Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-06-30 i Star

SOUTH African households’ finances remained under pressure in the first quarter of 2023 due to slower growth in disposable income, resulting in moderated growth in real final consumption expenditure. This was revealed in the Quarterly Bulletin released by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) yesterday. The SARB said that real spending on both services and durable goods decreased slightly during the quarter, with the latter largely reflecting reduced purchases of personal transport equipment. According to the quarterly bulletin, personal disposable income grew by a modest 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, down from 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2022, due to a seasonal rise in employment. However, the purchasing power of personal disposable income was hurt by elevated inflation, with consumer prices surprising to the upside in February and March. The higher inflation…

RICHARD Branson’s Virgin Galactic flew its first paying customers to the edge of space yesterday, completing a long-awaited milestone that comes nearly 20 years after the British billionaire started to pursue his dream of creating a space tourism venture. The flight from Spaceport America in New Mexico was not full of wealthy thrill-seekers but rather was commissioned by the Italian government for a pair of Italian air force officers and an Italian engineer who used the mission as a training exercise and to conduct science experiments. Yesterday, the spacecraft landed softly on a runway at about 11.44am Eastern time after reaching a peak altitude of about 53 miles (85km), the company said on a live broadcast of the flight. With the completion of its first commercial mission, the company says…

THE SOUTH African poultry industry yesterday said that contrary to speculation on the country’s potential loss of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Agreement (Agoa), the local sector would benefit from the stoppage of 72 000 tons of chicken into the market. South African Poultry Association (Sapa) CEO Izaak Breitenbach said the industry did not export to the US, but that as part of the Agoa agreement, South Africa allowed duty free chicken imports. This is as arguments rage back and forth in business and government over the US lawmakers’ recent request to move the upcoming Agoa Summit out of South Africa with fears of South Africa potentially being excluded from the Agoa agreement before it reaches its next renewal date in 2025. Breitenbach said: “If the Agoa agreement…

MERGER and acquisition (M&A) activity levels have been slower in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa over the past year, mostly due to the unreliable supply of electricity (which has been particularly challenging in South Africa), geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain blockages and challenging global economic conditions. However, many private investors are sitting on investments they need to exit in the near term, and we expect to see an increase in M&A activity going forward, although, due to the challenging local and global conditions, it is currently unclear exactly when this will be. In sub-Saharan Africa, the value of announced mergers and acquisitions in the first quarter of 2023 was $2.9 billion, according to Refinitiv. This was 80% less than the value of deals announced in the first quarter of last year…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the five member states of Southern Africa Customs Union (Sacu) to discuss the diversification of their economies, increase intra-Africa trade and deepen integration. The five states are Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swazi- land. Speaking at the Sacu Summit held in Swaziland yesterday, Ramaphosa said the states were positioned to use their collective revenues to support industrial capacity and infrastructure development within the union. “We cannot be content that Africa’s share in global trade is a mere 3%. This customs union should contribute to substantially increasing the African trade in goods and services. “We will achieve this if we have clearly articulated programmes, sufficient resources, a robust governance framework and a commitment to executing the strategic plan,” he said. The Sacu Strategic Plan…

Three Diepsloot residents, including community leader Lefa Nkala, were arrested for public violence. Residents vowed to continue to intensify their anti-crime protest until President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses them. They also expressed having zero confidence in their local police, including Minister Bheki Cele, who has visited Diepsloot on different occasions in an attempt to mitigate complaints from community members. Diepsloot residents continued to protest yesterday and some community members were seen forcing spaza shop owners to close down their businesses. That prompted the police to warn them to disperse, saying the strike had elements of intimidation, violence, and illegality. Community members proceeded to mobilise more people to join the protests. Again, some members called out to business owners to shut down and to join them as the protests were tailored to…

A City of Johannesburg official has been sentenced in the Brixton Magistrate’s Court for corruption earlier this week. Hlengani Voster Maluleke, 41, an environmental inspector for the city was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (better known as the Hawks) Serious Corruption Investigation Team based in Johannesburg. Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the incident took place in July 2022. “The accused conducted environmental inspections at the Brixton Shoprite Checkers and inconsistencies were found in the store. He subsequently issued the store with a R5 000 fine on July 13, 2022,” he said. On July 15, 2022, Maluleke visited the store again and demanded R1 000 to squash the fine. “The matter was reported to the Hawks for further exploration which led to his arrest,” Nkwalase said.…

