Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-22 i Daily News

Does a mother always know what’s best for her son or is she just refusing to allow another woman in his life? This has been the premise of many Hollywood productions, including the acclaimed 2005 hit Monster-in-Law . Several other television shows and films have also explored the complex dynamics between a mother and her son’s partner. The Girlfriend, the brand-new series on Amazon Prime Video, is the latest intoxicating production which had me glued to my screen. With its excellent casting and unexpected twists and turns, this psychological thriller will keep you enthralled. And while there are many comedies around the tumultuous challenges which emerge when two families converge, what elevates this six-part show is that it takes a more serious look at the extraordinary lengths loved ones…

Why “compromised contractors” are continuously being awarded new multi-million rand tenders in spite of their shortcomings is the question being raised by some political parties and ratepayers of the KwaDukuza Municipality. The latest instance where the municipality has been called out for handing a contract regardless of performance was during a KwaDukuza council meeting, last week, which drew choruses of outrage. The contractor responsible for the now-abandoned Hulett Bridge project worth R32 million was awarded the R29-million contract to construct the Mnyundwini Bridge in May. Just as in the case of the Hulett project, work on the Mnyundwini Bridge has now also stalled. The Hulett Bridge is a key conduit for locals to reach schools and municipal services like the library and clinic in the Darnall area, while the Mnyundwini…

What began as one family’s healing journey through grief has quietly grown into a powerful legacy of love, connection and early developmental support for vulnerable newborns and their parents across South Africa. Since launching just under two years ago, Archie’s Archives has brought comfort to thousands of families through seven of Netcare’s neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Now, in a major milestone, a further 12 Netcare hospitals are receiving Archie’s Archive units, expanding the impact of this special initiative. Verena Bolton, neonatal nurse and national coordinator of Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks, described the project as “beautifully simple and profoundly impactful”. Pre-packed, sealed bundles of books – handpicked and donated by volunteers – are stocked into the Archie’s Archive shelving units, ready to be gifted to parents whose babies…

For more than three decades, the intriguing saga of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Special Operations Unit has been overshadowed, largely undocumented in the annals of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. That was until now. Former MK member and cabinet executive Yunus Carrim is set to shed light on the machinations and manoeuvres of the MK with the launch of his new book, Attacking the Heart of Apartheid: The ANC’s MK Special Operations Unit, published by Penguin Random House South Africa. The third launch of Carrim’s book took place over the weekend at the Natal Command in Durban, a venue deliberately chosen for its symbolism of apartheid’s brutal repression. Previous launches were held in Cape Town (22 July) and at Exclusive Books, Johannesburg on 21 August. The elite unit, founded…

Former president Peter Mutharika appears poised for a remarkable comeback in Malawi’s tripartite elections, according to unofficial tallies from private media. Mutharika, who previously held office from 2014 until 2020, has taken a commanding lead over the incumbent president Lazarus Chakwera, raising alarms and eyebrows as the nation grows increasingly anxious over the Electoral Commission’s suspicious silence following the polls. As of Saturday morning, Zodiak Television, Malawi’s foremost private broadcaster, revealed dashboard figures showing Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leading with 1 293 564 votes, significantly outpacing Chakwera’s tally of 628 440. This shocking electoral outcome, if validated, would illustrate a monumental shift in Malawian politics and serve as a repudiation of Chakwera’s administration, which came into power on the heels of a court-mandated electoral revote in 2020…

Transnet has announced the arrest of 17 suspects in separate incidents around the country, indicative of their firm commitment to reducing vandalism and the theft of essential infrastructure across their network. The SAPS and Transnet security personnel executed a multi-pronged operation that led to these arrests. The suspects were arrested in six separate incidents from September 9 to 10. “These arrests demonstrate our strong resolve in curbing the prevalence of vandalism and essential infrastructure theft within our network. It is also indicative that our focused approach towards enhancing our stakeholder collaboration and holding our security service providers to a higher performance standard was beginning to yield positive results,” said Transnet group chief executive, Michelle Phillips. In KwaZulu-Natal, on September 9, a train at Ladysmith Station in Ladysmith was targeted while…

