Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-08-23 i Star

Sibanye-Stillwater has secured a €500 million (R10 billion) green loan financing facility for its Keliber lithium project in Finland, with the funding earmarked for the construction and development of mining, processing and refining facilities in the European country. The company is making a big play for renewable and electric energy after it also acquired the Sandouville nickel refinery in France in 2022. Sibanye-Stillwater is undertaking feasibility studies to determine the viability of producing precursor cathode active material (pCAM), a powder-like substance that contains components such as nickel and cobalt, among others, for the European battery ecosystem after re-purposing the refinery. Yesterday, the group said it had secured crucial financing for its Keliber lithium project in Finland. Earlier this year, it recorded a 55.1% increase in attributable lithium mineral resources to…

SOUTH Africa’s advertising regulator has ruled that a TotalEnergies claim that it promotes sustainable development was misleading, in what it said was the body’s first decision on corporate “greenwashing”. The landmark ruling centres on a TotalEnergies campaign with South Africa’s conservation authority, SANParks, to encourage people to visit the country’s national parks. In the #FuelYourExperience campaign, TotalEnergies said it is “committed to sustainable development and environmental protection”. “That's why we have partnered with SANParks for over 60 years, so that South Africans can appreciate our country’s natural heritage and pass on a love for the environment to their children,” the campaign continued. But the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) said the claim was misleading and could lead people to believe that “sustainable development” is practised across all the company’s activities. The…

International pledges to South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Investment Plan have increased to $11.7 billion (R210.8bn) from the initial $8.5bn pledged by the International Partner Group (IPG) in 2021, while $821 million has been pledged as JET grants, with $613m of this funding thus far reflected in the current JET Grants Register. This was said by Rudi Dicks, head of the project management in the Presidency yesterday. Dicks said other organisations, including philanthropies and private sector donors, were contributing to the JET but were not yet included in the JET Grants Register. “It is anticipated that these contributions can be recorded in the JET Grants Register in due course,” Dicks said. He said the bulk of grant funding ($657m) has been provided by the IPG, and the balance by…

It’s no secret that managing our finances has become increasingly challenging in today’s economic climate. With rising bond payments, school fees, and the ever-increasing cost of living, it can feel like we’re constantly trying to keep up. Incomes have remained stagnant while inflation continues to climb, meaning we are effectively earning less than before. Add to that the looming threats of job loss and growing debt, and it’s clear why so many of us feel the pressure. To make matters worse, only 6% of the South African population is on track to retire comfortably, according to the 10X Investments Retirement Reality Report 2023. It’s difficult to invest when households are struggling with debt and defaulting. According to the Experian Consumer Default Index (CDIx), by the end of 2023 South African…

Adcock Ingram Holdings’ shareholders will benefit from 10% growth in dividends and the repurchase of 6 million shares for the year to June 30, after stronger sales of the group’s winter pharmaceuticals helped generate double- digit earnings growth and strong cash generation. The results appeared to be favourably received by investors, as the share price ratcheted up by 7.4% to R65 yesterday morning, a sharp outbreak in the price trend as the price has been trading in a thin range around the R55.40 mark that it traded at a year ago. Revenue increased 6% to R9.64 billion. Gross profit was up 1% to R3.22bn. Headline earnings a share rose 10% to 616.6 cents. Net asset value per share increased marginally to 3 688.1 cent from 3 526.9 cents. The…

Capitec, with a market cap of R336billion, has plans to further disrupt the business banking landscape with new low-cost packing of its point of sale card machine sales. The bank is targeting growth of its business banking division, predominantly via the small, medium enterprise sector (SME). Capitec, which already offers card machines and has 22 million clients, 11.2 million whom are digital, is upping the ante by launching a through-the-line drive from September 1 by launching three card machine packages with no hidden costs. Currently customers using the card machines “pay as little as 0.85% on card transactions with free next day settlements”, it said on its website. Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie told a media briefing yesterday that its merchants would initially have to buy the card machine and…

Following the riveting success of Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, the second instalment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true-crime anthology series is set to be released next month. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which will premiere on Netflix on September 19, chronicles the chilling case of the real-life brothers who were convicted in 1996 of the murder of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch will respectively star as Lyle and Erik Menéndez, with Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny portraying José and Kitty. Meanwhile, Nathan Lane will feature as Vanity Fair journalist Dominick Dunne while Ari Graynor appears as defence lawyer Leslie Abramson. The streaming giant’s official logline for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story reads: “While…

