Innholdsfortegnelse for 10/18/2020 i City Press

Nominees for the fun and celebratory Feather Awards were announced earlier this week. According to co-founder Thami “Dish” Kotlolo, the 12th edition, which will be held next month under the theme Turn Up The Love, is about educating people on the struggles faced by the LGBTIQ+ community. “Some of the people who are nominated know that they are appreciated by the queer community,” Kotlolo said. “However, they don’t know what responsibility there is thereafter – for them to carry our flag up high, to stand up for human rights, and to stand up for total equality and freedom for all.” Veteran actress Connie Chiume is nominated for her first Feather Award in recognition of her role as an ally of the LGBTIQ+ community. During the announcement at the Mushroom Farm…

There’s nothing like the feeling of fresh sheets, but an alarming number of adults appear comfortable with sleeping in a grubby bed at night, according to new research. In a survey of 2 000 people by Hammonds Furniture in the UK, 30% of those asked confessed that they washed their bedding once a year or less, while a further 38% said they also washed their coats once a year or less. Dr Aragona Giuseppe, GP and medical adviser at Prescription Doctor, warned that not washing bedsheets regularly could lead to a risk of infection, acne and smelliness. “If you do not wash clothing items often, you could be at risk of infection or just feeling and smelling unclean. “Bedsheets and pillowcases should be washed because, if they are dirty, this…

While the world has been experiencing climate disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and, more recently, Covid-19 over the past 20 years, wealthy nations have done little to tackle the harmful emissions that cause climate threats. Mami Mizutori, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) chief and special representative of the secretary-general for disaster risk reduction, said that, although disaster management services’ efforts had succeeded in saving many lives, greenhouse emissions were setting these efforts back. “Disaster management agencies have succeeded in saving many lives through improved preparedness and the dedication of staff and volunteers. But the odds continue to be stacked against them, in particular by industrial nations that are failing miserably in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Mizutori said. 7 348 THERE WERE 7 348 MAJOR DISASTER EVENTS BETWEEN…

An explosive confidential section 106 investigation report into allegations of impropriety with regard to supply chain management processes in the appointment of service providers at the Sol Plaatje Municipality in the Northern Cape has revealed how the municipality wasted millions of rands on a Audi Q7 and on deviation contracts. The investigation, which was commissioned by the provincial department of local government and housing, and done in consultation with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, or the Hawks, has recommended that the chief financial officer, municipal manager and the general manager for revenue management be disciplined for fruitless expenditure because the municipality did not receive any value for the money spent. The investigation followed a spate of violent marches, protests, shutdown protests and loud calls for the resignation of senior…

False reports of missing people are being used to spread divisive rhetoric on social media by milking the spirit of human kindness and genuine sympathy for those in anguish. Reports about human trafficking have trended heavily on social media in South Africa recently. #HumanTrafficking was the second most popular hashtag on Twitter last month, featuring in more than 75 000 tweets. Tweets about missing people are closely linked to the human trafficking conversation – both leverage the power of social media to spread awareness about men, women and children who have gone missing. These heartbreaking stories stir up strong emotions in social media users, and they respond. PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CENTRE FOR ANALYTICS AND BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE Missing persons tweets are retweeted heavily. Of the 40 000 tweets posted…

Earlier this year, statistics by intimate lifestyle company Lelo were released about the orgasmic experience. It came as no surprise to me that cisgender, heterosexual (cishet) men were the ones cumming the most. Delve deeper into the numbers and you’ll see that cishet women are having the least number of orgasms during sex. It’s a troubling realisation, especially when you take into consideration that the LGBTIQ+ community has a more balanced number of orgasms. I’m not saying it has everything to do with toys, but I’m willing to bet my love pod that adding sex toys to the mix will mean more orgasms for women, and betting on my love pod is no small matter. I’ve had men tell me that they don’t like sex toys because they don’t want…

There was something fitting about the Zoom feed cutting out 30 minutes into Western Province’s midweek press conference that was held to allay fears about the union losing its fourth and fifth board directors this year. Given that Province has, as a colleague pointed out, lost a CEO, formed a committee to replace him (which has been whittled down to president Zelt Marais), lost or driven away all its independent directors, signed a property investment deal with Flyt Property Investment that is questionable at best, and have had their talks with would-be equity partner MVM Holdings drag on, it’s easy to see the technical glitch as a metaphor along the lines of the lights being on but nobody being at home. The presser was called to address the resignation of…

With the clock ticking on Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s demand for a written explanation by October 27 as to why he shouldn’t intervene in the crisis-ridden organisation’s affairs, the Cricket SA (CSA) board finds itself in a tricky situation, given how revealing its response will be. Having refused to step down as instructed for the umpteenth time and after telling Mthethwa that he had no legal standing to intervene in cricket, the CSA board is understood to have sought the counsel of the International Cricket Council (ICC) this week. While the ICC has understandably limited its role to merely monitoring the situation, City Press understands it would take an official complaint of government interference by CSA for cricket’s governing body to ban South Africa from international competition.…

Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe must be applauded for believing in South African coaches. This is a bold move by Motsepe, who finally believes local is lekker. In the past, he would probably have gone for a European coach with links to Barcelona. But it seems he now realises that this has not paid dividends. The appointment of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as joint head coaches is a step in the right direction. This week, he added Steve Komphela to the technical team as a senior coach – or is it a glorified assistant coach? He will report to Mngqithi and Mokwena. And this is where I have a problem. This set-up could be a recipe for disaster if the trio’s roles are not clearly defined from the onset.…

Swallows FC have made their presence felt in the transfer market and the new players are eager to return the club to previous heights. Swallows begin their life in the Premiership with an away trip to Cape Town, where they will visit Stellenbosch FC next Sunday. So intent are the Dube Birds on competing in top flight this season that they have signed two more players than Mamelodi Sundowns did. A total of 14 new players – and still counting – have joined the club in the past month. Chairperson David Mogashoa has been on a spending spree and has spared no expenses loading up the Birds’ nest. Industrious midfielder Sammy Seabi is one of the new arrivals. The 25-year-old arrived on loan from Sundowns. The other new players are…

South Africa’s already moribund economy has, like that of many countries, not been spared the additional devastation brought on by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The effects are there for everyone to see – rising unemployment, pervasive hunger, shuttered businesses, salary cuts, rising food prices and transport costs, expensive electricity, declining tax revenue and shrinking budgets. There is no doubt that urgent government action and intervention is needed. It is against this calamitous backdrop that President Cyril Ramaphosa this week delivered the government’s economic reconstruction and recovery plan to both Parliament and the nation. Expectations were high. This was not the time for revolutionary rhetoric or factional ideologies. This was the time for concrete plans; established timelines; clear and achievable goals. The nation waited for a single-minded focus and clear vision.…

Short memories Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has long been warned of the hazards of social media, which has been his stomping ground for years. This week, his boss, Cereal Ramaphosa, addressed both houses of Parliament in what was billed as a crucial economic announcement. But when it turned out that he was going to make more promises, including the creation of 800 000 jobs, there was a collective shaking of heads in the streets. Peeps referred to Tito’s tweet in 2016: “Somebody pls stop govt officials from saying we will create 100 000 jobs this year. From where are these jobs?” It is exactly how we feel now, Tito. On the run After starting a fight with Transport Minister “FearFokol” Mbalula, by the end of the week, military veterans’ spokesperson…

Challenges facing small business enterprises within the spaza shop industry are many and include access to resources, the perception that spaza shops are not legitimate businesses and a lack of business support networks, against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive environment. The Grand-Pa Spaza Academy, launched in 2013, has reached out to microenterprises with an innovative intervention to assist with the development of basic skills. Since its inception over 1000 spaza owners have benefitted and seen growth in their businesses resulting in greater success. The Grand-Pa Spaza Academy curriculum addresses the challenges facing spaza shop owners, covering fundamental business areas such as the effective use of resources and financial management, the fundamentals of marketing and consumer relations. The Grand-Pa Spaza Academy acknowledges the important role that spaza shops play in…

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An ongoing dispute and alleged music theft involving renowned performer Babes Wodumo and her record label, West Ink Records, has highlighted the need for meticulous musical audits by stables outsourcing music productions from producers. Durban-based producers, the Distruction Boyz duo – Thobani “Que” Mgobhozi and Zipho “Goldmax” Mthembu – and their affiliate Woza Sabza, co-produced a beat that was used on Babes Wodumo’s song Intombi Yesgebengu. The beat was allegedly used without the creators’ permission, and they have now sought legal advice. But the situation could have been avoided had the label carefully perused the metadata and history of the original files of the beat – if unauthorised use was unintentional, says an expert in music production. “These young producers normally come to me with music. We normally ask for…

Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba have said individuals can make a difference in tackling the global climate crisis. The Elbas were speaking to Liz Bonnin for BBC Radio 5 Live’s new podcast called What Planet Are We On? Actor, producer and deejay Idris said: “There is definitely something that we can all do. You are doing it now, listening to this. There is hope.” Sabrina, who is a model and actress, added: “There is a method, there are steps. It isn’t just throw your hands in the air and go ‘the world is on fire’. “There are solutions and it’s figuring out what those solutions are and how we can each play a part because we know that every person can make a difference. “It is so…

