Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-07-03 i Star

SAA acting CEO John Lamola yesterday said the national carrier would double its route network and increase its aircraft fleet by at least 30% in less than 18 months as part of a recovery strategy after the cancellation of the strategic partnership with Takatso Consortium in March. Lamola said the strategy, “not necessarily a malicious Plan B” as it was developed parallel with the Takatso negotiations, had been reaffirmed and retested through a New York-based aviation consultancy firm. “Essentially, when at the end of March it was clear that the SAA partial privatisation was not going through, we then proceeded with a way forward.” Lamola was speaking during a media briefing on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Wings of Change Focus Africa Conference (WOCFA) in Johannesburg.…

Sugar industry players in South Africa are at loggerheads over millions of rand in transformation funding, with allegations of fronting and racism against black small-scale growers being made. This comes after the SA Farmers Development Association (Safda) on Sunday accused the SA Canegrowers of “fronting”, and condemned what it called “disturbing anti-transformation tendencies”. Safda executive chairperson Dr Siyabonga Madlala said black farmers had left the SA Canegrowers at the end of 2015 to form Safda because of the “oppressive colonial legacy”. Madlala said black farmers were not going to allow SA Canegrowers to have a say in their affairs and dictate terms on the funding that was introduced through their activism for the benefit of black farmers. “It is disappointing that after a long journey of changing the laws of…

Last week I lamented how many of the political manifestos in the lead up to the 2024 general elections fell short of prominently raising any issues on climate policy or any intersection with social or economic policy, but I equally found solace in the president’s inauguration address, that climate action would remain a priority for the 7th administration. It’s a brand-new day, we have the Government of National Unity (GNU), and as expected, the permutations and predictions about who was going to be in the Cabinet has now shifted to who is in and what they stand for. Interestingly, a notable body of such opinion and analysis has over the past two days also focused on whether climate policy and action will be priority for those in charge of certain…

Tongaat Hulett (THL), the sugar and property group in financial distress, said yesterday that it wished to retain its listing post the rescue plan by Vision Consortium, but it might get delisted after a proposed equity subscription because a potential mandatory offer might result from it. In January, creditors approved Vision’s plans to save THL. Led by businessman Robert Gumede, Vision includes investors from Zimbabwe and Pakistan, and it plans to take over THL after buying its approximate R8 billion of debt through a debt-for-equity swop arrangement. In terms of the business rescue plan for THL, Vision will acquire THL’s claims from its lenders, and the subsequent use of a portion of such claims by Vision to subscribe for new ordinary shares in THL. This would result in the continued…

Celebrity culture often spotlights the glitz and glamour, but some stars are choosing a different path: faith. Just like rapper J Molley, who announced his baptism on June 30, Cassper Nyovest has been vocal about his spiritual transformation. At the Miraculous Catch Youth Revival 2024 in Durban, Nyovest shared his journey as a born-again Christian, revealing how he overcame his struggles, including sex addiction. This wasn’t Nyovest’s first time speaking about his faith. He recalled feeling nervous when his pastor challenged him to deliver his first sermon. He said: “I gave my very first sermon among this group of people. I was very, very intimidated, I felt weak, I felt like I was not qualified to speak there.” Despite his doubts, the experience taught him a valuable lesson: “He does…

Fresh from performing at the National Arts Festival (NAF) in Makhanda, Aaron McIlroy was thrilled to chat about A Vegan Killed My Marriage, which started it’s run at the Theatre on the Square yesterday. The play is written and directed by another industry legend, Craig Freimond, who has bagged several awards in his illustrious career. If the title of the play tickles the funny bone, brace yourself for the show, which is cleverly written, delivering drama, humour and a bit of introspection about life. In this one-hander, the Spud actor plays James, who went from being the “King of the Braai” to a vegetarian thanks to a life-changing work trip to the KZN Midlands. Fuelled by his concern for the climate crisis, he embraces his new lifestyle. But the same…

South Africa’s former world champion high jumper, Jacques Freitag, has been found dead after going missing. The 42-year-old Freitag had been missing for a few weeks, and his sister Chrissie Lewis spoke to the media last week to appeal for assistance. According to Netwerk24, Freitag’s body was discovered in a veld in Pretoria West on Monday afternoon. He had been shot. He had earlier been picked up in the middle of the night by a man at his mother’s house in Bronkhorstspruit and was never seen alive again. Rapport reported that Freitag had fallen on hard times after retiring from athletics, and struggled with drug use. Over a decade ago, the former athlete spent three days behind bars after being found in possession of drugs. And in 2007, he found…

