Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-12 i Weekend Argus Saturday

The City of Cape Town has come under fire after a study by UCT accused them of misrepresenting scientific evidence around urban water pollution and failing to address the ongoing contamination of rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas. The study, spanning over a decade of multidisciplinary research, points to political interference, denial, and selective use of data by municipal officials in managing the city’s wastewater crisis. “Our goal has been to bring evidence of contaminants to the attention of officials responsible for a clean environment,” said lead author Professor Lesley Green, director of Environmental Humanities South at UCT. The researchers documented 18 forms of science miscommunication, including the non-disclosure of test results and the use of selective data to reinforce political narratives. The City was also criticised for presenting point-in-time…

As the school holidays come to a close, Ladles of Love, a renowned South African non-profit organisation, is reaching out to the nation’s youth with a poignant plea: “Log off your games and social feeds, and show up to help your country”. This Mandela Day, young South Africans are invited to honour Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy by volunteering their time to assist vulnerable and underserved children. This year, Ladles of Love is ramping up its Mandela Day events, which will take place at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town and the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg on July 18. Parents are encouraged to galvanise their children to participate in meaningful community service – creating items that nourish and support preschoolers in need. Yolanda Jones, programme director at Ladles of…

A spike in missing children cases in the first week of the school holidays has prompted a strong safety warning from child protection activist Veronique Benji Williams, founder of Faith and Hope Missing Persons, who is urging parents and caregivers to be extra cautious and vigilant. Benji said her organisation has already responded to at least nine cases involving missing minors under the age of 15 since schools closed – a sharp and immediate increase from usual numbers. Two of the cases involved a six-year-old girl from the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East and an eleven-year-old girl from Delft. Both children were found safe after going missing during the first week of the break. Benji said her team treats every alert with urgency, particularly when it involves younger children.…

In his social media series “Trump Was Born to be a Gay Man,” actor Bransen Gates lip-synchs to real recordings of US President Donald Trump saying things that – with a few wrist flicks and come-hither eyes – gain an entirely new interpretation. Gates has acted out the president’s monologues about his “beautiful” flagpole, his declaration that he would “kiss every man” in a 2020 rally audience and his assessment of Arnold Palmer’s body. (He “was all man”, said Trump in October.) But the NATO summit late last month was a gimme. In a bilateral meeting, Trump compared the situation between Iran and Israel to a schoolyard spat: “Let them fight for about two, three minutes, then it’s easy to stop them,” said the president. Secretary General of NATO Mark…

The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi Philharmonic) is set to take audiences on a captivating cinematic journey with the world première of its concert film, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Francois Verster, this remarkable film will hit screens across South Africa from 25 to 30 July 2025. This screening represents a momentous occasion in South African cultural history, marking the first time this monumental symphonic work is presented nationwide by a South African orchestra in such a cinematic format. Conducted by the esteemed Marin Alsop, the film was captured live at the iconic Cape Town City Hall in 2022. It promises to offer a fresh interpretation of Beethoven’s timeless Ode to Joy, infused with a uniquely South African essence. Bongani Tembe, chief executive and artistic director of…

A $15 million (about R266.9m) federal grant was supposed to help scientists better understand how the warming climate is harming plants and animals, setting many on paths toward extinction. But the Trump administration shelved it earlier this year, miring the research in a holding pattern. Jacquelyn Gill isn’t sure there’s a way out. The professor of paleoecology and plant ecology at the University of Maine spent hundreds of hours readying the grant proposal, and 13 years before that gathering knowledge about how past changes to Earth’s climate echoed through ecosystems. But without federal funding, she finds herself at a loss for how to keep building on that work as more species disappear. More scientists are beginning to feel that crunch. A budget document the Trump administration recently submitted to Congress…

Young footballers from Cape Town’s Life Zone Soccer International have returned home in triumph after completing their three-week Dream Possible Tour in Sweden – a journey that has once again showcased the extraordinary talent emerging from under-resourced communities. As part of their ninth international tour, Life Zone’s Under-12 boys and girls squads represented South Africa at two prestigious tournaments abroad. The boys team made history by claiming gold in the Piteå Summer Games, going undefeated throughout the tournament. Their momentum continued in the Storsjöcupen, hosted in Östersund, where they placed second overall. The girls squad put in a spirited performance, advancing to the quarter-finals. Coach Jeremy Wyngaard, founder and head of Life Zone Soccerl, said the Dream Possible Tour is a culmination of hard work, sacrifice, and a community united…

