Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-16 i Star

Nedbank Private Equity (NPE), through the Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking division, and Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC) have partnered to acquire a majority stake in black-owned Tropic Plastic and Packaging Industry (Tropic). The transaction for an undisclosed sum will see the existing management team of Tropic also acquire a minority interest in the business. The deal not only secures a substantial realisation of investment of a pioneering black-owned business, but also charts Tropic into a new phase of growth from a family-owned business into a private-equity owned business, a statement said yesterday. Tropic was founded in 1963 and has grown from a family-founded and run business into one of the largest privately owned, fully integrated producers of flexible packaging products in Africa. “This acquisition not only enhances our portfolio but…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has said that it was keenly aware that while economic storms may be clearing, a cautious approach remained vital. As the nation readies for the final Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the year next month, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago conveyed an optimistic yet tempered outlook during the second Monetary Policy Review held yesterday. Opening with a tribute to the late former SARB Governor and former finance minister Tito Mboweni, Kganyago addressed the audience with words of encouragement, stating that there were now “signs that the storm is clearing.” This statement marks a significant shift since the previous meeting in April, a time when South Africa was grappling with a precarious balance of inflationary concerns, fragile growth, and heightened political unease. Currently, Kganyago said,…

Business confidence in the eThekwini Municipality has experienced a remarkable surge, reaching 63.01 in the third quarter of 2024, a notable increase from the previous quarter’s 55.49, as revealed by the latest Durban Business Confidence Index (BCI) report. Authored by Professor Harold Ngalawa and Dr. Ntokozo Nzimande from the Macroeconomics Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the report provides insights into the prevailing sentiments among local business leaders regarding their operational environment. The index reflected a consistent trend of positivity, having previously exceeded the critical 50-point mark for the first time since its inception in 2022. The recent increase of 7.52 index points signified not only a recovery but a 41.02% year-on-year improvement — undoubtedly a cause for celebration among the business community in Durban. As eThekwini Municipality navigates…

South Africa is limping from one crisis to another. The Rand Water, a state-owned company (SOE) water utility company announced that it has requested the three main metros in Gauteng to institute a level one water restriction due to Rand Water’s dams and reservoirs operating from a low capacity level. It is not a surprise that soon after the electricity crisis was arrested, poetically denied bail and remanded to stay in prison for the last 200 days without any chances of bail. At last SA enters into a water crisis. As a country, we seem to have a never-ending national crisis. We are barely over the electricity crisis and bang here comes another one. A water crisis, but why, when SA enjoys unrestricted and unlimited access to the Lesotho highlands…

Bytes Technology Group saw continuing strong demand for its software, solutions and services such as for the rollout of AI and growth in virtual technologies in the six months to August 31 and headline earnings a share increased 19.5% to 12.67 pence. Notwithstanding the earnings growth, the share price fell by 4.67% to R107.27 on the JSE yesterday afternoon; this came after falling steadily from as high as R161 per share in January. The London and JSE listed group is one of the UK’s leading software, security, cloud and AI services specialists. It listed on the JSE’s Main Board in 2020 following a demerger from Altron. Revenue fell 2.9% to £105.5 million, while gross profit increased 9% to £82.1m. The cash balance ended the period 38.3% higher,…

Grid Africa said yesterday that it had secured a R50 million equity investment facility from Rifuwo Energy Partners for the advancement of renewable energy projects in South Africa. Specialising in renewable energy solutions such as solar, Grid Africa also operates in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Last month, the South Africa head-quartered renewable energy solutions company partnered with Zimbabwean mining companies to develop a 72MW solar power plant that could help the mine operators save up to $9.2m yearly. The company has now secured an additional R50m in equity financing from Rifuwo Energy Partners, an independent power producer investor backed by South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation. “This funding will be pivotal in advancing renewable energy projects across South Africa at a crucial time as the nation braces for a rise in…

Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing fresh sexual assault lawsuits. The 54-year-old rap mogul, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, was hit with the new claims on Monday, when a tranche of legal papers filed in the Southern District of New York accused him of raping, drugging, sodomising and threatening to kill multiple alleged victims. Court documents obtained by Page Six show one unidentified female claiming that Combs raped her in 2004 after the then-19-year-old was allegedly invited to a photo shoot at his Marriott hotel room in Manhattan in New York. At an “exclusive party”, the college student was allegedly taken to a “separate room”, away from the main party, where she said the door was locked. She said that there, Combs assaulted her and…

THE DEPARTMENT of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has established a framework to encourage harmonious coexistence among community members in an effort to alleviate the long-standing racial tensions at Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West. This development follows a stakeholder engagement meeting led by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, which brought together business owners, state institutions, civil society, and community representatives. The structure, led by Mahlobo and North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, aims to resolve issues and promote economic growth. It includes representatives from various stakeholders, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard. Previously, The Star reported that a racial war was brewing within the community of Schoemansville, where Afrikaans-speaking people were accused of attempting to drive out black people who were setting up businesses there. Two black-owned properties had been set on fire,…

With cybersecurity threats on the increase, a report by the CSIR Information and Cybersecurity Research Centre found that South African public sector organisations face significant vulnerabilities to cybercrime. The “Cybersecurity Resilience of South Africa’s Public Sector” report surveyed more than 1 200 organisations and individuals nationwide. The report, released in April, revealed that while the country was grappling with cybercriminals, many organisations had been able to respond to the challenges. Malware and phishing attacks were the most common cyber threats faced by the institutions, as 47% of respondents said they had experienced between one and five cybercrimes in the past year. The survey reported that 56% of public institutions experienced malware attacks, while 55% accounted for phishing attacks. It said insider (38%) and social engineering (37%) attacks were on the…

In a compelling inaugural address at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Senate Hall, Professor Ute Feucht, a distinguished authority in maternal and child health and Director of UP’s Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, stressed the critical significance of the first 1 000 days of life—from conception to the age of two. Her lecture illuminated how placental function, maternal health, and early childhood factors are pivotal in shaping lifelong health outcomes. The event, which attracted key academic figures including Vice-Principal: Academic Professor Loretta Feris and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Professor Tiaan de Jager, was a testament to the pressing nature of the issues discussed, with Feucht's family also present to support her significant milestone. Beginning her lecture, Feucht delved into the nuances of…

Scientists in Brazil announced the discovery of one of the world’s oldest fossils believed to belong to an ancient reptile dating back some 237 million years that could help explain the rise of the dinosaurs. Named Gondwanax paraisensis, the four-legged reptile species was roughly the size of a small dog with a long tail, or about 1m long and weighing between 3 and 6kg, the scientists said in a statement this week. The small reptile would have likely roamed the land of what is today southern Brazil, when the world was much hotter. The fossil has been identified as a new silesaurid, an extinct group of reptiles. Paleontologists debate whether silesaurids were true dinosaurs or possibly a precursor to the creatures that once dominated the Earth. “Understanding the characteristics of…

The South African Rugby Union (Saru) are bracing for a crucial Special General Council meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, where the future of their proposed equity deal with Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) hangs in the balance. Despite significant pushback from their member unions, Saru are determined to proceed with the vote concerning the investment that could reshape the commercial landscape of South African rugby. An SA Rugby spokesperson confirmed to Independent Newspapers that the governing body is actively engaging with their member unions amid concerns raised in a strongly worded letter, signed by leaders from various unions and franchises. This letter articulates the opposition against the proposed deal, which reportedly involves a R1.3 billion investment, to acquire a 20% stake in a new company that will oversee South African rugby’s commercial…

Is this the year of the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC)? The Johannesburg side have made a three-match unbeaten start to the new season – on the back of an excellent Currie Cup run that ended with a final defeat. If they continue getting the results to complement their usually eye-catching performances, there might just be a trophy at Ellis Park for the first time since the 2015 Currie Cup. After dispatching Ulster (35-22) and Edinburgh (55-21) at home, the Lions held on for a vital 23-19 triumph over the Dragons in Newport last Sunday, but need to back it up by seeing off Zebre in Parma on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm). The Italian club are no pushovers, having beaten 2023 champions Munster 42-33 in round one. But they…

