Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-09-22 i Sunday Tribune

Broll Auctions and Sales has been chosen by the SABC to auction three vacant portions of land adjacent to Kingsmead Cricket Stadium. The portions, which form part of a single erf, have a combined area of 8 944m². The land is surrounded by a vibrant mix of hospitals, shops, hotels and businesses, including the SABC, Unisa and the Durban ICC, as well as a range of residential properties. The sites offer significant appeal to developers. “The zoning of General Business 3 presents a unique opportunity for investors to develop a space tailored to their vision,” said Jaclyn Nair, a broker at Broll Auctions and Sales. “With a maximum height limit of seven storeys and 80% coverage, the potential uses for these sites are diverse. They could accommodate a sports club…

This week’s interest rate cut by the SA Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will bring some relief to farmers' borrowing costs, improve profitability and offer farmers an incentive to invest in their enterprises, the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa said. The interest rate was cut by 25 basis points, from 8.25%, a 15-year high, to 8%. Sakhumzi May, the chief agricultural economist at the government-owned development bank, said the interest rate cut would also improve households’ disposable income, which could, in turn, improve their demand for agricultural products. “Looking forward, from a cost-pressure perspective, the rate cut is likely to bode well for the growth prospects of the agricultural sector. After having contracted by 2.1% (quarter-on-quarter, seasonally adjusted and annualised) in quarter two 2024, preceded by growth…

The restaurant industry is notoriously difficult. Owners face low profit margins and a high risk of failure, while employees work long hours for little or no pay at all. Servers, particularly waiters and waitresses, earn some of the lowest wages in the labour force even though the job is physically and mentally demanding. Waiting tables can be a burdensome way of life due to the duties, working conditions and low pay. This has been evident with the Babel restaurant saga. Emotions ran high among South Africans this week following a video by Mihlali Nobavu, a former employee at the Menlyn-based restaurant. In the viral video, Nobavu detailed her work experience at the restaurant. She said she was hired without a formal contract, forced to pay for her own uniform and…

Well, colour me stunned. The toxic vibes on Selling Sunset have been toned down for a more kumbaya feel in season eight. I know, I was left speechless too. The popular reality series centres on the Oppenheim Group and its Los Angeles real estate agents, who look like they stepped off the runway. The narrative sees their professional and personal lives dovetail. For the first five instalments, Christine Quinn held the title of resident mean girl. She wore it like a badge of honour, ruffling feathers and leaving a trail of tears and anger in her wake. But with the ebb and flow of arrivals and exits, cliques were formed, trust was broken and wars were waged in the oestrogen-charged office, where I’m surprised that owners Jason and Brett have…

South Africa is a multicultural society with diverse African cultures, languages, and traditions. Raymond Perrier, the director of the Denis Hurley Centre, said for the past 10 years he has seen a melting pot of cultures at the centre, promoting diversity and unity. Perrier said their staff included people from many nationalities and cultures such as Zulu, Indian, European, German, Congolese and British and they served refugees from different African countries. “We are always keen to celebrate what we have in common while also celebrating diversity, but without allowing differences to come between us,” said Perrier. He said they celebrate all of the African cultures and by doing so, they highlight how African cultures from other countries can coexist with South African culture. “Durban is the most culturally diverse city…

IT’S BEEN nearly eight years since Durban adventurer Andy Carrie was killed in a road accident, and the State’s case against the man believed to be responsible for the crash continues to stutter along. Proceedings in the Durban Regional Court were halted last week shortly after defence advocate Paul Jorgenson brought an application calling for the original written statement of the State’s witness who he was due to cross-examine. This was after State witness Kirk Neal described how the vehicle, allegedly driven by accused Velile Hlongwa, crashed into the motorcycle ridden by Carrie, causing him to be flung into the air on Stephen Dlamini (Essenwood) Road on December 3, 2016. Hlongwa faces culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving and drunk driving charges. He was seen climbing out of a white…

