Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-04-03 i Star

IMTIAZ Patel will stay on as chairperson of the JSE-listed pay television and streaming giant MultiChoice, which is a takeover target for France’s Canal+. MultiChoice turned down Canal+’s initial offer, but the two parties have now entered into exclusive negotiations in pursuit of the deal. Patel, who was set to step down as the chairperson of MultiChoice at the end of last month, is now staying on in the role until the finalisation of Canal+’s acquisition of the South African entertainment group. “In view of the recent ruling by the Takeover Regulation Panel that required Canal+ to make an immediate mandatory offer to all MultiChoice shareholders and the cautionary Sens notice issued on March 5, 2024, in this regard, the MultiChoice Board has reached an agreement with Imtiaz Patel…

THE UNCERTAINTY around South Africa’s 2024 elections has started to weigh down on investors and markets, with the North West University’s Business School Policy Uncertainty Index (PUI) for South Africa edging further into negative territory for the first quarter of the current year. Opinion polls and analysts say the governing ANC will require a coalition to retain its mandate, although Standard Bank analysts say President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party will garner sufficient votes to avoid a coalition. Nonetheless, the South African environment ahead of the elections has started to weigh on investors and markets, notes the North West University’s PUI released yesterday. Its PUI index for South Africa for the first quarter accelerated further into negative territory, worsening from 65.5 points to 65.8 points. “Not unexpectedly, the uncertainty around…

THE SEASONALLY adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped back to below 50 points in March 2024. The headline index declined from 51.7 points in February to 49.2 points in March. The 50-point mark separates expansion from contraction. Absa said that the PMI was choppy in recent months, but the average for the first quarter of this year was equal to the final quarter of last year. In the fourth quarter, the gross value added by the sector managed to eke out a 0.2% quarter-on-quarter expansion, with a more robust annual increase. The PMI generally suggests a simi- lar experience is possible in the first quarter. “Following robust improvements in February, both the business activity and new sales orders index declined in March – although the indices…

DURINGthe Minister of Finance’s 2024 Budget Speech, a revelation emerged that should raise public scepticism. Beyond the R320 billion of sovereign debt guarantees for Eskom Holdings, South Africa’s purportedly “indepen- dent” power providers already burdened the Treasury with contingent liabilities that total a staggering R277 billion. The number is shocking enough, but unfortunately it does not end here, because it pales in comparison to Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s bailout plan for the “independent” power providers, which aims to burden taxpayers with an additional R400bn in Treasury liabilities. Sputla’s idea, that would privatise profits and socialise losses, is to “de-risk” investments in transmission lines spanning 14 000km over 10 years – a distance equal to 40% of the Earth’s circumference. South Africa currently has roughly 50GW of…

Blue LABEL Telecoms (BLT) moved closer to taking control of mobile operator Cell C after the Competition Commission (CCSA) said yesterday that it had approved BLT’s acquisition of an additional 4.04% stake in Cell C, with conditions. Blue Label’s share price dropped 5.77% to close at R4.41 on the JSE yesterday. Previously BLT’s subsidiary, The Prepaid Company (TPC), was Cell C’s major shareholder. The commission said in a statement that it had recommended that the Competition Tribunal conditionally approve the proposed transaction between TCP and Cell C. BLT is not controlled by any single shareholder. TPC controls Blue Label Connect and Comm Equipment Company among others. After supporting Cell C through two recapitalisation processes over 8 years, TPC plans to acquire a further 4.04% stake in Cell C, to take…

FIVE cities in South Africa have been listed in the top 20 crime-ridden places in the world, according to the crime index by city 2024. Earlier this year, Police Minister Bheki Cele released alarming crime statistics for the third quarter of the financial year 2023/24, showing that communities across South Africa are under siege from violent criminals in major cities.Cele announced that there were 8 000 murders in those three months alone. Now the crime index by city 2024 has revealed that South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria, is the second most dangerous city in the world. Durban and Johannesburg follow at number three and four respectively. Port Elizabeth is at number eight with Cape Town ranking at number 18, meaning South Africa has the highest number of most dangerous cities…

