attacking play undoubtedly is, they would not pick him until he had addressed the weakness in his game. And when he and Thaakir Abrahams had glaring missed tackles during the Sharks’ heavy defeat to Leinster last October in Dublin, SuperSport analysts Nick Mallett and Breyten Paulse reiterated that Fassi had to brush up on his tackling because he could not be recalled to the Boks on his attacking finesse alone. Paulse said: “When I was trying to establish…

SOUTH African business leaders have been left divided over the proposal by the governing ANC that the government should declare a national state of disaster at Eskom, in a bid to end the ongoing energy crisis. This comes as the struggling power utility has forecast a two-year period, in which it would be able to return its generating capacity back to acceptable levels above 70% from the current lows of 53%. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday said there was clear direction from the ANC national executive committee (NEC) lekgotla that the government must resolve the immediate task of load shedding within a much shorter time-frame than what has been projected. The Disaster Management Act of 2002 assigns various powers and duties to the national disaster management centre, allowing the national…

THE DEPARTMENT of Health has tabled the new tobacco bill in Parliament which introduces onerous restrictions and will force many small and micro businesses to close, placing them and their employees at risk. This was according to Diane Bravo, owner of specialist tobacco retailer Casa Tabacs. Bravo also owned Sturks, the oldest tobacco store in South Africa, established in 1793, which she had to shut down as a result of the government’s Covid-related tobacco ban. Her warning follows hard on the heels of the announcement two weeks ago that British American Tobacco (BAT) South Africa had begun consultations that might involve cutting up to 200 skilled jobs, due to ongoing losses in cigarette volumes. The company blamed this on the illicit cigarette trade that exploded during the Covid-related ban on…

THE ANC is facing mixed reaction over its proposed call for a national state of disaster over the energy crisis. Opposition parties were quick to warn that if President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to declare a national disaster, contingency plans must be put in place to avoid massive corruption and fraud similar to that during the outbreak of Covid-19. Yesterday, the ANC, during its briefing on the outcome of its lekgotla, which concluded on Monday, reiterated their call to Ramaphosa to declare a national state of disaster while plans were in place to eradicate load shedding before the end of the year. Addressing the media, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the declaration would require that the ANC reconnected with communities and society to find a common solution. “We therefore call on…

The state of Illinois will drop its sexual abuse charges against R. Kelly in Cook County, due to the “extensive sentences” he’s already serving. The Ignition hitmaker is already facing three decades in prison after he was convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering last year. Sentencing on his separate conviction in Chicago for producing child pornography and enticing girls for sex is due on February 23, which could add even more decades, with the star already not getting out of jail in his lifetime. So the state does not deem it necessary for any more years to be added because “justice has been served”. Kim Foxx, the Cook County state attorney, said at a conference on Monday: “Mr Kelly is potentially looking at never walking out of prison again…

The DA’s provocative march, because that is what it was, came and went. What did South Africans, who are daily faced with the struggle of putting meals on the table, gain from the political alternative No 1 of SA? Yes, the leadership of the ruling party was exposed, tested and found wanting. Like the Bantustan rule, the ANC government is under the control of the previous masters. Let’s change roles. If it were the black-led UDM or EFF, today we would be counting those arrested and injured, along with the bodies. We would never forget the march of the IFP to the ANC’s then-headquarters, Shell House. Black workers were massacred in Marikana for striking for a living wage. Protesters marching against women and children violence were sprayed by water cannon…

Australia opener David Warner has expressed concern for the future of Test cricket, with emerging players focusing on “short-term” interests as lucrative T20 leagues proliferate globally. Warner, who has played 101 Tests and more than 200 limited-overs internationals, said he had tried to impress upon younger teammates, including Sydney Thunder talent Oliver Davies, the importance of the longest format. “I was speaking to (Davies) the other day. He likes playing white-ball cricket … I can’t see him playing red-ball cricket any time soon,” Warner told reporters. “If he wants to put his mind to it, he can definitely play. “But I’ve got a little bit of scaredness about what’s going to happen in the next five to 10 years, where cricket is actually heading. “I’d love for guys coming through…

