Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-12 i Sunday Tribune

Almost five decades after Sun City set the benchmark for leisure destinations in South Africa, the spotlight has shifted to KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast. The announcement of a new Club Med resort, developed by the Collins Residential Consortium, has stirred considerable attention partly because of its scale and partly because of what it represents. With a projected construction cost of nearly R2 billion, it will be the most expensive destination-scale tourism venture in the country’s history – a marker that tells a wider story about a renewed appetite for investment in tourism infrastructure, the potential of projects of this nature to stimulate economic activity across local supply chains, and the sophistication of South Africa’s financial sector in structuring complex transactions in a sector often seen as high-risk. To grasp the significance…

Showmax is set to launch a new original series, Slay Queens, that dives deep into the lives behind the label. The new documentary series has divided audiences, with some expressing reservations about the topic, calling it “unnecessary” Author and media personality Jackie Phamotse, a self-proclaimed former slay queen, brings her lived experience to the conversation on the documentary. Her bestselling book Bare explores vulnerability, societal pressure and the consequences of chasing the high life. Phamotse, taking to her Instagram stories, hit back at the comments that are not in favour of the series and highlighted it as being a true reflection of how people see themselves. “Nothing matters in your eyes, the deaths of all these kids and women mean nothing to you. “You are so fooled by the title…

We buy serums, drink smoothies, and use fitness trackers because we want to stay healthy as we age. But we often overlook one key factor: sleep. How we care for ourselves at night shapes how we’ll feel the next day, and much of this happens while we sleep (or don’t). The recent inaugural Sleep Summit, hosted by Discovery Health, convened leading global experts, scientists, and healthcare professionals. The event’s primary objective was to underscore the vital importance of sleep, elevating its status to that of nutrition and exercise as an essential component of overall health and well-being. A highlight of the event was the release of The Sleep Factor: A Data-Led Blueprint for Better Health, a new report showing how much sleep affects our lives. The report uses over 47…

The appointment of a 22-year-old with no track record to the role of Chief of Staff in Minister Sisisi Tolashe’s Social Development office is not merely a footnote in our unfolding political theatre. It is a glaring symptom of a much deeper malaise. A system in which key strategic positions are treated as political spoils rather than vital levers of governance. When Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told Parliament’s Ad- Hoc Committee that on-leave Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s own Chief of Staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, “had no clue” what his job entailed, he punctured the illusion that chiefs of staff are always the consummate operators behind the scenes. Instead, we see a growing parade of ill-prepared gatekeepers who wield enormous influence without having earned the right or acquired the skills to do…

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has revealed that former Prasa CEO and Member of Parliament Lucky Montana offered R5.4 million as a settlement towards his outstanding tax debt of over R55 million. IOL previously reported that Montana had opened a fraud case against Sars, accusing the tax authority of fabricating court documents to justify its hefty tax bill. However, Sars has rejected these claims as false and misleading. In a press briefing yesterday, Sars published details of Montana’s tax affairs and said it had warned the former Prasa boss to retract his claims within 24 hours or face public disclosure of his confidential tax information. “Recently, on August 8, 2025, Mr Montana submitted a compromise offer to Sars, offering the sum of approximately R5.4 million to satisfy the total…

The discussion around the decentralisation of the SAPS has brought to the forefront a complex array of arguments and constitutional considerations. As policymakers contemplate potential reforms, the need for a thorough examination of existing structures, stakeholder perspectives, and legislative frameworks becomes paramount. Dr Sandy Africa, director of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (Mistra) emphasised the necessity of scrutinising the constitutional implications of any proposed decentralisation. “The South African Constitution explicitly says that there is one national police service. This is carried through in the SA Police Service Act which aligns the role of the Provincial Commissioners with that of the national police commissioner. “However, it only makes sense to periodically evaluate whether the constitutional and legislative arrangements serve the purpose of effective law enforcement and crime prevention, but they…