Rape-accused televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused have failed in a bid to have evidence deemed inadmissible. The trio, Omotoso, 63, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33, argued that the evidence was obtained unconstitutionally. On Wednesday, the High Court, sitting in Gqeberha, upheld the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) position, allowing the evidence to be considered in the trial. The trio are facing 32 charges, which include racketeering, trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, rape, and sexual assault. Omotoso, a Nigerian, was arrested in April 2017. The NPA said the trial has experienced numerous delays which included applications by the televangelist for five special entries for a mistrial, “including an application on January 16, 2024, for the judge to reconsider her previous judgment on the application for discharge,…

For years, Nomusa Mbhele has toiled as a domestic worker in Chatsworth, south of Durban, but her meagre salary is still far below the minimum wage prescribed for domestic workers. Mbhele is among the 46% of domestic workers in South Africa who struggle to make ends meet as they still earn less than the legally prescribed minimum wage. This was part of the damning findings by SweepSouth – an online agency which focuses on issues affecting domestic workers and also connects employers with domestic workers. The National Minimum Wage set the minimum wage at R27.58 an hour, which translates to R220.64 a week and R4 633.44 a month. However, Mbhele from uMlazi H section, who has worked in Chatsworth for 15 years, said this was a far cry from what…

The Laudium Atteridgeville Saulsville Civics Association (Lasca) has accused City of Tshwane MMC for Finance Jacqui Uys of running municipal affairs through social media and neglecting to interact with communities in person. This comes after Uys announced on social media that a municipal finance outreach programme has assisted 6 206 residents with municipal account queries and services in townships and suburban areas across Tshwane between February and July this year. “Of these, 1 811 indigent support applications, the City’ free basket of services for the poor, and 3 537 billing queries were resolved,” she said. But Lasca chairperson Tshepo Mahlangu said Uys refused to attend community meetings and opted to employ the outreach programme “to trick residents into making arrangements to avoid electricity cut-offs”. “We demand a response to…

In a significant move, the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College yesterday formalised its commitment to advancing legal education and addressing challenges within South Africa’s justice system by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with several key organisations in Pretoria. This strategic initiative marked a crucial step in the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships that were vital for the development and transformation of the legal sector. The memoranda were signed between the college and the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, the Public Service Education and Training Authority, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, and a consortium of institutions of higher learning, including Tshwane University of Technology , University of Pretoria, North West University and South West Gauteng TVET college.…

The Department of Science and Innovation has recognised three of Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology staff and students for their excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and maths (Stem) at its 2024 South African Women in Science Awards ceremony. Held on August 15, the South African Women in Science Awards recognised and honoured significant contributions made by women. The ceremony was held at Anew Resort White River in Mbombela, under the theme “Transition towards an Innovation Economy: The Role of Women Leaders in Stem”. Dr Busiswa Ndaba-Vatsha, a senior lecturer in the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions at Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), was first runner-up in the category “Distinguished Young Women Researchers – Natural and Engineering Sciences”. The award included a…

With period poverty being widely prevalent, the City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, led a sanitary towel drive at Aurora Girls High in Soweto on Tuesday in honour of Women’s Month. According to “Project Dignity: Keep a Girl in School”, four million girls do not have access to sanitary products in the country. This leads to girls missing 25% of class attendance per year. That is one week every month, a massive setback in their school careers. “Project Dignity: Keep a Girl in School” is a non-profit organisation that restores the health and dignity of South African school girls. Aurora Girls High had requested sanitary towels, uniforms for financially challenged learners, office stationery and food donations during a Grade 12 study camp programme. In response, employees at…

All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has left the role after being at loggerheads with head coach Scott Robertson over the direction of the team. MacDonald’s departure, confirmed by New Zealand Rugby yesterday, comes ahead of the two-Test tour of South Africa – and despite the All Blacks winning four out of their five Tests in Robertson’s first season in charge. Robertson said the relationship with his attack specialist was not working. “We’ve come to a mutual agreement which we feel is the best for the All Blacks moving forward, that he steps away,” the 50-year-old told reporters in Christchurch. “We just feel like it hasn’t quite clicked. We just quite haven’t lined up where we need to on the rugby side of it. “(It’s) just a little bit of…

