Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-08-04 i Sunday Tribune

Although the Government of National Unity is in its infancy, it has several immediate tasks to deal with to encourage more foreign visitors to our shores. International tourism numbers have picked up, but South Africa remains a long way from recovering to pre-Covid-19 levels, and there are still several bureaucratic hurdles that need to be cleared. Statistics South Africa’s latest international tourism figures show 2.4% more foreign travellers entered South Africa in June compared to a year ago. However, departures increased by 3.1%, while the number of those passing through the country’s airports to catch connecting flights increased by 21.3%. The bulk of inbound tourists – more than three quarters – came from Southern African Development Community countries. What Statistics South Africa calls overseas travellers made up the rest –…

A video of Pearl Thusi coming out in defence of Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina is making its rounds on X. The 23-year-old South African-born contestant has been on the receiving end of xenophobic attacks on social media since it was disclosed that her father is Nigerian. There have even been petitions to have her removed from the Miss South Africa competition. In the video that surfaced last week, Thusi said: “She was born and raised in South Africa, therefore she is a South African. She can’t call Nigeria home, even though her parents may be Nigerian or wherever they may be from. That is beside the point. “If she was a white girl and she was half French, half something else, you guys might never have even noticed,…

Horrors are few and far between on most streaming platforms. As a fan of the genre, I’m always delighted to stumble across such offerings. I recently watched Thanksgiving, with Patrick Dempsey (aka McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy) helming the cast. That it had Eli Roth’s name all over it, was incentive enough. After all, he gave us Cabin Fever and Hostel”. I was not a fan of the latter offering, though. This slasher horror opens on Thanksgiving, with the local RightMart store also opening that night for its annual massive sale. As the crowd outside grows restless, the situation snowballs into a stampede when Jessica Wright (Nell Verlaque), the daughter of the owner Thomas (Rick Hoffman), sneaks her friends into the store to grab a few things. Unfortunately, several people are…

Phoenix residents cry foul over ‘affordable housing’ development PHOENIX civic groups have roundly condemned the eThekwini Municipality’s decision to hand over a greenbelt spanning more than 6 000m² to developers for a supposedly “affordable” housing project. The groups have documented their suspicions and concerns about the building project that began in June on a designated Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’Moss) in an application brought before the Durban High Court last month. They believe this is another example of the municipality’s disregard for their rights by dishing out open spaces in Phoenix to developers, to the detriment of locals. Apart from disregarding the biodiversity of the D’Moss area, the applicants doubt the validity of the approved building plans for the development on the corners of JG Champion and Viewhaven Drives…

THE management of the Richmond Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands believes there is a syndicate working to sabotage service delivery. This follows a number of incidents where infrastructure was damaged. The latest was the theft of electricity cables at the local water pump facility which left residents with dry taps for days. The municipality believes these had been acts of sabotage aimed at stalling service delivery. In the Smozomeni area, the only municipal excavator, which was used to dig stones at a quarry for road construction, was set alight at night four months ago and has been inactive since. Now the municipality has to fork out more than R3 million to buy a new excavator. Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said a case of arson was still under investigation. In…

In2assets, a leading national auction house specialising in property sales, will be auctioning a portfolio of 18 Telkom properties on August 29. The auction will feature a diverse array of high-end commercial and industrial properties, primarily seen as prime redevelopment opportunities, spread across five provinces in South Africa. Gauteng sale highlights comprise: 2 Frost Avenue, Braamfontein, Johannesburg: A 20 829m² corner property, ideal for a large-scale commercial development in a highly desirable area. Auckland Park, Johannesburg: A multilevel block with a prime location and configuration. Germiston, Johannesburg: A 6 911m² service yard, with outbuildings, in a industrial area. Braamfontein and Johannesburg CBD: Two large administration blocks. Randburg Johannesburg: A prime high-street property off Bram Fischer Drive, covering 16 670m², with great redevelopment potential. Blackheath, Johannesburg: Near Cresta Shopping Centre and…

