Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-10-19 i Pretoria News

FINANCIAL institutions and multi-lateral funding organisations need to rethink their bans on funding oil and particularly gas projects in Africa, as it will deprive the continent of much-needed economic development on its route to renewable energy self-sufficiency. This according to International Energy Agency deputy executive director Mary Wartick, who spoke at the African Energy Week in Cape Town yesterday. Lack of adequate financial support, infrastructure, technologies and up- stream, midstream and downstream activities have in the past hindered Africa’s oil and gas industry from reaching its potential. But the energy challenges in Africa are daunting. The conference heard that more than 600 million people, almost twice the population of the US, have no access to electricity on the conti- nent, while more than 900 million people, double the…

THE LARGE traditional banks have been monopolising the banking industry for as long as we have known, not just in South Africa but globally. We have trusted banks as intermediaries with our money and paid their fees, not because we were happy about it but more because there was no alternative. Over the past decade, banking customers have switched towards the digi-tal environment in their personal and business capacities – also demanding that their suppliers follow suit. This has compelled merchants to digitalise the way they do business to better meet demand, or see customers take their business elsewhere. At the same time, financial technology (fintech) companies have been at the forefront of disrupting various industries, strategically positioning themselves in the market to better analyse their customer needs, service their…

TRANSNET workers have been left divided over the partial end to their two-week long strike after the majority union signed a multi-year wage agreement whilst the minority union remains on the picket lines. This comes as the United National Transport Union (Untu), the largest union at Transnet representing close to 54% of workers, on Monday ended their picket after agreeing to a backdated three-year wage offer of a 6% hike, with an increase in the housing allowance. This has brought to an end the stay away by Untu members as they went back to their posts yesterday to help Transnet clear the backlog of cargo stuck at its ports. However, the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), which represents a third of Transnet’s workers, called Untu’s wage agreement with…

For many South Africans, splitting the costs of entering the real estate market appears to be the ideal answer, given the country’s unstable interest rates, high cost of living, and generally unfavourable economic prognosis for the near future. If you have properly considered your marriage contract, making a purchase as a married couple could be completely natural, with pre-nuptial provisions protecting you from any unanticipated scenarios. However, it is equally crucial to make sure a watertight contract is in place to cover all eventualities when friends, siblings, parents, and children, or an unmarried couple engage in such an arrangement. The circumstances of one or both of the partners may change, and we should never be lulled into a false sense of security because we are related to or in love…

CITY of Tshwane council speaker Dr Muruwa Makwarela will probe the allegations of attempted rape against ActionSA provincial secretary and MMC for Human Settlements, Abel Tau as soon as he receives a formal complaint from council. Makwarela yesterday shed light on how the process would unfold. He was tasked by the coalition partners in the metro to probe Tau’s alleged action in terms of the councillors’ code of conduct. He told the Pretoria News that there was no deadline for the investigation, and “council must formally complain to the speaker” before he could act. “The sooner it (complaint) is done the better,” he said. The complaint is expected to be formally laid by the coalition partners during an ordinary council sitting next week. “I will pick it up from there,…

AT JUST 10 months old, a baby girl who was born with a hole in her heart is growing stronger after a life-changing operation. Thacious Makwala, whose name means “creativity” and is a combination of her father Thabang and mother Precious’s names, is the latest beneficiary of the Heart to Heart Campaign. Cardiothoracic surgeon and co-founder of the Maboneng Heart and Lung Institute, Dr Erich Schürmann, said the baby girl was born with ventricular septal defect, a large hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart. “Unfortunately, as the child grows, this type of heart defect tends to damage the arteries of the lungs and this therefore needs to be corrected as soon as possible,” said Schürmann. Thacious’s mother, Precious Makwala, said it was a hard…

THE City of Tshwane is engaging the Department of Water and Sanitation for financial assistance after it incurred unbudgeted for costs to provide tankers to residents amid the ongoing supply challenges. It has been confirmed that Gauteng municipalities have been consuming water at concerning rates, with parts of Joburg running dry at times. In Tshwane, the City did not budget for these costs as it was unforeseen that there would be water restrictions in this financial year. City spokesperson Selby Bokaba, who was part of a meeting between Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu and Tshwane MMC for Utility Services and Regional Operations Daryl Johnston to discuss the crisis, said the matter was still being discussed. He said there was no need to send out tankers yesterday, though residents…

Even though Mamelodi Sundowns are on course for a sixth consecutive Premiership title, defender Thapelo Morena believes his team will have their work cut out as they prepare to host Marumo Gallants at Loftus today. What Morena believes will make Marumo Gallants especially hard to play against is the fact that they are once again led by Dan Malesela. “Dan Dance” controversially left the club at the end of last season after having led them to a runners-up finish in the Nedbank Cup. He has since returned and replaced Romain Folz. “It will be challenging because coach Dan Malesela went back there and will implement his style of football. It will be very challenging,” Morena said. “We know that we have to lift up our socks and put our minds…

