Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-15 i Independent on Saturday

Where do we even start with the ninth season of Selling Sunset? The show, which started off as a glossy peek into high-end real estate, has slowly morphed into a metaphorical blood bath. Put a bunch of competitive, high-maintenance “Barbies” in one office and, well, chaos happens. The original focus on property is barely hanging on, as drama now seems to be the main product. Sure, I enjoyed the earlier seasons when it was about real estate and majestic homes, where i could watch gorgeous landscapes, jaw-dropping interiors, and the crazy amounts people will pay for their dream pad, even if it’s just being rented. This season? Maybe four houses got a proper showing, but most of the screen time is devoted to back‑stabbing, gossip and passive‑aggressive theatrics. Chrishell Stause…

While often miscast as mysterious or hard to understand, cats are actually excellent communicators. In fact, in free-ranging cat colonies, physical fights are kept to a minimum through clever use of body posturing, scent exchange and vocalisations. Cats have also adapted their communication for humans. For instance, adult cats don’t usually meow at each other. But when around people, cats meow a lot, suggesting they have adapted this vocalisation for communicating with humans. And it’s not just the meow. Cats have a wide vocal repertoire for conveying different meanings, even for specific people. Bonded cats and humans often develop their own communication repertoires, similar to having a unique dialect. Cats can understand human communication too. Studies show cats know their own names and the names of their companions, and can…

Intrepid adventurers or utter madmen, a small fleet competing in the Mini Globe Race have popped in to Durban for a mandatory pitstop two thirds of their way into their circumnavigation. The Mini Globe Race is a single-handed yacht race that started in Antigua on February 23, and takes the competitors westwards around the world. In total they will sail roughly 26 000 nautical miles, broken up into four challenging legs. The shortest leg was from the start to Panama. Leg two had three pitstops enroute to Fiji. Here in Durban, the participants are three quarters of the way through leg three, where they are refuelling, restocking and rejuvenating before tackling one of the toughest coastlines in the world. What makes this solo circumnavigation astonishing, the crafts they are competing…

The ongoing alleged gang and drug-related shootings in Wentworth, Durban, and surrounding communities have instilled fear among residents, who worry about becoming the next victim. They are urgently calling for the police to implement a long-term strategy to address the crisis in the area. This comes after two people were killed while seven others were injured during a shooting incident on Major Calvert Street yesterday morning. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said two men in a grey Mazda 3 opened fire on a group seated outside a flat. As the victims scattered, the assailants pursued them, continuing to shoot. Netshiunda said the victims were aged 15 to 22, and the motive is unclear, but gang and drug-related turf wars are being investigated. Police have launched a manhunt for at…

South Africa has quietly been the birthplace of inventions that touch our lives from hospital wards to seashores, swimming pools to the Moon. From a life-saving imaging technique dreamed up on a Cape Town campus to an unglamorous but indispensable adhesive that travelled with astronauts, these homegrown ideas have had outsized global influence. Here are six South African inventions, who created them, what they do, and where they’ve been used. 1. The CT (CAT) scan The theory behind computed tomography (CT) – often called the CAT scan, was developed in part by South African physicist Allan MacLeod Cormack while working at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital in the 1950s. British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield later built the first practical scanner, their combined efforts transformed X-ray data into…

As the vibrant blooms of spring emerge, the conversation surrounding indigenous gardens takes centre stage on the KZN South Coast. Amanda Maphumulo, the Garden Installation and Maintenance Supervisor at Renishaw Hills in Scottburgh, is on a mission to challenge common misconceptions about indigenous gardening. With the backing of Barto van der Merwe, Managing Director of Renishaw Property Developments, Maphumulo dismantles four persistent myths while offering insights for cultivating a thriving garden this spring. “The incredible gardens at Renishaw Hills are living proof that indigenous gardens on the KZN coast are a vibrant option for homeowners,” says Van der Merwe. “Our gardens regularly host the prestigious Botanical Society Winter Gardens, showcasing a testament to our colourful and diverse landscaping.” Designed by renowned botanist Dr Elsa Pooley, the estate’s gardens are a…

