Innehållsförteckning för 2025-07-13 från Sunday Tribune

The relentless, grinding problem of unemployment – and youth unemployment in particular – is understandably a recurring priority in virtually all government, civil society and business engagements. There is universal acceptance that this is the most pressing threat to the country’s long-term stability. But the conversation often jumps from proposed policy interventions straight to the desired outcome: jobs. What’s often missing is an obvious but critical fact: an efficient state can only absorb so many workers. If we are to create jobs at scale, they must come from private businesses. But pro-business interventions only succeed if there are actual businesses – and entrepreneurs – positioned to take advantage of them. What we should be most obsessed with, then, is building an education system that consistently produces business creators and leaders.…

Several years ago, an itch to take kiddies’ storytelling further saw Phil Cunningham and his wife Jacqui make an interesting leap into film-making from chicken farming. It was on the back of the release of Phil’s children’s book, The Legend of the Sky Kingdom. This endeavour evolved significantly when he and his wife established Sunrise Animation Studios. Their debut project was Africa’s inaugural feature-length animated film, rendered in 3D motion style, based on Phil’s book. What was remarkable about this undertaking was that it was based on puppets and a set design made out of trash sourced from a scrapyard closeby to their office. In doing so, they pioneered an animation style known as junkmation. The film was screened at festivals all over the world, and it led to the…

Nail trends come and go, but every now and then, one comes along that stops us mid-scroll. Enter “cube nails” – a bold, boxy, and seriously eye-catching design that’s popping up all over TikTok and Instagram. Forget almond or coffin shapes; cube nails are all about clean lines, sharp edges, and making a statement. And while they’re not exactly practical, they’re turning heads in all the right ways. What exactly are cube nails? Cube nails are exactly what they sound like – nails shaped into miniature cubes, creating a surreal, sculptural effect. Each nail is built out with hard gel or acrylic, slowly shaped into perfect boxy squares. The goal? To make your fingertips look like tiny works of abstract art. Cube nails break the mould of traditional looks. They’re…

Sunday Tribune columnist and vedic astrologer and vastu consultant, Mahesh Bang, has been acknowledged by the World Book of Records in the UK for marking two decades as a Sunday Tribune columnist. World Book of Records is an organisation that catalogs and verifies extraordinary records across the world with authentic certification in the UK and Europe. Its objective and goal is to record, honour, list and appreciate, authenticate and adjudicate events which can be termed as activities of world standard. Bang, who lives in Durban, has been practicing astrology for over 30 years. Formerly from Jaipur in India, Bang is also a palmist and numerologist. August 2024 marked 20 years that Bang has been writing his Soul Journey astrology column for the Sunday Tribune Herald every week. Bang was presented…

The Isipingo ratepayers and businesses called for regular clean-up campaigns in the business district and residential area to rid it of crime and grime. The eThekwini Municipality held what it dubbed Operation Gijima, covering areas including Orient Hills, Isipingo Beach, and Isipingo Hills in Ward 90. The operation aims to address service delivery challenges in the ward, as stated by the municipality this week. Several businesses were visited as part of the operation to assess health and safety compliance, as well as to ensure owners were trading with a business licence. According to the municipality, officials confiscated expired food items being sold and issued fines for non-compliance. The operation also addressed service delivery challenges and saw blocked stormwater drains cleared, illegal dumps removed, water leaks repaired, and illegal electricity connections…

Barbie has introduced a new doll that includes features related to type 1 diabetes (T1D), such as a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump, to better reflect the experiences of children living with the condition. Local ambassadors for the launch include award-winning artist Holly Rey, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, and 10-year-old dancer Sayuri Sewsunker. Rey shared that she faced bullying and isolation growing up and believes a Barbie with T1D might have helped her, and others, feel less alone. The new doll, developed with input from Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), includes realistic medical devices commonly used by people with type 1 diabetes. These include a CGM worn on the arm and an insulin pump on the waist, designed to help manage blood sugar levels.…

Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover have announced new recalls in South Africa, according to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). Mercedes-Benz South Africa is recalling various C-Class (206), GLC (254), S-Class (223), SL (232), and EQS (297) models, which were sold during 2023. The company warned that the vehicles could lose power without warning, or suffer from impairments to the instrument clusters or restraint functions, due to potential fuse box faults. The risk of a fire also cannot be ruled out, the NCC said in a statement released on Friday. Also on Friday, Jaguar Land Rover informed the entity that various Range Rover Evoque models were being recalled due to a possible fault with the passenger airbag. This campaign affects vehicles sold between 2021 and 2024, as well as some 2025 models.…

The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has published the academic and historical background of the candidates shortlisted to fill the vacancies for three commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). This move follows calls from civil society for a transparent nomination process, crucial for public trust and engagement in the electoral system. The calls were made by civil society organisations, such as Corruption Watch and My Vote Counts, which believe that a lack of transparency hampered the meaningful participation and commentary, and deprived the public of the chance to conduct proper due diligence on appointees who will represent their interests. The opportunity for the public and legal bodies to submit their comments for nominations closed on Wednesday. The tenures of the current chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, and commissioners,…

When President Cyril Ramaphosa ascended to power in 2018, he punched above his weight by making huge promises that would propel South Africa to stardom. He promised to correct what he called “nine wasted years” under President Jacob Zuma, whom he deputised in the ANC and government. He also promised to deliver “The New Dawn”. Once the wheels started rolling, they quickly fell off and sent the car in all directions. One of the areas where challenges have been witnessed is the security cluster, which was accused of dropping the ball in the Nkandla matter. The expectation was that the security cluster would install security features at Zuma’s private home, in line with its mandate. Later, it was discovered that many things went wrong. Zuma was accused of squandering public…

The year 2025 should be a time of celebration, marking eight decades of the UN’s existence. But it risks going down in history as the year when the international order built since 1945 collapsed. The cracks had long been visible. Since the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the intervention in Libya and the war in Ukraine, some permanent members of the Security Council have trivialised the illegal use of force. The failure to act vis-à-vis the genocide in Gaza represents a denial of the most basic values of humanity. The inability to overcome differences is fueling a new escalation of violence in the Middle East, the latest chapter of which includes the attack on Iran. The law of the strongest also threatens the multilateral trading system. Sweeping tariffs disrupt value…

Gerald Coetzee admits he suffered from “FOMO” after missing the Proteas’ World Test Championship Final success at Lord’s and that he remains committed to playing all formats. The 24-year-old fast bowler has been plagued by various injuries over the past two years, and is set to embark on his latest comeback to the national team during the upcoming T20I Tri-Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand starting tomorrow in Harare. Coetzee last played for Proteas back in November when he picked up “a groin niggle" whilst bowling in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead. Scans later revealed that the damage was greater than initially expected with Coetzee being ruled out of the remainder of the home international summer. He returned to play a single…

Earlier this year, Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams cracked a vertebra in his neck and played about four or five games with it until he had to stop playing with the injury for his own safety. Then, a couple of frustrating months followed on the sidelines as the nippy scrumhalf had to bide his time and stay away from rugby for a bit to ensure that he recovered sufficiently. Surgery was not necessary because the injury was not deemed to be serious, his coach at the Sharks, John Plumtree, confirmed a couple of months ago. Now that Williams has fully recovered, he is ready to spark the attack of the teams he is playing for as he looks to put the injury-plagued start of the year behind him. Williams, a World…

Donald Ramphadi and British partner Gregory Slade lost 6-0, 6-2 in the Wimbledon men’s quad wheelchair doubles final on Saturday against top seeds Guy Sasson of Israel and Niels Vink of the Netherlands. The pair had stunned second seeds Ahmet Kaplan of Turkey and Sam Schroder of the Netherlands 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 7-5 in a thrilling semi-final to reach a first Wimbledon final for both players. But the experience and chemistry of the top seeds proved decisive despite the valiant efforts of veteran Ramphadi, the 2023 French Open quad doubles champion and Olympic doubles bronze medallist. Ramphadi and Kaplan had also lost in the doubles final at the 2025 French Open. The 32-year-old South African teamed up with the 23-year-old Slade on the grass of Wimbledon and thrived in the…