Ah, the Government of National Unity (GNU) or, as I like to call it, “SA’s Great National Experiment in Group Work”. While the country is trying to figure out whether this GNU was a stroke of political genius or the longest-running episode of Survivor, we journalists are scratching our heads in confusion. After all, it’s hard to report on something when you’re not sure if you’re watching a parliamentary session or an improvised comedy show. When the GNU kicked off I thought I’d hit the jackpot. I imagined myself covering high-level debates and watching ministers strategise like chess grandmasters. But what I’ve witnessed is more like a slapstick routine, with inexperienced politicians tripping over their words, ministers getting their portfolios confused, and backbenchers from parties who seem to be pinching…

THE recent improved performance in keeping the lights on by temporarily replacing load shedding with load reduction has not gone unnoticed. This as some energy experts argue that former Eskom Chief Executive André de Ruyter will not only be remembered for nearly bringing Eskom to its knees but for wasting even more much-needed billions of rand in burning diesel and still failed to keep the lights on. A few months ago, the Public Enterprise Department revealed that Eskom had spent R65 billion on diesel to power open-cycle gas turbines to generate power. It further indicated that in 2023 alone, Eskom spent more than R23bn on diesel to reduce the severity of load shedding. By indication, this was still much more than what De Ruyter spent during his tenure. De Ruyter’s…

THE DA-run Thabazimbi Local Municipality has been placed under administration following years of “power grab” struggles and delayed service delivery due to ongoing litigation between the party and the ANC. The Limpopo Department of Co- operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs said on Thursday a decision to authorise the provincial executive to place the Thabazimbi municipality under Section 139(1)(c) was taken by the ANC provincial leadership. It said this would make Thabazimbi the 10th municipality to be placed under administration due to the ongoing and costly litigation between the DA and the ANC. “The proposed intervention is aimed at restoring governance, upholding the rule of law, and improving service delivery for the residents of Thabazimbi,” said department spokesperson Molebatsi Masedi. Councillor David Masilo, who claimed to be the rightful…

THE former chief executive of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), Japh Chuwe, is seeking an urgent and amicable settlement regarding his dismissal from the agency, which he claimed was unjust and unlawful. In a letter dated December 20, 2023, seen by the Sunday Independent, Chuwe reveals that his dismissal occurred without a proper disciplinary hearing and was based on untested allegations, which he has contended undermined the legitimacy of the process. Chuwe, who served the agency for 11 years, highlighted the financial toll of ongoing litigation and warned that prolonged legal disputes could lead to wasteful expenditure and potential financial misconduct for the agency. Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Chuwe urged the newly appointed board to adopt a more reasonable approach, pointing to a similar case where an unlawful…

Masilonyana Local Municipality’s chief financial officer has taken his fight with the mayor to another level. Amos Makoae has requested disciplinary action be taken against accountant Andile Dingiswayo, an ally of mayor Dimakatso Modise. In a letter to Dingiswayo, Makoae informed him that he had requested that disciplinary procedures be instituted against him for misconduct. Makoae accused Dingiswayo of having processed payments to service providers without having followed the proper payment procedures. He asked Dingiswayo to explain in detail how a financial accountant firm or a company unblocked the sewerage and rented out the fleet to the municipality. The service providers are NKM Financial Accountants and Tshimata (Pty) Ltd. Earlier this year, Mofokeng was accused of running a smear campaign to get Makoae fired after Makoae had raised concerns about…

NONE of the Proteas batters seemed to have answer to the Afghanistan spinners across the two One Day Internationals that South Africa lost in Sharjah this week. They looked out of their depth – and at some stages looked stupid – as they could only guess which direction the ball was turning. It was embarrassing. Leg-break Rashid Khan and off-break Allah Ghazanfar were the creators of the South African batting misery as they spun Afghanistan to a series victory in the first bilateral series between the two nations. Batting coach JP Duminy highlighted that the footage that was available to the team did not have close-up zooms for them to help the batters better prepare for the relatively unknown spinner in Ghazanfar. “Coming into the first game, not having seen…

