53 Articles

Stymied manufacturing output drags down Q1 economic growth Manufacturing print marks the first decline in S Africa’s industrial activity

ECONOMIC growth in South Africa will survive by a whisker from falling into contraction in the first quarter of 2024 after manufacturing output unexpectedly plunged to its lowest in two years on an annual basis. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that manu- facturing production fell by 6.4% year-on-year in March, following a downwardly revised 4% increase in February. This manufacturing print was worse than the expected 0.3% to 0.4% increase in March, marking the first decline in industrial activity in six months and the steepest since April 2022. StatsSA said manufacturing output was dragged lower by the steep decline in the production of motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment. The category fell sharply by 25.9% year-on-year in March, worse than the 4.8% decline in…

2 min.

Fuel Retailers Association points to regulatory failures for Shell SA’s exit

THE FUEL RETAILERS Association of South Africa (FRA) has said that the rate at which oil companies were exiting South Africa was alarming, following the news that Shell would leave in the wake of Chevron and Engen. Shell has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Downstream and Renewables businesses across all regions and markets in line with Shell’s focus on performance, discipline, and simplification. The oil industry company said it had decided to reshape its downstream portfolio and intended to divest shareholding in Shell Downstream South Africa (SDSA) after 120 years in the country as a result of this review. FRA CEO Reggie Sibiya yesterday said Shell’s exit spoke to perhaps key regulatory failures, and not necessarily that regulation did not work. “Regulation in the main protects consumers. As we…

2 min.

Pulp segment gains and cost reduction boost Sappi’s Q2 earnings

JSE-listed paper company Sappi has shrugged off its first-quarter loss as its second-quarter to March performance came in slightly better than expected. This is thanks to an improvement from the pulp segment and significant cost savings, which included a 9% reduction in cash fixed costs after it closed its Stockstadt and Lanaken Mills in Europe. The paper company reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) – excluding special items – of $183 million (R3.43 billion), a 10% gain year-on-year. Included in the second quarter’s Ebitda figure was a positive plantation fair value price adjustment of $3m. Sappi says that it saw a modest recov- ery in global paper markets after an ex- tended destocking cycle in 2023, although underlying market conditions generally remained subdued due to…

3 min.

JSE, global stocks rally on Fed rate cut hopes

South African and global stocks had a bullish run yesterday on the back of the market’s US Federal Reserve rate cut hopes. The JSE index reverted some initial losses to close about 0.5% up at 77 539 points, its highest in nine months, mainly driven by heavyweight resource-linked stocks and tech companies, according to Trading Economics. Traders continued to re-assess the outlook for interest rate cuts, while also monitoring more corporate results across the globe. On the data front, a larger-than-expected rise in US jobless claims offered further evidence of cooling in the labour market, raising hopes of interest rate cuts by the Fed. AFP reported that the London and Frankfurt stock exchanges hit record highs yesterday as the Bank of England kept its interest rate at a 16-year high,…

5 min.

South Africa should take a leaf out of China’s electric vehicle proliferation book

Joubert Roux “GO WEST, young man, go West and grow up with the country” exhorted a notable New York newspaper editor in 1865. Well, times change, and instead, in 2024, we would do well to look to the East to see a glimpse of what the future holds. I recently spent two weeks in China, meeting a range of stakeholders in the electric vehicle (EV) industry and seeing first-hand how the country has achieved a 50% EV market penetration this year. Our trip coincided with the release of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global EV Outlook Report for 2024, which highlights China’s domi- nance in the global transition to EVs, with new electric vehicle registrations in the country reaching 8.1 million in 2023, a 35% increase when compared to…

3 min.

Cloud tech aids high availability, scalability for digital payments

Ben Janse van Rensburg THERE has been a remarkable shift to digital payments in South Africa and the rest of Africa in recent years. To put this into perspective, McKinsey antici- pated that electronic payments would accelerate by an estimated 150% to reach $40 billion in revenues and $188bn in transaction volumes be- tween 2020 and 2025. Many African countries, like the rest of the world, are embracing electronic payments as part of their digitisation efforts, and to create an inclusive economy that serves existing and emerging-use cases. Over and above that, real-time payments offer convenience and a safer way to pay. They have the potential to reach the under-served or financially excluded, enabling them to access a wider range of financial services, and to use their accounts for…

2 min.