The good times are rolling in South Africa’s new vehicle market, with nine consecutive months of sales growth putting the industry 13.6% ahead of where it was this time last year, Naamsa figures show. June was a particularly strong month for the motor trade, with year-on-year sales growing by 18.7% to 47 294 units, as passenger cars and light commercial vehicles made solid gains of 21.7% and 14.9% respectively. But household budgets remain tight and much of the growth is concentrated at the lower end of the vehicle market. “The majority of the growth we’re seeing is centred in the sub-R400 000 segment,” said Brandon Cohen, the chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (Nada). “This price point remains critical for volume, affordability and trade-ins, with a direct knock-on effect…

Have you ever been asked to submit your payslip by a prospective employer, before you’ve even sat down for the interview? For many South Africans, it’s a routine (and often frustrating) part of the job search. But that could soon change. The recently tabled Fair Pay Bill aims to put an end to this outdated practice and usher in a more equitable era of recruitment. If passed, it would prohibit employers from requesting your current or previous salary history and instead require them to be upfront about what they’re willing to pay. In short, transparency becomes the rule, not the exception. According to Norma Mazibuko, partner, and Amandla Makhongwana, senior associate at Bowmans South Africa: “This is a game-changer for both employers and job seekers and, if passed, is set…

South Africans have long grappled with low savings levels, high consumer debt, and increasing financial pressure. As July marks National Savings Month, it serves as an opportune time to reflect on the importance of disciplined saving, not as a luxury for the privileged few, but as a financial necessity for all. At its core, saving is a cornerstone of financial well-being. It creates resilience in the face of life’s inevitable disruptions, such as a retrenchment, medical crisis, or unplanned household expense. Without access to emergency funds, many are forced to rely on costly short-term debt, which often initiates a cycle of borrowing that is difficult to escape. As such, establishing and maintaining a savings buffer not only protects against the unexpected but also fosters the kind of financial independence that…

Tottenham have signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham and are set to capture Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White in a double swoop worth over £100 million. Kudus became the first player since 2011 to make the move from the Hammers to rivals Spurs in a reported £55 million deal. Gibbs-White is set to follow as Spurs have activated the £60 million buyout clause in his Forest contract. The double signing marks the start of the Thomas Frank era at Tottenham after he replaced Ange Postecoglou last month, despite the Australian winning the Europa League to end a 17-year trophy drought for the club. Victory over Manchester United in the Bilbao final also secured Spurs direct entry to the Champions League. Kudus said the combination of playing in Europe’s elite competition and…

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached his third successive Wimbledon final yesterday, battling to a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) win against American fifth seed Taylor Fritz. With Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio watching from the stands, Alcaraz survived a titanic clash lasting two hours and 49 minutes in searing temperatures on Centre Court. As the mercury rose close to 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), play was interrupted by several fans taken ill, but Alcaraz kept his cool to subdue the big-serving Fritz with his sublime returns and immaculate serving of his own. The 22-year-old will play seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic or world number one Jannik Sinner in tomorrow’s final. Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals and holds an 8-4 edge over Sinner in their…

As the dawn of a new season creates space for fresh hopes and aspirations, Kaizer Chiefs’ specialist goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi is brimming with anticipation and determination. With the momentum of last season's rare success, namely winning the Nedbank Cup, Mzoughi understands that the expectations of supporters have grown stronger. “Having won the Nedbank Cup, our supporters are expecting more trophies and the technical staff share that aspiration,” Mzoughi said, looking towards the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The connection between the team and the country’s biggest fan base, he continued, is vital in this quest for continued success. “Their support is crucial – our unity gives us power,” he added profoundly, in an interview with kaizerchiefs.com. Mzoughi highlighted the significance of solidarity in achieving their collective goals. His…

