Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-03 i Daily News

Sinbad the Sailor In this KickstArt pantomime, audiences can expect a display of colourful sets and costumes that will transport them into a world of mystery inspired by the magical stories of the Arabian Nights. The production features lively music and energetic dance inspired by Bollywood. Written and directed by Steven Stead, Sinbad the Sailor features set designs by Greg King. The cast brings to life the adventures of Sinbad with Rory Booth starring as the brave sailor. He is joined by Bryan Hiles, who plays his hilarious mother, Dame Donna Kebab. Sinbad faces challenges from his nemesis, Long John Slither, played by Lyle Buxton, and must outsmart the scheming sorceress, Morgiana the Magnificent, portrayed by Belinda Henwood. Sinbad’s love interest, Marina, will be brought to the stage by Roshanda…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has made a ground-breaking move by dismissing the contractor appointed to construct the maternity complex and associated support services at the Nkonjeni Hospital in Ulundi. The contractor was the first to face legal action due to performance issues on a works project instituted by the department. The department’s firm stance is part of its efforts to enhance efficiency and quality in government projects within its domain. The estimated time for the contractor to complete the Nkonjeni project was 26 months when it commenced in July 2020, but it subsequently dragged on for more than five years. As a result, residents of northern KZN who relied on the facility for healthcare services, especially pregnant mothers, bore the brunt of the delay. There were…

At the recent symposium of the 58th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Thapelo Mohapi from Abahlali baseMjondolo emphasised that the nature of one’s dwelling – be it a shack or a solid house – does not dictate one’s mindset or capabilities. This message proved especially poignant as he highlighted the critical impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Durban. Mohapi said that recently they have had an engaging partnership with the eThekwini Municipality. “It is assumed that when you live in the shack and you’re poor, your state of thinking is the same as the structure that you are living under,” Mohapi said. He said their engagement with the city was focused on disaster preparedness, particularly for the expected disasters in Durban next year (February, March,…

I’m deaf, and I’m a social worker. For 23 years, I’ve been a member of Parliament, where I’ve been in the position to advocate for access for deaf people, including people with disabilities. I chaired the committee that moved to have the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities ratified. Year after year, we mark Deaf Awareness Month, and we have Disability Rights Awareness Month as well as 365 Days Against Violence and Abuse. Given all that, we would have thought that those in the medical profession would be more empathetic and understanding towards deaf patients. Time and again, I’ve come to see that many in the medical profession just do not know how to communicate with deaf patients. They do not have empathy for deaf patients. I…

It was a weekend to forget for the Sharks after a disappointing 44-17 defeat to Connacht, and the returning Springbok contingent will likely be without Eben Etzebeth for some time. Etzebeth was red-carded at the end of the tour finale against Wales, and the Sharks will feel the impact of his suspension for eye-gouging, with the Boks not playing again until June next year. But there is good news for the embattled Durbanites. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has sounded a battle cry as he turns his attention to his club. After leading the Boks to one of their most successful seasons in history, Kolisi says the Sharks deserve similar fortunes after their underwhelming results in recent years. Kolisi told online rugby news site Rugby365 that he will take a short…

The year 2025 was one of contrasts for South African athletics. While several individuals delivered standout performances, Team SA once again struggled on the world stage. A contingent of 49 athletes tried to end an eight-year medal drought at the World Championships in Tokyo but returned with just one medal – the 4x400m relay bronze – underscoring the ongoing challenges of aligning the domestic season with the global calendar. For athletes like Bayanda Walaza, the year ended in heartbreak as injury robbed the young sprint sensation of a realistic medal chance. Simbine – early-season spark: The year began brightly with encouraging signs from South Africa’s sprint king, Akani Simbine, who won bronze in the men’s 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on March 21. His fine…