British athletics great Mo Farah has said that this year’s London Marathon will probably be his last as he contemplates the end of a brilliant career. The 40-year-old is best known for his success on the track after winning gold medals in the 5 000 and 10 000m at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as well as several world titles across both distances. And while his marathon career has reached nothing like the same heights, Farah is keen to run in London again after missing last year’s edition, even though he will be 40 by the time of the April 23 race. “It’s been an amazing career, and taking part in the London Marathon is a very big deal,” he said in a statement issued by…

The fact that Mamelodi Sundowns have a 19-point advantage over nearest rivals Richards Bay in the Premiership suggests there is a gulf in class between the Brazilians and the rest. Rulani Mokwena’s team are more or less assured of a sixth consecutive league title. Winning the championship has become so routine for them and their fans that their season will now be deemed a success or failure depending on how they perform in the CAF Champions League. Here are five reasons why Sundowns are better than the rest ... Proper recruitment Recruitment is a key part of getting a team to tick. Talented players alone do not always make a team perform as is often seen when top sides misfire at the highest level in any sport. Sundowns’ recruitment strategy…

The SA20 took another forward step yesterday with high-profile Australian internationals Matthew Wade and Tim David joining the exciting competition. Wade, a former T20 World Cup winner having played a major role in the Aussies lifting the coveted trophy in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, joins the Joburg Super Kings for the second half of the tournament as a replacement for Alzarri Joseph. The West Indies paceman has left the Super Kings to join his national team for their two-Test tour of Zimbabwe ahead of their full format tour to South Africa next month. The Super Kings have not had a permanent gloveman, with the Wanderers-based side initially opting for Proteas Test wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne, before reverting to part-timer Donovan Ferreira behind the stumps. Wade will, however, add a…

The country’s projected growth more than halves in 2023 to a paltry 1.2% THE INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) has slashed South Africa’s growth forecast for 2023 by more than half, mainly due to the ongoing energy crisis while other sub-Saharan economies are expected to experience moderate growth. In its World Economic Outlook 2023 released yesterday, the IMF showed that growth was projected to remain moderate at 3.8% in 2023 in sub-Saharan Africa amid a prolonged fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. This was a modest upwards revision since October’s projection, before picking up to 4.1% in 2024. “The small upwards revision for 2023 (0.1 percentage point) reflects Nigeria’s rising growth in 2023 due to measures to address insecurity issues in the oil sector,” it said. “In South Africa, by contrast, after…

Theatre legends Andrew Buckland, Jennie Reznek and Faniswa Yisa steal the limelight at the Baxter as they bring to life the tragic tale of Greek king Oedipus. In Greek mythology, Oedipus accidentally fulfilled a prophecy that he would end up killing his father and marrying his mother, thereby bringing disaster to his city and family. Written by Qondiswa James and directed by Mark Fleishman, Oedipus at Colonus: #aftersophocles explores themes of time, ageing and dying. The play was originally written by Sophocles at the end of his life when he was an old man facing his death. In conversation with IOL Entertainment, Buckland, who plays Oedipus, said he cannot wait for South Africans to experience the exceptional storytelling that comes with the staging of Oedipus at Colonus: #aftersophocles. Elaborating on…

As the global anti-corruption movement Transparency International’s (TI) 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) showed South Africa has slid further down the rankings, a political analyst has said he fears corruption is in vogue. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast said: “Corruption has become fashionable in South Africa. “It is a phenomenon embedded in the state machinery, particularly at local government level, as can be seen from reports by the auditor-general every year.” However, Breakfast said there were signs that all was not lost in the war against corruption. He noted the recent incident where the National Prosecuting Authority’s Assets Forfeiture Unit and the Special Investigating Unit had obtained a preservation order to freeze five properties worth millions of rand linked to the ongoing probe into fraud at the National Lotteries Commission. The…