Ener-G-Africa’s new stove and cookware factory in Paarl has big expansion plans

ENER-G-AFRICA, a Malawi-based company that operates in 14 countries, yesterday opened a factory in Paarl that produces advanced clean-burning, fuel-efficient stoves and cookware for local and other African markets, and there are plans to set up the biggest solar panel manufacturing plant in the country. Energ-G-Africa CEO André Moolman said at the launch yesterday that they started the company in Malawi in 2007 to find ways to solve the problem many Africans have of spending, for example, more time and money on the fuel for their stoves, than on the food they were cooking. The company came up with innovative designs that resulted in signifi- cant energy savings, not only in cooking time, but also in the cost of cooking and the environmental benefits of not using petrochemicals as fuels.…

2 min.

Eastern Cape foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is new infection, says Govt

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development yesterday said that preliminary investigations indicate that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on two dairy farms in the Eastern Cape town of Humansdorp was a new infection. The department’s spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo, said further investigations to identify the source of this outbreak were ongoing. “All possible leads are being followed. Animals in neighbouring farms and communal areas have tested negative. This is good news as this makes the case to be only isolated to these two farms belonging to the same owner,” Ngcobo said. “The Eastern Cape provincial veterinary services placed the affected farm under quarantine, and a full epidemiological investigation has commenced to identify the possible origin and any other properties that could be at risk. “Immediate neighbours and…

2 min.

Pan African upgrades its full-year guidance buoyed by bullion price

PAN AFRICAN Resources is well on course for a stronger financial performance this year, after lifting its output guidance and projecting a lowering of its production costs, amid strengthening prices of the yellow metal. The mid-tier gold producer yesterday raised its production guidance for the year ending June 30, 2024, to the upper end of its earlier forecast to between 186 000 and 190 000 ounces, up from 180 000 to 190 000 ounces. The company has concurrently ceased “processing of marginal surface sources” at the Evander Gold Mine in Mpumalanga which had become “uneconomical”. Pan African CEO Cobus Loots said the mine contributed approximately 2 500 ounces in the first half of the company’s current financial year, and would have seen the company surpass…

3 min.

Lesaka leaps by more than 12% on the JSE after raising revenue and narrow loss

SHARES in rapidly expanding South African fintech company, Lesaka Technologies, jumped 12.4% in afternoon trade on the JSE yesterday after the company reported narrow losses on the back of a 9% surge in revenues for the quarter to the end of March. Lesaka has made numerous acquisitions in the past year as it seeks to consolidate its foothold in the fintech and payments business across Southern Africa. This week, Lesaka reached an agreement for the R1.6 billion acquisition of regional payments processor, Adumo. With the company reporting a narrowing in losses for the March quarter, shares in Lesaka leapt by 12.44% to close at R89 on the JSE yesterday. The company’s net loss for the period under review declined to R76.4 million compared to R104.4m in the same period…

1 min.

rfg holdings expects its interim earnings to rise BY as much as 23 percent

FOOD BRANDS group RFG Holdings expects its interim earnings to rise as much as 23%. In a trading statement for the six months ended March 31 yesterday, the group said its headline earnings were likely to rise to between 18% and 23% higher than the R216.8 million reported for the prior corresponding period. Earnings per share were likely to be 83.3 cents, or between 18% to 23% higher, at 98.3c to 102.5c. Headline earnings per share were likely to rise 83.2c, or between 18% to 23% higher, at 98.2c to 102.3c. It said: “Revenue growth in the regional segment for the period was mainly driven by price inflation in an environment of lower sales volumes in certain product categories due to the weak consumer environment.” “International revenue declined…

2 min.

KAL expects economy to worsen despite uplift in interim earnings

TOP EXECUTIVES at KAL Group reckon that economic conditions in South Africa are unlikely to improve in the short-term outlook, despite the company upping its interim dividend against the backdrop of a 7% half-year surge in headline earnings per share (Heps). KAL said yesterday it would pay a gross interim dividend of 54 cents per share for the six months ended March 2024, an 8% increase compared to 50c a year ago. It said the dividend would be paid from income reserves. The growth in the interim dividend for the period under review followed a 7.3% increase in half-year Heps to 408.74c per share. Although shares in KAL Group strengthened by 1.35% to close at R43.60 on the JSE yesterday, market watcher Dave Hazelwood said the company’s “increase in…

1 min.

netflix sees africa as A rich source of unique stories to bring to its audiences

ONLINE streaming giant Netflix says it is investing in Africa to help new talent emerge and to tell stories that make an impact locally, but also resonate with audiences abroad. Well-crafted local stories are “a major opportunity”, Netflix’s Africa and Middle East content vice president Ben Amadasun said, on the sidelines of the Forbes Under-30 Summit Africa in the Botswana capital Gaborone this week. Increased investment in local content creation by international players is key for local industries to flourish, he said. People in and from Africa “deserve to see themselves, their lives, their cultures, their languages and their countries reflected on screen”, he added. If the production was loved locally, it had a better chance of global success, Amadasun said. Netflix has bet on diversifying its production in recent…

1 min.