SAWUBONA! is no longer a typically KwaZulu-Natal greeting. It’s being heard more frequently around the world as the global appeal of isiZulu continues to click on at a rapid rate. The isiZulu language is also spoken and revered in places like the US, and in parts of Europe and Asia. US-based academic Audrey Mbeje, currently in Durban and guiding a group of students from various US universities through the nuances of Zulu culture and language, said there were at least 10 American universities offering isiZulu studies. The 14 students under Mbeje’s tutelage have visited various parts of the country, including cultural and historical sites and campuses, as part of their current two-month-long US government-backed Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad in South Africa for Language Immersion programme. They’ve experienced traditional Zulu ceremonies…

IT WAS still unclear this week whether former president Jacob Zuma has filed papers to appeal his dismissal from the ANC. Zuma, who joined the ANC 68 years ago at the age of 17, was kicked out of the party on Monday. The ANC hauled its defiant former president to a disciplinary hearing on charges of prejudicing the party’s integrity by collaborating with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) against the ANC. Zuma announced in December that he would campaign for the MKP and asked South Africans to follow suit. But he said he would remain an ANC member. The ANC disciplinary committee (DC) found him guilty last week after hearings were held visually. The verdict was leaked to the media before it was handed to him. An ANC insider at…

THE government has been urged to seek the advice of commercial aviation practitioners before continuing with the privatisation of SAA, which might lead to a disastrous decision for the country. Former Public Enterprises director-general Kgathatso Tlhakudi said this could lead to an economic catastrophe, adding that private business existed for profit and did not have a developmental mandate. Tlhakudi was reacting to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s remarks that selling SAA to the private sector with capital and expertise to turn the state-owned entity around could be the best way forward. Mashatile, who made these remarks during an interview with a newspaper, said the government was not in the business of owning airlines, and thus, bringing private players on board to make the entity profitable may be the best option. He…

CASH economies have historically being linked to all sorts of crimes and corruption as well as tax evasion and counterfeiting. Research shows that cashless economies provide a stronger control regime against anti-money laundering that could be used to funnel corruption and terrorist activities. India, a BRICS member and one of the fastest-developing economies in the Global South, has substantially transformed its payment practices into a cashless economy with a forecast of $344 billion (about R6.3 trillion), according to GlobalData. This represents a year-on-year growth of 11.3%. This shift is mainly attributable to the rapid changes in consumer preferences and confidence in card payments and advancements in technology but, more importantly, enabled India to better monitor terrorist activities within its borders. South Africa is the smallest among the BRICS countries in…

LUNG cancer is among the top three cancers affecting men and seventh for women in South Africa, yet there was not enough awareness around it. Health stakeholders last week, as the world commemorated World Lung Cancer Day, said worldwide, this debilitating disease had more than 2 million new cases and almost 1.8 million deaths annually. “In South Africa, lung cancer ranks as the number 1 cause of cancer deaths,” the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) said. Speaking on the cancer which affected either one or both lungs, Life Healthcare said the day – August 1, was meant to support the educational drive to raise awareness about lung cancer, its impact, and the steps people could take to minimise their risk. With this year’s global theme being Stronger Together: United…

MATTHEW Hudson-Smith says he is the “best-prepared he has ever been” as he attempts to emulate British Olympic legend Eric Liddell by capturing Olympic 400m gold in Paris. A century after ‘Flying Scotsman’ Liddell scorched to victory in the 1924 Paris Olympics – a story immortalised in the 1981 Oscar-winning movie Chariots of Fire – Britain’s Hudson-Smith will start firmly among the favourites when the opening rounds of the 400m get under way today. The 29-year-old arrived in Paris in peak form, clocking a blistering 43.74 seconds at last month’s London Diamond League for the fastest time in the world this year. If Hudson-Smith reproduces that kind of form in Paris, he could well be celebrating a win worthy of its own Hollywood screenplay. Three years ago, Hudson-Smith found himself…

