Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-08-15 i Star

The government has postponed the signing of the Second Presidential Health Compact by a week as it irons out issues with the private sector players following serious push-back by big business against the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. The National Health Insurance Bill was signed into law on May 15, marking a milestone on the journey by the country to realise Universal Health Coverage without anyone incurring financial hardships, as enshrined in the Constitution. Business Unity South Africa (Busa) yesterday said it would not be signing the President’s Health Compact as it cannot support a policy that explicitly endorses the NHI Act in its current form. The signing ceremony of the Health Compact was scheduled for today at the Union Buildings but the Presidency yesterday said it has been postponed…

The government and business have agreed, at their first meeting since the elections, to accelerate the implementation of their joint initiative to tackle challenges such as electricity outages, poor logistics, and high crime over the next 12 to 18 months. Addressing the media yesterday following a meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa, ministers, and business leaders, Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau said the government had set itself the target of economic growth of between 3% and 5% by 2030 on the back of an ample power supply. Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to reach 1.6% from the end of this year through to 2026, according to the National Treasury’s February estimates. Although there is still much work to be done in terms of stabilising the energy supply, James…

Sentiment inn the business sector in South Africa ramped up to a four-month high in July following the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), and mainly driven by increased new vehicle sales and a stronger rand exchange rate. The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) business confidence index (BCI) released yesterday came in at 109.1 in July, up marginally from 109 in June and the highest since 114.7 in March, after dipping by 5.8 index points in April and a further 1.1 index points in May. This reflected a modest improvement in business sentiment, which had significantly dropped before May’s elections but has started to recover with the formation of the coalition government comprising several parties. “The broader representation and accountability in government have created an opportunity…

Women make up just under 60% of the continent’s total ratio of self-employment and contribute around 13% towards Africa’s total GDP, according to The World Economic Forum. Woman entrepreneurs play a central role in growing the economy and the sustainability of households, as well as the well-being of communities. With calls for gender equality intensifying, there has never been a better time for women to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions and build viable, successful enterprises. Four practical ways to do that: Explore your funding options There are many ways to fund a small business – taking out a business loan, crowdfunding and government grants. However, research shows most women opt to self-fund or bootstrap their ventures. A survey conducted by the Department of Trade Industry, the International Finance Corporation…

Renergen, owner of South Africa’s only helium and liquid natural gas production facility, in Virginia, Free State, said regulatory authorities had “unequivocally” cleared the company and its directors of any alleged wrongdoing, leaving no further grounds for enquiry or action. The share price increased 2.2% to R11.50 on the JSE yesterday morning, post the release of the statement by the company. The company had faced allegations regarding potential irregularities in its business practices and South African corporate governance over the past several months, despite it “consistently demonstrating its unwavering commitment to sound corporate governance”, Renergen’s directors said. The claims had raised concerns about the company’s adherence to regulations and industry standards. Stemming from its acquisition of Tetra4 in 2015, key areas of scrutiny were allegations relating to company directorships not…

Transnet has begun an investigation into the recent doubts cast on the integrity of the award of five security contracts that resulted in the Fidelity Group, which is already being investigated by Eskom for alleged tender fraud, becoming one of the service providers. The transport utility said in a statement yesterday that it had followed “an open and competitive bidding process and subsequently underwent a comprehensive bid evaluation procedure” in Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR) award of security service contracts to five security service providers. Transnet said it had noted “with concern” recent media reports about the outcomes-based security (OBS) solution to combat theft and vandalism on the TFR rail network. The contracts for the security service providers (SSPs) to service its rail transport corridors were to support TFR’s ability to…

CELEBRATED musician, actor and novelist Nakhane adds film-maker to their cap with the premiere of their highly anticipated South African short film B(l)ind The Sacrifice. The film was selected from 4 000 submissions to compete in the Pardi di Domani section at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland this month. The festival is renowned for presenting avant-garde films by up-and-coming directors who can produce inventive pieces that address future directions in cinema. On B(l)ind The Sacrifice, the award-winning personality teamed up with film producers, Cait Pansegrouw and Elias Ribeiro, of Urucu Media. Nakhane, renowned for their captivating performance in Inxeba (The Wound), South Africa’s submission for the Oscars in 2018, was the film’s writer and director. Pansegrouw and Ribeiro are celebrated for their work on Inxeba, Train of Salt…

