Innholdsfortegnelse for 2021-06-18 i Star

EDWARD WEST edward.west@inl.co.za LOAN loss provisioning is expected to fall among the biggest banks in South Africa, Kenya and Morocco, but will remain above long-term averages over the next 12 months, Moody’s Investors Service said yesterday. “The drop will boost net profits at these banks, given their solid pre-provision income,” the global credit rating agency said. South African and Kenyan banks were prudent in recognising forward-looking provisions, as required under IFRS 9 rules. Some South African banks took additional provisions to reflect expectations of weak economic conditions, Moody’s said in a report on the 15 biggest banks in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco. “Problem loans have soared at African banks, as the pandemic brought widespread economic disruption. While comparison across systems is imperfect, financial reports show non-performing loans (NPLs)…

MEC reveals 20 have had to shut doors amid third wave that has brought panic and misery NHLANHLA MBATHA SCHOOLING in Gauteng since the beginning of the year has been dealt a heavy blow after the Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi revealed that some 20 schools have had to be closed amid the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the province. Lesufi said the schools were closed interchangeably for between one and three days since February due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He made the comments yesterday while delivering his department’s Budget vote in the provincial legislature. Lesufi said the decision to shut down schools came after consultations with the Department of Health, adding that more than 1 000 teachers and close to 2 000 learners have tested positive…

| MASHUDU SADIKE POLICE in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for suspects believe to have murdered five people including a 12-year- old girl execution-style. The incidents took place in Nelspruit and Bushbuck Ridge in the early hours of Youth Day. The victims were shot and their houses torched. Police provincial spokesperson Leonard Hlathi said the killings could be gang-related. “Reports indicate that in the first incident, police received information about a shooting at Madras, near Hazyview outside Nelspruit where four family members were shot execution-style by four suspects inside their RDP house. “When police arrived, they found the house in flames with four victims inside lying unconscious, with burn wounds and in two separate rooms. “The emergency services were summoned and all the victims were, unfortunately, certified dead,” Hlathi said.…

Thabile Mange | Johannesburg THE Department of Basic Education (DBE) has taken a decision that learners should go back to school on a full-time basis, starting from the third term. Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, says learners are safe at school. Are they? Interestingly, most provinces (Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN) are officially on a third wave. Not only that, Covid-19 is also affecting learners in numbers. As a result, schools are closing every day due to the high infection rate. So, when Motshekga says learners are safe at school, what does she mean? As I write this letter, there are four schools closed in Krugersdorp due to Covid-19 cases. Some of these schools are closing for the third time in the space of three weeks. Another…

Morgan Bolton morgan.bolton@inl.co.za There is a serious flaw in the PSL constitution, and it seems every year it rears its contentious shortcoming. It seems to be a given that, at the conclusion of the season, a club, or clubs, in the NFD will challenge the outcome of the league and who will be promoted to the elite field. Relegation from the PSL is also not immune to the actions, as clubs try desperate gambits to remain in the top competition. There is R2 million incentive for clubs to play in the DStv Premiership – a difference of either receiving a stipend of R500 000 or R2.5 million a month. In that regard, it is easy to understand why the sides are so desperate to gain promotion and stay in the…

Mpiletso Motumi mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za THE timeless and elegant South African brand Rubicon recently celebrated 19 years in fashion. A special viewing for media and selected guests was hosted at the Jenna Clifford House in Sandton. Rubicon founder and creative director Hangwani Nengovhela’s collection was showcased at the South African Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer collections earlier this year in April. Her 2021 collection, “Myth Re-imagined”, was inspired by the fashion trends from the Mapungubwe Kingdom in Limpopo. The design aesthetic is derived from the kingdom’s social structure, the influence of trade with the far east and the area’s dynamic ecosystem. Nengovhela said it was important to understand the value chain of the clothing sector. She started Rubicon after leaving her advertising job. Nengovhela was already selling items from home when she saw a…

Brendan Szendro RENEWED fighting has erupted again between Israel and Hamas, endangering a ceasefire instituted after an 11-day war last month. The conflict in Gaza is an early test of Israel’s new coalition government. Recently, parties across the political spectrum united to remove Israel’s scandal-plagued PM Benjamin Netanyahu from power, ending a two-year political crisis, though he may manoeuvre his way back into power. While conducting dissertation research on the relationship between religion and state in Israel, I traced Israel’s chronic instability to what I believe is its core: unlike most countries, Israel does not have a constitution. Constitutions constrain the power of governments by defining, in precise terms, who has what rights, what rights form the basis of legal decisions, and how political power is dispersed among institutions.…