On a cool November morning, members of a local council in central Nigeria met religious leaders at the traditional ruler’s palace to discuss religious harmony as US President Donald Trump revs up accusations of Christian persecution in Africa’s most populous country. Nigeria, a West African country of 230 million people, is roughly evenly split between a mostly Christian south and a Muslim-majority north. It is home to myriad conflicts, including jihadist insurgency, that experts say kill Christians and Muslims, often without distinction. But Trump has ordered a military intervention in Nigeria to halt what he says are the killings of Christians “in very large numbers” by radical Islamists. Mangu, a small rustic town in Nigeria’s central Plateau state located 250km from the capital Abuja, was the scene of deadly clashes…

Norway is a land of dramatic fjords, the midnight sun and the world’s finest goat cheese. It has never been known for its music. But 40 years ago, it produced a singular global pop hit whose grip on our ears has barely eased since. What is it about Take On Me? If it’s not playing when you walk into the grocery store, you’ll probably hear it before checkout. Why is it the 1980s song that still reliably fills dance floors, enlivens seventh-inning stretches, helps to sell cars and breakfast cereal and rom-coms, challenges the bravest karaoke warriors and a cappella nerds, and continues to provide a formidable income for three men who could stroll through any world capital without being chased down for a selfie? It would be unfair to…

A Frenchman earlier this year discovered a gold treasure worth $800 000 (R16.8 million) while digging a swimming pool in his garden, local officials have said. The man informed the local authorities after he made the discovery in May, and they allowed him to keep the gold as it did not come from an archaeological site, the council in the eastern town of Neuville-sur-Saone said on Wednesday. He found “five gold bars and many coins” buried in plastic bags, local newspaper Le Progres reported. Police found the gold had been acquired legally and had been melted down some “15 or 20 years ago” at a nearby refinery, it said. The previous owner of the garden has died, the town hall said, and how the gold ended up there remains a…

“God, God, God, protect them,” chanted two herders, their eyes following a dozen camels rushing toward acacia trees, oblivious to the dry riverbed in northern Kenya where it hasn’t rained since April. Sitting on the edge of a nearby well, Chapan Lolpusike recounted how his cows and oxen “all died” in the worst drought in four decades, caused by a succession of poor rainfall in 2021 and 2022. After that, the herder made a sweeping change. “We no longer have cattle at home. We only raise camels,” said Lolpusike, a member of the semi-nomadic Samburu community. Camels can graze on dry grasses, go more than a week without water, and produce up to six times more milk than cattle – making them an increasingly necessary option in northern Kenya, an…

With vehicle hijackings and violent crimes increasingly targeting high-end SUVs in South Africa, SVI Engineering have expanded their range of discreet protection solutions by introducing the SVI Lite bullet-resistant B2 armour- ing package for the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Level B2 protection is rated to stop 9mm and 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun. Better than smash and grab Earlier this year, the Bashewa-based company in Pretoria introduced the SVI Lite product range, which slots in below its B4 discreet and B6 discreet 360-degree armouring packages but well above smash-and-grab window film. Launched with the Toyota Corolla Cross and Ford Ranger, the SVI Lite treatment has since been extended to several other models, from the Suzuki Jimny through to the Audi Q7 and now the Cayenne Coupe. “In addition to its…

The excitement that greeted Zohran Mamdani this weekend at an annual gathering of New York lawmakers and power brokers in San Juan, Puerto Rico was effusive. But that excitement at the Somos el Futuro conference couldn’t mask the fault lines that his decisive win in last week’s mayoral election exposed within the state’s Democratic party. Divisions over taxation, immigration and Israel will be tested in almost every major political contest next year. A growing list of Democratic incumbents will face challenges from the Left, where Mamdani’s improbable win is emboldening progressive candidates. In San Juan, Governor Kathy Hochul – who has to win her own primary before she can compete for re-election against Republican Elise Stefanik – struggled to juggle the enthusiasm for Mamdani’s policies with their fiscal reality.…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's decision to lower South Africa's inflation target to 3% – ending a 25-year framework of targeting a 3% to 6% range – has bolstered the rand and will bring relief to millions of South Africans. Godongwana announced during Wednesday's presentation of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). While conceding that the move will make life harder in the near term, especially for economic growth, the minister says the new target, which takes effect immediately and will be phased in over the next two years, will “enhance price stability”. Aligning fiscal and monetary policy Clarity on the move towards the lower inflation target of 3% was something on Anchor Capital economist Casey Sprake's wish list. She says Godongwana's endorsement aligns fiscal and monetary policy. “While the South…

