Innehållsförteckning för 2025-04-27 från Sunday Tribune

Ian Wyles Auctioneers is featuring two properties that will go under the hammer during their multi-property auction on April 30 at 11am at the Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, uMhlanga Rocks. The first property is a three-bedroom family home with a granny flat at 21 Robin Hood Road, Escombe, Queensburgh. The residential suburb is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and offers convenient transport links and proximity to essential amenities. The home comprises: Comfortable lounge area with easy access to the outdoor entertainment areas Dining area, adjacent to the lounge Kitchen, featuring built-in cupboards, stone countertops, and modern built-in appliances, including an oven, stove, and extractor fan. Separate scullery and laundry room Three spacious bedrooms, main en-suite, all featuring built-in cupboards, modern finishes, and ample natural light Family bathroom with…

South Africans celebrated Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announce- ment made on Thursday that the National Treasury will no longer be implementing the controversial 0.5 percentage points increase in value-added tax (VAT) from May 1, which was proposed in the national Budget to plug the R58 billion fiscal deficit. His decision marks a significant victory for financially constrained consumers and highlights the government’s responsiveness to widespread pushback and legal challenges, even from its own coalition partners within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Godongwana had last month proposed to increase the VAT from 15% to 15.5% from 1 May, and to 16% a year later, after his Budget speech was unexpectedly postponed at the eleventh hour in February when he proposed to increase VAT by a once-off 2 percentage points. Instead,…

If Con Mum proves anything, it is that there are a lot of catfish out there and that they will continue to do what they do best. The Tinder Swindler, Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare, Inventing Anna and Fanatical are some of the streaming offerings that have exposed not just the deception and greed of con artists but also their lack of remorse. While this genre has proven to be a goldmine for snetworks, I’ve grown wary of watching the same gullible actions on repeat, albeit in different scenarios. With so many red flags, how are such responsible, learned people allowing themselves to be swindled? Sadly, their emotional baggage has made them susceptible to opportunists. Of late, there’s been a lot of buzz around the Netflix documentary feature, which centres…

Postpartum depression is no longer a whispered phrase hidden behind pastel baby showers and filtered Instagram posts. It’s real, raw and more common than most people think, and when someone like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Rinna opens up about it, it reminds us why the conversation still matters. In an honest and haunting episode of her podcast Let’s Not Talk About the Husband, Rinna revealed the dark spiral she fell into after giving birth to her first child. Speaking to her actor husband Harry Hamlin, she said she had horrible postpartum depression. “I had horrible postpartum depression, but I didn’t know it. I didn’t know what it was, because you know when you have your first baby, you don’t know.” The conversation took a turn when…

“Stay at home or risk being caught in the crossfire.” The chilling warning came not from a foreign invader, but from Blessed “Bombshell” Runesu Geza – a war veteran-turned-activist –as he addressed the nation in April. His message was clear: civilians might become collateral damage if armed confrontation erupts between state forces and “progressive” actors backing his cause. This is no longer a protest – it’s a declaration of potential civil conflict. Are we witnessing the birth of an insurgency in Zimbabwe? It began with the March 31 stay-away protest. For a day, Zimbabwe’s bustling streets fell silent. Shops closed, offices emptied, and public transport was idle. It felt like a country pausing to exhale after years of political suffocation. That rare moment of mass coordination suggested there was still…

As the countdown to the 2025 Comrades Marathon begins, Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo is preparing to run the 2025 Comrades Marathon in support of Early Childhood Development (ECD). With a commitment to raising both funds and awareness for ECD, Masondo is running under the banner of Community Chest Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Masondo, who is running his seventh Comrades this year, considers ECD a pivotal investment in the future of South Africa. “The first few years of a child’s life lay the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being. Yet, too many children in South Africa, particularly in underserved communities, lack access to quality ECD services,” he said. Having set an ambitious fundraising goal of R25 000, Masondo has just begun his campaign with an initial R300 already raised.…

JUST over 30 years after South Africa’s first democratic elections, public opinion is divided over how to evaluate the post-apartheid, democratic state. Characterisations range from “failed or failing state”, to “mafia state” to the more optimistic “developmental state” com- mitted to addressing historical patterns of injustice through decisive state intervention. The characterisations vary so widely because interpretations of the state are shaped not only by a complex empirical reality but also by competing theoretical and ideological perspectives. Some parts of the state appear dysfunctional, marked by failure, corruption, or capture. Others are viewed as evolving, contested, or in need of transformation. The perspective depends on the framework of analysis applied. Theoretical approaches reinforce these divisions. Some emphasise state failure and breakdowns. Some highlight illicit networks and patronage. Others focus on…

