Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-12-09 i Star

The Africa Investment Summit (AIS) has reiterated a bold ambition established last month for the creation of 100 million jobs across the continent over the next five years. This sweeping initiative aims not only to address unemployment but also to foster economic growth in the heart of Africa. At a briefing to Africa Heads of Mission on Friday, AIS Trustee Dr Sindiswa Mzamo called for collective action, urging leaders to unite in realising this vision. Mzamo said Africa was the world’s richest continent with 1.4 billion consumers in a market worth $3.4 trillion (about R61.22 trillion) that was growing at 5% per year. “We must walk the talk and create the result we want to see. It is time to come together and we need your energy. People want action,”…

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has reported an overwhelming positive response from African investors looking to finance sustainable and bankable infrastructure projects focused on clean water supply across the continent. This development follows the establishment of the Water Partnership Office (WPO), a collaboration between the DBSA, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the South African Local Government Association (Salga). The WPO is designed to bolster municipal efforts in forging partnerships with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of essential water and sanitation infrastructure throughout South Africa. Water infrastructure refers to all types of infrastructure that is water-related, from water supply to treatment, storage, water resources and management. According to research, about 25% of households in South Africa do not have access to piped water and 16%…

Most global and South African financial markets ended the week strongly as initial fears over President-elect Donald Trump’s expected policies subsided, and markets began to recover from what many viewed as an overreaction. The US dollar lost some ground, and equity prices returned to pre-Trump levels. On the JSE, the All Share index gained 2.10% last week and, by the close on Friday, was only 700 points away from the record level set on October 27, 2024. The index is now 13.0% higher than it was at the beginning of the year. The Industrial 25 (IND25) and Financial 15 (FIN15) indices hit new all-time records last week. The IND25 surged by 3.7% over the week and is now 18.8% higher year-to-date. The FIN15 index rose by 1.6%, bringing its year-to-date…

RMB Holdings (RMH) has declared a dividend of 30.75 cents per share for the 12 months to September 30 as it continues with its strategy of monetising its assets to the benefit of its shareholders. The group, a holding company that has as its objective of monetising its last significant investment in RMH Property, said on Friday that it paid special dividends of R48 million and R52m on June 3 and September 2, 2024, respectively. The company does not pay out ordinary dividends. RMH’s net asset value fell to R919m as at September 30, down from R1.45 billion a year ago. This decline was primarily driven by the payment of total special dividends amounting to R428m during the period. Also part of the decline in net asset value was a…

Some of South Africa’s biggest stars deliver hilarious performances in the new Netflix series, The Mabaso’s Family Reunion. From shining a spotlight on the challenges of a fractured family, greed and loss, there’s also moments of comedy. Bonko Khoza, Natasha Thahane, Lerato Mvelase and Thulani Mtsweni, bring their A-game to this production. They play four estranged siblings who reunite at their Joburg family home following the death of their mother. Driven by lust, fame and materialism, the siblings have their worlds turned upside down when they discover a coffin stuffed with cash and the wrong body. This forces them to come together as they must devise schemes to outwit ruthless criminals and the law. Meanwhile, Jerry Mofokeng, who stars as the unscrupulous Pastor Pitso who was having an affair…

Nicole Kidman, 57, isn’t letting age dim her shine or her sex appeal. The Oscar-winning actress is baring it all in the upcoming thriller, Babygirl. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kidman opened up about embracing her sexuality on screen and how it feels to be seen as a “sexual being” in her fifties. Kidman’s career has included its fair share of steamy moments but Babygirl takes things up a notch. Her character seduces a younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson) while navigating a complex marriage to Jacob (Antonio Banderas). “Often women are discarded at a certain period of their career as a sexual being so it was really beautiful to be seen in this way,” she was quoted as saying. “From the minute I read it, I…

uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) MP Andile Mngxitama has stuck to his spears and called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean MacPherson to suspend all contracts linked to businessman Jean du Plessis and his company SKG Africa. Mngxitama was the first to label the Eastern Cape-based businessman “Markus Jooste of the DPWI”, drawing a parallel to the former Steinhoff CEO’s dramatic downfall. Speaking to The Star, Mngxitama said it was a legal principle that when someone is under investigation it would not be business as usual. “In cooperation and in government if someone is under investigation they naturally do not sit in positions linked to the point or office of investigation. “That individual does not tender for more work when they are under serious investigation…