IN Zulu culture, the body of a person, like former police minister Nathi Mthethwa, who did not die due to natural circumstances, should first go through cleansing rituals before the burial to protect the family from suffering the same misfortune, say Zulu cultural experts. Zulu cultural experts Nomagugu Ngobese and Professor Sihawu Ngubane explained the significance of the ritual connected to unnatural death. Mthethwa, who was serving as the South African ambassador to France, died in Paris on September 30. The cause of his death remains unclear, with his family members disputing the official report from the French authorities that he had jumped from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel. Mthethwa’s body was discovered in the courtyard of the 137m tall Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris. The South African…

HUMAN rights organisations and legal experts have expressed outrage over eSwatini’s continued acceptance of deported prisoners from the US. South Africa’s neighbouring country has become a destination for criminals, some convicted of murder, child rape, and gang-related activities. This week 10 more criminals arrived in eSwatini, following the first group of five in July. It has been reported that the country agreed in May to accept up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1 million to “build its border and migration management capacity”, according to a deal signed with the US and seen by international news agency AFP. Mzwandile Masuku, human rights lawyer and executive director of the Swaziland Litigation Centre, expressed apprehensions about eSwatini’s ability to manage these deportees effectively. He pointed out the country’s ongoing struggles with escapes…

THE convicted hitman who is co- accused with Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma in the murder of uMngeni Local Municipality DA chief whip Nhlalayenza Ndlovu is in talks with the State to plead guilty. Thabo Mathonsi Chonco, who allegedly orchestrated Ndlovu’s killing from behind bars, has begun negotiations with prosecutors to “come clean” and enter a guilty plea. Chonco’s lawyer, Mr Khanyile, who declined to provide his first name, confirmed the ongoing plea discussions in court. “I want to tell the court that there are ongoing negotiations. The person I speak to the most is the senior prosecutor in the case, Advocate Lawrence Gcaba. The negotiations are incomplete,” Khanyile said. Chonco has been convicted in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for a separate mass murder in Bulwer, in which five members of the…

ARTIFICIAL intelligence, the technology upending nearly every corner of society, is creeping into religion, serving up virtual Jesus and automated sermons – a change drawing mixed reviews from the faithful. Religious chatbots and other faith-based digital tools are growing in number, offering counsel, comfort and spiritual guidance during an age of rapidly transforming socialisation and engagement. One app, which is called Text with Jesus, has thousands of paying subscribers. It lets people ostensibly ask questions of Mary, Joseph, Jesus and nearly all 12 apostles. The idea is to educate, said Stephane Peter, CEO of Catloaf Software, which created the app. “This is a new way to address religious issues in an interactive way,” he said Although the app makes clear it uses AI, virtual Moses and Jesus don’t recognise that…

On July 6, 2025, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Police Commissioner in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) convened a media briefing. During his address, Mkhwanazi made very serious allegations about interference in the police service. Those implicated included members of Parliament, the judiciary, businesspeople and the media. Invoking Sec 84(f) of The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a Commission of Inquiry chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. When it officially began its work on September 17, as expected, Mkhwanazi was its first witness. He reiterated his earlier allegations and provided evidence to substantiate his claims. Most of these claims were subsequently corroborated by Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. Similarly, Parliament embarked on a parallel process by appointing an 11-member ad-hoc committee which is chaired by Molapi Soviet Lekganyane. An…

Sixty-one years after the founding of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the vision of unity among the nation’s political forces remains painfully out of reach. Deep internal divisions weaken the struggle for freedom. Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the smaller parties, independents and youth formations all claim to serve the same cause, yet seldom act in unison. At a time of immense suffering, when more than 67 000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, and as the global movement for Palestinian freedom gathers unprecedented momentum, this disunity has become the Achilles heel of their national struggle. The eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly placed the Palestinian question firmly at the centre of global debate. A significant resolution enabled Palestine to address the assembly despite attempts by the US…