Ivory Coast’s former president Laurent Gbagbo, ousted during a civil war in 2011 and acquitted of war crimes in The Hague, touched down yesterday in the commercial capital, Abidjan, as crowds massed to welcome him home from a decade in exile. Police fired teargas to disperse hundreds of supporters. One group chanted “Gbagbo is coming, we will install him,” while others shouted “Respect the power of Gbagbo” from mini-vans heading towards the airport in the commercial capital Abidjan. Gbagbo waved as he boarded a plane back to Ivory Coast in Brussels as a small group of supporters applauded, videos shared on social media sites showed. He was ousted from power in 2011, sent to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face war crimes charges, and acquitted eight years…

TEHRAN: Iran’s president appealed to voters to take part in a presidential election today after record numbers of people are expected to boycott it due to economic hardship and frustration with hardline rule. Hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi and moderate former Central Bank governor Abdolnasser Hemmati are the main contenders after the hardline Guardian Council disqualified several prominent candidates from running and others quit. President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, urged Iranians yesterday not to let the “shortcomings of an institution or a group” keep them from voting, a reference to the Guardian Council. Opinion polls suggest turnout could be as low as 41%. Prominent dissidents have called on fellow Iranians to snub the election. | Reuters…

MIHLALI BALEKA @Mihlalibaleka THE coach of the renamed Marumo Gallants FC says they want to achieve the improbable by finishing in the top three in the Premiership next season, and they will not be in the Caf Confederation Cup just to make up the numbers. Yesterday, top-flight outfit and Nedbank Cup champions Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila were officially renamed Marumo Gallants FC during an unveiling ceremony in Johannesburg. The owner of Bahlabane ba Ntwa – their new official nickname – Abram Sello says the decision to rebrand the club was to commemorate the bravery of the players and technical team when they endured trying times in their maiden season in the top flight. “The new name of the club is inspired by our journey together since February and the off season.…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za TRADE expectations for the next six months in South Africa have remained positive in spite of sentiment among businesses dipping in May as the possibility of stricter lockdown restrictions was fast becoming a reality. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said yesterday that trade conditions declined again in May as uncertainties weighed heavily on almost all elements of trade. Sacci said that its Trade Activity Index (TAI) declined to 36 points in May after improving to 49 points in April. It said the industry experienced lower sales volumes and less new orders, disrupted supplier deliveries, and higher sales prices during the month. Sacci said that fewer backlogs on orders, improved inventory levels and a smaller rise but still high input costs were…

THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN S7 M-NET, DSTV CHANNEL 101, 11.40PM James Corden throws the ultimate late night after party in this Emmy winning talk show that features celebrity guests, games and the popular Carpool Karaoke. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN M-NET CITY, DSTV CHANNEL 115, 9PM The battle between good and evil rages between Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron in this adventure film. An evil queen wants the life of a princess to keep her immortal. LAW OF THE HEART TELEMUNDO, DSTV CHANNEL 118, 9PM The hearing against Borrero continues, and Tatiana makes a statement. Meanwhile, Jimena asks Teresa if Manuel is her real father.…

Norman V Mahlangu | Siyabuswa THE prerequisite to the ballot paper should be considering a more inclusive way towards casting our votes. Statistics have rightly proven that the majority of our youth stay far from the voting stations. Today’s youth is a digital generation, and should be included likewise. Looking at the way we managed to electronify the distribution of the Covid-19 social relief funds, no one can dispute the fact that we are able to digitalise the method of voting. Let today’s youth be fairly given a platform to determine their own future in their modern way of doing things – digitally!…

Mpiletso Motumi mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za DIGIFY Africa and Facebook hosted the Youth Digital Skills Forum recently. The virtual event brought together key stakeholders to celebrate and demonstrate how young people can leverage digital tools for economic growth and recovery. Part of the discussion included current challenges and opportunities in the digital skills landscape in South Africa. Facebook's head of policy, Nomonde Ggonxeka-Seope, outlined the forum’s objectives. She also spoke about Facebook’s commitment to driving positive socio-economic impact across Africa through training initiatives that upskill young people and support SMMEs. Waseem Carrim, chief executive of the National Youth Development Agency, offered insights on youth unemployment in South Africa, emphasising the importance of youth upskilling as an intervention for job-creation. He further highlighted the need for agile training programmes that position young people for…

A NEW report has been released that assesses the progress made in the implementation of Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040 (Agenda 2040). The goal of Agenda 2040, which was adopted in 2016, is to elaborate on aspects of Agenda 2063 relating to children, and accelerate efforts towards the implementation of the African Children’s Charter. Importantly, it aims to restore the dignity of African children, and improve their lives on the continent. The comprehensive report, produced by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, identifies progress made, challenges encountered by African governments and sets priority areas in the implementation of Agenda 2040. It also exposes emerging challenges and guides future strategies and interventions for the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Africa. Finally, it…