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler expects Georginio Rutter to be a “big, big player” for the Seagulls as he considers handing his club-record signing a debut against Manchester United. French forward Rutter joined the Premier League side from English second-tier club Leeds on Monday for a reported £40 million fee. Hurzeler is confident the 22-year-old – who arrived in English football from Germany’s Hoffenheim in January last year – will fit in quickly on the south coast after already playing for Leeds this season. “We have to wait (and see) how he adapts, but he had some games already for Leeds,” replied Hurzeler, when asked yesterday if Rutter could be involved when United visit the Amex Stadium tomorrow. “He’s a little bit German ... He’s a little bit like from the…

Toyota Tsusho Africa (TTAF), a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, yesterday announced the formation of a new joint venture, Ogihara South Africa (OSA), which will see an investment injection of more than R1.1 billion into the production of essential manufacturing components. This investment will increase the local content of the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Corolla models to allow Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) to further support the local value-added targets. TTAF is in collaboration with Ogihara (Thailand) Corporation (OTC) and TSAM in forming OSA. The strategic investment in the South African automotive industry is apportioned with TSAM contributing R545 million and the TTAF-Ogihara joint venture investing R630m. The announcement was made at a ground-breaking event that took place at the construction site at Dube TradePort in Durban. Andrew…

If the rand/dollar exchange rate reflects the outlook for South Africa, then we can take heart that it has held firm around R18.30 a dollar since the national elections in May and dipped below R18/dollar for the first time in more than a year earlier this month. This appears to be a tentative vote of confidence in the Government of National Unity (GNU), with 18 opposition parties now occupying ministerial or deputy ministerial positions. The question is whether this is another “Ramaphoria moment” or if our optimism is justified this time around. There are some encouraging signs that the GNU is injecting fresh air into the national government in portfolios such as Agriculture and Home Affairs. However, the reality is that the benefits, or potential benefits of the GNU, will…

Cosatu has largely welcomed the tinkering of fiscal reserves to anchor government spending in the newly signed Appropriation Act, but has advocated for direct action on taxing the wealthy, while the Free Market Foundation called for the GNU to show its own hand in fiscal management. The act, signed earlier this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is intended to draw up to R1.1 trillion from the National Revenue Fund (NRF), with 22% of the total being allocated to current payments, 73% to transfers and subsidies, 1.4% for payments of capital assets, and 0.1% for payments for financial assets to meet the requirements of the seventh administration. It drew the scrutiny of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appropriations committee, which had questioned certain provisions for “acts of God”. Cosatu said…

Old Mutual is proud to announce that Nonhlanhla Nxele, a beneficiary of the Old Mutual Black Distributors Trust (OMBDT), has been awarded the Financial Planning Institute’s (FPI) prestigious “It Starts with Me” award. This award recognises her outstanding contributions to the financial planning industry, and her remarkable journey as a financial adviser. “Congratulations to Nonhlanhla on this remarkable achievement. The Black Distributors Trust is proud to have her as one of our beneficiary practices, as her growth and dedication are truly inspiring. This recognition underscores the difference we are making through our OMBDT in transforming the industry and harnessing talent,” said Marwan Abrahams, executive general manager of Old Mutual Broker Distribution. For the first time in the history of the FPI, the award has been won by a black woman.…

Canada’s Lucara Diamond Corp has discovered a 2 492 carat diamond at its Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana, one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed, the company said late on Wednesday. It is the second-largest rough diamond discovered, after the 3 106 carat Cullinan diamond found in South Africa in 1905. Lucara said the precious stone was detected and recovered by the its Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray transmission (XRT) technology, installed in 2017 to identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds. The stone was recovered from the processing of EM/PK(S) kimberlite. Lucara said this discovery underscored Karowe’s reputation as a world-class asset and reaffirms its position as a leading producer of large, exceptional diamonds. The latest recovery joins a roster of significant finds from the mine, including the 1…

GREAT R&B music never stops. From the looks of it, 2024 is another year full of memorable performances from some of the biggest artists in the industry. Landing in South Africa soon is American singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole, who will be touring from September 26 until September 28. James Blunt will also be in the country, from September 12 to 14, to give fans a live performance of his recent album, Who We Used To Be. In recent months, Mzansi music fans were also treated to iconic performances from Tamia, Boyz II Men, Freddie Jackson and Jeffrey Osborne. Concert tours have proven that they serve not only as an opportunity for artists to promote their latest albums or highlight their entire music catalogues but also enable fans to celebrate their favourite…

