Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-21 i Star

SOUTH Africa’s government said on Friday that it had asked Taiwan to relocate its de facto embassy out of the capital Pretoria, while Taiwan accused it of bowing to pressure from China. South Africa rejected this characterisation and said the move was standard diplomatic practice, given that it severed political and diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997. The Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria will be rebranded as a trade office and moved to commercial capital Johannesburg, said South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Co-operation. “Relocating what will be rebranded as trade offices both in Taipei and in Johannesburg … will be a true reflection of the non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan,” it said in a statement, adding it had…

Scatec is set to begin construction on the Mogobe battery energy storage system near Kathu Norwegian renewable energy group Scatec ASA has reached financial close on a groundbreaking R3 billion battery energy storage project in South Africa’s Northern Cape. The 103MW/412MWh facility, the first of its kind in the country, marks a milestone in South Africa’s renewable energy transition and grid stabilisation efforts, the company said on Friday. Scatec is set to begin construction on the Mogobe battery energy storage system (Bess) facility near Kathu in the Northern Cape. The project, awarded under the first bid window of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, represents a major step forward in South Africa’s energy infrastructure development. The Mogobe project has secured a 15-year power purchase agreement with the…

Why are Botswana and Namibia banning South African citrus and vegetables and why is South Africa upset by their behaviour? Answering these two questions gets us closer to understanding why protectionist policies create net economic harms, even when they appear benign. Agricultural economists Thabile Nkunjana and Sifiso Ntombela explain, [t]hese bans [of citrus and vegetables in Botswana] go against the principles of a customs union and affect the regional value chain, in which farmers and agribusinesses in South Africa have invested heavily to ensure there is sufficient supply of food in the Sacu (Southern African Customs Union) market. “Restricting trade could erode competitiveness and result in consumers in these Sacu countries paying much higher for [produce]. All Sacu countries must ensure they retain open trade practices, and the current bans…

THE trouble with retirement, especially when you had all the administrative facilities around you, is that you still act and behave as though you possess the limbs that arranged your schedule, especially reminding you constantly about the next engagement. Google Calendar goes a long way in that respect, for those who set appointments with you. But Google Calendar does not stop you from continuing to greet and talk, especially when your phone is on silent. More importantly, Google Calendar will not remind you of what was not registered in your calendar. The national dialogue has begun. If you do not believe it, my schedule last week was all about the undesirable current state of South Africa and what to do about it to pave the way for a different and…

South African fans of sci-fi horror are in for a thrill this Halloween as the home-grown sci-fi horror, The Fix, is set to premiere on October 31. It features a star-studded cast, among them Grace van Dien, who featured on Stranger Things in the leading role; Daniel Sharman, from Fear The Walking Dead; Saftas nominee Keenan Arrison; Clancy Brown, who starred in The Penguin; and Nicole Fortuin. They are joined by Fleur du Cap winner Tafara Nyatsanza; Young Artist Award winner Caleb Payne; Robyn Rossouw, from Summertide; and Tina Redman, from Savage Beauty. Set in a dystopian future where the air is toxic, the movie follows a model (Van Dien), who takes a new designer drug at a party and suffers a shocking transformation. “Pursued by forces with competing interests…

Award-winning rapper Nasty C has released a five-track EP, Confuse The Enemy, leaving his fans stunned and impressed by the new direction he has taken with his sound. The musician is renowned for his rhymes and flows, however, this time he switches things up, offering something different from his usual signature sound by collaborating with some of amapiano’s biggest vocalists. He teamed up with London-based music producer Lekaa Beats on the new work. The five-track EP features amapiano vocalists Daliwonga and Zee Nxumalo, Nigerian rap sensation Odumodublack, award-winning producer Yumbs as well as Chip and Gabzy. While maintaining his reputation for “spitting bars,” Nasty C introduces his fans to a fusion of amapiano and Afro beats, showcasing his versatility as an artist, a skill he previously demonstrated with his feature…

Forensic and crime expert, Calvin Rafadi, has linked South Africa’s growing crisis of mass shootings to the rise of illegal firearms. The deadly trend has been blamed on the government’s failure to curb unlicensed and homemade firearms, among others. This comes after yet another devastating mass shooting incident on Friday night that claimed the lives of five family members, leaving two minors injured at Bityi village, outside Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. No arrests have been made yet, however, provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleni Mene said resources have been deployed to find the perpetrators of these senseless murders. Mene called on community members who might have information to come forward and assist the police. Almost 30 people were killed in mass shooting incidents in that province within a month, making it…

