Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-07-16 i Mercury

SAPPI has reached an agreement to sell its Belgium-based subsidiary Sappi Lanaken for €50 million (R980.6m) to UTB Waalwijk, following a decision to reduce production capacity for graphic paper in Europe. UTB is a privately-owned Dutch company specialising in industrial property conversions. In terms of the agreement, UTB will acquire all the shares in Sappi Lanaken, including all its assets for a value of €50m, of which €40m will be paid in cash. The transaction was expected to close in October, 2024. Sappi announced in November it would begin a consultation process to close the Sappi Lanaken mill. The consultation process was successfully concluded and production at the mill ceased at the end of December, 2023. Once the mill was closed, a process started to sell the land and assets.…

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s priorities sound impressive on paper, however, the effectiveness of these will be judged upon implementation as crime statistics remain high. This sentiment was expressed by an expert after Mchunu outlined the priorities for his ministry yesterday. The list includes training, investment in technology, cracking down on corruption, crime intelligence and legislative amendments. “The crime levels in the country are on the increase and are intolerable. We need to act decisively and bring this under control. The levels and type of crime differ from one province to the other. We need to take this into account as we implement the integrated National Crime Prevention Strategy,” Mchunu said. Leading crimes were murder and rape, hijackings and kidnappings for ransom payments, and crimes against women and children. The minister…

SUDAN’S worsening internal conflict is creating unprecedented suffering and regional insecurity. Due to the ongoing violence among Sudanese armed factions in the civil war that started last year, millions of Sudanese have been displaced, leading to economic instability and a shortage of basic food supplies and other essential necessities and services. In some areas of the country, food prices have tripled, preventing food access for much of the people of Sudan. With this power politics between rival factions of the Sudanese armed forces for control of the country, climate change (droughts and severe flooding) has added to the miseries of millions of Sudanese who face hunger and famine. I have witnessed first-hand in Syria and in Palestine the sad effects and impact of war and occupation on daily life. All…

I TRIED to obtain the number of cowboy western movies that were made by Hollywood since that genre of film was first invented. I discovered that the figure ran into possible tens of thousands, if the silent era was also considered. So, boastful cowboys endowed with flashy six-shooters, two per gun belt, with smart silver bullets lining their slim waistlines. They ruled the roost for nearly a century – on and off screen. Bar room brawls occurred regularly, faster than the drop of a cowboy hat. Balsa wood furniture provided cheap props that disintegrated first before they cracked real heads. That occurred on screen. The reality on the ground was different. Real bullets flew as each cowboy tried to beat the competition and attempt to become the fastest gun alive…

NSRI conducts harrowing rescue of surf-skiers battling rough seas TWO surf-skiers were rescued in what the NSRI described as an extremely challenging rescue operation amid fading light and gusting gale force winds near Simon’s Town. The surf-skiers were spotted by a concerned resident on Thursday at about 4.40pm, said Simon’s Town duty coxswain, Andrew de Kock. De Kock said the resident provided information that a surf-skier appeared to be in trouble about 200 meters off-shore of Froggy Pond, between Simon’s Town and Millers Point. The NSRI Emergency Operations Centre received an emergency activation on the NSRI SafeTrx from a double surf-ski in that area. “They reported one man was able to remain on the surf-ski, but that the other man had fallen off, was unable to remount and was now…

Should the Gauteng MEC for Education and the governing body be held responsible for the damages suffered by a parent, who was injured on school premises during a sporting event? This was the question the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, faced after a woman fell into a hole at her daughters school and sustained injuries. Madeleen Roets was injured when she accompanied her daughter to a sports event at the Du Preez van Wyk Primary School in Bronkhorstspruit. She stepped and fell into an unprotected, obscured hole. As a result she sustained an open fracture and severe laceration on her right ankle. Roets instituted court action, arguing schools had a legal duty to prevent physical harm being sustained by a parent; and held the SGB and Education MEC responsible for her…