SOUTH AFRICA’S tourism stakeholders will target the Indian and Chinese markets to attract more travellers to the country. Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille said they have been working on improving their visa regulations for visitors coming to South Africa. She said there had been a breakthrough after two years of fighting with Home Affairs. The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) for India and China was announced in February. “Travellers from India and China are ready to come. The scheme was launched on February 12 and 20. We welcomed the first 30 Chinese tourists using that new visa system. “We need to use the system to grow the market between India, China and South Africa. India and China travel in big groups. The market needs to position itself to cater…

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with double pneumonia. There were many unusual aspects of Pope Francis’ papacy. From the very start of his papacy, Francis seemed determined to do things differently and present the papacy in a new light. Even in thinking about his burial, he chose the unexpected: to be placed to rest not in the Vatican, but in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome – the first pope to be buried there in hundreds of years. Vatican News reported the late Pope Francis had requested his funeral rites be simplified. “The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Diego Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff…

The presidential appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s envoy “to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities” with the US continues to dominate the news. Negative remarks by Jonas four years ago about President Donald Trump, however, have made his appointment very unlikely to continue. Speculations about an alternative for him are already rife, and former president Thabo Mbeki is regarded as one of the options. In the official statement about Jonas’s appointment, the envoy’s task is set out to “lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with US government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interest”. In the most immediate past a range of bilateral matters have contaminated these relations, notably South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool’s forced departure from Washington, DC, because of his remarks…

The scheduled visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to South Africa this week was abruptly shortened following a devastating Russian attack on Kyiv. While presented as part of the African Peace Mission initiative and the country’s broader diplomatic engagements, the meeting came at a sensitive moment, defined by growing international calls for a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, even as certain Western powers appear determined to prolong the war. Since the outbreak of hostilities in 2022, South Africa has charted a careful and principled course rooted in impartiality, multilateralism and consensus building. Unlike the polarised positions of many Nato-aligned countries, South Africa consistently withstood the pressure to adopt simplistic binaries in an undeniably complex geopolitical conflict. The country’s approach has been shaped by the foundational values of the Non-Aligned…

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has called on his team to maintain their belief and fighting spirit as they prepare for one of the most important matches in the club’s history – the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final against Simba SC. The Maroons will host the Tanzanian giants at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban today, with kick-off set for 3pm. After a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Zanzibar, Stellies know they will need to overturn the deficit to keep their historic continental campaign alive. Barker, who has overseen Stellenbosch’s rapid rise both domestically and now in Africa, remains optimistic about their chances despite the setback away from home. “Yeah going 1-0 down in Tanzania (wasn’t the best result). We had looked to sort…

Enzo Maresca saluted Chelsea’s “nasty” performance as a gritty 1-0 win over Everton yesterday kept alive their bid to qualify for the Champions League. Nicolas Jackson struck for the first time since December to seal a vital victory at Stamford Bridge. The Senegal striker’s first-half blast from 20 yards moved Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top five as they fight for a place in next season’s Champions League. Chelsea’s third win in their last five league games eased the pressure on Maresca, who has come under fire for his team’s cautious tactics during their slump in the second half of the season. Once again they endured a nervy finale as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made two fine saves to preserve the lead. Maresca was pleased to see his team show…

Winning the FA Cup would not be enough to put Manchester City back on their pedestal after the Premier League champions fell by the wayside this season – but it would be a nice way to wrap up their domestic campaign, manager Pep Guardiola said. City fell behind title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal earlier this season having suffered nine defeats – more losses than in their previous two campaigns combined – while they were knocked out of the Champions League in the knockout phase playoffs. A six-time league winner as City boss, Guardiola has not had a trophyless campaign since his first year at the club, and he expects the team will get back to their best next season. “The FA Cup win does not give you the certainty to…

