Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-09-01 i Sunday Tribune

This Women’s Month, we at the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) proudly commemorate a milestone that is a testament to progress and a beacon of commitment: the 10th anniversary of our Women Empowerment Fund. Since its inception in 2014, the WEF has been at the forefront of revolutionising economic opportunities for black female entrepreneurs across South Africa, blending financial and non-financial support to foster growth and innovation in their ventures. Over the past decade, the WEF has made an indelible mark, disbursing an impressive R4.5 billion. The substantial investment has provided vital capital and catalysed significant growth across diverse sectors including construction, student accommodation and service stations. Our journey has been one of supporting resilient and visionary women who are transforming entrepreneurial dreams into thriving realities. The WEF stands out not…

The Durban Street Food Festival, the biggest of its kind in the city, returns to The Pavilion shopping centre from September 6 to 8 and features amazing food, drink stalls, demonstrations, pop-ups as well as amazing live music. Independent Media Lifestyle caught up with the festival founder Georgios Kretsos to find out what foodies can expect. Kretsos is one of the veterans of the events industry in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. His events pay homage to his love of music and food. “I have a deep passion for hospitality, which I channel through my events venue and bar, Aces Pizza which specialises in New York-style pizza,” he said. “Aces Pizza is not just about food; it’s a vibrant space dedicated to supporting the live music scene in Durban. My…

Beng’semathandweni, a new Mzansi Magic reality show, will give viewers a front-row seat to the dark side of failed relationships. The show, which is set to premiere on the channel on Sunday, November 3, will take the audience on an unforgettable journey of love, betrayal and revenge. It explores the difficult world of romance and heartache, offering an intimate glimpse from the initial romance to the eventual collapse of their bonds. According to statement from the channel, “Beng’semathandweni will examine how fairytale relationships fall apart because of betrayal. “This betrayal often leads to revenge and wrongdoing, as former lovers struggle with the pain and confusion of their broken relationships. “Expect a blend of jaw-dropping revelations, intense confrontations, and dark humour that reveal the raw, unfiltered truth of human relationships.” Hosted…

THE search is on for the best coffee in KwaZulu-Natal. A coffee competition, The Battle of the Beans, has been launched and is aimed at not only identifying the province’s best cappuccinos and single shot espressos, but ultimately creating a guide to the very best spots for coffee lovers. A group of local coffee mavens known as the Coffee Colab, backed by sugar brand Selati, announced the launch. Coffee guru and well-known food critic Ingrid Shevlin, founder of Shrewd Food on Facebook, inspired a group of coffee enthusiasts to set up a non-profit organisation that would pool its skills to promote its favourite brew – coffee. Shevlin said 20 years ago, while working for the Sunday Tribune, she began chatting to Ralph Bronzin, then proprietor of the KZNSA’s Arts Café,…

NON-PROFIT organisations (NPOs) are finding the funding climate a huge challenge, says Tracey Brand, the director and medical social Worker at Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children. This is made more difficult for her NPO because of the nature of the organisation’s work. Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children cares for children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses at nine state hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. “We also provide telephonic support and, if the child is local, will visit the child in their home, providing support. “This year alone, we've provided direct and indirect services to about 500 children, and that’s the tip of the iceberg of those who really need the service.” Brand said there was a lack of awareness and understanding about palliative care. Most programmes focussed on children’s futures to appeal to…

CONSUMERS are hunting for the owners of Living Lifestyle Interiors (LLI), who apparently swindled them out of thousands of rand and then issued death threats when questioned why the furniture they had bought online had not been delivered. This week none of the people involved in running the alleged scam could be reached because links and telephone numbers had been disabled while the message on its former website read “account suspended”. “Importers of furniture, builders of relationships. From concept to completion it is our people’s passion for excellence that makes our brand unique” reads one of the online links, but once you click on it, “account suspended” appears. Durban-based private investigator Brad Nathanson has been working on the case after a woman turned to him for help when the furniture…

THE Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) this week heard arguments in the legal battle between the Nkomazi Local Municipality and billionaire businessman Johann Rupert’s Leopard Creek Golf Estate over millions of rand in property rates. The municipality in Mpumalanga values the golf estate at R1.56 billion, while Leopard Creek management maintain that it is worth R330 million. In May last year, the Sunday Independent reported that the Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela ruled in favour of Leopard Creek and reviewed the municipality’s decision and directed to valuation appeal board for the district of eHlanzeni to be differently constituted and to consider and weigh the evidence of witnesses of both sides. The municipality asked the SCA to determine what was the applicability and interpretation of the words “recognised valuation practices,…

