Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-03-03 i Pretoria News

The ‘foolhardy’ friendship has raised ‘profound’ geopolitical risk for the local banking sector FIRSTRAND does not share the government’s “enthusiasm for Russia”, and the friendship has raised “profound” geopolitical risk for the local banking sector, FirstRand CEO Steve Pullinger warned yesterday. Speaking in an online presentation at the release of the financial services group’s results for six months to December 31, he labelled as “foolhardy in the extreme” the government’s “left-leaning friendship with Russia and China”, in the light of Russia’s role in the war in Ukraine. He said many of the countries “were vehemently opposed” to Russia’s role in the Ukraine war such as the US, UK and in the EU, who were historically South Africa’s biggest trading partners, far more so than Russia. Also, the South African banking…

PROSUS, the JSE-listed e-commerce firm and its South African parent Naspers yesterday flagged that OLX Autos was dragging down the profitability of its core classifieds business, OLX Group, and wants to sell the business. Prosus’s shares closed 3.29% lower at R1 338.40 on the JSE yesterday, while Naspers’s shares slid 4.29% to R3 272.71. Prosus and Naspers are tightening their corporate structures after Naspers announced last year that earnings per share were expected to drop by between a massive 81.4% and 88.4%, while headline earnings per share are expected to drop by between 100.6% and 107.6%. The announcement comes after the firms said in January that they are cutting up to 30% of jobs at their corporate offices. According to reports in January, Euronext-listed Prosus was seeking to…

GRINDROD’S annual earnings im- proved, despite global and local challenges, and after its coastal shipping and container-depot businesses recovered following the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal. Xolani Mbambo, Grindrod CEO, said volatile economics prevailed last year. They witnessed a fall in shipping rates, along with China’s strict Covid regime. Rising debt levels in countries was also at play, such as Mozambique and raising liquidity crunches, all of which they were monitoring. The ongoing power crisis, floods, problems in the coal chain were among the issues they had to navigate in South Africa, he said. Despite this, the group still managed good results for the year ended December 31, 2022, reporting a profit of R601.1 million for the reported period against R175.6m in the prior period. Headline earnings increased by…

Whether it’s boyfriend or mom jeans, a jacket or a shirt, everyone owns, or should own, a denim clothing item. Finding the perfect pair of jeans can be a challenge. If it’s not the style or finding the right size, it’s the price tag that can leave you flabbergasted. I’m sure some of you already have that one pair that has been in your wardrobe for years and you’re able to pull it out when needed and it still looks good. So when you do finally find “the one”, best you take good care of it. Here are a few tips on how to care for your jeans: Hate laundry day? Then you’ll love this bit of advice. Do not wash your jeans too often. In case you’re wondering…

Lentswe Bhengu, one of South Africa’s loved and respected chefs died on February 28. Bhengu’s influence on the industry over his many years of cooking was immeasurable. Born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, he started off in investment finance. After five years in the industry, Bhengu traded in his suit and tie for a chef’s hat and spatula, and in 2010 enrolled at The Culinary Academy in the Cape Winelands. After graduating, he quickly made a name for himself, whipping up memorable creations in the kitchens of some of the finest restaurants. Bhengu was renowned for his cookbook Africa on a Plate. His journey through the continent’s flavour profile had given him respect for traditional dishes. Below is his easy and delicious vetkoek recipe. Mamma’s vetkoek stuffed with chakalaka corned meat…

Renowned Jazz musicians Norman Chauke, Gabisile “Gabi” Motuba, Azah Mphago and Ayanda Sikade will pay homage to historical Marabastad at a special jazz festival this weekend. Set to become a hallmark annual event, the Marabastad Jazz Festival shines the spotlight on local musicians while uniting people through song and dance. Hosted by art historian and writer Percy Mabandu, the festival will be held at the State Theatre tomorrrow. Motuba said the festival served as a remembrance of “the lives of the people who occupied the Marabastad township and … what the lives of the people represented and their contribution to the liberation struggle”. “Through the lamentation and celebration, we make evident the violent histories that form part of our collective loss as a country.” The Mamelodi-born star added: “I knew…