PICK N PAY posted strong sales results at its supermarkets, particularly at Boxer stores, which, with cost and prices cuts, and by driving change through their new “Ekuseni” strategy, resulted in the interim dividend rising 25.3% to 44.85 cents in the six months to end August. Chief executive Pieter Boone said in a telephone interview that the results were pleasing, considering the headwinds the group faced, including rising food and internal inflation, particularly on energy costs such as having to keep the stores open with generators through load shedding, which cost the group R110 million in the six months. Group turnover was up 11.5%. After normalising for disruptions in the base period due to the civil unrest, and Covid-19 liquor restrictions last year, turnover increased…

According to studies, even just smiling might boost dopamine and serotonin levels (happiness hormones). You have already taken a step toward happiness and a more upbeat attitude in life if you can smile, even if you don't believe it. A good smile, however, needs to be accompanied by good oral hygiene. It was discovered in 2021 research published in The Journal of Social Psychology that brushing ones teeth might increase verbal confidence and decrease non-verbal uneasiness. This was determined by setting up numerous one-on-one speed dates where only half of the participants would clean their teeth beforehand. Aquafresh partnered with Siya Kolisi to educate and cultivate children’s confidence through oral health care. Next to the common cold, gum disease ranks second in terms of prevalence, with 90% of South Africans…

ONTHATILE Sebati told the Gauteng High court, Pretoria, yesterday that she confessed to orchestrating the hit on her family to the police as she was scared of being assaulted and going to jail for life. Sebati took the stand to testify in the trial-within-a-trial relating to the submission of confession statements, allegedly made by her and her two co-accused shortly after they were arrested in December 2021. The 21-year-old told the court she was arrested by police on December 16, 2021, and that she was found at her ex-boyfriend’s place. She testified she had trouble remembering some of the details after her arrest as she had smoked crystal meth. Sebati said that after her arrest, she did not recall much of what happened afterwards except that she “came to” in…

Former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s supporters say that his ANC presidential ambitions have been bolstered after the office of the State Attorney representing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) sent his lawyers a letter acknowledging that it did not have the Cabinet documents it had relied on to make adverse findings against him in the Digital Vibes matter. Mkhize said yesterday that the SIU had found that he had violated the Constitution by allowing the department to appoint Digital Vibes when the Cabinet had directed the department to appoint GCIS instead. But when his lawyers asked for this Cabinet resolution to be provided to them, the State Attorney, on behalf of the SIU, said the resolution does not exist, or is not in their possession. Mkhize said this raised the…

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has confirmed Handre Pollard is out of the November tour with a knee injury, and that Elton Jantjies continues to be persona non grata, and that means Johan Goosen will be the sole flyhalf back-up to Damian Willemse. The No 10 position indeed looks very different now from how it looked at the start of the international season against Wales, when Pollard and Jantjies were the primary options. “Handre underwent an operation after the recent Leicester Tigers game,” Nienaber said yesterday after naming a 26-man squad for a training camp in Stellenbosch. “It will be tough for him to make it in time for this tour. “Earlier this season when Handre and Elton were out, Damian stepped up nicely. He started a few games for us,…

One of the few positives from the Bulls’ 31-17 loss to Munster last week was the impact David Kriel made as a second-half replacement, and he is keen to replicate that in Friday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Benetton in Treviso (6.30pm SA time kick-off). The 23-year-old utility back started off his senior Pretoria career as a fullback, and has featured at outside centre and wing. But now it seems as if he has found the sweet spot at inside centre, where he also started in the 35-21 loss to Glasgow recently. He scored a try and created another in an impressive cameo against Munster in Limerick, and is excited about getting his hands on the ball against Benetton. “The adaptation to 12 is really an exciting one for me…

The Lions attack had few opportunities during their European sojourn earlier this month, but in their most recent outing at home against Ulster, it raised a hardening carapace – splendid to look at – albeit with a still vulnerable underbelly. The Lions put together some scintillating play against Ulster, especially in the second half, scoring some cracking tries in the process. They also kept the visitors guessing with their variety, switching between bullying runs from the forwards, and more fancy options from the backs. The interplay between the two units was also quite enjoyable to watch. The Lions came desperately close to closing out the game with victory, had it not been for some naive defending while down one player, and some sloppy game-management towards the end of the clash.…