CHELSEA must somehow try to stop an irresistible Paris Saint-Germain side from adding the Club World Cup trophy to their Uefa Champions League title as the final of the first edition of Fifa's expanded competition takes place today. PSG travelled to the United States fresh from becoming European champions with a stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich in late May, and they have lived up to their favourites' tag at the Club World Cup. Luis Enrique's side put four goals past Atletico Madrid in the group stage, four more past Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the last 16, and then proved too strong for Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. They appeared to hit new heights as they tore apart Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid in the last four, when…

Q: Dear Mahesh, I am 50 years old and my wife is also the same age. Since the beginning of last year, we have been having continuous arguments that always lead to ugly fights. In the last year, she has completely changed. Her personality is so difficult now. She was not like this in the past. I am considering giving her divorce. Is it the right time to divorce? AM A: In most cases, decisions made in anger, arrogance and frustration lead to regrets in the long term. Generally, at the age of around 48 to 50, most women go through hormonal changes. During this time for a short while, they become very sensitive and irritated and have mood swings. This is also the time when a wife needs her…

Meet Hannah and Charlie, a couple whose remarkable journey reflects how love can triumph over life’s toughest challenges. The pair who go by @thattravelcouple on their social media platforms have recently been nominated for Travel Creator of the Year at the 2025 ITV Creator Awards. What makes their nomination special is the fact that they have emerged from personal battles that might have shattered the spirit of even the most resilient. Hannah’s journey took a harrowing turn shortly after her engagement to Charlie. She was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 22 and underwent rigorous chemotherapy. Charlie faced his own brush with death at 15 years old when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest due to a rare genetic heart condition, leaving him clinically dead for…

There can be nothing nicer than going on a road trip, especially if it includes visiting a new tourist attraction that everyone seems to be talking about. But for an elderly Malaysian couple who travelled almost 400km from Kuala Lumpur to take a ride on a cable car they’d seen online, the trip was a waste of time – the cable car does not even exist. The Independent reports that the couple had been duped by a video that was generated by AI, raising questions about how easily people can be taken for a ride, literally. The publication said the couple travelled to Pengkalan Hulu last month after seeing the video, complete with a “reporter” interviewing excited tourists who’d come to ride the cable car, which featured prominently in the…

It was only a matter of time before something adorable became the target of an internet witch hunt. Labubu dolls, the wide-eyed, toothy little monsters dangling from the designer bags of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa, are the latest victims of a digital-age moral panic. Cute? Sure. Slightly creepy? Definitely. But demonic? That’s the claim currently sweeping across TikTok and X, and it’s sent conspiracy-loving corners of the internet into a frenzy. What are Labubu dolls? Labubus are palm-sized fuzzy creatures attached to keychains, available in multiple quirky variations. They're sold in a “blind box” format, which means you never quite know what you’re getting – a marketing strategy that’s irresistible to collectors and children alike. They’ve become must-haves for fashionistas and collectors alike, popping up everywhere, and naturally,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a heartfelt eulogy at the state funeral of former deputy president David Mabuza, describing him as a unifier of the nation. The funeral was held at Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Saturday. Ramaphosa praised Mabuza for his dedication to public service and his commitment to improving the lives of ordinary South Africans. “He was a man of sharp intellect, deep pragmatism, and quiet resolve,” said Ramaphosa. “To some, he was the ‘cat with nine lives’ – resilient in the face of political storms.” Mabuza’s passion for education was evident in his work as a teacher and his efforts to improve access to education for rural communities. Ramaphosa noted that Mabuza’s legacy includes establishing many rural boarding schools, which helped eradicate the barrier to education for…

A heated confrontation between Gagasi FM’s prominent radio presenter, Minenhle “Minnie” Ntuli, and reality show star Londie London has escalated into a public outcry, sparking a petition for her removal from both radio and television. As a co-host of the flagship morning programme, The Uprising, Minnie's aggressive behaviour, captured in a viral video, has left viewers stunned and calling for accountability. The altercation occurred during an episode of The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) on Showmax, where Minnie’s fiery exchange with Londie involved her shouting disparaging remarks and pushing Londie in the forehead. The confrontation began with Minnie angrily throwing down a couch’s cushion and getting up to confront Londie, whilst pointing her finger and expressing her displeasure with comments made about her parents, demanding respect while labelling Londie a…