South Africa: 134/8 (Jason Smith 31; Ruben Trumplemann 3/28) Namibia: 138/6 (Zane Green 30 not out; Andile Simelane 2/14) Namibia opened the inaugural fixture of the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek with a six-wicket victory over South Africa yesterday in what was a thrilling contest. The packed stadium was alive on Saturday, with Namibian fans chanting and getting behind their team as the fixture was decided on the last ball, with wicket-keeper batter Zane Green hitting a boundary off the bowling of Andile Simelane to seal the victory for the hosts. Green played an important hand in what was a low target of 135, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 23 against a strong Proteas bowling attack that was spearheaded by left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger. Despite the low target, the…

First look of Nayanthara, Kavin-starrer ‘Hi’ released The makers of director Vishnu Edavan’s eagerly awaited romantic entertainer Hi, featuring actors Nayanthara and Kavin in the lead, this week released the first look poster of the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. The film, which is being jointly produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures and Seven Screen Studios, will also feature a host of actors including K Bhagyaraj, Prabhu, Radhika, Sathyan, Adithya Kathir and Kureishi among others. Vishnu Edavan, who is making his debut as a director with this film, had earlier worked as an associate director to ace director Lokesh Kanagaraj in several of his projects including Kaithi, Master and Vikram. Zee Studios South, one of the production houses that is producing the…

KwaZulu-Natal’s property market is showing a clear shift in buyer preferences, with a marked increase in sectional title purchases across the province. According to RE/MAX, more South Africans are recognising the lifestyle and financial benefits of shared ownership models, particularly in high-demand coastal estates. From Palm Lakes Estate and Ballito Hills to Simbithi Eco Estate, Zululami, and Elaleni, the North Coast has become a magnet for those seeking security, convenience, and community-focused living. “Buyers are prioritising lifestyle, safety, and simplicity,” said Kim Peacock, Broker/Owner at RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors. “Many are pleasantly surprised to learn that levies often include building and common property insurance, offering a valuable saving compared to freestanding homes,” she added. Who is buying? The surge in sectional title demand spans multiple buyer groups, from young professionals seeking…

While Selena Gomez is in her blissful honeymoon bubble with Benny Blanco, the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building is keeping fans glued to their screens every week. As someone who is a huge whodunit fan, I don’t know how I missed this series. However, before I got into the latest season, I did a serious binge-watch of the first four seasons. Unsurprisingly, I absolutely loved it. Firstly, I have to say, the guest appearance on the show is enough to make any fan giddy with excitement. I mean, we are talking about Paul Rudd, Meryl Streep, Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy and Eva Longoria. Don’t even get me started on the casting of Nathan Lane, Tina Fey and Jane Lynch. The series centres on an oddball pairing of…

With the weather warming up, wedding season has officially arrived. Amid the exciting plans for your beautiful wedding – selecting flowers, choosing canapés and debating photographers – a crucial topic often overlooked is money. While infidelity is a major cause of divorce, many studies indicate that financial disagreements are a close second or even the top cause of conflict and marital breakdown. Financial issues like debt, unexpected expenses, or differing financial goals create significant stress and anxiety within a relationship, leading to tension and conflict. Just like a business merger, a marriage involves blending financial lives. To ensure a happy future together, it is essential to have an open and honest “money talk” before you say your vows. The first step is to understand each other’s financial beliefs. This doesn’t…

The recent proposal by the CRL Rights Commission to require registration of churches and the licensing of pastors under State oversight is a direct threat to religious freedom in South Africa. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, religion, belief, and association. Churches do not exist by the permission of the government; they exist by the command of Christ. To force churches and pastors into a State-controlled registration system is to place Caesar in the pulpit and to risk the erosion of one of our most fundamental liberties. History warns us: once the State regulates religion, it inevitably controls religion. Registration leads to licensing, licensing to oversight, and oversight to interference. Today it may be framed as “dignity and order.” Tomorrow, it may be used to silence prophetic voices that confront…