AN OPERATION by City Power led to the restriction of municipal services at Aspen Hills Nature and Dainfern Golf estates in Johannesburg on Thursday. Both estates collectively owe about R130 million in unpaid municipal services; however, the power utility was chasing to recover R9 million. Aspen Hills Nature is sitting on a debt of R19.3 million, while the latter estate owes R110.7 million. City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said the operation was specifically targeting defaulting payers who live in affluent areas. She lamented that there is an alarming rate of unpaid services in these posh areas by defaulting customers. City Power targeted 68 defaulting customers at Dainfern Golf Estate, of which one resident had illegally reconnected electricity after a previous operation. “One of the customers whose electricity supply was…

MOTORISTS have been asked to be careful of the illegal pointsmen after they allegedly found another modus operandi to make money from the intersections. This was after residents in Fourways complained that these informal pointsmen were now disconnecting traffic lights. According to the provider of specialised and advanced driver training, MasterDrive, residents have pointed out that certain traffic lights were disabled during daylight hours and returned at night. MasterDrive chief executive Eugene Herbert said: “No official action or confirmation of this was issued. Whether suspicions are true or not, drivers should be particularly wary of following the directions of illegal pointsmen. “It is extremely dangerous for untrained individuals to direct traffic in some of the busiest and most complex intersections in South Africa. Official pointsmen and traffic officers receive training…

Silly Season is here or as we at The Crazy Store like to call it, Crazy Season! Make your way to any of our 500 stores and take advantage of our Crazy Christmas savings, sure to cater to the whole family. From the kids, to the grandparents, BFF’s or even work colleagues – you name it and The Crazy Store is bound to have something to excite and delight yourself, as well as your nearest and dearest. Our range of Elves and accessories will be back on our shelves and getting up to no good, to get the little ones into the Christmas spirit as they wait for Santa’s return. Speaking about family fun, be sure to stock up on our traditional Christmas trees, décor, lights, seasonal table décor and…

Motswako legends light up Mahika festival THE MAHIKA Mahikeng Cultural Festival kicked off with a bang on a picturesque Friday night, featuring some of the greatest legends of Motswako rap – Khuli Chana, Tuks, Mo Molemi, and Nothsi – delivering electrifying performances that captivated the crowd. This four-day celebration not only showcased the rich musical heritage of the North West but also served as a heartfelt tribute to fellow icons lost to the industry. The festival had already made its mark on Thursday, with a soulful and spiritual atmosphere setting the tone for the weekend. Friday night elevated the energy further, as Motswako blends complemented the vibrant Mapiano and Barcadi beats spicing up the scene. Notable performances from King Monada, Daliwonga and DJ Tira added to the festival’s allure, creating…

Once again black South Africans rightly feel betrayed. Januz Walus, the murderer of Christ Hani, is going back home to Poland where he will – in a very sickening fashion – be celebrated as a hero by the right-wing in that country, for murdering a ‘communist’ and live in peace until his death. This is a man who came from Poland to South Africa and murdered Hani ostensibly because he was against communism. Why did he not remain in Poland and perpetrate his murderous plans there against Polish communists? Walus was responsible for trying to derail the democratic project in the mid-1990s, and some organisations such as the SACP have maintained that he has not told the whole truth about the murder of Hani. But the ANC, even in this…

Pat Cummins warned India that Australia are pumped up and back to their best as they look to carry the momentum from a commanding 10-wicket win yesterday into the next Test in Brisbane. After being thumped by 295 runs in Perth, the hosts responded emphatically at Adelaide to wipe out Rohit Sharma's men inside three days and leave the five-match series evenly poised at 1-1. They did so without injured frontline bowler Josh Hazlewood, who appears on track to play the third Test at the Gabba starting on Saturday. "Great week, great to level the series. You know, I think we were back to our best," said skipper Cummins, who took 5-57 and seven wickets for the match. "That's the kind of team that I remember, and how we want…