NOVAK Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet for the seventh time today in the Olympic Games final at Roland Garros (12 noon). We look at their six previous meetings: 2022: Madrid semi-final – Alcaraz 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) In their first meeting, a 19-year-old Alcaraz followed up his quarter-final win over Rafael Nadal by defeating Djokovic, becoming the first man to beat the two giants of the game at the same clay-court event. Alcaraz hit 51 winners compared to 24 for Djokovic in a dramatic clash. “For the rest of the season I think I’m able to play against the best players in the world and beat them as well, so it gives me a lot of confidence,” he said. By the end of 2023, he had become the youngest man since…

THE 2024/25 PSL season kicks off in the Western Cape today when Stellenbosch FC host Mpumalanga visitors TS Galaxy in an MTN8 quarter-final clash at the Danie Craven Stadium in the Winelands (3pm kick-off). Stellenbosch are one of the fancied sides following their strong performances last season after they finished the Premiership season in third place with the same number of points as Orlando Pirates. In addition, they reached the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup semi-finals, losing to Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively. Galaxy ended sixth in the Premiership for their best record in the top flight. Last season, Galaxy didn’t play in the MTN8 and crashed out of the Nedbank Cup at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Chippa United. Galaxy’s German coach Sead Ramović has decried the loss…

Southside FM radio presenter Revathi Pillay is more than just a familiar voice on the airwaves. She is also involved in helping the youth in Durban and surrounding areas, navigate life through her radio show, Youth Unplugged. Pillay, who is an IT specialist by profession, dedicates her free time to her Saturday show, where she has created an insightful, educational, motivational and entertaining programme that gets children and teenagers involved. Her aim is to help them become well-rounded individuals by educating them about issues like depression, social media, bullying, career opportunities, grooming and personal hygiene, among other things. “There are many children who do not have guidance from parents, or don’t have parents at all. “They have to figure out for themselves things like how to shave or how to…

SOWETO is one of the most famous townships in the world. It holds a rich history and its people contributed a lot to the freedom of South Africa. Soweto, home to millions, including prominent figures like the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is a place everyone should experience. Intrepid Travel hosted a full-day tour to Soweto, giving us an authentic experience through the eyes of Sowetans, rather than the typical tourist perspective. When people talk about visiting Soweto, they often mention Vilakazi Street, which is like the posh side of the township and doesn’t necessarily reflect the life of an ordinary Sowetan. However, this tour was different. The tour, organised by Lebo’s Backpackers in Orlando, commenced with a delectable breakfast of pap and potjie, a traditional meal for many Sowetans, dispelling the…

Recently, the media reported incidents of racist acts and racial slurs, followed by the usual flurry of surprise, shock and condemnation. For me and many black women, there was no surprise. We said, “Here is yet another exhibit of what we endure and what happens in the absence of ongoing broad-scale anti-racism and anti-sexism being mainstreamed.” Despite South Africa’s extensive anti-discriminatory laws and diversity-promoting policies, sexism and racism remain deeply embedded in our society. Did we naively think that patriarchy and its sidekicks, racism and sexism, would suddenly be scared into retirement by the profundity of South Africa’s anti-discriminatory laws? For South African women of colour, we frequently collide with unconscious or intentional racism and sexism - whether shopping, relaxing at the beach, working in our chosen professions, or even…

In your youthful days, it was easy to feel invincible; you were young, healthy and there was so much life ahead of you. There was no need to worry about your health as you were in the prime of your life. Neglecting to take care of yourself when you are young can negatively impact your health later on in life. To stay healthy and feel younger for longer, you should adopt these lifestyle habits. Exercise more Regular exercise can help prevent a wide range of major diseases – plus it is great for keeping stress levels in check. Going for a walk, swimming, jogging with friends, or even just a good old dance-off in the kitchen can get your heartbeat up and those feel-good endorphins pumping – so get your…