Now that the uber-wealthy set has left Venice after witnessing the gaudy nuptials of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, you’d think that it can’t be outdone when it comes to deciding where to host your wedding reception. Well, think again, because there are loads of beautiful destinations you could choose from to say “I do” without breaking the bank or being subjected to ridicule as the Bezos couple were during the high-profile wedding, where spoof mannequins of the bridal couple popped up across the lagoon city. So if you’re dreaming of somewhere unforgettable to tie the knot, a new study has helped refine your choices down to the most sought-after wedding destinations for 2025. With the global wedding services market valued at a staggering $899.6 billion (about R15bn) and…

At the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas opened up about his thoughts on retirement and the meaning of creativity after an illustrious career spanning nearly six decades. The 80-year-old actor is well known for his roles in iconic films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Wall Street and Basic Instinct. Douglas, who has graced the silver screen for nearly 60 years, conceded that it was time to slow down. “I’ve had a very busy career. Now, I have not worked since 2022, purposely because I realised I had to stop. I’d been working pretty hard for almost 60 years and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set,” Douglas said at the 50th anniversary screening…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s here, embedded in our daily lives, reshaping how we work, connect and even care for our mental health. But can a chatbot like ChatGPT truly replace a human therapist? The question might sound far-fetched, but as the use of AI in mental health continues to grow, this debate has become urgent and deeply personal. To explore this, I turned to Cassie Chambers, operations director at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), who offered thoughtful insights into this complex conversation. Let’s dive into the pros, cons and the bigger picture of AI’s role in mental health support. What AI can and can’t offer AI tools like ChatGPT are undeniably convenient. Available 24/7, stigma-free, and offering instant responses, they’re a…

US President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a 30% tariff on South African imports is drawing sharp criticism from economists, many of whom argue the move is politically motivated rather than based on real trade imbalances. Economist Dawie Roodt believes the US’ planned 30% tariff on South African goods is being driven more by geopolitical tensions than trade data – and warns that the move could signal deeper diplomatic shifts. “This is, without a doubt in my view, driven primarily by politics – not economics,” said Roodt. “South Africa is economically irrelevant to the US, but we play a much bigger role internationally, especially in terms of our support for certain organisations and countries the Americans don’t like.” Roodt’s comments follow a formal letter sent by Trump to President Cyril…

HEARTBROKEN Durban parents Michelle and John Bell are preparing to bring home the body of their “baby girl” who was murdered in the Bahamas last week. Paige Bell was living the dream; working as a stewardess on a superyacht, surrounded by idyllic beaches and billionaires. Tragically, it ended in a nightmare. Last Thursday the former schoolgirl from Hillcrest High School in Durban was found dead in the engine room of the yacht where she was stationed, just days before her 21st birthday. Her throat was slit and there were signs that she had struggled with her attacker. According to reports it appeared as if Bell may also have been sexually assaulted. Police are currently investigating a homicide and a suicide attempt. Speaking to the Independent on Saturday via Facebook, her…

Never before has there been a time such as the present where families need to protect their older family members and those living alone from the ills of cybercrime. Those who struggle with failing memory are particularly vulnerable to cybercriminals and predators. A growing number of older adults are falling victim to online scams, and we need better awareness, clearer guidance, and stronger support systems to protect older people online. This is according to a research study titled “Cybercrime against Senior Citizens: Exploring Ageism, Ideal Victimhood, and the Pivotal Role of Socio-economics”, co-authored by Dr Suleman Lazarus, a sociologist affiliated with the University of the Western Cape. His research, alongside colleagues from the University of Surrey and the University of Portsmouth, sheds light on how older adults are deliberately targeted…

The Artscape Women’s Humanity Arts Festival returns this year with a powerful lineup of events, performances, and community engagements, all centred around the themes of healing, representation, and active peace-building. Held annually in August to mark Women’s Month in South Africa, the 2025 edition invites people of all genders, backgrounds, and beliefs to engage in the vital and often challenging work of building a more just and inclusive society. From theatre and film to panel discussions and wellness activations, the festival offers a platform for voices often marginalised or unheard. Events throughout the month speak to the personal and the political – foregrounding stories of identity, resilience, and dignity. A key highlight includes Tory Café: Ode to Sara and Isidudla: Sara Baartman and Cultural Body Image, a discussion with filmmaker…