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has placed a spotlight on mental health as it leaves an indelible impact on healthcare workers and citizens alike. As South Africa continues to observe Mental Health Awareness Month, mental health experts, healthcare workers and companies operating in the sector have spoken about the impact Covid-19 has had, not only on a national level, but also on individuals, and they also highlight the faultlines it has exposed in the country’s response to mental health. The consensus seems to be that we will most likely soon see the psychological fall-out of both the pandemic and the national lockdown among people in all strata of our society. Dr Frans Korb, psychiatrist and chairperson of the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), said: “When the pandemic started, most of…

THE ORIGINATORS Khuli Chana has added TV show creator and executive producer credits to his CV. His upcoming production, The Originators, is a music documentary series that incorporates live performances and focuses on trailblazers, pioneers and musicians who’ve created a sound or movement. A trailblazer himself and one of the first to commercialise motswako music, Chana says: “I’m excited to finally announce my new project. The Originators TV show was created to play a role in history by documenting stories that often go untold. It’s important to me as a black creator to leave a legacy not only for my own sake, but for other pioneers who’re influencing the current status quo, and for the generations to come.” The show is coming to TRACE Urban this month. BEING THE QUEEN…

First it was the dance move, then came the song and it’s now the #JohnVuliGateChallenge. It started trending on TikTok last week, and found its way on to Twitter on Wednesday. The challenge sees users perform a butt-wiggling dance move to Mapara A Jazz’s amapiano stomper, John Vuli Gate, which features Ntosh Gaz and Colano. “The song is inspired by two things,” Mapara tells #Trending. “That part in the movie Tsotsi where the wife Pumla [played by Nambitha Mpumlwana] shouts ‘John, vuli gate! [John, open the gate!]’, as well as our friend John.” Apparently John was at the studio while they were laying the beat, and making noise and trying to attract women. Mapara told #Trending the song has got them major attention. “With the festive season ahead, we are…

You won’t see me” without a smile on my face on the field. What’s the point of doing something if you can’t have fun doing it? For a long time, Sanele Nohamba dreamt of being a cricket superstar in the same league as Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers or Temba Bavuma, and taking up his position in front of the stumps or delivering a spin ball was what he fell in love with when he was in school. He also did very well in the sport and, thanks to his abilities, he received a bursary to complete high school in KwaZulu-Natal. Aged 14, he packed up all his possessions and moved from Alice in the Eastern Cape to Durban, despite having no family there, to pursue his dream of playing…

This time last year, everything was different. There was no global pandemic and Liverpool were taking the English Premier League away from Manchester City, with neither club having lost in the opening four fixtures. After four matches this season – albeit much later in the year owing to the late start – both giants of English football have lost a game and currently sit in fifth (Liverpool) and fourteenth (City) place, although City have a game in hand. But it is not only the fact that both the Citizens and the Reds have slumped to early defeats that is surprising – their opponents and results are even more surprising. On the last match day before the international break, Pep Guardiola’s team were away at Leeds United and the newly promoted…

• Wandisile Letlabika Age: 31Position: defenderPrevious club: Bloemfontein Celtic • Moeketsi Makhanya Age: 21Position: strikerPrevious club: JDR Stars • Musa Nyatama Age: 33Position: midfielderPrevious club: Highlands Park • Ruzaigh Gamildien Age: 31Position: midfielderPrevious club: Chippa United • Thabo Mosadi Age: 30Position: wingerPrevious club: Ajax Cape Town • Sammy Seabi Age: 25Position: midfielderPrevious club: Sundowns (on loan) • Thabo Matlaba Age: 32Position: midfielderPrevious club: Black Leopards • Joseph Mhlongo Age: 30Position: midfielderPrevious club: Black Leopards • Kamohelo Mahlatsi Age: 22Position: wingerPrevious club: AmaTuks • Phetso Maphanga Age: 26Position: left backPrevious club: Orlando Pirates • Thela Ngobeni Age: 31Position: goalkeeperPrevious club: Highlands Park • Njabulo Ngcobo Age: 26Position: defenderPrevious club: Uthongathi • Daniel Gozar Age: 28Position: strikerPrevious club: Free State Stars • Keegan Ritchie Age: 30Position: wing backPrevious club: Bidvest Wits…

Tomorrow is Media Freedom Day in South Africa. We mark this day because, on October 19 1977, South Africa’s apartheid government banned three publications and outlawed 17 anti-apartheid groups during the one-day crackdown, which came to be known as Black Wednesday. Since then, the media fraternity has known not to take media freedom for granted. Yes, the grand old days of apartheid and unashamed, straightforward bans and attacks on the media have slowly disappeared from our horizon, but this does not mean that it has become easy sailing for the media. Far from it, as the year 2020 has demonstrated with its unique and unexpected challenges. Late last year, the world was hit by a new contagious and deadly virus called Covid-19 and we are still reeling from its effects.…

