Innholdsfortegnelse for Saturday, March 27, 2021 i Pretoria News Weekend

Comedian Tumi Morake thrilled to be returning to the stage SAMEER NAIK IT’S been just over a year since comedian Tumi Morake took to the stage to perform in front of her fans. It came as no surprise when she could barely contain her excitement when asked about her upcoming live show. “After having an audience of my giggling husband and face-palming kids, I am really looking forward to a real live stage,” Morake told the Saturday Star. “I have enjoyed the virtual stage to a degree but imaginary laughter isn’t satisfying.” Morake will share fresh jokes and have real conversations with her fans. She said she was most excited to see reactions to her jokes live, something she’s missed. “I can’t wait to see the audience’s smiling faces, the…

Henry to ditch social media, calls on firms to tackle online abuse FORMER France international Thierry Henry said yesterday he will be disabling his social media accounts to protest against the platforms for not taking action over anonymous account holders who are guilty of racism and bullying online. Former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Henry, who has 15 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, said the platforms needed to tackle these issues with the same effort they put into taking down material that infringes copyright. Last month English soccer's governing bodies said that Twitter, Facebook and Instagram were "havens for abuse" and urged the social media companies to tackle the problem. Twitter said that "vile content has no place on our service" after it took action on more than 700…

COMMENT FRINGE PLAYERS NOT PLAYING BALL AT MAN U ESHLIN VEDAN IT’S quite evident now that Manchester United’s lack of depth and quality in the squad rotation options are now haunting them as was seen in their FA Cup elimination at the hands of Leicester City last week. The Man United first-choice XI can beat any side on their day but the squad as a whole still needs a lot of work. The difference between United and their neighbours Manchester City is that City know how to win games ugly and do the bare minimum to win with squad rotation options as they did against Everton last weekend. Pep Guardiola’s side have become better at the art of winning ugly this season, something the Barcelona side of ten years ago…

YOUR STARS Barbara Kiselev If today is your birthday: You’ve got a good feeling about this new year. Take the good with the bad, and you’re ready for anything. So it’s about grabbing those opportunities, and there will be many. It’s all about being the best you can be. Aries (21 March-20 April) You’re definitely not lacking in ability, so this week use your talents to advance your cause. You are already on your way, so keep the energy up. And you will find any obstacles are easily overcome. In fact, you’ve got what it takes. Taurus (21 April-21 May) You may encounter some difficulty, in how you feel, and how you deal with issues. But effort in the right direction, sees you dealing with your problems. In fact, your…

ROYALS ‘Personal vows’ exchanged before Sussex wedding day THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex “exchanged personal vows” a few days before their wedding. The former Suits actress sparked confusion when she recently claimed she and her husband tied the knot in their garden with the Archbishop of Canterbury, days before their formal wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, but after details of their marriage certificate were published earlier this week, the couple’s spokesperson has now confirmed there was no other official ceremony. Their representative told the Daily Beast that “the couple exchanged personal vows a few days before their official/legal wedding on May 19”. The confirmation comes after The Sun newspaper obtained a copy of Meghan and Prince Harry’s marriage certificate from the General Register Office, which confirmed…

INNOVATION Stella McCartney creates clothes from mushroom leather BANG SHOWBIZ STELLA McCartney has become the first to create clothing from mushroom leather. The 49-year-old fashion designer has teamed up with Bolt Threads to use Mylo, a leathery fabric made from the root system of fungi, for a black bustier top and utilitarian trousers. Although the pieces won’t be made available to purchase, McCartney plans to use the fabric in her collections. McCartney, whose eponymous label avoids using leather, feathers and fur, commented: “I believe the Stella community should never have to compromise luxury desirability for sustainability, and Mylo™› allows us to make that a reality.” McCartney used Mylo for a prototype of the brand’s signature Falabella handbag, which was later featured in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Fashioned from Nature…

