Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-12-15 i Sunday Tribune

Cyril Ramaphosa wants one standout policy success to help address many of South Africa’s ills, he should give full backing to the campaign to remove value added tax (VAT) from chicken. Ramaphosa set out those maladies in a speech to the National Council of the Provinces (NCOP) last week. He noted that, despite the country’s many successes since the advent of democracy in 1994, it was still beset by poverty, unemployment and inequality. He highlighted the need for economic growth, job creation, agricultural output and exports, improved education and better health. Noting the huge increase in social grants, which now benefit nearly half of South Africa’s households, Ramaphosa said “the aim must be to move as many social grant recipients as possible into sustainable livelihoods”. VAT-free chicken is a pro-poor…

As supermarkets prepare for the Christmas rush, savvy shoppers are starting to plan their festive menus. Will they stick to the tried-and-true holiday classics, or will they embrace the delicious changes on the culinary horizon? This year, we’ve rounded up some of the most delectable food trends for 2024 – prepare to be inspired. Luxury fish: A touch of elegance Seafood connoisseurs can rejoice as luxury fish take centre stage this holiday season. Prawns, crabs, lobsters, and even extravagant three-fish roasts will grace dining tables across the world. One nostalgic dish poised for a grand comeback is the classic prawn cocktail. There’s a reason the prawn cocktail has stood the test of time and that’s because the simple flavours marry so well together. A festive dish – with its vibrant…

At just 17, Cape Town’s Zarelda de Bruin has gone from high school to the small screen in a way most aspiring actors only dream of. Her first-ever audition landed her the role of Melissa, a bold teenage journalist, in Showmax’s supernatural series, Spooksoeker. The show follows Warno (played by Rico Immelman), a teenager with the ability to see and banish ghosts, as he teams up with his best friends, Allies (Joshwin Dyson) and Melissa, to confront otherworldly mysteries. “This is my very first role, and also my very first time auditioning for anything,” De Bruin shared in an exclusive interview with the streaming platform. “When I got the role, I hadn’t even been signed to an agency yet, but everything fell into place so perfectly. I’m still so surprised…

Ever caught yourself side-eyeing someone else’s shopping cart and playing detective? You’re not alone. What you buy doesn’t just fill up your stockings – it’s a festive personality quiz in disguise. And spoiler alert: your generation is probably spilling some secrets. “This isn’t just fun to think about; it’s backed by numbers,” says Jonathan Spencer, Brand and Campaign Manager at OneDayOnly.co.za. “PwC’s Holiday Outlook 2024 reveals that Millennials and Gen Z are throwing cash at Christmas with budget hikes of 15.85% and a whopping 37.41%. Meanwhile, Gen X and Boomers are tightening the purse strings, cutting their spend by 18.41% and 1.92%, respectively.” “But it’s not just how much they’re spending – it’s what they’re buying and why,” he says. A study into online shopping carts revealed how the generations…

Southlands Secondary grade 9 pupils participated in the Global Coding and Robotics Competition and were placed in the top five. The all girl team of five competed against 50 other schools on an international level and were placed in fifth position. They were the only South African school to be placed in the top 5. Rayha Naidoo,14, one of the teammates, has been coding for four years, with a strong foundation in programming languages such as Scratch, and Python. She has developed a passion for problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous learning. “Participating in the global coding competition was an exhilarating experience for my team and me. We were thrilled to join the competition, as it provided a unique opportunity to showcase our skills, learn from others, and push ourselves beyond our…

As schools closed this week, there is mounting pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to implement the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act in its complete form. The legislation which seeks to bring an end to the inequalities in the country’s education system by ensuring among others, access to top public schools for pupils has been received with mixed reaction. The call for the swift implementation of the Bela legislation was made by a number of role-players including political parties and education activists and interest groups who cautioned Ramaphosa against any delays. In a joint statement this week, the Equal Education Law Centre and Equal Education noted that the President’s self-imposed three-month consultation period came to an end on December, 13, and warned that any further delays would potentially raise serious…