Recolonisation is marketed as a pragmatic solution to country’s economic woes A MEME declaring South Africa as the first African country to recolonise itself circulated widely on social media last week. It was met with laughter and grim acknowledgement. The dark humour reflects South Africans’ ability to find levity in adverse circumstances, especially those rooted in truth. Indeed, the meme resonates profoundly. In July 2024, South Africa stood at a precarious crossroads, confronting a development that would have been unthinkable to the architects of its hard-won independence: recolonisation. I speak of the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) which partners Ramaphosa’s ANC with the DA and other neo-liberal parties while sidelining progressive African parties such as the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. The regressive step, promoted under the guise…

Donald Trump cements his hold on his Republican Party at its 2024 convention this week, having survived an assassination attempt and navigated numerous legal tangles on the road to the party’s presidential nomination. During the four-day event beginning yesterday, the former president will announce his choice for a running mate, having cited as frontrunners Ohio US Senator J D Vance, Florida US Senator Marco Rubio and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. The event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to formally nominate Trump, occurs at a tense moment in US history on the road to the November 5 election rematch between President Joe Biden, 81, and Trump, 78. Will party leaders try to cool tempers among Republicans? Or will they use the occasion to accuse Democrats of demonising Trump as a threat…

A car bomb exploded outside a restaurant in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday night, killing at least nine and injuring 20 as patrons were watching the final of the Euro 2024 football tournament on TV, police said, blaming Islamist insurgents. The bomb destroyed 10 cars and damaged several buildings nearby in a well-guarded area near the Presidential Palace. Al Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack on an affiliated radio station, saying the bombing targeted a place where security and government workers meet at night. The Islamist group, which once ruled much of Somalia, has been fighting for years to impose its strict interpretation of Islam on Somalia. The insurgents have frequently launched raids and deadly attacks in Mogadishu and other regions controlled by the federal government in the last…

NAIROBI: A suspected serial killer has been arrested in Kenya following the discovery of several bodies at a quarry in Nairobi. Police said yesterday that he had confessed to killing 42 women including his wife. Police said Collins Jumaisi, a 33-year-old man living near the quarry in Mukuru area in the south of the capital, was arrested yesterday. Police said nine bodies had been recovered so far from the quarry. Jumaisi confessed that he lured and killed 42 women and dumped their remains at the quarry, police said. The murders stretch back to 2022, starting with Jumaisi’s wife, with the most recent on July 11. | Reuters…

MADRID: A rescue team on the Spanish island of Tenerife yesterday found human remains in the area where British teenager Jay Slater went missing nearly a month ago and evidence strongly suggests they are his, police said. Police said Slater, 19, may have died due to a fall in the difficult-to-access mountainous area, but an autopsy would confirm whether it was an accident. Police said the body was found yesterday by a Civil Guard mountain rescue group. Slater, 19, went missing on June 17 and his phone was last traced to the Masca ravine in a remote national park on the Canary Islands archipelago. | Reuters…

The Springboks expect a fast-paced game full of attacking rugby when they face Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday. It’s a historic first clash between the two sides at a sold-out Free State Stadium in the City of Roses (5pm start) and with the Boks hurting after their loss to Ireland, it could set the stage for a high-scoring spectacle as they look to bounce back. Saturday’s 25-24 loss against Ireland was the Boks’ first defeat this year, after wins over the Irish in the first clash and Wales at Twickenham last month. Now, it’s about building winning momentum ahead of the Rugby Championship starting next month. Deon Davids, Springbok assistant coach, said they expect the Portuguese to come out firing in one of the biggest tests in their history against…

Orlando Pirates unveiled new signing Selaelo Rasebotja at their training camp in Spain yesterday morning. Rasebotja has been part of the squad for the past few days without Pirates making it known. He had his first outing in the famous black and white Buccaneers jersey in a friendly last weekend in the Spanish city of Marbella. He played for 45 minutes against the mid-table English Championship side Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth are managed by former Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who said afterwards: “I think Orlando Pirates are a good team, we knew that.” While at SuperSport, the 23-year-old Rasebotja was nicknamed “Iniesta” because he showed so much creativity in midfield, reminding SuperSport fans of the Spanish legend who played over 400 games for Catalan giants Barcelona. Rasebotja had known for…