McLaren’s Lando Norris beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to pole position yesterday for the Singapore Grand Prix in a dramatic qualifying session red-flagged when Carlos Sainz crashed. Norris’s lap of 1min 30.002sec was 0.155sec quicker than Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton was third, ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell. “It was good enough for pole and I’m happy with that, especially here in Singapore,” said Norris, who is aiming to close a 59-point deficit to Verstappen in the drivers’ championship. “A good feeling. I’ve felt good all weekend, I’ve felt confident; maybe not so much in qualifying, but we got the job done,” added the Englishman. But it was a disastrous Q3 for Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Sainz, the winner in Singapore 12 months ago, who will start down in ninth…

Vuth Africa ranks 40th in the list of Best Countries for 2024. That’s according to 17 000 people from across the globe surveyed from May 2022 to May 2023. The list was released by US News & World Report, which ranked the countries using a a set of 73 country attributes or terms that can be used to describe a country that is also relevant to the success of a modern nation. The news site reported that global marketing and communications services company WPP, along with its proprietary BAV brand analytics tool, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania jointly created the model used to assess and rank countries. “The rankings project is based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics…

It’s time for Cannon’s penultimate antiques and collectables auction of 2024. The auction will be taking place over two days, Wednesday from 11am and Thursday from 9am. African collectables have pride of place in the auction, which features a 1940s lion skin rug, a zebra skin rug with head and tail and two leopard skin rugs from a similar period. Also on offer is a variety of early 20th century Maasai hunting spears, bows and drums. Collectors will also find a taxidermied tigerfish and a bird composition in a display case, as well as a Tanzanian ebony dignitary staff and a Makonde fertility stool. Investors have the opportunity to bid on a number of rare Union of SA short proof sets from the ’40s and ’50s, plus a job lot…

Heritage Month. Two words with a much deeper meaning than first meets the eye. Heritage is a big thing. It’s a meaningful thing. When I began thinking about writing this piece, I found inspiration in one of our most cherished cultural legacies: jazz. And a book that explores the leadership lessons jazz offers to creative industry leaders: “Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons” by Jazz by Frank J Barrett. It brilliantly highlights leadership practices that align with our creative world of communications and advertising, where we continuously chase bold ideas, cultivate teamwork and build meaningful connections with our clients. As we constantly seek new ways of doing, thinking and creating, accelerated by technology, what about taking inspiration from the essentials of a genre that had stood the test of…

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, filled with both joyous moments and unexpected challenges. When you’re expecting, there’s a lot of advice about what you should and shouldn’t do. Some of it can be overwhelming or even confusing. While the basics of prenatal care are widely known, several lesser-known tips and guidelines can make all the difference in ensuring a healthy pregnancy. TikTokers share what their health practitioners told them to do and avoid, which surprised some, given that they seem 'harmless' Don’ts during pregnancy Don’t eat deli meat: Deli meats like hot dogs, sausages, smoked salmon, and other cured meats can pose a risk during pregnancy. These meats can harbour harmful bacteria, leading to foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. This is because processed meats often have a lot…

Oprah Winfrey has bought back the rights to a documentary about her life. The 70-year-old television icon has reacquired the rights to her own life story from Apple TV+, three years after Oscar-winning film-maker Kevin Macdonald was attached to helm the project alongside her long-time producer Lisa Espamer. In a statement to Page Six, Oprah’s spokesperson said: “As the Apple TV+ deal was coming to an end, Ms Winfrey bought back the rights to her docu- series and has since decided to put the doc on hold. “Ms Winfrey believes Lisa Erspamer and Kevin MacDonald are incredibly talented film-makers and is grateful for the time and energy they put into the project.” Oprah ended her content deal with Apple two years ago, and the documentary has been shelved. Although…

THE US Democrats’ reported call for the removal of the statue of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela from Washington, if true, exposes their sheer lack of understanding and/or appreciation of the freedom fighter’s enormous contribution to humanity. Some weeks ago, in July, Democrats’ House leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, was quoted as saying: “We should never give convicted felons a place of honour in the seat of holy democracy.” The Democrats are equating Mandela to the Republican 2024 presidential nominee and former US president Donald Trump, who stands convicted of felony. The US politics have increasingly grown intolerable of dissent. The two assassination attempts on Trump in a space of eight weeks perhaps illustrate best the national political divide in the US. The world takes interest in the goings-on in Washington, for…