THE chief whip of council in the Matlosana Local Municipality has been removed from his post by his party, the ANC, following a probe by the Sunday Independent which revealed how Khaya Ndincede misused the municipal funds for his personal use. On May 12, the publication’s investigation revealed that Ndincede, aided by the municipality’s chief financial officer Mercy Phetla, abused his powers and used a municipal vehicle and credit card for personal use at the expense of taxpayers. In the municipal fleet records, which the Sunday Independent has seen, and a letter written by Fleet Maintenance Unit superintendent Raymond Holele to his superiors, it was revealed that Phetla instructed that Ndincede be provided with a Toyota Fortuner vehicle and a credit card belonging to the municipality. Holele’s letter, dated November…

THE SA Municipal Workers’ Union’s fight to restore political rights of ordinary local government employees limited by the Municipal Systems Act two years ago is heading to the Constitutional Court. Last year, Samwu hauled then Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs *Cogta) Minister Thembi Simelane and the SA Local Government Association (Salga) to the Labour Court to challenge the constitutionality and rationality of the provision barring staff members from holding political office in a political party. In November last year, Labour Court Judge Andre van Niekerk declared section 71B of the act unconstitutional and invalid, severed from the Municipal Systems Act the phrase “staff member” and referred his orders to the apex court for confirmation. He determined the act to state that a municipal manager or manager directly accountable to a…

A SENIOR judge has complained bitterly about the continuing unresolved delays in finalising cases in the South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg. South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, Deputy Judge President Roland Sutherland said in the latest bulletin that lead times for cases were a crisis of unacceptably long lead times and that this situation continued to be exacerbated. “One concrete idea is that volume of litigious matters could be reduced, if diverted from the state court system where appropriate. The utilisation of mediation is still, where it is suitable, insufficiently employed,” he said. Judge Sutherland continued: “One reason is that too many litigation attorneys are not confident to use this means to settle disputes. An earnest effort to develop a pool of credible expertise readily available is urgently needed. Steps…

ORLANDO PIRATES (2) 2 Mabasa 25’, Hotto 43’ CAPE TOWN CITY 0 Pirates win 3-1 on aggregate THIS is Orlando Pirates’ Holy Grail. The Sea Robbers achieved the improbable yesterday, becoming the first side to steer the ship to the Wafa Wafa cup final three times in a row after beating Cape Town City on aggregate in their two-legged semi-final. The Buccaneers’ victory was even sweeter as they won 2-0 yesterday at home, adding to the 1-1 draw that they got in the first leg in Cape Town on Wednesday. Innocent Maela is the captain of this ship that’s sailing into calm waters and it seems they cannot hit…

SPRINGBOK captain and flanker Siya Kolisi said not panicking was the key to a thrilling 31-27 Rugby Championship victory over New Zealand in Johannesburg yesterday. Trailing by 10 points with 12 minutes remaining, the reigning world champions scored tries through flanker Kwagga Smith and scrumhalf Grant Williams to snatch victory. A minute before Smith scored, New Zealand had been reduced to 14 men when prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was yellow-carded at Ellis Park. “These are the scenarios we train for,” said two-time World Cup-winning skipper Kolisi, who was forced off in the second half after suffering concussion. “Obviously we do not want to be in a situation where we are trailing entering the closing stages, but we have to be prepared for such cases. “We never gave up, and drew from…

THE bus ride into Ellis Park has been described by various All Blacks teams as a hideous experience, but for Siya Kolisi’s Springboks, the inspiration from the local fans is what pulled them out of the fire in yesterday’s big Rugby Championship match. Kolisi paid tribute to the passionate Springbok fans after his side fashioned a Great Escape in the last 10 minutes to win 31-27. “This game was sold out a couple of months ago and 65 000 fans were there to lift us when we needed it the most,” the Bok skipper said. “When you arrive at the stadium and you are cheered every metre by people from all walks of life, it makes an impression on you,” the captain said. “The people go crazy in the streets…