The anticipation builds as the second instalment of the revamped Carling Knockout Cup looms on the horizon, drawing the attention of football fans across South Africa. This weekend, 16 of the country's top-flight clubs will vie for glory, reigniting hopes of unpredictability and thrilling matches much like last year’s competition delivered. Current champions Stellenbosch FC will enter the tournament with their eye firmly set on defending their title, but for KwaZulu Natal clubs, this campaign carries an extra weight — the shadow of a 15-year trophy drought looms large. The last time a club from KZN claimed silverware was in 2009, when Golden Arrows triumphed in the MTN8 under the guidance of coach Manqoba Mngqithi. AmaZulu kick off the KZN hopes when they welcome Stellenbosch to the King Zwelithini Stadium…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has granted fuel importers a special one-year permission to import kerosene fuel, following an engagement with industry to avert fuel shortages at all airports. This decision follows urgent warnings from the local fuel industry regarding the risk of severe fuel shortages at all major airports, particularly in the wake of refinery closures in KwaZulu-Natal. The implications of this development are far-reaching, underscoring the importance of stable fuel supplies not only for the aviation sector but also for the broader South African economy. On Monday, industry representatives raised alarms about dwindling aviation fuel supplies, urging SARS to extend the existing time-bound licence for jet fuel imports. The concerns were heightened by the closure of the Engen and Sapref refineries, which has critically impacted the production…

SOE tells Parliament that its position has weakened, with debt at about R230 billion Transnet’s high debt of about R230 billion and a maintenance backlog of over R70bn were among the most serious stumbling blocks to its recovery plan, the utility told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport yesterday. The rail, ports and pipelines operator said despite these challenges, the implementation of a recovery plan had shown positive results, with a notable 28% improvement in coal corridor performance, and a total of 771 metric tons of rail freight transported over 24 weeks. It said a decline in profits had been accelerated by legal obligations, after the Gauteng High Court earlier this year awarded Sasol and TotalEnergies R6bn in damages over a battle with Transnet over tariffs for the transportation of…

A stable, coherent, long-term government energy policy was essential to boost energy transition investments in Africa, experts said at the first-ever Investment Forum for Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (Apra) convened on Monday in Nairobi, Kenya. Despite being home to 17% of the global population, Africa has received less than 2% of worldwide investments in renewable energy in the last two decades. Barbara von Toll, the regional director for East Africa, KfW-DEG, said the German state-owned bank of DEG had a balance sheet of €10 billion (R191bn) worldwide, with €2bn in Africa of which half a billion was in the energy sector. There were 14 projects outstanding in total. And during the past two or three decades they had financed up to five gigawatts of energy in Africa.…

Google signed a deal to get electricity from small nuclear reactors to help power artificial intelligence earlier this week. The agreement to buy energy from reactors built by Kairos Power came just weeks after word that Three Mile Island, the site of America's worst nuclear accident, will restart operations to provide energy to Microsoft. "We believe that nuclear energy has a critical role to play in supporting our clean growth and helping to deliver on the progress of AI," Google senior director of energy and climate said during a briefing. "The grid needs these kinds of clean, reliable sources of energy that can support the build out of these technologies." No financial details were disclosed. Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are rapidly expanding their data center capabilities to…

Kamo WW is popularly known and loved as a content creator, but he has now ventured into the music industry as the first openly queer artist in the amapiano scene. Kamohelo Pule’s love for dance and growing up in a big musical family inspired his entry into the music scene. This has also inspired his debut EP Pose, which represents a significant step forward in broadening the genre’s musical and cultural reach. “I’ve always loved dancing and have always envisioned myself performing for a big crowd. I just never knew that it would be my own music,” he said. Pose is more than just another amapiano EP, it is an energetic multi-genre project that pushes the boundaries of sound and challenges the societal norm of the genre being dominated by…

The Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo has sentenced a senior pastor of Potter’s House Word Church, Charles Mudau, 43, Justice Makushu, 54, and Albert Mushiana, 54 to pay a fine of R20 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment for animal cruelty. This sentence is wholly suspended for five years, according to Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Additionally, the men from Vhembe District in Limpopo were sentenced to pay a fine of R15 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on the condition that each accused pays an amount of R7 500 as compensation to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Louis Trichardt. “The State and defence entered into a plea and sentence agreement in terms of section 105A…

In an effort to take tangible steps towards improving service delivery and environmental conditions, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Tshwane hit the ground running yesterday with a series of initiatives aimed at cultivating a cleaner and healthier city for its residents. The EFF’s newly-appointed MMCs in Tshwane yesterday hit the ground running by taking part in a clean-up campaign and visiting local clinics to assess the level of service delivery. Party regional chairperson, Obakeng Ramabodu, who is MMC for Environmental and Agriculture Management, rolled up his sleeves on Monday night and joined municipal workers to clean up the inner-city. Ramabodu’s involvement came in line with the EFF’s manifesto, which advocates for continuous government service provision, stating that essential services should be operational around the clock. “Quality and sustainable services…

King Mswati’s upcoming overseas trip with his new wife, Inkhosikati Nomcebo Zuma, daughter of president Jacob Zuma, is estimated to cost taxpayers over R200 million. According to the eSwatini-based publication, Swaziland News, the costs include allowances for the delegation that will be accompanying the King, flying costs for the private jet, and spending money for the King and his new 21-year-old wife. The publication added that King Mswati left the country on Sunday, and will be attending the World Food Forum held in Italy. He will then proceed to Serbia for a State visit before attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. Meanwhile, the King’s spokesperson, Percy Simelane, told the publication that his office was not responsible for finances or allowances for the King and his…

The Proteas Women’s can now look forward to a rematch of last year’s ICC T20 World Cup final with world champions Australia tomorrow in Dubai after edging through to their third consecutive semi-final. Laura Wolvaardt’s team had endured three days of anxiously awaiting their fate, but could ultimately breathe a huge sigh of relief after the West Indies beat England by six wickets in the final round-robin match in Dubai to ensure the Proteas’ progression to the semis. The Windies, who are the only team to win this competition other than Australia since 2010, completed a fairytale to top the group and thereby send England crashing out of the tournament. The West Indies, Proteas and England all finished on six points with three wins apiece from four matches. However, the…

In a significant upheaval for Bangladesh cricket, head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has been suspended for 48 hours on disciplinary grounds by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), with the arrival of the Proteas Test team in that country imminent. This decision paves the way for his imminent termination, according to a report from ESPNCricinfo on yesterday. Phil Simmons, the former head coach of the West Indies, is set to take over in an interim capacity until the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy next year, the report further notes. BCB president Faruque Ahmed elaborated on the reasons behind Hathurusinghe's suspension, citing two counts of misconduct. "First is about an assault on a player. Secondly, he took too many leaves, more than what was stipulated in his contract," Ahmed stated. Hathurusinghe, who previously held…

The Proteas are embarking on their first Test series in Bangladesh since 2015, and as they gear up, several obstacles await them. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent, the team must navigate a unique set of challenges to secure success in the historic series. Here, Zaahier Adams delves into five critical factors that could determine their fate in the subcontinent. 1. Spin, spin and more spin The Proteas are bracing themselves for a barrage of spin when they arrive in Bangladesh for their first Test tour there since 2015. The pitches in both Dhaka and Chattogram – the venues of the two Test matches – are expected to be devoid of grass to offer the hosts’ bountiful of spin options plenty of assistance. The hosts currently boast…

Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa insists that the team needs to continuously grind out results in the Betway Premiership to clinch the title, regardless of their overall performance. As the season progresses and the Buccaneers are tipped to make a serious challenge for the championship, Mabasa has revealed the formula necessary to realise those lofty aspirations. This season, Pirates have enjoyed an upward trajectory. They have played 11 matches across all competitions, winning nine and drawing two. Their achievements include defending the MTN8 cup, accomplishing an unprecedented “three-peat,” and securing their fifth trophy overall in just three seasons under the guidance of coach José Riveiro. While Riveiro has earned a reputation as a “cup specialist,” he faces mounting pressure to deliver the league title following the team’s back-to-back bridesmaid finishes…

