Innholdsfortegnelse for 4/12/2020 i City Press

The controversial Gauteng information technology (IT) tender that was advertised and awarded in a record time of 24 hours has resulted in a standoff between National Treasury and the provincial government. While Treasury has instructed that the R30 million contract with In2IT Technologies be cancelled, and that the outgoing contractor be given a three-month extension, the Gauteng government has put its foot down, saying it will seek its own legal opinion. Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is also waiting on the sidelines to check whether her office will get involved in areas not included in the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) scope of investigation. Following a City Press exposé last week, Gauteng Premier David Makhura requested the SIU to probe the express tender. Investigators have been seconded to his office. The tender…

New kid on the block Siphesihle Ndaba has thrown herself into her first major TV role, winning the viewers’ hearts as the feisty Mazet in Gomora. Ndaba made her TV debut in Mzansi Magic’s new telenovela on March 31. It’s a show that depicts the lives of two families and how their worlds collide. “I really appreciate the love and reception the viewers are giving Mazet. Sometimes we think that for a character to be loved they should be shy and timid, but this is not always the case. Mazet is a dangerous woman, but the viewers have fallen in love with her,” she said. The 22-year-old actress described her first day on set as nerve-wracking: “Screen acting is very different from stage acting. Although I have done a lot…

• February 27 – Epambaka Ntini is dismissed and removed from the payroll. • March 9 – His lawyer, Fezile Gama, applies to the labour court to challenge Ntini’s removal from the payroll. • March 11 – The department and Ntini agree on a settlement. • March 12 – Ntini is reinstated as a paediatrician, but is moved to the emergency department. Ntini asks to undergo trauma counselling first. At the same time, the labour court matter is withdrawn. • March 13 – Ntini takes three days’ leave. • March 18 – Instead of hearing about his request for trauma counselling, on his arrival he is suspended without charges. • March 19 – Gama goes to the labour court to challenge Ntini’s suspension and also reinstates the initial case, which…

• Want to help African Spirit in Shiyabazali? Contact Tshidiso Masopha on 078 828 9380 or facebook.com/africanspirithowick/ • In the Western Cape, Food Flow commissions small farmers to provide fresh food to families in communities whose children normally rely on school feeding schemes: foodflowza.com • Studio-H continually updates a nationwide list of independent food businesses operating during lockdown: studio-h.co.za Every Monday at 4.30pm, Studio-H also hosts G.URL GANG MONDAYS live podcasts to help women in the food industry with current Covid-19 issues. Follow them @fxxd_xx • Johannesburg NOSH Food Rescue has joined forces with the team at Thava Indian Restaurant in Norwood for the Cooking With Compassion project. What was the restaurant space has been registered as an essential service site and nine chefs are cooking up a “plat du…

The Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown may be the perfect opportunity to spring-clean your smartphone and computer. How well do you know which apps have permission to use your camera and location, or ones that don’t need access to your contacts or Bluetooth? Here are a few tips on how to do a digital spring-clean: iPhone If you’re on iPhone, one of the best ways to free up space is to delete apps that you no longer use. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and look at the list of apps that take up the most space, versus when last you used them. The same goes for your gallery; delete all those duplicate selfies and transfer holiday photos to the cloud or an external hard drive. When it comes to…

Only- last- week,- Stella- Ndabeni-Abrahams,- theminister- of- communications,- in- an- interviewwith- City- Press,- sought- to- dispel- the- belief- thatshe- enjoys- special- protection- even- if- she- behaves- in- arogue- fashion.- She- used- colourful- words- to- describeperceptions- about- her,- saying:- “There- is- the- Trinity- – God- the- Father,- the- Son- and- the- Holy- Spirit.- Butothers- think- there- is- also- God- Stella.” In- words- that- could- have- been- a- premonition,­ she- said:- “All- I- know- is- that- I- serve- at- the- pleasure- ofthe- president.- If- tomorrow- he- does- not- want- me,­ I- will- go.” Ndabeni-Abrahams- was- saying- all- of- this- to- make- thepoint- that- she- had- not- deliberately- tried- to- offendpeople- and- that- she- was- solely- driven- by- a- desire- toserve- South- Africans.- But- the- huge- gap- between- hersweet-sounding- words- and- her- actions-…