THE competition within the Springbok squad for a place as a winger keeps motivating Kurt-Lee Arendse to stay on top of his game. Since making his debut for the Boks, the Boland-born speedster has been a revelation in the national side, so much so that he has usurped double World Cup winner Makazole Mapimpi as one of the starters. But, knowing other talented flyers are waiting for the opportunity to represent the reigning world champions lights that spark in the 28-year-old to keep producing for his side. Every time he graces the international playing field, he delivers performances that make it difficult for Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus and his assistants to overlook him. Arendse and the Boks’ other hot stepper, Cheslin Kolbe, currently occupy the two wing jerseys. But…

A spot in the 2024 MTN8 final will be on the line when a youthful Stellenbosch seek to finish the job against a Mamelodi Sundowns side tipped as potential winners of the competition. Stellies have placed themselves in a glorious position to advance to yet another final after scoring an away goal thanks to a Fawaaz Basadien penalty in the first leg in midweek and taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg. The two teams will lock horns one final time at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 3pm. The Cape Winelands-based outfit seemingly pulled off what seemed to be a nearly perfect performance to score a goal of their own and restrict Sundowns to just a few glaring chances. Not many teams have been able to keep…

The fifth instalment of the Broken Promises movie franchise premiered in Durban this week. The release of Broken Promises 5: Vengeance marks the 20th anniversary of the franchise. The film will be released in cinemas from September 6. The movie is written, directed and produced by Kumaran Naidu, formerly from Chatsworth and now living in Gauteng. Naidu said the movie, with a cast of 270 members, was shot in a record time of 11 days in March this year. Playing lead roles are Theshen Naicker, Jenell Moonsamy and Nathaniel Singh. “I decided to give new talent an opportunity to be in a film,” he said. He said when he made the first Broken Promises film in 2003, he did it for the fun of it because of his love for…

When it comes to beautiful sites, it’s no secret that there is no other place like Africa. The continent is vast with natural beauty and wonders. It is the second biggest continent on Earth, the cradle of humankind, and it has amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. From north to south, east to west, the continent has plenty of adventures to explore. If you’re looking for places to add to your travel bucket list, here are some of the most beautiful places on Earth, Africa edition. The Victoria Falls On the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia it spans more than 1 700m in width and plummets up to 108m into the Batoka Gorge of the Zambezi River. Its sheer size and power make it a breathtaking spectacle. Le Morne in Mauritius Famous…

Food and travel go together like bacon and eggs. No trip or journey is complete without food because why leave your house if you’re not going to eat? With South Africa’s diverse ethnic cultures and heritage, there are plenty of different and daring foodie experiences to try out. From fresh strawberries in George to enjoying a meal in the bush, conquering your fears and dining in the sky to eating in a confined space with crocodiles, there’s a foodie adventure waiting to be explored. Bush braai Imagine enjoying a local favourite, braaied meat, in the heart of the African bush? Sometimes game meats like kudu and nyala are offered. La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge is one of many lodges that offer such an experience in the Kruger National Park. On entering…

When Netflix released Nice Girls on August 21, I thought: “Here we go again, another Totally Spies! meets Charlie’s Angels action flick.” But, wow, this one missed the mark! Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera, the movie was supposed to be a fun, female-led buddy cop caper with action and laughs. Instead, it feels more like a desperate attempt to inject life into a dying genre. What’s the deal with Nice Girls? Leo, a nice-but-gritty French cop (Alice Taglioni), takes on the investigation of her partner Ludo’s mysterious murder in Hamburg. Enter German detective Melanie (Stéfi Celma), the professional who was supposed to take over the case but turns out to be just as lost as the audience. Together, the two unlikely partners try to crack the…

THE New Development Bank, sometimes referred to as “NDB” or “the BRICS Bank”, and the South African government hosted the ninth annual meeting of the NDB Board of Governors in Cape Town this week. The strategic meeting, held on Thursday and Friday, was of vital importance in that it took place amid a rapidly changing international world order. The geopolitical changes sweeping through the globe include a process better-known as “de-dollarisation”, where BRICS member states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have resolved not to use the US currency any longer when conducting trade and business among themselves. This impactful isolation of the US dollar will naturally affect the US economy. The effect might not be felt immediately, but the psychological self-emancipation of the BRICS-Plus nations marks a break…