‘The best thing in his life thus far’

From Page 1 to be a Springbok rugby player, he loves it, but due to the situation he could never play … but seeing the team, it does wonders for him.” Fourie said his son was diagnosed with chronic stage 4 kidney disease a week after his fifth birthday and his health deteriorated until he needed dialysis last year before the transplant. He said although their journey had been tough, “Blayke is a trooper and it’s the best feeling in the world that my son is back (in good health)”. According to Fourie, Blayke’s day was full of surprises, one of which was having an opportunity to kick drop goals at the stadium. “They (the players) knew his name before he even introduced himself. He was ecstatic to say the…

1 min.

Mkhwebane called to order over claims

From Page 1 “We therefore welcome the changes made to the code. “The IFP supports these change,” Van der Merwe said. EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane said the parliamentary rules and code of conduct were important to ensure public representatives were men and women of high ethical standards. She said the reviewed code came at an opportune time. “We are closing the window to one of the most destructive parliamentary terms in our democracy,” she said. Mkhwebane was called to order when she recounted instances she described as Parliament having protected President Cyril Ramaphosa, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. “For this to work we need a firm and ethical leadership, not thieves who will continue to defend those who engage in very corrupt activities,” she said.…

2 min.

Bishop Lavis residents reject Huis Alleyne auction

THE Bishop Lavis Development Forum (BDF) says residents have been blindsided by Communicare’s decision to auction the Huis Alleyne Retirement Home. According to the Aucor property website, the home will be in the process of being sold-off next week. It is described as having 69 units with shared bathrooms, erf size 2 991m2 and zoning allows for place of assembly, worship, hospital or clinic. BDF’s secretary Michael Hoffmeester said they were shocked to see an advertisement and engaged Huis Alleyne residents who were also surprised. A group of community members led by the forum, staged a picket in front of the home on Tuesday. “Few of the residents confirmed they were aware of the auction but did not know when it would take place while others had no clue what…

3 min.

Committee hailed for ‘good work’

EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane remained defiant yesterday as parties in the National Assembly blamed her for tainting the process to find the next deputy public protector. This took place as the ANC and the DA pointed fingers at each other when the justice and correctional services portfolio committee recommended that the national legislature start the process afresh. Committee chairperson Bulelani Magwanishe said they had initiated the process to fill the vacant position of deputy public protector and interviews were conducted in March. However, before interviews began, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach objected to Mkhwebane’s participation, citing a conflict of interest in relation to Mkhwebane and two candidates, advocate Sekgame Shadrack Tebeile and Public Protector South Africa executive manager for investigations Ponatshego Mogaladi. Breytenbach asked Mkhwebane to recuse herself, but the…

2 min.

DMRE grants extension deadline on bid window

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has granted a three-month extension for bid submissions for renewable energy bid windows, and another two-month extension for projects to reach commercial close. The DMRE’s Independent Power Producer office announced this yesterday at a bidders’ conference to launch Bid Window 3 of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPP). IPP head Bernard Magoro said the office had approved the extensions only on Wednesday after widespread complaints from bidders in previous windows that the bid window submission and reaching of commercial close periods were limiting, given the strenuous requirements of the application process and securing of funding for projects. Magoro said all other application protocols and procedures remained the same, save that economic development or social responsibility was to be…

2 min.

Parliament okays inquiry into fitness of Gender Equality Commissioner Mbuyiselo Botha

THE National Assembly has given the green light for the establishment of an inquiry into the fitness of commissioner Mbuyiselo Botha of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) to hold public office. The impeachment inquiry is set to get under way in the seventh Parliament after the May 29 elections. This comes after the three-member independent panel of experts determined that Botha has a case to answer following a range of allegations levelled against him. It recommended that Parliament institute an impeachment inquiry that may lead to Botha’s removal from office. Parliament appointed the panel early in March after ANC MP Fikile Masiko tabled a motion requesting the National Assembly initiate a process to remove Botha from office. The panel has said the allegation against Botha centred on an…

3 min.