Guests braved the cold and gloomy weather to join the Sibaya Community Trust, The Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Foundation and the Mohanji Foundation, in officially opening the Mohanji Benevolence Centre in KwaDukuza, previously known as Stanger, yesterday. The centre, in Nonoti, stands as a symbol of hope and help for members of the community and was opened by humanitarian Mohanji. His teachings are committed to raising the awareness of generations from selfishness to selflessness and through the Mohanji Foundation, teaches the importance of preserving the environment, as it is for the betterment of the future generations. “The foundation and centres of benevolence have been created in five countries so far, and the hope is actually to create a space with basic humanity, where we help the poor by providing shelter and…

Another trophy will find its way to Durban, with the Sharks claiming the 2024 Currie Cup after a nail-biter in Johannesburg against the Lions last night. The never-say-die attitude of the players on the field and the big-match temperament of fullback Jordan Hendrikse secured a second trophy for the year for the Durbanites. And the unwavering support of the travelling fans, despite the rain, helped pull things through when the side looked dead and buried in the dying seconds. The Currie Cup will join the European Challenge Cup at King’s Park after Hendrikse slotted an almost 60m penalty with time up on the clock to sink his old team at Ellis Park. As the ball sailed through the uprights, making the final score 16-14, it sent the Sharks supporters in…

Whether it is shared experiences, conversation starters or special occasions, food has a way of bringing people together. It was for these reasons that South Africans are encouraged to explore the different African cuisines, as we celebrate Heritage Day. To give locals an example of what’s on offer in Durban, the second-year Catering Management students at the Durban University of Technology displayed their interpretation of being African with culinary skills, under the theme “Honouring our Legacy: Reclaiming African Flavours through Decolonised Cuisine”. The event was held on Thursday at the institution’s Hotel School Conference Centre, at Ritson Campus, Durban University of Technology (DUT), with many guests and students who had gathered to learn more about the food on offer. Chef Tholakele Mzobe, who works as a lab assistant at DUT…

ANC national executive committee (NEC) member Supra Mahumapelo has suggested that the party needs to review the Freedom Charter in order to stay relevant and shape its future. Mahumapelo, chairperson of National Assembly’s portfolio committee on international affairs and cooperation, suggested these changes ahead of this year’s general elections which saw the ANC losing its outright majority for the first time since ascending to power in 1994. This was after the party captured only 40.18% of the vote. This marks a continued decline after reaching its peak in 2004, with the party securing just 159 of the 400 available seats in the National Assembly - opening the way for a coalition government. Soon following the historic elections, the ANC announced its intention to form a government of national unity, following…

THIS past Tuesday, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, announced that the government plans to send more than 100 school children to China for a skills progression initiative. The initiative, as outlined by the minister, is aimed at equipping students with “scarce and critical skills of the future” within the technology sector, ultimately bolstering South Africa’s advancing job market. The minister’s announcement, made at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) launch of their application season, was especially uplifting considering that South Africa has one of the most unequal school systems in the world. This year alone, NSFAS persistently funds more than a million students, and received about 2 million applications for funding in 2024. Scores of students across the nation are heavily dependent on external funding…

Golden Arrows (2) 2 Mutizwa 39’ Sibiya 44’ Marumo Gallants (0) 0 Golden Arrows returned to the top of the Betway Premiership standings after claiming a 2-0 win against Marumo Gallants at the Mpumalanga Stadium yesterday. Two quickfire first half strikes from Abafana Bes’thende saw them make it two wins in their opening two games. It’s two losses in a row for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa who dropped to the bottom of the standings. The home side weathered an early storm before scoring two goals in five minutes towards the end of the first half. The evergreen Knox Mutizwa showed resilience to steal a ball off a Gallants defender before beating the goalkeeper at the near post to give his side the lead in the 40th minute.…

When it mattered most, the grand old dame that is the Currie Cup swept up her skirts and danced across the Ellis Park turf to deliver one of the most thrilling finals since she took her first bow in 1891. The Sharks prevailed 16-14 thanks to an 82-minute, 59-metre penalty by Jordan Hendrikse that broke the hearts of his former teammates and sent the Sharks into seventh heaven. The Currie Cup has been much maligned because of its status as a second-tier competition to the United Rugby Championship. Still, somehow it prevails and continues to capture the imagination of the South African public. The Lions appeared to have it won when they scored a few minutes from time to lead 14-13 and they simply had to close the game out…