This year has been hard – there are endless memes to prove it. It has been hard because it has forced change and created uncertainty. That our global way of life has been challenged and altered irrevocably by an invisible virus has brought chaos and humbled us (unless we have a fake tan and run the US). Yet it has also created an unexpected hiatus for us to consider our lives; to look around with new understanding at the lives of those around us and to pinpoint what needs to change – and change fast. “It is hard when someone we love steps out of the continuum of life” The cracks in the governments we fund with our hard work, the hairline fractures in our personal relationships that we’ve papered…

A contractor allegedly manhandled and threatened an official who refused to pay for a miniature substation that was not supplied in one Mpumalanga municipality, while, in another, a polygamous councillor employed his two wives. This may read like fiction, but the findings of two forensic reports on the alleged shenanigans that have been going on in the Govan Mbeki (Secunda) and Dr JS Moroka (Siyabuswa) local municipalities show that huge amounts of taxpayers’ funds have been misused. Notorious for poor service delivery and community protests, politicians and officials in these two municipalities have been accused of treating them as their personal fiefdoms, cash cows and tools for dispensing patronage. Early this year, Mpumalanga Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Mandla Msibi commissioned Motlatsi Seleke Incorporated and Agnowiz CC to investigate…

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged fans to “respect but not fear” the Covid-19 coronavirus in his first comments since testing positive on Tuesday. The 35-year-old hit back at claims he had breached protocol by flying to Italy the following day, and insisted he had done everything by the book. He also made comments that extolled the virtues of sunbathing during an Instagram Live feed, picked up by Portuguese media, as he addressed the importance of developing a strong immune system. Studies have found that an overwhelming number of people who test positive for Covid-19 do not have enough vitamin D in their bodies, and the sickest of patients are often deficient. Vitamin D levels are often lower during winter months when the sun is not strong enough to help the body…

The Kagiso Shanduka Trust was awarded an irregular tender in the Free State for a rural education development and related infrastructure project that should have gone out for competitive bidding, leaving the provincial education department R500 million in the red. The co-financing contract between the Kagiso Shanduka Trust and the Free State education department was intended to pilot an innovative model to address infrastructure development, curriculum support, social welfare and growing leadership in rural and township schools in the province. The trust is also associated with President Cyril Ramaphosa. There was, however, no innovative element in the unsolicited bid by the partnership between the Kagiso Shanduka Trust and the Kagiso Shanduka Foundation that warranted a deviation from the procurement process, and other service providers could have easily provided the same…

The two teams that will be promoted from the ABC Motsepe League to the GladAfrica Championship will be at a huge disadvantage, as they will have to scramble to sign new players in a very short period of time – two weeks, to be exact – after the playoffs are completed next month. The ABC Motsepe League finals are set to be played from November 9 to 14 in the Vaal area, Gauteng. The PSL transfer window was meant to close on November 17 but the PSL has agreed to extend it until month end. While other NFD clubs are already busy on the transfer market, the two promoted sides will most likely struggle to find players as most have already been snapped up in the market. The 10 teams…

October 19 1977 is remembered as the day the apartheid regime visited its fury on the media, banning publications deemed subversive, and detaining journalists and editors. The media’s role in exposing the atrocities of the apartheid regime and fuelling its global condemnation is not in dispute. However, it is naive to assume that Black Wednesday was an attack on the media. It was the regime’s failure to contain the insurrection that erupted in Soweto in June 1976 that prompted it to ban publications. Sixteen months later, Soweto was still in a state of unrest, heightening white society’s fears over a looming “swart gevaar [black danger]”. So it was “die nuwe swart gevaar” and not a robust, fearless media that prompted the apartheid regime to ban the Black Consciousness movement and…

It is encouraging that ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule (pictured) is not questioning the responsibility and duty of the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to have those suspected of committing crime arrested and brought before a court of law. It is also encouraging that Magashule says he will cooperate with the Hawks if he is arrested. Not that he has any right to dictate to the Hawks and the NPA how they must do their work. However, he has every right to protest any unlawful or improper conduct related to the manner in which the Hawks and the NPA conduct their business and execute their mandate. Recent public arrests and court appearances of high-profile individuals have reminded the public that President Cyril Ramaphosa made a commitment to this nation…

It was particularly difficult to write this column this week after City Press lost its executive editor, Dumisane Lubisi. For many years, he read this column before it was published. When I was running late, I would send him a WhatsApp message and say: “Uxolo Nceshe.” When you call a man by his clan name, it’s like raising your hands and humbling yourself before him. His answer was always the same: “No problem, mfowethu.” Indeed, we became brothers in words. This week, the column was late again because it was very difficult to start writing. I did not have the words to write a fitting tribute, because, after all, he was a man of words. Sad to say, Nceshe and I never met in person – we always communicated via…