The vibrant fields of Loria Park Grounds in Knysna, Western Cape, echoed with the sounds of competition as KwaZulu-Natal’s Ezemvelo Women made a commanding entrance into the Sasol National Championships, inspired by the achievements of their provincial counterparts, Lindelani Ladies. The stakes are high, and that’s not just talking about the prize money of R200 000 for first place and R100 000 for the runners-up but the honour and pride of bringing home a championship title that has eluded their province for decades. This year’s tournament brings together nine teams from across the nation, each with fierce aspirations to earn a spot in the Hollywoodbets Super League. Ezemvelo Women are eager to instil a sense of renewed hope in KwaZulu- Natal’s women’s football after Lindelani Ladies fell just short against…

In a landscape marked by economic turbulence, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has reported a modest rebound in its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for September 2024. Following a decline earlier this year, the BCI reflected a slowly revitalising business climate, albeit shadowed by persistent underlying challenges that define the current economic context. Releasing the September data yesterday, SACCI indicated that the BCI had seen a decline of 6.9 index points from March to May 2024. Fortunately, by August the index had bounced back, gaining 3.7 index points, only to slip again to 110.2 in September. Despite this fluctuation, SACCI’s CEO Alan Mukoki and economist Richard Downing described the year thus far as a period of steady recovery, with the overall average for the first nine months…

In a strong message to the international business community, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, declared the country “open for business” during the third Business Forum Southern Africa & Indian Ocean held yesterday. Speaking via video link from Cape Town, Tau encouraged French businesses to seize the opportunity to invest in a nation characterised by stable governance and a resilient democracy. “The ties between French companies and South Africa run deep, and we are aiming to strengthen those bonds with strong engagement with investors,” Tau stated, underlining the potential for further collaboration between the two nations. “With approximately 500 French companies operating in South Africa, employing nearly 70 000 people and pledging an impressive R70 billion in investments since 2018, the groundwork for future partnerships seems promising.” The…

In a critical legal battle over South Africa’s energy future, judgement has been reserved in the #CancelCoalCase, where the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) has emerged as a Friend of the Court. This case centres on the government’s contentious plan to procure an additional 1 500MW of electricity from coal, despite significant health concerns raised by civil society groups regarding the impact of coal-fired power stations on vulnerable populations, particularly black women living in polluted environments. The legal action follows the government's Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019), which sought to bolster the country's energy supply through increased coal usage. VEJA’s intervention is particularly timely, as the IRP 2023 has already shown a reduction in reliance on coal. Yet, opponents of the plan argue that previous intentions laid out in…

South Africa is experiencing a combination of heat waves, storm surges, and floods in addition to other climate-related extreme weather events. The brunt of these events results in the highest damage in the urban environment. Cities are hotspots of climate risk, and as the 6th Assessment Report of the IPCC makes clear, they are also key leverage points for effective climate action. They are hubs of opportunity for innovation in climate-smart solutions. Smart urban planning is the pathway to climate-proof cities. The necessity to climate-proof cities is becoming increasingly urgent and in South Africa, where informal settlements and peri-urban areas are home to millions of people, the stakes are especially high. Urbanisation is reshaping the global landscape, with rapidly growing cities and towns. We need to move rapidly, smartly, and…

Despite raising R1.5 billion in loans from shareholders this year and swinging into a profit for the half-year period to June, Wesizwe Platinum is battling uncertainty emanating from a delay in securing a letter of support for additional funding, casting doubt on the company’s going concern status. Wesizwe Platinum has swung from a 59.63 cents headline loss per share in its 2023 half-year period to a 7.36 cents headline earnings per share profitability this year. Despite having commitments amounting to R237.5 million in total commitments as at the end of the period under review compared to R417m last year, including capital commitments amounting to R237.3m, Wesizwe’s total comprehensive earnings for the six months under review amounted to R119.7m. This compares to the company’s comprehensive loss of R981.5m a year earlier.…