Park Village Auctions will be auctioning a four-bedroom home in Pretoria on March 16 at noon. The property, which is part of an insolvent estate, will go on auction on-site at 169C Enkeldoring Avenue, Montana Park. On the ground floor, the part single-storey, part double-storey house comprises an open-plan lounge, dining room and entertainment area, a kitchen with a scullery, a guest bedroom and a guest bathroom. The upper level comprises a landing and pyjama lounge, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom is en-suite with a dressing room. Aluminium doors from the living area in the ground floor lead onto a large patio with a built-in braai as well as a swimming pool. The property also features double and single garages. For more information, call either Debbie at…

South African soprano Pretty Yende says she won’t be revealing what songs she plans to perform at the coronation of King Charles III and the queen consort just yet. The local opera singer recently received an invitation to perform at the coronation of the king and the queen consort at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6. She is one of a select few musicians from around the globe who have been chosen to perform at the prestigious royal service. “I do absolutely know what I’ll be performing, but for now it rests as a delightful surprise until the palace makes an official announcement in that regard,” Yende told sister newspaper the Saturday Star this week. The service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, which will reflect the monarch’s…

Multi-award-winning television personality Katlego Maboe has been announced as the host of Deal or No Deal South Africa. Described as a “game show match of nerves, instincts and raw intuition”, Deal or No Deal has entertained audiences in more than 50 countries. Lala Tuku, SABC’s head of local content, explained why Maboe was chosen to host the show “We needed an all-rounder host for this very special show and we are convinced that he has the requisite flair and finesse … His charisma and compassion will ensure that each episode is an emotive, highly-charged journey for contestants and viewers,” said Tuku. Deal or No Deal is a game of chance, in which contestants select one of 20 sealed boxes. Each box contains a cash amount ranging from R1 to R250…

BATTERED and bruised the Blitzboks may be after losing four of five matches at the LA Sevens last week, but assistant coach Philip Snyman believes they can bounce back and win this weekend’s Canada Sevens in Vancouver. The South Africans also lost Jaiden Baron, Masande Mtshali and Travis Ismaiel to serious injuries but Snyman says the arrival of replacements in Noegh Hayward and Gurshwin Wehr have added fresh energy. “New players always want to show what they are capable of and they both arrived full of smiles and enthusiasm,” Snyman said. “Seeing how much it meant to them to be here has made the others realise how privileged they are and that they have a responsibility to be at their very best the next time they play.” Snyman said the…

LEADING England rugby school Hartpury College will headline the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival that once more kicks off over the Easter weekend at the grounds of the Durban school. This 14th festival promises thrilling match-ups between some of the country’s top-ranked rugby schools, as well as the United Kingdom’s current ACE League champions, over the weekend of April 6-10. Glenwood, Westville, Durban High School (DHS) and hosts Kearsney College will represent KwaZulu-Natal. Returning to the festival are two powerhouse teams from Gauteng — Hoërskool Monument and Dr EG Jansen — and exciting Eastern Cape regulars Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha), Dale College (King Williams Town) and Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Cradock), as well as Kimberley’s Hoërskool Noord-Kaap. The newcomers this year are Worcester Gimnasium from the Western Cape and Hartpury, who have won…

SAFA president Danny Jordaan says the recent donation from the Motsepe Foundation towards school football augurs well with their plans for Vision 2030. Late last year, Safa’s vision’s 2022 circuit came to an end as the association had to re-evaluate their plans for the growth of South African football, birthing Vision 2030. Part of their new plan includes Bafana Bafana improving their spot in the Fifa rankings, something that’ll require them to qualify for major tournaments. Moreover, the association wants to put more focus on women’s football by having at least one million female footballers, especially after Banyana Banyana’s recent success. Those aspirations received a major boost yesterday as the Motsepe Foundation donated R150-million to schools for football, netball, African Choral and indigenous music. The relationship between the foundation…

SANTAM, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer proved its resilience last year after paying out just under R30 billion in insurance claims and it was still able to pay out a competitive dividend, CEO Tavaziva Madzinga said yesterday. He said the group faced its most difficult year to December 31, after adverse weather and devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal in April, 2022; increased claims inflation ahead of premium increases; higher than expected fire losses; an increase in power surges; crime and motor theft-related claims, and weaker investment returns from financial markets. Gross written premiums grew 8% in the year to December 31, (2021: 5%) but the net underwriting margin was lower at 5.1% (8%). The net underwriting margin was at the bottom-end of the group’s target range of 5% to…