Infectious idiocy There are myths about Covid-19. But there is also idiocy about the virus. This week, Qondile Khedama, Mangaung metro spokesperson, competed for idiot of the lockdown when he told the SABC that victims of Covid-19 would be separated from other people buried in the local cemetery because they did not want virus bodies to come into contact with people already buried there, for fear that they might infect them. Khedama has been spokesperson for donkey’s years. Maybe the municipality should send him home for fear that he might infect his colleagues with his idiocy. Show no mercy Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. Ask celebrity Somizi, who posted a video imploring Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to “have no mercy on people who break…

Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. This clarion call by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the Communist Manifesto is as relevant today as it was in 1848. It calls for workers to remain vigilant so long as they operate under the conditions of capitalism. It calls for workers to not be seen to be managing the survival of capitalism, but to at all times advance their class interests. This is particularly important now, when governments across the world will be put under duress by Bretton Wood institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to adopt neoliberal policies if they are to be supported during economic recovery. In the case of South Africa, all the indications of this…

Two weeks ago, amid the chaos of lockdown, credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service downgraded South African sovereign debt to noninvestment grade – or “junk” status. As the last ratings agency to do so, it means that South African government bonds will no longer be included in the World Government Bond Index from the end of April 2020. Last week, another agency, Fitch Ratings, further downgraded South African government debt to two notches below investment grade. BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SOUTH AFRICA AND FOR INVESTORS? From a government perspective, it means borrowing money has become more expensive because interest rates will be higher. It is similar to an individual with a poor credit record applying for a loan – they will be charged higher interest rates because they…

It used to be one of the easiest and shortest laws of the game, but Law 11, which deals with offside, has become one of the most contentious and argued about laws in association football. Back in the day, the rule of thumb was that if an attacker was level with the second last defender, they were offside. I remember, in my early days, a senior referee whom I was running the line for telling me: “If he’s nearly onside, he’s definitely offside.” I never forgot those words. This rule was later reviewed and revised because the International Football Association Board, which is responsible for any and all new law changes and interpretations, felt that some teams were becoming too negative and defensive. It then said that if a player…

The Highveld Lions have been trying to sign Proteas fast bowler Lutho Sipamla since he was a pupil at Grey High School, playing for the SA Under-19 side in 2016, a visionary bit of scouting foiled by the Warriors moving quickly to contract the youngster. Now that they finally have their man, they are going to have to wait a while longer because they announced that they had signed him the day before the nationwide lockdown began due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. But when they do finally clap eyes on their latest fast bowling investment, they can do so safe in the knowledge they are guaranteed that rare thing in life, in the Port Elizabeth native’s arrival in Johannesburg – the real deal. Ever since he shocked all and…

As the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the world, it seems unlikely that the suspended soccer league programmes will resume anytime soon. While this is understandable, it will be a huge disappointment for players who were acquired during the January transfer window, especially those who were close to making their debuts at their new clubs. One such prominent player is Orlando Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu, who has already spent three months at Bucs since he made the dramatic switch from Stellenbosch FC on transfer deadline day in a transaction believed to have cost close to R5 million. In fact, the 24-year-old was on the verge of his debut in Pirates’ Last 32 Nedbank Cup game against Bidvest Wits in February, but an injury delayed his introduction in Bucs colours.…

As I celebrated Good Friday quietly alone at home – for the first time in many years without my fellow congregants – I took time to reflect. And one thing that struck me was how we South Africans tend to have selective memories. I think we choose to forget what we’d rather not remember. This came to mind after reading the story about three former media executives who were charged with corruption, bank fraud and money-laundering this week regarding the scandal-tainted bidding war for the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups. It brought back sad memories of our own World Cup-related scandal, which has since quietened down. The three men currently in the spotlight are accused of paying millions in bribes to officials from Conmebol and Concacaf, the governing bodies…