HEALTH Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has again mounted a spirited defence of the government’s National Health Insurance (NHI), stating that the system was not unique to South Africa and its rollout was imminent. Motsoaledi was addressing hundreds of delegates to the SA Communist Party’s (SACP’s) four-day special national congress at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni. The minister warned that the issue of the NHI was going to embarrass the country in the long run if it is not adequately addressed. Motsoaledi cited the example of the US, which he said spent 22% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health and that this accounted for 43% of the global spending on health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) set the target of 5% of the GDP for all countries while South…

The recent appointment of Busisiwe Lubelwana as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Emalahleni Local Municipality has sparked significant controversy and dissatisfaction among local citizens. Accusations of irregularities and potential misconduct surrounding her previous employment have raised alarm bells within the community. A group of concerned citizens has voiced strong opposition to Lubelwana’s appointment, alleging that her involvement in a R25 million contract scandal with the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency (BCMDA) was ignored by the screening company responsible for vetting her application. According to these citizens, Lubelwana’s resignation from BCMDA in November 2023, just months after her appointment, was linked to investigations pertaining to her conduct, further fueling their concerns. Luthando Nqumkana, spokesperson for Emalahleni Local Municipality, has distanced the municipality from these allegations, stating that they relate to…

THE SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has rejected the government’s plan to streamline its workforce by encouraging early retirement among public servants, warning that this cost-cutting measure, aimed at reducing the public sector wage bill, threatens service delivery and jeopardises the livelihoods of thousands of working-class families. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced this initiative during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October. The initiative seeks to reduce government employment costs while fostering a rejuvenation of the public service. He said the National Treasury allocated R11 billion to fund the programme over the next two fiscal years, targeting approximately 30 000 employees for early retirement. Godongwana last week addressed concerns regarding this initiative during a parliamentary response, emphasising that the programme would not be “free for all“ and would…

LIVERPOOL’S Diogo Jota bagged a last-gasp equaliser to snatch a 2-2 Premier League draw for the 10-man Reds against Fulham in a breathless encounter at Anfield yesterday, with Arne Slot’s hosts twice roaring back from a goal down. Liverpool remain on top of the table on 36 points, five ahead of Chelsea, who host Brentford today, and six in front of Arsenal, who were 0-0 at home to Everton and have played a game more. Fulham are ninth on 24 points. Andreas Pereira put Fulham ahead in the 11th minute with an acrobatic volley from Antonee Robinson’s cross, which bounced off Liverpool fullback Andy Robertson’s thigh and into the net past goalkeeper Alisson. On a tough afternoon for Robertson, he was shown a red card six minutes later for a…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame joined Max Verstappen on stage when the Red Bull driver collected the Formula One champion’s trophy for the fourth year in a row at an awards ceremony held in Africa for the first time on Friday night. The 27-year-old was handed the trophy by International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem alongside Kagame, who had earlier spoken of Rwanda bidding to host a race, at the gala in Kigali. Verstappen, who is one of only six drivers to have won four or more titles since the championship started in 1950, said he was proud of his season and everyone in the team. “It’s amazing, four titles is definitely incredible. Of course, I also hope it doesn’t stop here. I hope we can be successful for…

Kaizer Chiefs might have had a roller-coaster start to the season, but they’ll still be the team to beat when they visit TS Galaxy in Mbombela tomorrow (3pm kick-off). Chiefs are the most successful team in the land. And as such, their success has been coupled with the biggest following, in numbers, to date. But be that as it may, they haven’t been menacing in the last decade, as their last piece of silverware was the league title in 2015 under then-coach Stuart Baxter. So, having gone through numerous changes in the office and on the bench, the Amakhosi were hoping that they could turn things around this season. Boy, they wanted to hit two birds with one stone – new coach Nasreddine Nabi was expected to get results, and…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said that he felt privileged to work with Cole Palmer after labelling him as “different” to the Premier League’s other star forwards. Palmer has been Chelsea’s outstanding player in their unexpected rise to second place in the Premier League. With 11 goals in 15 games, the England international is Chelsea’s top scorer, and has also provided six assists. Palmer’s confidence and quality were on display once again with the cheeky chipped penalty in last weekend’s win at Tottenham. It was the kind of eye-catching moment that Maresca claimed as evidence that the 22-year-old is a truly unique talent. “I feel very proud and privileged to work with Cole. Cole is a different one to the rest,” the Italian said. Chelsea host west London neighbours Brentford today…

Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult held onto his lead by the end of a difficult third round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship yesterday as he now chases a second DP World Tour title at Leopard Creek today. In temperatures far cooler than the previous days, Kinhult put together a solid 69 to head the field on 14-under-par. He heads into the final round two strokes clear of South Africa’s Ryan van Velzen, who signed for an incredible 65 to climb to 12-under. Darius van Driel from The Netherlands kept himself in contention on 11-under with a 67. Despite the cooler weather, it was a far from easy day for the majority of those near the top of the leaderboard. Charl Schwartzel saw his challenge falter with a 74 that was a tale…

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, South African airlines LIFT and FlySafair are sounding the alarm over the financial pressures they face, as soaring operational costs collide with the high demand of the festive travel season. In response to a parliamentary committee’s investigation into the fairness of ticket pricing, both airlines have emphasised the difficulties of maintaining affordability for customers while grappling with substantial operational expenses. As South Africans prepare for the festive season, concerns over airline price gouging have emerged. Mzwandile Masina, the chairperson of the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition, accused airlines of making air travel prohibitively expensive, prompting a request to the Competition Commission to investigate ticket pricing for FlySafair, LIFT, Airlink and ComAir. In a robust defence of their pricing models, Kirby…

Passengers travelling to South Africa with Qatar Airways will get the opportunity to experience local cuisine and flavours. The airline announced that as part of celebrations for its 20th anniversary of flying to South Africa, it will offer a menu that reflects the uniqueness of the cuisine of the nation and destination. “Travellers on the Cape Town-Doha, Johannesburg-Doha, and Durban-Maputo-Doha routes can expect food that most homesick South Africans worldwide yearn for,” said the airline. The menu includes braised lamb potjie (stew traditionally cooked in a three-legged cast-iron pot), the classic Durban “bunny” or bunny-chow (half a loaf of bread filled with chicken curry) as well as bobotie (baked curried mincemeat topped with savoury egg custard), served with raisin rice. The airline’s catering team also re-imagined basic traditional dishes, offering…

The latest health check on South Africa’s economy from this past week was a mixed bag for consumers as the latest data released on employment and inflation in the country made for both, good and alarming reading. Food inflation plunged to its lowest in 14 years, while the unemployment crisis in the country worsened, as 133 000 jobs in the formal non-agricultural sectors were lost in the third quarter of 2024 as both full-time and part-time employment declined on the back of subdued economic activity. This was according to Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), which released the data this past week. The data comes hot of the heels of the fuel price increases announced for the month of December. There will be some festive cheer for South Africans as the cooling…

Dezemba in South Africa is a time like no other. The sun’s blazing, the braais are sizzling and the air is buzzing with celebrations. From reconnecting with family to indulging in long-standing traditions, this is the season of joy, laughter and togetherness. But, in reality, Dezemba also carries a darker side. South Africa has a long-standing challenge with alcohol overindulgence and the festive season often sees a spike in risky behaviours like drinking and driving, heightened conflict at gatherings and even traumatic experiences. This article isn’t about dampening your holiday spirit – far from it! It’s about striking a balance. Let’s ensure we all make it to 2025 safely, celebrating life while being mindful of the consequences of alcohol abuse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), South Africans consistently…