Lando Norris coolly claimed victory in a tense, emotional and incident-filled Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday to deliver McLaren's first constructors’ championship in 26 years, as Lewis Hamilton finished a remarkable fourth in his final race for Mercedes. The 25-year-old Norris came home 5.832 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz and his teammate Charles Leclerc to end Ferrari’s title challenge on a night of accidents, penalties and tantrums under the floodlights at the Yas Marina Circuit. “Papaya on top!” said Norris on his slowdown lap after the season-closing race. "Congrats to everyone. Incredible. So proud of you all. You all deserve this. It’s been a special one. Next year is going to be my year, too." McLaren had not won the teams’ title since 1998, the year before Norris was born,…

In a high-octane London derby, Chelsea emerged victorious against Tottenham Hotspur, triumphing 4-3 after a pulsating encounter yesterday. The match saw Chelsea defy a challenging start, falling behind by two goals within the first 11 minutes, only to mount an exhilarating comeback that has kept them hot on the heels of league leaders Liverpool. Tottenham capitalised early on, with Chelsea's full-back Marc Cucurella inadvertently playing a key role in their downfall. His comical slips led to a swift opening for the hosts, with Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski both finding the back of the net, giving Spurs a dream lead that appeared to place them firmly in control. However, Chelsea's resilience shone through. Jadon Sancho ignited their hopes when he rifled in a powerful shot just 17 minutes into the…

Silesia City Center is a shopping centre in Katowice, in southern Poland NEPI Rockcastle plans to acquire Silesia City Center in Katowice, Poland, for €495 million (R9.44 billion), the JSE and Amsterdam-listed owner of shopping centres in central and Eastern Europe said on Friday. The group, with properties in Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic and Lithuania, announced on Friday that it had signed an agreement to acquire HELIOS SCC, which owns Silesia City Center, from Allianz Finance VII Luxembourg, which owns 45% of HELIOS, Kamsa Luxco (45%) and Cura Beteiligungsgesellschaft International (10%). “We are grateful for the confidence NEPI Rockcastle’s investors have placed in our company during the recent equity raise as we continue to deliver on our strategy with the acquisition of Silesia City Center,” said…

Given the current market environment, investors should prepare for modest central bank easing and steady economic growth in 2025 while remaining mindful of inflation risks that lean to the upside. A pro-growth portfolio strategy is essential, but flexibility and adaptability are equally critical to navigating a shifting landscape. For example, recent developments, like the US election, could shape future economic policies, contributing to market volatility in the near term. Rather than focusing on a single outcome, investors should consider multiple scenarios to account for uncertainty. On a positive note, the normalisation of interest rates and an expanding range of opportunities beyond equities make diversification more accessible than before, offering investors a solid foundation for building resilient portfolios. What’s next for Local and Global Equities? The outlook for South African (SA)…

South Africa has emerged as a beacon for other African nations, showcasing its potential as a jurisdiction for the domiciliation of investment vehicles (IVs). This study, commissioned by the Mastercard Foundation and conducted by Momentus Global, Stafford Law, and Samawati Capital, was done in response to an observed gap in domiciliation that limits the availability of capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that could drive economic growth and opportunity across Africa. “African countries with substantial local capital pools can direct investment toward MSMEs by following the lead of Kenya and South Africa in creating platforms for pension fund managers to pool capital for infrastructure investment,” it stated. As of January 2023, South African retirement funds were enabled to invest up to 45% of their assets in infrastructure projects.…

Beyoncé has been crowned the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard, the renowned music charting site, which revealed its pick as part of an ongoing series. “Beyoncé tops our staff-chosen editorial list based on her full 25 years of influence, impact and evolution,” explained Billboard’s Andrew Unterberger. The organisation highlighted that the music mega star’s position at the top of the list comes from her record-breaking 32 Grammy wins and her dedication to pushing boundaries. They described her as a performer and creator “whose commitment to innovation, evolution and all-around excellence has made her the bar against which all other pop stars this century have long been measured” over the past 25 years. As the artist with the most Grammy wins in history, with 11 nominations for…

The widow of slain anti-apartheid hero Chris Hani, Limpho Hani, has once again called for a full investigation into the 1993 assassination of her husband following the controversial deportation of his killer, Janusz Walus, to Poland. Walus, a Polish-born right-wing extremist who was convicted of Hani’s murder, was released on parole in 2022, sparking widespread outrage. Despite his parole and subsequent deportation, Limpho, supported by the South African Communist Party (SACP), is demanding a formal inquest into her husband’s murder, calling the deportation of Walus a painful reminder of the unresolved truths behind Hani’s assassination. She believes the full extent of the conspiracy, which she argues is still concealed, can only be revealed through a thorough investigation. The SACP, along with Hani’s family, has expressed outrage over the government’s handling…