CAPE Town-based travel-focused fintech, TurnStay.com, has secured $300 000 (more than R5.4 million) funding from Silicon Valley and New York-based investors DFS Lab and DCG. The company plans to use the funding to expand the business into Africa and build on the significant traction already achieved. Founded by experienced entrepreneurs Alon Stern, co-founder of Slide Financial, and James Hedley, co-founder of Quicket, TurnStay radically reduces the cost of getting paid for African merchants and platforms in travel and tourism by harnessing the same “tricks” used by the world’s biggest booking companies. Stephen Deng, general partner at DFS Lab, said they back founders who use tech to redefine what’s possible in African digital commerce. “TurnStay was building a much-needed offering for the African travel and tourism industry, one that unlocks…

Eskom said yesterday the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) had granted South Africa’s only nuclear power plant Koeberg, a licence to continue operating its Unit 1, which supplies 930 megawatts to the grid, for another 20 years. Koeberg Unit 1 will join about 120 reactors around the world that had safely continued operations beyond their initial 40-year-life, the utility said in a statement. Eskom said it had operated the Koeberg power station safely for 40 years and had invested in safety improvements and extensive maintenance to ensure that it continued to operate safely in the future. “As the Koeberg licence will be changed to reflect an end date of July 21, 2044 for Unit 1, Eskom will continue to operate the unit until January 2025, when the unit will be shut…

Butter is not just for bread – most South Africans use butter for cooking, baking and even greasing dishes. So, what do vegans use for butter? Here is our list of the best ingredients you can use instead of butter. No matter what your skill level in the kitchen, these substitutes will make your dish very flavourful. Applesauce It is one of the healthiest substitutes you can make and drastically lowers the fat and calorie content of your baked goods. Applesauce works as a binder, so it is also used as a vegan egg replacement. However, it contains more liquid than butter. Make sure to strain out as much of the excess liquid as possible before adding it to your other ingredients. Macadamia oil A natural oil made from the…

THE Resurgence conference, which will be hosted in eThekwini Municipality this week, will result in massive tourism and investment opportunities for the city. This was the view expressed by the new Durban mayor Cyril Xaba when he delivered his keynote address at the official launch of the Resurgence conference at the Durban ICC yesterday. The Resurgence Conference has been described as a strategic business event aimed at highlighting the status of businesses in the US, Africa and globally. It is being held in South Africa for the first time. The conference is expected to attract delegates from the US and other parts of Africa. A few weeks ago, the City officials went to the US, where they attended several business meetings to lay the groundwork for the conference. Giving his…

AS DONALD Trump took the stage to speak at the Republican rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, the crowd about him bristled with banners reading in huge letters: “YOU ARE FIRED!” Was this some strange occult prediction that the former president was about to be fired upon? No, the banner had a top line in much smaller print, so small you didn’t notice it at first. It read: “Joe Biden”. They were telling Biden he was about to get the push. Who knows? But if the assassination attempt does skew voter sympathies in Trump’s favour, perhaps the original misinterpretation turns out to be uncannily correct after all. Anthony Zurcher, a North America correspondent of the BBC, takes us back to darker days when such murderous violence was almost the norm. “The…

Tornadoes, flooding causing serious damage to houses and displacing hundreds of people from their homes, several roofs being blown off houses, landslides, dams and rivers bursting their walls and banks. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fierce wildfires destroying vast areas of land, and excessively high temperatures. Perhaps all of these can be attributed to climate change, but are we sure without even the lowest degree of doubt that abandoning excessive use of coal and controlling the so-called green emissions will stop all the natural disasters that have become so frequent and frightening. It is difficult to know how long it will take before we know if we have the scientific knowledge to mitigate the climate change damage. Those who believe in the supernatural powers of God will say we can deny all…

RESPONSES of Donald Trump’s opponents to the attempt to assassinate him, can only be described as sheer hypocrisy. For former speaker Nancy Pelosi to express relief that Trump survived the attempt on his life is rather rich coming in the wake of her recent statement that, “Trump must be stopped. We cannot have him as president.” Joe Biden’s comment that such acts of violence “have no place in America,” is equally hypocritical since he has condemned Trump as a “threat to democracy” whose Maga supporters are “domestic terrorists”. The almost fatal attempt on Trump’s life is the result of eight years of a denigration campaign waged by the mainstream media and the Democratic Party. They created the climate which has fostered political violence and promoted the likelihood of assassination attempts.…