Amid the city’s crumbling roads and infrastructure, the newly elected City of Joburg mayor, Al-Jama-ah’s Thapelo Amad, says in his 100 days he is looking at fixing potholes. Amad recently replaced the DA’s Mpho Phalatse who was removed as mayor after a motion of no confidence. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika last week, Amad said the city was looking at fixing at potholes and identifying systems that could assist in identifying those potholes. “Remember we are now in a digital era and the technology has advanced so much that there is technology that you can use and it will deploy the data to the person who allocates or deploys the human resources to fill up those potholes. “So that can be achievable and I believe so, within the period of 100…

Rampant Mamelodi Sundowns will ditch their player rotation exercise for Saturday’s DStv Premiership show-stopper against red-hot Orlando Pirates in Soweto. Sundowns regulars Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena are likely to return to the starting line-up at the Orlando Stadium (3.30pm kick-off) after sitting out of Saturday’s tie against Sekhukhune United. Even if Sundowns lose on Saturday, the outcome is unlikely to affect the destination of this season’s league crown since the Brazilians are runaway log leaders with a lead of 21 points. Given their huge squad, Masandawana have the added burden of keeping all their players match-ready and fit – hence the need for rotation. Sundowns have just emerged from a massive workload which saw them play seven games in 24 days. Coach Rulani Mokwena said as a result of…

Less than a week ago, the doomsayers were preparing the eulogy of South African international cricket. The overall feeling was that it had lost its place in the modern world, that it was overtaken by the future, and its only relevance of a World Cup was fast becoming secondary too. But suddenly, there is tangible optimism. Frowns have been replaced with smiles, and from being no-hopers, the whole place is alive with self-belief again. Successive victories over double world white-ball champions England have provided everyone with hope. The Proteas’ World Cup fate is suddenly in their hands once more. The 20 points gained propelled the Proteas to 79, pushing Sri Lanka (77) down to 10th and the West Indies (88) within their sights. And that is why today’s third one-day…

Phil Mickelson says he will be “at peace” if he never plays in a PGA Tour event or Ryder Cup again, nearly one year after his explosive remarks about the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series triggered uproar. In an interview with Sports Illustrated published on Monday, the six-time Major winner said he was not bothered about the possibility of being frozen out of PGA Tour events for good. Mickelson was suspended by the tour last year after being one of the earliest big names to defect to the controversial LIV circuit. The 52-year-old embraced LIV Golf despite telling a US journalist that the circuit’s Saudi backers were “scary” with a “horrible” human rights record. Mickelson said in June last year he hoped to play on the PGA Tour again. However, in…

Eddie Jones returned to his roots yesterday for his first formal news conference since being reappointed Wallabies coach, and issued a call for the whole of Australian rugby to “roll their sleeves up” and help revitalise the game. In a message delivered at the school where he was once a pupil and teacher, Jones said the team would do their part by winning the Rugby World Cup in France later this year, but could not revive the sport alone. “I reckon we’ve got to draw a line in the sand and where we’ve been, and work out where we want to go ... then everyone needs to roll their sleeves up,” the 63-year-old said at Matraville Sports High School. “We can’t do it by ourselves. We need everyone in the…

After a tumultuous Friday night in Belfast last week, there was at least some good news on the injury front for the Stormers yesterday ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) showdown with the Sharks in Durban (2pm kickoff). John Dobson, who won the SA Rugby Coach of the Year award yesterday, bemoaned the “extraordinary” circumstances that he had to deal with in the 35-5 loss to Ulster, where two players withdrew on match-day and another three had to go off within the opening quarter. One of those injured players, Evan Roos, was nearly in tears after a double tackle from fellow Springbok Duane Vermeulen and Ulster flank Nick Timoney left him clutching his right knee, with Dobson saying afterwards that he would be surprised if his star eighthman would…