Art imitates life in Showtime, which was created by Sumit Roy, a screenwriter and director who is au fait with the Bollywood industry, where nepotism and scandals are rife. The premise centres on the battle for control of Viktory Studios, which was founded by Viktor Khanna (Naseeruddin Shah). The film opens with Mahika Nandy (Mahima Makwana) being asked to fill in for someone by going on camera to review Pyaar Dangerous, the latest film by the studio. Before doing so, though, she is handed a brand new cellphone for a favourable plug of the new release. However, Mahika slates the film. She calls it out for lacking substance and taking fans for a ride. She also exposes the corruption behind the scenes where journalists are bribed for favourable reviews. The…

MORE than 120 children will participate in next month’s Phuza Water KZN Junior Golf Masters Tournament to be played at the Umhlali Country Club. The event will take place on September 1 and will be contested over 18 holes by juniors with official handicaps in three divisions. Experienced children without official handicaps will also be allowed to participate. Girls and boys will play in the same division. Central Durban Golf Club (CDGC), the hosts of the event, secured sponsorship from Phuza Water. Following the success of the previous tournaments, Gustav Fortmann, owner of Phuza Water, volunteered to sponsor the tournament for the next two years. Tournament director Juggie Pillay welcomed the gesture and was overwhelmed that the CDGC was recognised for the sterling efforts being made to promote the game…

Ian Wyles will be auctioning two residential properties on August 28 at 11am. The first property is 605 Marine Drive, Merepark, and is in proximity to all amenities. It is pet-friendly and comprises: Three bedrooms Three bathrooms Kitchen Lounge Dining room Study Pool Garden Office Domestic room Reception room Patio Air conditioning Outbuilding Sea views Security Three garages Four undercover parking bays The second property is a three-bedroom apartment – Flat 11, West Riding, 403 Stephen Dlamini Road, Essenwood – and is in proximity to all amenities. The sectional title unit comprises: Three bedrooms Main bedroom with en-suite and walk-in closet and exclusive-use balcony. All bedrooms feature BIC Lounge features an additional sunroom Open-plan kitchen with breakfast counter A front door into the lounge and a rear door from the…

ARTISTS in the various entertainment sectors in the province have called on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to create opportunities for them so that their craft can survive. The artists, including writers, visual artists, actors and musicians, among others, gathered at the Playhouse Company in Durban yesterday for the Cultural and Creative Industry Imbizo hosted by the department. This came after the department’s MEC, Mntomuhle Khawula, noted the concerns of various stakeholders in the cultural and creative sector. Speaking about the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) in KZN, Phumelele Mngomezulu, the director of Arts Development in the department, said CCIFSA had been funded by them since 2021 and there was a memorandum of understanding between them which was signed annually. In terms of…

DANIEL Presto Poongavanam stopped to help the driver of a truck that had broken down on Friday last week on the R102 near the Woodview cemetery in Phoenix. The 41-year-old father, who worked at Trinity Towing for five years, a company owned by his brothers, was not dispatched to the truck breakdown, but was driving past and decided to stop. But just before midnight an allegedly drunk driver crashed into his vehicle. Tyrone Poongavanam, Daniel’s brother, said Daniel had stopped to help the truck driver because he was worried about his safety. “He told the driver that the area was very unsafe. He couldn’t tow him but he could escort him to safety.” While Daniel was parked behind the broken down truck with his amber bar light on, he was…

Lara Edmunds is known as the face behind the efforts to clean-up Pietermaritzburg, a city which has for many years been associated with dirt, earning the unsavoury tag of Capital of filth in the process. Edmunds, who was born in Escourt but grew up in Pietermaritzburg, is an entrepreneur and a social activist. She, like many other residents in Pietermaritzburg, is passionate about the city and has a deep love for it. “My first-born son was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a transplant, and once the news of him being in such a condition spread, more than five thousand people offered to donate for a marrow transplant. That gesture demonstrated to me the kind of people who make up this city of ours and that is why I love it,”…