NEW AND PRE-OWNED vehicle distributor Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) Group, which yesterday posted robust interims, has projected tough economic conditions for South Africa in the next six months. “Rising interest rates, and worsening power cuts, which have slowed the momentum of new vehicle sales, are set to continue to bring despondency to the economy,” the company said. New vehicle sales were hampered by continued disruption to the supply chain due to a shortage of electronic chips, it said. Also creating a drain on consumers’ disposable income was the surging petrol price. “Ongoing, and more severe, load shedding has played havoc with business productivity, and necessitated costly investment in alternative power sources,” it added. The South Africa Reserve Bank has successively hiked interest rates in the past 12 months. This, as…

There’s nothing worse than trying to fall asleep after a long day, on a 29ºC night, with mosquitoes buzzing around. And we all know how cranky you can get if you didn’t get enough sleep. With the end of the year coming up and all the festivities, it’s vital to consider these steps in order to have a good night’s rest. Prep in the morning Some of us choose to do some form of exercise before tackling the day and it is advised that for a calm and mindful approach to life, you start off every day with a guided meditation. And no, you don’t need to be a professional in order to do so – there are various apps to help guide you through this process. Examples of apps…

Child, 2, was allegedly raped by her maternal uncle on drugs THE mother of a 2-year-old girl allegedly raped by her uncle says her family members have turned their backs on her for involving the police in the matter. With tears on her eyes, the mother said yesterday: “I am so hurt. My mother and aunt, a nurse at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and a member of the police, walked past me laughing and enjoying seeing me in pain. My aunt, on the other hand says she would take in my brother should the court grant him bail. “I do not even know why they are doing this because they know my brother is bad. He is on drugs and he steals. We have to charge our phones holding…

MEMBERS from the Joburg metro police department (JMPD) have impounded cow heads (inhloko), cooked meat and pots in a blitz aimed at enforcing informal trading by-laws. Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers from the by-laws management unit were enforcing informal trading by-laws at Randshow and Nasrec Road in Nasrec. “Any person who intends to carry on a business as an informal trader may apply to the council in the prescribed manner for a lease or allocation of a stand,” said Fihla. “No person shall carry on the business of an informal trader at a place or in an area declared as a place or area in which informal trading is prohibited or restricted. “Authorised officials may remove and impound any property of an informal trader that they reasonably suspect is…

Black First Land First (BLF) is the latest organisation to call for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to charge President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Phala Phala farm scandal. Ramaphosa has been hogging the headlines in recent weeks after it was revealed by former spy boss Arthur Fraser that he had allegedly concealed a crime after millions of dollars were stolen at his Limpopo farm. The crime involves the farm being robbed of an alleged $4 million (more than R60m), but Ramaphosa has denied any involvement in any criminal conduct, saying the money stolen was the proceeds from selling game. However, BLF accused Ramaphosa of keeping the money hidden at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo to buy the upcoming ANC elective conference in December, where he will be seeking a…

Temba Bavuma, a T20 innings – take two. The South African captain will step out onto the Allan Border Field in Brisbane today (10am SA time) seeking form, confidence and a way to ease the pressure on himself and the national selectors ahead of the T20 World Cup. The Proteas play their first match at the tournament next Monday, against as yet undecided opponents. For Bavuma, today’s match against Bangladesh is the final opportunity to arrest chatter about his place in the starting team A total of 11 runs in four innings in India, including two ducks, has put the 32-year-old firmly in the spotlight. As captain, Bavuma will be given extra leeway to find his feet. However, with Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw in better form and able to…

Things have gone from bad to worse for Kaizer Chiefs, who have lost their most lethal attacking weapon Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana two days after suffering a humiliating defeat to a rather ordinary Chippa United in a home match on Saturday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. Bimenyimana has given Chiefs a new lease of life by scoring six goals, although he was largely ineffective last time out against Chippa. He even missed a sitter in the dying minutes of the match. The Burundian striker Bimenyimana has suffered a thigh injury and will be out in the cold, starting with tonight’s Premiership home match at FNB Stadium against TS Galaxy (7.30pm kick-off). He’ll also miss the weekend’s MTN8 match against AmaZulu, as well as the Soweto derby and the Carling Cup competition. It…

Karim Benzema’s focus on being a team player was rewarded when the Real Madrid and France forward was presented with the Ballon d’Or award on Monday after a remarkable season that saw him win the Champions League and become indispensable for Les Bleus. The 34-year-old, who made his comeback with the national team after a gap of almost six years over a blackmail scandal, was pivotal in Real’s Champions League and La Liga double. His partnership with Kylian Mbappe for his country, although not perfect, has made the world champions’ forward line one of the most formidable in the game. Benzema, who has a killer instinct in front of goal, revels in making teammates shine, and Monday’s trophy for the best player in the world was just reward for the…