FoodForward SA will reflect on former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy on his birthday on July 18 with its annual food packing event. FoodForward SA is inviting individuals, corporates and groups to go beyond a symbolic gesture and transform compassion into tangible, life-changing impact at the FoodForward SA annual food packing event. Millions of South Africans live below the food poverty line, facing the daily reality of hunger. Food insecurity is not merely a statistic – it is a silent crisis eroding the very fabric of communities, impacting families, children, and the elderly across the nation. For over a decade, FoodForward SA has been on the frontline of this critical battle against hunger. This Mandela Day, participants will work alongside fellow changemakers to pack essential food items. The parcels will then…

The Blackburn informal settlement in Cornubia, north of Durban, has not only been transformed into a movie set for an international production company but also provided much-needed jobs. The movie production team requested that the names of the film and the actors not be disclosed, but were happy with the location that they had chosen to film the second season of the series in Durban. The site at Blackburn informal settlement was used for six days with a camera crew, stagehands and security personnel on site. Rory Macpherson, eThekwini Ward 102 DA councillor, said that nine out of 10 movies were filmed in Cape Town, and he had hoped that with Durban’s climate, scenery and hospitality, it would become the preferred choice of filmmakers. He said the community worked alongside…

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has become the face of a growing anti-corruption movement after alleging that senior politicians and police leaders are entangled in a syndicate that obstructs justice in South Africa. His accusations levelled at Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya during a bombshell media briefing on July 6 have reverberated across the country, triggering widespread political fallout and igniting unprecedented grassroots support. Mkhwanazi claimed the minister and the deputy commissioner had deliberately disbanded the political killings task team in KwaZulu-Natal and ordered the concealment of sensitive case dockets implicating high-ranking figures in government, law enforcement, and the judiciary. “The dockets were locked away, the unit was disbanded, and officers were targeted. This was not the work of the national commissioner.…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the 90-day blitz to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has yielded more success with the arrest of more than 170 suspects connected to rape cases across the country. According to reports, the campaign was launched in April by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to fight the GBVF scourge plaguing South Africa. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said police are continuing to accelerate their response to combat and prevent GBVF through intensified nationwide operations across the country. Mukhathi said between June 30 and July 6, 2025, police operations led to the arrest of 99 rape suspects. Gauteng accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 26. “In addition, police arrested 73 wanted rape suspects as well as 16 individuals tracked…

If you’ve had a look at the pre-owned car market today, especially involving performance cars from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, then you would know that accountants have been lying to us all this time because not all cars are depreciating assets. In fact, the car of the 80s and 90s – the Opel Kadett 16v GSI “Superboss” is now worth 10 times its original value, after going under the hammer for an attractive R555 000 at a Creative Rides auction. Now why would anyone want to pay half a million rand for a car with cloth seats and a rubbery dashboard and steering wheel. It’s a crap ride, with no window winders in the back. There’s no aircon or electric windows in the front either. There’s just those…

Ian Wyles Auctioneers is featuring three properties set to go under the hammer during their multi-property auction on July 30 at 11am at the Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, uMhlanga Rocks. The first property is a four-bedroom home at 16 Falmouth Avenue, Upper Glenwood. Situated near the Entabeni Hospital, this Tudor-style house set on dead level land enjoys a lush, park-like setting and features expansive views across the harbour. The ground floor level comprises an entrance hall, a formal lounge, a family room with built-in bar, a separate dining room, a study and a well-equipped kitchen with granite countertops and separate scullery. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, all with built-in cupboards, and a family bathroom. The main bedroom features a full en-suite bathroom. In addition there is a beautifully…

Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has defended her decision to rotate the starting line-up after a 1-1 draw with Tanzania, insisting her selections were good enough to win the match. The result, played at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Friday night, means South Africa remain top of Group C on goal difference ahead of Mali — both sides sitting on four points — but a win would have secured qualification to the knockout stages with a game to spare. The defending champions were shocked in the 24th minute when Tanzania captain Opa Clement gave the Twiga Stars the lead. Banyana responded in the second half with an equaliser from Bambanani Mbane, but it wasn’t enough to secure all three points. Ellis’ decision to make four changes to…

Doctor Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks pulled out all the stops to entertain the crowd in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as they romped to a thrilling 45-0 victory over Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha yesterday. The seven-try win emphatically seals the two-Test series, and it opens the door for Erasmus to experiment even further against Georgia in Nelspruit in the final mid-year match this coming Saturday. Not even the 21st-minute red card to eighth man Jasper Wiese for a headbutt could spoil the enterprising play the world champions dished up in front of a capacity crowd. The action started at the kick-off already, where a pre-worked-out short kick from flyhalf Manie Libbok caught everyone off guard, even the Italians. No one knew that start was coming, except…

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele says the team is fully embracing the rebuilding phase under head coach Nasreddine Nabi, as they aim to restore the club’s former glory through patience, consistency and gradual progress. Cele, who returned to South Africa in January this year after nearly a decade in Europe, believes the foundations are being laid for sustained success — with the squad now more settled under Nabi, who is heading into his second season with the Soweto giants. “With Kaizer Chiefs, there’s so much potential to win the trophies,” Cele said during the Thabo Thalente Games launch in KwaMashu. “So, for us as a team, we can say that we have become that (successful) team within the club, so we can win things. But for us, we just need…

KL Rahul made 100 and Ravindra Jadeja a third successive fifty as India exactly equalled England's 387 in the third Test at Lord's yesterday before tempers flared as the match headed towards a second-innings shoot-out. India were in command while opener Rahul and the dynamic Rishabh Pant (74) shared a fourth-wicket stand of 141. But both batters fell either side of lunch on the third day to leave India's first innings in the balance at 254-5. Jadeja and fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, however, kept England at bay with a stand of 72 in 27 overs. But India were unable to surpass England's first-innings total in the latest sign of just how evenly matched the teams are in a five-match series currently level at 1-1. England should have had two…

Iga Swiatek demolished Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the most one-sided women's Wimbledon final for 114 years to win her sixth Grand Slam title yesterday. The Polish eighth seed was in charge from the first point and wrapped up victory in just 57 minutes in a brutal display of precision hitting on Centre Court. It is the first time a woman has won a final at Wimbledon without dropping a game since 1911, when Britain's Dorothea Lambert Chambers triumphed by the same scoreline. And Swiatek, 24, is just the second player in the Open era to win a major without losing a game in the final since Steffi Graf humbled Natalia Zvereva at the 1988 French Open. "It seems super surreal," said Swiatek, who is the first Wimbledon singles champion…

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca admitted Friday that Club World Cup final opponents Paris Saint-Germain are the best team in the world right now but is hopeful that his side can finish off a successful season by winning the first edition of Fifa’s expanded competition. “For sure they are a top team in Europe and probably in this moment the best team in the world," Maresca told reporters at the MetLife Stadium, where tonight’s final will take place. “But I think every game can be different. We have maximum respect for them. “I really enjoy watching them but at the same time we are here to do our best and try to win the final." Chelsea have eliminated Benfica as well as Brazilian duo Palmeiras and Fluminense in the knockout rounds…

As streaming services continue to revolutionise the way viewers consume content, Indian shows are carving out a significant niche among South African audiences. For many viewers, these series provide a flavoursome blend of entertainment, nostalgia and familiarity. While South African viewers also savour local productions, the allure of Indian shows lies in their capacity to offer diverse entertainment options that speak to shared cultural backgrounds. With this trend in mind, here are five must-watch Indian series currently captivating audiences on streaming platforms: Heeramandi (Netflix) Directed by the acclaimed Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this period drama unfolds the tales of the tawaifs (female entertainers) in Heeramandi, a historical bazaar of Lahore. Set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence, the series explores the intertwining lives of these performers as British colonial…

