Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-05-26 i Sunday Tribune

Ian Wyles Auctioneers will be auctioning three properties, among many others, on Tuesday at 11am. The first is a sectional title unit, Section 4, 201 New Haven Mews, 18 Newhaven Road, Glenwood. The property is centrally located within the upper area of Glenwood, in proximity to Entabeni Hospital, schools and all amenities. The unit comprises: Kitchen with granite countertops Open-plan dining room with blinds, ceiling fan, patio, sliding doors and tiled floors Main bedroom (en-suite, air conditioner, blinds, ceiling fan, walk-in closet and tiled floors Bedroom 2 with blinds, ceiling fan, BIC and tiled floors Bedroom 3 with ceiling fan, BIC and tiled floors Bathroom 1 with basin shower, toilet and tiled floors Bathroom 2 with basin, bath, shower, toilet and tiled floors Large rear patio On-site tandem parking Storeroom…

The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) will be announcing its latest decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) later this week on the repurchase rate for the country. Hot on the heels of underwhelming inflation data that was released last week – which was well below the Sarb’s target range – it is likely that consumers will not be getting a reprieve with a rate cut. Data from Statistics SA (StatsSA) this past week showed that headline inflation softened to 5.2% in April year-on-year, down from 5.3% in March and 5.6% in February, as general food inflation slowed except for vegetables, fruit and hot beverages. Inflation remained stubbornly high and well above the SARB’s preferred level of 4.5% of the 3-6% target range. If consumer prices remain stubbornly high, the…

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. They offer convenience, connectivity and entertainment at our fingertips. Despite the many benefits that a smartphone offers, mobile app development agency Sonin has warned that the constant influx of notifications and the allure of various apps can lead to a concerning phenomenon that is being termed “app addiction”. The organisation’s Ethan Bennet added that this excessive reliance on our devices can have detrimental effects on mental well-being and productivity. The impact of smartphone addiction Bennet explained that the prevalence of smartphone addiction is staggering, with studies indicating that a significant portion of the population exhibits signs of compulsive behaviour towards their devices. This includes a new Consumer Smartphone Usage survey conducted by mobile phone power bank provider Adoozy, which revealed that…

Often when food is eaten, it is not just for the nutritional content or to satisfy hunger but also for psychological reasons. For many of us, comfort eating is a way to deal with anxiety, stress or boredom. Comfort food gives rise to a psychologically comfortable and pleasurable state when they are eaten. It gets its name from the good feelings certain foods evoke, and these vary across countries and cultures. People reach for comfort foods for a variety of reasons. La Parada brand chef at La Parada Kloof Street Farah Barry says our memories are filled with occasions where food has played a pivotal role, and our five senses, especially taste and smell, become heightened when we come across particular foods, creating a nostalgic feeling. The foods, through our…

Shonda Rhimes has left streamers weak-kneed with her critically acclaimed historical romance, Bridgerton. It’s taken on a life of its own, in that the numbers keep soaring with each season. Season three recently dropped on Netflix. This time, the love story is a bit of an underdog one, compared to seasons one and two, which centred on the exoticism of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), the new Duke of Hastings, as well as Miss Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), the 9th Viscount Bridgerton and head of the family, respectively. Admittedly, I had a few reservations about the story trajectory in season 3, which is based on Julia Quinn’s Romancing Mister Bridgerton novel and centres on the unlikely romance between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton),…

THEY say age is just a number, but in South African politics – and especially in the ruling party – the term generational mix is often used to indicate that a party has young and old candidates within its ranks. Nelson Mandela became the president of the country at 75 and if Jacob Zuma was a candidate in this week’s elections, he would have been one of the oldest at 82. At least 40 countries around the world are holding national elections this year and many of them, including South Africa, have leaders vying for the top job even though they are long past the age of retirement. The US leads the pack, with incumbent leader Joe Biden vying for another term at the age of 81. Controversial businessman Donald…