THE Department of Health plans to introduce a phased development of electronic medical records for primary health services with a minimum focus on HIV and TB patients. Deputy director-general for primary health Jeanette Hunter said that the electronic medical record will enable the department to know how each person has been diagnosed, what treatment they get, whether they come for treatment and if the treatment was effective. “It is in a process that is being developed. It is to be a game-changer for health in terms of stepping up clinical quality and how well the health system is doing,” she said. Deputy director-general for NHI Nicholas Crisp said the testing for the electronic medical records has been completed. “The focus is on the TB and HIV portions of that record.…

GENDER-based violence is a critical issue in this country, with many cases going unreported and survivors facing significant challenges in accessing justice and support, an acting judge remarked in confirming a man’s life term in jail after he violently beat and raped the mother of his two children. The man, who was not named in the judgment delivered by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to protect the identity of his victim, turned to court to appeal his convictions and sentence. While several witnesses testified against him, the accused told the court he did not lay a finger on the woman and that everyone was lying. The complainant had already obtained a protection order against the appellant, which he blatantly ignored, demonstrating his contempt for court orders, Acting Judge L Coetzee…

IN A SHOCKING exposé, Minister Dean Macpherson recently unveiled an alleged decade-long cyber attack and criminal conspiracy that has ravaged the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, resulting in a staggering loss of R300 million to the state. This breach of security has led to the precautionary suspension of four department officials, three in senior and one in middle management levels, and the seizure of 30 department laptops, as corruption and intelligence agencies launch a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Undoubtedly, the newly appointed Minister has demonstrated a decisive start, prioritising the eradication of criminality in the sector as his flagship reform initiative. Within days of assuming office, the Minister boldly declared his intention to confront the entrenched criminal networks of the construction mafia head-on, vowing to tackle…

Israel hammered the Gaza Strip from the air, sea and land yesterday as the war in the Palestinian territory showed no sign of abating, with Hamas saying it was pulling out of truce talks. Shells rained down on the neighbourhoods of Tal al-Hawa, Sheikh Ajlin and al-Sabra in Gaza City, while witnesses said the Israeli army had shelled the al-Mughraqa area and the northern outskirts of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent said they had retrieved the bodies of five people, including three children, after Israeli air strikes in the al-Maghazi camp, also in the central Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, witnesses reported Israeli gunship fire east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, and shelling and Apache helicopter attacks in western areas of the southernmost…

Thousands of lawyers in India’s capital protested yesterday against an overhaul in criminal legislation by staying away from work and boycotting court hearings, as opposition mounted to the changes. Many have been angered by new laws that came in on July 1 expanding police powers to keep people in pre-trial detention and requiring judges to issue written rulings within 45 days of the end of a trial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has defended the changes – which also include the death sentence for gang rape of women under 18 – saying they are “victim-centric”, modernise the system and “end the endless wait for justice”. But lawyers’ bodies, opposition parties and activists have called for a pause, saying the changes will give excessive powers to the police and pile pressure…

BEIJING: Chinese authorities yesterday said the country’s economy had expanded by just 4.7% in the second quarter, some of its slowest progress in years and a sign that official efforts to revive growth were not working. The grim data came the same day as top Communist Party officials sat down for a closed-door conclave which analysts are eyeing closely for any hint of help for the ailing economy. Data yesterday showed retail sales slumped again last month to 2%, down from 3.7% in May. Beijing has said it is aiming for 5% growth this year, enviable for many Western countries but a far cry from double-digit expansion that for years drove the economy. | AFP…

LONDON: Record immigration caused the population of England and Wales to rise by 610 000 to 60.9 million in mid-2023, the largest annual increase in 75 years, official data showed yesterday. What statisticians term ‘natural’ population growth, the difference between births and deaths, fell to just 400, the lowest since 1978, while net international migration rose to 622 000, up from 548 500 in the previous 12 months. A net 13 800 people also moved from England and Wales to Scotland or Northern Ireland. Britain’s Office for National Statistics said the population increase in England and Wales was the largest since 1948. | Reuters…