The deluge that killed nearly 80 people along fast-surging Texas rivers two Fridays ago struck a region that has grappled with deadly floods before. And yet, the magnitude of the disaster exposed gaps in its ability to warn people, including a delayed flood risk alert from Kerr County and stalled development of a flood monitoring system. This swath of Central Texas is the most flash-flood prone region in the country, and officials know the Hill Country’s terrain can turn slow, shallow rivers into walls of water. But even as weather forecasts began to hint at the potential for heavy rain the day before, the response exposed a disconnect: Few, including local authorities, prepared for anything but their normal Fourth of July. When the precipitation intensified in the early morning hours…

Lovebugs – so named for how the male and female cling together as they mate in flight – are swarming South Korea. They can be seen in the hilltops that dot South Korea’s bustling cities. They’re on the windows of high-rise office buildings. They’re on sidewalks, inside convenience stores, on hiking trails and all over city streetlights. They’re everywhere. The bugs are harmless, but they are becoming increasingly annoying to the country’s more than 50 million residents. “I thought it was the apocalypse,” said Kim Jaewoong, a 36-year-old welder who ran into a swarm of these bugs last week on Gyeyangsan, a small mountain in the port city of Incheon, an hour drive west of Seoul. Kim was jogging up the mountain on his usual weekend exercise route on Saturday…

There’s something deeply satisfying about starting up a naturally aspirated V8 petrol-fuelled engine. It’s even more so when it’s slotted under the long bonnet of a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, which sounds grumpy even when in quiet mode. I’ve had my fair share of exposure to the iconic American Pony Car over the years, including a first drive of the Dark Horse at the Charlotte Speedway in America, which is considered the home of Nascar. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of climbing up the embankment of the famous oval with the side of the big sportscar only a foot or two away from the wall. It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time but without a doubt one of the highlights of my career. Performance I also love the…

Walk down the aisles of a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market in the US, and chances are many of the piles of oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit will be labelled “produce of South Africa”. They have become a staple in the US – the world’s largest citrus importer – especially during the off-season summer months when in the southern hemisphere, the South African winter harvest is at its peak. But now those supplies are threatened by a potential 30% tariff that US President Donald Trump has slapped on the country. After earlier saying the levies would be imposed on July 9, US officials on Monday signalled that trading partners have until August 1 before the tariffs kick in. The looming levy has cast a cloud over the sunny valleys…

You know it’s tax season when there’s a rise in the old ‘death and taxes’ humour. But this year’s biggest clue has been the media hype around Sars’ artificial intelligence-driven tactics to enforce tax collections. The South African fiscus needs money, in a country where only 7.4 million (12%) of the population of 64m pay personal income tax, while 28m (44%) rely on social grants. However, fearmongering isn’t helpful. I prefer to highlight the positives so taxpayers understand how to use SA’s tax mechanisms for their benefit. Whether you have an accountant, a tax practitioner, or file your own tax return, look out for the following points to legally reduce what you owe Sars, maximise refunds, and combat tax debt in 2025. Take control of your finances Sars is indeed…

Kgothatso Montjane bowed out of Wimbledon yesterday with a 3-6 5-7 loss to No 4 seed Ziying Wang of China that ended the South African wheelchair tennis legend’s hopes of adding a sixth Grand Slam crown. South Africa’s only remaining title hopeful is quad player Donald Ramphadi, who will feature in Saturday’s doubles final with British partner Gregory Slade. Montjane had gone into the grass-court Grand Slam as the defending doubles champion with Yui Kamiji of Japan. The reigning French Open champions bowed out in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, however, losing to the Chinese duo of Wang and Li Xiaohui. On Friday, Wang also ended the 39-year-old South African ace’s shot at a first Grand Slam singles title. Montjane only managed to win 34% of points on her second serve,…

Wrexham’s exploits since being bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have helped lift “the bonnet” on lower-league English football and boosted its popularity in the US, former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand told AFP. The 40-year-old, who is now an ambassador for the Hammers, said Wrexham’s climb up the English Football League (EFL) pyramid had “opened people’s eyes across the pond on such a great league”. The Wales-based club have scarcely looked back since Reynolds and McElhenney’s surprise purchase of them for around £2 million in 2021. Wrexham are just one promotion away from the Premier League after becoming the first club from the top five divisions of English football to secure three consecutive promotions. Ferdinand has been a keen follower of football in the US since…