DISCUSSIONS are under way in the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) over who will replace former president Jacob Zuma after he was barred by the Constitutional Court as a candidate for Wednesday’s elections. In its unanimous judgment handed down this past week, the apex court granted the appeal by the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) against the Electoral Court ruling that gave Zuma the green light to become a candidate in the polls. The country’s highest court ordered that the Electoral Court ruling be set aside and replaced with an order dismissing Zuma’s appeal of the objections raised against his candidacy. Sources within the MKP told the Sunday Independent that while the ballot remains as is as declared by the IEC, the proverbial bridge regarding who is to the leader of…

Sitting on a low wall in the courtyard of a housing block in Alexandra, Johannesburg's oldest township, Tumi Phorothwe is hardly buzzing with anticipation ahead of the general elections on Wednesday. On May 29, South Africans will vote in what is expected to be the tightest and most consequential poll since the 1994 election that brought Nelson Mandela to power. But Phorothwe, 30, and many others have since grown disillusioned about the state of the 30-year-old democracy that Mandela fought for so hard. “Voting nowadays is just another thing, it’s not exciting like back then,” said the supermarket employee, wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. He will exercise his right next week but does not yet know who he will vote for, he added. “My mom says I should vote…

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has ordered the SABC should be fined R500 000 for its “unlawful” refusal to air the DA’s TV election advertisement depicting the South African flag burning to ashes. The SABC rejected the DA’s advert about two weeks ago, stating that it encouraged damage to treasured national symbols. This is after the DA submitted an urgent complaint to Icasa about the SABC under regulation 6 (6) of the national and provincial party election broadcasts and political advertisement regulations. The matter was referred to the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC), where the DA argued that the SABC unlawfully rejected its electioneering advert. In brief, the DA released the contentious advert, portraying a burning South African flag to symbolise the nation’s deteriorating state and…

As Africa Day was commemorated yesterday, the precarious nature of life and survival in South Africa has been highlighted by refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers who made the arduous journey from their home countries, escaping political unrest and harsh economic conditions in search of stability in South Africa. Africa Day is commemorated annually on May 25 – the date on which the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1963. Congolese Civil Society of South Africa (CCSA) founder and chairperson and member of the South Africa Refugee Led Network, Isaiah Mombilo, has been living in South Africa since leaving Congo in 2004. Mombilo knew since 1997 that he had to leave his country. “When I decided to come to South Africa it was the time…

RELEGATED Cape Town Spurs rubbed Kaizer Chiefs’ noses into the lush Cape Town Stadium turf yesterday when AmaKhosi suffered the worst day in their history. Spurs ran out 2-0 winners in the final round of the league season to condemn Chiefs to their worst finish in Premiership history. Once all of yesterday’s matches were decided, Chiefs were in 10th place, never having finished lower than ninth. Referee Tshidiso Maruping had a nightmare outing and Spurs manager Ernst Middendorp described his performance as “a joke”. He denied Spurs at least two penalties in the match. True to their word, Spurs showed they were indeed playing for pride and started with a sense of urgency that exerted pressure on Chiefs from the opening whistle. Chiefs were fielding an untried combination after injuries…

OUTGOING Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said yesterday he was proud of his achievements with the club and was looking forward to being a fan again, as he prepares to coach his final game against Sevilla after being sacked on Friday. “I have no regrets. I have tried to do my best. We have worked with a lot of love for this club. I’m a Barca fan for life ... It’s an apprenticeship for the future,” Xavi said yesterday. “These are complicated days, they have not been easy, but I’m fine. I have a clear conscience, I’m proud of myself and calm,” he added. Barca’s stuttering season led Xavi to say in January that he would resign at the end of this campaign. But after discussions in April at club president…

THE Challenge Cup final presented a golden opportunity for the Sharks players to showcase their skills to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, and he would have liked what he saw at flyhalf and No 8 and, to a degree, fullback. A world-class tight five provided a platform for the Sharks loose forwards and halfbacks to thrive, and there were also benefits further down the backline. Erasmus has seen his depth eroded at fullback by an injury to Damian Willemse and that put Aphelele Fassi under the spotlight, but it is unclear whether the Bok coach discovered anything he doesn’t already know. Gloucester applied the blow torch in the opening 10 minutes of the final at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night and the Sharks fullback had some skittish moments. Later…