TWO of the men accused of being part of the looting spree at VBS Mutual Bank are so set on enforcing what they deem their constitutional rights that they are prepared to go to the Constitutional Court – an exercise that could delay the trial for years, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, was told. The 13 accused were back in court to hear arguments on behalf of former ANCYL leader Kabelo Matsepe and former provincial ANC treasurer, Danny Msiza, for either a temporary stay of prosecution or a separation of trial. Their advocate, Shaun Abrahams, told Judge Peter Mabuse that his two clients have approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to obtain permission to appeal against Judge Mabuse’s earlier refusal to order the State to issue the pair with…

The City of Joburg is grappling with the consequences of its unstable mayoral leadership, marked most recently by the resignation of Kabelo Gwamanda, who served as mayor for just 15 months. The constant turnover has resulted in a series of mayors who either resigned or were replaced before serving a full term, disrupting governance and stalling crucial service delivery. DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku has voiced concerns over the negative effects this instability has on the city. “Service delivery has not been up to standard; it has been collapsing. “This merry-go-round of mayors is a challenge for us because we don’t know whether whoever becomes mayor will be there until 2026 or if we’re going to have another mayor stepping down in a few months,” she said. One of…

A former Sanlam employee was debarred as a broker after the Financial Services Tribunal (FST) found that he acted dishonestly by providing misleading information when insuring his brother’s house. The man was employed by Sanlam Life Insurance Limited as a broker on contract through Sanlam’s Short-term partners, Santam and MiWay. His brother had a policy with Sanlam. On October 18, 2022, at 8am, a sheriff of the court arrived at a house in Springs to execute an eviction letter on behalf of a Sanlam policyholder, the brother to the broker. Immediately after the sheriff had spoken to the tenant, the tenant went back into the house and set it alight. The fire department was called at 8.12am and the owner of the house was informed about the incident and arrived…

THE principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Professor Bismark Tyobeka, has congratulated the South African Olympic team and especially the institution’s students, Jo-Ané van Dyk and Bradley Nkoana, who both bagged silver medals at the Paris Games. “We thank the South African Olympic team for flying our flag high at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. We are pleased with the overall efforts and performance of the team. “Our heartiest congratulations to two NWU students, Jo-Ané van Dyk (javelin) and Bradley Nkoana (4x100m relay), for their spectacular performance and achievements in winning silver medals. “I also want to congratulate the other athletes from the NWU who attended the Games. They were Elroy Gelant, Benjamin Richardson, Rogail Joseph, Brian Raats, Adrian Swart, Ethan Olivier and Jean Verster, who served…

To address the issue of sanitary towels, Murugas Sisterhood, an organisation helping young girls gain access to sanitary products, is back with its annual Sanitary Pad Drive. This social motorcycle club is instrumental in supporting needy communities, and assists young girls from KwaZulu-Natal who lack access to sanitary products. The head of the Sisterhood Durban Chapter, Juliet Chetty, said that the organisation has an objective for the current year to provide 30 000 sanitary towels to five organisations that help underprivileged girls. “We engage in a lot of community outreach, be it in the form of distributing food parcels or offering hands-on assistance… Outreach is very close to our hearts, and we firmly believe that you never become poor by giving,” says Chetty. The riders have previously collected more than…

IF YOU can, get one. I’m referring to the Jaguar F-Type 75 coupe that is the company’s last hoorah to the internal combustion engine (ICE) before they’re forever consigned to the annals of history as they head into an all-electric future in 2025. Lots has been said and written about that decision, given Jaguar’s illustrious heritage, but there’s no turning back now. I fully understand the need to protect the environment and vehicle manufacturers’ commitment to that, and while there is a thrill about the immediate torque offered by electric cars it tends to wear off, while the sweet sound of a roaring V8 never gets boring. Now, if only massive carbon-emitting industries would show the same dedication. In the case of the F-Type 75 it comes in two 5.0-litre…

Manchester United have signed Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday night. Fees for the pair were not disclosed by the English giants, but British media reports estimated the duo had arrived at Old Trafford for a combined £60 million (R1.4 billion). Netherlands defender De Ligt, 25, will now join up again with United manager Erik ten Hag, having played under him at Dutch side Ajax, after agreeing a five-year contract with the option of another year. “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such an historic club,” said De Ligt. “In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership…

An Information Regulator investigation into a complaint against the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance’s failure to release information to a complainant has raised questions about the independence of the scheme that is supposed to be an impartial arbiter for consumers. Forensic expert Stan Bezuidenhout, who assists clients facing insurance repudiations, said he had sought data from the ombud scheme, but his request was met with “hostility and accusations”. He wanted additional data because “as more of my clients have engaged with the Ombudsman, a worrying sentiment has emerged. Increasingly, they express dissatisfaction with the Ombudsman’s efforts, feeling the office may be more aligned with the interests of insurers than with those of consumers.” Clients had described interactions where they felt the Ombudsman “acted as a guardian for the insurance industry”. Areas…