A 10-million rand festive season action plan to deal with municipal sewer pump stations affecting beaches has been sent to area managers for immediate implementation. The municipality’s network operational plan was explained at an executive committee meeting on Tuesday. The city stated that its operational budget estimation commenced on December 1 and will end on February 28, 2026, to cover tankering, winching, jetting, rodding, and sump cleaning. This will also address diesel refilling, silt removal, and screening removal stated in a report by the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Operations for the festive season. With regard to beachfront sewer lines, acting director of the Water and Sanitation Unit, Sibusiso Vilane said the municipality will flush them twice a week as a proactive maintenance. Vilane said the municipality also identified hotspot…

Following South African sporting and music successes on the global stage, the team behind David are hoping that the new biblical animated musical will be one of Mzansi’s biggest breakout films internationally to date. Produced in Cape Town, the production features the character of David from the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament. The movie is a follow-up to the five-part television miniseries Young David, which tells the story of a young shepherd, poet and warrior who is predestined to become the new King of Israel. The voice cast of David includes Grammy nominee Phil Wickham as young David, with Brandon Engman and Young Artist Award winner Sloan Lucas Muldown reprising their roles from Young David. The cast also features two-time Grammy winner Lauren Daigle, award-winning Israeli singer Miri…

A group of men have been taken in for questioning after police learned that there was an alleged plot to assassinate key role players in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said a case of conspiracy to commit murder has been registered and under investigation in relation to the trial. According to Mathe, the South African Police Service (SAPS) received concrete intelligence indicating that these individuals were allegedly scouting for opportunities to eliminate key figures in the trial. “The SAPS has taken a group of individuals who attended proceedings this morning for further questioning and profiling,” said Mathe. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who is pivotal to the ongoing trial concerning the tragic murder of the former Orlando Pirates soccer player, appears to be the primary target of this…

Durban City FC have moved swiftly to identify a successor after parting ways with head coach Gavin Hunt, with sources revealing that Rulani Mokwena, Simo Dladla and Roger de Sa are all being considered. Hunt’s departure – confirmed on Monday by “mutual agreement” following a technical review – has triggered an urgent strategic rethink at the newly promoted Betway Premiership side. Chairperson Farook Kadodia thanked the four-time league champion for his professionalism, but the focus has now shifted towards securing a permanent replacement during the the Africa Cup of Nations break. Assistant coach Pitso Dladla will lead the team on an interim basis when they face Orbit College tonight in the Betway Premiership (kick-off 7.30pm). City head into that encounter in eighth spot, having collected 19 points in the…

Two years out from the next World Cup, the bookies have the Springboks as hot favourites to defend their title once more, but that will not mean coach Rassie Erasmus will be holding thumbs when the pool draw is made in Sydney today (start 11am). The Springboks have shown the rugby world this year that they fear nobody, while in 2019 and 2023 they equally showed that, however tough their pool might be, they have the courage and gameplan to overcome in the end. In 2019, they lost to New Zealand in a pool game and defied the odds to become the first country to lose a pool game and go on to win the Webb Ellis Cup. They did the same in 2023 when Ireland beat them in a…

There is a familiar, almost ritualistic intensity that envelopes a camp preparing for a cup final. For Orlando Pirates, that intensity was unmistakable as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s Carling Knockout final in Polokwane. And yet, beneath the controlled tension, there was a notable measure of confidence – perhaps even quiet conviction – that this could finally be the year the Buccaneers end their drought in the competition. Pirates, despite their rich history, have curiously failed to lay hands on this particular trophy for years. “This is the one trophy in the country that has eluded the club for longer,” Sibisi admitted, adding that victory on Saturday “would be a wonderful gift for our fans”, especially with yet another sold-out stadium…

Rachel John is apparently shaking up the Springboks WAG ecosystem, with Mzansi’s former first lady of rugby, Rachel Kolisi, also in the heat of the matter. This comes after Siya’s soon-to-be ex-wife dropped a cryptic bomb on Instagram – and fans are convinced it’s aimed squarely at John. In an eyebrow-raising Instagram Story, she posted: “Those fake checkups don’t work on me. I’m good. Mind your business … Kind regards.” If the subtext wasn’t loud enough, the timing had social media detectives sprinting. Why? Because just as she hit “unfollow” on Saskia Snyman – once one of her closest WAG allies – John has slid into the spotlight, forming new friendships and stepping confidently into the Springbok wives’ inner circle. And, according to fans, she’s not just stepping in ……