ARSENAL’S Premier League title ambitions face the ultimate test today when a relentless Erling Haaland aims to fire Manchester City five points clear of the Gunners at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s men stopped City scoring twice last season, but still could not deny the English champions a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. For the past two seasons Arsenal have finished second to Pep Guardiola’s winning machine. Many believe this is their season to end a 21-year wait to win the title since Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” romped to glory without losing a game. City remain their biggest obstacle, although the path could be cleared should the holders be hit by a points deduction for 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules by the end of the campaign.…

ORLANDO PIRATES (0)(1) Saleng 90+3 JWANENG GALAXY (0)(0) Pirates win 3-0 on aggregate, and progress to the group stage ORLANDO - Monnapule Saleng was again the hero as he ensured the Sea Robbers sailed into the CAF Champions League’s group stage last night, ending a five-year hiatus. Saleng scored at the death as Orlando Pirates beat Jwaneng Galaxy 1-0 to win the final group stage qualifiers 3-0 on aggregate at a freezing Orlando Stadium, having already won 2-0 away in the first leg. This result put another feather in the cap of coach Jose Riveiro who’s aiming for gold all round in his third season at the club. Having won four trophies and finished runners-up back-to-back in the league in his first two seasons, the Spaniard wants to challenge…

A feeding programme for underprivileged children has been named after Zarah Ramsamy, the 11-year-old girl who lost her life at the hands of hijackers. Zarah was killed last week when she was run over by hijackers who stole her family’s vehicle at gunpoint. The Grade 5 pupil was returning from her Penzance Primary School concert when her family stopped at a fast-food outlet in Malvern. Zarah hid under the vehicle when they were approached by the armed men. The gunman then reversed over Zarah before fleeing with the vehicle. Embassy Church, which Zarah and her family attended, has created a feeding scheme in her name. The Zarah Project is to feed children, who have no access to food during the school holidays. Leticia Naidoo, director of the Embassy Foundation, said…

Ian Wyles would like to feature two properties that will go under the hammer during its auction on Wednesday at 11am. The first is a commercial property at 10 Jasmin Road, Zilweni. It is south of Pinetown, is centrally located and approximately 8km to the N3 and 9km to the N2. The total property area is 3 563m² and comprises: A standard residence with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, lounge, dining room and kitchen Residence land area and driveway Four warehousing sections Set of workers’ change rooms and ablutions Upstairs residence, which can be used as offices Under-roof space Cemented hard yard Viewing is by appointment only. For more information, please contact Ian Williams at 073 346 8407. You could also call 031 579 4403 or visit www.ianwyles.co.za. The second property…

While the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced a cut in the interest rates this past week, many are asking if it was too late and too little. SARB cut its repurchase rate (repo rate) by 25 basis points, to 8% a year, following seven-consecutive meetings at a 15-year peak of 8.25%. This means the prime lending rate will decline from 11.75% to 11.5% per annum, bringing some respite to debt-burdened consumers. This also marked the SARB’s first policy easing since the Covid-19 pandemic in mid-2020 as the annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 4.4% in August, below the SARB’s 4.5% midpoint target level. While the decrease in interest rates will bring some relief to consumers in the country, many have been contending with the cost-of-living crisis,…

Food has the magical ability to bring people closer together, whether it’s a family dinner at home or a big party with friends. At the centre of any family gathering, party or event, you will usually find food. Food can bring people together in a plethora of ways – cooking together, eating together, and learning about food together are excellent ways to bring you and your loved ones closer. Food is an essential part of everyone’s life, without it, you can’t survive. Since the beginning of time, food and meal time have been keeping families together like nothing else can. There’s also evidence that suggests eating together is good for us; studies have shown that families who eat together are healthier, benefiting from lower rates of depression and obesity along…