Before initiating a project, it’s critical to ensure that construction adheres to the South African National Standards (SANS) 10400. The regulations ensure the safety, health, and sustainability of buildings. Compliance begins with a clear understanding of regulatory obligations, ensuring that the construction entity and individuals involved are competent and qualified. SANS 10400 mandates that buildings must be structurally sound and capable of withstanding various forces, including wind. The regulations also emphasise space requirements, accessibility and ceiling heights to ensure the building’s intended purpose is achieved efficiently and comfortably. Public safety, particularly fire safety measures, is key here, along with proper demolition procedures to prevent accidents and minimise environmental impact. Safe construction site practices, including security, waste disposal and erosion control, are also considered essential. By diligently applying these regulations to…

SHOPPING activity has given a significant boost to the second quarter’s economic growth in South Africa as retail trade sales surged to a near 2-year high in June, mainly driven by textiles and clothing. Data from Statistics SA (Stats SA) yesterday showed that retail sales increased by 4.1% year-on-year in June following an upwardly revised 1.1% rise in May. This marked the fourth consecutive month of increases in retail activity, with the growth rate at its strongest since July 2022. This also means that the economy stands to avoid entering a technical recession in the second quarter as real gross domestic product (GDP) growth experienced a 0.1% contraction in the first quarter. Stats SA’s deputy director for distributive trade statistics, Raquel Floris, said the general dealers retail group, which includes…

South Africa has distinguished itself as a leader in supporting women-owned businesses and providing formal backing for women entrepreneurs. According to the latest Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, South Africa achieved a score of 54.9, ranking just behind Botswana, which leads with a score of 56.3. This places South Africa as the second highest in Africa for both the proportion of women-owned businesses and the level of formal support available to female entrepreneurs. This is attributed to factors such as increased access to education, government support programmes, and a growing awareness of women’s economic empowerment. However, gender gaps in entrepreneurship still persist as South African women’s total early-stage entrepreneurial activity is sitting on an average of 16% compared to 19% for men. Women like Phuti Mahanyele, the CEO of Naspers…

South African-born music superstar Tyla has millions of fans across the globe and it appears that Barack Obama is one of them. The former US president has included the 22-year-old Grammy Award winner’s hit track Jump on his 2024 summer playlist. It features American rapper Gunna and Jamaican musician Skillibeng and it was shot in Johannesburg in May. Obama recently took to Instagram to post his summer 2024 playlist, alongside the caption: “With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix. I hope you find something new to listen to!” The song, which features the viral lyrics: “They never had a pretty girl from Joburg/See me now and that’s…

THE Shakedown’s lead star, Carl Beukes, and director Ari Kruger, believe divine timing played a role in their being part of the new local movie. Beukes, who starred in productions such as Lioness and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, admitted that he went through challenges while living in Los Angeles in the US. “Having lived in Hollywood for six years now, I have had to eat a mountain of humble pie and really get real with myself,” he said. “Hundreds of rejections can slowly bleed doubt into your mind and once that settles in, the artist might as well give it up and find a cosy office desk to die behind.” He said he had since “knuckled down and really worked on me”. “I had no way of becoming the…

Amid the South African team basking in its six medal victory for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the EFF slammed the Sports, Arts and Culture Ministry’s failure to transform barriers preventing black children from achieving thriving sporting careers. Although the country is 30 years into democracy, EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys lamented that racial inequality was the chief factor that held back black children. “Thirty years after the oppressive apartheid government denied African equal rights, the race demographics of team SA do not reflect our nation’s diversity. This highlights that access to sports is still largely determined by race and class,” said Mathys. Instead of focusing on transformation, she accused the department’s minister, Gayton McKenzie, of creating a social media frenzy, while running a ministry notorious for “issuing condolences”. “We call on…

Ingredients Marinade: 5ml Rajah All-In-One Curry Powder 10ml Rajah Hot Curry Powder 5ml dhana powder 2.5ml freshly cracked black pepper 5ml salt Curry: 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces 30ml tomato paste 125ml fried onions 125ml plain yoghurt 60ml ghee 5ml jeera seeds 1 chilli, slit 4 tomatoes chopped 2.5 ml sugar 6ml (heaped tsp) freshly-made ginger 5ml crushed garlic 2,5ml bunch dhanya Sliced ginger for garnish Method Marinate your chicken in all your spices, 2.5ml (½) of the dhania powder, tomato paste, onions and yogurt. Allow to marinate for a few hours. Place a flat pot on medium high heat, add in your ghee. Once your ghee is melted add in your jeera seeds and chilli and cook for a few seconds before adding your marinated chicken. Allow to…