SAHRC warns parties to be mindful while campaigning

IN A hotly contested election, political parties may resort to desperate measures to get the attention of voters, a political expert noted, as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) issued a warning that it was keeping an eagle eye on the unfolding events ahead of the upcoming elections. Of particular concern in their observations, the SAHRC said were “remarks and behaviours that include threats of violence, xenophobic rhetoric, the defacement of political material, desecration of national symbols or flag, and disruptions to essential services such as education”. In the latest incident, the public and the presidency expressed outrage following an election campaign advertisement by the DA depicting the burning of South Africa’s national flag. The party has defended its conduct. DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi, speaking ahead of the…

2 min.

National Assembly adopts reviewed code of conduct setting out strict guidelines for MPs

The National Assembly yesterday adopted the review of the code of conduct for MPs which provides for lifestyle audits, regulates the public representatives’ conduct on social media and increases the value of gifts to be disclosed. The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) recently adopted the code, which will now come into operation in the seventh Parliament after the May 29 elections. Tabling the report on the review of the code, co-chairperson of the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests Bekizwe Nkosi said they made recommendations after the committee reviewed the 2014 code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members’ interests. Nkosi noted that there has been declining public trust in Parliament. He said the reviewed code set parameters for how MPs could interact with members of the public on…

3 min.

Social worker TELLS OF trauma

Families of George workers buried beneath the rubble wait to hear about their loved ones A SOCIAL worker supporting the families of construction workers still buried beneath the rubble at the site of the collapsed apartment building in George has spoken of the wide-scale trauma being witnessed. Families of the deceased workers were yesterday also anxiously awaiting the identification of their loved ones. The five-storey building collapsed on Monday afternoon with 81 workers on site. Eight people have been declared deceased while 37 have been retrieved so far. By yesterday afternoon, 44 people were still unaccounted for. Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez and department colleagues have been on site since earlier this week. DSD social worker Funiswa Neti said she has never witnessed trauma on such a wide scale…

5 min.

Prof Muhammed Haron wants social justice for RESIDENTS OF W Cape

THE son of anti-apartheid activist Imam Abdullah Haron, Professor Muhammed Haron says he got involved in politics to pursue social justice. “I have always had an interest in social justice as an avenue to bring about the necessary justice for our people in whatever form,” Haron said in an interview with the Cape Times this week. He was named by the Al Jama-ah Party as its premier candidate for the Western Cape last month. The party, which has one MP and a member of provincial legislature in both Parliament and Western Cape legislature, said his visionary leadership reflected one of common traits he shared with his iconic father. “Exercising sterling leadership in a principled, thoughtful, and adept manner, the Professor’s profound humility and gentle manner immediately wins over the hearts…

1 min.

20 years for killer who stabbed mom 42 times in front of son

Convicted murderer Ricardo Jacobs will serve 20 years behind bars for killing of his girlfriend, Samantha May, by stabbing her 42 times in front of her child. Jacobs, 39, was sentenced in the Beaufort West Regional Court this week, where the State asked the court to go beyond the prescribed minimum sentence for murdering 24-year-old May, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila. “The State proved that Jacobs stabbed May on July 6, 2019, inside their Safraan Avenue, Beaufort West, house in front of her six-year-old son leaving her with 42 stab wounds. He then fled the scene but was arrested the next day. “He told the police that two Cape Town gang members killed his girlfriend and that they were in their house as they wanted to kill him…

2 min.

Further bid for Shell exploration rights on Wild Coast heads to SCA

COMMUNITIES on the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape and environmental organisations are bracing to head back to court to defend a 2022 high court judgment which had found in their favour, setting aside Shell’s exploration right to explore for oil and gas in the area. This latest court bout following an appeal by Shell and the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Gwede Mantashe, will be heard before the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein a week from now, on May 17. The initial case brought in December 2021, sought to review the decision by the DMRE to grant an exploration right to Shell, allowing them to conduct exploration activities off the Wild Coast coastline. Parties who sought to challenge the government’s decision included Sustaining the Wild Coast NPC,…

2 min.

ActionSA challenges Knysna Municipality

THE Knysna municipality says it has denied requests for information involving a lease agreement between the municipality and one of its biggest debtors, Grey Elephant Investments (GEI), due to the correct official channels not being utilised among other reasons. ActionSA announced recently they had filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application in efforts to have sight of the lease agreement. This comes after the municipality earlier this year announced that some of their departments had moved into the Knysna Mall after entering into a three-year lease agreement with GEI. GEI was cited as one of the municipality’s biggest debtors after it was revealed in council meetings that the company allegedly owed the municipality R28 million. The municipality has since confirmed that they agreed to a settlement of…

2 min.