THERE is generally a lot of non-compliance during events at stadiums and that is a serious concern from a safety point of view. This was said by the managing director of a public safety company, Ian Fourie, who was a panellist at the Stadium and Facilities Conference in partnership with John Deere Financial Services hosted at SuperSport Park Stadium this week. Fourie was speaking on risk management in events, which explored compliance with the relevant legislation governing events management. He said it was important that event organisers complied with regulations “by making sure that crowds and events are safer and the public is looked after”. “Regarding sports and recreation, the act says that you need to consult with the police, consult with the city and get the city permit in…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has issued letters of suspension to Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi. Maumela presides over the high profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. The judges of the high court are in hot water for allegedly failing to deliver a series of judgments within a reasonable time. The Judicial Service Commission recommended the suspension of judges Maumela and Mngqibisa-Thusi, pending the outcome of an inquiry into their alleged failure to deliver a series of reserved judgments. On Twitter, The Legal SA also reported that the judges had been suspended. “The suspensions follow the April recommendations made by the JSC to suspend the presiding officers pending the outcome of respective tribunal investigations into delays in their judgments,” according to the Twitter post. “Initially, delayed judgment complaints against the two…

THE hemp and cannabis sector has welcomed recent engagements with the government, where plans were discussed to work towards realising a thriving and inclusive domestic cannabis economy. The sector is one of 14 priority sectors that have been defined in government’s Country Investment Strategy as holding significant potential to secure investment, job creation and support for sustainable rural livelihoods, in recognition of people’s rights. Given the need for urgent implementation, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), together with the Presidency, the government convened the Cannabis and Hemp Phakisa Action Lab from June 19 to 23. Legal expert and chief executive of Onlyfarms.app – a marketplace and investment platform – Shaad Vayej said, the engagement was progressive and he was “impressed” with the…

Chief Justice Raymone Zondo, has every right to be peeved when all his hard work, time and effort with regard to the state capture inquiry has been ignored by Parliament. Three years of many hours of testimony to gather extensive evidence to pave the way for “successful prosecutions”. Six volumes of evidence, at a cost of R1 billion, that I’m sure only 2% of parliamentarians have actually read. In 2017, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated: “We must act fearlessly against alleged corruption and abuse of office within our ranks.” Yet no action has been taken against the corrupt officials, except for a few small fry. Parliament is “shocked and surprised” by Zondo’s comments. Really? What are the “initiatives” that Parliament has “through its various structures to implement the recommendations”? Why…

Forgiveness requires an individual to delve deep within and find ways in themselves to forgive. Forgiving someone can be extremely difficult, yet keeps the mind sharp. Forgiveness is a medicine for the body and mind that uplifts the mood of optimism. Forgiveness is letting go of the anger and resentment that comes from feelings of outrage and grief. Holding on to wrongful acts affects our cardiovascular system, brain and immune health. Increasing evidence suggests that forgiveness reduces the risk of heart attack, leads to healthier relationships, and reduces anxiety, stress and hostility, improving cholesterol levels and sleep. These insights presented in this article suggest that forgiveness brings great benefits that improve mental health. However, money is not the decisive factor to achieve good mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO)…

SOUTH African football and Kaizer Chiefs legend Lucas Radebe is not entirely convinced that the Golden Boys of the nation have made the best decision to appoint Molefi Ntseki as head coach for the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season. On Wednesday, Amakhosi announced the former Bafana Bafana mentor as the new man in the hot seat for the upcoming campaign, in a shock announcement that saw Arthur Zwane demoted to the role of assistant coach. As the off-season dragged on it had become increasingly clear that Zwane’s position within the club’s coaching hierarchy had become almost untenable after a fifth-place finish this season. Chiefs were linked to a handful of coaches with impressive résumés, including a reportedly failed attempt to nab Yanga SC coach Nasreddine Nabi and a highly unlikely move…

TOTTENHAM Hotspur have completed the signing of creative midfielder James Maddison from relegated Leicester in a deal worth £40 million plus add-ons. The 26-year-old England international signed a five-year deal. Maddison began his career with Coventry City before joining Norwich City in January, 2016. He moved to Leicester in 2018 and in five seasons made 203 appearances, scored 55 goals and helped win the FA Cup. He scored 10 goals last season as Leicester were relegated from the Premier League He has three England caps. Maddison’s creativity will boost a Spurs squad that has lacked a player in his mould since Christian Eriksen left in 2020. He is the club’s third signing of the summer. Winger Dejan Kulusevski’s loan switch from Juventus was made permanent and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario joined…