Dr Caleb Nair, 27, has dedicated himself to helping people deal with pain by opening Less Pain More Living. He grew up in eManzimtoti, Mobeni and the Bluff, and had originally planned to study medicine. However, Nair studied chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology. He now uses his hands to heal people and their bodies. According to Nair, his father pushed him into opening his practice in La Lucia in 2017. “I started the practice on a hunch. I got tricked into starting it. I told my dad about it, and he said ‘start it and I’ll pay your rent for the entire year’. So I had that security. I’m still waiting for that money until today. I never received a single cent from him,” said Nair. He said…

Actor suffers a heatstroke Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was admitted to the KD Hospital in Ahmedabad on Wednesday after reportedly suffering a heat stroke. The actor reached Ahmedabad on Tuesday to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH), which KKR won at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to reach the final. “The actor was suffering from dehydration in the high temperatures of 45ºC in Ahmedabad. He is under medical observation although his health is stable. Security has been tightened around the hospital,” sources said. After KKR’s victory on Wednesday, Khan marked the occasion by taking a victory lap in the stadium with his daughter Suhana and son Abram. He also shared warm moments with the KKR players.…

Holidays are meant to be fun and a growing number of people are ditching staying indoors in favour of adventure and activities. Resorts offer multiple activities in one setting, so active couples and adventurous friends seeking to inject a dose of adrenalin and excitement into their holiday will be amazed at the boundless options on offer. Club Med is one of many all-inclusive resorts providing adventure travellers with plenty of activities from the shores of the Indian Ocean to the slopes of the Alps. If you’re an active traveller looking for fun activities to add to your travel itinerary, here’s an array of unique experiences waiting to be discovered, according to the hotel group. Flying trapeze For thrill-seekers with a penchant for the dramatic, a flying trapeze is the ultimate…

For many people, pets are part of the family and leaving them behind just isn’t an option. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of “pawfect” pet-friendly accommodation options and restaurants to be explored on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Here are a few of the great spots on the KZN South Coast that welcome pets. Ironwood Lodge The relaxed atmosphere at the pet-friendly lodge offers stunning sea views and a beautiful garden. Guests can swim in the outdoor swimming pool, take dogs along hiking or fishing, or relax in the garden where barbecue facilities are available. The Doghouse & Craft Cafe This restaurant serves delicious meals and wood-fired pizzas with a fully licenced taproom featuring Basset Brews, speciality gins and rums, fine wines and cocktails. Your dogs (on a leash) can…

In2assets will be auctioning seven industrial units in Bluff on June 20 at 11am. The property, at 394 Bluff Road, is about 5km from the Durban Port and has a site extent of about 12 730m², a gross leasable area (GLA) of about 4 610m² and a yard area of about 2 230m². It is also 300m or so from the Durban Container Park and is close to the Clairwood and Jacobs Industrial Parks. The property comprises various industrial units, as well as commercial units consisting of warehouses, workshops, offices and a retail unit, each supported by yard areas. There is a newly-refurbished warehouse with a height of up to 8m and which measures about 1 770m² ready to be used. The gross annual Income is about R3.3…

South Africa is a country that has a rich political history and, as such, it is no surprise that every citizen has their own opinions and political views. With the elections coming up, the topic is being hotly debated in offices across the country, in homes and on the streets. Navigating political affiliations in the workplace can be a complex task for employers. Advocate Tertius Wessels, a legal director at Strata-g Labour Solutions, shared some insights on the topic, emphasising the importance of maintaining political neutrality to foster a harmonious work environment. “Our labour laws do not effectively deal with the issue of politics in the workplace … (Under) the Constitution, employees do have a right to express certain political views. “However, we need to appreciate that the workplace, unless…