Dr Kamy Chetty, chief executive of the NHLS, said she was unaware of any butting of heads between the organisations, saying they worked as one organisation. She said the NHLS and NICD jointly requested that provinces strengthen their systems for contact tracing and reporting, and had worked together with the national department of health to develop an electronic system. “Both the NHLS and NICD were “not aware of any scientists who threatened to resign”, she said. “Since January, I approved that whatever capacity is required, must be obtained,” she told City Press. The laboratory service has the capacity to perform 15 000 tests within 24 hours, but sample size is determined by the number of samples to test sent to it by the provinces. The number of tests has grown…

As government health officials apply pressure on the Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban, chronically ill patients continue to receive care in some parts of the facility. Doctors and surgeons have, meanwhile, told City Press that they were being ostracised by other private hospitals in the province. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told a media briefing in Pietermaritzburg on Friday that KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu had been instructed to initiate investigations on protocols in place at other private hospitals in the province after several complaints were lodged with the department. The main hospital building at St Augustine’s was closed for deep cleaning last week after 66 people were found to have contracted the Covid-19 coronavirus, 44 of them nurses. According to Simelane-Zulu, five people have died of the infection at…

People should understand that this is not an attack on the initiation custom, ritual or tradition, but a challenge faced by the world When the period of disaster and lockdown was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, more than 20 initiates – abakhwetha – had already undergone illegal circumcision before they were rescued and reunited with their families in the Eastern Cape. One traditional surgeon – ingcibi – has since been arrested for defying the government’s order to suspend the winter initiation season. Nkosi Mkhanyiseli Dudumayo, chairperson of the OR Tambo Initiation Forum, said it was difficult to identify who was conducting the initiations or the location of the illegal initiation schools because the boys would not disclose the identity of the surgeons. Dudumayo said they had already closed and burnt…

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga (pictured) is expected to table proposals before Cabinet next week that could drastically change the academic calendar. This comes as a result of the extension of the national 21-day lockdown – implemented to try to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus – by a further two weeks, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening. But, according to an unofficial document, titled Draft Framework for Curriculum Recovery post Covid-19, which has been circulated among parents and other interest groups, the department is investigating at least two possible scenarios. Schools may only reopen on July 7, according to one of the possible scenarios currently under consideration by the department of basic education, although there is no finality about it at this stage. On Friday,…

“By the time this lockdown ends, my family will be fetching me from a coffin because my husband would have killed my child and me. We won’t survive his wrath. He uses me as a punching bag.” *Gladys Mkhonto (30) said she had no idea where her husband got alcohol but, since the lockdown began, she had been harshly beaten by him regularly. Speaking to City Press, Mkhonto described the conditions under which she had lived since the lockdown began. “I have a five-year-old daughter who watches her father beat up her mother. Only God knows where he gets the alcohol from because, after drinking, he uses me as a punching bag. “He kicks me and tells me how useless I am. I can’t report him because, should he find…

Today we will tell you something of Mtwetwe Langalibalele and his people, the amaHlubi. His name means “the sun is shining with all its strength”. Langalibalele would, indeed, shine as a strong leader and great warrior. He not only rebelled against British rule, but also against amaZulu domination. Trouble for the amaHlubi and Langalibalele’s father, Mthimkhulu, began around 1818 with Matiwane of the amaNgwane clan. It was he who attacked the amaHlubi, killing Mthimkhulu. When Mthimkhulu died, his brother Mahwanqa took over. This was not because Mahwanqa was a good leader, but because Langalibalele’s older brother, Dlomo, was too young to have authority over the tribe. Mahwanqa held much bitterness and anger towards Matiwane and the amaNgwane. He decided to take Dlomo, Langalibalele and the tribe up north along the…