THE government needs urgent co-ordinated action to deal with the scourge of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity across the country. Last week, the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) highlighted that about 63% of households were food insecure, of which 17% were critically undernourished. The survey revealed that 28.8% of children under the age of five suffered from stunting and 5.3% were affected by wasting. About 7.7% were underweight. The survey was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development and conducted by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC). It was carried out across the nine provinces between 2021 and last year. The survey aims to provide the government with essential baseline data to guide interventions and support households facing food shortages. The South African Human…

The South African Breweries (SAB) has unveiled a pivotal campaign aimed at promoting responsible drinking and safety on roads, a move that underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of responsibility within South African communities. The 2024 Drive Sharp initiative serves as a part of SAB’s broader platform, SAB Sharp, dedicated to promoting responsible drinking behaviours and raising awareness about the dire consequences of alcohol-related accidents. Through the SAB Sharp platform, SAB highlights the importance of responsibility across society and the importance of partnerships with government, law enforcement, and community organisations to promote responsibility associated with beer consumption. Speaking about the 2024 Drive Sharp campaign, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Zoleka Lisa, said the company’s goal is to challenge consumers to make responsible choices for the safety of…

“To be brutally honest, it was really disappointing that we kept our worst performance for the final.” That was Proteas’ women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt’s frank assessment of their 32-run defeat to New Zealand in last night’s ICC T20 World Cup final in Dubai. This was no choke. No meltdown. Just an old-fashioned defeat to a team that was better under in every aspect. And therein lies the disappointment for the Proteas, who had been so good against in their semi-final victory over six-time champions Australia. Each player will know that they did not best put their best foot forward on the night. Perhaps after playing in front of empty stadia for the majority of the tournament, the near sell-out crowd of 25 000 that came out to support the final…

Fortress Real Estate Investments said on Friday it had acquired an additional 13.9 million NEPI Rockcastle shares for R1.9 billion through its participation in the bookbuild of the owner of 59 shopping centres in central and eastern Europe. NEPI Rockcastle, which is listed on the JSE and in Amsterdam, announced last week that it planned a capital raise of about €300 million (R5.72bn) through an accelerated book-building process. The new NEPI Rockcastle shares to be issued pursuant to the bookbuild were placed at a price of R137.85 per NEPI Rockcastle share. JSE-listed Fortress said it would buy the additional shares to maintain at least its current shareholding in NEPI Rockcastle. Following the acquisition, Fortress would hold 121.88 million NEPI Rockcastle shares, representing 17.11% of its shares in issue. The acquisition…

As South Africa gears up for the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), the nation’s economic growth prospects and public finances are poised for a more positive outlook, bolstered by stabilising political and energy conditions. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will report next week on the government’s efforts to meet revenue targets and navigate mounting debt obligations, a necessary dialogue amid a landscape of renewed business and investor confidence. Godongwana has also said that cost-cutting measures were planned, and a lowering of the planned debt trajectory would be received very positively by financial markets. Citadel’s chief economist Maarten Ackerman said on Friday that the MTBPS will bring some welcome good news about economic growth thanks to improved political and energy stability. However, Ackerman warned that overspending on the public sector wage…

Africa depends on South Africa getting it right and being proactive in its development mandate. This week I had the pleasure of visiting Nairobi, Kenya, to represent South African media at the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (Apra) forum thanks to the International Renewable Energy Agency. The moment one steps onto a plane flying to another country, the one thing that becomes invaluable is the fresh perspective you get out of travelling. Also reporting on the event were journalists representing other countries in Africa. Not only did I get to hear about other African countries’ energy journey at the energy forum, but the African journalists shared their perceptions and hopes for South Africa as well as problems in their own countries. With these dual insights it made me happy…

British American Tobacco (BAT) said Friday a court-appointed Mediator and Monitor’s compromise arrangement, which had been filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, had marked an important step towards a potential settlement. In March 2019 Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN), a subsidiary of BAT, obtained creditor protection under the Canadian Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). Under a confidential court supervised mediation process ITCAN has been negotiating a possible settlement of all of its outstanding tobacco litigation in Canada, while continuing to run ITCAN’s business in the normal course. “This has been a complex, confidential mediation and, like our Canadian colleagues, we are hopeful of a quick conclusion to this process and securing a Canadian settlement for the benefit of all stakeholders,” a BAT spokesperson said. The claims primarily stem from…