When it comes to South African romantic comedies, it is safe to say that film-makers have got the genre down to an art form. Recent offerings like Smart Casuals, A Soweto Love Story, Love Lives Here, Seriously Single and Semi-Soet stand as a testament to this achievement. And Netflix’s Lobola Man joins the bandwagon of hits. With it coming from the Burnt Onion Productions stable, viewers’ expectations of a delightful rom-com aren’t dashed. After all, the production house has proven its Midas touch with Miseducation, How to Ruin Love and How to Ruin Christmas. And don’t forget about Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word and Happiness Ever After. Lawrence Maleka bounces back from his two-year sabbatical with aplomb in Lobola Man. He is cast as Ace Ngubeni, a suave, silver-tongued…

AN ATTEMPT by the State to challenge a previous court decision that discharged the fraud, money-laundering and corruption charges against 16 accused in the North Sea Jazz Festival matter, including a prominent KwaZulu-Natal politician, failed earlier this month. The 2012 version of the music festival did not materialise, but the provincial department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs paid R28 million into the bank account of Soft Skills Communications 100 CC, the company tasked with staging the event. The company and its owner, Caesar Walter Mkhize, other business owners and their service providing companies, and former KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu were among the accused. Desmond Khalid Golding, who served as the head of department during Mabuyakhulu’s MEC tenure, authorised the payment despite knowing the festival…

THROUGH decades of pioneering work on fighting the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV, Durban’s public health power couple Quarraisha and Salim Abdool Karim are credited with saving thousands of lives. Married for 36 years, the epidemiologists – both aged 64 – are internationally respected for their work on stopping deadly infections such as HIV/Aids, TB and the coronavirus. On Thursday, they received the Lasker Award for public service, a top recognition for medical research described as the US equivalent of a Nobel prize for science. The couple have “stemmed the course of the HIV/AIDS scourge”, including by launching research labs and training hundreds of scientists across Africa, the New York-based Lasker Foundation said. They used science to dispel myth and propaganda about Aids, it said. The award was…

STAFF at the troubled National Lotteries Commission (NLC) have expressed their unhappiness after the entity embarked on lifestyle audits of its employees without consulting their representatives. The NLC has been rocked by a string of scandals involving some of its staff and prominent individuals. The Public Servants Association (PSA), which is the recognised trade union at the NLC, last requested that the lifestyle audits be withdrawn with immediate effect and be referred to the bargaining forum for negotiation and finalisation. According to correspondence seen by the Sunday Independent, the PSA said it protects the rights of its members and bargains with the commission on their behalf. “It has come to our attention that the employer (NLC) has introduced the lifestyle audit to all employees, without consultation and it being discussed…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has given the green light for the reallocation of millions of rand from several municipalities that failed to spend the funds. Godongwana said the Department of Co-operative Governance had approached the National Treasury regarding municipalities in the Free State that have been struggling to fully spend the municipal infrastructure grants (MIG) allocated to them. ”The affected municipalities (Mohokare, Kopanong, Masilonyana and Mafube local municipalities) will have their funds to their respective district municipalities for the implementation of the projects on behalf of the underperforming municipalities,” he stated. According to Godongwana, Dipaleseng local municipality in Mpumalanga will have R5 million reallocated to the Gert Sibande District Municipality for the development of sport infrastructure that was allocated by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture as part of…

The leadership style of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has been praised by political analysts. They have commended the party’s approach to managing internal differences, especially after a series of internal restructuring and changes in the party’s parliamentary deployees. The May 29 general elections saw the party disrupt South Africa’s political landscape and win 46% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal to become the third-largest party nationally after winning 14.5% of the vote and garnering 58 seats in the National Assembly. In Mpumalanga, the party became the official opposition, with nine seats in the 51-seat legislature. In Gauteng, it became the fourth-largest party, with eight seats in the 80-seat legislature. The party’s impressive performance came with its own challenges following some changes in the leadership and party deployees to Parliament. Sometimes…

FORMER National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) chief executive Joyce Mogale and late ex-chief financial officer Sikhumbuzo Zulu’s estate must pay back almost R22.5 million for overpaying for several lucrative contracts. Mogale and Zulu faced several charges before being dismissed in May 2019 after the NHLS became aware of irregularities in February 2017, which included exceeding delegations of authority by signing a service level agreement with Blue Future Internet and Surveillance. Nearly R84m was agreed to for the supply, maintenance and service of end-user computer hardware, which had been approved for about R26m, in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. Other charges were for causing the NHLS to incur fruitless and wasteful expenditure in excess of R58m. They approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) arguing that their…