Power hungry South Africans must thank the divine powers that Bheki Cele, the minister of police, is not the president. The man exhibits Idi Amin’s tendencies with the little power he has and even dares to dream that, if he had more powers, he would permanently stop the sale and distribution of alcohol. But vigilant citizens have since diagnosed his violent aversion to alcohol. They point to an incident in 2013, a few days after his birthday, when whiskey was stolen from his house. The general has not healed since. Cele joked this week that even in bed spouses should practise social distancing. To be honest, Siyahleba is not sure if this was a joke.…

We- have- all- read- and- heardstories- of- how- businesseshave- increased- the- prices- ofbasic- supplies- in- this- time- of- crisis- theworld- over. The- outbreak- of- the- Covid-19­coronavirus- has- brought- thismalpractice- closer- to- home.- Prices- forhand- sanitiser,- face- masks- and- surgicalgloves- have- skyrocketed,- and- there- isa- scramble- to- get- supplies. Those- who- have- the- stock- haveupped- their- asking- price,- leading- toretailers- and- tenderpreneurs- addingtheir- mark-up- on- already- inflatedprices.- In- the- end,- communities- sufferas- they- have- to- pay- more- –- from- thelittle- -that- they- have- –- for- basics- duringthis- time. ‘They were begging and making a killing while the “owners” of the spots were in lockdown’ Everyone- takes- a- chance- to- make- aquick- buck,- while- our- authorities- havebeen- hard- at- work- trying- to- find- priceinflators- and- punish- them.- But- at- atime- when- the-…

During the lockdown period of the Covid-19 coronavirus, many South African parents and caregivers have been left feeling worried and confused. The nationally imposed lockdown means that individuals are required to stay at home for their own and others’ safety. For both children and adults, it is normal to experience a range of emotions about it – fear, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, sadness and even anger. The lack of normal daily routines can be disorienting and frustrating for family members. And without the safety net of school and work, families are required to spend an unusually large amount of time with each other. During times of stress and anxiety, babies and children are directly influenced by their parents’ responses. Children are as sensitive as adults to the changes and pick up…

‘I am back on TV screens. I have a new show called BhekaMina on Moja Love. Please watch it and give me feedback — don’t be ashamed to criticise me — I trust you with my work.” These were the last words that the former Jam Alley presenter Vinolia “V-Mash” Mashego shared with Oscar Mlangeni – the man who discovered her – two weeks ago. Jam Alley was a youth TV show in the 1990s. Little did I know it was the last day I would hear from her. Mashego died at her home in Mamelodi, outside Pretoria, on Monday. This gig is mine! I met Vinolia in 1993 when we were casting her for the game show called Money for Music — this is before it was called Jam…

National Treasury may advise municipalities that it already has the power to levy even more taxes, surcharges and tariffs on beleaguered South African consumers so as to create new sources of revenue for municipalities. This includes an additional surcharge on electricity tariffs that does not require approval by the energy regulator, Nersa. This is set out in a draft circular from Treasury that has been published for public comment. Last year the Johannesburg metro council had to beat a hasty retreat after an additional electricity surcharge of R200 on prepaid electricity prompted a public outcry. This surcharge was not made known to residents in the city’s draft budget. The City of Cape Town has, however, had a surcharge on electricity for a couple of years and maintains that the Municipal…

Better late than never. The global spotlight is finally on the Covid-19 coronavirus’ devastating social and economic impact on the world’s most vulnerable, after weeks of neglect. Statements of support, promises of help, and plans for quick aid and debt relief, albeit piecemeal, are welcome. But yesterday’s policies won’t solve tomorrow’s problems. The current focus on the immediate emergency is correct. But it must go hand in hand with preparations for even tougher days ahead. In some developing countries, years of hard work and an impressive steady rise in incomes are at risk of being wiped out by Covid-19. With the disruption in global supply chains, trade is slowing. Remittances are declining. Tourism is a memory. A post-crisis recovery will take time, money and effort. “Rebooting the economies of most…