Before singer, songwriter and performer Mthandazo Gatya got his big break, he had been working for a decade to get noticed. This and other facts about the award-winning singer were shared during a recent episode of the Behind The Brand podcast, hosted by Cici. Gatya said he had made many mistakes when trying to break into the industry. “Certain decisions I took were a little bit premature … I quit a lot of jobs. I gave up everything for the music because it’s the only place where I felt that I wanted to be. “At some point, I was a soccer player. I thought I could be a professional soccer player, but looking at everything I tried, music was the one thing I knew I excelled at … I just…

BEFORE the recent debut of Disney’s The Magic Box musical in Cape Town, I caught up with Ashley Scott, who has been cast as Mara. A top LAMTA alumna, viewers will remember her from M-Net’s White Lies and short films, Surprise! and We Were Here. She was also in stage productions like The Sound of Music, Popcorn and Women On Top. With such an infectious personality, it was a no-brainer as to why she was cast in an inspiring role. On landing the role of Mara, Scott shared: “I was busy with The Sound of Music when the auditions came around for Disney’s The Magic Box.” Of course, she was determined to be part of the show. After the first round of auditions in Joburg, the next round was a…

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is putting the brakes on corrupt officials. The department said the officials faced transgressions relating to irregular recruitment, violation of the Citizenship Act, and the violation of the Immigration Act. Between July and September this year, the department has finalised 31 disciplinary cases against errant officials that have resulted in a range of sanctions, including criminal prosecution, dismissal, suspension without pay and final written warnings. Schreiber said these actions reflect the department’s intensified commitment to enforcing ethical governance and accelerating disciplinary and criminal sanctions against officials engaged in maladministration. Eight of the cases came from the Free State, followed by six from KwaZulu-Natal. “While we are committed to empowering the many officials who uphold ethical governance and dignified service delivery within Home Affairs, we have…

Nigerian man, Gabriel Okori, has been remanded in custody when he appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court facing charges of fraud and theft. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks said Okori, 39, appeared before the Pretoria court on Monday, after he was arrested earlier this month in Cape Town. Okori was arrested by the Hawks, assisted by City of Cape Town’s law enforcement and a private security company. The Hawks in Gauteng said the case against Okori was postponed to October 28, when he is expected to formally apply for bail. Previously, Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said Okori allegedly scammed a woman who he met online, and she believed she was involved with a white man named Mark Hermanus.…

October 11 is the United Nations (UN) International Day of the Girl Child, and the Imbumba Foundation has done a Caring4Girls blitz activation with various partners and provided over one million sanitary towels to over 25 000 girls from over 40 schools across all provinces in South Africa. The partners are Big Save, The Banking Association South Africa, Exxaro, Dis-Chem Foundation, Illovo Sugar Africa, Avroy Shlain, Avon Peaking Power, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Spur Corporation, Dedisa Peaking Power, Tekkie Town, Fourways Group, to name a few. Founded in 2010 by innovative social entrepreneur and humanitarian, Richard Mabaso, the Imbumba Foundation aims to bring about social change and economic upliftment, within rural and economically marginalised communities in Southern Africa, through investing and mentoring individuals and communities who seek to uplift…

In the vibrant landscape of South African music, deep house and Afro house producer InQfive is poised to make waves with the upcoming release of his eagerly anticipated album, Deeper Than Politics Vol.3, set to drop on November 29. Known off-stage as Tshepang Mpinga, the 28-year-old has fans buzzing with excitement, particularly as they await the album’s lead single titled All Night, featuring Philasande and Cresta X, which will be available on October 25. Born in Boksburg, Mpinga's love affair with music ignited during his childhood, with rhythms and melodies firmly embedded in his DNA. “Music has always been in my blood ,its a sentiment that paved the way for my journey in composition since 2013,” said InQfive, also known as The Special One. By 2020, he took a significant…