WIth a promise of jobs in every household, Build One South Africa (Bosa) has revealed Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster as its Gauteng premier candidate ahead of leader Mmusi Maimane, who has indicated he wants to be in Parliament. Hlazo-Webster has become the second female premier candidate for Gauteng after the SA Rainbow Alliance (Sara) nominated its leader, Colleen Makhubele, to be both its premier and national candidate. KwaZulu-Natal-born Hlazo-Webster promised jobs, decent housing and employment opportunities to the people of Gauteng, who are battling with water outages, power cuts and rising food and fuel costs, at the Uncle Tom’s Hall in Orlando West yesterday. Unveiling her detailed plan for the economic hub of the country, Hlazo-Webster pledged to put an end to corruption while ensuring a province with economic hubs, economic zones,…

Curro Holdings, an independent schools group, on Monday apologised for a social media post that went viral due to the racial stereotypes it depicted. “Curro Holdings acknowledges that a post we published on social media portraying children in various workplace contexts was offensive due to the inappropriate stereotypes it depicted,” the company said. “The post was in error and has been deleted.” Curro apologised for any offence caused and said it was urgently following internal processes to fully understand the circumstances of the post to ensure that the error is not repeated in the future. “Curro reiterates its commitment to diversity and non-racialism in our schools.” Numerous people on X have been speaking out about Curro’s post which shows a black child as a cashier and a white child as…

Police Minister Bheki Cele released alarming crime statistics for the third quarter of the financial year 2023/24 last month, showing that communities across South Africa are under siege from violent criminals. During that period more than 7 700 people were murdered, which means a person was killed every 20 minutes, on average. In a breakdown of the statistics, analysts said the latest quarterly crime statistics, show that there was an average of 84 murders every day between October and December. Renowned criminologist, Professor Kholofelo Rakubu, said: “Escalating crime trends are making South African homes not safe due to an inability to hire private security or security devices, poor police-community relations, poor police response, police corruption etc.” Rakubu is the Head of Department at Tshwane University of Technology’s recently merged Department…

Ingredients: 2 onions, diced 2 tbs butter 1 cup double cream plain yoghurt ¼ cup olive oil 2 egg yolks Salt and milled pepper 12 sheets phyllo pastry 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded and bones discarded ¼ cup each dill and parsley, finely chopped 1 cup raisins, soaked in warm water and drained 2 tbs dukkha or sesame seeds Lemon wedges and hummus, for serving Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. Fry the onion in the butter until caramelised. Set aside. Mix 2/3 cup (180ml) yoghurt, the oil and egg yolks together and season. Cut the phyllo sheets into 3 strips (creating 36 individual strips). Brush 3 individual strips with yoghurt-egg mixture, then layer on top of each other. Repeat with remaining phyllo strips so you have 12 stacks. Mix…

The Bulls have had a good look at what went wrong in defence against Leinster, and will try to fix things in their Champions Cup last-16 clash against Lyon. That was the word from inside centre Harold Vorster yesterday ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Loftus Versfeld (1.30pm kick-off). The high-riding Bulls, who were on a six-match winning streak, were brought back down to earth with a bump by the powerful Leinster outfit in Dublin last week. Although the 47-14 scoreline wasn’t a true reflection of the game – with the Bulls having led 14-12 at half-time and wasted a number of attacking opportunities – the Irish giants dished out a lesson in ruthlessness with ball in hand and a rock-solid defence. In contrast, the Pretoria side – having started off…

Arsenal are full of energy and excited about every game in their Premier League title chase as they approach the run-in, manager Mikel Arteta said yesterday, ahead of his side’s match with Luton Town. Arsenal were knocked off the top of the Premier League by Liverpool at the weekend after a 0-0 draw with title rivals Manchester City but can return to the summit with victory over relegation-threatened Luton tonight. They have a busy schedule ahead, with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday followed three days later by the first leg of their Uefa Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. It will be the first time they have played in the knockout stage of Europe’s top-tier competition under Arteta, who said the success of Arsenal’s women’s team,…

Naamsa says new vehicle market for March was dragged lower by 27.1% decline in export sales CAR MANUFACTURERS in South Africa are scrambling to avert a crash from the persistently stubborn downward spiral after new vehicle sales plunged for the eight consecutive month in March, which might see it miss the target for the year if the trend continues. According to the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa), domestic new vehicle sales fell by 11.7% in March year-on-year, a decline of 5 877 units down to 44 237 units from the 50 114 vehicles sold in the same month last year. Naamsa yesterday said the new vehicle market for March was dragged lower by a steep 27.1% decline in export sales as they plummeted by 8 975 units to…