EDOUARD Mendy joined Al-Ahli on Wednesday as the Senegal goalkeeper became the third player to leave Chelsea for Saudi Arabia since the end of the season. Mendy is reported to have cost Al-Ahli around £16 million after he opted to leave the Premier League club, having lost his place to Kepa Arrizabalaga in the second half of last season. “Welcome Mendy ... best goalkeeper in the world,” Al-Ahli posted on social media accompanied by a video clip of the 31-year-old putting pen to paper on his contract. “Having started his career in the lower tiers of French football – and even spending several months without a club – Mendy rose to the pinnacle of European football with Chelsea,” a statement on Chelsea’s website said. “A hugely likeable character on and…

BMW AG’s R4.2 billion investment over five years to electrify its Rosslyn plant to manufacture semi electric vehicles represents another initiative by the motor industry to adapt to the changing global market. BMW AG board member for production Milan Nedeljkovic said in a statement yesterday that their South African business had become a mainstay of the group’s global automotive network, and to mark the 50 years that the local plant became BMW AG’s first foreign facility, the investment would be made to manufacture the BMW X3 as a plug-in hybrid for global export, from 2024. The investment would also be accompanied by specialist training for more than 300 employees at the plant. Currently, only two of SA’s major vehicle manufacturers make vehicles that can run on electricity (EVs). Toyota…

CONSUMERS in South Africa are expected to continue holding back on making large purchases in the next 12 months as high borrowing costs has resulted in pessimism about the prevailing economic conditions. The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) plunged to its lowest in one year in the second quarter of 2023, sagging further to -25 points after having plummeted from -8 to -23 index points during the first quarter. This CCI reading was the second-lowest reading on record since 1994 after a low of -36 index points recorded during the hard Covid-19 lockdown in the second quarter of 2020. It was also indicative of concerns about South Africa’s economic prospects and consumers’ household finances. Consumer confidence has now dropped back to the same low level that was recorded during…

THIS IS THE third article in a series on planning for retirement, focusing on the different phases of the journey. Our previous article looked at pre- retirement planning considerations. Next, we explore the transition phase. Future articles will cover the active phase, the passive phase, and the late retirement phase. Transitioning from working to retirement can be both exciting and overwhelming. During this period, which typically starts anywhere from five years before you retire up to a year or two afterwards, you will face crucial decisions with a lasting impact on your financial well-being. One of the key decisions you’ll need to make is how you will invest your life savings to ensure you have a sustainable income in retirement. Who do you partner with to ensure you make good…

ARGENT Industrial lifted its dividend by 126% to 95 cents in the year to March 31, from 42c a year before following a strong financial performance that was boosted by the offshore operations. “Domestically the consequences of the perfect Fun Show put on by the current elected party has made an absolute mess of the SA markets and is the inspiration to place one’s operations and production elsewhere in the world,” its directors noted in the results. On prospects, they said: “The strategy is to increase our offshore exposure, which will be achieved by acquisitions, expanding current operations and via exports.” Argent Industrial holds both local and international manufacturing and commodity trading interests, with businesses in South Africa, UK, and the US, and exports products to more than 35…

Mothata seeks to challenge VC over his dismissal in Labour Court UNISA registrar Professor Steward Mothata, who yesterday filed an application to the Labour Court challenging his dismissal, has accused Unisa vice-chancellor (VC) Professor Puleng LenkaBula of unfairly terminating his five-year contract this week. Mothata joins more than five senior members of staff who have either resigned or had their contracts terminated in a similar fashion since last year. Early this month, The Star reported that certain council members informed the Independent Assessor, Professor Themba Mosia, of bullying tactics by the VC. “We also want to inform you that some of us did tell Mosia that there might be intimidation and targeting of individuals who provided evidence of corrupt activities. The VC is accountable to no one. She does as…

With the La Niña climate phenomenon taking leave and its counterpart, El Niño, announcing its arrival, questions naturally abound. These occurrences are known to cause much of distress as communities worry about the prospects of harsh weather conditions that give rise to concerns about food security, water supply and the safety of life and property. La Niña denotes the cooling of sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean while El Niño refers to the opposite. Both influence atmospheric circulation and consequently rainfall and temperature in specific areas around the world. In our part of the world, La Niña tends to be associated with wetter weather while El Niño typically heralds increased warmer temperatures and low rainfall. After three consecutive La Niña events, from the southern hemisphere summer of 2020/21 to…