Sacha Baron Cohen has admitted that Borat might never return after he was hunted by a pro-gun mob. The 53-year-old actor starred as the Kazakhstani journalist in the 2006 satirical comedy and its sequel, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. However, Cohen has said the character might be put to rest for good after he was forced to flee an enraged pro-gun “militia” in Washington State during filming for the 2020 follow-up flick. Appearing on the SmartLess podcast, The Dictator star explained: “The last one became so extreme. After that gun rally, I was essentially on the run. “I had a militia kind of following me. I was going from safe house to safe house for about four days. “It becomes so crazy that you realise there’s a certain amount of skill and…

A TV reboot of the 1990’s cult classic movie, Cruel Intentions, is set to premiere next month. The 1999 romance thriller, which starred some of the biggest stars of that era, among them Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair, went on to define an era and become a pop culture phenomenon. It tells the tale of two vicious step-siblings (Gellar and Phillippe) from an elite Manhattan prep school who set their sights on the new headmaster’s daughter (Witherspoon). And while none of the original cast will reprise their roles, a new generation of stars will feature in the TV iteration of the Amazon Prime Video series which is set to be released next month. The release date has not been announced yet but it is expected…

Al Jama-ah has backed former Joburg mayor, Councillor Kabelo Gwamanda, following his arrest on Friday over an alleged funeral policy scam. The party said they stand with Gwamanda. Gwamanda is currently a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development in Johannesburg. The former mayor allegedly ran the insurance scam from 2011 through his company, Ithemba Lama Afrika. Gwamanda is accused of conning innocent Soweto residents into the scheme, where they paid monthly payments for funeral insurance. Ganief Hendricks, Al Jama-ah party leader, said yesterday that Gwamanda was being persecuted by the DA. In 2023, after the DA was ousted in Johannesburg, Al Jama-ah presented Gwamanda for mayor of the city. The DA, in the form of its leader at the time Dr Mpho Phalatse, pursued a case of…

THE uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has laid down the rules for members. In its recently published constitution and code of conduct, it says its members must be honest at all times and avoid making commitments they cannot fulfil. No member will be allowed to insult anyone, including political opponents, even when provoked. Members may not communicate outside its policies, political and ideological prescripts and direction. The MKP says mandates, accountability and reporting means that all its members are expected to act within the party mandate, must be accountable for their actions and provide written reports on the work they do. Contributions to debates and interventions in communities, media, committees, Parliament, legislatures and councils must reflect organic knowledge of people’s conditions in society and not be based on media platforms, including…

Mixed reactions to Tshwane’s hawker clampdown THE Tshwane Metro Police Department's recent clampdown on roadside hawkers in Soshanguve has sparked mixed reactions from the public. During the by-law operation, vendors' goods like wooden spoons, bags and necklaces were among items seized in full view of passers-by in Block H. Social media users expressed anger at the metro police for targeting people trying to make an honest living. One of them, Vusi Masuku, shared his personal experience, saying his single mother, a hawker, would often lose her stock and have to borrow from loan sharks to restart her business. While he acknowledged the importance of law-enforcement, he questioned why the metro police did not issue fines and help street vendors to abide by by-laws. Others, however, applauded the metro police for…

“And now when I look up, I know there’s one shining a little brighter, a little closer to me. Among all those stars, I have got my own, my own lucky star, guiding me as you always did, quietly and forever present!” This is how Tito Mboweni’s grieving son Sello paid tribute to his dad, the “Duke Magoebaskloof”, in a tribute to the former finance minister and first black governor of the Reserve Bank at his funeral on Saturday. Sello said his dad was special, had a good heart, he valued everyone, listened to everyone and made everyone feel important. “My father lived with a sense of quiet pride and defiance, he faced life’s challenges with his head held high and he never wavered on his beliefs or his love…

Orlando Pirates’ coach Jose Riveiro has urged his troops to quickly get over their loss in the Carling Knockout Cup, insisting there’s a bigger fish to fry. The Sea Robbers bowed out of the Carling Knockout Cup on Saturday afternoon after incredibly losing 3-2 to Magesi FC at home, Orlando Stadium. The Bucs were the favourites for the game on paper, being superior to the newbies and having been regarded as the new ‘cup specialists’ in local football. Pirates have won five trophies under Riveiro, including an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ in the MTN8 – a feat that was achieved in Durban two weeks ago. Having their only blemish under the Spaniard in the ‘Beer Cup’ last season, they were expected to make up for lost ground this season. The draw with…