FRUSTRATION and anger are boiling over at the uMngeni Road branch of the Department of Home Affairs in Durban, as citizens accuse officials and middlemen of turning public service into a cash-for-access operation. Residents claim bribery has become entrenched at the branch, with people forced to pay up to R300 to move ahead in queues or receive any assistance at all. Those who refuse to pay are allegedly left standing for hours, sometimes returning day after day without being served. Many of them who spoke to Independent Media asked not to be named for fear of being victimised. A Lamontville resident, who has been visiting the branch for two weeks, said it had become impossible to get help without paying. “When you arrive, you’re approached by people asking if you…

THERE is a fierce battle underway for control of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Africa’s largest asset manager, entrusted with over R3 trillion in assets. According to highly placed sources, the tension reached a climax with the organisation severely divided over the suspension of its chief investment officer (CIO), Kabelo Rikhotso, earlier this week. On one side stands the established board of directors, and on the other, a challenging faction, reportedly linked to former spokesperson Adrian Lackay, which – according to insiders – is attempting to wrest control of the PIC through covert manoeuvres. The sources alleged that the “Lackay grouping” had actively intercepted communications involving senior PIC executives and was orchestrating a campaign to remove the current board and install a new one. “They have been intercepting internal memos,…

At sunrise, the waves at Muizenberg Beach roll in with familiar rhythm, but for a group of children gathered at the shoreline, each wave carries something far more meaningful than the thrill of surfing. It carries hope. In a country where nine out of ten young people lack access to mental health support, according to the Children’s Institute at UCT, that hope can be the difference between breaking cycles of trauma or being consumed by them. Across South Africa’s townships, toxic stress, violence and poverty have become everyday realities, and for many young people, safe spaces to talk, heal or even just breathe are rare. That’s where Waves for Change (W4C) comes in. Waves for Change began in 2009 with a simple idea: if the ocean brings peace, maybe it…

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has slammed the recent violent protests at the University of Fort Hare as “criminal”, not a protest, warning that the academic year must be saved and that learning must resume within a week. This comes as reports indicate that the protest at the university caused damage estimated between R250 million and R500m, with key buildings set alight and academic activities brought to a halt. In a press briefing yesterday, Manamela said the department was working closely with police, the Eastern Cape government and university management to restore calm and ensure the safe reopening of the institution. “What has happened at Fort Hare is not protest – it is criminal. It destroys opportunity, erodes confidence and undermines the dreams of thousands of young…

Members of Parliament have expressed outrage over the alarming number of teachers accused of having sexual relations with pupils, following a report by the South African Council for Educators (SACE) that exposed widespread misconduct in schools. The report, tabled before Parliament’s portfolio committee on basic education this week, revealed 606 cases of teacher misconduct in the 2024/2025 financial year, 127 of which involve sexual relations with pupils. SACE chief executive Ella Mokgalane said the council was deeply troubled by the persistence of such cases, which continue to erode trust in the teaching profession. “We are worried because the number of reported cases keeps increasing. There are currently 606 in total, and of those, 127 involve teachers who continue to sleep with learners,” said Mokgalane. “If these teachers are found guilty,…

Five men accused of executing contract killings that left two Durban Metro police officers and an ANC Youth League secretary dead will stand trial in May 2026, the Durban High Court ruled this week. The accused, arrested by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), allegedly shot their victims execution-style after mistakenly killing the wrong target in their initial assassination attempt. The case was deemed trial-ready earlier this week by the Durban High Court. The accused men, Fana Wellington Shabalala, 39, Thulani Holly Shozi, 36, Zamokuhle Mnyandu, 44, Ntobeko Hadebe/Msezane, 29, and Mthokozisi Ntando Blose, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of murder, unlawful possession of an automatic rifle, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The five men are alleged to have been contracted and paid to kill…

An ailing Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters semi-finals yesterday by world No 204 Valentin Vacherot. The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco stunned the Serbian great 6-3, 6-4 to deny him a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai. A hobbling Djokovic, 38, vomited courtside and received medical treatment multiple times during the match. “I’m trying to pinch myself — is this real?” said Vacherot after the biggest win of his career. “I know not many of you guys wanted me to win,” he told the crowd, who had cheered thunderously for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “To have Novak on the other side of the court was, first of all, an invaluable experience for me. I have a hundred feelings right now.” Djokovic, the former world No 1, said…