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has urged calm despite a worrying dip in form that has seen his side lose three games in a row, leaving them 11th on the Betway Premiership table with seven points from as many matches. Abafana Bes’thende’s latest setback came on Saturday against Sekhukhune United in Limpopo, compounding a poor run that has stalled their early momentum. But Mngqithi remains convinced that his side is on the right track, even if results suggest otherwise. “My experience tells me that it’s only a fool who would not see the direction this team is taking,” said Mngqithi. “Honestly speaking, I don’t have any fears of anything at this stage because I’m looking at the process and I’m optimistic that this team is moving towards the right…

The Proteas Women have been provided with a stark reminder of the challenge they face at the upcoming ICC World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Mandla Mashimbyi’s team may have already clinched the ongoing series against Pakistan 2-0 ahead of tomorrow’s final ODI, and his team’s top-order batters, particularly Tazmin Brits with successive centuries, are in fine form, but there is still plenty of work to do if they are to go head-to-head with the heavyweights of the women’s game. Hosts India and Australia have laid down an emphatic statement during their thrilling ODI series, which culminated in a record-breaking decider in Delhi on Saturday. Defending world champions Australia ultimately triumphed by 43 runs after equalling their highest-ever ODI score of 412 – which they famously made back at…

So much for lightning not striking twice. Polokwane City made a mockery of the saying, rising in exactly the same way they did midweek. Phuti Mohafe’s team scored an injury-time winner to beat Chippa United 2-1 in a Betway Premiership match at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Thabang Matuludi headed in a Puleng Marema free kick in the 94th minute, just as the match looked set for a stalemate, following first-half goals from Ayabulela Konqobe and Lebohang Nkaki. The result mirrored Wednesday’s match, when City stole maximum points from Golden Arrows with a last-minute Marema strike. The Limpopo outfit have now climbed to fourth, a day after neighbours Sekhukhune United stayed top of the table with an injury-time winner against Arrows at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium. The significance of…

Orlando Pirates delivered a statement victory against Lioli FC, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is seeking improvement ahead of the CAF Champions League second leg next Saturday. After a goalless first half at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, Pirates ran out 3-0 winners over Lesotho’s Lioli in the first preliminary round, first-leg clash. While the scoreline suggests a decisive result, Ouaddou viewed it as a missed opportunity for a bigger margin of victory. “I do not believe that Pirates are one step into the second preliminary round, because we have not finished the second leg,” Ouaddou insisted. emphasising his focus not only on winning but also on improving performance quality as Pirates prepare for the return leg at Orlando Stadium. Ouaddou highlighted a lack of clinical finishing that hampered the side in…

The much-anticipated reSURGEnce Conference has kicked off in Durban, bringing a wave of opportunities aimed at bolstering the African economy. Convened by Reverend Dennis Dillon, this year’s conference, taking place officially from September 21 to 24 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, promises to reshape the narrative around African and American economic relations. “For far too long, there has been a massive separation between Africans and Americans,” Dillon said in an interview with Daily News. He asserted that this year’s conference sought to bridge that gap, emphasising a vision where more African products grace the shelves of Black communities in America. The reSURGEnce movement has established itself as a pivotal platform for fostering economic collaboration. With a robust lineup of business leaders, investors, and clergy from across the…

Seven-year-old Avukile from Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, recently achieved a major recovery milestone: surpassing the crucial 100-day mark after a stem-cell transplant. Avukile was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), an aggressive cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. The prognosis he received was grim, but his recovery is a testament to the selfless commitment and generosity of his donor. Avukile (only his first name was provided) was a lively child who enjoyed playing with toy cars and friends; their joyous laughter was often heard. In June 2023, a noticeable change occurred: boundless energy gave way to persistent fatigue. A loss of appetite soon followed this initial sign of trouble. His mother, Thobile, sought medical help. An injection and pills provided temporary relief, but symptoms returned. During a bath, Avukile flinched when…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has welcomed the blacklisting of 40 contractors since the start of his term in July 2024. In a statement yesterday, the minister indicated that over the past year, his department has fast-tracked the blacklisting of errant contractors after the department had only blacklisted one contractor in more than 20 years. Macpherson said in light of the previous track record, this was a dramatic turnaround since 2002, with the minister saying the move by the Construction Industry Development Board (CID) delivers on his promise to act against non-performance and corruption. He said his department was refining its blacklisting processes to act faster and recover public funds as part of broader reforms to clean up the Department to ensure it supports job-creating economic growth.…