During these challenging times, when conflicts are rife, tensions are high, unemployment continues to skyrocket and hope is often far from reach, a Durban pastor is using his unique skills to improve the lives of those around him. Carlin Govender, the senior pastor and the founder of Word of Faith Churches (WOFC) in Chatsworth and Phoenix is launching a new groundbreaking WOFC App which is aimed at spreading the gospel and revolutionising the experience of church. The family man and father of two also aspires to spread positivity by transforming faith through technology. The 42-year-old, who was born and raised in Park Rynie has always had a passion for technology and this endeavour underlies his unwavering commitment to empowering his community and to empower people of all ages and from…

Every year, July 18 marks Mandela Day, an important global call to action that invites individuals and communities to dedicate 67 minutes of service, a tribute to Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service. While not a public holiday, Mandela Day embodies the spirit of volunteering, kindness, and community engagement, encouraging everyone to honour the values of peace, justice, and equality championed by Madiba himself. As South Africa celebrates this day, families can seize the opportunity, especially with the school holidays upon us, to delve into the rich tapestry of Mandela’s life and work. Here are some significant locations across the nation that tell his story, perfect for a meaningful family outing. Cape Town City Hall: A pivotal site for Mandela’s legacy Cape Town City Hall is a significant location…

As of August 1, South Africa is bracing for a significant blow to its economy, with a 30% tariff hike imposed by the United States. This decision, announced by US President Donald Trump, threatens to disrupt South Africa’s export industries, jeopardise thousands of jobs, and worsen the already fragile financial situation for many consumers. “Tariffs may be imposed at government level, but the real impact will be felt by ordinary people,” says Neil Roets, the CEO of Debt Rescue. “When exports drop, local businesses are forced to scale back. That means job losses, reduced income, and financial instability for thousands of South Africans who are already buckling under a financial burden that has driven millions of households to the edge of despair.” The tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump,…

If you enjoyed Ozark, then The Waterfront is a must-see. My curiosity was piqued after seeing countless binge-watchers rave about it on social media, and I can confirm: it did not disappoint. Interestingly, the eight-part series is inspired by real-life events. The dysfunctional Buckley family is at the heart of the narrative. The Buckleys are an influential family that dominates the local fishing industry in Havenport, North Carolina. Aside from their fishing empire, they run a restaurant, which has been in the family for a long time. Unfortunately, the health setback of patriarch Harlan (Holt McCallany), who has survived two heart attacks and is not entirely out of the woods, has seen him step back from operations, leaving the business in a precarious financial position. As such, his wife Belle…

Apologies are necessary, but are not enough; material redress and structural consequences should be the next steps against medical schemes that racially profile black healthcare professionals. Healthcare workers union, Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa), expressed deep concern and condemnation following the announcement of the findings of the Section 59 Investigation Report in which three medical schemes, namely Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems), Medscheme, and Discovery Health, applied discriminatory risk ratios to black health professionals. The discrimination affected black healthcare professionals in disciplines such as physiotherapy, psychology, and social work, who are said to be ‘more likely’ to be guilty of fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). The panel reviewed statistical and testimonial evidence, and found that black providers were disproportionately flagged, audited, or penalised through…

LAW enforcement inefficiencies are once again under scrutiny as the South African Police Service (SAPS) drags its feet in investigating a high-profile social media abuse case involving former Intelligence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu. Sisulu laid a criminal complaint on July 21, 2024, at the Roodepoort Police Station against Goolam Mohammed Sulieman Vawda, who is widely believed to be behind the controversial X (formerly Twitter) handle @goolammv – an account accused of spreading hate speech, cyberbullying, and defamatory statements targeting political figures and private citizens alike. A year later, the case remains stagnant, with no progress communicated by the Gauteng police. SAPS failed to provide any update when approached for comment in May, and has not responded to subsequent queries. This comes despite allegations that Vawda fled the country shortly after the…