Ex-Sans Souci pupil dealt a blow in court

THE Western Cape High Court sitting as the Equality Court has ruled that it has no jurisdiction to hear a damages claim involving a 2019 Sans Souci incident. Former Sans Souci pupil Chante Petersen approached the court seeking relief of about R400 000 alleging she suffered harassment, emotional distress and assault in the incident where former Afrikaans teacher Clarissa Venter was filmed slapping her in class. At the time she was 16-years-old and in Grade 9. Tensions allegedly began over a textbook, and escalated after Venter confiscated Petersen’s phone. Petersen was filmed pushing a desk at the teacher, pushing her. Venter then allegedly slapped her. Venter was sanctioned with a fine, a final warning, and ordered to attend anger management sessions by the School Governing Body (SGB). Petersen later transferred…

1 min.

Girl is torn between love and duty in this fantasy

Bring me your midnight Rachel Griffin Loot.co.za (R219) Sourcebooks Tana Fairchild’s fate has been planned for her since the day she was born: marry the governor’s son and secure an unprecedented alliance between the witches and the mainlanders. But when Tana meets Wolfe, a member of the only remaining coven left practising dark magic, she’s stunned to learn of his existence. She’s always thought the final coven disbanded 10 years ago, completely eradicating the use of dark magic. When unknown magic builds in Tana’s body and she’s unable to expel the magic on her own, she begs Wolfe for help. And as she practises Wolfe’s dark magic, she’s horrified to discover how naturally it comes to her. It makes her feel powerful. Alive. Tana tries to rid herself of the…

1 min.

Diabetes: balancing act through plant-based foods can restore your health

Healing Diabetes And Other Lifestyle Diseases Ubuntu Wellness Health advice can often feel like navigating a maze. I met the co-authors of Healing Diabetes and other Lifestyle Diseases – Cooking Africa’s Plant Based Whole Foods at a recent Cape Times reader engagement. While speaking about health and lifestyle changes, co-author Ian Macfarlane briefly touched on the new Ubuntu Wellness recipe book. He explained that this special book, by drawing on traditional plant-based cuisines of Africa, offers a map out of the maze by building not just healthy bodies, but healthy communities and ecosystems, bringing a message of empowerment to people everywhere. Described by Dr Will Tuttle, an award-winning author of the best-selling The World Peace Diet as “a nourishing African love-letter to the world.” From the outset it is…

1 min.

Is the kidnapper held at an asylum for the criminally insane?

It is a riveting thriller. Read this book if you like creepy settings and plot twists. As SA sensation Tyla would say: What the heck! A frantic call to a 911 operator about a kidnapping had me hooked. At 15 years old, Iris called authorities, alerting them that her twin sister, Piper, had been kidnapped. The authorities dismissed her report, which added to the tension of the novel. Despite a detailed account of events that unfolded, police would not take her seriously. The novel runs on a timeline, jumping between past and present events leading to Piper’s kidnapping and how committed Iris is to finding out the truth about that fateful night. Jumping between time periods can be confusing to readers trying to piece the story together. As an adult,…

1 min.

Trailblazing as a pioneering conservationist

Called by the Wild Conraad de Rosner Exclusive Books (R350) Jonathan Ball The book is described as a thrilling story of a pioneering conservationist who worked with dogs to protect the environment he found himself in. That it is indeed. The author, an astute writer, recounts his days in the tracts of land – game reserves – where wildlife is allowed to roam free. That is except when poachers run rife to get animals both for their meat, rhinos for their horn and and capture highly endangered species such as pangolin, trafficking them overseas. Even some of the rangers on the reserves that Con worked turned coat to become poachers. And Con had two fights on his hands to protect the wild animals: from his fellow workers whom he…

1 min.

Sharma shares riches that cannot be monetised

The Wealth money can’t buy Robin Sharma Loot.co.za (R279) Penguin I LOVE Robin Sharma; my personal development journey began with his books and timeless wisdom. The Wealth Money Can’t Buy is such a book. Every chapter felt deeply personal, as if it was written just for me. I dreaded putting the book down. Sharma’s latest offering, The Wealth Money Can't Buy, is a testament to his unparalleled ability to inspire and empower readers on their personal development journeys. As someone who has long admired Sharma’s work, diving into this book felt like reuniting with an old friend – familiar yet profoundly enriching. Each chapter of The Wealth Money Can’t Buy resonates deeply, offering insights and reflections that feel tailor-made for the reader’s individual growth. Sharma’s writing transcends mere instruction; it’s…

4 min.