The concept of food as medicine has been around for many years. In traditional cultures, food and medicine were strongly intertwined. Many special foods were treasured for their ability to prevent and treat disease. The knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. Several studies have proved their effectiveness. The next time you are feeling a bit under the weather or suffering from a minor injury, pain or skin condition, consider skipping the medicine cabinet and heading to the pantry instead. Below are some of the common foods that have medicinal properties and how you can use them in your cooking: Peppermint From sweet treats and hot and fluffy muffins to minty hot cocoa, it is the season to experience the power of peppermint. The aromatic plant has several health…

Men are generally said to be less emotional than women but the tables turn in Mzansi Wethu’s new show, Vuka Mjita. The show, which premières on July 14, takes men on a therapeutic journey that breaks their walls and helps them unlock the doors to the side of healing. It offers them a safe space to be unashamedly honest and vulnerable. Hosted by Shaka Ilembe actor and TV presenter Mondli Makhoba (pictured), also known as Bhut’Omdala, Vuka Mjita will assist them in modern-day society. A statement from the channel said: “The process will assist them to reflect on the men they are becoming and what role they are playing in their families and society.” Director of Local Entertainment Channels, Shirley Adonisi, said that the show is aimed at “empowering” men.…

In about three weeks, Switzerland will play host to the so-called Ukraine Peace Summit aimed at shoring up support for Kiev amid intensely competing geopolitical interests. Soon after Russia’s Special Military Operation over two years ago, Western support for Ukraine was unprecedented. From diplomatic cover to overt military support by the US-led Nato, with the EU in tow, Ukraine sat pretty under the guaranteed material support that US President Joe Biden promised, saying time and time again that it will remain “whatever it takes”. It is a strategy many international relations analysts across the global south, coupled with some in the West, believe is littered with danger. Evidently, it gives peace little to no chance of prevailing. The bottomless pit of US support for Kiev is tantamount to a public…

COMPLETING a PhD is not easy, especially when you give birth during the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus while conducting your research. Zesizwe Ngubane, 38, is the acting head of the Department of Civil Engineering on the Midlands campus of the Durban University of Technology (DUT). She was elated when she finally graduated with a Doctor of Engineering degree at the DUT 2024 autumn graduation ceremony. Ngubane started her PhD in 2019 and her topic centred on developing a framework for managing water pollution in catchment areas. “Covid-19 was my biggest obstacle. Two of my three supervisors were based in Sweden, and not being able to take international trips was a blow. We needed to adapt to keep our communication.” But communication during the pandemic was not the only obstacle.…

Controversial businessmen Ajay Gupta and Anil Gupta were arrested on Friday in India for their alleged involvement in the death of a prominent builder in Dehradun. The two brothers were taken into custody by police for allegedly abetting the suicide of Satyendra Singh Sahni, according to multiple Indian news reports. In his suicide note addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sahni stated that the Gupta brothers had been threatening him for some time, leading him to take his own life. The builder mentioned that the brothers had been pressuring him over financial matters related to a partnership project. In 2023, Ranvir Sahni, the son of Satyendra, lodged a complaint against the Gupta brothers. “My father was constantly being threatened by Ajay Gupta, son of Shiv Gupta, and Anil Gupta, son…

OUTGOING Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has been accused of running a campaign to remove officials linked to former director-general Kgathatso Tlhakudi. His five-year tenure at state entities has been described as disastrous by his detractors as struggling power utility Eskom and logistics firm Transnet’s poor performances have dragged down South Africa’s economic growth. It is also alleged that Gordhan has been appointing his associates to key positions before his exit. Tlhakudi has asked the Public Service Commission (PSC) to intervene and investigate Gordhan’s conduct. Tlhakudi told the PSC that the majority of the affected officials were black women who were suspended and removed through “dubious processes” and harassment. Instead of responding to specific questions, Gordhan’s spokesperson, Ellis Mnyandu, yesterday released a statement that this newspaper intended to publish unfounded…