Representatives from the fields of rural development, tourism, and cultural heritage are set to engage at the Riverside Hotel in Durban today and tomorrow for a rural tourism development workshop. The workshop aims to bring together traditional leaders, government stakeholders, institutions of higher learning, private sector partners, and community organisations to explore strategies for unlocking the economic potential of rural tourism. Bongani Shongwe, the executive director of the co-hosts Shukuru Foundation, said the main aim of the workshop was to empower and engage traditional leaders on rural tourism opportunities. Shongwe stressed that communities that host traditional events attracting tourists were not reaping the benefits. “When tourists arrive, they don’t sleep in rural communities, but instead use hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments in urban areas, which is of no benefit to rural…

Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has testified that if National SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola had approved the new organisational structure based on the 2019 work study, the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) would have been dissolved back in March 2024. Mchunu, who is on a special leave, was testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. His decision to write a letter dated December 31, 2024, ordering the disbandment of the PKTT, has come under criticism from KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who testified at the commission on September 17. The letter in question stated that the task team was not adding value to the policing work. According to Mkhwanazi, Mchunu’s conclusion that the team does not add any value to policing in South Africa “was misplaced”.…

Tens of thousands of matriculants, together with thousands of parental homes, schools and teachers, are tensely awaiting the announcement by the Minister of Basic Education of the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination. In many ways, the NSC directs a learner’s opportunities and life chances on the road going forward, and the anticipated announcement is probably one of the most important events on the path of the Grade 12 school leaver. Admission to further study, opportunities in the world of work, and the licence to pursue aspirations – for every individual, these depend on the announcement that is about to be made. Every school leaver has dedicated 12 years or even more to preparation for the examination and has shown tenacity in pursuing this sought-after qualification. During…

Temba Bavuma hails new generation of Proteas Proteas One Day International captain Temba Bavuma has expressed his satisfaction with the emerging talent in the team over recent years and the additional options their versatility has provided. South Africa will face India in the second ODI at the Shaheed Singh International Cricket Stadium today (10am SA time), aiming to claim their first win of the series after a 17-run defeat in the opener on Sunday. Bavuma will return to the squad after missing the first match due to illness. Despite his absence, several players stepped up, including Matthew Breetzke, who impressed with a top score of 72, while Marco Jansen (70) and Corbin Bosch (67) also contributed significantly. Under coach Shukri Conrad, the Proteas have rewarded consistent performances, and with a…

The Lions are on an uncustomary roll after back-to-back victories in the United Rugby Championship, and forward coach Julian Redelinghuys feels they have the momentum to win Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash with Benetton at Ellis Park. But the former Lions and Bok prop says his team cannot afford to drop this home game and must cash in on significant URC defeats of Ulster and the Bulls. With just four pool matches determining playoff qualification for the Challenge Cup, Redelinghuys says there is no room for error. “You need to end high up in your pool to have a home round of 16 and quarter-final,” he said. “Benetton here, Newcastle away, Lyon here, Perpignan away – those games decide everything. We want Ellis Park hosting those knockouts.” The Lions are not…

Arne Slot admitted yesterday that “superhuman” Mohamed Salah was unhappy about being omitted from Liverpool’s team for their vital 2-0 win against West Ham, but praised his attitude. The Egypt forward was an unused substitute at the London Stadium on Sunday as Liverpool boss Slot made changes following a terrible run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions. Misfiring Salah, 33, has scored just four Premier League goals this season – in stark contrast to his haul of 29 last season, a tally that won him the Golden Boot. Slot revealed that during his reign as manager at Anfield, Salah had been a “superhuman being” but that he had not been at his best in recent weeks. “He’s scored so many goals for us and I’m sure he…