Emotions brewed when a July 2021 unrest victim’s family member took the podium at the fourth-year commemoration of the tragic event in Phoenix on Saturday. Chris Biyela, a Bhambayi resident and a convener of the peace committee, remains resolute that there was still a long way to go for the reconciliation process unless people owned up to being racist. Biyela had lost a relative in the incident that claimed more than 30 lives in the Phoenix area. The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held the commemoration as a symbolic gesture to promote peace, friendship, humanity, reconciliation, social cohesion, and solidarity between the members of the African and Indian communities…

Former South African cricketer Pat Symcox has championed KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal town of Pennington in its quest for Town of the Year title. Pennington has reached the finals of the coveted 2025 kykNET Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar (Town of the Year) competition. The competition celebrates the best towns in the nine provinces across South Africa and Namibia. The towns must be home to under 500 000 inhabitants. Three KwaZulu-Natal towns, namely Scottburgh, Paulpietersburg and Pennington were nominated. Tidy Towns Pennington, a community-driven non-profit organisation supported by volunteers and the local community, was responsible for entering the town. The organisation is committed to restoring public spaces to clean and safe environments. Apart from earning the title of Dorp van die Jaar, the winning town will receive R1 million from Lottoland to…

As the cold winter air settled in and the school holidays began, my family got the opportunity to escape the daily grind. We packed our suitcases, stuffed the boot with snacks (half of which would mysteriously vanish by Estcourt), and hit the road to Champagne Sports Resort in the Cathkin region of the majestic Drakensberg. We were trading city chaos for mountain serenity, and my nine-year-old daughter – armed with her sketchbook, headphones and an alarming supply of bubble gum – was ready to take the resort by storm. But first, the roads. I’ll say it plainly: the Champagne Valley may be one of South Africa’s most beautiful destinations, but getting there reminded me of that old saying, “The journey is half the battle.” While the mountain scenery was breathtaking,…

Consumption of ultra-processed foods, even in moderation, is linked with measurable increases in risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancers, according to research. The study showed that low but regular intake of processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and trans fatty acids (TFAs) can increase the risk of diseases like Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and colorectal cancer. While the risks have long been known, systematic characterisation of the dose-response relationships between these foods and health outcomes is limited, said the researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. In the paper published in the journal Nature Medicine, the team showed that consumption of processed meat between 0.6 grams and 57g daily can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes by…

A father who raped his daughter on at least two occasions, one of which was on her sixth birthday, will serve a lifetime behind bars. The man, who tried to evade justice and accountability when he attempted to cover his reprehensible acts, was sentenced by the Ladybrand Regional Court and his name has been permanently entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. This week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence handed down to the 48-year-old man, who pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. NPA spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the sentence reflected the NPA’s unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children from heinous acts of betrayal. “In 2020, the accused, entrusted with the care of his daughter, raped her on two…

August 15, 2025 has been etched into the political calendar as a historic moment, the National Dialogue. At its most aspirational, it is meant to be a nation-defining platform, a civic summit for collective introspection, healing and democratic recommitment. But even before its formal commencement, this national project risks being engulfed by the shallow political theatrics and elite tantrums that have paralysed genuine nation-building for far too long. Chief among the culprits is the DA, which is now using the recent dismissal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, a figure occupying neither cabinet status nor national executive prominence, as a spark to fuel political hysteria. Let it be clear: this is not statesmanship. It is a political gaslighting strategy, a sophisticated act of deflection designed to distract South Africans from the…

Nearly half a million people were forced to flee from North Darfur state’s capital, El Fasher, and the nearby Zamzam camp for displaced people in just the two months of April and May, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a press briefing on Monday. North Darfur is the only one of the five states where the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have retained a foothold in the war-torn Sudan’s vast western region of Darfur, overrun by its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF), within six months of the war’s start in April 2023. Moving against this last holdout, the RSF laid siege in May 2024 on El Fasher, where the SAF has a base, and the Zamzam camp on its outskirts, where some of the local self-defence units…