CHANGING OF THE GUARD? THE 2021 Formula One season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, and the stage is set for the closest-fought battle yet between the king and the youngster who would seize his throne. Lewis Hamilton could win a record eighth title, however, the 23-race championship could mark the end of an era with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leading a generational changing of the guard. The season also sees a Schumacher lining up on the starting grid for the first time since Michael’s departure at the end of 2012 and Saudi Arabia’s debut – a night race in Jeddah. Reuters…

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS Socialising during pandemic travel CLINTON MOODLEY SOCIALISING during the pandemic is no easy feat – especially when you are wearing your mask and constantly sanitising. The number of times I have been asked to repeat something while wearing my mask is plenty; it can get quite awkward. And that isn’t the worst of it… many people continue to breach Covid-19 protocols. I recollect one of my early trips during Covid-19. The group was discussing the impact of the pandemic. Everyone huddled together. Most of them wore no masks and physical distancing was virtually non-existent. When travelling with a group, it puts you in a real predicament. If you leave, you are deemed unsocial, and if you follow the group’s actions, you are breaching the Covid-19 regulations. So, after…

3 BUDGET-FRIENDLY WESTERN CAPE ACTIVITIES TO DO THIS EASTER Admire the beauty of Kirstenbosch Pack a picnic and head to one of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens. Once you’re in, you can walk the various trails making sure to check out the Boomslang treetop canopy walkway and search for the ancient dinosaurs all over the area before setting up your picnic on the stunning lawns. Rates start from R25 for school children aged 6 to 7, R45 for students and R80 for adults. Visit www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/ Take a stroll through Kalk Bay Take a stroll to Kalk Bay by walking along the catwalk from Muizenberg Beach and stop at St James Beach to enjoy some time there. This activity is free. False Bay Nature Reserve (Rondevlei section) Known as the…

EDITOR’S CHOICE ON IOL WHAT THE COFI BILL MEANS FOR YOU THE National Treasury continues to drive the Conduct of Financial Institutions (Cofi) Bill, which aims to entrench better customer outcomes in the financial sector. The bill – the second draft of which was distributed for public comment in September last year – forms part of the government’s “Twin Peaks” financial-sector regulatory reform process. The reform aims to consolidate the current conduct standards regulating financial institutions across a broad spectrum of acts into one piece of legislation. FOUR MONEY TRAPS YOU CAN RID YOURSELF OF TODAY IF YOU don’t pay attention to the fine print on your accounts and policies, you’ll almost certainly lose money that could be used more beneficially. Brett Mackay, an investment consultant at 10X Investments, says…

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED THIS FEATURE IS SPONSORED BY PSG WEALTH Buy a home or boost retirement fund? I recently received some inheritance money, and I am considering a deposit on a home or boosting my retirement savings. How should I choose? Name withheld Jac de Wet, a financial adviser from PSG Wealth Somerset Mall Ring Road, responds: There are many answers to and opinions about this question, with many different factors to consider – for example your age, your current savings, your personal goals and circumstances. What one can consider is the potential longterm returns in retirement funds versus the interest rate charged on the mortgage bond. If the expected long-term returns of your retirement fund are more than the longterm average interest rate to be charged on the property,…

STATE CAPTURE Expensive exercise in liability BONGANI HANS bongani.hans@inl.co.za HAD it not been for the alleged corruption, malfeasance and maladministration implicating the Guptas, the millions of rand spent on the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture would have been directed at necessities. These are the views of experts, who have an appreciation for the work done by the commission since it started on August 21, 2018. It has been estimated that more than R800 million has been spent on the commission. “If we had a much cleaner administration with much greater accountability, then we would not need this kind of expensive exercise,” said independent political analyst and author Daniel Silke. “The money could have gone to all other things like providing students with assistance on their fees.” Political analyst…

