Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-11-15 i Star

MOODY’S Investors Service has placed troubled Transnet’s credit rating on review for a downgrade due to reflecting the credit agency’s “increasing concern” about the logistic parastatal’s weakening liquidity profile. A lower rating action can trigger stricter regulatory scrutiny, which can make lending to borrowers with downward-adjusted loans more costly. Moody’s said it would aim to conclude the review within the coming weeks. The review would focus on Transnet’s progress in securing new financing as well as assessing the likelihood and materiality of any government support. The review would also be used to reassess the positioning of Transnet’s Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) in the light of its deteriorating operating and financial performance. A JSE Stock Exchange News Service notified investors yesterday that Moody’s had issued a ratings action on Friday. Moody’s…

THE RUSSIAN rouble soared to a 3½ month high against the dollar on Tuesday, buoyed by exporters’ foreign currency sales, high interest rates and recovering oil prices. By 2.30pm GMT, the rouble was 1% stronger against the dollar at 90.74, its strongest point since July 28. It was steady at 98.09 versus the euro and had firmed 0.6% against the yuan to 12.47. Month-end tax payments usually prompt exporters to convert foreign exchange revenue to pay domestic liabilities. The rouble has also been buoyed lately by a presidential decree requiring some exporters to convert a significant portion of forex revenue. The Russian currency has strengthened from beyond 100 to the dollar since that decree was announced last month. The central bank’s bigger than expected interest rate increase to 15%…

STOR-AGE, JSE real estate investment trust (Reit) and South Africa’s largest self-storage property fund, maintained a robust financial and operational performance for the six months to September, with an interim dividend up by 2.2% to 61.36 cents a share, and its development pipeline is full. The board forecast the full-year dividend per share to be about 118c to 122c for the 2024 financial year, CEO Gavin Lucas said yesterday. Stor-Age has a record of acquiring, developing and managing self-storage properties. Over five years, it opened 12 new properties (9 in South Africa; 3 in the UK) and acquired 24 existing properties (4 in South Africa; 20 in the UK), collectively adding more than 190 000 square metres of lettable area. The group said yesterday that the current development…

THE JSE, THE biggest securities exchange in Africa, recently launched the first of its kind of a voluntary carbon market trading platform formed in a joint venture between the JSE and Xpansiv, a trading platform systems developer. The carbon trading market is the first of its kind in Africa. There are various carbon standards and carbon registries such as Verra Standard, Gold Standard, American Carbon Registry, Climate Action Reserve standard, Plan Vivo, and now the ZAR global standards. The JSE said in a statement in October that customers would be able to advance their sustainability goals as they would have full access to the functionality of the global Xpansiv platform for spot trading, auctions, or requests for quotes for both carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates. According to the Atlantic…

THERE is an urban legend that the word “tariff” was named after the port city of Tarifa that was regularly raided by Portuguese Pirates during the Spanish Empire, but the origin of the word comes from the 12th century when Baghdad was the capital of the Islamic World and at the centre of scientific advancement. The term translates from Arabic loosely as “information” and when it comes to electricity tariffs, regulators have to make sure that the information reflects the true cost of electricity to the consumers. In the days of vertically integrated utilities, and when fixed prices were set by a regulator, electricity was always cross subsidised, leading to the false assumption that electricity costs were the same during the day and night and carried the same value to…

Agricultural jobs soared in the third quarter – an improvement on the last quarter. The data released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) showed that in the third quarter of this year, about 956 000 people were employed in primary agriculture, up 10% year-on-year (and 7% quarter-on-quarter). Agricultural Business Chamber chief economist Wandile Sihlobo said yesterday that solid production conditions in South Africa’s agricultural sector continued to be reflected in the employment data. “This is well above the long-term agricultural employment of 793 000. From a regional perspective, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West and Gauteng significantly drove this uptick in sectoral employment. Meanwhile, the Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo saw declining jobs,” Sihlobo said. This was with the previous quarter, the robust production conditions…