The Lions finally had reason to smile again after a 26-7 win over Irish visitors Connacht in their United Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park yesterday. The Johannesburg side ended a five-match losing streak, and welcomed back midfield ace Henco van Wyk, who has been stand-out in an up-and-down season that has been more down than up of late. But even he struggled to spark this match to life. That honour went to youngster Renzo du Plessis, who scored the opening try of the game in the 13th minute of a match that was a slow burner till very late on. Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter missed his conversion attempt. The Lions started the match in steady enough fashion, without being spectacular. It was a cagey affair in the first stanza. The…

Actress Taapsee Pannu inspired young female students to empower themselves through education and sports. Pannu travelled to Barabanki this week for the fourth time with her husband Mathias Boe. She visited a primary school, Garri, located in the Ramnagar development block of Barabanki. During this visit, she inspired the female learners to empower themselves through education and sports. The Thappad actress even provided them with educational materials, danced with them, and encouraged them to study hard and move forward in life. Pannu also gifted bicycles to the girls, so that they could ride them to school. When asked about the same, the Badla actress said: “I have been coming here to meet these girls every year since 2022, when I took on the responsibility of their education. They were in…

Mother’s Day occurs annually, but your celebration of it doesn’t have to be repetitive. Let’s face it, the usual last-minute flowers or a mediocre brunch at the regular spot just aren’t enough these days. Forget the supermarket blooms and gift her an unforgettable experience. Consider a weekend escape – a tranquil retreat with beautiful scenery. Whether her interests lie in exploring forests, appreciating fine art, or simply relaxing with champagne. For the nature mom If your mom notices every bird call and can name wildflowers without blinking, Elgin is perfect for her. Tucked just past Grabouw, this lush valley in the Western Cape is all green hills, apple orchards, and that fresh-forest scent. For something a little special, take her horseback riding at Long Shadows Farm, where gentle trails wind…

Old Johannesburg Warehouse (Old JW) Auctioneers’ Durban branch has a bumper sale of more than 800 lots of antiques, artworks, collectables, jewellery and coins, taking place during the first week of May. Rare treasures to be discovered on the sale include a 19th Century scale model of a ‘man-o-war’ sailing ship crafted from small bits of bone. Charles Kerr, specialist valuator for the company, said: “The piece was possibly made by a French prisoner of war who found his way to an English prison during the Napoleonic wars. Such prisoners were often conscripts who were artists or sculptors, and who had no place on the battlefield. It was fairly common practice for such prisoners to fashion elaborate artworks from their weekly ration of soup bones.” In keeping with the military…

On Friday, the world marked Girls in ICT Day which brought up the critical question in the industry, are we doing enough to ensure that girls are not only included in the digital future, but leading it? A woman in tech and a director at Bizmod Consulting, a proudly women-led company, Jessica Nyarayi Tandy said she sees this day not as a checkbox on the advocacy calendar but as a strategic moment to recommit to what truly matters: intentionally building a future where girls are not simply included in ICT, but are leading it. Despite strides in awareness, the numbers remain sobering, with 30% of science and ICT professionals are women, globally. Less than 3% of female students in higher education pursue ICT courses and in Sub-Saharan Africa, women make…

The second season of Wednesday has officially been released and from the sneak peek we received, it is going to keep us glued to our screens. After what felt like eternity, Netflix released the highly anticipated trailer of Wednesday and the release dates of the new season, which is split into two parts. In the first season, we saw twists and turns as Wednesday Addams enrolled at Nevermore Academy as she navigated a world that was different from what she was used to, as she attempted to solve a murder mystery. Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, is back at Nevermore Academy for another year of macabre mayhem. She'll have to deal with family, friends, and old enemies as she navigates the challenges of school and her relationships. Directed by US…

ARCHBISHOP Emeritus Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of the Roman Catholic Church in Durban and Cardinal Stephen Brislin, President of Southern Africa’s Bishops Conference were among the dignitaries and a multitude of mourners who bade farewell to Pope Francis at his funeral yesterday. Napier and Brislin arrived in the Vatican City on Friday. Speaking to the Sunday Tribune from there, Napier said he and Pope Francis were made cardinals at the same time by Pope John Paul II. Pope Francis was elected by the College of Cardinals in 2013, in which Napier participated. “When he was elected Pope, Pope Francis appointed me in one of the key positions of the Council for the Economy, whose main task was the drawing up of rules and regulations for all the departments of the Vatican…