THE 50th anniversary celebration of the BMW Group plant in Rosslyn took place yesterday, and attending the event were Deputy President Paul Mashatile and City of Tshwane MMC Hannes Coetzee. They were joined by Dr Milan Nedeljkovi, a member of the board of management of BMW AG for production and chairperson of the board of management for BMW, and Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa. Nedeljkovi revealed: “From 2024, we will produce the BMW X3 in South Africa as a plug-in hybrid and export it to the rest of the world.” To accomplish this, the group will invest R4.2 billion in the plant over a five-year period. Coetzee said: “The investment in electrification and digitalisation shows BMW’s commitment to South Africa. More than 23 000…

The CSIR has hosted a hybrid media briefing at which young experts briefed the media on various cutting-edge technologies that they are developing to improve South Africa’s healthcare system using fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies. The 4IR has had a considerable impact on the manufacturing industry, which has encouraged a surge in the automation of medical diagnostics, led by artificial intelligence and the internet of medical things. The briefing showcased some of the breakthrough 4IR innovations aimed at improving South Africa’s healthcare system. These included machine learning-powered diagnostics, which is a technology that aims to reduce the prevalence of communicable diseases in African communities and the localised surface plasmon resonance system used in point-of-care settings to eliminate the need for timeous laboratory testing, Also included was optical-based biosensor for the…

Award-winning music talent Mthembeni “Emtee” Ndevu says he may be nonchalant about a lot of things, but his name must be respected. Ndevu, who made an exciting revelation for his fans on social media, says new music is on the horizon. In a wordy post, he pointed out that he was not a gangster, thief, or fake n**ga. “I’m busy working on my album. Feeling sorry for the people speaking my name loosely. Also crazy how people think I’m down bad when I’m a label myself, I’m a publisher, ghost writer, producer and a musical genius. My kids get the best education, and I’m taking care of families. Not just mine. “I will be acting goofy and all, but I’m not as dumb as people think I am. I keep…

THE Springboks’ preparations for the Rugby Championship were boosted this week by the arrival of the last piece of their puzzle, utility forward Jean-Luc du Preez, who was cleared by Sale Sharks to join the squad in Pretoria. Du Preez last played for the Boks in 2018, but he has enjoyed a huge season in the English Premiership and Bok coach Jacques Nienaber has recalled the 27-year-old because he is equally at home at lock and flank. He effectively replaces last season’s utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt, who has fallen out of favour. “Jean-Luc du Preez was cleared to join us from the beginning of this week, which means we had an opportunity to work with all the players at stages during the last three weeks, and that will bode well…

THE soft thud of bouncing balls and coaches’ orders echo over the courts at the Rafa Nadal Academy, the tennis “factory” the Spanish superstar dreamed into reality, his great legacy to the sport and to his island, Mallorca. “It came from Rafael and his father’s idea of staying involved in the sport when Rafael’s career was over,” Toni Nadal, his uncle and former coach tells AFP at the academy in the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s hometown, Manacor. “He’s lasted much longer than we thought,” adds Toni, with a smile. He is the academy’s tennis director, speaking to AFP while overseeing some of the sport’s most promising youngsters running drills. Spanish great Nadal (37) is taking a break from tennis to try and recover from his injury problems but keeps a…

INTER Miami have appointed former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo Martino to take charge of the Major League Soccer team, setting up a reunion with compatriot Lionel Messi. Martino, widely known as “Tata”, coached the Spanish club and his country’s national team. He was most recently in charge of Mexico and previously worked in MLS with Atlanta United, winning the title in 2018. Martino’s arrival was expected after Inter Miami, rock bottom of the Eastern Conference, fired their English coach Phil Neville. The 60-year-old will take over the team, from interim Javier Morales, once his work documentation has been completed. “We are very happy to be able to welcome Tata to Inter Miami. We feel he is a coach who matches our ambitions as a club and we’re optimistic about…

THE Sharks’ new coach John Plumtree, is in for a conflict of emotions when the Durbanites play Scarlets in next season’s United Rugby Championship. John’s son, Taine, has been signed by the Welsh team and will join them shortly from the Blues in Auckland. Taine is one of New Zealand’s up-and-coming loose forwards but with the queue to the All Black loose trio a long one, he may choose to play international rugby for the country of his birth, Wales. John and his wife Lara moved to Swansea in Wales when he finished playing for the Sharks in 1997. Coaching Swansea was John’s first big job (1997-2001) and it was during his time in west Wales that Lara gave…