Tadej Pogacar won stage seven of the Tour de France yesterday to regain the overall lead with a trademark burst up the short, steep slope of the Mur de Bretagne. Visma’s Jonas Vingegaard was second, doggedly staying right on Pogacar’s wheel to the line with Briton Oscar Onley third after a late nine-rider pile-up marred the finale. On his 19th career Tour de France stage win the 26-year-old Pogacar gained four seconds on Vingegaard with 10 bonus seconds to the Dane’s six. “It was super hot today, and super fast but we had a plan and we stuck to it,” said the Team UAE rider who was champion in 2020, 2021 and 2024. In the overall standings, Remco Evenepoel is second overall at 54 seconds after coming in sixth on…

In a bold move towards modernising the country’s immigration framework, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, announced a comprehensive digital visa system that will soon be mandatory for all entrants to the nation. Presenting his budget for the upcoming financial year, Schreiber stated: “No person will be able to enter South Africa without first obtaining a digital visa through the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation),” marking a significant shift in how the country manages immigration. The launch of the ETA is set for the end of September, ahead of the G20 leaders’ meeting in Johannesburg in November. According to Schreiber, the ETA will digitalise the entire visa process, enhancing efficiency and combating corruption that has plagued the traditional paper-based system. “The endpoint of all of these reforms,” Schreiber explained, “is…

As holiday plans begin to take shape for many across the globe, a dark cloud looms over the travel industry: a surge in holiday scams. Globally, fraudsters pilfered over $1 trillion (R17.8 trillion) from unsuspecting victims in 2024, as revealed in a recent report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (Gasa). Travel was cited as one of the hardest-hit sectors. Analysis indicates that nearly $25 million will be lost to online travel fraud this year alone, potentially impacting one in five travel bookings. This alarming trend isn’t confined to the borders of specific countries – even South Africa is witnessing a sharp rise in travel-related scams. Antoinette Turner, general manager at Flight Centre South Africa, stressed the seriousness of the situation. “South Africa is witnessing a significant uptick in scams –…

It’s officially the June holidays, and my six-year-old made it his personal mission to wake up well before sunrise. Not just before – I’m talking rooster-still-sleeping, stars-still-out early. From the moment his eyes open, it’s go-time: snack negotiations begin, toy troops are mobilised, and I haven’t even had my coffee yet. The biggest challenge? Keeping him entertained without the constant crutch of screen time. So, in a moment of desperation (and nostalgia), I introduced him to the joy of tent building – or as he proudly calls them, “forts”. Suddenly, I’m a structural engineer every second day, having to dream up unique designs that pass his very serious “vibes” test. He even has interior decorating requests, which mostly involve hijacking my ornaments and scatter cushions. RIP to the vase that…

I’m an absolute sucker for a TV series or movie that is set in the ’70s. Just the aesthetics alone are a vibe. That was one of the reasons that I started watching the crime thriller Duster, which is co-created by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. The other is that the series is helmed by Lost star Josh Holloway as Jim Ellis and Rachel Hilson as Nina Hayes. Set in the Southwest in 1972, the premise centres on the FBI's first black woman agent, Nina Hayes (Hilson), fresh out of training from Quantico, taking on the mammoth task of bringing crime syndicate boss Ezra Saxton (Keith David) to book. She is laughed at by her sexist peers. But Nina has two things in her favour: she’s got the smarts to…

Weddings are meant to be magical, right? That one picture-perfect day that crowns your love story. But here’s the not-so-secret truth: planning a wedding can push even the calmest person into full-blown panic. You’re not just picking flowers and cake flavours, you’re managing expectations, navigating family politics, handling finances, and trying to keep your relationship strong in the process. Wedding vendors Aura Print found that searches for “pre-wedding nerves” surged by a staggering 5 000% in the past three months alone. And over a quarter of brides have called wedding planning the most stressful event of their lives. It’s no wonder many couples start questioning everything, including whether they’re ready for marriage at all. So, how do you protect your mental health while planning one of the biggest days of…