ABOUT 2500 South African Muslims are set to embark on their spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj – the sacred Muslim pilgrimage. The pilgrimage is mandatory for all Muslims to make at least once in their lives, provided they are physically and financially capable. The first group of pilgrims from South Africa will leave tomorrow, and will spend six weeks in Saudi Arabia. Moaaz Casso, president of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) said 50 SAHUC officials will form part of the Hajj mission, including doctors and nurses. Casso said travellers were informed of the health guidelines and the dos and don’ts during Hajj. “We had awareness programs to…

APART from the influences on a child, autism has a ripple effect through a number of systems. Considerations for care and intervention for the child with autism, the parent and the family need to be at the forefront of our minds as professionals and society at large. During autism month the key focus is on awareness, however the new “A” word we should rather consider is acceptance. Awareness around autism has increased over the years and mainstream media has allowed for more exposure of the condition. The flip side of awareness is acceptance. Within my focus of research I have had a particular interest in parents specifically how they cope and how autism may have impacted their quality of life and well-being. Key findings that have emerged point to…

THE catchphrase, “Nothings more fun than a sho’t left”, rings true, especially when given the opportunity to explore Mzansi’s sun-soaked coasts, bucket-list activities and finest hidden gems. One such place is Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape which offers a bit of adventure and everlasting memories. As a first-time traveller to Gqeberha, previously known as Port Elizabeth, I was surprised by its sights, adventures for the thrill seekers and wonders of the ocean. On arrival at Gqeberha’s Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport I was reminded of the once-quaint Durban International Airport. Located on the western portion of Algoa Bay along the south-eastern coast of South Africa, the city lies 770km east of Cape Town. It boasts some stunning Blue Flag beaches and wildlife destinations. Gqeberha, which is in the Nelson Mandela…

Stipends for KwaZulu-Natal Traditional leaders absorbed 71% of the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) R1.9 billion budget for the 2025 and 2026 financial year. Traditional leaders needed to become self-sufficient and support them- selves, reduce dependence, and grow local economies, said Marlaine Nair, MPL – DA at the KZN Legislature on Friday. Nair said this imbalance cannot continue unchecked. Nair said KZN needs a new deal – one where traditional councils are not only custodians of culture but contributors to community development. Nair said the DA honours their place, respects the work they do and recognises their critical role in our social fabric. “We must build economic engines inside traditional institutions. For every R1 in this budget, 71 cents goes to salaries. This includes traditional leadership stipends, support…

Frustrated Ladysmith residents, who have been without a water supply for a month, protested outside the uThukela District Municipality’s offices on Friday. Residents were told that the water supply could be restored last night once pumps were functioning at the eZakheni (eMbizeni) Water Treatment Works. Maseehullah Gaffar, chairperson of the Ladysmith Civic Association, said enough was enough and decided to get answers directly from the source of the problem and where the management of uThukela was based. Gaffar said that had the municipality been transparent and communicated with the residents, the protest would not have happened. Residents, he said, were not aware of pump failures. Gaffar claimed that a water tanker was only seen once in the area since the taps ran dry. Gaffar said ratepayers were relying on water…

THE good old cliché ‘games in hand do not equal points in the bag’ rang true at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium as SuperSport United’s efforts to move off the bottom of the Premiership hit a snag in yesterday’s 1-1 draw. Uncharacteristically languishing in the relegation zone, the three-time league champions are thought by many to be in with a chance of avoiding the playoffs, given they have played less matches than their opponents. But that is assuming they would win those. Expectations were they’d bag the maximum three against a City side that have gone off the boil that initially saw them looking like serious top-three contenders early in the season. And when they took the lead early on via a Christian Saile headed goal at the near post…

South African star Akani Simbine proved that his recent victory in Botswana was no fluke as he stormed to a superb 100m win at the Diamond League event in China yesterday. The 31-year-old sprinter dealt easily with Kenyan superstar Ferdinand Omanyala at the Botswana Grand Prix a few weeks ago, and faced an even more stacked field in Xiamen, China in the first Diamond League meeting of the season. Apart from Omanyala, Simbine came up against Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, American speedster Christian Coleman and 60m world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu of Britain. Running in lane five, SA’s 4x100m relay Olympic silver medallist made a strong start, but still trailed the likes of Coleman and Omanyala over the first 40 metres. At the halfway mark, though, Simbine put…