‘Our foreign relations policy is driven by our economic and national interests’ MINISTER in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has reiterated her defence of South Africa’s foreign policy in spite of potential withdrawal of economic benefits to the country. Addressing the Black Business Council Summit, Ntshavheni yesterday said that the government’s non-alignment position on the Russia/Ukraine war had nothing to do with the possible withdrawal of South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). Ntshavheni said South Africa would maintain its international relations policy for the benefit of its interests.“I want to set the record straight, that the largest trading partner of this country is Germany or the European Union followed by the US and then China. South Africa cannot be friends with people who want us to remain…

PRODUCER inflation in South Africa is expected to continue moderating after falling nearly to a two-year low in May as local food prices are beginning to match slowing global prices. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that the annual Producer Price Inflation (PPI) eased further to 7.3% year-on-year in May, down from 8.6% in April. This was the softest reading since August 2021, matching market forecasts. StatsSA said this was prompted by a slowdown in the costs of coke, petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products; metals, machinery, equipment and computing equipment; food products, beverages and tobacco products; paper and printed products; and transport equipment. According to StatsSA, manufactured food price inflation decelerated further in April to 8.8% year-on-year in May, from 11.1% and 11.7% recorded in April…

A recent decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) underlines the gravity of insurance fraud and how badly it can backfire on you. A man was ordered to repay his insurer his full claim of R1.6 million plus interest even though only a portion of the claim was found to be fraudulent. In November 2016, Pretoria homeowner Tshamunwe Masindi, submitted a claim to his insurer, Discovery Insure, for damage to his house and its contents caused by a storm. He also claimed, as permitted under the policy, for the costs of emergency accommodation during the time his home was uninhabitable. The total claim, which amounted to R1.6m, was paid out by Discovery Insure between December 2016 and May 2017. Of the total amount, R675 000 covered Masindi’s costs for…

KIBO ENERGY, the renewable energy-focused development company, said yesterday that following from the losses incurred in the current financial period, it had sought funding to address a liquidity crunch. In its financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2022, the group said after the losses sustained in the reported period, coupled with the net current liability position the group found itself in as at December 2022, these indicated that a material uncertainty existed, which might cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. “This is largely attributable to the short-term liquidity position the group finds itself in as a result of the significant capital required to develop projects that exceeds cash contributed to the group by the capital contributors,” it said. Ireland-based Kibo…

Proudly South African has for 21 years sounded a clarion call to the nation to join the pursuit of stimulating local procurement through influencing consumers to buy local and stimulate job creation in tbe country. It is through this shared passion of localisation that we are announcing that Macsteel, the steel giant that boasts more than 100 years of being in the steel industry has joined the Buy Local movement as one of our newest members to help create jobs by driving localised steel use. With the unemployment rate in South Africa at a staggering 32.7% and youth unemployment in excess of 45.3%, meaning that two in three youths are unemployed, this calls for aggressive action. The numbers paint a dreary picture but true to the nature of South Africans,…

In the last week, South Africa has been hit by relentless extreme weather phenomena such as extreme rains, floods and even a landspout in Inanda near Durban which many had first believed was a tornado. In KwaZulu-Natal, recent flooding has left four people dead, with an unconfirmed number of other people possibly drowned. The Western Cape has also been lashed by floods which left many residents without their homes. But what could be the cause of such devastation? Scientists around the world have been sounding the alarm about this year’s El Niño, which they speculate could break all records. According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), because of its propensity to impact global air circulation, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is regarded as one of the most significant climate…

A man was arrested in Mabopane, north of Pretoria, after he was found with several cellphones allegedly stolen during a robbery at a Pep store. SAPS spokesperson in Tshwane, Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, said robbers unwittingly stole a gadget which contained a tracking device, and police were soon knocking on their door. “SAPS crime prevention members promptly responded to information received from Matrix Tracker regarding an active device taken during a business robbery at a Pep store at Morula Complex in Mabopane,” said Van Dyk. Items stolen during the Pep store robbery included R11 000 in cash, clothing items valued at R2 000, and several cellphones. “Within minutes of the crime being committed, Mabopane SAPS crime prevention, in collaboration with Matrix Tracker, tracked the device to house number 1244…