Shane Nigam’s much-anticipated film Soul of Haal has run into a censorship crisis, with the Censor Board instructing the film-makers to remove a scene featuring beef biryani and dialogues related to a ceremonial salute. In response, the film’s production team has approached the Kerala High Court, challenging the board’s directive. The board’s objections include the dialogue “Dhwaja Pranama, the team is on guard” and a scene depicting the consumption of beef biryani. These instructions have delayed the issuance of the censor certificate, putting the film’s release on hold. Film-makers argue that these cuts compromise the narrative and have sought judicial intervention to resolve the issue. Directed by debutant Veer, Haal was originally scheduled to release on September 12, but the date was subsequently postponed. The film, one of the biggest…

A recent YouTube clip by Tim Cocker, from the popular rugby channel EggChasers, had South Africans puffing out their chests and wiping away tears. Standing on Llandudno beach in Cape Town, Cocker recorded what has become perhaps the best tribute South Africa could ask for. His reflections captured what every South African knows in their heart to be true: despite its challenges, this country remains one of the most extraordinary places in the world to live and to visit. What made the broadcast so powerful is that Cocker did what tourism campaigns often struggle to achieve: he spoke with the voice of a traveller, fresh from discovery, and unscripted. His journey took him from safaris in the bush to Gqeberha, along the Garden Route, and finally to Cape Town. In…

What began as a small family business delivering beds by horse and cart has evolved into a company that defines innovation, quality, and local pride. Sleep Group, today the largest integrated bedding manufacturer in southern Africa. The story of Sleep Group began in 1939, when the Metz family established Metz Furniture, a modest operation supplying local retailers. Beds soon became the biggest part of the business, and under the leadership of the second-generation owner, Michael Metz, the company rebranded as Metz Bedding in 1981. “Michael Metz and his family were true pioneers,” current CEO Michael Borcherds said, who worked alongside three generations of the Metz family before taking on the leadership role in 2022. “They brought an energy and passion that inspired everyone around them. For us, it was never…

If you haven’t started binge-watching House of Guinness, what are you waiting for? The eight-part historical drama on Netflix is an intoxicating mix of scandal, power struggles, rebellion, forbidden romance, betrayal and political intrigue. As with most influential families, the legacy is underpinned by delicious drama and secrets. This series, inspired by the renowned family behind the Guinness brewing company in 19th-century Ireland and New York, opens with the passing of Benjamin Guinness, the man responsible for the extraordinary success of the Guinness brewery. While his four children – Arthur Guinness ( Anthony Boyle), the eldest Guinness son, Edward Guinness (Louis Partridge), Anne Plunket (Emily Fairn), née Guinness, and Benjamin Lee Guinness II (Fionn O’Shea) – prepare to say their farewell, there is a rebellion brewing among the Fenian Brotherhood.…

It is amazing that the Catholic Church has decided to police its black faithful around the issue of traditional practices. I suspect there is a lack of understanding from the leaders of the church that traditions and religion don’t actually clash. Institutionalised worshipping is man-made, just like traditions. The growth potential of the Catholic Church rests with the regions outside of Europe. Latin America and Africa are very important regions for the church. Latin America strongly believes in traditional practices, evidenced by the significant indigenous and Afro-descendant populations, enduring superstitions, and the influence of cultural traditions on daily life, art, and community values. While religion and architecture have a strong European background, these are often blended with indigenous and African traditions to create unique Latin American expressions of culture. Archbishop…

Deputy Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya is expected to testify tomorrow in the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system. Sibiya was implicated in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola gave their testimonies this week. Ad Hoc Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said on Friday that the public hearings would resume with Sibiya as the witness. The inquiry has heard that Sibiya allegedly went ahead with plans to disband the PKTT despite being advised not to do so by Masemola, who had concerns with the directive issued by now-suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu in December 2024. Sibiya had allegedly ordered for the removal of dockets from KwaZulu-Natal to the police head…