Around the world, the value of stock markets has fallen by at least a quarter, offering better value than they have in years. South African bonds are offering interest rates more than double the rate of inflation. Is now the time to invest, and where are the opportunities? One should continue with regular monthly investments into retirement funding and other discretionary investments as those contributions are picking up shares at lower prices, which could create significant contribution to future returns. However, in times of uncertainty, liquidity is important and now may not be the time to invest new lump sums into a market-related investment unless you have stress-tested your finances. How resilient are your finances if the economic crisis continues for some time? Do you have an emergency fund that…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees the world economy suffering its worst recession since the Great Depression this year, with emerging markets and low-income nations in Africa, Latin America and Asia at particularly high risk. The IMF’s baseline outlook is for a partial recovery in the global economy next year if the pandemic fades in the second half of this year to allow a gradual lifting of containment measures, managing director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday. She stressed that uncertainty about the duration of Covid-19 means things may end up being even worse. The pandemic that has spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan to almost every corner of the globe has led to business closures and millions of lost jobs. Georgieva highlighted the hit to the retail, hospitality, transport…

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has put the brakes on Milutin Sredojević’s plans to begin his tenure in Zambia on a high note. Micho, as the former Orlando Pirates coach is popularly known, was appointed as the head coach of Chipolopolo in February, but the outbreak of the virus has deprived Zambians of a chance to see the Serb in action in an official game. He was initially hired in January, but had to wait until his appointment was approved by the Zambian government a month later. He finally arrived in Zambia after leaving Zamalek in December, just four months after joining the Egyptian side. Although Sredojević’s team beat Malawi in his maiden friendly match, the 2021 Afcon qualifiers will provide the real test for the 50-year-old. “So far, so good,…

‘Not everyone can say they’ve scored a goal at a World Cup,’ former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe told City Press as he reflected on some of his career highlights this week. Radebe, who led South Africa to two World Cups (1998 and 2002), scored against Spain at the 2002 showpiece, but a brace by the Spanish legend Raúl condemned Bafana to a 3-2 defeat and their subsequent elimination from the tournament, which was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. Rhoo, as the icon born in Diepkloof, Soweto, is affectionately known, is celebrating his 51st birthday today. It has been 15 years since he retired from professional football…

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In her memoir, which will be released on Wednesday, 31-year-old Kefilwe “Kefiboo” Mabote shares how she used her Instagram profile to make multiple income streams. But brace yourself, she does not talk about the man in her life – or anyone from her previous relationships. “I don’t like to reveal the details of my personal life to the public, simply because I want to keep my personal life personal. We all have personal boundaries, I assume. I have drawn a very clear and solid line that separates my public and private life. I feel comfortable with the parameters that I have set.” Humble beginnings Born in Moletsane, Soweto, Mabote was raised by her mother, grandparents and aunt. Her mother gave her a Setswana name, Kefilwe, meaning Given, because she believed…

A senior doctor was instantly dismissed early this month after the labour court rejected his urgent application to challenge his suspension because it was not deemed a “life and death” matter during the lockdown to curb the Covid-19 coronavirus infections. Epambaka Ntini (56), a doctor at the Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane, Gauteng, had approached the labour court in Johannesburg on March 24 to review and set aside his suspension because he was allegedly not served with a letter of precautionary suspension which did not detail why he was being suspended. Ntini was fired on April 3 by the hospital’s chief executive, Vusi Mthunzi, following his suspension on March 18. City Press understands that Ntini’s union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, will appeal his dismissal. This is the…

Senior army officials in Mpumalanga have allegedly been claiming money for reservists who were not called up for duty. And, at certain times, department of defence and military veterans officials have also allegedly called up reservists who were not approved for duty in the place of those who were. These discrepancies have been happening in the Nelspruit and Barberton (also known as Regiment Botha) infantry regiments since 2014. Disgruntled reservists – who were approved for call-ups, but replaced with those who were not – told City Press that their complaints to the department and military police had fallen on deaf ears until they approached the Military Ombud’s Office. City Press has seen a 2014 document in which the seniors selected 21 out of 33 reservists for a call-up in the…