South African rugby’s sizzling sensation Cameron Hanekom this week made a reverential comment about the “hardebaard” of the Bulls team, Marcell Coetzee. “I don’t want to disappoint Marcell,” Hanekom said. “He made 31 tackles against Munster. He is my role model.” The respect with which Hanekom spoke of the 33-year-old Coetzee reminded me of the chapter I wrote on Coetzee in my book, The Fireside Springbok. I’d like to revisit the “making of Marcell”, because it is by no accident that he is such a special player. When Coetzee finished high school in 2009 at Port Natal in Durban, there was great excitement about the annual party week at Margate, the pilgrimage for Afrikaans school-leavers all over the country. Coetzee did not go. He wanted to, but he would be…

IN A STRONG display of unity and collective grief, Kashmir Valley erupted in protests against the Pahalgam killings this week. The protests and shutdown marked the first valley-wide complete shutdown against terrorism in over 35 years, with people from all walks of life taking to the streets to denounce the bloodshed. At least 26 tourists were killed on Tuesday after gunmen opened fire on civilians in Baisaran in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). According to eyewitness accounts, a group of armed terrorists emerged from the nearby forest and opened fire on people, most of whom were tourists. Baisran is a small meadow located three to four kilometres from the Pahal- gam market, and tourists take horses to reach the place as there are no roads. Civil society members, traders’ federation, transport…

It was in 1993, when Sanjeev Kapoor’s first show Khana Khazana aired and made him a household name. The celebrity chef whipped up nostalgia as he revisited the making of the longest-running cooking show. Kapoor was a guest on Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa’s podcast on Youtube, where he talked about the making of Khana Khazana, directed by Hansal Mehta, a show primarily based on Indian cuisine. “I could never memorise a script. I never read from one. On the day my show was set to start, they handed me a paper with an opening monologue. I still remember it. They also gave me an outfit that looked like a raincoat – I didn’t realise TV had such specific wardrobe requirements,” said Kapoor. He added: “We were shooting at Juhu…

Jet lag is the ultimate travel buzzkill. You’ve just landed in a dreamy new destination, ready to soak in the sights, but your body has other ideas. You’re wide awake at 3am or falling asleep at dinner. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Experts define jet lag as “the desynchronisation between the internal human circadian system and the time at the new destination.” In simpler terms, your body’s internal clock is out of sync with the local time. This can mess with your sleep, energy, and even mood. What causes jet lag? Think of your body as having its own “master clock,” located in your brain’s hypothalamus. This clock regulates your circadian rhythms, those 24-hour cycles that control your hormones, metabolism, and sleep-wake cycle. Now, imagine flying across time zones.…

Investors seeking an opportunity in uMhlanga should take note: In2assets are offering the top two floors of the iconic Durban structure The Arch Complex through an exclusive tender process. The Arch Complex is the tallest building on the Umhlanga Ridge skyline. The combined 1 803m² across the 22nd and 23rd floors previously housed the Pencil Club, now under business rescue. Now offered unfurnished (with furnishings available separately), the space presents a canvas for visionary investors. “The property’s previous incarnation featured amenities that define ultra-luxury,” said Rainer Stenzhorn, national sales and marketing manager at In2Assets. “From the rooftop swimming pool with panoramic ocean views to the fully-equipped commercial kitchen and banquet facilities, every element was meticulously crafted by award-winning designers.” The 360-degree views encompass Umhlanga’s pristine coastline, the Indian Ocean horizon,…

As the ongoing global trade war escalates, experts are increasingly concerned about its ramifications for cross-border payments, particularly in Africa. Cornelius Coetzee, Country Manager for Verto South Africa, sheds light on the current economic landscape, revealing that the turbulence is deeply rooted in the United States’ efforts to foster a stronger domestic market under the Trump administration. While tariffs have been paused for the time being, the implications for the South African economy and its critical relationship with the US, could be significant. “The rationale behind the trade war is an attempt to build a self-sustaining US economy, yet statistics indicate that the US remains reliant on global partnerships for two-thirds of its economic output. Trump’s attempts to cut aid and reduce government spending were aimed at domestic recovery, but…