THE Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has called for “regular dialogue” between law enforcement agencies and communities to deal with the ongoing killing of police, both on and off duty. In the current and last financial year, more than 116 police officers have died while both on and off duty, with many raising concerns over the safety of the lives of their members. The union has asked new Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to help end the killing of police officers and prioritise their safety. Asked what needed to be done to ensure the safety of the police, union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said among other things, the police were encouraged to work with communities and adhere to the law. “We are against any form of brutality. In fact, for…

THE General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa) and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) are gearing up for resistance against the government of national unity’s (GNU) neoliberal privatisation and anti-trade union law plans, as well as falling wages and worsening working conditions. This follows Giwusa’s recent national conference held in Germiston. The organisations said political parties that joined the GNU suggest that deregulating capitalism and lowering labour standards should be the way forward. This was after President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced that the GNU would be bound by certain fundamental principles and would undertake a basic minimum programme of priorities as articulated in the statement of intent, in which the parties signed for restructuring and improving state-owned entities. This was supported by many cabinet members, including…

As we embark on this year’s Women’s Month, the 2024 Paris Olympics are well under way. Every four years, the landmark event gives athletes from all over the world an opportunity to exhibit their nations’ sporting capabilities, as well as their rich cultural tapestry, on an international stage. The Olympic Games aims to celebrate the proficiency of athletes globally and emulate a nation’s commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility in sports. The Olympics gives us a chance to showcase other sports that are often sidelined or overlooked in mainstream coverage. This also gives other nations the opportunity to understand the ways in which different languages and localities influence physical recreational activities. In fact, the Olympics allows smaller, lesser-known nations to exhibit their skills and cultures on an extensive international…

WHILE the media has contributed to a culture of democratic debate while playing a watchdog role to ensure accountability through investigative reporting into corruption and malfeasance, its role continues to draw This, as some experts feel that newsrooms are being “weaponised” by the rich to serve their interests. Many on social media platforms continue to express their distrust in media, with both the digital and print media accused of serving mainly the elite. Speaking to the Sunday Independent, senior communications lecturer at the University of Limpopo and independent political analyst, Dr Metji Makgoba, said the media had structural limitations and would always be the weapon of white capital and politicians ideologically aligned with the ruling elite. The owners of the mainstream media companies were…

AN OLD rugby adage is that you are only as good as your last game, and for the Springboks, they might take that one further and reflect on their previous outing against the Wallabies in Sydney in 2022. In that match at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Boks smashed the Aussies off the park in a 24-8 rout that we will remember for an incensed Eben Etzebeth almost throttling wide-eyed prop Allan Alaalatoa. Also in that game, the usually carefree Makazole Mapimpi told his opposite number, Marika Koroibete, his fortune with a pointed finger and choice language. It was out of character but it reflected the Boks’ mood. The Boks were pumped up and got stuck into the Wallabies after losing the week before to the same team and barely…

THE stars are aligned for champion sprinter Akani Simbine to shed the tag of South African athletics’ ‘nearly man’ and become world athletics’ ‘main man’ at the Paris Olympics today. Simbine won his 100m heat yesterday to claim a semi-final berth today. He's been drawn to run in the second of three semi-finals and is fancied to win since he has posted a better time (9.86 seconds) than the other seven runners this season. The first two in each semi-final and two fastest third-placed finishers will advance to today’s 9.50pm final. This draw has allowed Simbine to steer clear of big guns like Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson (9.77sec), Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala (9.79) and American favourite Noah Lyles (9.81). Yesterday, Thompson looked impressive when winning his heat in 10.00sec, while Lyles (10.04)…

ALGERIAN boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s double world champion Lin Yu-ting are women who have every right to compete at the Paris Olympics despite a gender dispute that has overshadowed their competitions, the International Olympic Committee president said yesterday. The pair were cleared to compete in Paris despite being disqualified at the 2023 World Championships after failing International Boxing Association eligibility rules that prevent athletes with male XY chromosomes from competing in women’s events. The IOC last year stripped the IBA of its status as boxing’s governing body over governance issues, and took charge of the Paris 2024 boxing competition. “We are talking about women’s boxing. We have two boxers who were born as women, raised as women, who have passports as women and who have competed for many years…