Nduduzo Makhathini: Medicinal Music Modes of Communication: Letter from the Underworlds ••••- “In the broadest sense, this work interrogates notions of African cosmology in early histories. It poses questions about how our earlier ancestors knew and communicated to their gods.” So said Nduduzo Makhathini about his new 11-track album that gives you an hour and 15 minutes of organic radiation. His letter of sound begins with Yehlisan’uMoya, a soulful plea to the heavens to let the spirit come down. A voice melodiously beckons as the horn section of his band, tenor saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane and trumpeter Ndabo Zulu own the space for most of the track. Saziwa Nguwe shows how Makhathini is able to orchestrate cinematic imagery with his sound while making use of notes that are distinctly South African.…

The- economic- effect- of- the- Covid-19- coronaviruspandemic- is- being- deeply- felt- across- the- globe.­ At- the- end- of- March,- it- was- estimated- that­1-million- jobs- were- lost- or- at- risk- of- being- lost- in- South­Africa.- In- the- US,- jobless- claims- reached- 15-million- thisweek.- Supply- chains- have- collapsed.- Trade- has- slowedto- a- trickle.- Fiscal- stimulus- packages- fromgovernments- around- the- world- are- unprecedented,­ topping- at- almost- $8-trillion- (R144-trillion). Some- economies- are- better- geared- to- absorb- theimpact,- some- are- hopelessly- vulnerable,- but- none- willbe- spared.­ Among- those- on- particularly- shaky- ground- are- sub-Saharan- countries- –- Angola,- South- Africa- and- Nigeriathe- biggest- among- them.- Prior- to- the- pandemic,- nonewas- doing- well,- with- anaemic- growth- forecasts. With- up- to- 70%- of- annual- budgets- being- spent- ondebt- servicing- and- wage- bills,- fiscal- space- is- extremelylimited- to- respond.…

The- Oxford- English- Dictionary- definestorture- as- “the- act- of- causingsomebody- severe- pain- in- order- topunish- them- or- make- them- say- ordo- something”.- The- UN’sconventions- say- that- the- term- means­“any- act- by- which- severe- pain- or- suffering,­ whether- physical- or- mental,- is- intentionallyinflicted- on- a- person”.- Human- rights- movement­Amnesty- International’s- definition- of- torture- is- “thesystematic- and- deliberate- infliction- of- acute- pain- byone- person- on- another,- or- on- a- third- person”. For- four-fifths- of- the- human- race- right- now,- themeaning- of- torture- is- entering- week- five- of- nofootball- being- played.- The- much-anticipated- massmarch- on- the- offices- of- SuperSport- to- demand- theairing- of- the- Belarus- league- –- one- of- the- few- stillfunctioning- –- failed- to- materialise- because- tens- ofthousands- of- people- turned- up- and- the- organiserscould- not- decide- how- to- cull- the- numbers-…

We all agree that we are facing a global health catastrophe – a disaster of its own kind. At the time of writing, numbers of those infected and dying of Covid-19 coronavirus were rising globally. Numerous articles recently have suggested what employers should do in the wake of this pandemic. But what about the legal questions relating to the nationwide lockdown and its impact on jobs? Are there any legal consequences in the South African context? The very foundation of the employment relationship is about the rendering of services by an employee and payment in return for those services by an employer. Generally speaking, the current health crisis has caused some employees to stop rendering services to their employers. Therefore, the question is whether those employers are obliged to pay…

Almost three-quarters of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will not survive a lockdown that lasts longer than between one and three months. This is according to a research report, The Impact of Covid-19 on SMEs, which was released this week by financial services group Sasfin and sme.africa, an online platform for small businesses. More than 1 000 SMEs in various sectors across the country participated in the survey. The report indicated that 7% of them had already laid off personnel; 53% said it had not been necessary yet, but that layoffs were unavoidable. Only 40% said they did not think it would be necessary to lay off personnel. Asked if their businesses would survive 21 days of lockdown, 4.5% said no and 59% said yes; 36% said they were uncertain.…