South Africa’s latest Mid-term Budget Speech tabled on Wednesday has drawn a cautiously optimistic response from key voices in finance, youth development, and energy. Jurgen Eckmann, wealth manager at Consult by Momentum, says: “The Minister’s upbeat tone today reflects what many investors have been hoping to hear for years: that South Africa’s finances are finally on a stronger footing.” The country’s removal from the FATF grey list has helped restore investor confidence, though it remains uncertain whether this will translate into a surge in foreign direct investment. More notably, for the first time since 2008, government debt is expected to stabilise and South Africa will post a primary budget surplus, meaning core spending is being funded through tax revenue rather than new borrowing. Eckmann called this “an important shift, showing…

PSL stakeholders continue to await the league’s and chairman Irvin Khoza’s response to the explosive allegations levelled by Black Leopards FC owner David Thidiela. In a radio interview on Wednesday, Thidiela rocked South African football and painted the Premier PSL leadership as a structure rooted in coercion and autocracy. At the core of the controversy is Thidiela’s branding of PSL chairman Khoza as a dictator who runs the league with an iron fist and wields excessive power. The allegations came to light during a candid radio interview, where Thidiela did not hold back in expressing his discontent over Khoza’s dual role as chairman of both the PSL and Orlando Pirates. “You’ll never see this anywhere in the world. Is there any organisation in the world where someone who is the…

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has no qualms about robust flank Marco van Staden covering hooker against Italy in Turin today. The Boks have made 11 changes to the starting lineup that beat France last week as coach Rassie Erasmus gives opportunities to squad members who have not yet played on the five-match tour. Erasmus also wants to rest up some senior players ahead of next week’s mega clash with Ireland. That means testing the versatility of players such as Van Staden. “Marco has been in the squad for the last couple of seasons, and there has always been a plan for him to be a back-up hooker,” Stick said. “He had game time at hooker at the 2023 World Cup (against Romania), and during the tournament, he did a…

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor’s life story is one of literal miracles and staggering perseverance, beginning in a setting of abject poverty that few can truly comprehend. He recounts his harrowing childhood: “If I told you all this, you will be amazed. I was born in a house without electricity.” “I was born in a house without a toilet. We didn’t have a toilet, so you couldn’t even bathe. So, you can imagine. And it was difficult... my parents couldn’t afford to pay school fees anymore.” He further emphasises the severity of their poverty by detailing the school fees: “I’m not talking about £1 000 or £2 000. I’m talking about maybe £7 or £10, because then it was a government school, a public school, which cost them maybe £5…

Earlier in the week, I got to chat with Thabang Molaba. Of course, fans know him better as KB in the hit Netflix teen series Blood & Water. A few TV shows into his career, the 30-year-old actor clocked a significant milestone by making his Hollywood debut in Ruben Fleischer’s Now You See Me, Now You Don’t 3. And if you’ve been a fan of this star-studded heist film franchise, you know how big a deal this is for Molaba. During our chat, he unpacked how he landed this role. “I obviously had the audition, and then had a callback, where the director was in the meeting as well. He was giving me pointers on what to do, what to change and all of that. This character was being searched…

Unless you have been living under a rock, you must have seen people change their profile pictures to purple on social media, even the random acquaintance on WhatsApp you haven’t seen in ages. But what is up with all the profile picture changes? Women’s rights advocacy group Women For Change is urgently calling for gender-based violence (GBV) to be declared a national disaster. They also urged social media users to put up purple profile pictures in solidarity. On November 21, South African women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are being urged to stage a nationwide shutdown in protest against GBV and femicide. But what if you changed the picture and want to do more? Or what if you haven’t but want to participate in other ways? Several ways you…

As the cricket on the field took a backseat during the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens yesterday, the conversation among the commentators turned to which country had the spicier curries. Of course, Durban is known for its large Indian population, and the curries in the region are well-renowned. While South Africa lost three wickets in the opening session, that seemed to matter little as Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and Dale Steyn began the culinary discussion. Gavaskar set the ball rolling as he began talking about India’s historic first tour to South Africa, after the nation was readmitted into international sport in 1992. The revelation was that then United Cricket Board of South Africa president Krish Mackerdhuj took the India team for a meal…