Bheki Mtolo also regrets the time spent in defending former president Jacob Zuma ANC KwaZulu-Natal secretary Bheki Mtolo has admitted that any further splinter from the party would see them losing power, and effectively handing the reins over to the DA. In the same breath, the provincial secretary also ruled out any working relationship with the EFF, labelling the party and its leadership as unpredictable as the weather. “It is hard to have a relationship with the EFF. We have worked with them in eThekwini and just like the weather they are unpredictable,” said Mtolo. Speaking at a press briefing from the party’s office in Durban, he lashed out at those who had blamed the current leadership for the party’s poor showing at the polls in May, saying such analysis…

THE University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Centre for Creative Arts' JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, which takes place in Durban until next Sunday will feature two performances from India by the Bangalore-based dancer and choreographer Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy. The performances will be presented at UKZN, Durban, and at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg with the support of the Consulate-General of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India. The performances will be at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban on Thursday and Friday and The Market in Joburg on September 11 and 12. The performances are part of a larger contemporary dance programme that includes workshops, panel discussions, and virtual screen dance presentations taking place at various venues in Durban, and followed by…

You know it’s spring when all the colours of the rainbow eucalyptus, a tree from Papua Guinea, shows off the artwork in its bark; and the cannonball tree, from South America, bears fruit that can weigh between five and 7kg. These are among signs of the new season at the Durban Botanic Gardens, says tour guide Vishnu Moodley. “We have a colour-changing tree that has every colour in the world on it, called the rainbow eucalyptus. One hundred percent natural, we call it a painting because it looks like you painted the tree. “It drinks 100 litres of water a day, so it keeps on growing and as it grows, it stretches the bark. When it stretches the bark, it peels, making it bright green, then into different stages of…

Women’s Month ended with a celebration of film-makers, in the hope that it inspires other women to join the industry. The KZN Tourism and Film Authority held the event on Friday to both honour women and raise awareness of opportunities in the film industry. The engagement provided a platform for women film-makers to share their stories, while also highlighting KZN Tourism and Film Authority’s transformation projects that provide opportunities for women film-makers. Portia Ndudane, 37, who has been in the film industry for 11 years, said she became a film-maker at a time when there were not many women in this field. “I love that the film industry gives you the platform to express yourself, and gets people to imagine what can be in the future. Being a film-maker allows…

FAITH Ntombela, the murder-accused wife of a slain Durban metro cop said a plot to kill her husband, Captain Zwelakhe Thomas Ntombela, started when she received a Facebook message from someone who pretended to be ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma. Ntombela, 43, a former employee at the magistrate’s court, said she later learnt that the person who she thought was Duma was Khulani Cele, a hitman from KwaMaphumulo who is currently serving a sentence in Kokstad Prison for other crimes. Cele is also accused in the murder case of Ntombela’s husband. Captain Ntombela, 50, who was attached to the VIP protection unit was shot at his home at uMlazi S section in May last year while closing a gate. He was hospitalised in Isipingo, where he died. On Friday, Ntombela…

Should African people be called black – or is the categorising of people by skin colour a racist practice? How about Africa? Is the name of the continent a racial slur because it was chosen by European exploiters and based on the weather rather than the people – and should it be renamed? These are the questions I posed in a recent esearch paper. How did it come to be named? The name “Africa” was given to the continent by European exploiters, slave traders and colonists who first arrived as traders and explorers in the 1300s. The word Africa is believed to be from the Greek aphrike, meaning without cold; it translates in Latin to aprica, meaning sunny. You know how it is. Humans habitually give names to strangers…

THE Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has denied a request to disclose the procurement and financial details of the two-day farewell party for former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. This followed concerns about the potential corruption, abuse of power, and mismanagement of funds by the head of the OCJ, who allegedly approved the use of funds to organise the farewell party. According to a source within the OCJ, there are concerns that procurement policies were deliberately undermined, as the farewell party for Justice Zondo exceeded the usual amount allocated for such events. The farewell dinner in tribute to Justice Zondo was held at the Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch, in Johannesburg on August 20. The source alleged that the funds spent on the event far exceeded those for other retiring justices,…