SPRINGBOK tighthead Vincent Koch believes he still has enough fuel in the tank to make it to the next Rugby World Cup, even at the age of 34 years. While the tournament in Australia is still three years away, the double Webb Ellis Cup winner wants to continue putting in the hard work. It’s hard to believe that the veteran has only 56 caps behind his name, but the fact that he’s been part of both successful World Cup campaigns shows the value he adds to the side whether as part of the Bomb Squad or the run-on side. And while there is a healthy contingent of young props waiting for their chance to break through, Koch wants to continue for as long as he can. “My body still feels…

Reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau said the decision to allow LIV Golf players into the US Ryder Cup team and PGA Championship will spark a return to more events by talent from the upstart series. The PGA of America announced its decision on Thursday, saying it wanted to ensure the best US talent for the Ryder Cup squad and top fields for the PGA. Since Saudi-backed LIV Golf launched in 2022 and lured away several big name PGA Tour stars, the US tour has banned LIV players from its events, making it difficult for LIV players to earn world ranking points and qualify for majors. The majors have been the place where stars from both tours meet, with the events issuing special invitations at times to ensure their fields…

The transfer window slammed shut in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Friday midnight, with 15 of the 16 teams – Royal AM have a transfer ban – bolstering their respective squads. There was a gulf in quality of the signings due to the deep pockets of the clubs who are expected to challenge for honours this season. MIHLALI BALEKA and SMISO MSOMI give a breakdown of each club, looking at the player movements. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS Players In: Arthur Sales, Iqraam Rayners, Asekho Tiwani, Kobamelo Kodisang, Kegan Johannes, Malibongwe Khoza, Kutlwano Lethlaku Players Out: Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Thabiso Kutumela, Brian Onyango, Gaston Sirino, Promise Mkhuma, Nyiko Mobbie, Junior Mendieta, Thabang Sibanyoni, Gadinkame Modise, Katlego Mohamme, Matias Esquivel, Etiosa Ighodaro, Sipho Mbule, Ricardo Goss, Siyanda Msani, Ismail Watenga, Sifiso Ngobeni,…

BRITISH rock band Coldplay is set to take the stage in India’s entertainment capital, Mumbai, on January 18 and 19. This is the second time that Coldplay, which consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, will perform in India. They last visited the country in 2016 when they performed in the Global Citizen Festival. The band will perform at the DY Patil Sports Stadium in the Nerul area of Navi Mumbai as a part of the band’s Music of the Spheres World Tour. It follows the sellout success of the band’s summer 2024 European stadium shows and the announcement of eight new shows in the UK. Since kicking off in March 2022, the Music of the Spheres World Tour…

Travelling to Zululand this tourism month? Below we have an extensive guide of things to do and places to see. Zululand which extends north from the warm waters of the Dolphin Coast, towards the natural harbour of Richards Bay, and inland as far as Paulpietersberg, is dedicated to Zulu culture and heritage. With its rolling sugar-cane fields and forests, unspoiled beauty and abundance of wildlife is an intriguing destination to explore. Speaking during the launch of Tourism Month at the Multimedia Centre in the eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park in uMgungundlovu MEC for KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Rev Musa Zondi, said this cultural and heritage destination has shown a steady increase in the tourist numbers post-Covid-19, going from 305 018 visitors in 2022 to 364 160…

South Africa has a plethora of attractions that have been elevating the cultural experiences of travellers. Some of these places have stood the test of time without losing value and surviving from generation to generation. These places have a story to tell, providing value for the visitor. As we celebrate Tourism Month and Heritage Month, here are some of the country’s oldest attractions. Cango Caves According to legend, the Cango Caves in the Precambrian limestones at the foothills of the Swartberg range near the town of Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape Province were first discovered by a herder in search of lost cattle, and subsequently explored by local farmer Jacobus van Zylin in 1780, after whom the first hall is named. The caves have been known to man since the…