SHOWS abound as we head into the festive season. One that should be on your radar this week is Nkoli: The Vogue-Opera, which has been described as “ a show like no other”, at The Market Theatre. Context is important in this production, which unpacks the trials and tribulations of Simon Nkoli, a gay anti-apartheid freedom fighter who was imprisoned for four years (1985 - 1988) in the infamous Delmas Treason trial. Nkoli was a pioneer in the queer liberation movement in South Africa and, had it not been for him, SA would not have been the first country to explicitly protect sexual minorities. The story here goes back to October 13, 1990, with Nkoli leading the first Gay Pride March in Africa. The march reportedly resembled Black Queer…

THE GOVERNMENT has been slammed for failing to implement job-stimulating policies as South Africa’s unemployment rate remained disproportionately high between July and September, in spite of the eight consecutive increase in employment since the fourth quarter of 2021. This comes as Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday reported that the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in a year, easing to 31.9% in the third quarter from 32.6% seen in the previous quarter. This means that the rate of unemployment in South Africa remains the second highest in the world with nearly 8 million people of working age without jobs, preceded by Sudan at 46% unemployment according to the latest figures from the International Monetary Fund. DA MP responsible for employment and labour Dr Michael Cardo said the ANC’s “Big…

South African motorists are living in fear amid a spike in violent crime on major roads. Police blame the lack of lighting. A number of criminals take advantage of motorists by placing spikes to cause accidents, and then steal cars, valuables such as cellphones, and money. Some kidnap victims, then ransack their bank accounts. According to Gauteng SAPS, roads identified as hot spots are the N4 West in Akasia to Brits; N4 East to Bronkhorstspruit; N1 from Midrand to Carousel Plaza; Ben Schoeman Road from Midrand to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre; N1 South from Naturena to Vaal River; N17 freeway from Wemmer Pan to Devon; N3 South from Leondale to Heidelberg; N12 Golden Highway to Potchefstroom; R80 Mabopane freeway from Eskia Mphahlele Road to Soshanguve; R59 From Tulisa Park to…

According to Farzana Botha, Segment Solutions Manager at Sanlam Savings, a spending plan sounds so much more appealing than a budget. Based on a Sanlam survey, 70% of South Africans are running out of money before the end of the month and only 18% are able to stick to a spending plan. This means that consumers should make better money management their number one New Year’s resolution. Botha said that creating and sticking to a budget is the foundation of financial well-being, but few people get it right. “A budget may carry negative connotations of limiting or depriving us. Understandably, we are unlikely to stick to something that feels like a chore. Reframing our mindset from a budget to spending plan instead, may be the right way to positively shift…

The DA-led multiparty administration in Tshwane has come under scrutiny for giving false hopes in 2017 that the municipality was on course to improve operations at its two power stations in Pretoria West and Rooiwal. The criticisms by the Republican Conference of Tshwane’s councillor Lex Middelberg emanated from promises by the then-mayor Solly Msimanga, who spoke about plans to improve power generation capacity of Pretoria West power station. During a media briefing at which he took stock of his first year in office in 2017, Msimanga said: “Pretoria West power station is currently generating 24 megawatts of electricity a month and we are going to push it up to 25MW a month. “This effectively means that we pay less money to Eskom, which allows us to provide electricity to more…

THE Judicial Conduct Tribunal into a misconduct complaint against Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Judge Nana Makhubele, has once again been postponed over outstanding legal fees said to run into more than R3 million. The State Attorney’s office had agreed to pay for her legal representation before the tribunal, but leader of the tribunal, retired KwaZulu-Natal Judge President, Achmat Jappie, was told discussions were still needed regarding the legal representation tariffs. The matter is now expected to resume on January 10. Judge Jappie made it clear that it will be the last postponement he will grant. The tribunal postponed the matter in August to this week, also due to her legal fees. Judge Makhubele, a former board chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), is facing a misconduct investigation…

HughFest, one of the most influential entertainment festivals, continues to honour the life of the illustrious Hugh Masekela. It is returning to Nirox Sculpture Park at the Cradle of Humankind on November 26. The festival, which has been running for over a decade, provides a platform for South Africa’s abundant and diverse talent. In the name of Bra Hugh’s final studio recording, the curation has no borders as it cultivates a strong and eclectic line-up of collaborations, poets, intellectuals, dancers, and musicians. Tresor, The Masekela Band with Kunle Ayo, Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Zolani Mahola/The One Who Sings, Amadodana Ase Wesile, and Zoe Molelekwa will also perform at the festival, which has always featured various line-ups that reflect Bra Hugh’s eclecticism. Velmah Nzembela, Assupol’s head of group corporate affairs, said: “We are…

