Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-07-17 i Star

Newly-appointed Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, has acknowledged the slow pace of infrastructure delivery in South Africa, saying a “new vision and reality” was required if the country’s infrastructure was to be rebuilt. At the Infrastructure Africa Conference in Cape Town yesterday, his first public engagement after being sworn in as minister two weeks ago, Macpherson said he and the department did not have “all the answers” or the funding to unlock faster infrastructure development. However, infrastructure was widely understood to be the “fly-wheel” of economic growth and, “I would like to transform South Africa into a massive construction site. It is possible … ” Macpherson suggested new “funding models” would be introduced to make it easier for the private sector to invest in government infrastructure projects.…

Many private sector early-stage funders of infrastructure in African countries are forced to eventually walk away from projects because it takes up to five years to negotiate, Alastair Herbertson from the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund said yesterday. Speaking at the Infrastructure Africa Conference held in Cape Town yesterday, he provided some insights from a private sector funder’s point of view about investing in infrastructure projects on the continent. Most African governments, including South Africa, admit they do not have the money to develop sufficient infrastructure and they will need to attract private sector funding to deliver services to their populations. Herbertson said the global financial sector was “awash with cash” for investment, but very little of this was going towards investments in Africa. He said that often over the long…

A National Treasury Climate Resilience symposium was hosted by the government at the CSIR this week in Lynnwood, Pretoria. The future of the South African energy landscape is being shaped and decided at the symposium which ends today. The theme was: “Moving the needle on Climate Change and Just Transition, the role of the National Treasury.” The movement has made bold decarbonisation statements. The topics covered were: n∎ Integrate climate objectives into macro-fiscal and finance policy. n∎ Improve government co-ordination by mainstreaming climate change considerations into the inter- governmental fiscal system. n∎ Profile the National Treasury’s contribution to climate action. n∎ Advance and promote policy advocacy, green growth, and collaboration to address a just transition in tackling climate change action across sectors. I believe a symposium of…

Luxury goods company, Richemont – controlled by South African billionaire Johan Rupert – slightly increased sales in the three months to end June by 1% in constant currency to €5.3 billion (R104bn), delivering results that were somewhat better than its peers, even though this figure was 19% down from a year ago . However, Richemont said its sales in the quarter were constrained by the Asia Pacific region, where items sold declined 18%. It also noted higher sales in South Korea and Malaysia only partially mitigated a 27% decline in China, Hong Kong and Macau combined. “The decline reflected both the low-level of consumer confidence and the strong comparatives ranging from double-digit growth in the mainland to triple digits in Hong Kong and Macau over the prior-year period,” it said.…

THIS month, veteran radio presenter Nick Hamman took over a new time slot at 5FM. He went from hosting the afternoon show, 5 Drive, to helming the popular morning show, 5 Breakfast. Taking to social media recently, Hamman shared that it was not his initial intention to take up the position. Instead, he wanted to move on. In a clip on Instagram, he shared: “To be honest, and I am going to be honest, when I was first offered the show, I turned it down, not because I didn’t respect it, not because I didn’t know what big a deal it was, but because I felt like I said what I needed to say to the 5FM audience and it was time for me to move on. “But some people…

Civil rights group instructs lawyers to charge Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu CIVIL rights organisation AfriForum has again aimed its guns at EFF president Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu, instructing its legal team to draw up charges against the duo over the multibillion-rand VBS scandal. The group is getting ready to open a case of corruption, fraud and money laundering against the Red Berets’ leaders after controversial former VBS chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi, in a leaked affidavit, fingered the two as having been complicit in the brazen looting of R2.3 billion of the now-collapsed bank. Last week, the VBS matter came back into the spotlight after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, sentenced Matodzi to 15 years in prison following a plea bargain. Matodzi wrote an explosive affidavit implicating politicians,…

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) said it was working to restore its systems following a breach last month. As an interim step to mitigate the impact, the NHLS has included the use of eLABS, which provides clinicians with Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV-related results that were generated before the security breach. At the time, it was reported that a cyber attack compromised the system and infrastructure, however, no patient data had been compromised. The NHLS head of communication, Mzi Gcukumana, said some systems were back online and more were expected to be available as soon as security measures were put in place. “We are making considerable progress and remain committed to completing the restoration of all components,“ he said. “The NHLS recognises the considerable impact this delay has had…

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube who tabled her department’s budget vote for the 2024/25 financial year in the National Assembly in Cape Town, has five-point plan to improve the basic education system. The budget allocation of R32.3 billion for her department represents an increase of 7.4% from the previous financial year. Lamenting iniquities within the department, the minister revealed her plans to enhance the education system. “We must recommit to building a solid foundation for a quality and efficient basic education system, from ECD, through the Foundation, Intermediate and Senior Phases, to the Further Education and Training (FET) Band,” she said on Monday. Gwarube said the department was prioritising access to quality early childhood development, recognising that the formative years were critical to laying a strong foundation for learners’…