The EFF has called for an end to virtual parliamentary sittings and a return to physical sittings of Parliament and committee meetings. In a statement yesterday, the party said virtual sittings undermined the work of Parliament, adding that the failure by Parliament administration to make necessary arrangements was cause for concern. “The introduction of virtual platforms for the business of Parliament during the Covid-19 pandemic was sensible and practical as the physical meetings were prohibited. “However, Parliament has continued with a hybrid model of sittings since the burning of Parliament in January 2022. The EFF has consistently called for Parliament to put measures in place to ensure maximum participation of all members. This should include committee meeting rooms that are spacious enough for all members of Parliament and halls for…

Former Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu says she is grateful for the opportunity she had to serve as a Cabinet minister and does not harbour ill feelings after being left out of the 32 ministers announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week. On Sunday night, IOL reported that Ramaphosa announced an expanded national executive which includes 42 deputy ministers, with some individuals who previously served as Cabinet ministers being re-deployed as deputy ministers in the seventh administration. In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, the bubbly Zulu said she does not feel left out at all. “Not at all. It doesn’t feel like that at all. It shouldn’t feel like that at all for anyone because I believe we go there knowing perfectly well that you go and serve…

THE Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville is ready to extend partnership agreements with the country’s football clubs. As the latest DStv Premiership League season approaches in August 2024, soccer fans can be rest assured that their favourite soccer teams will be able to train and play fixture games at the Lucas Moripe Stadium through partnership agreements with the City of Tshwane. “I recently led an oversight visit, along with sport department officials, to the Lucas Moripe Stadium. This visit followed a similar engagement on 21 May 2024 where maintenance issues were brought to my attention,” said Deputy Mayor Nasiphi Moya. One of the main issues at the facility was non-functional flood lights. These lights are crucial to ensuring that the stadium is well lit for use at night and during…

The preservation of a healthy constitutional democracy in South Africa in the coming decades hinges critically on whether we heed a golden rule of the free form of government as taught throughout the ages by democracy experts like Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, Livy, Edward Gibbon, Alexis de Tocqueville, Abraham Lincoln and, especially, the framers of our Constitution. The golden rule is that demagogues destroy democracies. In their writings and speeches, the incisive political philosophers teach us that demagogues, especially those serving as heads of state, are to the body politic of democracy what cancer is to the human body. If the cancer is not kept out or removed, it eviscerates critical organs and eventually kills the democracy. The well-publicised letter to the ANC by the EFF secretary-general, under the guise of…

Standard Bank said yesterday that “there has been no breach of its system”, though it apologised to customers for delayed responses when calling their call centre following multiple claims from customers about a security breach at the bank. This came about after some customers claimed on the X social media platform that there had been an alleged “massive security breach”, with some clients reporting fraudulent transactions or money missing from their accounts. The bank said the delay in the responses when calling their call centre was due to a spike in month-end transactions. “The bank has multiple security and authentication layers that it has made available to its customers. Customers can also utilise the App or internet banking to report fraud or manage their cards or card payments,” it said…

The Solar PV Industry Association (Sapvia) and South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) say they are optimistic about a positive future under the new Ministry of Electricity and Energy headed by Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Deputy Minister Samantha Graham. However, the organisation said industry challenges remained a concern, particularly ahead of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Bid Window submission deadline, and the dwindling grid capacity in wind-rich areas. Sawea CEO Niveshen Govender said they had high expectations from the newly formed Ministry of Electricity and Energy to work with the industry to overcome sector challenges, including grid constraints, regulatory and policy uncertainty, as well as local manufacturing limitations. “To mitigate these, there is a critical need to accelerate the integration of wind energy as part of the…