Moses Tsetsengwa is fed up with empty promises. He believes a vote for change could improve their living conditions in Azania City, an informal settlement in the Vaal, south of Joburg. Tsetsengwa said he was looking forward to election day on Wednesday, when South Africans will vote for the seventh general election since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The country will go to the polls amid concerns about unemployment, high interest and crime rates and power cuts. According to Tsetsengwa, this is an opportunity to vote for a government that will bring change to his community. The 27-year-old has access to water at a communal tap. The area has no electricity and no streets. Residents also have to rely on mobile toilets. “It is very important for me and…

Progressive journalism may once have been considered a bastion of truth that worked to expose the inner recesses of power and abuse. But the 21st century has given rise to the spectacle of liberal conservatives co-opting progressive discourse to push their profit-driven agendas under the deception of seeking justice and accountability. This is the bloated underbelly of half-truths, manipulation, and selective outrage that is presented to the public as truth. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the recent article by the Daily Maverick (DM), which claims to be an exposure of online violence against women journalists in South Africa. However, on closer examination of the content it becomes apparent that while masquerading as defenders of gender equality, the publication’s true motives reveal a calculated agenda to weaponise women’s issues…

The government has promised improved and speedy access to the witness protection of public servants testifying in criminal trials and disciplinary cases involving its employees. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has introduced new measures, which came into effect on April 1, to allow state employees to obtain witness protection. Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet approved the measures, according to DPSA Director-General Yoliswa Makhasi. “The guide aims to create awareness around witness protection, and provides a clear process for public service employees to request to be speedily entered into the witness protection programme. It addresses security concerns of public service employees witnessing criminal conduct by adopting a co-ordinated approach within the public service, The co-ordination of data will also assist with the drafting and reviewing of…

Israeli airstrikes and artillery pounded Rafah yesterday, as the government dismissed a UN top court’s order to immediately halt its military offensive in the southern Gazan city. At the same time, renewed international efforts were under way aimed at securing a ceasefire in the war sparked by Palestinian militant group Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel. An Israeli official said yesterday the government had an “intention” to restart stalled negotiations “this week”. In a case brought by South Africa alleging the Israeli military operation amounts to “genocide”, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt its Rafah offensive and demanded the immediate release of hostages still held by Palestinian militants. The Hague-based ICJ, whose orders are legally binding but…

FORMER Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney has been appointed manager of Plymouth Argyle, the second-tier Championship club said. Rooney replaces Ian Foster, who was sacked in April after just three months in the job. Argyle finished 21st in the Championship standings, avoiding relegation by one point. “Throughout the interview process, Wayne showed himself to be a passionate, intelligent and knowledgeable candidate with an appetite to prove himself and develop his managerial career,” Argyle chairman Simon Hallett said in a statement. “So much so that he reached out to the board when we started this process and was attracted by the project at hand and showed a real plan on how to lead the football club forward.” Rooney has previously managed Birmingham City, Derby County and Major League Soccer…

ERIK ten Hag admitted he does not know whether he will still be Manchester United manager next season, even as he celebrated a famous FA Cup final win against Manchester City yesterday. Teenage stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo struck in the first half at Wembley and United then dug deep to win 2-1 after City substitute Jeremy Doku’s late effort. It means Ten Hag’s side finished a miserable season on a high and also qualified for next season’s Europa League. The build-up to the second successive all-Manchester FA Cup final was dominated by talk over Ten Hag’s future after a report on Friday said the Dutchman would be sacked regardless of the outcome at Wembley. United finished eighth in the Premier League – their lowest placing since 1990 –…

AUSTRALIA’S World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins will need a spectacular turnaround to secure another major title today when his Sunrisers Hyderabad face Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final only five days after a heavy loss. Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in the last qualifier in Chennai on Friday to secure a place in their third IPL final. But that win came after a crushing eight-wicket defeat by two-time champions Kolkata in the first play-off in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Hyderabad’s only title in the world’s most lucrative T20 tournament came in 2016 under another Australian in David Warner. Fast bowler Cummins, for whom Hyderabad paid $2.5 million in the IPL auction, led Australia to both the world Test championship title and an ODI World Cup…