MUNICIPALITIES continue to fail to improve and progress after the auditor-general reported that only 13% – 34 out of 247 of them – enjoyed clean audits. The report stated that while 45 municipalities improved their audits since 2020-21, 36 had even regressed. This was after the auditor-general, Tsakani Maluleke, this week tabled the 2022-2023 report on the local government audit outcomes. Maluleke called on all role-players in the accountability ecosystem to work deliberately and with urgency towards a culture of performance, accountability, transparency and institutional integrity to ultimately result in a better life for the people of South Africa. She said there had been little change and, despite commitments made by role-players in the accountability ecosystem for improvement, action had been slow and had little impact on the lived realities…

IN RECENT weeks, there has been an unsettling spike in the occurrence of extortion mafias across the nation. From small businesses and restaurants to schools and community centres, mafias demanding pay-offs from businesses have become a fast-growing societal challenge. Essentially, extortion mafias – also referred to as “protection mafias” – threaten businesses, individuals, and communities, demanding “protection fees” from businesses through the use of violence, threats, or sabotage if their demands are not met. Incidents of extortion began sporadically, being spotlighted as far back as 2015. In almost no time they have escalated into widespread, systematic threats ravaging the country. Just last month, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu assured Parliament that authorities were intensifying their crackdown on the construction mafias. The construction mafias are a set of extortion groups that are…

ACE Magashule’s former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, suffered another blow this week when her attempt to have the charges against her declared unconstitutional and unlawful failed. The Free State High Court dismissed her urgent application to withdraw the fraud and corruption charges against her. She also challenged the legality of her extradition from the US where she has been studying since 2020. Cholota was charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering related to the R225 million asbestos case after she allegedly backtracked on her agreement to testify against Magashule. In July, she appealed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to stop her extradition. In her submission, she told Blinken that she had been shocked by the questions the investigators asked. She had begun to suspect that the questions were…

ARSENAL’S Premier League title challenge hit its first stumbling block in a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion after Declan Rice was sent off yesterday, while Aston Villa won 2-1 away at Leicester City. Both Arsenal and Brighton had maximum points from their opening two games and the Gunners looked set for another victory when Kai Havertz pounced on a Lewis Dunk error to lob in the opening goal. However, the game turned just seconds into the second half when Rice controversially received the first red card of his career. The England midfielder was deemed to have kicked the ball away as Joel Veltman shaped up to take a Brighton free-kick and was shown a second yellow card. “I was amazed, amazed, amazed!” an outraged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta…

THE terrific atmosphere at Ellis Park last night reflected the rude health South African rugby is enjoying, but the Springboks once more tested the cardiac conditions of their supporters by leaving it late before snatching a 31-27 win. It was the much-celebrated ‘Bomb Squad’ that saved the day after the All Blacks for 70 minutes had found the venue to their liking and looked like they would burst the Boks’ bubble. Until the Boks’ almost unbelievable comeback in the last 10 minutes, the difference between the teams was the efficiency and accuracy of New Zealand’s backline play, while the Bok back division forced their plays, which caused handling errors. The worry before the game was that if the Kiwis gained at least parity in the forward exchanges, their back division…

CONCEDING 57 points – even against the Lions’ United Rugby Championship team – was a bitter pill to swallow, but it won’t result in the Blue Bulls calling on their heavyweights for the rest of the Currie Cup. The Pretoria side gave up eight tries in their 57-33 defeat to their Johannesburg neighbours at Midstream College in Olifantsfontein on Friday night, and with it their unbeaten status and top spot on the log. But with the last league game to come against an in-form Sharks side in Durban on Sunday, the Bulls will have a tough task to reclaim the No 1 berth, despite now trailing by just a single point to the Lions, as the latter outfit take on the winless Griffons at Ellis Park on Friday and should…

Shavani Naicker, a final-year PhD candidate in applied mathematics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), was a recipient of the South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA). Naicker was among the winners of the DSI-Esther Mahlangu Doctoral Fellowships for her groundbreaking research in astronomy. Professor Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, lauded the SAWiSA as an important initiative that recognised and celebrated the women researchers and scientists, for pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation for the benefit of everyone. The award, presented annually by the Department of Science and Innovation, includes a prize of R95 000 to support further academic and research pursuits. Naicker was recognised for her exceptional academic track record and innovative research contributions. Her application, submitted in June, was evaluated on her academic…