THIS year marks the 47th anniversary of Black Wednesday, which commemorates the day in 1977 when the apartheid regime silenced independent voices by closing certain publications. To reflect on the importance of this day, the National Press Club, in partnership with the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the family of the late social activist Percy Qoboza, will host the 14th Annual Percy Qoboza Memorial Lecture this Wednesday at Unisa, Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria, from 6pm. The memorial lecture is held annually in commemoration of October 19, 1977, the date on which the apartheid government banned The World, Weekend World and other publications. The lecture also honours the late Percy Qoboza, editor of The World and later of City Press newspapers. Percy Peter Tshidiso Qoboza was an influential black…

Ingredients 687.5ml cake flour 500ml granulated sugar 15ml baking powder 5ml salt 90ml Clover Springbok unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 125ml canola oil or vegetable oil 187.5ml Clover Fresh Full Cream milk, preferably at room temperature 125ml sour cream 15ml clear vanilla extract 6 large or extra large egg whites, room temperature 62.5ml dark cocoa powder 30ml very hot or boiling water 30ml sour cream, this is additional from the sour cream listed above 30ml granulated sugar, this is additional from the sugar listed above White buttercream icing 250g Clover Springbok unsalted butter (soft or at room temperature) 500g icing sugar, sifted 30ml Clover Fresh Full Cream milk 5ml vanilla essence (or flavouring of choice) Method Preheat oven to 175°C. Prepare two 20cm round cake pans (at least 5cm…

An observant man who listens, he is cut from a unique cloth. He puts people first. He is a man of integrity and respect. He is such a cool man. He’s a funny man who loves comedy and music. He’s highly intelligent, left-handed, very analytical, and a perfectionist. And he is a little bit OCD. That is Kaizer Motaung to his children. The Kaizer Chiefs boss turns 80-years-old today and his offspring spoke openly about what it is they find special about their father. Jessica, the chiefs marketing director and Motaung’s second daughter, says it is somewhat surreal that her father has lived that long and “I am so blessed to have had the time with him”. “He has evolved as a dad. He was a very strict dad at…

Water experts have advised that a concerted, multi-stakeholder effort is urgently needed to avoid the looming water crisis in Gauteng. Key issues contributing to the water crisis in the province include ageing infrastructure, population growth, excessive municipal water losses, and overconsumption. Most people and businesses are using more water than necessary. Recently, the Department of Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, warned that Gauteng is now in a situation where the demand for treated water is already occasionally exceeding the supply, particularly during peaks of demand. The provincial government, in partnership with municipalities, has launched a water data hub, also known as a water dashboard. It will help residents to keep track of shortages and repair issues in their areas and it will further assist residents in understanding how…

Kurt-Lee Arendse hasn’t had an opportunity to buy Willie le Roux a coffee as yet, but he owes him one for the stunning try assist in last week’s Bulls win over the Ospreys in Wales. The manner in which the Bulls are able to mix up their style of play in any conditions is the key to their success at the moment, and it was perfectly illustrated in their 29-19 victory in Swansea last weekend. Le Roux received the ball outside the Ospreys 22 following an up-and-under from flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain that was won back by Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie, and the Bulls No 15 delivered a little chip into the corner that Arendse dived on to grab the bonus-point try in the 23rd minute. It is the…

We all felt Rassie Erasmus’ ‘Really’ meme and tweet yesterday about World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont’s views on the Springbok Bomb Squad was actually quite appropriate. “Bomb squad... Good thing games is won or lost on the field and not in the boardrooms”, the Bok coach stated early yesterday morning after Beaumont vented his misgivings about allowing substitutes in rugby. The irony is that SA Rugby lost the hosting rights to last year’s World Cup in a boardroom. With South Africa having already been chosen as the preferred candidate, the final step was a vote and suddenly France emerged as the victors – but the Boks won the title “on the field”. “My view is that we allow too many substitutes,” Beaumont said in an interview with The Times of…