IN HIS address to the nation this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa maintained that public hospital admissions due to Covid-19 cases had drastically increased over the past two weeks. About 59% of South Africans are currently treated at health facilities. This number has undoubtedly increased because a day later, the country had recorded almost 14 000 Covid-19 cases in just 24 hours. According to the president, all provinces apart from the Northern Cape have experienced rising infections, with Gauteng being hardest hit, followed by Limpopo, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Private hospitals have not been spared, either. Ramaphosa indicated that these hospitals in Gauteng are reportedly reaching full capacity, with new cases in the province set to surpass the second wave peak. In the midst of the country having already…

The work of Enid Blyton, one of Britain’s most popular children’s authors whose books are among the most translated in the world, has been condemned as racist and xenophobic by a cultural foundation in the latest episode of Britain’s divisive culture wars. The charity English Heritage, which brings the nation’s history to life with a scheme that sees blue plaques installed on buildings that were once lived or worked in by famous individuals, updated the information associated with Blyton’s iconic plaque, which is positioned on the front of the house she lived in between 1920 and 1924. “Blyton’s work has been criticised during her lifetime and after for its racism, xenophobia and lack of literary merit,” the website said, citing a 1996 report from the Guardian that explores Blyton’s book…

LUSAKA: Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda has died, aged 97. Kaunda was the first democratically elected president of Zambia after gaining independence from Britain. He was admitted to Maina Soko Medical Centre earlier this week, where he was receiving treatment for pneumonia. Kaunda played a seminal role in Zambia’s fight for liberation through his Zambian African National Congress and United National Independence Party. He assisted in the Struggle against apartheid. He was married to the late Betty Kaunda and had eight children. | African News Agency (ANA)…

HERMAN GIBBS IT might be easier said than done but Gauteng High Court deputy judge president Roland Sutherland is the one holding the keys to unlocking the impasse between the Premier Soccer League and GladAfrica Championship (National First Division) club Royal AM. Earlier this week, the PSL requested Sutherland to deal with Royal AM’s application for leave to appeal “as a matter of extreme urgency”. Sutherland will deal with the matter today, and hopefully the outcome will be final and binding. The request follows Sutherland’s confirmation of the South African Football Association arbitration tribunal award handed down by Advocate Hilton Epstein. The consequence was that Sekhukhune United secured automatic promotion to the Premiership for next season. KwaZulu Natal-based Royal AM were embittered with Sutherland’s decision, and on Monday they…

Alyssia Birjalal alyssia.birjalal@inl.co.za After months of speculating whether gqom star Babes Wodumo is pregnant, fans can finally put their minds at ease. On Youth Day, the Wololo hitmaker took to Instagram to officially announce the birth along with pictures of her baby with husband Mampintsha. The caption read: “Unkulunkulu emuhle njalo, our beautiful blessing is finally here, inhlanhla yethu.!! #spontshi usefikile.” Translated to English: “God is always good, our beautiful blessing is finally here, our luck.!! the sponge has arrived.” It is still unclear whether the couple’s newborn is a boy or girl, but nonetheless they are beaming with pride. In one picture, the proud papa is seen seated at Babes’s bedside, lovingly looking at their baby. In a short video clip Babes is heard saying Baba ka Sponshi…

ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za IT WAS not exactly clear what happened on the day a woman landed on the train tracks at Rosslyn Station in Pretoria and subsequently had her right forearm amputated. However, five judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that it was clear that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) could not be held accountable. The North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, had earlier said that Prasa was liable to pay damages to Johanna Sithuse. She claimed that when she wanted to board the train on the afternoon of August 22, 2008, she was pushed by other commuters. Sithuse landed on the tracks, where the train severed her arm. She was only 21 at the time. The train driver, however, claimed that Sithuse jumped in front…

BONGANI NKOSI bongani.nkosi@inl.co.za A DOCTOR fired for sexually harassing an intern by daring her to strip and swim naked, inappropriately touching her leg and suggesting they have an affair almost walked away with compensation totalling close to R1 million. The Constitutional Court ended this prospect yesterday in a unanimous judgment by acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe. Dr Charles James McGregor, who was head of anaesthesiology at Western Cape’s George Hospital, was not deserving of compensation equivalent to six months’ remuneration, Justice Khampempe ruled. Arbitrator James Ngoako Matshekga ruled in 2017 that McGregor was entitled to a payout of R924 679 because his dismissal was substantively and procedurally unfair. Presiding at the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council, Matshekga confirmed McGregor’s guilt on three of the charges he faced.…