Veteran actor Luthuli Dlamini has shut down rumours on social media saying that he is homeless, broke, and living in a drug den in Randburg. The 58-year-old Zimbabwe-born actor has appeared on multiple South African television soapies such as Generations, Rockville, Uzalo as well as Scandal. Dlamini took to Instagram to debunk the rumours: “I’m fine, I promise I’m not homeless. “Be sure of your sources of information. Don’t compromise your integrity for 15 cheap minutes of fame. To be continued.” In the video, where he is seen washing clothes in a grey bathtub, he explained: “Hi, I just want to dispel a few rumours. First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who has shown support for me, everyone who has offered me a house to…

THE EU, the cornerstone of Western hegemony, will cease to exist in 10 years unless the bloc undertakes fundamental change to how it relates with the Global South. The Slovak Republic, a member of the EU and one of the key dissenters from the bloc’s imperial stance in geopolitics, has become one of the loudest critics of some of the EU’s major foreign policy. The other main known critic of the EU is Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a member of the EU with a reputation for swimming against the tide. “Unless the EU changes its self-harming policy course, it won’t exist in 10 years’ time, the Slovak Republic’s Deputy Speaker of the National Council said in an interview with the Russian news outlet Sputnik this week. He explained the…

All roads will lead to Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium today as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) hosts its first anniversary celebrations. And no amount of sabotage will stand in the way as thousands of members and supporters are expected to fill up the stadium, says the leadership of the party. MKP spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Vincent Mdunge said it was all systems go as they ready themselves for the “greatest” celebration, adding that there were plans for buses from different regions of the province to transport the party’s rank and file. Mdunge said the excitement was also palpable in other provinces including Gauteng and Mpumalanga as members and supporters wanted to be part of the milestone event. Former President Jacob Zuma launched the MKP to challenge the African National Congress. The…

Old Johannesburg Warehouse (Old JW) Auctioneers' Durban branch will close on December 20 and reopen on January 6. The auctioneers entered the Durban market in June with the opening of their Greyville branch. Since then, the auction house has successfully concluded three local sales of antiques, fine art, jewellery, coins and collectables. There was an array of items for connoisseurs and collectors, some of which set record prices in the South African market. There has been a strong demand for silver items in line with international demand. Gold coins have also produced results with a duo of English gold sovereigns selling for R22 000, and an 1895 ZAR Paul Kruger 1 Pond coin selling for R15 500. Furniture highlights for the year included a rare colonial mahogany brass-bound military campaign…

The pre-trial conference for three men accused of gunning down former ANC deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Zibuse Mlaba has been set for the new year. The ANC veteran and former chief of KwaXimba in Camperdown, was shot and killed in the morning of October 21, 2021, outside his office at Wareing Shopping Centre. The accused Mthobisi Tsebang Dubazana (30) from uMlazi, Nhlanhla Lungelo Hlongwa (30) from the Masukwana informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg, and Fortune Dlamini (29) from Georgedale in Mpumalanga, Hammarsdale made a brief appearance at the Camperdown Regional court earlier this week. Senior state prosecutor advocate Elvis Gcweka handed over copies of the docket to the defence and asked for the court to postpone the matter to February for the pre-trial conference. As usual the court was packed with…

FOLLOWING the Competition Commission’s finding declaring Nedbank and several other banks guilty of conspiring to push the Sekunjalo Group out of the banking market through prohibited practices, the Information Communication Technology Union (ICTU) accused the banks of “double-dealing”. It urged the Commission to expose the banks and prevent them from breaking the law. In what appeared to be an eye-opening finding on the alleged inconsistencies and violation of the country’s competition laws by the leading banks, the November 19 ruling may have laid the grounds for the long-debated unfair practices by the banks. Like many South Africans, the ICTU said the verdict exposed the “real agenda behind” the targeting of Sekunjalo and its numerous entities. The battle between Sekunjalo came after several banks closed transactional facilities for each of the…