David Kriel was so good in the 50-pointer against Zebre recently that Jake White said that he “obviously has to find a place” for the utility back in the Bulls side when the World Cup Springboks return. That is set to happen either when the Pretoria outfit are back home next week to face Connacht, or the following Saturday against the Sharks, with the likes of Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and flank Marco van Staden set to bolster the team ahead of the Champions Cup opener against Saracens early next month. But considering Kriel’s excellent form, he may just continue in the No 12 jersey for the foreseeable future, especially as Harold Vorster is still sidelined with a foot injury. Kriel was at it again in last…

More jobs created in finance, construction, community and social services THE UNEMPLOYMENT rate in South Africa surprised to the downside after falling to its lowest in a year in the three months to September as the economy continued to add more jobs, driven mainly by rising jobs created in finance, community and social services, domestic trade and construction sectors. However, industry experts warned that the country was not out of the woods yet as economic activity was still dependent on resolving unreliable electricity supply and logistical bottlenecks which have stifled South Africa’s exports prospects. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday, revealed that the unemployment rate fell by 0.7 of a percentage point from 32.6% in the second quarter to 31.9% in the third quarter.…

THE AFRICAN Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has entered into a framework agreement with a commitment of $2 billion (R37.45bn) for the Export Agriculture for Food Security (ExAFS) Initiative. Afreximbank, in a deal with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms and the governments of Chad, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Egypt, aim to improve food security in Africa, seeks to boost production, processing and intra-African trade in agricultural products and provide African farmers and agribusinesses with opportunities to access larger markets across the continent. At a ceremony on the fifth day of the third Intra-African Trade Fair, Professor Benedict Oramah, President and chairperson of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, signed the framework agreement on behalf of the Bank. The initiative is intended to help address food insecurity in Africa, which includes a…

GLOBAL food services group Bid Corporation saw “a very pleasing performance” for the four months to October 2023, CEO Bernard Berson said yesterday. Headline earnings a share (Heps) was up in real terms in constant currency rates, after taking into account 8% average estimated inflation, he said in a capital markets update that was presented to investors yesterday. Heps had “well” surpassed the comparative trading period. Group revenues continued to reach record levels to November 2023 against the backdrop of normalised activity in almost all jurisdictions, a statement said. “The Bidcorp team have once again risen to the occasion and performed brilliantly in a tough environment. These all-time high results are the outcome of a fantastic, stable team executing very well on a clear and deliberate strategic framework,” Berson said.…

Capital Appreciation’s share price surged 4.55% to close at R1.19 on the JSE yesterday after it forecast “satisfactory results” for the six months to September 30, despite the difficult trading conditions.The company, which does payment systems, software development and web and mobile digital application solutions, said in a trading statement that operations were impacted by the challenging economic environment and other factors, but operational efficiencies and company resilience were expected to result in headline earnings per share (Heps) increasing by between 103.8% to 107.9% to between 6.44 cents and 6.57c per share. The GovChat expected credit loss was R56.3 million in the prior period compared to only R9.4m in the current period, which had contributed to the increase in comparable earnings. GovChat is a digital platform that facilitates…

A short video showing Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi addressing a SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) conference was being used to drive a wedge between the ANC Gauteng chairperson and Police Minister Bheki Cele. These views were expressed by Gauteng ANC provincial spokesperson Lesego Makhubela in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on the recent video where Lesufi expressed unhappiness with an unnamed Cabinet minister, whom he accused of refusing to recognise Gauteng’s thousands of Crime Prevention Wardens referred to as AmaPanyaza. Lesufi has since apologised in the video, which has been circulating widely on social media. Makhubela said the video is being sensationalised: “There is a serious limitation when prime-time TV shows take WhatsApp videos without context, without finding the entire speech that the ANC chair, who is also the…