IMPALA Platinum (Implats) shares dropped by almost 8% yesterday at one stage after the miner reported a 2.1% drop in half-year profit due to power cuts and a furnace rebuild, which negatively impacted the production of platinum group metal. (PGM). The shares closed 3.99% down at R165.85 on the JSE yesterday. They have fallen by 40.99% in the past year. In its results for the six months ended December 31, 2022, the group said basic and headline earnings increased by 1% both to R14 billion. Basic and headline earnings per share of 1 648 cents per share and 1 654c per share were 3% and 2% lower, respectively. It declared an interim dividend of R4.20 per share amounting to R3.6 billion, a 20% decrease from last…

What can we say about load shedding that South Africans haven’t already heard or lived through? But at the end of the day it that serves up a wide range of inconveniences and frustrations, and may well have far more serious implications when it comes to our eating habits. There are worries that frequent power outages are increasing fast food consumption as South Africans have less uninterrupted opportunity to make healthy meals at home. It has also led to an increase in food wastage because of rotting. Registered dietitian, Zitandile Mfono, who is also a spokesperson for ADSA (Association for Dietetics in South Africa), says, “It’s a pity that the positive home cooking trend we saw during Covid lockdowns is now being reversed due to the frequency of load shedding…

Flood victim Olga Chauke calls the Nellmapius Community Hall home)these days and doesn’t know what the future holds. The mother of four said: “The City of Tshwane promised to move us from here in December 2021. They changed that date to October last year. Now they have changed it again to April this year after they had vowed to relocate us this month. “We have lost hope. We can’t even wash here, because there is no privacy,” she said. Chauke added that late last year she had decided to take her children and move back to Willow Park, because they had not received any help from government. However, she had to return to the community hall this year after the heavy rains which caused more floods. “We don’t know where…

FOUR people have been convicted and sentenced by the White River Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga for fraud and corruption in connection with the issuing of South African passports to foreign nationals from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, listed the four as Faud Mohammed Ali, 37, Christopher Marillier, 39, Gabriel Samuel van der Merwe, 33, and Sifiso Kheswa, 31. “The accused were arrested by the Middelburg-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. “During 2021 and 2022, a Department of Home Affairs official allegedly colluded with South African citizens to assist foreign nationals from Pakistan and Bangladesh to obtain South African passports by using their identity documents,” said Sekgotodi. The foreign nationals fraudulently replaced the South Africans’ photos with their own and assumed the names of the…

The DA and ActionSA have undertaken to identify councillors suspected of having voted against the multiparty coalition partners’ mandate to back former DA MP Cilliers Brink as the City of Tshwane mayor. However, ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont yesterday disputed a claim by the EFF that his party would subject councillors to lie-detector tests after they betrayed the party and voted for former council speaker Dr Murunwa Makwarela as the new executive mayor during a secret ballot on Tuesday. Makwarela, who was backed by EFF and the ANC, clinched 112 votes against Brink’s 101. EFF regional leader Obakeng Ramabodu said: “The decision of ActionSA and the DA is a violation of the councillors’ constitutional rights to fulfil their responsibilities effectively in the municipal council. “Schedule 3 of the Municipal Structures…

Award-winning gospel ensemble the Soweto Spiritual Singers will be performing in the country for the first time in five years, putting on a show laced with real social cohesion. This limited three-day performance at the Joburg Theatre from March 31 to April 2 will be followed by a world tour. Co-founder Nkululeko Vilakazi said he was excited about the group’s scheduled performances following the Covid-19 disruptions. “This is our first real theatrical performance in the country in a long time. When they talk about social cohesion, oneness, and spreading unity in a country that is facing a lot of challenges, they are talking about the Soweto Spiritual ensemble, as we represent social cohesion and oneness through our performances. “Our music and our stage act feature the whole spectrum of the…