THE University of Fort Hare (UFH) vice chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu could suffer a big blow following the call for his immediate removal from his position. The National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) in the Eastern Cape said UFH had become a mini-war zone since Buhlungu’s arrival. The union said the laws that govern the institution had been suspended and only Buhlungu’s office was developing new laws. Nehawu further said that this has collapsed the corporate governance in the institution in such a way that nobody knows if they are still employed by the university. The union’s provincial secretary, Mlu Ncapayi, said it was against this background that Nehawu has come to the conclusion that until Buhlungu is placed on special leave, nothing would help the institution from…

THE ANC has said that if the evidence is provided, the party will act on the Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molemo District Municipality in North West following allegations of corruption amid water protests in the municipality after he canceled 12 water projects. Speaking at a media briefing in Luthuli House last week, the ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, said that he was aware of the reports regarding the water crisis and the allegations leveled against Mayor Khumalo Molefe after he instructed fire stations to be built, raising questions about how the fire stations would work without water. The Sunday Independent reported in November that an internal report from the Department of Water and Sanitation revealed interference in supply chain management, which caused the suspension of R87 million of the budget for…

AS the end of the year draws nearer and the festive season kicks into full gear, many cities are grappling with an unsettling rise in lawlessness—one that is all too common during this time of the year. From heightened crime to rampant injuries, the festive season can—like the flip of a switch—become a grief-stricken time for many. It is a critical opportunity for everyone across the nation to address the various spikes in lawlessness that are frequently occurring during the festive season. This time of the year, hordes of people are frequently journeying home to faraway towns and provinces. According to the March 2024 statistics by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), there are over 13 million vehicles on our roads. However, a chilling tweet from the South African Department…

Richards Bay broke a five-game losing streak after defeating Golden Arrows 1-0 at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale yesterday. The Natal Rich Boyz found the decisive goal halfway through the second half and lifted themselves off the bottom of the Premiership table. Just as it seemed another instalment of the KZN derby was heading for a draw, Richards Bay youngster Lindokuhle Zikhali found the breakthrough for the visitors in the 75th minute. The 19-year-old midfielder popped up at the right place to ensure his side got a reward for their second-half endeavour by scoring his first professional goal. The attention around the Arrows technical team had dominated the headlines leading up to this match, with head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza still absent from his duties. The interim duo of Musa Bilankulu…

ORLANDO Pirates are going to rue the two points they dropped in a 1-1 CAF Champions League draw against Stade D’Abidjan in the Ivory Coast last night. This is a match they should have rendered a no contest within the initial half hour. But they persisted in showing off their slick passing moves instead of finding the opposition net. It proved costly as Pirates allowed the Ivorians to not only score their first goal of the campaign, but to also earn their first point in Group C. Though they’ve gone top of the group with five points at the halfway mark, it’s only because Al Ahly and CR Belouizdad are not playing this weekend as the defending champions are involved in the Fifa Intercontinenal Cup in Qatar. Jose Riveiro and…

Harry Kane will remain England captain when Thomas Tuchel takes charge in January, the German said on Friday, signalling that all the players can count on a clean slate when the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starts under his management. England were pitted against Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra in Group K during the draw in Zurich, which was Tuchel’s first engagement as England boss. He was announced as head coach in October, but will begin work on January 1, ahead of the World Cup qualifying competition. “There is at the moment no need to think about change,” Tuchel told the reporters. “Harry was always a top captain for England. So, why do you even think about it at the moment?” “You cross the river when you cross the river.…

THE Proteas Women have had only two days to prepare for the one-off Test match starting today against England, having completed the ODI series earlier this week. The turnaround has been quick for a team who barely play Test cricket, but South African captain Laura Wolvaardt believes that each player should carve a basic individual plan for the five-day encounter at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The 25-year-old right-handed batter admitted that the preparation time has been too short for them to get properly set for the Test. “Tough, especially only having two days since the last ODI. Pretty quick to turn around, and you don’t really want to be training in the middle of the T20 series for the Test match. We left it for right before the Test,”…