The termination of former City of Joburg speaker Colleen Makhubele’s membership as Cope member and leader has not brought any sense of relief for the City of Joburg. This stems from more than two years of coalition governments and a lack of stability which has characterised the tumultuous state of affairs in the country’s biggest metro. Makhubele indicated she will not be challenging her dismissal after her party, led by Mosiuoa Lekota, terminated her membership over her refusal to distance herself from a new coalition of smaller parties called the South African Rainbow Alliance (Sara). However, that has not stopped calls for her to account for her role in the instability of the city. “Both Makhubele and Cope’s Tshwane chairperson Ofentse Moalusi, despite refuting the reasons behind their termination, have…

THIS year marks the 30th anniversary of Section27, a public interest law centre that seeks to achieve substantive equality and social justice in South Africa and which uses the law to advance human rights. The public law centre, which incorporates the Aids Law Project, was established in 1993. This month Section27 launched a month-long campaign to commemorate its three decades of work for social justice and human rights. The Aids Law Project was established to use the law to address the human rights implications of HIV/Aids, which included fighting HIV discrimination. Together with the Treatment Action Campaign, the Aids Law Project was on the front line of the fight for the right of people with HIV/Aids to access antiretroviral drugs. Section27 emerged from Aids Law Project in 2010 and broadened…

A collaboration between PlanAct and Google Earth has introduced “Plus Codes”, which are digital addresses that offer a near-instant solution for households in informal settlements, to make easy access for emergency services and transportation route mapping. Mike Makwela, senior programme co-ordinator of NGO PlanAct, said PlanAct was founded in 1985 to assist communities in advocating for alternative development plans during the apartheid era. Over the years, the organisation expanded its mission to support and mobilise community processes that enhance good governance at a local level, ultimately improving living conditions and reducing poverty. Addressing issues in informal settlements, he said they chose to initiate this project because of the challenges rapid urbanisation presents. “This influx of people – often youth – seeking economic opportunities in cities has resulted in growing informal…

South Africans in the northern provinces experienced bouts of extreme weather on Monday evening, with authorities confirming a tornado had touched down in Bethal, Mpumalanga. This, after videos and images surfaced online showing a massive dark cloud in the sky with a tornado swirling underneath. SA Weather Service forecaster Vanetia Phakula said the video looked “like the real thing” but teams were yet to assess Bethal. “We also saw that video and pictures online; it looks to be true. You can tell by how the trees were swirling in the video, which gives some indication as to the intensity of the tornado,” Phakula said. The assessment of the Bethal tornado will be concluded in the coming weeks, she said. “Our teams have not yet managed to get on the ground…

The Lions have shown that they are able to grind out wins on the road, but they will be keen to prove that last week’s victory was no fluke when they face Ulster in Belfast on Friday night. The Johannesburg side had agonising losing margins of two, one and five in their first three matches of the United Rugby Championship this season against the Stormers, Edinburgh and Benetton. But with those last two defeats away from home, they needed to get on the right side of the scoreboard against the Scarlets last week, and they did just that in the 24-23 triumph in Llanelli. The positive result was just what coach Ivan van Rooyen’s team needed before ending their four-week European trip against a quality side like Ulster at the…

Just like the Springboks heading into the 2019 Rugby World Cup, winning the 2023 Cricket World Cup was never really part of the plan for the Proteas. Instead, the Springboks were aiming for glory four years down the line, during the 2023 edition in France. When Rob Walter took over the Proteas white-ball teams, with director of cricket Enoch Nkwe at the helm, the main focus was always ‘Vision 2027’. Walter’s contract attests to this, in that it runs until the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa. Despite beating defending champions England earlier this year, then Australia a month before the World Cup, there were always doubts about South Africa’s ability to make an impact in the current edition of the World Cup. To the…

Prolific Liverpool scorer and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will be among the stars in action this week when 2026 World Cup qualifying in Africa kicks off with two match days. His two Premier League goals against Brentford at the weekend raised his total to 200 in English football, and he is now set to shine against Group A rivals Djibouti and Sierra Leone. Salah was the second-highest ranked African in the Ballon d’Or vote last month behind Napoli and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, who misses the first match days due to an injury. Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt and Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes are other Egyptians who have been scoring regularly in major European leagues this season. Djibouti, who face Egypt in Cairo on Thursday, are among the weakest African…