While much has been said about Eskom’s latest three months of no load shedding, the fact is consumers that rely on Eskom power are one broken pre-paid meter away from a dark Kafkaesque age, and the situation for the elderly and vulnerable residents could soon become critical after such an accident. For some months now, I have had to deal with two Eskom-related consumer problems. It has been a long and arduous journey of phone calls, reference numbers, chat bots, untold exasperation; and a quick ask around to friends and colleagues revealed that I am by no means alone with these issues. It appears that Eskom has closed itself off to all human-to-human contact from its ordinary consumers, who are usually charged for electricity either through pre-paid meter or from…

Sibanye-Stillwater yesterday said it has laid off 11 500 employees from its southern Africa operations in the past one-and-a-half years. This comes as 422 more workers currently employed at the company’s Beatrix 1 gold shaft could also be retrenched should the mine fail to turn into profitability. With the Beatrix 4 shaft, Kloof 2 plant, Kloof 4 shaft, Simunye shaft and 4 Belt reaching end of life, in addition to the restructuring of loss-making shafts: the platinum group metals (PGM) shafts at Siphumelele, Rustenburg, and Rowland at Marikana since the beginning of last year, the company’s employee numbers have reduced drastically. Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman said through cooperation and constructive engagement with affected stakeholders and through implementation of retrenchment avoidance measures, Sibanye had reduced the number of forced retrenchments to…

KHULI Chana’s debut documentary, Maftown Heights Untold Stories, comes to an end this weekend and the final episode promises to deliver heartfelt moments, historical reflections and forward-thinking conversations. The music icon produced the show, together with Refiloe Ramogase of RefRam Productions, as an extension of one of Africa’s largest hip hop festivals, Maftown Heights. The episodes delve into the rich history, cultural significance and behind-the-scenes moments of the long-running festival. The final episode will explore the emotion surrounding late rapper HHP’s legendary last Maftown Heights performance (2017), as he was joined on stage by fellow artists, creating a moment etched in the history of South African music. The late Riky Ricky also features. Looking to the future, the last episode includes thought-provoking discussions with up-and-coming artists Thato Saul, 25k and…

The happiness levels in South Africa have been trending upwards since the election results were announced, as the majority of voters feel represented by the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). According to the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index, the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the GNU Cabinet on Sunday night was experienced positively by the South African people. The index, running on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being very unhappy, 5 being neutral, and 10 being very happy, was developed by the University of Johannesburg’s well-being economists, Professor Talita Greyling and Dr Stephanié Rossouw, from the Auckland Park University of Technology. The near real-time happiness index of the GNH Index today project rose from 5.36 to 5.42 points. The findings indicated an upward…

WHILE Joburg residents are grappling with load reduction, tariffs took a 12.7% increase on Monday. Tariff increases were approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) as requested by City Power. According to City Power’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, the new tariff increases were implemented due to various reasons affecting operations and customers. Tariffs were determined by key factors, such as operational cost, cost structure and inflation driven by an increase in bulk purchase cost. City Power’s application for a tariff increase was inclusive of all social classes, considering customers are financially stretched but at the same time, ensuring sustainable energy is supplied, Mangena said. “As a result, the tariff adjustments follow intensive consultation with residents and stakeholders of Joburg during the recent Integrated Development Plan consultations, and other…

A Facebook post by Nkosana Nkosie P Mthembu left South African social media users gobsmacked after he reposted and captioned a female toddler’s picture with innuendos of rape and paedophilia. In the post this past weekend, Mthembu said: “I do not care if you are young, I will s*x you until it becomes r*d.” With more than a thousand likes and shares, users condemned Mthembu’s post, tagging the national police’s page and demanding his arrest. Others lamented that the country was entrenched in gender-based violence, highlighting that South Africa was the world’s rape capital. Before deactivating his account, Mthembu wrote an apology in which he “retracted“ his suggestive rape and paedophilia utterances. “I am writing to sincerely apologise for my post. My action was unacceptable and I deeply regret any…

Police in Ekurhuleni are investigating the theft of equipment and anti-retroviral medicine following a break-in at the Olifantsfontein Clinic. Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Marie Mashishi said the burglary happened in the early hours of the morning, at around 3am. “In the early hours of the morning, on June 27, between 3am and 4am, one of the Ekurhuleni health facilities was robbed in the Olifantsfontein area,” said Mashishi. “The items that were taken are seven televisions, seven (computer) monitors, three processors, four routers, four microwaves, one bottled water dispenser, plus four boxes of ARVs that were taken from the pharmacy. “Arrests are imminent. However, a case burglary has been registered at Olifantsfontein police station and the investigations are under way,” she said. Last year, IOL reported that…