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus admitted this week that it was “very tricky” to prepare a squad for the first Test of the year against Wales due to the South African teams pushing for play-off spots in the United Rugby Championship. While the Bulls are the favourites to go all the way to the final, things are much tougher for the Stormers, while the Lions will need a miracle on the final day of league action next weekend to sneak in through the back door. Only the Bulls will have a home quarter-final, while the Stormers can finish no higher than fifth and will face either Munster, the Bulls, Leinster or Glasgow away. They will probably be favourites against Glasgow, even in Scotland, but will be regarded as outsiders if they…

More and more digital nomads are leveraging their flexible circumstances by travelling more or moving somewhere new due to the popularity of remote working. According to Freaking Nomads co-founder, Irene Wang, while it may seem daunting at first, living a digital nomad lifestyle gives people the freedom to forge their own paths and enrich their lives with cultures they wouldn’t otherwise experience. “Some people are put off by expenses and accessibility, but there are plenty of places with a lot to offer working professionals. Many of these will welcome remote workers with open arms and a sense of community,” said Wang. With that in mind, the digital nomad publication “Freaking Nomads” created an index of the best cities for digital nomads according to relevant criteria, such as broadband and mobile…

“Nurses dispense comfort, compassion and caring without even a prescription.” – Val Saintsbury. Despite, their unwavering dedication, endless hours of toil and true grit, South Africa's nurses are facing an even more uncertain future as the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill starts its process of coming into effect. The signing of the NHI Bill may have marked a watershed moment for South Africa’s health-care system, moving the country towards universal health coverage. But, while the NHI aims to establish a unified health system that offers free care at the point of delivery, it also introduces significant risks, particularly concerning the exodus of health-care workers. The impact of the legislation on South Africa’s strained health-care workforce, especially nurses, could herald a crisis of unprecedented proportions. An exodus in the making Since…

With the saturation of streaming options in South Africa, BritBox has decided to pull out of the market as of August 30. If you are a subscriber, best you maximise the few months of access available. I’m a huge fan of their crime offerings. A show to add to your binge-watch list is Sherwood, which stars David Morrissey and is inspired by real-life murders in Nottinghamshire, England, in 2004. The six-part series boasts a stellar cast of Lesley Manville, Joanne Froggatt, Robert Glenister and Kevin Doyle, to mention a few. Veteran actress Manville, who played Princess Margaret in the last two seasons of The Crown, plays Julie Jackson in the series. In a recent interview, she sang the praises of the show. “It’s from the brilliant James Graham. It's semi-…

On Wednesday, South Africa will host its seventh democratic elections since the breakdown of the abhorrent apartheid regime and the advent of democracy in April 1994. These elections come at a particularly crucial time for South Africa. Concerns about crime, unemployment and socio-economic inequalities are at an all-time high. According to the Migration Profile Report released last year, the number of SA citizens living abroad has magnified by 82% over the last two decades, from 501 600 to nearly a million. What is also chillingly evident, however, is the sweeping shift of support away from the African National Congress (ANC), which has had a tight grip on political power since the first democratic elections that took place 30 years ago. In fact, as time has gone by, there has been…

SOUTH Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) in KwaZulu-Natal are expanding their footprint with a new rural tourism route. The Emalangeni Experience in Umdoni aims to offer visitors a more authentic experience of the region through cultural engagements, while at the same time supporting entrepreneurs and local job creation. Acting chief executive of SCTIE, Deborah Ludick, said they wanted to expand the tourism economy into the region’s rural areas. “This enables inclusive tourism that grows the tourism footprint, benefiting local communities and visitors. Local communities benefit from job creation, [training] and access to the local tourism economy, while visitors enjoy authentic rural experiences, engaging with local communities, experiencing local culture and exploring the beautiful hinterland of the South Coast. “While every tourism experience on the South Coast is unique, we…