SIBANYE-Stillwater says there is investment appetite towards green and battery metals such as lithium from banks and other funders, although penetration rates for electric vehicles could be overstated in light of global industry headwinds that could disrupt supply and muzzle demand. The JSE-listed precious metals miner has been making a big investment diversification into green and battery metals, especially lithium, a key component in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries. Sibanye-Stillwater is progressing with the Keliber project in Finland as well as the Rhyolite Ridge mine in Nevada in the US. Rhyolite Ridge has large and shallow lithium-boron sedimentary deposits, with feasibility studies showing a mine plan of 2.5 million tons of ore mineable over 26 years as well as production of 22 000 tons per annum of…

SWISS commodities giant Glencore will acquire a majority stake in the steelmaking coal business of Canadian miner Teck Resources, the companies said yesterday, capping fraught negotiations between the groups. Glencore said it would take a 77% effective interest in Elk Valley Resources for $6.93 billion (R130bn) in cash. Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation will acquire a 20% minority stake in Elk Valley, while South Korea’s Posco will grab 3%. Vancouver-based Teck Resources put the value of its steelmaking coal business at $9bn. Glencore’s coal strategy has attracted fierce criticism, including from some shareholders. Shareholders want it to separate coal from the rest of its activities in order to concentrate on its other resources, such as copper and cobalt, which are in high demand for the energy transition. Glencore, which is…

JSE-LISTED real estate investment trust (Reit), Equites Property Fund Limited, yesterday said it had raised R500 million through the public auction of a five-year listed senior unsecured floating rate note in the South African debt capital market. Equites received R1.23 billion of bids from 13 different investors in an auction conducted by the Standard Bank of South Africa. The clearing margin of 138 basis points above 3-month the Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate (Jibar) for this note is 1 basis point lower than that achieved in the last public auction in September 2023 of 139 basis points. Equites currently has a diverse book of 28 different fixed income investors in its listed debt notes. On November 8, Equites raised R200 million in a private placement at a margin…

THERE have been two pressing issues in South Africa’s agriculture that call for our thoughtful consideration. First, the recent African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Forum has captured the spotlight, and as an industry, it’s important to reflect on the trade agreement and what it signifies for our industry. Second, the persistent challenge of bird flu has been a prevailing concern. Although there are indications of progress, the situation remains volatile as the number of cases reported remains high, and the expectation is that the interventions that are being made at the industry level and in the government will result in the industry operating at capacity. Agoa has been a game-changer for South African agriculture, and its success is not only important but essential for our farming community. The legislation…

BRIKOR said yesterday a mandatory offer to be made to its minorities by Nikkel Trading for 17 cents per share would be extended again, to around November 29. The building material manufacturer, notably bricks, and coal company said in a statement yesterday the Takeover Regulation Panel (TRP) had, on application, granted a further extension of 15 business days to the posting date of the circular required for the mandatory offer, “such that the circular must be issued on or around November 29, 2023”. Additional time to finalise the circular was required as provision had to be made for, among other things, the potential acquisition of additional Brikor shares under the mandatory offer, on the basis of the expiry of an irrevocable undertaking not to participate in the offer. The…

A POLICE officer from the National Cold Case Unit of the SAPS, Sergeant Vusumuzi Mogane, explained the rationale behind the numerous stops made while escorting one of the Senzo Meyiwa murder accused, following his arrest. Mogane, testifying yesterday in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, explained the routes and stops they made when transporting accused number two, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, from Pretoria North police station to Moroka police station to make a confession, then drove with him to Rustenburg to search for a hoodie at his place. Mogane was transporting Ntanzi with the late Sergeant Mabena. Mogane’s testimony comes after Ntanzi claimed that he suffered beatings, was electrocuted and suffocated so that he would confess to the soccer star’s murder. Ntanzi said the torture was done at different locations while in…