ACCORDING to FCM Travel Solutions GM Bonnie Smith, business travellers are constantly up against threats to their data security and, as cybercriminals get craftier, protecting personal and company info on the go isn’t just a good idea but a must. She highlighted that in today’s digital age, the volume of personal information we share for various activities has exponentially increased. “You may be online shopping, ordering food delivery, downloading mobile applications, playing an online game, or simply browsing the web and your personal data is at play. In a world where such information commands high value, it’s vital to secure it, particularly when travelling,” said Smith. The travel expert shared tips. Secure devices and accounts Smith advised that before embarking on your journey, ensure all your devices – smartphones,…

WHILE it is wonderful to be proud of home-cooked meals, prepared just the way your family has been eating them, you have no idea what exciting food adventures await you if you have not already tried the varied cuisines from around the world. Exploring new cuisines can be an enriching experience. It not only broadens your culinary horizons but also opens a door for you to learn about the different cultures they belong to. Here are six ways to expand your palate by exploring foods from other cultures. Travel The best way to learn about a culture and its customs is to be there! Catch a flight and immerse yourself in new people, food, and scenery. Mingle with locals to get their insight on the best authentic go-to restaurants, or…

The new season of Only Murders in the Building picks up exactly where the third season left off: with podcasting trio Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) celebrating solving the murder of Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) while their friend Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) dies – shot through a window in Charles’s flat while fetching the gang a precious bottle of Malbec. Sure, it’s grim. But the death of a relatively important character puts a new spin on a plot that might otherwise feel a bit like a reprise of the show’s meta-meditations on fame. In the hit show’s fourth season, the amateur sleuths find themselves once again experimenting with micro-celebrity and becoming fodder for a vampiric entertainment industry. That’s not new terrain for them or…

SOUTH Africa stands at a critical juncture of grappling with the persistent and deep-rooted challenge of youth unemployment. Outcries from unemployed youth and numerous opposition parties on the effectiveness of government’s initiatives in addressing this scourge have become a regular feature playing out within the media space. Addressing this challenge, however, needs to move past being a mere numbers game but rather a holistic approach that focusses on education, work experience, and regional disparities if the country is to have any hope of gradually turning the tide. The numbers speak volumes. As of the second quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate among young South Africans aged 15 to 34 has soared to an alarming 46.1%, starkly overshadowing the national unemployment rate of 33.5%. Unemployed South Africans reached 8.4 million, marking…

POTATOES SA has smashed rumours that there would be a short supply of the country’s favourite tuber over the next few months. Last week, the industry body, operating from Potato House in Pretoria, said supply remained stable and reports of shortages and excessively high prices were “over exaggerated” and unlikely to materialise. Instead of shortages, it predicted the size of potatoes on the market were likely to be affected due to problems in Limpopo. “While the market is currently experiencing a decline in supply, volumes are not drastically lower when compared to the same period over the last few years. Frost was widely reported in Limpopo during the winter months of 2024, resulting in limited growth of potatoes. “A Potatoes SA survey, done among potato producers in Limpopo, however, shows…

THIS year marks the 130-year anniversary of the formation of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC). The NIC was the first Indian Congress established. It was founded by Mahatma Gandhi on August 22, 1894 to fight against discrimination faced by Indians. Dr Monty Naicker was elected to the organisation’s leadership in 1945. Owing to more militant protests, by the 1950s and 1960s several of the NIC’s leaders were in jail. Although the NIC itself was not banned, the harassment of its leaders and the repressive conditions at that time led to a halt in its activities. It was only in 1971 that the NIC was revived with a focus on civic work. The NIC led, fought and participated in several major seminal political struggles, not least being the Passive Resistance Campaign,…

Women from the various sectors within the tourism industry gathered at The Silokazis in Inanda in Durban on Thursday, where Durban Tourism hosted a Women in Tourism engagement as part of the eThekwini Municipality’s Women’s Month celebrations. Delegates and businesswomen convened to identify some of the challenges they faced in the tourism sector and were also empowered with access to business resources and opportunities in the industry. Among others who were in attendance were Civil Aviation Authority director Poppy Khoza, South African Chapter of the Indian Ocean Rims Business Forum chairperson Nokuthula Ndlovu and Johanna Makgalemele, group chief executive officer at Travel with Flair. Ndlovu encouraged women to make use of technology to ensure the success of their businesses. She said it was important for women to invest in…