MANCHESTER United manager Erik ten Hag prefers the contract extension until 2026 he received last month to longer-term deals, the Dutchman told The Guardian newspaper in an interview published on Friday. There had been speculation he would be sacked after United ended eighth last season – their lowest finish in the Premier League. A shock victory over champions Manchester City in the FA Cup final, however, earned the 54-year-old Ten Hag a lifeline. His contract, set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, was extended for another year by United’s new management led by British billionaire and Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe after they looked at potential replacements but retained Ten Hag. Ten Hag said he did not need the financial security that comes with a longer-term contract. “No,…

THE arrival of attacker Gaston Sirino at Kaizer Chiefs could aid in the direction that new coach Nasreddine Nabi wants the team to take. Sirino, who was unveiled by the club yesterday after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract, completed his medical at Chiefs on Friday after he was spotted at the club’s headquarters, Taung Village. “Kaizer Chiefs have strengthened their squad in the attacking department with the acquisition of attacker Gaston Sirino,” the club said in a post on their social media platforms. The Uruguayan footballer arrives at Chiefs with a lofty billing, having had an incredible six-year stint at Mamelodi Sundowns, including winning six Premiership titles. While many might argue that Sirino is past his peak at the age of 33, Nabi begs to differ, according…

When Senator Kamala Harris joined the 2020 Democratic presidential ticket, Indian media were excited to detail her Indian ancestry. They travelled to her grandfather’s village and expounded upon her love for foods such as idli, a savoury rice cake. Harris leaned into the identity. She made a masala dosa with actress and screenwriter Mindy Kaling in a 2019 video. A memoir published that year detailed her South Asian roots. Television chef Padma Lakshmi cooked tamarind rice to celebrate her and the 2020 Democratic win. But now, as Harris nears a presidential nomination, India seems to view her differently. While her identity may continue to excite the Indian diaspora in the US, in the homeland observers are not only more muted on her connections but also uncertain about her strategic stance…

A key component of Mike Whitfield, the CEO of Stellantis South Africa’s vision for growth in South Africa is now in place after Eurorepar, a new independent aftermarket brand of Stellantis, launched in South Africa. Stellantis said in a statement this week Eurorepar offered a comprehensive range of high-quality, cost-effective parts and services to owners of these brands whose vehicles had surpassed the initial warranty and service plan period. This ushers in a new era of aftermarket care for owners of Opel, Peugeot, Jeep brand, Citroën, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Stellantis brands in South Africa. Its Maserati marque is distributed by a separate company. Stellantis is the auto giant, which is the fourth largest in the world, was formed in 2021 through the merging of Fiat Chrysler and PSA…

Back in the day, the Backstreet Boys had girls shaking in their boots. They were the biggest boy band, ushering in the hot boy era with their good looks and incredible voices. But, as with all great stories, evil found a way to creep in. The love of money is often called the root of all evil and, in the case of the Backstreet Boys and other boy bands, this proved painfully true. Lou Pearlman, an entrepreneur and the mastermind behind these bands, once infamously stated, “until God stops making little girls”, which is a little creepy looking back now, considering his ultimate intentions. The docuseries Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam delves into the rise and fall of these iconic bands, starting with New Kids on the Block in…

AT a time of great global uncertainty and heightened tension that threatens an all-out World War III – characterised by this week’s grossly provocative assassinations of Hamas leader and top negotiator Dr Ismail Haniyeh and Lebanese Hezbollah commander Faud Shukr – the disintegration of multilateralism couldn’t be more blatant. Too many examples of competing geopolitical interests continue to pit nations and groupings against each other instead of uniting the international community under a common goal of peaceful coexistence. As Israel expected retaliation for the assassinations of the spelt out above, Washington was dispatching a dozen warships to the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. The legacy of slavery and colonialism continue to be felt across the Global South, where former imperial forces still hold sway in the…