Italy reached the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Friday despite losing 3-1 to Group B winners Spain, the Azzurre finishing ahead of rivals Portugal whose tournament ended with a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Belgium. Athenea, Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez scored the goals in Bern for Spain who finished the group stage on a perfect nine points, five ahead of second-placed Italy who will face Norway in the last eight on Wednesday. “We had one key objective and that was to get through,” said Andrea Soncin who has taken Italy to the last eight of the women's Euros for the first time since 2013. “We can still develop and there is a gap between us and Spain, but you saw that with good organisation we can compete. “Obviously they…

Jonathan Milan won stage eight of the Tour de France in a mass bunch sprint yesterday ahead of Wout van Aert and Kaden Groves. On a day for pure sprinters and with no change at the top of the overall rankings, Lidl-Trek's Milan was the first Italian to win a stage on the Tour since Vincenzo Nibali in the Alps in 2019. Milan, 24, took over the top of the sprint points rankings and had been wearing the green tunic in place of Tadej Pogacar, who had earned the sprint and the overall leader's yellow jersey by winning stage seven. “It means a lot for me and also my country," Milan said. “I was placed in a perfect position to take this victory. “And I'll try and win again tomorrow,"…

Kaizer Chiefs cannot afford to repeat the defensive struggles that haunted them throughout the 2024/25 season. As the Soweto giants step up their pre-season preparations, one key department is still in need of urgent attention — the goalkeeping position. The club has made some promising moves in the transfer market, with several new arrivals announced in recent weeks. However, despite identifying several problem areas, none of the incoming players have been brought in to fix one of the team’s biggest weaknesses from the last campaign — the issues between the sticks. Goalkeepers often go under the radar, with strikers usually getting the glory, but any successful team will tell you that a reliable shot-stopper is just as important as a clinical finisher. A quality goalkeeper does more than just making…

Noah Lyles fired a warning shot at contenders over the 200m at the world championships by scorching to victory in the Diamond League meet in Monaco on Friday as Julien Alfred notched up another win in the 100m. Lyles delivered a near-faultless run to clock 19.88 seconds to edge Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo into second with 19.97sec. And Alfred timed a very comfortable looking 10.79sec to win the women's event-ending blue riband race ahead of American Jacious Sears (11.02). But Lyles was the star of the show at a packed Stade Louis II in perfect balmy conditions. Tebogo had even said that when the American's face appears on meet posters, people want to come and see him perform. And so it proved, Lyles coasting to a morale-boosting victory after successfully…

THE revamped Fifa Club World Cup has ushered in a fresh wave of excitement and unpredictability. As the tournament now reaches its grand finale, the stakes couldn’t be higher—with a chance to carve a name into the history books up for grabs. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will face off in the final at the MetLife Stadium tonight (kickoff at 21:00 SA time), each aiming to become the first champion of the competition’s new era. With the stage set, both clubs have their eyes fixed on glory. PSG are on the brink of solidifying their place as the dominant force in global football. Just over a month after claiming their maiden Uefa Champions League crown, the French giants are favorites going into the final, especially after their emphatic 4-0 demolition of…

The South African Hindu Maha Sabha is encouraging vernacular languages and is in search of people who can teach Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Sanskrit. Indian languages contribute to local festivals, music, food and art. This enriches the multicultural fabric of South Africa. Professor Brij Maharaj, deputy president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) said strategies to promote Indian languages were discussed at the recent leadership summit with affiliates hosted by the Maha Sabha. Maharaj stated that the Maha Sabha is working on two strategies. “Firstly, as a starting point, the Maha Sabha is embarking on an initiative to identify and develop a database of those who can teach Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Sanskrit. “After creating a database of teachers, the Maha Sabha, in conjunction and in…

The teaser of the upcoming horror- thriller film Chimni was unveiled this week. The film stars Sameera Reddy in the role of Kali, who is fighting against a pishach, as per the glimpses in the teaser. The film tells the story of a grieving mother in a cursed Chanderi palace who battles a malevolent spirit possessing her daughter. As she delves deeper, she unravels a disturbing web of supernatural horror and human vice, tied to a spine-tingling fetus in fetu mystery. Speaking about her role, Reddy said, “I was drawn to Kali because of her mysterious aura. What excited me most was portraying her across three life stages, from a young bride to a mother, and later in her 60s. “Each phase had emotional depth, and switching between them on…