Cedrick Nkabinde was in the spot- light this week when KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi spoke at a parliamentary inquiry session about how he rose through the ranks from a police officer dealing with dockets to suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff. Mkhwanazi said he had personally met Mchunu in a meeting over coffee arranged by Nkabinde at his house before he was appointed as the minister of police in 2024. “He personally wanted to introduce me to the Minister of Water (and Sanitation) Affairs, so I drove with him to his house,” Mkhwanazi said, noting that Nkabinde was unemployed at the time. Nkabinde’s trajectory from law enforcement to ministerial advisor illustrates a significant pattern in South Africa’s governance ecosystem, where the lines between policing, investigation, and…

A bust of Kasturba Gandhi was unveiled on Friday at Phoenix Settlement in Inanda, placed opposite that of her husband, Mahatma Gandhi. A powerful figure in her own right, Kasturba lived at the settlement from 1904 to 1914, where she championed education, self-reliance and moral discipline – particularly among women and children. Her legacy of quiet strength and grassroots activism now stands immortalised alongside her husband’s. A strong supporter of Gandhi's South African campaigns, including the Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) movement, she often led when he was imprisoned. Kasturba’s granddaughter, Ela Gandhi, who is the chairperson of Gandhi Development Trust, speaking at the event said she had dreamt about this day for many years. She said in 2004, at the 100th anniversary of Phoenix Settlement, the statue of her grandfather was…

BANKS and other financial institutions are under renewed pressure to detect and report suspicious transactions, particularly those involving public funds. This comes in the wake of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU ) report which exposed how officials from the Gauteng Department of Health and a syndicate of dodgy service providers to Tembisa Hospital looted more than R2 billion meant for medical supplies. The report revealed the SIU’s complex investigation of syndicates involving fraud, corruption, money laundering, bid rigging and racketeering between officials and syndicates. Investigators relied on the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act to track suspicious payments. However, they still found it difficult to collect certain electronic payment and data evidence. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) both financial crime fighting…

The Durban High Court has ordered that eThekwini Municipality be restrained from discon- necting the electricity and or water supply of members of the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement. The high court application was brought against the municipality in June 2024 by ERPM and residents Sivalingam Pillay and Belinda Botha. Judge Carol Sibiya said that the ERPM’s June 2024 application arose from the municipality having imposed retrospective charges for water used by the residents who had previously qualified for provision of free water of up to six kilolitres a month. Judge Sibiya ordered that the accounts of ERPM members, Pillay and Botha be credited, and ruled that the municipality cover all legal costs. Sibiya said that ERPM satisfied the requirements for an interim interdictory relief against the municipality. She said the…

In a significant blow to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Durban High Court has rejected its urgent application against anti-immigrant groups policing hospital access. The court struck the matter off the roll on Friday, ruling it not urgent despite claims that foreign nationals were being denied critical healthcare. SAHRC filed an urgent application asking the court to stop several parties from blocking people’s access to healthcare services, especially at Addington Hospital. These parties included two organisations (March and March movement and Operation Dudula), government officials (the Health Minister, KwaZulu-Natal’s Health MEC, Addington Hospital’s CEO, and the Home Affairs Minister), and individuals like Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who founded the March and March movement. Additionally, the SAHRC wanted the court to direct the station commander of Point police station, the…

US President Donald Trump offered a measured response on Friday to being passed over for a Nobel Peace Prize that he openly coveted in favour of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, even as one of his senior aides pointedly described the decision as placing “politics over peace”. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a social media post from Machado in which she credited him for US support of the resistance against an increasingly authoritarian regime in Venezuela. “We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve freedom and democracy,” Machado wrote. Later on Friday, Trump…