As the body count of suspected criminals killed by KZN police continued to rise, this week a new law was enacted which affirms the right of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to “investigate serious alleged offences committed by police officers, whether they were off duty or not”. The official tally has not been released but in July alone about 20 people were killed in gun battles with police who also recovered firearms from the scenes. IPID’s spokesman Phaladi Shuping told the Sunday Tribune that “we do not have statistics but we have been involved, in terms of investigations, on several cases where the police allegedly shot at suspected criminals.” Amid a public outcry over the actions of trigger-happy cops, KZN police deferred the questions to IPID saying. “Police do…

A PASSION for farming and growing his community is rooted in agronomist James Lonsdale. The farmer from Underberg, who has retired and lives in Durban North, continues to share his knowledge and skills and wants to continue helping others in the agriculture sector. Over the years, the 80-year-old has inspired other farmers to be good neighbours, learn about finances and enter commercial farming. He has written several papers on rural development for the SA Society for Agricultural Extension and one for the UN Poverty Relief Annual Congress. Lonsdale’s love for farming stems from having grown up on his cousin’s farm. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in agriculture and spent many years doing research, but has a passion for the practical application of technology and worked as an assistant agricultural…

The first woman vice-chancellor in the 45-year history of the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), Professor Nokuthula Sibiya says her tough upbringing has prepared her for the rough road ahead. Sibiya took the hot seat at the university on Thursday, mindful that she is working with limited funding for community initiatives, overcoming infrastructure challenges in the township, and balancing the university needs with development goals. Addressing deep-rooted poverty and unemployment in Umlazi, Durban, is high on the list of socio-economic priorities for the trained nurse. The former deputy vice-chancellor of teaching and learning at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), where she began as a lecturer in 2003, obtained her doctoral qualification in 2009. Sibiya says she is determined to tackle the effects of historical disadvantage on education and development…

THE uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is battling multiple court cases, including over the use of its name, over which the ANC claims ownership. The party is also facing a legal battle over its parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, taking up a seat in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The MKP also wants the recent national election results to be declared null and void, and says there should be a re-run of the polls. The ongoing battle over the trademark between the ANC and the MKP started last year in December after former president Jacob Zuma announced his decision to back the MKP in the elections. However, in April, the Durban High Court dismissed the ANC’s application to prevent the MKP from using its name and logo. On Thursday, the ANC’s lawyers…

A STRIKE by municipal workers could be on the cards as negotiations over salary increases continue to falter, and the DA-led City of Tshwane fights for an exemption from paying higher salaries to workers. The SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) expressed outrage after the South African Local Government Association (Salga), the employer body representing the country’s 257 municipalities, revised its wage increase offer to the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) and Samwu from 3.5% to 3.75%. The union rejected the revised offer which came during the second round of negotiations between municipal workers under the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) and Salga. Samwu general secretary Dumisane Magagula blamed Salga’s hard stance for unions preparing for possible mass action. Samwu and Imatu have rejected the employer’s claim…

THE Gauteng Department of Finance & Economic Development says the current laws should be able to deal with crimes affecting liquor outlets, where a scourge of tavern killings continues to be a concern. On Thursday last week, the Gauteng Liquor Traders Association (GLTA), representing thousands of taverns and hospitality outlets in the province, issued a statement asking for the Gauteng government and law enforcement agencies to work with communities, tavern owners, civil society and other stakeholders to develop an urgent action plan to halt the escalation in crime targeting taverns and townships. This followed the arrest of four suspects for the murder of eight people in a tavern in Kanana, outside Orkney in North West province. According to the statement released by the association, the suspects injured an additional 13…

eThekwini is experiencing a health problem afflicting homeless people – trench foot. This latest challenge has become the norm with young and old alike and the people afflicted are often seen hobbling across the streets, parks, and beachfronts, barely managing to keep themselves upright. Much like in London, where reports have revealed that almost 3 000 unhoused people were being treated for skin conditions by the London Inter-community Health Organisation, which operates a mobile care unit in a converted bus, Durban has become a place of pain for the homeless as many suffer from trench foot, a skin condition that thrives when feet are left wet over a period of time. Untreated, it can lead to painful sores, serious infections, and, in extreme cases, amputations. Many believe that the majority…