The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum’s China-Africa partnership conference yesterday heard calls for trade between the continent and the Asian country to be conducted using its currency, the yuan. Now a managing partner, Monica Mpambawashe, told delegates at the two-day conference held at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg that there were already a few countries that were on track to do so. “Currently, most of our trade is in US dollar denominations, and this is a burden on the people, and there are also a few left out. We need to advocate for trade that is direct between the African countries. I think Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Tanzania are already making strides in converting. Kenya, as well, I believe, is converting their debts to China into yuan,” she said.…

A fleet of intrepid sailors docked at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront this week after battling the unforgiving treacherous waters of the South Atlantic, all part of the epic Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Hailed as one of the planet’s toughest endurance challenges, the Clipper Race sees 10 teams of non-professional sailors push themselves to their absolute limit. The fleet arrived in Cape Town following a 3 500 nautical mile journey from Punta del Este, Uruguay. The sailors endured relentless waves and cold, fast conditions, experiencing exhilarating downwind sailing that demanded absolute resilience. Race Director Dale Smyth summarised the remarkable passage, declaring it “a race that was nothing short of phenomenal.” Participants on this extraordinary 40 000 nautical mile global circumnavigation must face the harsh realities of nature as…

British-Hungarian writer David Szalay won the Booker Prize this week for his novel Flesh, a tortured story of a Hungarian emigre who makes and loses a fortune. Szalay beat five other shortlisted authors, including Indian novelist Kiran Desai, who won in 2006, and Britain’s Andrew Miller, to claim the £50 000 (R1.125m) award at a ceremony in London. Szalay had previously been shortlisted for the prestigious literary honour in 2016 for his last work, All That Man Is. His sixth novel, Flesh is another unflattering exploration of masculinity, using sparse prose to track the Hungarian protagonist from military service in his home country to working for the ultra-wealthy in London. His tormented life includes affairs with older women and fighting in Iraq. The five judges considered 135 books to crown…

The Tornado is one of the newest additions to the skyline of the historical Dutch port city of Rotterdam known for modern architecture. The towering, shiny steel staircases rise out of the new Fenix Museum that is dedicated to stories of human migration. Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD Architects, says on the museum’s website that the weaving of stainless steel staircases symbolises the twists and turns that many migrants encounter in their quest for a better life. The steps of the Tornado are shiny on the outside but steep on the inside, revealing that the journey may appear glamorous and adventurous on the surface but is actually challenging. As impressive as the structure is on the outside, it’s the exhibits on the inside that will stay with you. As…

Omoda is quickly becoming a familiar name on South African roads, and after spending a week with the brand’s latest arrival, the all-new mid-size C7, it’s clear the company is serious about stepping up its game. Slotting between the entry-level C5 X Series and the flagship C9, the C7 aims to blend style, technology and everyday practicality into one compelling mid-size SUV package. Bold design The first thing that struck me about the C7 was its bold, futuristic styling. Up front, Omoda’s signature frameless X-shaped grille gives the SUV an aggressive stance, complemented by slim LED headlights and integrated daytime running lights that make a strong visual statement, especially at night. Red-painted brake calipers and 19-inch wheels on the petrol variant add a touch of sportiness, while the SHS plug-in…

You may have seen the social media posts around the life-sized Lego Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 car doing the rounds, and not to be outdone, Lego South Africa has pulled off its most ambitious project to date. The company has shipped a detailed, up-scaled Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build from Singa- pore to South Africa, making the largest life-size Lego build ever brought into the country, shown at the Mercedes-Benz AMG Experience Centre at Zwartkops Raceway. “The reveal forms part of Lego South Africa’s ongoing commitment to celebrating creativity and innovation through play,” said Valery Kasimov, the newly appointed country manager for Lego South Africa. By the numbers Based on the 1 642-piece Lego set available in stores, the scaled-up |Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build took a…

Financial abuse is one of the least visible forms of domestic violence – yet one of the most damaging. According to the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) National Gender-Based Violence Study conducted in 2024, one in eight women over the age of 18 has experienced financial abuse, defined as the unreasonable deprivation of financial resources to which a person is legally or rightfully entitled. From 25 November to 10 December each year, the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign reminds us of the importance of protecting independence and security. Momentum’s Science of Success reminds us that success favours the focused; those who make deliberate and well-informed decisions rather than reactive ones. In the context of financial abuse, it means not just responding to…