Most of the fall-out of the 23-22 loss to the Scarlets has centred around Johan Grobbelaar’s red card, but the Bulls know that they need to sort out a number of issues ahead of Friday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Benetton in Treviso (kick-off 8.35pm). Springbok hooker Grobbelaar was unfortunate to be sent off for making head contact in a tackle on Scarlets opposite number Marnus van der Merwe in the 67th minute in Llanelli last Friday. Italian referee Federico Vedovelli somehow found evidence on the TV replays that Grobbelaar had made direct contact with Van der Merwe’s head – when the footage showed that any such contact was not clear and obvious – and issued a red card to the Bulls front-ranker. White will hope to have Grobbelaar’s red…

MANQOBA Mngqithi rarely celebrates his team’s goals, at least not openly and with the emotive gusto of other coaches. But the Mamelodi Sundowns coach was excitedly animated on Saturday when Peter Shalulile scored what some might have considered an inconsequential strike, given that the Brazilians had already secured their Carling Knockout victory over Golden Arrows. The Namibian came off the bench at the Lucas Moripe Stadium to add his name alongside those of Thapelo Morena, Iqram Rayners, and Mthobi Mvala when he made the score 4-0 for Sundowns, before Kutlwano Atlhaku added a fifth with his first touch after coming on for a resounding victory by Mngqithi over a team he began his professional coaching career with. The former teacher explained just why he acted somewhat out of character: “I…

In a significant development for the investment industry, the 29th annual Raging Bull Awards, which is set to take place on January 27 next year in Cape Town, will recognise outstanding performance across the South African collective investment universe, from actively managed unit trust funds to index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Dubbed the Oscars of the investment world, this prestigious event will unfold at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with the evening being hosted by Independent Media’s Personal Finance team. The awards have traditionally celebrated extraordinary performance by actively managed unit trust funds, providing a platform for fund managers to showcase their skills in selecting robust investments while prioritising risk aversion and consistency. However, as passive funds have grown in popularity, this section of the market cannot be ignored any…

Gold: The last safe haven Harmony Gold experienced a notable 16% increase this week, mirroring the broader surge in gold prices. This rally is primarily driven by ongoing gold purchases from central banks in emerging markets, combined with heightened volatility in interest rates. While recent US economic data has shown strength, weaker indicators from Europe and the UK, along with Chinese stimulus efforts, have sparked expectations of further rate cuts, boosting demand for gold. The Bank of America has even referred to gold as the “last safe haven,” positioning it as a strategic investment in the face of the U.S.’s growing debt concerns. This optimistic outlook is reflected in gold stocks. Harmony Gold was the standout performer, but Gold Fields also rose by 14%, and AngloGold saw an 11% gain,…

South African financial markets recovered last week after a volatile and uncertain previous week due to the Middle East crisis and worries on the Chinese economy. The Brent oil price came down again by more than $8 per barrel to $72.85 (R1282) per barrel on Friday evening. Gold as a haven for investors is shining as the gold price reached $2 700 per ounce for the first time on Friday and traded at the market close on $2 716 per ounce. Platinum once again trades above the $ 1000 per ounce level. These turnarounds in market sentiment contributed to the Rand moving stronger on Friday, after it reached its weakest level in more than a month on R17.76 to the dollar on Thursday. The currency ended the week stronger at…

Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman announced on Friday that an outbreak of bushfires has disrupted operations at the Century zinc mine in Queensland, Australia. This setback follows a successful recovery from heavy rains earlier this year, further highlighting the volatile nature of mining operations in the face of extreme weather. Zinc is extensively used in the auto and construction sectors and Sibanye-Stillwater produced 76 000 tons of the commodity last year while its Century mine has 1.7 million pounds in zinc reserves. Production at the mine has now been disrupted again after the bushfire outbreak. According to the company, the fire caused extensive loss of surface piping infrastructure, including the feed and water lines that connect the hydro mine to the processing plant and other key service lines. Nonetheless, the Sibanye-Stillwater…

The aviation industry in southern Africa finds itself at a critical juncture, with rising fuel costs identified as a significant barrier to progress. Speaking at the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) conference in the Western Cape last week, South African Airways (SAA) chairperson John Lamola made an urgent appeal for the government to tackle the challenges associated with aviation fuel sourcing, asserting that it was the largest single cost component for airlines. Lamola contended that any further price spikes could stifle the nascent economic recovery in the region, which is just beginning to regain its footing post-Covid-19. His remarks come after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) last week granted fuel importers a special one-year permission to import kerosene fuel, following an engagement with industry to avert fuel shortages…