Tycoon distanced himself from Nats

Anton Rupert – The Life Of A Business Icon Ebbe Dommisse Loot.co.za (R289) Tafelberg IF I’m not offering an opinion on my newfound pastime – golf – the next pet subject is how the Afrikaner set up business with a lot of help from the past racist regime under the National Party. This is the thread I looked out for when I read Whitey, The Rise and Rule of the Shoprite King, the biography of Whitey Basson by Niel Joubert. It is with the same vigilance that I thumbed through the 405 pages containing the life story of another Afrikaner businessman. I leave with egg on my face because Anton Rupert, The Life of a Business Icon, by Ebbe Dommisse did not quite deliver, as I expected. Instead, each…

3 min.

Let us not forget the human face of Sudan conflict

On April 15, 2023, the lives of millions of people in Sudan were ripped apart. In the usually peaceful capital city of Khartoum, as families celebrated the final days of Ramadaan, fierce street battles broke out between two former allies – the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Bodies piled high in the streets, markets and hospitals burned, and indiscriminate shelling tore through heavily populated neighbourhoods. As bullets whizzed around their small house on the edge of Khartoum, 23-year-old Gesma scooped up her two young children and ran for their lives. Hitching a lift from a passing car, they joined a stream of terrified people fleeing the city. Gesma’s husband was at work in the market, and she hoped to reunite with him somewhere safer. But she…

5 min.

Burning the flag a powerful symbol of free speech

An emotive match thrown into one of SA’s most divisive political campaigns WHEN the DA capped its campaign with an election advertisement, launched on Sunday, showing the SA flag in the background, with the opening title “This election is about survival”, the audience was baffled as the act produced increasingly painful, harsh and violent memories of unfulfilled promises and dreams of a prosperous nation. With the flag burning in the background, a voiceover says: “The ANC will lose the majority vote for the first time in 30 years but will do anything to stay in power.” In reaction, President Cyril Ramaphosa, various politicians, and ordinary citizens condemned the burning of the flag, saying the DA was being disrespectful and sending a wrong message to the world, labelling it treasonous. The…

2 min.

‘Rose of Soweto’ a worthy role model

Gen Z – and even some millennials – may not know him, but boxing legend Dingaan Thobela was one of the “OG” sports heroes of Mzansi. Thobela was laid to rest in Johannesburg yesterday after his death on April 29 at the age of 57. Dubbed the “Rose of Soweto”, Thobela became just the second South African to claim a WBC title after Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga when he beat Glenn Catley at Carnival City in Brakpan in 2000. That fight was also his last victory, as he ended with a professional record of 40 wins, 14 losses and two draws. But Thobela first made his name by coming through the ranks in the late 1980s, before hitting the big time in September 1990 when he beat Mexican Mauricio Aceves to…

3 min.

Rafah struck despite US warning

Smoke rose from strikes on Gaza’s crowded southern city of Rafah yesterday after US President Joe Biden vowed to stop supplying artillery shells and other weapons to Israel if a full-scale offensive into the city goes ahead. It was the starkest warning yet from the US, Israel’s main military provider, over the civilian impact of its war against Hamas Palestinian militants. Witnesses yesterday reported strikes on several parts of Rafah, where the UN said 1.4 million people were sheltering. “The tanks and jets are striking,” Tarek Bahlul said on a deserted Rafah street. Israel has already defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting what it called “targeted raids” in eastern Rafah, the city it says is home to Hamas’s last remaining battalions. Yesterday, Israeli tanks advanced in the…

3 min.

Porn star returns to witness stand

Stormy Daniels returned to the witness stand yesterday at Donald Trump’s historic hush money trial for another round of tough grilling by attorneys for the former president. The X-rated film actress, who claims to have had sex with the married Trump in 2006, spent nearly five hours testifying on Tuesday, recounting the incident in often explicit detail as the mogul glared steps away. Trump, 77, is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130 000 (R2.4 million) payment to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 presidential election, when the story could have proved politically fatal. The courtroom face-off between Daniels and Trump is taking place six months before the November election, when the Republican hopeful will try to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden.…

2 min.

Boeing skids off runway in Senegal

A Boeing passenger plane came off the runway during take-off in Senegal yesterday, injuring 11 people and shutting the international airport near the capital Dakar for almost 12 hours, management said. The B737/300 aircraft, an Air Senegal flight chartered by privately-owned Transair, was carrying 78 passengers and headed for the Malian capital Bamako, airport managers LAS said after the early hours drama left four passengers seriously hurt. LAS is made up of Turkish group Limak, the publicly owned airport operator AIBD and another Turkish entity, Summa. Eleven people were injured, four seriously. Six other passengers were taken for medical check-ups inside the airport, LAS said. The group said the airport at Diass, 50km from Dakar, had reopened after midday. The aircraft was “immobilised” away from the runway and an emergency…

1 min.