Springbok Sevens flyer Shilton van Wyk feels that regaining their crown as the kings of Dubai could once again act as a touchstone for South African Sevens success. The Blitzboks had their six-tournament winning streak in last year's SVNS season opener snapped. While they bounced back in spectacular fashion in the next leg in Cape Town – the emotional triumph ending a nine-year wait for home glory – the season never quite reached the heights of previous campaigns. The Blitzboks would have to wait until the World Championship in Los Angeles to taste further success. “In hindsight, the defeat in Dubai stung us into action in Cape Town as we needed to bounce back,” Van Wyk said from the team’s scorching Stellenbosch training base. “Having said that, we love winning…

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Melusi Buthelezi has featured so little this season, while also praising the rapid rise of young left-back Nkosikhona Ndaba in his debut campaign. Buthelezi, now 27, has made just one substitute appearance in the current campaign and has featured only six times across all competitions over the past two seasons. His busiest period came in the 2023/24 term when he accumulated 15 appearances in domestic and continental matches. With Sipho Chaine now firmly established as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, Ouaddou said his decisions are rooted in maintaining stability. “I think the daily work with the goalkeepers is very important,” the Moroccan tactician explained. “It’s a special department. “The mentality of goalkeepers is unique. They are in their own world, and we…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ladies team are exactly the outfit they believe themselves to be, and that’s why they deserve to be given their flowers while they can still smell them. Sundowns are yet to be officially crowned the Hollywoodbets Super League champions this season, but I think we can all agree that it’s just a matter of time. Their position at the top of the log with a five-point lead and a game in hand is no fluke. And that’s not all. They know how to raise the stakes and hit top gear during crunch time. After all, they are the undisputed champions of the land, having won the title every season since the league was launched in 2019/20. Of course, it’s well documented that their success is partly due to…

Few cities in the world are more exciting to visit than Tokyo. Japan’s capital city is vast, vibrant, energetic and a shopper’s paradise. It’s a sensory overload of skyscrapers, bright lights and traffic, with myriad train lines weaving their way over the metropolis. It’s a city where technological innovation is juxtaposed with age-old traditions. It’s also strangely calming in how everything is so clean and controlled – its services run like clockwork, its people are polite and respectful. “Oh, but it must be so expensive!” I hear you say. You might be surprised. Mid-range hotels start at under R1 800 per night, and more affordable options are available, too, if you don’t mind roughing it a bit. Granted, it can be a very costly city if you follow the well-heeled…

As summer arrives, it brings with it a wealth of opportunities to embrace the great outdoors, and one of the most enjoyable ways to do so is through camping. This season is ideal for gathering friends and family to explore nature together, as the warm weather and extended daylight hours create the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. With an abundance of activities available, from swimming in rivers to hiking along scenic trails, summer camping allows families to reconnect and create lasting memories. Camping not only fosters teamwork – whether it’s setting up a tent or preparing meals together – but also invites families to experience the vibrant wildlife and lush plant life that summer has to offer. With the nights warming up, there’s no better excuse to cool down and…

If there’s one thing South Africans love, it’s a good gathering, whether it’s a Christmas lunch under the jacarandas, a New Year’s braai by the pool or a Sunday spread that stretches well into the evening. But as the festive season creeps closer, even the most seasoned hosts know that “the season of joy” can quickly turn into “the season of chaos”. Enter the queen of calm, Martha Stewart. In a recent interview with E! News, the lifestyle icon shared her tried-and-tested tips for surviving the holiday madness with grace, style, and a touch of organisation. “Be careful about being organised for your holiday entertaining,” Stewart advised. “If you’re going to have a party, start working on it now, making your list, figuring out when and where things can be…

A Cape Town teacher’s post asking parents to stop buying mugs, glasses and “oh so heavenly sets” as gifts has caused an uproar in a popular parenting Facebook group, with hundreds of parents and fellow teachers weighing in. The anonymous teacher wrote: “Please stop buying your kids’ teachers mugs, cups, glasses, oh so heavenly sets. Our cupboards are overflowing! My favourite gift was a Canal Walk voucher, that way I could buy whatever I wanted during festive.” The post, shared on the Mamahood Cape Town group, quickly drew strong reactions, some accusing the teacher of being “ungrateful” and “entitled,” while others said she was simply being honest about a common issue. One commenter wrote: “You already get paid a salary for doing your job. Parents aren’t entitled to buy you…