ACCORDING to a Sunday publication, the recently-appointed Bapedi traditional prime minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi has shared some of his last conversations with former finance minister, Tito Mboweni. Mboweni, sadly died following an undisclosed illness in October 13 this year, just five months before his passing, he had a post-Government of National Unity (GNU) conversation with his fellow ANC leader and former minister, Ramathlodi. The two leaders seemed to share their views on what would have been the recently constituted GNU and they both seemed to agree that the arrangement was nothing but a front for the advancement of the DA white monopoly agenda. In his last word in a text message between themselves, Mboweni is reported to have texted: “Good morning. I said it on Sunday, I am saying it…

THE SA Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) recently published Second Edition Financial Stability Review 2024 outlines how “deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures” that demand immediate attention cause South Africa’s precarious situation on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The SARB’s report highlights that three of the six key action items for South Africa to be removed from the grey list focus on the ongoing investigation and prosecution of complex money laundering and terrorism financing cases. This underscores the urgent need for systemic banking sector reforms, without which the economy, financial stability, and public confidence will suffer. Greylisting is the process by which a country is added to a list of nations under scrutiny for failing to meet anti-money laundering and combating the…

Final year students from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Consumer and Food Sciences recently showcased their ability to transform rescued food ingredients into high-quality retail and restaurant products during the second UP-Cycled Food Experience waste wonder event. During the evening, attendees enjoyed an immersive retail and fine dining experience. This event served as both a practical exam and an exhibition, highlighting the potential of academic research and innovation to create valuable food products from rescued foods, thus benefitting communities. South Africa contributes 10 million tonnes to the 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted globally each year. “Impact is a fundamental value at UP,” said Dr Nadene Marx-Pienaar, a senior lecturer in the department. “In alignment with this, we sought to move beyond the conventional written exam by offering…

All roads led to the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria as scores of fans from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the return of global music sensation Tyla Seethal. This pulsating event marked not just a homecoming but also a milestone in what has already been a remarkable year for the 22-year-old artist, who is increasingly putting SA on the global music map. Her two-city tour, taking her from Grand Arena in Cape Town on Thursday to SunBet Arena in SA’s capital city, drew crowds eager to witness what many are calling a night to remember. The atmosphere in both cities was electric, as fans danced, sang along, and cheered for Seethal, reflecting a collective sense of pride in her achievements and those she represents. The Star…

Keshav Maharaj believes a return to “old fashioned Test cricket” will see the Proteas’ attain success in the second Test at St George’s Park. The Proteas require five further wickets to close out victory with Sri Lanka delicately placed on 205/5 in pursuit of a record 348 runs heading into the fifth and final day of the series. Maharaj was always pencilled in to be a factor on the last couple of days, and the experienced left-arm spinner has already left his mark with the two important scalps of Angelo Mathews (32) and Kamindu Mendis (35) in Sri Lanka’s second innings. It left the tourists in all sorts of trouble at 122/5 after pacemen Kagiso Rabada (1/44) and Dane Paterson (2/33) had already made earlier inroads. At that stage, the…

Captain Ben Stokes said yesterday that England’s dominant displays in New Zealand show they have quality in abundance coming through ahead of next year’s Ashes. The visitors clinched the three-Test series with a game to spare, crushing the Black Caps in Wellington by 323 runs to follow their emphatic eight-wicket win in Christchurch. With bowling greats Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad retired, Stokes said he was excited about the strike weapons now at his disposal. Pace bowlers Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson, along with spinner Shoaib Bashir, have all been introduced to Test cricket this year. Along with veteran seamer Chris Woakes, they outplayed their counterparts in New Zealand conditions. “When you have a bowling attack like we’ve been able to field in these first two games, with the point…