As far as performance bakkies go, the Ford Ranger Raptor is in a league of its own, so here is what we think make it a special double cab. The raucous engine, which is arguably the heart and soul of the Raptor, kicks off our proceedings. In case you’ve been living under a rock in Bikini Bottom, the Ford Ranger Raptor is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine that produces 292kW and 583Nm of torque. And if you’re wondering if the tailpipes have any vroooom, I’m happy to report that the Raptor sounds like a wild animal – in a good way, of course. Accelerating in and around town is an addictive exercise as the Raptor sounds like what one would assume a Raptor should sound like. As…

When life’s confusion swirls around us, we can easily feel alone and isolated in the depth of uncertainty. But what if we’re not alone? Despite the diktat of new technologies and science, what if there is a mysterious guiding force beyond ourselves that could provide wisdom, comfort and direction? During the most uncertain moments, we are confronted with a haunting question: What if the universe were not unsympathetic to our struggles but rather a beneficial force working for our benefit? It might seem reasonable for some individuals to believe in a higher power while others might dismiss the idea. However, the possibility can be a transformative, life-altering event that ignites hope, strength and inspiration amid the hopelessness. The focus of this article is on how faith can transform our lives…

IT was not that long ago when then-Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber raised a few eyebrows when he made wholesale changes to his match-23 ahead of a Test against Wales. At the time, many questioned the wisdom of such rotation in July 2022 against the Welsh in Bloemfontein. The Boks narrowly won the first clash 32-29 a week earlier at Loftus Versfeld, and the 18 changes for the follow-up match sparked serious debate. The justification for the selection by Nienaber and Co was the need to build depth in the squad for the Rugby World Cup a year later, especially after Covid wiped out the capacity to develop the squad in 2020 and 2021. What followed on the sprawling field of the Free State Stadium was a disjointed performance, and…

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has painted a picture of what their CAF Confederation Cup campaign means for the club this season. Stellies will make their debut in African football when they visit Nsingizini Hotspurs in the first preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (3pm start). The Cape Winelands-based side qualified for the continental showpiece after an impressive campaign last season when they finished third on the log. And while some deemed that as a run of good fortune, thanks to the individual brilliance of players such as Iqraam Rayners, Stellies started this season’s MTN8 campaign on a high as they came from behind to beat TS Galaxy 3-1 in the quarter-final to book a date with Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged semi-final. Barker, though, is not thinking…

INVESTING in shares can be daunting, especially for those who are new to it. With an array of companies, industries and market conditions to consider, how does one make sense of it all? The answer lies in mastering the art of equities analysis, and a crucial aspect of this skill is understanding key ratios and metrics. Financial ratios are like the vital signs of a business. They tell how healthy or unhealthy a company is. Imagine you are considering investing in two companies, A and B. Both seem promising, but digging deeper reveals a stark contrast. Company A boasts impressive revenue growth year over year; Company B struggles to maintain profitability despite high sales. What’s the difference? It boils down to analysing the right ratios. Although the ratios alone are…

“The essence of success is to continuously evolve and adapt in a rapidly changing world” – Dr Iqbal Survé Young South African entrepreneurs face unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges. To navigate the complex landscape and drive their ventures towards success, the innovators should seriously consider forming strategic partnerships with Chinese corporations. Such collaborations offer a path to accelerated growth, technological advancement and expanded market reach. China’s emergence as an economic powerhouse has been fuelled by its formidable infrastructure, technological prowess and extensive market reach. For South African entrepreneurs, aligning with Chinese firms can provide access to the critical resources. Chinese companies are at the forefront of numerous industries, from technology and manufacturing to e-commerce and green energy. By partnering with them, South African start-ups can integrate cutting-edge technology and operational…

MTN Rwandacell, a subsidiary of the South Africa-based MTN group, said its total subscribers increased by 7.5% to 7.5 million in the six months to June 30, but profit after tax decreased by -307.1% to -Rwf10.5 billion, impacted by a lower Ebitda, an increase in depreciation on tower leases driven by the roll-out of additional sites and local currency depreciation. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell 29% to Rwf39bn. Active data subscribers increased 0.6% to 2.3 million. Active Mobile Money (MoMo) subscribers increased by 15% to 5.1 million. Service revenue increased by 0.8% to Rwf121.5bn. The macroeconomic environment in Rwanda was expected to remain relatively stable in the second half, CEO Paula Bodibe said in a statement. She said the local currency depreciation against the US dollar…