Tottenham Hotspur’s ownership must not be blamed for the club’s struggles, manager Ange Postecoglou said, after a run of inconsistent form dropped his side to 11th in the Premier League after 15 games. Spurs have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions, and defender Cristian Romero publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy following their 4-3 loss to Chelsea last weekend, later apologising for his remarks. “I’m sick of that. For me, that’s an excuse. Even with Cristian’s comments, I just think that’s an excuse. At the moment, I’m here – I take responsibility. These players, we’re here,” the Australian manager told reporters ahead of today’s Premier League visit to Southampton (9pm SA time kick-off). He said the negative sentiment around the club’s culture and hierarchy was not…

Arsenal spurned several chances and failed to take full advantage of Premier League leaders Liverpool’s slip-up against Fulham when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Everton yesterday. Mikel Arteta’s side kept their gap to Liverpool at six points, but after their rivals were held to a 2-2 draw, title hopefuls Arsenal will be disappointed not to have made up some ground. Arsenal remain third in the table on 30 points from 16 games, one point behind second-placed Chelsea, who host Brentford tonight. Everton are 15th with 15 points. In a lively start at the Emirates Stadium yesterday, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, making his return from a hamstring injury, thwarted Abdoulaye Doucoure with an excellent block, while Martin Odegaard twice shot wide from promising positions. Odegaard was…

Several predictions made by Mahesh Bang have come to pass. He has received recognition for his accuracy in India and the UK.…

It’s that time of the year when everyone is looking forward to unwinding and getting some much-needed rest. If you are tired of the deluge of Christmas movies currently on offer, I would highly recommend watching The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini. The comedy special, which was part of the Savanna and Showmax Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, generated a fair amount of hype earlier in the year. With so much going on, I only got around to watching it this week. And I’m not gonna lie, it was firing on all cylinders with roastmasters Tumi Morake and Jason Goliath and a panel of top-notch celebrities: Trevor Gumbi, Shahan Ramkissoon, Celeste Ntuli, Lasizwe, Penny Lebyane, Da L.E.S (before his July stroke), Siv Ngesi, and Robert Marawa. Morake and Goliath pulled no…

Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else. – Epictetus IN the words of the French philosopher and author, Albert Camus, freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. Freedom is the oxygen of the soul, which is true since we need oxygen to survive. We are better today because Judson Diza Kuzwayo and a legion of unsung freedom fighters, instead of allowing us to be asphyxiated by apartheid, sacrificed their lives to become our oxygen. We are, therefore, patriotically bound to honour vision, legacy, and the welcome illumination that was his heart. We must adopt his brilliance in our own hearts, lest his radiance be orphaned. Indeed, to paraphrase the lines of one of Maya Angelou’s poems, when the great tree falls,…

THE Durban Regional court this week heard that ANC Ward 99 councillor Mnqobi Molefe was asked to kneel in front of his girlfriend before he was shot in the head, allegedly by two policemen. The two SAPS members who were stationed at Mkomaas (eMkhomazi) police station, Mayendran Collin Chetty and Thanduxolo Vincent Phelago are on trial for killing Molefe, Pilayelo Sydney Buthelezi, Nhlonipho Cyril Nzimande and Victor Mqapheli Cele on October 11, 2022. A state witness who cannot be named because of concerns for their safety, told the court that on the fateful day, she heard footsteps outside her home and when she peeped through the window she saw that it was police officers. Molefe and her son were in the witness's home. “I told him that the people outside…

KwaZulu-Natal started the long weekend on a sombre note following a multiple vehicle crash just before the Mariannhill Toll Plaza. According to the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), a truck travelling from Zimbabwe collided with six trucks and five cars, killing the Zimbabwean truck driver on Friday night. Then between Friday and early yesterday morning, 14 people were arrested in Pietermaritzburg for driving under the influence of alcohol. KwaZulu-Natal is still expected to welcome more than 603 000 domestic visitors and 63 000 international visitors this festive season. Some will be arriving this long weekend and staying over until the first week of January. Siboniso Duma, the KZN MEC for Transport, said through their road infrastructure, said the department would strengthen its road safety measures, especially during this long weekend. The…

THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has been asked to reject Eskom’s proposed tariff increases. The General Industries Workers Union of SA (Giwusa) said the recent tariff hike earlier this year has already placed immense pressure on the poor, working, and middle class. The independent union said municipalities further exacerbate the burden by passing additional costs to consumers. The power utility has applied for a proposed 36% tariff increase for the 2025 financial year, 11.8% in the next, and 9.10% for 2027/2028. The utility also pointed out that all other electricity users pay more to subsidise the companies benefiting from the negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs). Nersa is expected to announce its decision on December 20. In April, consumers suffered a blow after Eskom increased electricity prices by 12%…

THE SACP this week railed against weak leadership in the ANC and the decision to establish the government of national unity (GNU) as it prepares to contest the 2026 local government elections on its own. SACP held its fifth special national congress at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, where it was at pains to explain several contradictions in the tripartite alliance post the May 29 national and provincial elections at which its ally, the ANC, suffered significant losses. SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila put it bluntly, while delivering his political report, stating that the organisation had been abused in the tripartite alliance. “We are not leaving the relationship (alliance), but we are freeing ourselves from the abuse. We will now engage independently as an organisation,” he told hundreds of delegates.…

DIRECTORS of notorious security company, Red Ants, face jail time for contempt of court after failing to reinstate and pay an executive assistant the company fired nearly R372 000. Former Freedom Front Plus Mogale City proportional representation councillor Alexander Munro Raubenheimer was employed by Red Ants in various capacities until October 2021 when he was fired as an assistant to the chief executive, a position currently occupied by Fuzile Balintulo, who is cited as a respondent along with another of its alleged directors Herman Breedt. Following his dismissal, Raubenheimer referred the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and in June 2022, its commissioner Livhu Nengovhela found that his axing was procedurally fair but substantively unfair. The CCMA ordered Red Ants to reinstate Raubenheimer retrospectively on the…

AS the world moves towards a far more divided world with wars and economic sanctions tearing countries apart, analysts have warned that placing 100% tariffs on BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) as promised by President-elect Donald Trump may cost the United States consumers billions of dollars. Economic and political analysts continued to react with shock after Trump’s threats to sanction BRICS+ countries considering using alternate currencies to the dollar following complaints that the US had weaponised the dollar to disrupt and influence policy direction in developing countries. While some countries were quick to distance themselves from pursuing de-dollarisation, geopolitical analyst Joe Mhlanga said Trump, like other previous US leaders, was employing a colonial mindset that would hurt the US economy. “BRICS members are aware of the threats…

England’s FA decided to back Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup after being reassured by answers they received from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (Saff) during a meeting last month, chair Debbie Hewitt has said. Global soccer governing body Fifa officially awarded the World Cup to the Kingdom on Wednesday, with the sole bid for the tournament confirmed by acclamation. A number of rights organisations strongly criticised Fifa after the announcement, pointing to Saudi’s human rights record. The Kingdom has invested heavily in sport over the last few years, although critics, including women’s rights groups and members of the LGBTQ community, allege it is using its Public Investment Fund to sportswash its human rights record. The country denies accusations of human rights abuses, and says it protects…

No team will admit that a match is unwinnable, but for the Sharks, last night’s Champions Cup away clash against the Leicester Tigers was written off as soon as half of their top players were taken out by the Exeter Chiefs the week before in Durban. Leicester won 56-17 at Welford Road, and a result of that magnitude was always a possibility once it was known that Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Vincent Tshituka, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Venter, Lukhanyo Am, Grant Williams and Makazole Mapimpi were non-travellers. Those guys could beat most countries in a World Cup playoff or two, but their removal from this fixture meant a Leicester currently placed third in the English Premiership, and playing at their fortress of Welford Road, was always going to win comfortably. The…