CHELSEA have offered midfielder Conor Gallagher a new contract as his current deal expires next year, manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of their pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Ohio. The 24-year-old has yet to agree terms and Maresca did not specify the details of the offer, with British media reporting that several top European clubs are vying for his signature. “I can say that he is in contact with the club to find a solution and the club has offered him a new contract. That is the news that I have received,” Maresca said. Gallagher is on holiday after playing in the European Championship and did not accompany the squad on their tour of the US. “The main focus or target at the moment for me, Connor and the…

ORLANDO Pirates’ MTN8 title defence is on track. The Sea Robbers beat SuperSport United last night to steer their ship to the semi-finals of the season-opening competition. The Buccaneers’ victory was propelled by goals from captain Olisa Ndah, Monnapule Saleng and Evidence Makgopa, while Vincent Pule scored Matsantsantsa a Pitori’s consolation. The game was so taxing for that sides that SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt was red carded in extra time, and counterpart Jose Riveiro got yellow. This was a spectacle for the opening game of the season, and it will give the two teams a clear direction of their readiness going into the new season. The first fixture of the season usually presents a true test of character for the players as there’s a high possibility of a slow start…

TENTH place at the Olympics is not a finish many would consider worth celebrating. After all, it is usually all about the podium. You have to finish in the top three to be worthy of a red-carpet welcome. Sometimes, though, athletes finish that far behind and still produce a performance of a lifetime. This was the case with Adriaan Wildschutt, who smashed his own South African record in the 10 000m final at the Paris Olympics on Friday night. The 26-year-old from Ceres in the Western Cape ran a sizzling fast 26 minutes and 50.54 seconds, five seconds faster than the national mark he set in March when he ran the qualifier for Paris 2024. That record back in March was also an improvement on his previous record of 27:23.10…

‘We cover the good and the bad’ Sanjeev Singh, 39, founder and creator of the popular video content creation media house, Dala U Crew (Dala meaning “do something”), grew up in Trenance Park, Verulam. The social media maverick studied journalism at the Durban University of Technology, specialising in broadcast journalism. Singh started Dala U Crew which focuses on creating relatable, but informative videos for businesses and social media. Having been around for seven years, Dala U Crew also provides income, guidance and a platform for up-and-coming influencers who are part of their crew in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. They also cover events or concerns that are community related and are very closely woven into the fabric of their community. “If something happens in our community, we will cover it…

When a group of guys go away for the weekend, they just go. When women plan a weekend together, they plan. However, being the designated organiser is not easy. You have to consider everyone’s budget, interests, needs and feelings. Here are a few guidelines to help you plan a successful girls’ weekend getaway this Women’s Month. Determine the intent Before you start making big decisions and planning out the details of your dream getaway with your friends, it needs to be made clear from the onset what the actual intent of the ladies’ trip is. In other words, why are you all going on this vacation together? Is it to reconnect with your family or friends and spend some time together? Is it to celebrate something or someone? Or maybe…

I SAMPLED life in “paradise” during a recent nearly week-long stay at the Wild Coast Sun, which is bursting with 101 things to see, taste and get one’s adrenalin pumping, in and around the idyllic resort. And it hit the spot. Its setting on an unspoiled beach, near the edges of the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape borders, is tranquil and picture-perfect. Glorious sunrises and sunsets, walks on the beach, horse riding on the seashore, and boat cruises on the local Umtamvuna River were a delight. It was game-on with an exhilarating adventure quad bike ride through the hectares of Wild Coast Sun’s wilderness comprising indigenous bush. For a more sedate spin around the property, riding the segway is an available mode of movement. The Wild Waves Waterpark was a splash…