As South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, it is timely to reflect on the largely untapped value of university heritage collections. Across the country’s 26 higher education institutions, fewer than eight are estimated to have museums or galleries, and less than half do not provide public access to their collections. These inherited collections, often accumulated over decades or even a century, reflect the past, present, and future traditions of their institutions, yet they remain largely unknown and under-researched. University museums are not merely repositories of objects – they are social constructs that contribute to civic society, provide spaces for teaching and learning, and serve as instruments for preserving and interpreting academic heritage. In a South African context, recognising and leveraging these collections offers a crucial opportunity to engage with local and…

Veteran Willie le Roux will be part of the Springboks’ preparations for the crucial Test against Argentina in Durban until Wednesday. After initially being dropped from the 33-player squad ahead of the final two matches of the Rugby Championship, Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus has decided to call on Le Roux’s experience to help prepare the players for Saturday’s clash at Kings Park (kick-off 5.10pm). The Boks face Los Pumas in the coastal city before heading to London for the final Test at Twickenham next Saturday – a match that could likely decide the Rugby Championship title. Le Roux linked up with the world champions yesterday after being released by the Bulls. He will return to the Pretoria side following the conclusion of the Boks’ training block on Wednesday and…

The four South African franchises will kick off their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaigns this weekend in what promises to be another compelling edition of the international club tournament. Since joining the European competition, a South African side has reached the final every season – and expectations remain high for that streak to continue. The Stormers claimed the title in the inaugural year, while they and the Bulls have since fallen short in finals, with the Pretoria side suffering the agony of three runner-up finishes. Leinster, who defeated the Bulls in Ireland earlier this year to secure the title, will begin their defence with squads across the competition looking stronger than ever. For the South African franchises, the mission is clear: reclaim dominance and re-establish their foothold in Europe. A…

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele is tipped to hold off Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal and win the men’s Ballon d’Or today, while Aitana Bonmati’s chances of claiming a third straight women’s prize hang in the balance. The cream of world football will gather at the Théâtre du Châtelet in central Paris to discover who will be the latest winners of an award dominated for so long by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Those two won the Ballon d’Or 13 times between them from 2008 to 2023, with last year finally marking the end of an era when the accolade went to Manchester City midfielder Rodri after he captained Spain to Euro 2024 glory. With Rodri not a contender to retain the most prestigious individual prize in football after last season…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed his admiration for Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende, describing his talent as “underrated” in South African football. After a 3-1 victory over the competitive Durban City, Cardoso praised Allende’s contributions, highlighting his goal and overall performance. In Sundowns’ 4-2-3-1 formation, Allende partners Teboho Mokoena, creating a dynamic duo just in front of the four-person defence. Early in the match, he surged forward from his defensive midfield role to make a bold move into the striking zone. His shot took a fortunate deflection off a defender and found its way into City’s net for Sundowns’ first goal. Afterwards, Cardoso remarked on Allende’s potential and the need for greater recognition of his skills among local fans. “I think it’s important that South Africa, in general, understands…

South African actress Thuso Mbedu stars in Task, a new drama series from Brad Ingelsby. Mbedu plays Aleah, who is part of a task force trying to put an end to a string of violent robberies. In a clip shared by HBO Max, Mbedu and her co-star Alison Oliver, who is Irish, talk about transforming their accents into the Philadelphia one. “Just coming into the American accent itself, because I’m originally from South Africa and there are certain things that my tongue doesn’t want to do. So just playing with that has been super interesting.” In an interview, Mbedu shared how she is always challenging herself to see if she can actually act or got lucky with a previous casting. “With Task, it is unlike anything I’ve ever done. It…

In his rebuttal to a series of negative reports labelling lower Umhlanga as a “Wild West hell,” Oceans Umhlanga chairman Vivian Reddy firmly denounced such characterisations as exaggerated and misleading. His comments come in response to statements made by a local councillor Bradley Singh and Terri MacLarty, a representatives of the local ratepayers’ association, which Reddy claimed not only misrepresented the reality of the situation but also posed a significant threat to the reputation and economic stability of the Umhlanga area. Both Sign and MacLarty raised concerns after an incident occurred recently where a video was circulated widely on social media showing a group of patrons at an Oceans Mall establishment, involved in a violent altercation. They also made reference to other instances of loud music, noisy cars, public partying…