The nation is prepared for the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, according to Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, as 882 336 Grade 12 learners will sit for the first English paper today. In private schools, some 16 400 candidates will undertake the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) examinations. Gwarube announced the examination system’s readiness at the Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre in Hatfield, Pretoria, yesterday. The Department of Basic Education has taken stringent security precautions to maintain the integrity of examinations by collaborating with the National Joint Operations Committee (NatJocs) and the Provincial Joint Operations Committee (ProvJocs). “The department has taken extensive precautions to safeguard the integrity of the examination process. We have completed audits of all storage facilities across the country to ensure they meet the required standards for…

WITH bailouts of South Africa’s beleaguered state-owned power utility estimated to cost taxpayers about R500 billion by the 2025/26 fiscal year, the financial problems at Eskom are reaching unprecedented heights. As the standing committee on appropriations convened last Wednesday to address the dire realities confronting the country, the situation has heightened questions about the efficient use of public money and service delivery. The most recent National Treasury update shows that Eskom has been given a staggering R496bn in bailouts since the 2008/09 fiscal year. “These bailouts have diverted crucial taxpayer funds that could have been used to address pressing social issues,” said Mmusi Maimane, the committee chairperson. “Each bailout represents a failure in financial management that ultimately, hurts all South Africans.” Committee members expressed concern that Eskom had breached one…

The National Zoological Garden in Pretoria, a hub for South African wildlife research, public engagement and tourism, is celebrating its 125th anniversary. The only zoo with national status, has more than a century of experience in protecting and showcasing South Africa’s biodiversity, wildlife and conservation efforts. From October 17 to 31, 2024 visitors to the zoo will enjoy exclusive anniversary specials. Each weekend, the first 125 visitors will gain free entry, and tickets will be 50% off, daily, providing a great opportunity for all to explore the zoo at a reduced cost. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of daily activities designed to inform, educate and entertain. These include school lessons for young learners, animal talks, and zoo adventure sessions, where visitors can experience lion feeding, giraffe interaction, gorilla enrichment,…

On October 26, 2023, South Africa's aviation enthusiasts and families are in for a treat as the highly anticipated Wonderboom Airshow descends upon Tshwane. Located at the iconic Wonderboom National Airport, this event promises an exhilarating day filled with spectacular aerial feats and adrenaline-fueled performances from the country’s top display and aerobatic pilots. From the moment the gates open at 8am, guests will be treated to a myriad of astonishing displays, showcasing the incredible skill and precision of aviators who are often hailed as the best in their field. One of the highlights of the day will be a series of breathtaking flights by the Goodyear Eagles, as they take to the skies with daredevil stunts that are sure to leave audiences gasping in awe. Famed for their exhilarating performances,…

With heavy hearts, the nation had to bear the loss of distinguished and dedicated caregiver, Shoaib Moosa, of Willowton Oil and Cake Mills. An outstanding humanitarian has left our earthly shores in transit to a heavenly abode. It is hard to eulogise any man, to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person, like him. Mossa gave a potent voice to the neglected, the poor, the sick and those whom he assisted in every facet of human life. The scope of his accomplishments, defy description. The adoration that he so rightly earned will encourage us to remember him as an individual whose supreme aim in life was to serve humanity. At the apex of his life, we…

Kaizer Chiefs' foreign legion, Rwandan Fiacre Ntwari and Uruguayan Gastón Sirino, provided the anchor for the emphatic 4-0 victory over SuperSport United at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday night. Sirino was named Player of the Match after imposing himself on the match with a livewire box-to-box performance as he spearheaded the team's attacking sorties. He opened the scoring with a grass cutter that left United keeper Ricardo Goss high and dry. Later, he produced an assist for Yusuf Maart's goal, and Chiefs enjoyed a commanding 2-0 lead. Like Sirino, Ntwari earned the praises of Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi after the match. It was Chiefs' first clean sheet of the season. Nabi sang Sirino's praises and felt the Uruguayan is still to hit peak form this season. “Indeed,…

In a thrilling culmination of determination and skill, Ezemvelo Women emerged victorious in the Sasol National Championships, defeating the University of Cape Town (UCT) 2-0 in the final held yesterday at Loria Park, Knysna. This historic win not only marks Ezemvelo as the first side from KwaZulu-Natal to lift the coveted trophy but also signifies a bright future as they prepare for the challenges of the Hollywoodbets Super League next season. Hailing from Umlazi, Ezemvelo’s success at the tournament will be remembered as a watershed moment in South African women's football. The team remained unbeaten throughout the week of intense competition, showcasing their grit and teamwork while earning the R200 000 prize that comes with their championship win. Meanwhile, UCT left the pitch with R100 000 and a second-place medal,…