No one will threaten Russia, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West yesterday of risking a global conflict and said no one would be allowed to threaten the world’s biggest nuclear power as Russia marked the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. As Russian troops advance against Ukraine’s Western-backed forces, Putin accused “arrogant” Western elites of forgetting the decisive role played by the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany, and of stoking conflicts across the world.“Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash,” Putin said on Red Square after Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu reviewed troops lined up in a rare May blizzard. Ukraine and the West say Putin is engaged in an imperial-style land grab. They have vowed to defeat Russia, which controls about 18% of Ukraine, including Crimea, and…

1 min.

Torch relay begins

The Olympic torch relay began in Marseille yesterday with football legend Basile Boli taking the flame in front of the iconic basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. The former French international set off just beneath the famous golden statue of the “Good Mother”. The torch was to also visit the Stade Velodrome, which will host 10 matches during the men’s and women’s Olympic football competitions. It is just the start of a 78-day, 12 000km torch relay across France and its overseas territories before the opening ceremony in Paris on July 26. In Marseille, about 6 000 security forces are on duty at a time when the country is on its highest terror alert, as the torch travels through more than 450 French towns and cities. French authorities are…

1 min.

TikTok to begin labelling AI content

San Francisco: TikTok yesterday said it would begin labelling AI-generated content automatically from several platforms, including OpenAI’s Dall-E and the company’s own tools and generators. Authentication has become a major concern in the fast development of AI, with authorities worried about the proliferation of deepfakes that could disrupt society. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, said it would begin testing a label “that we eventually plan to apply automatically to content that we detect was edited or created with AI.” The company said that this will include content made using Adobe’s Firefly tool, TikTok’s own AI image generators and OpenAI’s Dall-E. | AFP…

1 min.

Living quarters to be built for mission

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Civilian contractors have arrived in Haiti to build living quarters for a Kenyan-led international security force – including soldiers from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Bangladesh – meant to counter gang violence in the Caribbean nation, the US military said. The UN Security Council has approved the creation of the Multinational Security Support mission to help Haitian police wrest back territory from alliances of gangs who control most of Port-au-Prince. Kenya pledged 1 000 officers to lead the force, but their deployment has been delayed by court challenges and violence in Port-au-Prince that forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign. | Reuters…

1 min.

Gene therapy restores toddler’s hearing

LONDON: An 18-month-old British girl who was born deaf is believed to be the youngest person to have their hearing restored after undergoing groundbreaking new gene therapy. UK ear surgeon Manohar Bance said the toddler, Opal, was the first person in the world to receive therapy developed by US biotech firm Regeneron. Opal was treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in eastern England. She has a genetic form of auditory neuropathy, caused by the disruption of nerve impulses from the inner ear to the brain. The new therapy delivers a working copy of the gene to the ear. | AFP…

1 min.

Nepali guide dies on peak in Himalayas

Kathmandu: A Nepali guide died after summiting the world’s fifth-highest mountain, officials in the Himalayan Republic said yesterday, in the first fatality of the spring climbing season. Lakpa Tenji Sherpa, 53, reached the summit of the 8 485m-high Mount Makalu while with foreign climbers on Monday but died as he was descending. “He was unwell and had to be helped down by his team members,” Nepal’s tourism department said. Nepal has issued 59 permits to foreign climbers for Makalu and dozens have reached the top after a rope-fixing team summited the peak last month. | AFP…

1 min.

‘Eunuch Maker’ website owner jailed

LONDON: The ringleader of an extreme body modification conspiracy who cut off men’s genitals and uploaded videos to his “Eunuch Maker” website was jailed for a minimum of 22 years in a London court yesterday. Norwegian Marius Gustavson was involved in several dangerous procedures which included removing the penis or testicles of men who had consented, British prosecutors said. The practice is linked to a subculture of men seeking to become so-called “nullos”, short for genital nullification. Gustavson’s pay-per-view website had nearly 23 000 users and made more than $300 000 between 2017 and 2021. | Reuters…

1 min.