Despite a massive drop in temperatures brought on by the recent cold fronts, criminals are still “hard at work”, security expert and co-founder of Dragon Protection Services, Manhar Parshotam, said. With reduced visibility, perpetrators find it easier to carry out home and business burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and petty crimes such as stealing items from outside homes, he said. Parshotam said there had been a spike in criminal activity across the country and urged residents to be vigilant and implement proactive security measures in their homes. “With the onset of winter, we typically witness a spike in criminal incidents in South Africa. Residents must be extra cautious and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their properties during this vulnerable time,” he said. “It is also vital…

A South African R5 coin that was struck on the Oom Paul minting press in 2018 sold for R6 700. This opened the door to questions about what makes a coin valuable and how to check if a coin is valuable? To find this out, it is essential that people understand what numismatics is. Dillon Bassani, director of Bassani’s Auction House, said numismatics is the study and collection of coins, paper currency, and medals. Numismatics enthusiasts love these things for their historical significance, artistic beauty, and potential investment value, while collectors often appreciate the tangible connection to history, as well as the thrill of discovering rare and valuable pieces. According to Bassani, other examples of rare coins that were worth a lot of money are genuine, one-of-a-kind pieces, like a…

Almost a century ago, one of the greatest minds the country had produced and undoubtedly the greatest mind in modern history was born: Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe. Independent nations celebrate and honour such kinds of people. But this is South Africa and the opposite is true. Given Sobukwe’s history and contribution to the liberation of the country, it is shocking that no formal preparations are in place to celebrate him. It makes one wonder why news anchors, producers and print media editors do not find it in themselves to report on Sobukwe’s centenary and, to honour him. It cannot be argued that it is solely the duty of the PAC to bring such a proposal forward. Sobukwe belongs to the South African people as a whole. He is not limited to…

The Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) in Gqeberha has taken delivery of 50 new haulers to increase citrus loading rates as mid-season approaches as part of Transnet Port Terminal’s (TPT’s) focus on improved reliability and efficiency. TPT yesterday said the haulers were key in moving containers within the terminal and forming part of varying initiatives ensuring the implementation of Transnet’s Recovery Plan. It said their acquisition will also provide relief to the technical team that oversees planned maintenance. TPT managing executive in the Eastern Cape Wandisa Vazi said: “It feels good to give a performing team additional resources because we can then uphold what we have promised our customers. The arrival of these haulers will make it possible for us to achieve current financial year targets,” he said. A popular choice…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has maintained South Africa’s 2024 growth forecast below 1%, but revised downwards sub-Saharan Africa amid weaker than expected activity in the first quarter. In its World Economic Outlook, the IMF yesterday said South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by 0.9% this year in spite of the improvement in the logistics sector, supply of electricity, and the suspension of load shedding. This is the same GDP forecast that the IMF also made in April, as the country was still experiencing rotational power cuts even though they were not as frequent as in 2023. For 2025, the IMF forecast South Africa’s GDP growth to remain at 1.2% in 2025, the same forecast it gave in April. Meanwhile, the IMF said the forecast for growth in…

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has said he wanted to work with a number of other departments that fall outside his portfolio, in a transversal way, so that they could really unlock the potential of the agriculture sector as an engine room of job creation, economic growth, and development of the rural economy. Delivering the department’s budget vote yesterday, Steenhuisen said this was the GNU approach to the sector. “There are a number of other departments that fall outside of agriculture, but which have a direct impact on agriculture … These include transport that covers the essential road and rail routes that farmers require to get their goods to market,” he said. “The ports that farmers require to get their goods to international markets, and of course the SAPS, which are…

NORTHAM PLATINUM raised production by more than 10% for the year to June despite higher mining inflation and subdued platinum group metals (PGMs) prices, which it predicts will persist for longer. This comes as the Minerals Council South Africa last week warned that mining output for the second quarter would likely be lower owing to persistent non-energy constraints. In May, PGMs production fell by 11%, with the Minerals Council expecting output of the precious metal aligning with restructuring of the PGMs sector in the country. However, for Northam Platinum, production refined PGMs production for the year to end June was higher by about 10% compared to the previous year at about 1 million ounces, including feed from third parties. Northam’s own production for the period was also up by an…