When you face once-in-a-lifetime weather conditions and the quality opposition that the Bulls had to contend with in London on Saturday night, you almost write off the game as ‘mission impossible’ and move onto the next challenge. But the fact is that the Pretoria side had more than enough opportunities to put up a serious fight against Saracens, and should be irked by their output in the 27-5 Champions Cup defeat at the StoneX Stadium. Storm Darragh lashed the UK over the weekend, and Bulls coach Jake White described the wet conditions and pumping wind as “unbelievable”, adding: “It was against a good team in conditions that I’ve never experienced in my 42 years of coaching. I’m sure some of these players from England haven’t played in conditions like that…

Mamelodi Sundowns are yet to hit the right notes on the continent, but coach Manqoba Mngqithi is not worried, saying they’ll turn the tide by close of business. Sundowns are winless after two games in the Caf Champions League group stage after drawing 0-0 with Maniema Union and 1-1with AS FAR. Despite being unbeaten and sitting second – behind FAR of Morocco in Group B – it has not been the ideal start for the Brazilians. The club had made a lot of sacrifices, including sacking Rulani Mokwena and replacing him with Mngqithi, as they wanted to come out of the blocks and dominate in Africa. They have invested a lot into the team with new signings, including striker Arthur Sales, who was bought for a whopping R63 million in…

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has successfully navigated a crucial legal challenge from the advocacy group AfriForum, ensuring that municipal electricity tariffs for the 2024/2025 financial year will remain in effect. This decision follows a recent ruling by the North Gauteng High Court, which dismissed AfriForum’s application aimed at enforcing a court order requiring Nersa to base tariffs exclusively on comprehensive cost-of-supply studies. In a statement on Friday, Nersa confirmed that its approval of the tariff applications submitted by 178 licensed electricity distributors in July would not be altered by the court’s decision. Notably, only 66 of these distributors had completed the requisite cost-of-supply studies, raising questions about the legality of the approved tariffs. “With the application having been dismissed, the June 2024 decisions of the Energy…

Confidence in the agricultural sector leapt 10 points to reach 58 points in the last quarter of this year, its highest level in over two years. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz), said this level of the ACI implied that South African agribusinesses remained generally optimistic about business conditions in the country. Sihlobo said these ACI results for this year’s fourth quarter showed that the mood in the sector was upbeat, reflective of the potential recovery in agricultural conditions following a challenging season of drought and animal diseases. He said this optimism was as a result of a combination of factors, including favourable weather conditions, with expectations that La Niña rains will be supportive of the 2024/25 agricultural season. Moreover, he said the stable…

Bromance, South Africa’s newest reality show, is set to kick off 2025 with a bang. The Mzansi Magic series, which will premiere on January 7, will centre on four 30-something Johannesburg men as they navigate life, their careers, love lives and the challenges of adulthood. The show is all about brotherhood, friendship and the chaos of growing up in the heart of Johannesburg. The show will also chronicle the group’s “wild weekend escapades and a thirst for the good life” as it also sets out to explore real male friendships. However, underneath the party vibes, questions emerge about if the guys handle the leap from carefree bachelors to future husbands. It will centre around the struggle between staying true to the carefree, fun-loving side of life and stepping up to…

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, the fourth and final movie in the romantic-comedy film franchise, is set to take viewers on a wild ride when it premieres in February. Based on the book series by Helen Fielding, this latest instalment, directed by Michael Morris, will see Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson reprising their roles alongside other cast members such as Jim Broadbent, Sarah Solemani, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Neil Pearson, Joanna Scanlan and Celia Imrie. They will be joined by newcomers including One Day star Leo Woodall as well as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Isla Fisher, Nico Parker, Josette Simon and Leila Farzad. It will be released in the US on February 13. It is unclear when it will drop in South Africa. The movie’s official plot…

Service providers claim over R550m DOCUMENTS lodged in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, last week indicate that a service provider has applied for Airports Company South Africa’s (Acsa) liquidation for failing to pay the contracted service provider monies owed for services rendered. Acsa is also accused of publishing “fake” financial reports after the company posted profits but failed to mention its debt running into the hundreds of millions dating back several years. The court documents also indicate that Acsa owes a service provider who performed services at OR Tambo International Airport and has failed to make adequate payment despite commitments to do so. The Star has learnt that Acsa is facing another liquidation application this week. The service providers have been experiencing significant challenges in getting Acsa to pay invoices,…