THE SOUTH African stock market has witnessed a remarkable surge in retail investor participation in recent years, reshaping investment dynamics. It is fuelled by factors such as the increase of online trading platforms and the availability of accessible investment products. As this trend continues to gain momentum, it marks a significant departure from traditional investment patterns, raising questions about its potential ramifications on market dynamics. Online trading platforms that are easy to use have opened up the stock market to many more individuals, allowing people from different backgrounds to invest in various stocks with great convenience. With the many investment pro- ducts such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and fractional share trading, retail investors now have more choices to build diversified portfolios that suit their individual risk preferences and investment objectives.…

ON THE EVE of the Easter weekend, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) submitted our initial comments on the Draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to President Cyril Ramaphosa for consideration by the government, as well in his capacity as chairperson of the commission. Our basis of departure is that electricity planning embodied by the IRP is of critical importance to economic development in South Africa with aspects such as energy accessibility and affordability. The IRP is central to energy security. The introduction of long-term 2050 scenarios allows a far better analysis of climate compatible energy futures. Modelling approach and assumptions The two-horizon approach, which considers energy planning until 2030 and beyond is welcome, despite stakeholder concerns about the lack of transparency and sufficient information in the modelling inputs used. Specifically, regarding…

Gold FIELDS expects its production for the first quarter of 2024 to be lower, dragged down by challenges at its South Deep operation in South Africa, although it is maintaining its full-year guidance at between 2.33 million ounces and 2.43 million ounces. Bullion output for Gold Fields for the 2024 first-quarter period was also set to be impacted by weather-related events in Australia and Peru, the company said on Tuesday. “Operational momentum at South Deep was impacted by the fatality on January 2, 2024. This was compounded by reduced stope access, due to increased backfill rehandling, and slower stope turnaround in current destress cuts,” it said in an update. As a result of this, Gold Fields’ gold production for the period will amount to between 460 000 ounces and…

It’s expected that she will hand herself over after her failed bid to avoid arrest WHILE the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains mum over the fate of Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, it is expected that she will hand herself over to the police to be processed before appearing before court on corruption and money laundering charges. The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, yesterday struck her urgent application to halt her arrest from the roll. This was mainly because the court found that her urgent application was not urgent. Although the NPA urged her two weeks ago to hand herself over to the police so that her case could be processed, this had not yet been done. Judge Sulet Potterill’s judgment, however, left the way open for her to be arrested…

The majority of South Africans were worried as power utility Eskom set out to implement its increased tariffs this week, as approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) last year. Amos Ndaba, 72, from Kagiso, said life was getting more expensive in the country every day as everything seemed to be increasing yet companies were shedding jobs. Ndaba said that as a pensioner, he was already spending more on electricity, and how much more was he going to spend now that the cost had been pushed up again. “Lately, one must choose whether they buy food or electricity and, unfortunately, we can’t live without any of them. I think the government must start subsidising pensioners and households where people don’t work, because we honestly can’t survive with…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party and its leader Jacob Zuma have approached the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein to appeal against last week’s IEC decision which upheld its earlier ruling disqualifying Zuma from appearing on the ballot during the May 29 elections. Last week, the IEC through its chairperson Mosotho Moepya announced that the IEC’s decision to bar Zuma from contesting the elections was taken following the public candidate list inspection process. Moepya said the IEC had followed the rules of the Constitution in coming to its decision to remove Zuma from the MK Party list. The apex law of the land stipulates that any person convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine is disqualified from standing for elections, he said.…

Another water crisis has hit Emfuleni Local Municipality. The municipality has urged residents to boil their water before consumption, after reported sewage contamination. The crisis in the area is said to be prevalent in some parts of the Vaal area including Sebokeng Zone 7, Palm Springs, Beverly Hills, Lakeside and Everton. Media reports say technicians believe a collapsed sewer pipeline is the cause of the contamination with the municipality indicating that it will shut water supply to all affected areas to allow for further investigations. Spokesperson for the municipality, Makhosonke Sangweni, has told the SABC that it has advised residents to boil the water before consumption. “We have given 48 hours to try to fix the problem. We are currently distributing water through our water tankers to the affected areas.…