After binge-watching a lot of homegrown movies, reality TV shows and drama of late, it was time to switch up the pace. The glowing reviews on Teacup compelled me to check out the eight-part Showmax series. Inspired by Robert McCammon's bestselling novel, Stinger, it is set in the scenic countryside of Georgia, where the neighbours come together after finding themselves unable to cross a blue line around them. The series evokes a dystopian atmosphere characterised by panic, a sense of helplessness, and enforced acts of heroism. Think of offerings like Leave the World Behind, Paradise, Wayward Pines, The Outsider, 12 Monkeys and Under the Dome. Episode one left me fascinated with its ominous atmosphere. Something is not okay in the woods as the bodies of dead animals are strewn about.…

We’ve learned about that sinking feeling where everything that used to light you up now feels ... well, lifeless. Turns out it’s more than just “feeling down” or having an off day; it’s that deeper, lingering inability to feel joy or excitement about anything. Experts have a name for it: anhedonia. Anhedonia is often tied to mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, or even burnout. It’s that constant “meh” vibe, where nothing feels fulfilling, no matter how hard you try. And let’s be real, living in South Africa doesn’t make things any easier. With the daily grind of societal, economic, and personal challenges, it’s so easy to fall into a cycle of feeling stuck and hopeless. To put it bluntly, South Africa is not exactly the happiest place on earth.…

IN my quest to enrich my mind, I discovered Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos. The story is set in Seattle, in the US, in a 1394 square-metre mansion inhabited by Margaret Hughes, a 75-year-old woman who has lived there mostly alone. Hughes decides to rent a room, and Wanda, a woman from New York with her own struggles, responds to an advertisement. The house is filled with priceless porcelain figurines – thousands of them. Hughes spends her days dusting them, bound to them by history because her father collected them when she was a child. Later, she learned they had been stolen. Unable to return most of them or profit from their sale, she lives isolated, burdened by inherited guilt. Wanda brings her crises, and together, they decide to…

MKP motion of no-confidence in Godongwana and Didiza The DA has taken its legal action against the looming value-added (VAT) tax increase further by filing a supplementary affidavit asking the court to stop the hike which is set to take effect on May 1. Following claims that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had purportedly offered a settlement, which never materialised, the DA is now seeking a “specific” court order from the Western Cape High Court to prevent the VAT hike. This comes as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) filed a motion of no confidence in Godongwana in Parliament despite the Constitution providing for only the Cabinet and the President. Yesterday, DA Federal chairperson Helen Zille said there had been important legal developments on the VAT matter that required the…

THIS year’s running of the iconic Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban will be a challenging 89.98km and with a new street finish outside People’s Park. The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) announced on Thursday that the route distance for the 98th edition of the Ultimate Human Race will be 89.98km, slightly longer than the 87.701km of the previous down run in 2023. The longest down run in the history of the Comrades was 92km in 1971. This year marks the 49th down run, taking place on June 8, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later outside Durban’s People’s Park. The finish had moved from the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium to the new street finish outside People’s Park. At the finish there will be a grandstand for…

AS South Africa marks another Freedom Day, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: liberation remains incomplete for millions of South African citizens, especially our youth. While we celebrate the dismantling of apartheid and our democratic journey, we have yet to fully extend freedom’s promise to those living with disabilities. Three decades into democracy, too many with disabilities remain invisible, marginalised in education, employ- ment, and public life. In classrooms across our nation, children with cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and other disabilities are still largely segregated – a profound form of discrimination that contradicts everything our constitution stands for. True freedom cannot exist in a society where access is determined by ability. The education system embodies this contradiction most starkly. When children with disabilities learn separately from their peers, we teach…

In an effort to clamp down on traffic violations, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (DoT) is expected to recruit 200 trainee traffic officers annually over the next five years, fill vacant posts, and improve road conditions. The province must be a zero-tolerance zone, which includes rooting out drunk drivers, speedsters, and unlicensed drivers and vehicles from the roads with special attention to seatbelts, roadworthiness, and pedestrian safety compliance, said KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma when he presented his budget speech at the KZN Legislature on Friday. The DoT budget allocation for the 2025/26 financial year is R13 billion, of which R960 million is allocated for administration. A total of R9.2bn will be spent on transport infrastructure, while R2bn will be allocated for transport operations. A budget…

Animal welfare organisation Four Paws South Africa is urging the government to expedite the implementation of the phase-out plan of the captive lion industry following the conviction of Professor Thabo Masihlelo for starving the lions on his farm in the Free State. The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) issued a statement this week announcing that Masihlelo had been convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to a R5 000 fine or 10 months’ imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that he does not re-offend. In 2023, the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protec- tion Unit (WPU) conducted an inspection at Masihlelo’s farm in Tweeling, where they discovered several lions in varying stages of starvation. “Although Masihlelo claimed to breed captive lions under the guise of supporting conservation efforts in…