In response to a brewing storm within the tech industry, the White House on Saturday made a crucial clarification regarding its newly introduced H-1B visa policy that has sent ripples of uncertainty throughout the sector. The confusion stemmed from an announcement made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who revealed a substantial increase in visa fees that initially appeared to impact both new applicants and renewals alike. On Friday, Lutnick announced that a staggering $100 000 (about R1.74 million) fee would be required annually from those seeking to secure a new visa or undertake a renewal. This sudden announcement raised alarm bells within the tech community, which often relies heavily on global talent to fill critical roles in innovation and development. ‘ "This is NOT an annual fee. It's a…

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has reiterated the role of trade unions in advocating for workers’ rights and the need for structured processes in handling grievances. This comes after the MK Labour Desk went to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban last week, demanding answers on a range of issues. Simelane said unions deal with issues and grievances. “The issue of workers and the suffering and unhappiness of workers is governed by the South African law, which is governed by the Labour Relations Act, and the Labour Relations Act deals with unions and representatives,” Simelane said. She said those who went to IALCH, were a political party. “Some of them are represented in parliament, and represented in the legislature. That’s where they need to raise their concerns. No…

A group of Zimbabwean nationals has arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare on a chartered flight from the US after having been deported by Washington. With only the clothes on their backs, the group of men appeared visibly frustrated as they faced the reality of returning home involuntarily after spending years abroad. The chartered plane had reportedly dropped off Ghanaians and Zambian deportees. From Zimbabwe, it was going to drop off Mozambicans deported from US. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) filmed the arrival and interviewed some of the deportees. According to the broadcaster, the men had served prison sentences for various crimes in the US before being declared undesirable and deported. One, Tendai Moyosvi, a trained chef, said he now plans to reintegrate into Zimbabwean society and…

Kaizer Chiefs’ defeat to Kabuscorp in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Saturday night was not just about a narrow scoreline. It was a stark reminder of how damaging instability on the touchline can be for a club that has spent years searching for direction. The Angolan outfit, cheered on by their home crowd at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda, did what many sides have done in recent seasons – exposed Amakhosi at a moment of vulnerability. Chiefs were without head coach Nasreddine Nabi, whose future at the club is now effectively over as discussions over his exit continue. The Tunisian’s absence was glaring, not just tactically, but in the confidence and identity of the team on the pitch. This constant chopping and changing of coaches is proving…

Gabriel Martinelli rescued Arsenal as the Brazilian’s last-gasp equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw against Manchester City yesterday when Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics backfired at the Emirates Stadium. With City clinging to the lead given to them by Erling Haaland early in the first half, Guardiola made a series of unusually cautious substitutions that left his side without a recognised striker on the pitch in the closing stages. It was the kind of rearguard action rarely associated with the attack-minded Guardiola, but his willingness to sacrifice purist principles for a more pragmatic approach came back to haunt him. A change made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta proved decisive, as Martinelli came off the bench to spare his team from a second defeat to a title rival after their loss at champions…

Max Verstappen showed the field yesterday that he and Red Bull remain serious threats to both Formula One championships, producing a commanding lights-to-flag triumph at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Dutchman’s second consecutive win from pole position reaffirmed Red Bull’s competitive edge following the mid-season departure of long-serving team boss Christian Horner and highlighted the effectiveness of new chief Laurent Mekies’ softer, technically focused management approach. The race proved to be a cruel turn of fortune for McLaren. World drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri suffered an early exit on the opening lap after locking up at Turn 6, ending his remarkable run of 34 consecutive points finishes. Teammate Lando Norris managed only seventh, missing a prime opportunity to narrow the gap in the drivers’ championship and secure a second straight…

Among football’s most favoured clichés, the one about the league championship being a marathon is currently ringing true for Eric Tinkler, who could well have been a Comrades Marathon runner in his past. The man in charge of early pace-setters Sekhukhune United could be getting carried away like the “TV runners” who often enjoy the limelight as they set out like rabbits in that world-famous ultra-marathon in KwaZulu-Natal, only to be swallowed up two-thirds into the race and never seen again. He is a seasoned campaigner – local football’s most famous ginger – and, while all around him bask in the glory of their team’s unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership, Tinkler is preaching caution. Of course, he enjoys that they are setting the pace, in the knowledge that even…