Over the last few weeks, we have been bombarded – pun intended – with daily images of the destruction in Palestine and of people holding dead or injured children, and with articles calling Israelis murderers and terrorists. So, in the spirit of fairness, how about publishing some pictures of the death and destruction in Israel from the thousands of rockets launched by Hamas? I mean Hamas and other terrorists, not Palestinians, who just want to get on with their lives, but can’t because of the terrorists in control. Naledi Pandor has called for top Israeli decision-makers to be arrested and tried by the International Criminal Court. There’s no mention of doing the same for top Islamic terrorists who have murdered Israeli citizens, who strap bombs to women and children, and…

ALTHOUGH the Constitution states that everybody has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the right to make decisions concerning reproduction, people who struggle with infertility do not enjoy their right to make decisions concerning reproduction due to lack of access to infertility care. This was the view of Gerhard Boshoff, acting deputy director: Medical Science at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital's Reproductive Biology Laboratory, during the Access to Infertility Care symposium hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP) in collaboration with Hasselt University and The Walking Egg non-profit organisation, both based in Belgium. “Infertility care is the combination of the various processes and procedures of medically assisted reproduction, where couples or persons who are having trouble in falling pregnant are assisted in this regard,” Boshoff said. “Unfortunately,…

Ingredients: 24 Oreo biscuits 4 tbs melted butter 250g cream cheese, at room temperature 6 tbs icing sugar ½ tsp vanilla essence 2 x 250ml fresh cream, chilled 3 tsp gelatin, dissolved in 3 tbs hot water Method: In a mixing bowl, finely crush 16 of the Oreo biscuits. Add the melted butter and stir to combine. Add it to the bottom of a 24cm springform pan. Press the biscuit mixture down lightly with the back of a spoon or spatula. Add the cream to a mixing bowl and whip until it is thick. In another bowl, add the cream cheese, vanilla essence and icing sugar. Mix until combined and creamy. Add the whipped cream as well as the gelatin. Break four of the Oreo biscuits into pieces and fold…

The Portfolio Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation has added its voice to the growing outrage over a University of the Western Cape student caught on video viciously stabbing his wife, a Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) student, at the weekend. The 32-year-old man, Ntembeko Myalo, appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court facing an attempted murder charge. His partner, a 26-year-old woman, is in hospital. The committee welcomed Myalo’s arrest and wished the victim a speedy recovery. The committee also called for a multi-pronged approach to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in society and at institutions of higher learning. The committee said it was concerned that the scourge of GBV continued to plague society and has reached “unacceptable levels”, in which institutions of higher learning have not been…

The Stormers are in desperation mode for their third European tour match of the United Rugby Championship (URC) against Munster on Saturday. They are desperate to improve on their latest performances in the competition after coming unstuck in their first two tour matches of the new season. It will be a bit of déjà vu for the former champions, who found themselves in a similar position after the first few rounds of the first season. But according to forwards coach Rito Hlungwani, they will have to take baby steps to get better in the next few matches. “We have to put one foot in front of the other. That is how we managed it in the first season, and that is where we are now,” said Hlungwani. “If there is…

For the first time in World Cups for South Africa, the stars look to be aligning in our favour. Rain is forecast for Kolkata, where South Africa will take on Australia in the World Cup semi-final tomorrow, which will potentially have an impact on the match. There is a 50% chance of rain tomorrow and a whooping 90% chance on Friday, the day set aside as the reserve day for the completion of play in the event of rain interruptions. If both days are washed out South Africa would qualify for the final by virtue of finishing in second place in the round-robin stage of the World Cup, one spot above Australia. Who would have thought that rain and South Africa in World Cups would go hand-in-hand after the disappointments…

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his side’s experience of playing in front of partisan crowds would serve them well when they face hosts India in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final. A capacity crowd of over 33 000 is expected at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium – the home ground of India captain Rohit Sharma – for today’s clash. New Zealand, losing finalists at the last two World Cups but yet to lift the trophy, knocked India out at the semi-final stage in a rain-affected two-day clash in Manchester four years ago. Bad weather, however, is unlikely to be an issue in Mumbai and while India had plenty of support at Old Trafford, star batsman Williamson knows that will be nothing compared to the passionate backing they’ll have today. When told during…