FORMER head of operations at Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) has suffered a blow after the labour court dismissed his case. This was after the Johannesburg labour court ruled against Simon Matiko’s attempt to review and set aside a private arbitration that favoured OWLAG last year. He also wanted the labour court to declare his dismissal unfair and be reinstated to his position. Matiko, who was appointed on probation between July 2021 and June 2022, was dismissed for failing to possess leadership values and display the necessary executive leadership expected at the level of the head of operations. However, Matiko said he was fired without a clear reason. He said this was after he lodged a complaint about abuse of power, intimidation and victimisation, as well as the…

TSHWANE Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise is calling for a major overhaul of the city’s law enforcement agencies, citing corruption and ineptitude. This comes after a foreign-run shop in Manyeleti, which was previously condemned and closed, reopened despite non-compliance with health and safety standards. Modise expressed frustration, saying, “this is a clear indication that our law enforcement agencies are either corrupt or not doing their job.” He specifically mentioned the SAPS and Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) as agencies that need restructuring. The shop in question had been raided just two weeks prior, resulting in the arrest of over 20 illegal immigrants. Despite this, the shop reopened with condemned items, including expired food and cleaning detergents without manufacturer labels. Modise appreciated the efforts of Emergency Medical Services and health practitioners in…

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is standing firm against allegations of misconduct surrounding claims made by Gert Nel, a lawyer from the prominent Gert Nel Inc. law firm. During a press briefing on Thursday in Pretoria, RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo unveiled startling figures, asserting that the firm has benefited irregularly, amassing over R2.2 billion from the fund in the past five years alone. This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of medico-legal claims in South Africa. In a heated exchange that highlights the ongoing tensions between the RAF and the legal community, spokesperson McIntosh Polela asserted during an interview on national television that Nel would not receive any apology from the fund or its CEO. “He is not going to get an apology, number one. He is asking for…

South African theatre has a way of holding up a mirror to society, reflecting the absurdities and triumphs of our shared experiences. Call Us Crazy, now showing at the iconic Market Theatre until December 15th, does this with razor-sharp wit, unrelenting energy, and a hearty dose of laughter. Written and directed by the masterful Josias Dos Moleele, this satirical comedy is a tour de force of storytelling and performance, delving into the complexities of post-apartheid South Africa with humour and heart. The story follows Aunty Tselapedi, a quirky yet determined road construction worker with an outlandish dream of paving every road in the world. Alongside her equally colourful companions, Half-Half and Vat-Vat, Aunty navigates a South Africa riddled with contradictions – where unconvincing parliamentary debates and tales of corruption are…

As the Class of 2024 bid farewell to their school days, they have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the less privileged pupils by donating their uniforms. Uniforms are very expensive these days and many pupils are struggling to afford them. It is significantly important for children of today to appreciate that there are others who are less fortunate than themselves and by doing so, embark on a culture that fosters compassion and kindness as stated in Anne Frank’s diary “No one became poor by giving”. They must be aware of the plight of less fortunate people. Sadly, though I noticed some matric pupils had chosen to write on their clothing and cover themselves with coloured powder – acts that have no value. These uniforms can benefit…

The Lions’ decision to send 12 players home from Wales to prepare for this week’s home match against Pau meant the Challenge Cup game against the Ospreys had been surrendered, and only time will tell if Ivan van Rooyen’s investment in the future will pay off. For long periods, the coach would have been proud of the fight his up-and-comers showed in pushing the Ospreys in the Swansea but a 30-14 result against a team languishing in 14th place on the United Rugby Championship points table does not flatter the Joburgers. Van Rooyen has a strategy for the Challenge Cup that is based on winning home games and do not be surprised if Pau are blown away this weekend but if that doesn’t happen, the sacrifice in Swansea will be…

POLOKWANE CITY (1) 2 Apollis 17, Ramabu 89 KAIZER CHIEFS 0 HAD everything gone according to plan, Oswin Appollis would have been wearing gold and black yesterday. He was clad in orange and black instead, and ensured a result that would have particularly stung the former. Without a goal in his previous five league appearances this campaign, Appollis just had to choose this particular match to break his duck. It was a classic case of rubbing salt into the wound, right? A prime target for Chiefs at the beginning of the season, and he himself apparently keen to trade Polokwane for Naturena, the Bafana Bafana winger had to stay in the Limpopo capital as his club boss Johnny Mogaladi refused to let his star player go. A thorough professional, the…