With another cold front to hit the western parts of South Africa, the City of Cape Town has assured residents that they are well prepared with their winter readiness plan. However, despite these assurances a series of flooding incidents across the metro in recent weeks has cast a dark cloud over the actual state of readiness. Just a week ago, a Parkwood grandmother issued an emotional plea to the City of Cape Town to urgently clear blocked drains ahead of the winter rains. This comes after her eight-year-old grandson Tyler Cupido narrowly escaped drowning in a flooded street earlier this month. Francis Fick, 60, said she believes the incident – which unfolded in Moosa Walk – could have been prevented if the stormwater system had been cleared in time.…

MK Party’s Deputy President Dr. John Hlophe says Minister Senzo Mchunu is a “pathological liar” who has repeatedly misled Parliament and the country. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Hlophe and MK Party Member of Parliament Visvin Reddy launched scathing attacks on Mchunu, accusing him of perjury, defeating the ends of justice, and being part of a broader network working to capture state institutions, including the police and the judiciary. “Minister Senzo Mchunu is a pathological liar. He is known for lying,” said Hlophe. “He has lied in Parliament at least on two occasions in my presence.” According to Hlophe, Mchunu once provided MPs with a fake hotline number and then left Parliament without apologising. He also accused the Minister of lying about DNA evidence in a child abuse case…

With an escalation in mass murders in Mitchells Plain, activists, politicians and community forums are scratching their heads on what to do to end the carnage, with some calling for the army to be deployed while others want a commission of inquiry to be established to get the root causes of the gang violence. Abie Isaacs, chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, said the ongoing crisis is nothing short of “urban terror” and warns that residents are living in a state of fear while gangs tighten their grip on neighbourhoods. “Our teams are out there 24 hours. Yes, we are still persistent and calling on the SANDF to stabilise and normalise the area,” Isaacs said. “We’re dealing with urban terror, as we are calling it.” Isaacs said violence in…

Observations of “alpha male” behaviour among apes – including some of humans’ closest relatives in the animal kingdom – have helped shape the archetype of the dominant male into a controversial touchstone of modern culture. But a sweeping analysis of power dynamics between male and female primates confirms that the alpha male is relatively rare among 121 primate species, finding that sex-based hierarchies across the vast order are more fluid – and successfully contested more frequently – than was historically assumed. The study’s authors say their research could pave the way to a deeper understanding into one of science’s murkiest questions: the origins of power inequalities between men and women. “Male dominance is not a baseline, as was implicitly thought for a long time in primatology,” said Élise Huchard, a…

Cape Town G&S, in collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, is set to light up the Artscape Opera House with a jubilant concert staging of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most iconic comic opera, The Mikado – In Concert. This limited run, part of a special anniversary celebration, will take place from July 25-27, culminating in a matinee performance on the last day. As the opera marks its 140th anniversary, audiences can expect a fresh and exhilarating rendition of this timeless classic. Premiering at London’s Savoy Theatre in March 1885, The Mikado – In Concert quickly became a cultural phenomenon, its clever satire of bureaucracy and British institutions cleverly cloaked in a fictional Japanese setting. The production enjoyed an unprecedented run of 672 performances, establishing itself as the most performed…

A pioneering study involving international researchers, including a contributor from Stellenbosch University, has revealed that awareness of the connection between extreme weather events and climate change significantly influences public support for climate policies. Published in the esteemed journal Nature Climate Change on July 1, 2025, this research sheds light on how varying extreme weather experiences sway opinions, particularly in the Global South. The study examined how individuals’ experiences with extreme weather events and their belief that these occurrences are linked to climate change predict their support for five key climate policies: increasing taxes on carbon-intensive foods, raising taxes on fossil fuels, expanding public transportation infrastructure, increasing the use of sustainable energy, and protecting forested and land areas. Utilising extensive datasets from 68 countries, the researchers quantified exposure to extreme weather…