For many aspiring musicians in marginalised areas, dreams often fail due to the proximity of resources to launch their careers and ply their trade. These hopefuls often relocate to the bigger cities such as Pretoria or Johannesburg to realise their dreams. This inspired Rabbie Mashela to bring the resources closer to the villages to unearth raw talent. A lawyer by profession, the 41-year-old Mashela has taken an unconventional route by launching a record label, Shynebright Entertainment, in the mostly rural province of Limpopo. “I was motivated by the love of music. In Limpopo, we have few record labels, (but) there is a gap in this industry. Limpopo is rich with talent and I have always wanted to contribute, assist and make sure that we don’t lose our stars to other…

As many enthusiastically prepare for one of the biggest weekends in South Africa, Durban will always be a chilling reminder of how the late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was senselessly killed. Forbes had just finished dining with his friends at a popular restaurant, Wish on Florida Road, when he was shot in their presence in February. The alarming killings prevalent in KZN have been a major concern to many political parties and organisations as statistics continue to paint a grim picture about safety. DJ Zinhle, with whom Forbes shares a daughter, recently pulled out of an event in Durban, revealing she is not yet emotionally strong enough to visit the province. “I cannot lie to you guys; I’m not ready for Durban. Emotionally, I’m not ready at all. I get…

AN UNEXPLAINED astronomical object has been observed by a team of South African, US and Australian scientists, with the help of machine learning. Led by Michelle Lochner, who holds a joint position at UWC and the SA Radio Astronomy Observatory, the team combed through data generated in the MeerKAT Galaxy Cluster Legacy Survey (MGCLS), a programme of observations of 115 galaxy clusters run on South Africa’s MeerKAT Radio Telescope between June 2018 and June 2019. Ultimately, they found the “seventh sighting” of a newly discovered class of radio sources, known as odd radio circles (ORCs). ORCs were so named because of their distinctive giant rings made up of radio waves and, in keeping with the Lord of the Rings theme, the Lochner team have chosen to name their finding Sauron,…

ARGENTINIAN attacking midfielder Junior Mendieta has penned a passionate farewell message to his former club Stellenbosch FC, without saying where he is headed. It has been widely reported that Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United are interested in acquiring his services. However, it seems the player is on his way to the champions Sundowns. In a recent radio interview, Chiefs’ sporting director Kaizer Motaung jnr described him as a “top talent - we would like to have him”. Yesterday, Mendieta’s social media post read: “I am respectfully addressing you to thank you for the opportunity and the love that you have given me all these years. “I think I have done my job very well and I have always given my best and that leaves me at ease. “I…

GYMNASTICS superstar Simone Biles is poised to compete in August for the first time since mental health and safety concerns cut short her Tokyo Olympics campaign, entering the August US Classic near Chicago. USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday that the four-time Olympic gold medallist was entered in the August 4-5 event, which would be her first since she withdrew from most of her events in Tokyo in 2021. “Registration … does not guarantee participation,” USA Gymnastics warned in the statement. “Every athlete is at a different place in their season and career, and we will support each of them, wherever they are in their journey,” said USA Gymnastics chief programmes officer Stefanie Korepin. Biles electrified the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where she won gold in team, all-around, vault and floor…

FOLLOWING the surprise appointment of Molefi Ntseki as their head coach, the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy stands accused of lacking ambition. The once-mighty Amakhosi have now gone eight seasons without winning a trophy, and it seems unlikely that this will change over the next few months. Ntseki’s appointment has raised a storm on social media, but it will not be enough to change matters at Chiefs. This is the same hierarchy that appointed Arthur Zwane last season. The basis for Zwane’s appointment was that he had worked well with the players in the club’s youth structures. At the time of his appointment, this point was strongly driven home. A year later, the same hierarchy removes Zwane because he was a failure and appoints him as an assistant coach. By this time,…

AUSTRALIA spinner Nathan Lyon this week joined a special group of players who have featured in 100 consecutive Test matches. Lyon is only the sixth player, and the first bowler, to play 100 consecutive Tests. Other players on the list are Alastair Cook (159), Allan Border (153), Mark Waugh (107), Sunil Gavaskar (106) and Brendon McCullum (101). His 100th consecutive appearance came in the ongoing second Ashes Test against England. Speaking to Cricket Australia on the eve of this landmark, the 35-year-old off-spinner expressed his delight at the completion of the achievement and even went on to joke about how excessive appearances in Test cricket resulted in lack of hair. “That’s something I’m really proud of. To be able to tick off 100 consecutive Test matches, that’s a proper stat…