South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha continues to shine on the international stage as she scooped the Best African Actress prize at the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Mbatha received the award for her performance as Queen Nandi KaBhebhe in the Mzansi Magic drama series Shaka iLembe, which retells the story of King Shaka of the Zulu Kingdom and his fight for his throne The Septimius Awards is an international award ceremony showcasing feature films, documentaries, shorts, animations, television shows and screenplays. It was held in Tuschinski on Monday and Tuesday. Bomb Productions executive producer Desiree Markgraaff led the congratulatory messages to Mbatha. “Congratulations to the beautiful and talented @nomzamo_m winner of 2024 Best African Actress @septimiusawards Amsterdam for her role as Queen Nandi in @shakailembe_mzansi,” she wrote on Instagram.…

Former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has hit back at his former president and EFF comrade Julius Malema after the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) leadership announced the former Red Berets in their top eight structure yesterday. Shivambu, who was appointed national organiser by the MKP leadership yesterday, had deserted Malema to join former president Jacob Zuma’s party, creating animosity between the two long-time friends. Malema, while addressing his party’s ground forces forum at Orlando Community Hall, Soweto, on Monday, accused Shivambu of betrayal. However, Shivambu, speaking for the first time since his resignation, hit back at Malema, intimating that he had not been in politics to nurse Malema’s ego. “I hear people saying I have betrayed an individual, but nowhere in their statement are they saying I have betrayed the…

Gauteng police, through their Organised Crime Unit and Police Emergency Service FLexi Team, discovered a drug lab at a plot in Douglasdale, Sandton, yesterday, including drugs and processing machinery worth an estimated R80 million. At the premises, police also found two unlicensed firearms, ammunition for large calibre firearms, pellet guns, and replica firearms. Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that two illegal immigrants at the premises were arrested. Yesterday morning, police executed a search warrant where they discovered chemicals used to manufacture drugs, machinery, and finished products on the premises. These were all seized and will be used as exhibits. Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni applauded the team that discovered the drug lab. “More than 10 drug labs have been discovered by police in Gauteng in the last…

THE future of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink could be in the balance after recent public utterances by ActionSA and the ANC that negotiations were under way to oust the DA from power in the metro. Brink, however, downplayed the imminent political move to topple the DA, saying he was not anxious about political speculation that a plan was being hatched to remove him. Instead, he was focused on the work at hand to deliver services to the people of Tshwane. In a television interview this week, Brink said he was “not overtaken by anxiety”, and was “quite confident that this coalition has a good chance of surviving and that the offer we are making to the people of Tshwane is better than anyone’s offer”. He also took stock of some…

As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, the contributions of women in health care are being recognised and celebrated. Laundry services supervisor at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, Masindi Xaba, is an exemplary model of determination and hard work. Her journey from an ordinary worker to a supervisor is testament to the value of skills development training. She said that her career in laundry services began in 2002 as a volunteer at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, also in the city. “I was later employed on a permanent contract in 2004 and spent 10 years honing my skills,” she said. She added that in 2015, she got her current position at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where she oversees the provision of adequate, clean, and constant linen supplies to ensure improved hygiene and…

The Folklore Festival, in its third edition, is set to celebrate 30 years of democracy and Heritage Month at the Constitution Hill Women’s Jail on September 14, with a stellar line-up of musicians, authors, spoken word artists, poets, and storytellers. In addition to its objective to share, document, preserve, and archive African folklore, the folklore community is committed to promoting family-friendly activities and intergenerational discourse. For children of all ages, the festival also boasts an extensive schedule of educational entertainment, including Logan and Friends with education specialist Dr Jocelyn Logan-Friend, Dr Gcina Mhlophe, and Sho Madjozi with Sho Ma & The Stars. Dr Madala Kunene, a multifaceted musical anthropologist, Amanda Black, a powerful voice for African identity and women’s empowerment, and Maleh, a phenomenal singer-songwriter, are among the artists on…

South Africa might lead in the protection of LGBTQIA+ human rights on the continent, but queer women have become vulnerable to discrimination in the workplace. While labour laws prohibit discrimination in the work environment, queer women continued to be subject to discrimination based on their gender and sexual orientation. According to the Kantar Diva 2024 survey, only 63% of queer respondents said their manager supported them being open about their sexual orientation and gender identity. A good 67% agreed that their companies have strict policies against homophobic slurs. Another 39% of respondents felt comfortable to speak about their gender identity at work. Despite optimistic responses, transgender women were plagued by high levels of discrimination in the workplace. The survey reported that 19% of transgender women experienced inappropriate commentary and conduct…

