Sunday Tribune 2025-04-06

In the heart of South Africa, Dimakatso Matseba Mampa is turning the tide in the fashion industry with her visionary company, Matseba Innovations. Armed with a dream to merge style with sustainability, she is not just crafting exquisite garments but is also weaving empowerment into the very fabric of local communities. With over seven years of experience in the industry, Mampa knows that great fashion is a blend of creativity and purpose. Her journey began at the Vaal University of Technology, where she first explored her passion for fashion and interior design. It started with a solitary dress and soon blossomed into a unique array of designs that carry her name, inspired by her love of African print clothing that was often hard to find. Mampa’s entrepreneurial spirit faced initial…

The cost-of-living crisis for South Africans has reached alarming levels with fuel prices, despite getting a cut this month, and energy costs quickly outpricing the reach of the average consumer in the country. This was according to CEO of Debt Rescue, Neil Roets, who told Business Report that hot on the heels of the hefty 12.7% electricity tariff increase that came into effect on 1 April, the small drop in the petrol price announced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will not save the majority of South Africans from a bleak Easter this year. “Two of the most essential necessities, petrol to drive their vehicles and electricity to heat food and keep the lights on, have slowly but surely become outpriced and beyond the reach of the…

The South African government has proposed an increase in several taxes such as the Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise duties, as part of its fiscal strategy to generate additional revenue and address public health concerns. In the 2025/26 budget, the government proposed to increase VAT by 0.5% points in each of the next two years, bringing VAT to 16% by 2026/27. In addition, excise taxes on alcoholic beverages are set to increase by 6.83% in the current fiscal year. The South African government’s proposed tax hikes in VAT over the next two years and increase in excise duties on alcoholic beverages have ignited debates on their broader economic implications. These measures, aimed at boosting revenue and addressing public health concerns, will significantly impact household consumption, economic growth, and key…

Move over, David Attenborough, Tom Hanks is taking over. The award-winning actor will lend his voice to a breathtaking exploration of the natural wonders of the world in the new nature documentary, The Americas. The Americas, which promises to captivate audiences with its stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, is set to premiere on M-Net (DStv channel 101) tonight, at 6pm. The 10-part series will also feature music by Grammy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Produced by the creators of Planet Earth and Blue Planet, this documentary will uncover the extraordinary beauty and complexity of the supercontinent that comprises North and South America. Over five years of dedicated work and 180 expeditions have gone into revealing the extraordinary landscapes and the intricate behaviours of the continent’s fauna and flora. Each hour-long episode…

Spinoffs of popular shows are a win-win as there’s a hungry fanbase to tap into. This is why fans were bubbling with excitement over Suits LA, a follow-up to Suits. I’ve been a die-hard fan of its predecessor from episode one, season one. The creators didn’t drop the ball once with the casting, character development and twists. Also, the hook of having Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a college dropout with a photographic memory, being taken under the wing of the suave, powerful and first-rate associate lawyer turned partner Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), added an exciting dynamic to the bustling legal drama. Of course, comparisons between the follow-up and the original are unavoidable. Honestly, I tried to get into the series. Three episodes later, I’m not feeling it. The storylines…

After the kumbaya moment at the start of The Real Housewives of Durban season four, I’ve become sceptical of hatchets being buried in the reality show. Yes, it makes for entertaining drama, but fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. That’s my stance, and I ain’t budging. This is my favourite show from the Real Housewives franchise. It’s pure escapism – glitzy, glamorous, and full of unfiltered drama. Now, let’s dive into the first episode of season five, which saw the OGs Sorisha Naidoo and Nonku Williams return alongside season two’s Jojo Robinson and season four’s Angel Ndlela. Yep, that means that that the financially stretched Slindile Wendy Ndlovu and instigator extraordinaire Maria Valaskatzis have been dropped from the cast. However, I doubt either of…