Crises such as the lockdown owing to the Covid-19 coronavirus give us a chance to slow down and re-evaluate what is essential. In the past few decades, humanity has been racing into the future at breakneck speed. Great historical events are becoming a blur in a galaxy of social media trolls. When everyone is tormented by the fear of missing out, looking back at our origins may be the key to our survival. Sometimes we need to see ourselves unadorned of the coat of morality in order to be reminded of our basic instinct, free from the refinements of reason. The lockdown reminds us that human beings will always put their own survival first. They will hoard and think nothing of their neighbours. It is also a good time to…

Malaika Mihambo is not your usual sports star – she is studying environmental sciences and runs social projects. She also plays classical music on the piano and, in 2018, after winning the long jump gold medal at the European Championships in Berlin, Germany, she packed a backpack and travelled through India by herself. “It is nice to learn new things and also to get in touch with other people. I wanted to get to know other cultures in another country,” she said then. Born in Heidelberg to a German mother and a Tanzanian father, her sporting talent became apparent at an early age. She competed in gymnastics, judo and ballet before switching to athletics at the age of eight. After competing in multidiscipline competitions such as the heptathlon, she settled…

The unscheduled break visited upon the rugby season by the Covid-19 coronavirus has created a silly season before the silly season in terms of recruitment talk, which usually reaches a crescendo closer to October – the traditional hiring and firing month in South African rugby. Having won just one of their six games before the Super Rugby season was suspended due to the pandemic, the Bulls are understandably the team most associated with rounding up talent – available or otherwise – in line with their new director of rugby Jake White’s restorative wishes. As gifted talents, that Damian Willemse and Rikus Pretorius are part of the speculation makes sense, and Gio Aplon is a steady hand on the tiller, but lock forward Sintu Manjezi is probably a surprise inclusion for…

Nkanyiso Zungu Team: Orlando Pirates Debut: Yet to play Zungu joined Pirates from Stellenbosch FC on deadline day and had already played 17 games for Stellies in all competitions when he made his dream move to Bucs Promise Mkhuma Team: Mamelodi Sundowns Debut: Yet to play Mkhuma was promoted from the Sundowns reserve team after he captained the Multichoice Diski Challenge side in their challenge for the championship Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu Team: Kaizer Chiefs Debut: February 8 vs Royal Eagles Competition: Nedbank Cup last 32 Akumu has mostly been utilised as a substitute since the holding midfielder joined Chiefs from Zambian champions Zesco United. The 27-year-old Kenyan international has so far played in three league and two cup matches over limited minutes Lorenzo Gordinho Team: Bidvest Wits Debut: February 9…

At all costs, AB de Villiers wants to avoid being accused of “high treason” for a second time, so he’s cautious about giving a straight answer when asked whether he will play for the Proteas in the T20 Cricket World Cup in Australia this year, even if he is desperate to tackle the challenge with “everything I have”. “I’m hesitant about giving a definitive answer because, in the past, I’ve been hurt so much and I’ve been burnt,” De Villiers told City Press’ sister publication, Rapport, earlier this week. The former Proteas captain said he was afraid that, if something came up that could prevent him from playing in the tournament, “then people will think I’ve turned my back on our country again”. De Villiers, who, according to various metrics,…

The PSL is in a fix. Thursday night’s announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the lockdown, aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, had been extended by a further 14 days, has pushed the league into an even tighter corner than before. With 108 Absa Premiership matches remaining in the 2019/20 campaign, the PSL had already made provisions for the programme to go beyond the May deadline, and it had hoped to conclude everything by the end of June. This included the season-ending Nedbank Cup, which is left with three fixtures – the two semifinals and the final. The outstanding league games of the 16 Premiership division teams translates into 54 fixtures. Now that the initial 21-day nationwide lockdown has been extended until the end of this month,…