Lionel Messi was in tears after injury prevented him from finishing what is likely to be his last match for Argentina at a major tournament but his teammates came through for their captain by delivering the Copa America title on Sunday. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner hurt his ankle in the 36th minute of the final against Colombia but soldiered on until the 66th minute when he limped off the field in tears, before strapping an ice pack to his swollen ankle on the bench. With the game finely poised at 0-0 when the 37-year-old departed, Argentina raised their game and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra-time to secure a 1-0 victory and a record 16th Copa title. Skipper Messi went on to lift the trophy alongside longtime teammates Angel di…

Chef Jamie Oliver wants his five children to be raised with a positive attitude and outlook on life, but he wants them to “struggle as much as possible”. The 49-year-old chef – who has Poppy, 22, Daisy, 21, Petal, 15, Buddy, 13, and River, 7, with his wife Jools – has spoken about his difficulties with ADHD and dyslexia, but he believes it is important to face challenges throughout life. He told Psychologies magazine: “Confidence, worry and anxiety are all part of a cauldron of emotions that challenge us. When you’re young, they can present themselves as things that hold you back. But, as you get older, [they provide] a tension that makes you do your best work. “Life’s not supposed to be linear or easy. I want my…

The automotive industry and the property sector have called on the monetary policy committee (MPC) to cut interest rates to help boost the struggling economy. The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) committee is expected to meet on Thursday for a decision on interest rates, which have remained unchanged for the first half of the year. Experts have said that an interest rate cut is unlikely, but is something that is needed for consumers. Giovanni Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services South Africa, said that the upcoming interest rate announcement holds significant weight for the South African property market. “A cut in interest rates would be a welcome relief for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, lower interest rates translate to reduced monthly bond repayments, making homeownership more affordable and potentially…

Watch out for the herders. These are people who need a pack, a herd, to form before they can approach you, the leader, with their issues. The need for reinforcements declares all you need to know. Their agenda is probably unwholesome and an attempt to sidetrack you or dominate your agenda. Healthy people approach you as individuals if they have a concern. Watch out for the “I’m-your-new-best-friend” people. These are people who try to get too close too soon to you, the leader. They behave as if they represent the “inside” voice of the organisation. It’s an attempt to recruit your early allegiance. Healthy people give you all the room you needed to settle in and discover the ins and outs of the community for yourself. Watch out for those…

I WAS one of the 50 000 odd people at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. It was a great occasion, notwithstanding the loss to Ireland, full of emotion, colour, noise and festivities. Unfortunately it ended on a sour note for some people. At around 7.30pm as we came down Exit Ramp No4 still within the stadium precinct there was great congestion of people. Suddenly we were being pushed and pulled by several persons when a shout went out from a lady that her wallet had been taken. I immediately put my hand in my pocket and discovered my cellphone was missing. People were milling around shouting and crying when an individual suspected of being a ‘pickpocket’ was held by one of the spectators present. Three SAPS members appeared on the…

A YOUNG guy walked into a shop in Chatsworth where I was shopping. One of the assistants behind the counter enquired about his pet snake. Excited, he blurted out that his pet python was fine and that it shares the bedroom with him. Some of the customers gasped. One asked him what if the python tried to swallow him while he was asleep. He said his python wouldn’t harm him as long as its belly was full. Then I chipped in and told him that it was wrong to keep a python as pet. It should be in the wild. “You are wrong, we humans belong in the wild, not the python!” he snapped back. I saw no point in continuing with the argument. It’s people like him who keep…

PUBLIC Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi said South Africans should begin to see who has their best interests at heart. Speaking during the budget vote for his department, Buthelezi reminded parliamentarians about a statement made by former president Nelson Mandela about moving away from pessimism, division, limited opportunities, turmoil and conflict after casting his vote in 1994. “It is true that in 2024, 30 years after that, we have got people who are left before 1994 who can stand here on this podium and tell the people of this country that this government shall never work, but it does not concern us,” he said. “We are not worried and we are not going to be shaken. This country is going to be taken forward. We have a commitment to…