In an emotional send-off for the 11 schoolchildren who died in a scholar transport accident last Wednesday, the community of Merafong, family and friends of the children came out in their numbers for the memorial service held at the Grace Bible Church in Carltonville yesterday. Last Wednesday, South Africans reacted with shock following the death of 10 learners from Rocklands Primary School, with one family said to have lost four of their children in the same accident that also left one learner from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig and the driver of the scholar transport dead. Speaking during the emotional send-off, Aviva Manqe, a representative of the Hlalele family that lost four children, said the pain of losing more than one child in the tragic accident would be too much to bear for…

Leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), Jacob Zuma, has launched an application in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to force the SABC to stop using the terms “Government of National Unity” or “GNU” in relation to the current government under President Cyril Ramaphosa. Last month, Zuma revealed that he had asked his lawyers to write a letter of demand seeking to stop the public broadcaster referring to the Ramaphosa-led seventh administration as a GNU. “We have asked our lawyers to write a letter of demand to the SABC to stop deliberately misleading South Africans by using terms like GNU or GPU (Government of Provincial Unity) to refer to present sell-out coalitions. “This is nothing but a return of apartheid and colonialism. “There is no Government of National Unity in…

Police in North West have launched a manhunt for an audacious scammer who allegedly targeted a woman, who was a member of the SAPS, pursued a romantic relationship with her, and later conned her of almost R3 million. During the romantic relationship, the Ugandan national pretended to be a medical doctor and swindled the unsuspecting police captain, aged 53. Responding to a query by IOL, North West provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the wanted man in his 30s was known as Kalvin Sofika by the police-woman. “The 53-year-old victim met the suspect who is a Ugandan national at a shopping complex in Rustenburg (around September last year). He introduced himself as ‘Dr Kalvin Sofika’, and they exchanged contact details. The woman and the suspect started dating,” said Mokgwabone.…

French superstar Kylian Mbappe was officially announced as a Real Madrid player yesterday, telling 80 000 fans “my dream has come true”. The striker, who had completed his medical earlier yesterday morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed the No 9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez. “Wow!” Mbappe said in Spanish, to roars from a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. “For years I’ve dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true,” said the 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain player. “I’m a happy boy. I’m going to give my life for this club.” Accompanied by his parents who were watching from the crowd and with a former French hero of the club, Zinedine Zidane, in attendance, Mbappe was emotional as the crowd chanted his name, and…

South Africa’s largest wheeling project was officially commissioned at a ribbon-cutting event in Lichtenburg in North West yesterday, allowing the SOLA Group to provide Tronox Mineral Sands with more than 200MW of clean renewable energy. The project would also see more than R200 million spent in the local economy, with hundreds of permanent and part-time job opportunities. SOLA spokesperson Jonathan Skeen said the project symbolised a significant milestone for the delivery of energy. “Today is about celebrating the milestone reached when a project of this size is officially commissioned. These are the first projects of this size that have been commissioned since the licensing cap was lifted,” Skeen said. The two plants were recently completed by SOLA outside the town of Lichtenburg, generating 126MW and 130MW respectively after construction work…

business industry in South Africa remains optimistic that trade conditions will improve in the next six months as expectations are buoyed by a more representative governance as per the outcomes of the general election. The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) yesterday said the Trade Activity Index reached its best level in June as trade conditions recovered gradually after starting off from a depressed-level in 2024. Sacci said the broader agreement by the Government of National Unity on the need to address economic challenges collaboratively filtered through to the trade environment. The chamber said more stable energy supply, augmented by increased electricity generation by the public and private sectors and lower fuel consumption prices over the first six months of 2024, contributed positively to trade conditions. Although trade conditions…

Steel is one of the most commonly manufactured materials in the world because it has such a wide variety of uses – steel is everywhere, from construction to vehicles, home goods to robotics. Steel production is also hugely carbon intensive, representing a significant proportion of global man-made carbon emissions. In the universal quest for net zero and carbon neutral, green steel production is critical. The entire value chain of many other “green” products, like electric vehicles, hinges on the ability to ensure all components are carbon neutral. South Africa is well positioned to be a world leader in this space, as we have the natural resources and the capability, but production needs to be ramped up and the government should lead the way in driving the change. Massive carbon intensity…

Within South Africa’s challenging economic landscape, the potential for job creation in the wind industry offers a beacon of hope. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the official unemployment rate rose slightly to 32.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The largest employment losses were in the community and social services sector which shed 171 000 jobs; with significant job losses also recorded in construction, agriculture, trade and manufacturing. Amid these challenges, the wind industry stands out as a key player in the renewable-energy landscape, promoting job opportunities, environmental sustainability and economic growth. In the first quarter of 2024, wind technology accounted for 4.9% of the electricity produced, making it the leading renewable-energy technology in South Africa’s energy-mix. On the greater continent, Africa’s manufacturing output is expected to grow…