THE recent troubles of the Lions will not distract the Bulls from the task at hand as they push to secure a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship. That was the view of Ruan Nortje, as the 24-year-old lock and his teammates prepare for the return leg of the trans-Jukskei derby this weekend. The Lions’ woes on and off the field these past few weeks have been well recorded, but Nortje insisted that it would be foolhardy for the Bulls to believe that those concerns will make their encounter against the Joburgers a walkover. “We as players, we are at the union to play rugby,” Nortje said. “When we start to worry about what is going on outside off the pitch, we are in the wrong place and are…

SOUTH Africa’s No 10-ranked Middleweight Dricus du Plessis has called out the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for bumping him down to the preliminary card for his fight with fifth-ranked Derek Brunson at UFC 285 this weekend. Du Plessis will compete in the organization's 185-pound division after going on a tear since making his debut with four wins, three stoppages and three-fight bonuses. In his last bout, he finished former UFC contender and global superstar Darren Till via rear-naked choke in the third round of their UFC 282 main card bout. Media personality “The Schmo” asked Du Plessis about his thoughts on why UFC debutant and US wrestling sensation and Middleweight Bo Nickal got a main card slot instead of him. “Look, the organization is probably thinking: ‘we have an American…

DECORATED Australia cricket captain Meg Lanning will skipper the Delhi Capitals in the inaugural Women’s Premier League, the franchise said yesterday. The 30-year-old has led her country to four T20 World Cup titles - the latest in South Africa last month - and a one-day crown. The WPL, a T20 competition, begins tomorrow and has been touted as a game-changer for women’s cricket. “It’s a very proud moment for me to firstly be involved in a franchise like the Delhi Capitals and then to be named captain is a huge honour,” Lanning said in Mumbai, where the WPL will take place over the course of this month. “The fact that the WPL is now up and running and provides a platform for young girls from around the world, but also…

KAIZER Chiefs aspirations of returning to the Caf Champions League next season could receive a major boost if they beat Richards Bay tomorrow. Chiefs returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership last weekend when they beat arch-rivals Orlando Pirates to revive their dreams of finishing second on the log. Reaching that goal, which would grant them qualification for the Champions League, would rescue Chiefs' season after they missed out on MTN8 and fell way behind in the title race. Chiefs haven’t looked the part in their chase for second place though, having blown hot and cold all season and that's why a win over the fourth-placed Natal Rich Boys, who are level with them on 31 points, will boost their campaign. “I’ll be honest, we plan to…

THE CABINET has approved the newly- gazetted regulations governing the National State of Disaster on Energy, but did not go as far as announcing whether any funds are to be repriori- tised from any department towards resolving the crisis. This is a departure from the approach the government took when it implemented the National State of Disaster on Covid-19 pandemic, as it reprioritised and made additional allocations of more than R20 billion to respond to the pandemic. Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele yesterday briefed the media following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss a number of issues affecting the economy, including the ongoing energy crisis. Gungubele said the commitments from the State of the Nation Address and the Budget allocations last month strengthened the capability of the…

JSE-LISTED South African private schools operator, Curro Holdings, has slammed the door on new acquisitions, with executives at the company saying they prefer to raise dividends in the medium term as well as revamping the current portfolio through a R2.8 billion capex spend over the next three years. Curro yesterday reported a 34.7% rise in recurring headline earnings, which amounted to R330 million for the year to the end of December 2022, while headline earnings per share quickened by as much as 50% to 61.4 cents per share over the same period. It paid a final dividend, to be drawn down from income reserves for the period, of 11.08c per share. Despite of this robust financial performance, CEO Cobus Loubser told investors in the company after…

Many kitchen ingredients are loaded with health benefits and can help fight inflammation. While medication and other treatments are important, many experts say an anti-inflammatory diet may help, too. If you have a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, for example, changing what’s on your plate won’t be a magic cure. But an anti-inflammatory diet might lessen the number of flare-ups you experience or it might help to ease the pain. An anti-inflammatory diet is widely regarded as healthy. Even if it doesn’t help with your condition, it can help lower your chances of developing other problems. Some kitchen ingredients that are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties and offer other health benefits: Leafy greens I’m sure you know leafy greens are good for you, but do you know why? Spinach, kale and other…