AT least 13 people were killed in vehicle accidents on Tshwane roads over the Easter weekend, among them a one-year-old boy who lost his life when a bakkie overturned on the N14 route on Friday night. The accident also claimed the lives of a six-year-old child and a young adult. Three other passengers, who had injuries ranging from critical to severe, were taken to hospital. All fatalities recorded during the weekend were as a result of 12 vehicle accidents and three pedestrian accidents, the Tshwane Emergency Services Department said. Department spokesperson Charles Mabaso said while there had been fewer incidents reported on the roads in Tshwane this year compared with 2023, there were more fatalities. Between March 29 2024 and April 1, 2024, there were 12 vehicle accidents and three…

COLLABORATIONS and partnerships between South African higher education institutions and industries are highly advocated by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande. He has stated that such partnerships are critical to curriculum renewal, enhancing student employability and addressing the lack of industry knowledge and experience. Now a memorandum of agreement signing ceremony between Unisa and Palabora Mining Company is set to take place on April 12 at the Unisa Science Campus. The partnership between Unisa and Palabora is founded on value-improving practices. All the activities and objectives under the partnership are set to ensure value for both Palabora and Unisa with human capacity development being central to all operations. The partnership aims to empower employees from Palabora with an opportunity to further their studies through an internationally…

Just a little over a year after becoming the CEO of the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), Karabo Mbele says things are looking up for the GGB as the dust settles over her appointment and other contentious issues. In October last year, there were allegations of maladministration and corruption against Mbele after her appointment was met with resistance by a group of 11 dismissed employees, who accused her of unlawfully trying to get rid of them. However, Mbele who recently spoke to The Star, indicated that her actions and appointment had been vindicated by various investigations. She now looked forward to ensuring that the GGB returns to its former glory and meets its targets of collecting revenue for the provincial government. “My tenure at the helm of GGB has been great…

Mental health awareness tends to focus on depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, leaving schizophrenia less frequently discussed. According to “Rethink Mental Illness”, a mental health service provider, schizophrenia is a serious disorder affecting how a person thinks, feels and behaves. Those affected may experience episodes where they struggle to distinguish reality from imagination. This disorder is uncommon, affecting approximately 24 million (0.32%) people globally, of which 0.22% are adults; and typically emerges in late adolescence and the 20s. Symptoms include hallucinations (experiencing non-existent sensations), delusions (firmly held false beliefs), disorganised thinking, irregular sleep, poor hygiene, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, cognitive impairment (difficulty with memory and problem-solving), and potentially erratic behaviour. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that those with schizophrenia face increased vulnerability to human rights abuses, particularly within…

In the past decade and a half, China has emerged as Africa’s largest development partner, tying extensive bilateral and multilateral investments to consolidate Sino-Africa relations. The Chinese economy, flying at double digits, has fuelled diversifying partnerships in infrastructure, mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Now, it is emphasising quality investments in new technologies and climate friendly green economies, which could help Africa realise its climate change targets. Where China has succeeded in doing business and forging strong political and economic relations with African countries, Western policy makers and business leaders tend to view the continent with condescending scepticism, almost akin to historical colonial sentiments. Yet in the past year, Africa has seen more interest from Western powers, with high-ranking government officials from Europe and the US traversing the continent, making promises to…

Like defending champion Max Verstappen in Formula One, the Warriors are seemingly running their own race in the CSA T20 Challenge at their own pace, while nullifying any threats to their dominance. The Warriors have stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches with the rest of the pack scrapping for the remaining three play-off positions. There are only two points separating second and fourth. Western Province will look to open up a gap when they come up against the Lions at Newlands in Cape Town at 6pm today. The clash between the two heavyweights could come down to fine margins with both sides on 21 points and Province slightly ahead due to net run rate. Chasing only 116 for victory against the Boland Rocks in Paarl on Sunday, Reeza Hendricks…

JSE-LISTED Pepkor Holdings shares become available for trade on A2X Markets yesterday with a market capitalisation of R68.98 billion. Pepkor has the largest retail store footprint in Southern Africa with 5 900 stores operating across nine African countries and in Brazil. Pepkor Holdings is home to many of the most trusted brands on the continent, including Ackermans, PEP, Russells and HiFi Corporation as well as Avenida in Brazil. The majority of Pepkor’s retail brands operate in the discount and value market segment, which enjoys natural resilience thanks to customers’ ability to buy “up” or “down” according to their budgets, and prevailing economic conditions. The company joins other prominent retailers with a secondary listing on A2X including, Dis-Chem, Mr Price, Clicks, Truworths, Pick…