Ian Wyles is featuring two properties that will go under the hammer in its auction on September 25 at 11am. The first property, Unit 2/3 Royal Palm, 8 Palm Boulevard, uMhlanga, which is being sold in a liquidation matter, is on Palm Boulevard in uMhlanga Newtown Centre. The property features fully serviced retail, office and residential units. The building is easily accessible from the N2 freeway and just 20 minutes from King Shaka Airport. The mixed-use commercial building has office space available to let and comprises: Ground floor: Retail area (220m²) Two window display areas Bathroom/toilet Change/dress cubicles Mezzanine (35m²): Display area Viewing is by appointment only. For more information, call Ian Wyles at 082 490 3517 or 031 579 4403 or visit www.ianwyles.co.za. The second is a residential…

KWAZULU-NATAL is home to some of the most dangerous places in the country, according to the latest crime statistics released last week. Inanda, Phoenix, Umlazi, Durban Central, KwaMashu, KwaDukuza, and Plessislaer have consistently reported high levels of violent crime, causing concern among citizens and authorities alike. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu described the figures as “sobering”, while emphasising the devastating impact of crime on communities nationwide. The statistics indicate a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity, as criminal activities continue to wreak havoc across the country. Willem Els, a representative from the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted South Africa’s concerning position in global crime rankings. According to the Enact Organised Crime Index, South Africa ranks third out of 54 African countries and seventh globally in terms of criminality. Moreover, the Mafia…

MERCEDES-Benz South Africa (MBSA) co-chief executive officer Mark Raine has resigned from his position after allegations of nepotism against him. Raine is set to take an opportunity to oversee direct sales, omni-channel commerce and data management in Stuttgart, Germany. This new role will be effective from today. His resignation came after the Sunday Independent exposed how Raine allegedly closed doors on qualified black women. It was reported that MBSA allegedly hired two white men in roles previously set aside for black South African women. The changes allegedly came after Raine was appointed in 2021. It was also alleged that one of the appointed white men was known not to have the requisite qualifications and was handpicked without the position being advertised. He was allegedly recruited based on his friendship with…

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatji still blames senior members of the co-governing party in Gauteng for the massive losses it suffered following the May 29 national and provincial elections. The ANC’s head of elections in Gauteng is finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula recently reprimanded the two for engaging in public spats. “Others have falsely accused the ANCYL of lacking militancy and radicalism, particularly because we recently criticised members of the executive council appointed by Premier (Panyaza) Lesufi in Gauteng, by arguing that they do not deserve reappointment to the Cabinet due to their poor performance in government and their failure to deliver satisfactory electoral results, with the ANC in Gauteng dropping drastically from 50.19% to 34.76% in the space of five years,”…

ESKOM load reduction and the celebration of 100-plus days without load shedding has been derided by many who point out that the difference between load shedding and load reduction is that the latter is only being implemented in the rural areas. The state-entity’s recent performance has been hailed following a few months without load shedding, which has now been replaced with “load reduction”, which continues to disrupt the availability of electricity in many parts of the country. Asked why load reduction was implemented in some areas (rural and townships) while the electricity supply continued uninterrupted in some parts of the country, the Eskom media desk said it would respond, but failed to do so by the time of publication, despite the various extensions that were afforded to Eskom. Since the…

IT was the great escape at Ellis Park for the Springboks as they overcame their own mistakes and a classy All Blacks side to clinch a 31-27 Rugby Championship victory last night. Here is how we rated the world champions’ display in Johannesburg... Aphelele Fassi: 6/10 Took some good catches out of the air, cleared his territory with the boot and tried hard to attack the All Blacks defence with ball-in-hand. Received a yellow card early on for a cynical ruck infringement close to the Bok tryline. Cheslin Kolbe: 7 Looked for work throughout, popping up in unusual positions to step a few defenders, and he even bumped off All Blacks captain Scott Barrett. Was trapped in a ruck to concede a first-minute penalty that eventually led to the opening…