Wydad AC coach Rulani Mokwena has handed former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula a lifeline to kickstart his ailing career after failing to fulfil his potential with the Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. On Wednesday, Toronto FC released an official statement: “Toronto FC announced today that the club has sent forward Cassius Mailula on loan to Moroccan club Wydad Athletic Club of the Botola Pro (First Division) through to July 31, 2025.” This confirmed that Wydad had secured a season-long loan move for Mailula. The Moroccan outfit will have the option to exercise a permanent transfer for Mailula at the end of this loan. If Mailula plays well, it is likely Wydad will exercise this purchase option. The Moroccan giants responded with a social media post on X to…

Acting President Paul Mashatile has brushed aside big business’s concerns over the explicit support of the National Health Insurance (NHI) by the second Presidential Health Compact that was signed yesterday, saying that the country needed a compact that was responsive to the challenges facing its health system. This comes as Business Unity South Africa (Busa) yesterday reiterated its stance by not signing the second version of the Presidential Health Compact, citing that it had been unilaterally amended by the government, transforming its original intent and objectives into an explicit pledge of support for the NHI Act. Mashatile urged all the government’s partners to keep up the good work, continue to demonstrate progress and deepen collaboration to overcome challenges. “Our nation’s health is too critical, too essential to development, to be…

Stocks at the JSE surged to a fresh all-time high yesterday as market sentiment improved further across global markets after dovish US Federal Reserve (Fed) minutes reinforced bets that policymakers will cut interest rates in September. The JSE all-share index rose 0.9% to touch 84 800 index points for the first time in history, extending gains for the second day and reaching fresh record highs, buoyed by resources, financials and telecoms stocks. Sasol surged by 6.7% to R145.00 per share, followed by Karooooo, which rose 5.5% to R675.00 per share, while Shaftesbury Capital went up by 4.5% to R34.51, and Telkom and Richemont were 2.7% and 2.6% higher to R26.71 and R2 914 per share, respectively. Mining and banking stocks were among those that fell the most yesterday. Sibanye-Stillwater’s stocks…

Don’t take your money offshore before considering the implications when it comes to the laws of overseas jurisdictions in terms of tax, ownership, and inheritance, among others. Rex Cowley, the director and co-founder of the specialist international pensions and fiduciary business Overseas Trust and Pension, says you need to be aware of the complexity and expense you may inadvertently be creating for yourself and your family by holding assets in another country. Cowley says there are many reasons why South Africans would want to invest money offshore. Widening differences in exchange rates and the cost of living between South Africa and developed countries can present problems, for example, for the parents of children who end up living overseas. “How would this impact your life as a parent, especially if grandchildren…

Shares in junior miner Mantengu Mining soared 26.25% in afternoon trade on the JSE yesterday after the company disclosed that its Meerust Chrome subsidiary had entered into a lease agreement to operate from the Goudini mine for a period of nearly 10 years. Meerust Chrome was already actively hiring employees “to ensure that job creation” is maintained. “Operations have recommenced, with first deliveries of chrome concentrate having already started,” the company said. This drove up shares in Mantengu by 26.25% to R1.01 in afternoon trade on the JSE, although the company’s stock is weaker by 42.86% in the last 30 days. Investment analyst, Dave Hazelwood wrote on X yesterday that shares in Mantengu rallied “after releasing good trading update” including a recent acquisition. “If momentum from the last two months…

ESKOM has officially launched its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The power utility yesterday said this milestone marked a significant step in Eskom Distribution’s commitment to supporting the growth of the emobility sector in South Africa and contributing to the country’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions. The pilot project includes the procurement of 20 electric vehicles ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks for operational use. The pilot project involves the installation of 10 charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country. The other sites are in Brackenfell, Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, the Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg, and Marathon CNC in Mbombela. These sites will serve as the foundation for…