The meetings of the G7 and Nato have proceeded out of earshot, but the visual coverage has emphasised social distancing, with revealing images of body language, which is usually unambiguous. The G7 summit was torpedoed by Boris Johnson’s shock announcement that Britain was reneging on the Brexit undertaking previously given to the EU. The memorable image of the press conference showed Angela Merkel with elbows unflexed, looking firmly ahead, leaving Johnson out in the cold. Lip readers were not needed. Johnson in his role as the Artless Dodger seemed to regard Brexit as just another divorce agreement to be circumvented. A previous ambassador to the EU and Washington commented: “An international agreement is not an à la carte menu where you choose what you like and ignore the rest.” Unfortunately…

Anna Cox anna.cox@inl.co.za THE proposed council tariff increases facilitated by the City of Joburg highlights “a complete and utter disregard of the harsh reality faced by inner-city and greater Joburg residents during one of the gravest economic downturns in recent memory”. Water, electricity, refuse and power tariffs increase from July 1 are resulting in total council charges over 13 years having been increased by 329%, while the average household income has only increased by 119% in that period. This according to the Johannesburg Property Owners and Managers Association (JPOMA) representing the owners of a large number of buildings in the CBD which house families in self-contained and communal affordable housing, with total monthly incomes of R4 500 to R15 000. This is only set to worsen by the unjustifiable and…

Scott Thwaites BRANDS which want to be successful today and in the future must without question act authentically and with purpose. With the recent launch of TikTok For Business in South Africa, brands which have had the most success on the platform in other regions have embraced the creativity and authenticity of the TikTok community. Having purpose and being authentic takes commitment and it’s all about leveraging technology to communicate personally and predictively. And we believe TikTok For Business does just that by opening up opportunities for advertisers to drive value and engage with one of the most active communities in the country. And it certainly looks like TikTok users agree, according to a recent Nielson study to understand the value of the platform compared to other channels and…

How today’s youth can act to prevent SA’s apartheid history from poisoning our future Prince Charles “We were expected to destroy one another and ourselves collectively in the worst racial conflagration. Instead we, as a people, chose the path of negotiation, compromise and peaceful settlement. Instead of hatred and revenge, we chose reconciliation and nation-building.” – Nelson Mandela This year marks 45 years since the youth uprising of 1976, when young people stood up to make their voices heard against an oppressive regime. The events of 1976 remain relevant today because they proved correct the long-held notion that political immobilism is unsustainable and that young people, once organised, have the power to change the trajectory of any social struggle, and, more importantly, they justified the view that every generation…

The first astronauts arrived at China’s new space station yesterday in the country’s longest crewed mission to date, a landmark in establishing Beijing as a major space power. The trio blasted off on a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan launch centre in China’s Gobi desert, and their craft docked around seven hours later at the Tiangong station, where they will spend three months. State broadcaster CCTV showed a live feed from inside the spacecraft, with the three astronauts lifting their visors after it reached orbit. One smiled and waved at the camera. Another floated a pen off his lap in zero gravity, browsing the flight manual. Around seven hours after lift-off, space officials confirmed that the craft had docked with Tianhe, the core module of the country’s new space…

Washington: The US Supreme Court yesterday supported a Catholic adoption agency’s rejection of same-sex foster parents, in a case that underscored the court’s commitment to religious freedom. Conservative majority and liberal minority justices agreed that the city of Philadelphia should not have excluded Catholic Social Services (CSS) from the foster parents programme over the agency’s refusal to accept same-sex couples. The main opinion focused on the city’s contract with foster children placement agencies, saying it treated CSS unfairly compared with others, and this violated the first amendment of the US Constitution, which protected the free exercise of religious beliefs. The case was a test for the right-leaning court on whether religious groups could discriminate based on their beliefs. | AFP…

MIHLALI BALEKA @Mihlalibaleka EVERY player in the Kaizer Chiefs set-up understands the magnitude of playing in the semi-finals of the Champions League. After all, Amakhosi have never been to this stage of the continent’s premier club competition and the current crop of players will be proud of that legacy, especially if they qualify for the final. This is the feeling that defender Daniel Cardoso shared as the Glamour Boys prepared to face Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of the semi-finals tomorrow night. Cardoso is optimistic and believes the team is high on confidence at the moment. After a disappointing domestic campaign, Chiefs pulled off back-to-back wins in the final two games of the season. Those victories were enough to guarantee them a top-eight spot ahead of the new season.…

KAIZER Chiefs’ involvement in the CAF Champions League semi-finals could very well serve as a lifeline to some of the players who are on the fringes given that there’s a new boss to impress before their transfer ban is lifted and the window opens to go into the market. Stuart Baxter returned to the club this month after the dismissal of head coach Gavin Hunt following a turbulent outing in the domestic campaign. Hunt, despite his lofty billing, failed to establish a top-eight finish for the team during his nine months at the helm. However, that feat was achieved by his former assistants Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard in the last two games of the season. The duo will continue serving as interim coaches when they face Wydad Casablanca in…