MPUMELELO Mhlongo is living his dream and through the reality of it all, he wants to take South Africa to great heights when he takes to the track at the Paris Paralympic Games. The Durban-born long jumper and sprinter is one half of team South Africa’s flag bearers alongside double world champion swimmer Kat Swanepoel at the Paris Games. Mhlongo is making his third appearance at the Games, and after having narrowly missed out on the medals at the Tokyo Games after an impressive showing in the heats, the 30-year-old has his sights set on a performance worth gold. Mhlongo finished fifth in the finals of the men’s T44 long jump and T44 100m respectively, and he made his way to Paris on the back of a Para World Championships…

VICTOR Osimhen has not been included in Napoli’s official 23-man Serie A squad for this season, after the Nigerian striker’s expected move away from the club failed to materialise. Osimhen’s 26 goals helped Napoli to their Scudetto win two seasons ago, but it has all turned sour since, and although the want-away player is still at the club, for now he plays no part in their plans. The 25-year-old signed a contract extension with Napoli last December, keeping him at the club until 2026 and with a reported release clause of €130 million. A month later, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis said Osimhen would leave at the end of the season, and in recent days his expected destination appeared to be Chelsea or Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. Negotiations went…

THE dynamics within the Proteas Test and limited-overs squads are slowly changing. The recent retirements of household names including Quinton de Kock and Dean Elgar have driven this change. Budding youngsters are taking up places in the men’s senior teams, with Tony de Zorzi having taken over from Elgar in Test cricket and Ryan Rickelton from De Kock in the limited-overs squad. A more interesting driving force behind the change in personnel is the top performances that younger cricketers have showcased in domestic cricket and the handful of opportunities presented to them at international level. Patrick Kruger, an all-rounder who has displayed great potential in the Warriors side in Gqeberha, looks to be the all-round option limited-overs coach Rob Walter will lean towards in the future, particularly for the number…

THE absence of star goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has highlighted the lack of top-flight shot-stoppers in the Premier Soccer League. National men’s team coach Hugo Broos aired his views on the South African goalkeeper situation during a recent press conference at the SABC studios in Auckland Park. Williams is not available for Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday (6pm) and South Sudan in Juba on Tuesday, September 10 (3pm). He is recovering from an operation on a shoulder injury he initially sustained while at the Afcon finals in January. He has been a star performer and managed five clean sheets in seven games during the time he captained Bafana Bafana. Apart from his goalkeeping ability, Williams is a terrific distributor after gathering the…

Bollywood’s Karan Johar, who last directed the rom-com Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, said that he was proud of his journey as a human being. Johar recently appeared on the podcast, Jaane Mann, with astrologer and Vastu consultant Dr Jai Madaan. He said: “I was never like the other boys – their interests, their style, their sports – it just wasn’t me. It took me years to understand that I don’t owe anyone an apology for being different. I’ve embraced who I am, and that’s become my power.” Johar is known for his fearless approach to his professional and personal lives, and his unapologetic embrace of his identity has established him as a cultural icon and a symbol of inclusivity in the entertainment industry. He said: “I have never…

A Durban-born woman has written an essential guide on divorce. Pratisha Sirkisson, 52, will today launch her book titled EmpowerHER: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating Divorce. Sirkisson drew from her personal experience and provides a comprehensive roadmap to manage the emotional, legal and financial challenges with strength and confidence. The guide addresses unique hurdles women encounter, offering strategies for legal understanding, financial management, co-parenting and life rebuilding. Through inspiring stories and personal advice, Sirkisson encourages women to see divorce as an opportunity for growth. “When I started writing the book I titled it Women’s Survival Guide. As I wrote it I realised it wasn’t about surviving, but empowering. I realised there were so many challenges because you are not just divorcing your spouse, but your family, friends, people you thought…

Following National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner’s Netflix documentary, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, the focus on health is greater than ever. The documentary is based on Buettner’s best-selling book, which looks at specific regions where people live longer and healthier lives. The Blue Zone concept has inspired many to adopt healthier eating habits, and what makes them fascinating is that their inhabitants’ longevity isn’t primarily due to genetics but rather to lifestyle factors, particularly diet and social habits. According to Flight Centre South Africa’s general manager, Antoinette Turner, global health rankings had become increasingly important for travellers seeking wellness-focused destinations for their next break even before this. Turner highlighted that in a 2023 study published in CEO- World magazine, which drew on data from reputable sources…