In a groundbreaking study that shines a light on the complex pathology of long COVID, researchers have uncovered a significant structural association between microclots and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the blood of affected patients. This finding not only elucidates the underlying physiological interactions at play but also hints at potential therapeutic avenues for managing long COVID symptoms. Microclots, a term gaining traction in medical literature, refer to abnormal aggregations of blood-clotting proteins found circulating in the bloodstream. The concept emerged in 2021, introduced by Prof Resia Pretorius from Stellenbosch University when her team detected these clots in the blood samples of COVID-19 patients. As studies during the pandemic explored their implications for various coagulopathies, microclots captured attention amid fears of prolonged illnesses associated with COVID-19. On the other hand,…

During a Durban inspection of service delivery projects on Thursday, a visit to the Southern Aqueduct raised questions about water provision to residents. A delegation led by co-chairs of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG), Phindile Baleni (director-general in the Presidency) and Mike Mabuyakhulu, inspected major service delivery projects. This included a visit to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Rivertown Precinct, the Southern Aqueduct, uMlazi Canal, and Phoenix Industrial Park. Executive director in the City Manager’s office, Sipho Cele, expressed confidence that the city is making progress and is closer to effectively delivering services to residents. The Southern Aqueduct will boost bulk water security and resilience in the southern region. Divided into eight packages, construction is 40% complete, with full commissioning expected by mid-2026. The inspection showcased progress in tourism revitalisation…

A Patek Philippe timepiece that in 2016 became the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction fetched an even higher price this weekend, auctioneers Phillips said. The watch sold for 14 190 000 Swiss francs ($17.6 million), surpassing the 11m francs it fetched nine years ago, or $11m at the time. The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Reference 1518, made in 1943, is one of only four known to have been made in stainless steel – its rarity making it more sought-after than those produced in gold. Its 2016 world record price for a wristwatch was overtaken in 2017 by Hollywood star Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona which fetched $17.8 million. That was then surpassed in 2019 by a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which sold for $31m. But the stainless steel…

An international team of geologists and palaeontologists led by Dr Ryan Tucker from Stellenbosch University is revolutionising the field of paleontology with a novel methodology that directly dates fossilised dinosaur eggshells. This breakthrough, detailed in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, could reshape the understanding of how different species and ecosystems correlate across millions of years. Traditionally, fossil sites worldwide have been only coarsely dated, leaving palaeontologists in a quandary when trying to interpret the complex relationships between ancient species. Researchers have historically depended on dating surrounding minerals such as zircon or apatite, but these key indicators are not always available. Efforts to date the fossils directly have also yielded imprecise results, particularly for bones and teeth. Dr Tucker’s innovative team, which includes MSc student Kira Venter and Prof Cristiano…

Imagine hearing Morgan Freeman’s unmistakable voice narrating something – only to discover it isn’t him, but artificial intelligence (AI). In an age where AI is rapidly reshaping industries, Hollywood is facing its own existential dilemma: talent versus technology. And at the centre of this growing debate is none other than the legendary actor Freeman, who has made it crystal clear that he’s not here for AI stealing his voice, likeness or livelihood. Speaking to The Guardian, the Oscar-winning actor revealed his frustration with AI firms cloning his unmistakable voice without his consent. Freeman, known for his commanding presence and silky narration in films like The Shawshank Redemption and March of the Penguins, didn’t mince words: “I’m like any other actor: don’t mimic me with falseness. “I don’t appreciate it, and…

“We did not know what was going on at any time. It was awful... I felt powerless and vulnerable,” said Glentin Huisamen, Eastern Cape Deaf Rugby vice president, recalling the chaotic experience that left him and two fellow players stranded during a FlySafair flight delay from Johannesburg. The national Deaf rugby players were left in the dark after their flight on Sunday was diverted to Cape Town due to a technical outage at Gqeberha’s airport. With no announcements they could hear, the players were forced to spend the night on the floor at OR Tambo International Airport, taking turns to stay awake and guard their belongings while unsure of when they would continue their journey. Huisamen detailed the difficulties faced during the flight disruption: “I felt powerless and vulnerable, as…

IT ALL started with the San Sebastian cheesecake. Fehmz the foodie had been posting food content since 2012, but it was the cheesecake post that went viral on Instagram in December 2022 that cemented her status as someone to watch. That cheesecake recipe received two and a half million views, 97 000 downloads and 200 online comments. Also known as Basque cheesecake, Fehmz believes that apart from the taste, it was the simplicity of the recipe that got her followers excited. “You make it in a blender, girlfriend, and there’s nothing for you to do – you’re done,” she laughed. Since then, her star has continued to rise, and she now has more than half a million followers across her social media platforms. It all culminated in a book, DAMN…