Small cap stocks on the JSE have become a haven for bargain hunters and there are likely to be more buyout offers to minority shareholders and delistings following similar schemes by Bell Equipment and Sasfin earlier this week, which were well appreciated by the market. Sasfin and Bell soared on the JSE on Monday after dangling buyout offers to minority shareholders at premiums of 65% and 71%, respectively. Yesterday, Sasfin was trading 3.86% stronger on the JSE just after midday at R27.19 per share. However, Bell Equipment was up 0.36% at R49.75 per share as the market digested suspicion that there may have been insider trading after the company’s share rallied 9% on Friday prior to Monday’s R5 billion buyout offer announcement. Market analysts say JSE small cap stocks have…

After what feels like an eternity, Euphoria, the drama series helmed by Zendaya, is finally gearing up for a third season. HBO has announced that filming will start in January 2025. This follows a rocky hiatus and an indefinite production delay that had fans at the edge of their seats. And with the cameras rolling nearly three years after the explosive second season wrapped up, we might see season 3 hit our screens in early 2026. This is if production follows a similar timeline to previous seasons when it took about 10 months to go from filming to premiere. Meanwhile, the principal cast, including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer and Alexa Demie, are all set to return. If season three premières in around 18 months time, it will…

IF YOU haven’t had a chance to catch Swingin’ Las Vegas at The Teatro, Montecasino, you have until Saturday to do so. To date, those who have seen the show cannot stop raving about it. Meanwhile, an upcoming production worth booking for is Actress at the Redhill Arts Festival. This must-see production stars Talia Kodesh, who also shares the story credits with Bruce Dennill. Daniel Geddes directs it and sees Nathan Ro cast as the Random Props Guy. Actress was staged at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino last year and it received high praise from critics and theatregoers alike. If that weren’t enough, it also bagged Best New Musical or Play from Broadway World South Africa and a Naledi Theatre Award for Best Female Lead Performance in a…

THE Wynberg Regional Court has dismissed an application by convicted killer Luyanda Botha to be acquitted of the attempted rape of a nursing student. Botha returned to court in recent months, where he is on trial for attempted rape allegedly committed in 2014 – prior to raping and murdering UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana in 2019. In the Wynberg Regional Court yesterday, magistrate Anthea Ramos dismissed his application to be acquitted as the State closed its case in the ongoing trial. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said Botha is now expected to take the stand in his own defence. “The Section 174 application of Luyanda Botha was declined by the court and the case has now been postponed to August 2 and August 6. “On August 2, he will…

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has expressed hope that the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) will extend the operating licence of Unit 2 at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station for a further 20 years after granting the same to Unit 1. The regulator on Monday granted Eskom a licence to continue operating Koeberg Nuclear power station Unit 1 that provides 930MW to the grid for another 20 years. Necsa welcomed the recommendation. Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe commended the regulator for ensuring nuclear safety oversight to all licensed nuclear operators. “We congratulate Eskom for taking due care in their submission to the NNR, which has ensured that the approval is granted for Unit 1. With this track record we are confident that Unit 2 will follow suit, and Necsa is in…

AS monkeypox (Mpox) spreads across the country, with the Department of Health confirming 22 people having contracted the disease and three fatalities, clinical executive from Bonitas Medical Fund, Dr Themba Hadebe, debunked myths related to the disease. This as misinformation has been spreading wildly, about Mpox being laboratory created and only being found in monkeys. According to the World Health (WHO), Mpox is an orthopoxvirus, hence, it presents symptoms similar to smallpox. It is a communicable disease transmitted from animals to humans. Although Mpox is transmitted from a different species of monkeys, it is fairly contractible from squirrels, door mice and Gambian pouched rats. Mpox is easily transmitted through person-to-person contact despite the myth that it is only transmittable through sexual intercourse. Hadebe explained: “You can become infected through close,…

Rapula Moatshe THE Tshwane Emergency Services and the Rietfontein community leaped into action to fight wildfires that swept across some farmlands over the weekend, threatening to destroy horses and other animals. The non-profit Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit, said fortunately the animals were uninjured, and moved across wide dirt roads. “Some animals were taken onto properties where firebreaks have been made. Some horses were also found on the road. They were promptly caught and moved onto a safe property,” the organisation said. Members of the community assisted their affected neighbours with grass, food and water buckets for animals. Emergency Services spokesperson, Lindsay Mnguni, said his department responded to multiple fire incidents where properties were destroyed by fire in Rietfontein near Delmas and Leeuwfontein near Cullinan. Veld fire burnt two…