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is an honest captain. As such, he’s admitted that Mamelodi Sundowns needed to change their approach after a below-par start on the continent. Sundowns had a change in coaching hands this week. They appointed Miguel Cardoso as the new man in charge, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi. Mngqithi was at the helm for only five months, having come to the fore after the sacking of Rulani Mokwena in July after a semi-final finish in the CAF Champions League. So, given that the Brazilians are eyeing their second continental crown this season after nine years, Mngqithi seemingly didn’t adhere to those aspirations. Sundowns cruised to the group stage, but they stuttered after the first two matches, drawing with AS Maniema Union and AS FAR in Group B. The club management…

Not even the second-half heroics of Springbok No 8 Cameron Hanekom could inspire the Bulls to a first win in the Champions Cup. It was instead Northampton Saints who took their chances and scored four tries to claim a bonus point 30-21 at Loftus Versfeld against the home side yesterday afternoon. Wasted opportunities hampered the Bulls heavily, and they will look back at this match as one they chucked away with uncharacteristic handling errors, an inability to finish off good line-breaks and terrible decision-making in favourable positions on the field. The Bulls dominated the scrums, and penalties came their way regularly in the first half. How they failed to make use of this weapon to get points on the board, only they can answer. Hanekom, though, was good throughout the…

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich went down 2-1 at Mainz 05 as their unbeaten league run this season was ended after Lee Jae-Sung scored either side of the break yesterday. South Korea’s Lee struck four minutes before halftime after pouncing on a defensive blunder by the lacklustre visitors. The 32-year-old then doubled the hosts’ lead on the hour, turning beautifully in the box to finish a superb attacking move that left the Bayern defence frozen to the spot. It was the first league loss for Bayern’s Vincent Kompany, who last week became only the third coach in Bundesliga history not to suffer defeat in his first 13 league games in charge. “We played against a team with a lot of life and spirit, and they were prepared to fight for every…

Tribute paid to world-renowned astrologer who has been writing a weekly column for the Sunday Tribune Herald for two decades World-renowned Vedic astrologer and Vastu consultant Mahesh Bang has marked an historic 20 years as a Sunday Tribune columnist. Bang, who lives in Durban, has been practising astrology for the past 30 years. Formally from Jaipur in India, Bang is also a palmist and numerologist. For more than 20 years, Bang has written his “Soul Journey” astrology column for the Sunday Tribune Herald every single week. His association with this newspaper began on August 1, 2004, when he arrived at the Independent Newspapers building in Greyville, Durban. Journalist Doreen Premdev, a former journalist at the Sunday Tribune, recalled that it was a Saturday morning when Bang walked into the office.…

South Africa’s travel industry is buzzing with excitement and, as we approach 2025, it’s clear that the appetite for travel among South Africans has grown stronger than ever. Fuelled by a mix of post-pandemic revenge travel, a renewed focus on meaningful experiences, and the increasing influence of technology, the country’s travellers are redefining how they explore the world. South Africans are prioritising experiences over material goods. According to Dorcas Dlamini Mbele, Area Commercial Director for Marriott International – Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africans are putting their money into experiences rather than material possessions. “South Africans are invested in having unique experiences,” she noted during a recent press briefing. This shift signals a broader cultural trend, where travel is no longer just about ticking off destinations – it’s about immersing oneself in…

Families across South Africa are eagerly scouting for adventure destinations that won’t break the bank. Look no further than the stunning KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, where subtropical weather, breathtaking beaches, and myriad outdoor activities set the stage for unforgettable family memories. With KZN’s natural splendour calling, camping emerges as a perfect option for those seeking to reconnect with nature while enjoying quality time together. Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), has noted a significant rise in families opting for camping and caravanning in the region over the past few years. “It’s not just about saving money. Camping allows families to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and engage with the great outdoors,” said Sibiya. The KZN South Coast is adorned with…