It has been over two years since civil war broke out in Sudan after the coalition partners of a military government – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo – could not find common ground on sharing power. The conflict has reportedly killed 20 000 people and the actual number could be far higher, displaced more than 15 million people and left about 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance half of which are children. On the April 15, the UK hosted a conference on Sudan co-chaired by Germany, France, the AU and the EU aimed at mobilising humanitarian aid for the millions of suffering Sudanese. Also in attendance were officials from…

Manchester United still have the allure for potential transfer targets despite the churn at the club and their lacklustre performances this season, manager Ruben Amorim said this week. United are 14th with 38 points and are headed for their worst-ever points total in the Premier League era after suffering a club record 15 losses this season. Their previous record was 58 points in 2021-22, and they have five games left. Meanwhile, their hopes of qualifying for Europe depend on their exploits in the Europa League where they are in the semi-finals. United must win the trophy to qualify for the Champions League or miss out on European competition altogether. “It is Manchester United. What I feel is that there are a lot of players that want to play for our…

Jannik Sinner held onto his World No 1 ranking ahead of his return from a three-month doping ban, but the Italian does not expect his comeback to be as smooth when he takes to the court again at the Rome Masters next month. Sinner has not played since winning the Australian Open at the start of the season, and accepted a ban in February following a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which had challenged a tribunal’s decision to clear him after two positive tests. The 23-year-old was allowed to return to training on April 13, and his suspension will end on May 4, before his competitive return at the Italian Open, which gets underway three days later. Sinner, who spent time building fitness mindful of the French Open…

The Bulls have their fate in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in their own hands after an impressive victory over defending champions the Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening in Scotland. An outstanding defensive display, coupled with two tries at a crucial juncture in the clash, paved the way for the 26-19 triumph. While the Warriors scored two tries at the death, the Bulls’ handling of them throughout the clash made a massive statement. Now, they have two round-robin matches at home – against the Dragons and Scarlets. And if they can get a full 10 points from that and Glasgow stumble in one of their final encounters (against Zebre or Leinster), the Bulls will finish second on the URC log. “Our destiny is in our hands again, which is fantastic,”…

The rich sounds and lively atmosphere of the Indian community’s dance music scene from the 1960s to the 1990s will be captured in a documentary film to be shot in Durban next month. A dance floor at Sastri College will transform into a movie set on May 3. Four iconic local bands – Platinum Heat, the Crescendos, The Dukes, and the Melvin Peters Quintet will pay tribute to the vibrant music orchestrated by dance bands of yore. Shan Moodley, an award-winning television show and movie producer, who was responsible for programmes such as Prime Time, Police File, Pop Shop and No Jacket Required, is at the helm of the project, which is yet to be titled. “The evening of May 3 will focus on celebrating the spirit of community and…

Streaming giant Netflix showcased three Indian productions at its Apac showcase in Tokyo, with Bollywood stars Rajkummar Rao and R Madhavan leading the slate of movies to be released this year. The presentation highlighted the streaming platform’s growing commit- ment to diverse Indian storytelling across languages and genres, reports variety.com. “This year is going to be our most diverse year yet,” Netflix India original films head Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh said. “After the wildly loved Pushpa 2,’ Dragon, and Chhaava, we have an exciting lineup of some of the biggest theatrical films coming to Netflix in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.” Currently streaming is Test, Netflix’s first Tamil-language original film, a sports drama featuring R Madhavan, Nayanthara, and Siddharth. Sheikh also talked up the imminent release of Jewel Thief, described as a…

In a world where facial recognition already unlocks smartphones, authorises payments, and checks in hotel guests, it’s no surprise that airports might be next in line. Soon, South African travellers could be breezing through boarding gates without ever reaching for a passport or printed boarding pass. A proposed global shift led by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) could mean the end of physical travel documents as we know them. Instead, a Digital Travel Credential (DTC) stored on your smartphone may become the new norm. Using facial recognition, this technology will confirm your identity from check-in to boarding, and even upon arrival, without you needing to flash a single document. The move towards digitising travel documents is the next logical step in an increasingly tech-driven world. Biometrics and digital ID…