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba says she is committed to helping create jobs in the province to secure support for the ANC, since people have become impatient with they party’s promises of jobs that never materialise. Ramathuba made the comments on Saturday during the Progressive Youth Alliance summit of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), held at Karibu Lodge, outside Tzaneen, Limpopo. Ramathuba, who took on the role of the province’s first woman premier last month, emphasised that unemployment remains the greatest concern among young people. She acknowledged that promises of employment opportunities have been made to them for far too long. “Our people are getting impatient, because we have been telling them that we will create jobs. They are getting impatient because every day we tell them that we are…

Thanks to local football’s grapevine, the Amakhosi faithful heard some time ago that Nasreddine Nabi would be the next Kaizer Chiefs coach. It is Chiefs’ habit to be as quiet as a church mouse when there are developments, and their PR functions cease except to trot out the line, “wait for the official announcement”. Hence, it came as a breath of fresh air for hordes of Chiefs fans to read that the 58-year-old Tunisian-Belgian mentor told the Tunisian media that he had accepted the head coach post at Chiefs. Nabi was speaking after his AS FAR Rabat side lost 2-1 to Raja Casablanca in the Moroccan Throne Cup final on Monday night. Raja Casablanca are coached by former Orlando Pirates head honcho Josef Zinnbauer, who has former PSL coach Fadlu…

DISRUPTIVE fintech and gold investment company, Troygold, has announced the launch of its subscription gold offering in the South African market, supported by payments platform, Precium. Troygold said the collaboration marked a significant milestone in democratising access to gold investment opportunities by leveraging its expertise in digital bullion, and Precium’s cutting-edge payment technology. The subscription gold service allows South African investors to purchase and own fractional amounts of real 1-ounce gold Krugerrands, which are securely stored in Johannesburg vaults. This initiative is set to revolutionise how retail investors and businesses can invest in gold bullion, providing a convenient, transparent, and cost-effective method compared to traditional avenues. Key features of the subscription gold offering include fractional ownership for a minimum investment of only R10, secure storage in secure vaults with LBMA-approved…

South Africa’s mining industry believes the reappointment of Gwede Mantashe to head up the minerals portfolio will ensure continuity in terms of policy engagements, while some industry players want the new new administration to work round the clock in attracting investment into the sector. Mantashe was reappointed to head the key mining sector under a revamped minerals and petroleum resources portfolio on Sunday. His re-appointment to the Cabinet – criticised by some lobby groups amid high expectations from labour for him to bring an end to job losses – comes at a time SA miners are facing logistics, infrastructure, and capital constraints. Mining sector players told Business Report yesterday they wanted Mantashe to drum up support and push policies that attract investment into SA’s mineral exploration sector. “The Department of…

South Africa was now on track to exit greylisting in June next year, National Treasury said yesterday. South Africa was greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in February 2023 for not complying with international standards that relate to money-laundering and addressing illicit financial flows. While South Africa was on track to address all the outstanding Action items, Treasury said it remained “a tough challenge” to address all 14 of the remaining Action items by February 2025. This out of an original list of 22 issues. Treasury said, “All relevant agencies and authorities will need to continue to demonstrate significant improvements, and also that such improvements are being sustained and effective. The minister of finance has been leading a process within the government to ensure that South Africa addresses…

The days of gambling with our energy sovereignty and energy guarantees are over. The new Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet is the buzz story on all news platforms and everyone’s social media timelines. There is a lot of discomfort and complaints about the way in which some portfolios are structured. Some departments have been merged to reflect some decree of uniformity – even though it still remains a mix-masala Cabinet with all members of GNU assembled from different parties. The new ministers now in charge of Eskom’s energy, electricity and minerals are: ∎ Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientso “Sputla” Ramokgopa (ANC) and Samantha Graham (DA) as deputy minister, potential future conflict. ∎ Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe (ANC) and Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala (ANC) as deputy…