THE CITRUS industry expects an increase in export volumes in the build-up to the exports season, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) said yesterday. Justin Chadwick, the CEO of CGA said this comes in the face of steep increases in input costs, load shedding and deteriorating public infrastructure. The increase in the export volumes was also due to younger trees coming into production across a number of regions. The CGA presented its predicted export volumes for the upcoming season at the Citrus Marketing Forum last week. The estimates provided for the 2024 season included the current prediction that 37.9 million (15kg) cartons of lemons would be exported to key markets, an increase of 7% over last year. This continued the upward curve of lemon exports, which had…

SOUTH Africans have been unfairly treated ever since the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) started the trend of increasing Eskom tariffs whenever the power utility and the Regulator deemed it fit. Very few people understand the intricacy of how Nersa arrives at a tariff to determine how much consumers will pay for a kW/h unit of electricity. It is a highly complex process to arrive at a fair and reasonable cost of electricity per unit. For many years South Africans have been enjoying relatively cheap electricity. However, the rise in electricity tariffs started just after 2011. Before then, Eskom was debt free and profitable, enjoying surplus revenues and so the tariff was cheap. Whatever additional income or losses Eskom makes is either declared surplus or losses. Eskom’s mandate…

CALGRO M3 is in a joint venture with Eris Property Group to deliver between 20 000 and 30 000 housing units on the doorstep of Sandton, the Bankenveld District City development, in a multibillion-rand project that could last 15 years, Calgro M3 CEO Wikus Lategan said yesterday. On March 1, Calgro M3 and Eris formalised the acquisition of a strategic land parcel, which marked the start of the development, where significant commercial, retail and industrial space is also planned. Calgro, the JSE-listed residential and memorial parks group, said in an announcement yesterday that the project had the potential to generate revenue of up to R18 billion. Calgro’s share price leapt 7.2% to R5.20 on the JSE yesterday afternoon. It closed at R5. Eris has some 115 property…

After a two-month journey on screens, season four of Big Brother Mzansi has crowned the new winner. Housemates Makhekhe and McJunior were the last two left in the Big Brother Mzansi house and with both being firm favourites, the announcement had fans on the edge of their seats. But 25-year-old McJunior Zondi from Durban, who described himself as a disruptor because of his manipulation tactics, is this season’s winner and is R2 million richer. He also walks away with the three cheques he snagged from the arena games. Makhekhe, whose real name Tshepo Tau, made it to the final, despite the initial controversy which involved him making derogatory comments about some of the housemates. Bravo B was disqualified at the time, while Makhekhe was reprimanded and given a social lesson…

Fans of rock can look forward to Showtime Australia’s tribute show, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, at the Joburg Theatre from this Friday. Warren Vernon-Driscoll helms the show on lead vocals, guitar and piano live on stage, with Rusty Red taking on the famous guitar riffs of Brian May. They are joined by Australian musicians Ben Harper on drums and Zac Coombs on bass guitar. The Rock Symphony Orchestra, with renowned Italian conductor Roberto Molinelli, who has collaborated with Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, the Russian Philharmonic and South Africa’s own Belinda Davids, will be performing for the first time in South Africa. In a recent chat with Vernon- Driscoll, he revealed that he landed the gig by accident. “I went to one of Showtime Australia’s shows. A friend invited me…

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has written to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) giving it 14 days to make a decision in relation to the Lily Mine tragedy of 2016. On February 5, 2016, Solomon Nyirenda, Yvonne Mnisi and Pretty Nkambule were trapped underground after a mine collapsed in Mpumalanga. The three were in a container that plunged 60m during the collapse, with their remains still at the site to date. Mashaba said the party has written to the Deputy Director of Prosecutions in Mpumalanga, advocate Mlungisi Magwanyana, to make a decision the “NPA will prosecute those complicit” in the tragedy. “The Mbombela Magistrate’s Court found, in mid-October last year, that the NPA should consider criminal prosecution against individuals, including the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, but after the NPA…