A KEY member of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) – the National Freedom Party – is riddled by infighting that is threatening to tear the party apart, with analysts warning that the party’s internal problems could make the GPU unstable and unreliable. The leadership of NFP led by the party’s president Ivan Barnes is facing threats of legal action following attempts to discipline other party members for violating the party’s code of conduct. Among those facing suspension is the Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Metro Zandile Myeni. Others are councillors and mayors in different municipalities who have been accused of a variety of transgressions, including insubordination. The infighting, threats of legal action, and the legal action already under way pose a serious challenge to the stability of the GPU…

As the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee gears up for its meeting this week, the time has come for a bold and decisive move to kick-start economic growth and provide relief to struggling consumers. It is imperative that the SARB seriously considers cutting interest rates to stimulate spending in key sectors such as property and car sales, which are facing challenges due to high borrowing costs. The recent staggering 25% decline in property sales is a clear indicator of the impact of high interest rates on consumer behaviour. Prospective buyers are holding back, waiting for a more favourable lending environment before making their move. This trend has ripple effects across the economy, affecting related industries and employment opportunities. Similarly, the new car sales sector is feeling the pinch…

Millions of Rwandans were voting in presidential and parliamentary elections yesterday, with the nation’s leader Paul Kagame widely expected to cruise to victory and extend his iron-fisted rule for another five years. Rwanda’s de facto leader since the end of the 1994 genocide and president since 2000, Kagame faces only two challengers after several prominent critics were barred from standing. University student Gatangaza Bwiza Nelly, 21, among 2 million first-time voters, said: “I believe the results will be the same as the results in the previous election. It is quite obvious.” The line-up is a carbon copy of the last election in 2017, when Kagame obliterated his rivals with almost 99% of the vote, and there is little doubt about the outcome this year. Frank Habineza, leader of the Democratic…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is planning to ban former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party and move the country’s top court to press treason charges against him, the information minister said yesterday. The move to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was based on the “proven” charge of the party receiving foreign funds from sources that were illegal in Pakistan, and rioting by its supporters last year that targeted military installations, minister Attaullah Tarar said. The government would also file a legal reference against Khan and former president Arif Alvi for treason charges under the country’s constitution before the Supreme Court, he said. | Reuters…

DAKAR: Gambia’s parliament yesterday rejected a bill that would have ended a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) after MPs voted down all the clauses in the proposed law, Parliament Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta said. The bill to overturn the ban sparked a public debate about FGM for the first time. The MP who took the proposal to parliament, Almaneh Gibba, said he was upholding cultural and religious prerogatives in the Muslim-majority country where FGM is widespread. Many Islamic scholars dispute his arguments. The World Health Organization says FGM has no health benefits and can lead to excessive bleeding, shock, and even death. | Reuters…

They have taken the gravel road to get to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but the Blitzboks feel it could be the perfect preparation they need for what awaits in France. It took them until the final qualifying tournament in Monaco a couple of months ago to stamp their ticket to the Games, and the hard work only continues now. The Springbok Sevens haven’t had the best season, only managing success in the Dubai Sevens at the end of last year in the SVNS Series, but they are keen to make up for that in Paris as part of Team South Africa. “We made life difficult for ourselves, taking the gravel road to Paris,” interim head coach Philip Snyman said yesterday. “In that Monaco tournament, though, things came together…

Teenager Bayanda Walaza might have wobbled his way through primary school on track, but with Paris in sight and career aspirations in tow, the young sprinter will bring a balanced approach to his goals in the next few months. Walaza was named in TeamSA for the Olympic Games, starting in less than two weeks, where he will compete in the men’s 4x100m relay. The 18-year-old has put the world of athletics on notice with his sizzling pace propelling him to be the fastest teenager in South Africa, with an impressive time of 10.13sec in the 100m event at the SA Junior Championships earlier this year. Also earlier this year at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, Walaza helped SA qualify for the Olympics, alongside teammates Benjamin Richardson, Bradley Nkoana…