The first season of Spinners achieved a remarkable victory, beating the Emmy-winning final season of Succession to win Best Foreign TV Series at the 29th Shanghai TV Festival’s Magnolia Awards over the weekend. Spinners also held off strong competition from other well-known series. These included the Bafta-nominated fourth season of All Creatures Great and Small; La Storia, which was named 2024 series of the year by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists; and Aspergirl, which won Best Actor for Carel Brown at last year’s series mania in the French competition. The local production recently began airing on CANAL+ in France, with two episodes released every Monday. This follows its CANAL+ debut in French Africa in November of the previous year. Reviews in France have been as…

A family from Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, have expressed their disappointment at the“horrible service” they allegedly received from iMakamu Funerals, which is owned by Bishop Israel Makamu of Endless Hope Bible Church, together with his family. The grieving Khambule family said they expected a dignified “send-off” for their father, uncle and loved one, but they were dismayed at how the service was handled from the onset. The Khambule family shared pictures of a torn and dirty tent with dirty drapes. They also said the arrangement of the chairs in the main tent and at the gravesite left a lot to be desired. The family said they had been part of iMakamu Funerals since last year and their policy was up to date. It was taken out by Ayanda Ngubeni, who is the…

In honour of Women’s Month and to celebrate 30 years of democracy in South Africa, the Divas in Concert event will take place on August 10 at the Marks Park Sports Complex. This monumental event, starting at 10am and running until 6pm, promises to be a captivating celebration with an all-female line-up, showcasing a multi-musical genre and multi-generational performances. “Divas in Concert” is an annual event dedicated to celebrating female artists and their contributions to the music industry. This year’s concert is particularly special as it coincides with Women’s Month and the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy, making it a significant cultural celebration. The concert boasts a stellar line-up of artists who will light up the stage: Thandiswa Mazwai: Renowned for her soulful voice and powerful performances, Thandiswa…

YOUNG people in Tshwane must be mobilised to be at the forefront of the fight against the negative effects of climate change, in their communities. This was the message at a recent workshop in Mamelodi to encourage the youth to be implementers of solutions to problems posed by climate change. Under the theme “youth in climate change” the event was jointly hosted by the City of Tshwane and the JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in Mamelodi, a custom-designed environmental discovery science centre with activity-based learning programmes. MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, who was a key speaker, said the event gave the City an opportunity to engage with eco-warriors who were young people leading initiatives to address the issue of climate change. Organisers shared ideas on how to…

New city mental health wellness hospital set for 2026 THE Phelang Bonolo Healthcare Group has launched its newest mental health wellness private hospital in Montana, Pretoria. This milestone marks another step in Phelang Bonolo Healthcare’s mission to deliver exceptional health care and integrated solutions to communities across South Africa. The facility is scheduled to open by early 2026 and will provide a wide range of mental health specialties and support, including psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The new wellness hospital in Montana is designed to offer state-of-the-art medical services and facilities, offering high quality diagnoses and treatment of all mental health issues. The event was joined by government officials, community leaders, and healthcare professionals. Phelang Bonolo Healthcare Group founder and CEO Dr Jacky Rampedi said the Montana Wellness Hospital…

Kgomotso Molefe, an auto glass repair technician, is brimming with pride after emerging as a winner at a global competition in Lisbon, Portugal, and raised the South African flag high. Molefe represented South Africa at the Best of Belron Competition, a prestigious global competition in which top industry suppliers, customers, and companies participate. The 28-year-old challenged 30 of the greatest technicians from around the world, to take home the title of “Best Repair Technician”. Molefe’s journey as a technician began as a learner in a youth career development programme. In 2019, Molefe chose the rare female career path through a youth development programme at PG Glass, showcasing her skills and opportunities in various trades. Her commitment, extraordinary abilities, and unwavering quest for perfection secured her a long-term job as a…

Marketa Vondrousova became the first defending women’s Wimbledon champion to lose in the first round for 30 years yesterday as Andy Murray ran out of time in his fitness race. Czech sixth seed Vondrousova went down 6-4 6-2 to Spain’s unheralded Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in 66 minutes. Vondrousova is only the second defending champion to lose in the first round at the All England Club in the Open Era. The only other time it has happened was 30 years ago, when Lori McNeil defeated three-time defending champion Steffi Graf in the 1994 opening round. World No 83 Bouzas Maneiro, playing in only the third Grand Slam main draw of her career, broke her opponent five times in the match under the roof on Centre Court. Until yesterday she had never…