Northam Platinum expects currently depressed prices of the precious metal to persist, ratcheting up pressures on the platinum group metals (PGM) industry that is already battling rising costs, prompting the South African miner to focus on cost containment in the year ahead. The company said yesterday that it will prioritise cash generation and preservation in its current operating year. In the year to June, in which it has warned that headline earnings per share (HEPS) will likely fall by at least 76.6% to between 324.3 cents and 565 cents per share, Northam generated R3.5 billion in cash from operations. After warning that it expects HEPS for the full year to plunge, shares in the company were trading 3.69% weaker in afternoon trade on the JSE yesterday. Market analyst MarlieChunger (@JSE_Invest),…

With the Olympic Games Paris 2024 done and dusted, M-Net’s new local documentary puts South Africa’s next generation of superstar swimmers in the spotlight “Outside Lane follows four South African swimmers in their quest for success that started decades before they boarded the plane to Paris for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad,” a statement read. They are Kaylene Corbett, Pieter Coetzé, Erin Gallagher and Matthew Sates. This group are not yet household names but hope to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Olympic swimming icons like Penny Heyns, Ryk Neethling, Natalie du Toit, Roland Schoeman, Chad le Clos and Tatjana Smith. “Outside Lane follows this next generation of champions and their coach as they train for Paris 2024, bidding to claim their place alongside these sporting greats,” the statement…

A widowed woman failed to convince the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane that her son fraudulently sold her home and she was given 30 days to move out of the house. The house was registered under Sekedi Sarah Mokumo’s name following the death of her husband, Botana Simon Mathye, in September 2009. In December 2019, a deed of sale was signed between Mokumo as the seller and Matome Paul Ramalepe as the buyer. The house was sold for R330 000 and was subsequently transferred to Ramalepe’s name in September 2021. A dispute ensued when Mokumo refused to vacate the house claiming her son, Thapelo Innocent Mathye, fraudulently signed the deed of sale and other transfer documents without her knowledge or consent. When Mokumo failed to vacate the property, Ramalepe…

LIFE has not been easy for Oritika Nembilwe, now aged 8 months old, who was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition. In addition, her mother, Pembelani Tuwani, faced immense difficulties as a single parent, often struggling with the lack of understanding and support from her community. “From the day Oritika was born, the big opening in her lip has made feeding very difficult. This has been a worry for me as she needs all the nourishment she can get to build her strength,” she said. And people living in her area have not been supportive of their situation. “They don’t understand Oritika’s health problems, and they have put a lot of pressure on me and have been very difficult to deal with,” she said. She said this has…

Manchester City face a strong challenge from Arsenal as the champions look to win an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title. Liverpool start a new era with Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp, while Erik ten Hag is under pressure to deliver at Manchester United after narrowly avoiding the sack. AFP Sport looks at five things to watch out for when the new season gets under way tomorrow, when United host Fulham at Old Trafford (9pm SA time) ... Slot’s big shoes to fill Liverpool fell short of giving Jurgen Klopp a glorious goodbye as they stumbled down the final straight last season to finish third. Arne Slot has the unenviable task of replacing the German but the early signs are positive that he can continue to win on the field.…

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mosa Lebusa believes the club will be more difficult to contend with for opponents with new head coach Manqoba Mngqithi at the wheel. The Brazilians began their 2024/2025 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarter-final last weekend, with evidence of variations to their play from the team that won two trophies last season. The Chloorkop-based outfit chose to relieve Rulani Mokwena of his duties at the end of last season, and handed his job to Mngqithi, who will be assisted by Steve Komphela and Romain Folz. With Mokwena having taken Sundowns to near ridiculous levels last season as they lost just one league game, comparisons between his team and the current one were always on the horizon. Mngqithi has already indicated…

SINCE making his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi four years ago, Dricus du Plessis has dominated the middleweights and bulldozed his way to become the undisputed champion of the division. This weekend, the South African is set to defend his title for the first time when he clashes with the best fighter the division has ever seen, Israel Adesanya – who hails from Nigeria, but fights out of New Zealand – at UFC 305 at the RAC Arena in Perth on Sunday. Du Plessis will have the Springboks for company in Western Australia, as the world champions face the Wallabies in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash at Optus Stadium, and some of the players will attend the bout as well, with many South Africans who now reside in Perth also present.…