THE husband of slain police graduate Botshelo Phora told the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court that he bludgeoned his wife on the head and eventually strangled her in self-defence. Thuso Phora said it was in fact he who had been repeatedly abused by his wife, whom he claimed left him alone to care for their sickly 4-year-old daughter. He told the court through his legal counsel, advocate VE Viviers, that he was suffering from depression and receiving psychological intervention to deal with prison conditions while incarcerated at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. Phora claimed that he was frustrated that his pleas for his wife to request a transfer at work in order to come home and be a wife and mother to their child constantly fell on deaf ears. Yesterday he…

IT WAS on March 21, 1960 that police officers in Sharpeville opened fire on a group of protesters demonstrating against oppressive pass laws imposed by the apartheid regime. About 70 people were killed and 250 wounded. This was the most violent demonstration against the apartheid government. Yesterday, decades later, South African youth and government officials gathered at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria for the launch of Human Rights Month. The campaign peaks with Human Rights Day on March 21. Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery were in attendance for the launch of Human Rights Month under the theme “Consolidating and Sustaining a Human Rights Culture into the Future”. There was a panel discussion focusing on…

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola said there is “no credible evidence” to suggest that the death penalty is more effective at deterring criminality than long prison sentences. The minister said this during his address at the 13th International Congress of Justice Ministers in Rome on Wednesday. He said countries that have death penalty laws do not have lower crime or murder rates than countries without such laws. “Where the death penalty has been there, there have also been no significant changes in either crime or murder rates. As we gather here today, there is consensus that state-sponsored vengeance in the form of the death penalty does not alter society. If anything, it makes the world even more violent and inhumane,” he said. Lamola said that South Africa…

In an emotional post on social media, Lynn Forbes has asked fans of her son, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, to keep his memory alive for his daughter, Kairo. “I continue, to humbly request, that you help our family create the memories that will fill the future gaps for Kairo, by sharing your stories and personal experiences about her dad, her hero, on social media or anywhere possible … where in future, when she has access to the social media platforms, she will experience him through your stories and your outpouring of love,” Forbes said. In the post, Forbes said she understood Kiernan’s body had been taken in the most brutal way and people are angered – all of which are normal emotions. “Kiernan’s body has left us but let’s remember, with…

Tweeps have been responding to a report by entertainment commentator Phil Mphela that Moeti “Mo Flava” Tsiki and Khutso Theledi are set to be replaced by DJ Sabby and Skhumba as the hosts of Metro FM’s breakfast show, Wake Up on Metro FM. Mo Flava and Theledi have co-hosted the show, which plays Monday to Friday from 5-9am, since April 2022. While the show has continued to be one of the most popular breakfast shows in the country during their tenure, they’ve also had some hiccups along the way, notably a prank on Theledi that was widely panned by listeners. “Radio: Mo Flava & Khutso Theledi out,” shared Mphela yesterday. “The hosts of Metro FM’s breakfast show Wake Up On Metro FM With MoFlava & Khutso Theledi will be replaced.…

First Test, Day 3, Stumps South Africa: 342 and 116 (Markram 47, Coetzee 20, Roach 5/47) West Indies: 212 and 159 (Blackwood 79, Rabada 6/50, Jansen 2/33) South Africa won by 87 runs, lead the series 2-0 KAGISO Rabada is a maestro fast bowler. His status in the pantheon of the greatest to have sent down the red ball is already assured. It is his ability to deliver when needed most that separates him from the rest. And the Proteas were certainly depending on their talisman after yet another batting collapse that gave the West Indies hope of pulling off a surprise victory in the first Test at Centurion yesterday. Rabada crushed all such hopes with yet another masterful display of 6/50 to save the home team’s blushes, which also…

IT has been a while since Manchester United made the trip to Liverpool with a justifiable sense of superiority but they head to Anfield on Sunday for their Premier League clash crowing. United's struggles in recent seasons have coincided with Liverpool's rise under Jurgen Klopp and their fans have had to stomach watching the Merseysiders win the Champions League, Premier League, both domestic cups and more. Apart from winning the FA Cup and League Cup last season, Liverpool pushed Manchester City all the way in another titanic title race and finished a massive 34 points above United. But what a difference a year makes. While Liverpool appear to be on the wane, Dutchman Erik Ten Hag has inspired a renaissance at Old Trafford. United claimed their first silverware since 2017…