While rumour has it that controversial gossip blogger Musa Khawula has died, Somizi Mhlongo jumped at the opportunity to poke fun at the celebrity- basher. The multi-talented Mhlongo took to Instagram to post a screenshot, which paid tribute to the YouTuber, along with a TikTok video of him. In the caption, Mhlongo wrote: “When he hears that he’s died. PS: I’m not believing until he himself announces that he has died or if I go to the funeral lol.” Khawula, who calls himself “the pope of pop culture”, is known for his popular self-titled YouTube channel, which has over 83k subscribers and over 200 videos. Over the years, he has attacked almost every Mzansi celebrity, including Mhlongo, media darlings Bonang Mathebe and Minnie Dlamini, actress Pearl Thusi, and the late…

The SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) embarked on Exercise Harmony with the Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Dockyard yesterday. The exercise marks the first visit of the renowned medical vessel to SA. The Peace Ark, a symbol of China’s humanitarian outreach, will be docked at the V&A Basins until Thursday. The exercise is a collaborative effort between the SAMHS, the SA Navy and the Chinese military aimed at enhancing military and diplomatic ties while providing comprehensive medical care to local communities. The Peace Ark, equipped with a rescue helicopter and staffed by over 100 medical personnel, offers a range of medical services. The ship can treat between 600 and 700 outpatients daily. Throughout the seven-day exercise, the SAMHS will work closely with the Chinese…

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that it will be building four new hospitals in the province. This was confirmed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a statement yesterday. She said that plans were already under way to ensure that Gauteng adds four new hospitals to its 37 under its care as the seventh administration government of provincial unity led by Premier Panyaza Lesufi continues where it left off in the previous administration. The announcement comes just under a week after Lesufi gave his address in his opening of the provincial legislature in Ekurhuleni last week. Nkomo-Ralehoko said that Lesufi, when delivering the first State of the Province Address (Sopa) last week, emphasised the importance of infrastructure investment and maintenance. After the announcement by the premier of the…

THE Faculty of Natural Agricultural Sciences has announced the development of a 570ha integrated, agricultural, high-tech, sustainability-focused research, training, and skills development facility, to be known as FARM@UP. It is designed to unlock the multidisciplinary future of agricultural research and development. The facility is the first of its kind in Africa. According to Professor Barend Erasmus, Dean of Natural Agricultural Sciences, FARM@UP will be established as an integrated, high-tech, sustainability-focused research, training, and skills development hub specifically for South Africa and the African region's conditions. It will strive for self-sustainability, leveraging UP’s deep disciplinary expertise to anchor two critical pillars of theoretical education and hands-on practical skills development. It will be a working farm for the practical training of scholars, students, and industry practitioners. It will also be a facility…

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Arts & Culture’s much-anticipated Weekend of Jazz concert makes its return to Jozi’s social calendar in celebration of the country’s jazz talent. The 3-day jazz experience, from August 29 to 31, will take centre stage at the UJ Art Centre where Mandla Mlangeni, Keenan Meyer and many others will enthral jazz fans. Additionally, before the weekend commences, an exclusive listening session in collaboration with Untitled Basement will take place on August 28. The main acts set to treat music fans to some of their timeless music offerings will be Mlangeni, Metro FM 2024 Best Jazz Album of the Year winner, trumpeter and composer, followed by the award-winning songwriter and jazz vocalist Gabi Motuba, and renowned pianist, composer and UJ Artist in Residence, Meyer. On…

Elite combat sports star and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Dricus du Plessis proved once again to the world what South Africa is capable of following his win over Nigeria’s former two-time champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth last weekend. Tomorrow at the Sunningdale Sports Complex in Milnerton, Cape Town, the future of Mzansi will be on display as 22 upcoming Muay Thai practitioners will buckle up and throw down at one of Africa’s elite Thai boxing shows, Thaiholics Fight Promotions. The show has played an important role in galvanising the “art of eight limbs” scene in South Africa, constantly offering high-level productions and platforms for athletes to grow and move on to the international scene. Some of Mzansi’s best Muay Thai specialists and world-renowned stars, including Nedo…

With all the mixing and matching in the Springbok team this year, one impressive youngster who hasn’t earned a Test cap as yet is powerful Blue Bulls No 8 Mpilo Gumede. The former Sharks loose forward was a surprise call-up to a national alignment camp in April, and was also part of the Bok training squad ahead of the Wales Test in London. But having caught the eye for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup, Gumede was largely unused at franchise level in the closing stages of the Pretoria side’s charge to the URC final. Another top-class No 8, Cameron Hanekom, is the first choice at the Bulls, and Gumede has had to wait for the Currie Cup to remind South African fans of his tremendous…