Ian Wyles Auctioneers is featuring three properties set to go under the hammer during their multi-property auction on October 29 at 11am at the Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, uMhlanga Rocks. The first property is at 34 Krantzview Road, Kloof, Ethekwini. Krantzview Road enjoys a prime position within the sought-after residential suburb, which enjoys quick access to the M13 and proximity to schools, shopping centres, medical facilities and other amenities. The main house comprises two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, lounge and dining room. The property also features a rondawel with one bedroom and one bathroom along with a tool shed/storage room and two vacant rooms used for storage. Viewing is by appointment only. For more information, please contact Wesley Johnston on 069 249 3242. You can also call…

The unveiling of Unite for Change (UFC) by Patricia de Lille, Mmusi Maimane and Songezo Zibi could mark a turning point in South Africa’s political landscape. This new formation may offer voters a long-term, credible alternative, one that transcends the entrenched partisan divides of the post-apartheid era. Positioned as a centrist political movement, Unite for Change emphasises national renewal over narrow party interests. Its architects seek to rally South Africans behind a shared vision grounded in ethical leadership, economic recovery, service delivery and justice. The movement seeks to reshape the national conversation, away from ideological rigidity and factionalism, toward a pragmatic agenda for reconstruction. If successful, UFC could reconfigure the balance of forces within South Africa’s maturing democracy and introduce a viable middle ground to an otherwise polarised system. Politics,…

South Africa initiated its “African G20” amid the most tumultuous geopolitical and geo-economic disruptions. Earlier this year, Trump 2.0’s “big bang” trade wars and massive cuts in development aid by the US and EU have seen a sudden, abrupt cut-offs of aid programmes, posing huge problems for nations’ ability to allocate resources. In the past few weeks the mushrooming of Gen Z protests, which find their discontents in the economic–governance crisis, has put the spotlight on the G20’s relevance and prospects for success. Are these Gen Z protests merely flashpoints or do they signify deeper structural questions in a post-Covid new nationalism era? While there are shades of yesteryears Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Spring’s pro-democracy uprisings in the Middle East, the 2024-25 Gen Z protests come at a…

Former Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar swapped his gloves for striker’s boots this week as he kicked off Rhiza Babuyile’s state-of-the-art Cruyff Court in Diepkloof — an initiative aimed at transforming young lives through sport. Van der Sar took penalties against local children during the launch, marking the first of two new Cruyff Courts designed to provide young people in underserved communities with structured programmes that teach discipline, teamwork, and life skills while offering safe spaces for physical and mental development. South Africa faces serious social challenges including rising drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and countless young talents slipping through the cracks due to lack of opportunities. With the new Cruyff Courts, Alef Meulenberg, founder of the Rhiza Foundation, hopes to provide more than just a place…

An African safari is an immersive experience that typically involves early morning and late afternoon game drives to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. These excursions often include stops for drinks or picnics in the bush, allowing you to savour the beauty of the landscape. While you can expect to see a wide array of animals, a typical day also includes downtime at a lodge or camp, where you can enjoy stunning scenery and delicious cuisine. Safaris offer a unique, exhilarating and addictive way to connect with the wild. Despite the early mornings and bumpy rides, they are very safe when led by experienced guides. Here are 10 essential items you should bring when embarking on a safari game drive. Polarised sunglasses The African sun can be intense, making it…

Travel is an enriching pursuit that speaks to our desire for exploration, adventure and connection. Whether you’re looking to satisfy your taste buds, indulge in luxurious experiences without breaking the bank, or seek thrilling outdoor adventures amidst stunning vistas, the world is filled with destinations that cater to every travel whim. Here are some captivating options to consider for your next trip, whether you are a foodie, an adventure seeker, or simply in search of scenic beauty. Savour the flavours of Peru If culinary delights are your calling, Peru stands out as a thriving gastronomic hub. With its acclaimed culinary scene, Peru captivates food lovers by offering an extensive range of dishes that marry indigenous ingredients with diverse cultural influences. The country boasts over 4 000 varieties of potatoes, fresh…