As South Africans continue to experience the winter chill, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is urging people to stay informed, take precautions, and seek medical attention when necessary – especially as seasonal viruses remain active across the country. This comes as the 2025 influenza season in South Africa began four weeks earlier than in 2024, marking the earliest onset since 2010, according to pneumonia surveillance in public hospitals. Although transmission remains relatively low, the virus continues to circulate well into the winter months. NICD has confirmed that flu cases remain active across the country. During the week of June 16-22, lab testing showed a positivity rate of 15.8% for influenza and 16.7% for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – two of the most common respiratory viruses tracked during this…

They call it the “Green Hell”, with 20.832 kilometres of undulating tar, known for its significant elevation changes and bumpy surface. Achieving a new record time at Germany’s Nürburgring-Nordschleife is a notable achievement, and BMW has done just that in the compact class of cars, with its new M2 CS. With BMW M development engineer Jörg Weidinger behind the wheel, the BMW M2 CS has knocked the Audi RS3 off its throne as the fastest compact car on the ’Ring. With a time of 7:25.5 minutes, Weidinger beat Audi’s previous record by eight seconds. “The BMW M2 CS has achieved a significant milestone with its lap time of 7:25.5 minutes on the Nordschleife, showcasing the potential for combining performance, technology and exceptional driving dynamics into a single vehicle,” BMW M…

System is designed to tackle inequality but falls short South Africa’s personal income tax system is in the spotlight as the country’s tax filing season gets under way. Personal income tax is an important way of redistributing income from higher-earning to less-well-off individuals. But how effectively does it do this and what can get in the way? At the heart of any redistributive tax system is its structure – which incomes are taxed or exempted, which expenses are tax deductible, how the tax rate schedule is designed, and which tax credits are granted, including how much they reduce the tax owed. The schedule translates taxable income into the taxpayers’ tax liability by defining tax rates by tax brackets. The top tax rate is 45%. In a recent study, we explore…

Financial planning is a lifelong journey that shifts in focus with each stage of life, from childhood and schooling to early adulthood, midlife responsibilities, and then, retirement. Hayley Parry, Money Coach and Facilitator at 1Life’s Truth About Money, says it’s vital to distinguish between saving and investing. “Saving is money that you plan on spending in the short to medium term,” she says, typically between three and five years. These savings might go toward a child’s birthday, a December holiday, or a home deposit. Investing, by contrast, is for goals that extend beyond five years and should aim to outpace inflation. Parry strongly recommends building an emergency fund before moving into investing. “Think of your emergency fund as a financial cushion or shock absorber between yourself and your bank account,”…

‘The Man who says he can, and the man who says he cannot. Both are correct. Source: Confucius, a Chinese philosopher whose teachings became integrated into Confucianism, which taught personal morality and correctness of social relationships. We all accept that people’s circumstances and resources play a role. A person’s mindset plays a significant role in his/her life. Thus, what you believe is true leads you to act in one way or another, which eventually determines what happens in your life. In South Africa, two out of three children do not grow up in the same household as their biological fathers. This phenomenon brings with it many disadvantages in growing up and in a person’s development. But no setback must be seen as permanent; it is just something that one can…

Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by UEFA for a breach of multi-club ownership rules, European football’s governing body confirmed yesterday. US businessman John Textor owns a stake in the Eagles and is the majority owner of French club Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League. Under UEFA multi-club ownership rules, Lyon have been allowed to keep their place in the second-tier competition of European football as they finished higher in Ligue 1 (6th) than Palace (12th) in the Premier League last season. Palace qualified for European competition for the first time by winning the FA Cup in May – the club’s first ever major trophy. Textor has since agreed to sell his 43 percent stake in the London club to…

Kaizer Chiefs have officially embarked on their journey into the women’s game through a strategic partnership with Springs Home Sweepers FC, a Kwa-Thema club, playing in the Sasol League, South Africa’s second-tier women’s football division. This landmark development formalises the growing relationship between the two clubs and signifies a significant investment in the empowerment and development of women in sport. The storied AmaKhosi, also known as the Phefeni Glamour Boys, qualified for the Confederation Cup competition after clinching the 2025 Nedbank Cup earlier this year. Under the regulations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), clubs must have a women’s team or a formal partnership with one to participate in inter-club competitions. This new alliance with Springs Home Sweepers, owned by former Chiefs player and ex-Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza,…