ZAKHELE Ngema, a Grade 12 maths and science teacher from KwaNongoma, is gearing up for the Comrades Marathon “up run” from the City Hall in Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Ngema, 42, is also a gospel presenter on radio, the winner of the SABC Crown Gospel Awards, which he scooped in 2018, and the founder of the maths and science upgrading centre Sicija Ngolwazi. “After my mother’s passing due to diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure in 2019 and many failures and personal disappointments I faced in life during that period, I decided to get into something that could divert my mind from all the pain and to get back my self-esteem,” Ngema said. “A friend of mine invited me to watch the Comrades Marathon in 2019 and this was two…

In the lead-up to the national elections on Wednesday, political parties have increasingly turned to social media as a crucial campaign tool and information channel to reach and engage voters. This shift reflects the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping public opinion and mobilising support. Let’s delve into a comparative analysis of how political parties in South Africa are utilising social media, focusing on platforms used, strategies employed, accuracy of information, engagement with the audience, language usage, and overall impact on the electoral landscape. The use of social media by political parties in South Africa has evolved significantly since the 2014 general elections. While all major parties now have an active online presence, there is still room for improvement in terms of interactive engagement with…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa took a swipe at his predecessor Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) at a rally ahead of Wednesday’s crucial elections, saying he ran away from the ANC renewal. Election fever reached its crescendo as the country’s biggest political parties, in a last-ditch effort to drum up support, wrapped up their campaigns this weekend. Addressing thousands of ANC supporters during its Siyanqoba Rally at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Ramaphosa said those who could not stand the renewal of the ANC had left the governing party. “Bahambile ngoba babonile ukuthi irenewal ngempela abakwazi ukuthi ukuyimela baphumile baqambe imibutho yabo yemikokotelo (They have left after realising that they could not stand the renewal of the ANC and started their own fake political parties),” he said. “The ANC is being…

With the general elections fast approaching, political analysts have warned of potential lower voter turnout on Wednesday. This follows a series of protests in at least three provinces – Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga – in the past month. Speaking to the Sunday Independent, political analyst Yolokazi Mfuto said that if a community leader decided not to vote in an election because of service delivery issues, it could sway community members to follow suit. “Equally, if a protest was held before an election, promises were made and not delivered, many people could be disillusioned and refuse to participate in voting,” added Mfuto. She said it was important for people to take part in the elections and “stop voting for people who hand out food parcels or T-shirts, but…

YESTERDAY the country commemorated Africa Day, a day significant in its meaning but lost to those who should appreciate it. Contrary to its significance more than 50 years ago, many in the country said they were not fully aware of what it was meant to celebrate, other than to simply commemorate Africanness. In reality, it was an opportunity to celebrate African diversity and success, and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the continent. But, speaking to a range of people this week, many said they had no idea what it was meant. Said one Pretoria street vendor: “For me, for us, it means a boom in business.” His display of African-themed cloths, accessories and other items were in high demand in the days leading to Africa…

Former SABC chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng and nine former executives are fighting tooth and nail to prevent the public broadcaster from claiming more than R2 million paid to more than 50 “music legends”. This was after the SABC and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) launched an appeal against the Special Tribunal ruling which favoured Motsoeneng and other executives. The money was paid between October 2016 and February 2017, and each “music legend” received R50 000. However, the tribunal recently said an order that Motsoeneng and the executives should pay back an amount of R2.5m to the SABC has become prescribed. This means that the debt has been erased and the SABC no longer has the right to demand repayment. The debt became prescribed in September 2020 and the SIU only…

A hard-hitting Iranian film about the country's women-led protests that has wowed Cannes was kept so secret that even its star didn't know who was making it for several months, she told the festival yesterday. The Seed of the Sacred Fig has blown away critics at the Cannes Film Festival with its powerful depiction of a family torn apart by the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests that erupted in Iran in 2022. It was considered a frontrunner for an award at the closing ceremony later yesterday. Its director, Mohammad Rasoulof, got the idea while serving time in prison for his previous uncompromising films and had to make it in extreme secrecy. Setareh Maleki, who plays one of the daughters, said she was not afraid to get involved. “I’m a bit crazy…