Ford South Africa are phasing out their 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine in the Ranger and Everest as they “optimise” their powertrains for the future. Its replacement is set to be the 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. The company says a tweaked single turbo 2.0-litre motor will remain, while the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel will be expanded into more derivatives. EcoBoost engine According to Ford, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine provides customers with a compelling new powertrain, delivering a blend of strong performance, advanced technology, and enhanced driving refinement. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, a proven performer in other Ford vehicles globally, is specifically tuned for the Ranger and Everest. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost is a turbocharged, direct-injection, inline 4-cylinder engine, with a lightweight aluminium block and turbocharger that delivers 222kW of power and…

“Who will get your vote?” asked the email from Fifa. Soccer’s governing body wanted me to help select the world’s outstanding male and female outfield players and goalkeepers for the Best Fifa Football Awards. Fifa, however, did not ask me who should win the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize. This newly created honour will be awarded by Fifa boss Gianni Infantino in December at the World Cup draw, which will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington. We don’t know who will win, but here’s a hint: if you don’t live in a partially demolished dwelling with golden bathroom fixtures at 1 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you are probably not in the running. Asking who will win the Fifa Peace Prize seems a bit like asking who will win the Russian…

This column is not for everyone. The majority of South Africans exist hand to mouth, with far too many households living below the breadline. “All this talk of saving,” they will say, “when we don’t even earn enough to feed our families.” Let’s consider their situation for a moment. The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group publishes a monthly Household Affordability Index, which calculates the cost of a basic basket of groceries in different parts of the country and compares it with wages. For October, the average basket of essential foods for a household of four costs R5 441. A worker earning the minimum wage, working 23 days in the month at just R28.79 per hour, brings in R5 297. Add two Child Support Grants of R560 each and a…

WHEN a batting unit gets bowled out for 150- odd on the opening day of a Test match after winning the toss and opting to bat first, it is easy to cast stones at them. It is almost natural to look at the mode of dismissals and pose questions. 'Was the shot selection on point? Could they have opted for a safer option?' When Wiaan Mulder was trapped lbw by Kuldeep Yadav off an attempted reverse-sweep, the very same questions were posed. However, in this day and age, batters are given a longer rope as Test teams promote positivity in terms of shot selection. Players are encouraged to express themselves out in the middle. Despite some of the shots that led to South Africa being bowled out for 159 on…

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi can’t wait to see the youthful centre pairing of Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie in action against Italy today in Turin. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is giving 22-year-old Hooker his first shot at his preferred position of inside centre, while Moodie (23) has been recalled at 13, with Jesse Kriel taking a break. Kolisi knows Hooker inside out from their time together at the Sharks, and he likes what he sees. “I would back Ethan anywhere on the field,” Kolisi smiled. “He loves rugby. He is a big man. He is taller than me and maybe the same weight. He is not scared of the physical side of things, and I am really excited to see what he is going to do. “Ethan and Canan, as…

The weekend’s Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi is shaping up as a season-defining tournament for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team, and skipper Nadine Roos is ready to face the challenge head-on, embracing the pressure of the occasion. The South Africans are unbeaten at this event but lost their way as a core SVNS team last season, failing to qualify for the 2026 version of the world series. The journey back will be challenging. To be guaranteed the single available place in the forthcoming SVNS Division Three competition, they will need to win the tournament in Nairobi. A place in the final will also suffice if Kenya also reach the decider. The hosts have already secured their place in SVNS Division Two for the 2026…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has hinted at a strong alignment between the squad he will field today in Gqeberha and the one expected to represent South Africa in next month’s AFCON. Broos disclosed that at least 80% of the players selected for the crucial match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo will likely form a significant part of next month’s AFCON contingent. This assertion leaves a slim margin for talents on the periphery to make their case for selection. Broos has expressed confidence in a core group of players which he believes will deliver the performance needed to carry the team forward into AFCON. He can depend on a trio of standout foreign-based talents: Lyle Foster, who has been making waves at Burnley in England; Siphephelo Sithole, currently showcasing his skills…