Trump’s youngest son to stand as delegate

Washington: Donald Trump’s youngest son, who is still at high school and largely shielded from the public eye, will debut on the political stage in July as a delegate at the Republican Party convention. Barron Trump, 18, will become the latest member of his family to step into politics when he joins his siblings in representing Florida at the event in Milwaukee. The convention will see the official crowning of Donald Trump as the Republican challenger to Democrat President Joe Biden, with delegates from each state designating their candidate for the November election. Barron will be with Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump as part of the Florida delegation, the state party said. Barron lived in the White House when his father was president, but was shielded by…

2 min.

Five key things Bulls must do to topple Glasgow

The Bulls could have been second on the United Rugby Championship log by now had they beaten Munster, but it’s no use crying over spilt milk. They can still push for a possible home semi-final and final, though, following their 61-24 thrashing of the Ospreys on April 27. But they face a tough last few rounds, with log-leading Glasgow up next at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (2pm kick-off), followed by Benetton in Pretoria next weekend and the Sharks on June 1 in Durban. Here are five things the Bulls must get right to knock over Glasgow … 1 Win breakdown battle The return this week of Springbok flank Marco van Staden from a knee injury couldn’t have come at a better time for the Bulls. Glasgow thrive on generating quick ball…

3 min.

Stellenbosch attack must be in sync for Swallows

Stellenbosch FC were strangely out of kilter against a stubborn AmaZulu side in a midweek encounter, but coach Steve Barker hopes to restore the potency of his side’s attack against Moroka Swallows tomorrow. Stellenbosch held a 10-3 advantage in terms of shots on goal against AmaZulu on Wednesday night, who saw precious little of the ball in the match. Of the 10 attempts, second-placed Stellenbosch managed only three on target. The goalless setback against AmaZulu has cut third-placed Orlando Pirates some slack in the race to finish in second place and secure qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League, with the Buccaneers third on 49 and Stellies second, on 50, after 27 matches. Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has, however, not lost sight of the club’s season-ending target: “Champions League is…

2 min.

Spurs must drive right road to navigate SuperSport challenge

Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp is hoping against hope that his relegation-doomed side will avoid the axe this season. Spurs will clash with top-eight-chasing SuperSport United in a DStv Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane tonight (7.30pm kick-off). SuperSport have been inconsistent this year, and have dropped down the standings after being in second place at the end of last year. They are now in sixth position, level on points with TS Galaxy, who have a game in hand. Without saying so, Middendorp may have drawn encouragement from SuperSport’s lapses this year and believes Spurs (16th on the log) still have a fighting chance of averting automatic relegation if they win all their remaining games and Richards Bay (15th) lose theirs. The Urban Warriors are coming…

3 min.

Moerat: Dragons clash like a play-off

The Stormers are on a play-off footing as they enter their final sequence of United Rugby Championship games, starting tonight in Newport, where they tackle the Dragons (8.35pm kick-off, SA time). The Capetonians play Connacht next week in Galway before finishing at home against the Lions on June 1, and captain Salmaan Moerat says they have to treat each game as a knockout as they attempt to improve on their fifth position on the log. The Stormers are desperate to break into the top four to gain a home quarter-final. “In terms of the objective of the game, we haven’t been in this position before so we are treating the Dragons (game) as a play-off,” Moerat said from Newport yesterday. “We made it hard for ourselves by losing at home…

3 min.

Man United can spoil Arsenal title hopes as Man City set to pounce

After being forced to play catch-up for the past month, Manchester City have the chance to exert some added pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race when they kick off the weekend’s action at Fulham tomorrow. City’s past three Premier League wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion all came after Arsenal had already gathered three points to temporarily open up a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side in the table. This weekend, however, City go first and victory at Craven Cottage tomorrow at lunchtime would see them move two points clear of Arsenal with two games left. Arsenal would then have to beat a woefully out of form Manchester United on Sunday to regain top spot. The last time Arsenal kicked off after…

3 min.

Ntlabakanye: Lions must fix small things

Just like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Asenathi Ntlabakanye has a beef to settle. The target of his ire – Munster – have long departed South Africa with back-to-back victories on the highveld, so his vengeance will now fall upon Cardiff at Ellis Park tomorrow (6.15pm kick-off). Ntlabakanye came on as a replacement early in the second stanza in the 33-13 loss against the defending champions on April 27, and although disappointed with the result, the fact that he was part of a scrum that conceded a penalty to Munster absolutely rankles. “It does hurt me man, to be honest,” he said frankly when looking back at the penalty in the 73rd minute. “I know a lot of people don’t look at it that way, but I take those things very…

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Cape Times 2024-05-10 (Digital)

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