Former Sharks captain John Smit has best summed up how Gloucester were put to the sword in Friday night’s Challenge Cup final in London. Smit, a hooker and occasional prop who loved scrumming, said in a tweet: “No scrum, no trophy, no matter how many rules you try and change, well done the Sharks on your first trophy for the year!!!” Smit is having a bit of a dig at the World Rugby law changes aimed at lessening the number of scrums in a game, but at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, the Sharks brutally exhibited the scrum as the potent weapon it can be. With World Cup Boks Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch and Ox Nche in the vanguard, the Sharks won six scrum penalties and they served quality ball to…

TODAY the Kolkata Knight Riders will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final for the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. These are five Proteas players who have done well at the nine-week tournament. Heinrich Klaasen Deemed the best white ball batter in the world, Klaasen showed his class once again in this year’s IPL as he led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the final, batting in the middle-order. Throughout the tournament, the right-handed batter dominated spin, a feat that is not necessarily synonymous with overseas players in the IPL, making Klaasen an invaluable commodity. Thus far, Klaasen has put together 463 runs, smashed 18 fours and 38 sixes and did so at an impressive strike-rate of 176. He leads the South Africans on the top-run-scorers’…

NOTHING but nothing will get Lucas Radebe away from his television set this afternoon when Southampton and Leeds United play in the English Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium in London. Former Bafana Bafana captain Radebe is a Leeds United legend, and to this day, Radebe, fondly nicknamed ‘The Chief’, is a cult hero in Leeds, a city in West Yorkshire. He spent 11 seasons playing for Leeds in the Premier League and became the club’s first foreign captain. The club has already honoured him in various ways, and a few years ago the Radebe Suite was added to the suites at the club’s Elland Road stadium. The Radebe Suite is located on the first floor of the West Stand. The self-contained suite is perfect for small seminars and training…

CAF Champions League football beckons for Orlando Pirates yet again and this time the Buccaneers are surely not going to disappoint as they did last season, are they? Pirates sneaked ahead of Stellenbosch FC on the final matchday of the 2023/24 Premiership season despite failing to win when they drew 1-1 with SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium. But with Stellies losing 2-1 at Richards Bay, Pirates stole the runners-up berth behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns via a better goal difference (18 to Stellies’ 16) after the two sides were locked on 50 points each. The Winelands team, which had a remarkable season that included winning the Carling Knockout, will thus contest the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup and will be joined by Sekhukhune United, who stole fourth place via a 1-0 win…

Media centre donated to Verulam school Sunfield Home School, a special needs school in Verulam, received a donation of a media centre that will help diversify its curriculum and keep up with the technological advancements. The school caters for children aged between 6 and 21 who have intellectual impairments including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, severe intellectual impairment, ADHD, and behavioural disorders. The school also offers a boarding facility which accommodates learners in a “home-away-from-home” environment. The media centre was donated by HBZ Bank. Pooven Govender, principal of Sunfield Home School, said the media centre was sponsored to help their learners to keep up with the current technological drive within education. “It is important that learners with intellectual impairments also keep up with the advancements in education. “This…

Preparing for a camping trip often involves juggling multiple checklists to ensure nothing is forgotten. However, sometimes the act of simply packing the essentials can be the gateway to a truly liberating outdoor experience, where the less we carry, the more we gain from nature’s embrace. Andy Halliday, owner of The Expert Camper, offers his insight on maximising outdoor adventures through efficient gear selection and minimalist camping techniques. A durable tent is essential for camping because it provides shelter and protection from the elements, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience outdoors. Investing in a high-quality, sturdy tent means you can rely on it for multiple camping adventures without worrying about it failing when you need it most. Bringing a water filtration system on a trip ensures access to safe and…