Members of the ANC Women’s League have remembered one of their own, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, during a wreath-laying ceremony at Fourways Memorial Park. Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of Madikizela-Mandela’s passing. The Struggle stalwart, who was married to former president Nelson Mandela for more than three decades, died while at the Milpark Hospital on April 2, 2018, at the age of 81. ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane reflected upon the life and times of Mama Winnie in her address, saying the Struggle stalwart fought until her last days. “Madikizela-Mandela was remembered for her love for the Struggle, her people and the ANC as well as someone who even though was courted by other parties chose to remain loyal to the ruling party.” Speaking to SABC News, Mokonyane said in spite…

ONCE there were three, now there are four. Professor Louis du Preez, from the North-West University, and his team of researchers have discovered a new species of African bullfrog called Pyxicephalus beytelli. This is only the fourth species of bullfrog ever identified in Southern Africa. The species occurs in parts of north-eastern Namibia, southern Angola, south-western Zambia and north-western Botswana, and is named after the late Ben Beytell, director of Parks and Wildlife Management in Namibia, who was instrumental in the proclamation of the Khaudum National Park in Namibia, where the species occurs. The new species is similar to all other species of bullfrogs in its external structure, internal anatomy and general behaviour. However, two of the main distinguishing features of Pyxicephalus beytelli are its bright yellow and lime green…

Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ former bodyguard Anwar Khan has been arrested in connection with fraud and corruption at the University of Fort Hare. Khan and 14 others appeared in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape yesterday following their arrest over the Easter weekend. Initially, the police said the suspects faced a string of charges ranging from fraud, corruption, kidnapping and murder to attempted murder. However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that all 15 faced charges of fraud, racketeering and corruption. To date, a total of 25 people have been arrested linked to crimes at the University of Fort Hare, with some facing murder and attempted murder charges. Fort Hare fleet manager Peet Roets was gunned down in May 2022. In January 2023, bodyguard Mboneli Vesele was shot…

In the less than 60 days, South Africa will be going to the national and provincial elections. These elections will be contested by more than 50 political parties nationally. It is without doubt that these will be the most highly contested elections since the dawn of our democracy in 1994. It will be fair to say that all political parties that will be contesting are ready and have clear leadership, except for the newly formed MK Party. This party, which strongly relies on one man and has support in these elections, still has to come out clear on its voters, particularly on who is their presidential candidate. It will be a misrepresentation of itself if they will continue to make people think Zuma is eligible, knowing very well he is…

The Proteas Women’s T20 World Cup preparations will be put to the test in the series decider against Sri Lanka in East London today (6pm start). Hilton Moreeng’s team have been on a downward spiral in the shortest format since that balmy day at Newlands in February last year when they fell just short of toppling the mighty Australians in their first T20 World Cup final. There are, of course, a myriad reasons for the decline, ranging from the retirement of influential fast bowler Shabnim Ismail to the uncertainty around long-serving coach Moreeng’s future. However, arguably the greatest stumbling block has been the team’s failure to evolve their game, especially in the batting department. While world champions Australia have always been aggressive and dominant with the bat, there…

It is not often possible to draw parallels between a four-time World Cup- winning team and one that is yet to win a major international trophy. However, in the case of the Springboks and the Proteas, there is one common denominator in the narrative behind the national selections of Nandre Burger and Manie Libbok, to single out one Springbok. In Springbok documentary Chasing the Sun II, the Bok assistant coach, Mzwandile Stick, explained how they opted for “warriors” in selecting the 2023 World Cup squad and that Libbok’s rise embodied that principle in how he showed perseverance having emerged from Humansdorp, a small town in the Eastern Cape. In Burger’s case, the road to international cricket has been full of challenges and has seen the fast bowler endure a season-ending…

“There’s nothing that can stop us!” That was the bold claim of Banyana Banyana attacker Gabriela Salgado ahead of the team’s final Olympic qualifier first-leg clash with Nigeria in Abuja on Friday. The return leg is in Pretoria on Tuesday. Recent achievements have heightened expectations that SA will emerge victorious and make the Games in Paris in July and August. After all, Banyana won the last edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023. However, that’s easier said than done. Coach Desiree Ellis has most of her regulars available for selection and has settled on a side boasting seven overseas-based players, include returning captain Refiloe Jane. In contrast, her opposite number, Randy Waldrum, has named only two locally-based players in…