TRIBUTE ‘Charm’ was the epitome of a dedicated cadre EBRAHIM EBRAHIM ANA Archives THE untimely demise of Pathasavasvaran Samotharan (Charm) Govender has shocked and saddened us all. A community worker, a freedom fighter, and a dedicated civil servant is no more. Charm was from an early age the epitome of a dedicated cadre whose liberation activities encompassed all the revolutionary activities of our time. From his student days and growing up under the oppressive apartheid state, Charm developed a political consciousness that found him among the ranks of revolutionary freedom fighters. He was a revolutionary for “all seasons”. In his student days, he was very active in student politics at the then University of Durban-Westville in the late 1970s and sought to organise and conscientise students in the struggle for…

QUICK READ MEDIATION IN DAM DISPUTE SUDAN’S cabinet has backed an initiative for the United Arab Emirates to mediate in a dispute over Sudan’s border with Ethiopia, and over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), the Sudanese information minister said this week. Tensions surrounding the control of farmland on the border have escalated, while talks over the operation of the Gerd, which will affect water volume downstream in the Sudanese portion of the Blue Nile, are deadlocked. | Reuters VACCINE EXPORTS ON HOLD INDIA has put a temporary hold on all major exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s biggest vaccine-maker, to meet domestic demand as Covid-19 infections rise, two sources said. The move also affects supplies to the GAVI/WHO-backed Covax vaccine-sharing facility…

ARBITRATION Excessive social media use costs worker her job ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za SPENDING too much time playing computer games and being on social media at work as well as peeking at her colleagues’ salary information had disastrous consequences for a Cape Town legal secretary. Following a warning, Eilleen Jacobs was dismissed from the law firm Lucas Dysel Crouse. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) earlier found that her dismissal in 2018 was substantively unfair, but procedurally fair. The firm was ordered to pay her nine months’ salary. She had been working there for nine years. The law firm successfully turned to the Labour Court to set aside the arbitration ruling. The Labour Court has now found Jacobs was guilty of looking at a confidential folder containing the salary…

COMMENT Education key to transform communities EDUCATION plays a key role in the development and empowerment of individuals, and the well-being and peace in our communities. Appropriate education and guidance can empower our children to become agents of constructive social change. Our children have a great potential to learn and to serve others. But we need to help them to develop and enhance their potential and capacities. A candle, for example, has the potential to give light. But it does not give light without being lit. It has to be lit in order to shine and illuminate its surroundings. Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baháí Faith, compares human beings to a mine containing many hidden jewels, waiting to be discovered. He says: “Regard man as a mine rich in gems…

 BOXING High noon for SA boxers in Russia HERMAN GIBBS NICK LOURENS SOUTH Africa's unbeaten Lunga Stimela will challenge Tajikistan's Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov for the WBC international super featherweight title tonight in Russia. Yaqubov, also undefeated after 16 bouts, has made five defences of the title he won in 2018. Stimela, who hails from Cape Town, is a former African lightweight champion and is undefeated after 13 bouts. His ring name is 'Pressure Cooker' because of his high work-rate. His promoter Jackie Brice said Stimela is in excellent shape despite being inactive over the last 14 months. "He is superbly fit and probably in the best condition he has ever been," said Brice. "He is not called 'Pressure Cooker' for nothing, and his opponent will know what pressure is from the…

RUGBY Bulls v Lions to open Rainbow Cup, but no European team to SA ASHFAK MOHAMED THE Bulls and Lions will kick off South Africa’s participation in the Rainbow Cup on April 24, but the European teams won’t be travelling to Mzansi during the tournament due to Covid-19. SA Rugby announced the full competition schedule yesterday, which will see the South African teams playing their derbies on home soil in the first three weeks, while the same will apply to the sides from Ireland (Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht), Scotland (Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh), Wales (Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, Dragons and Scarlets) and Italy (Benetton and Zebre). That will see the Bulls hosting the Lions at Loftus Versfeld on April 24, while the Stormers will face the Sharks at Cape Town…

QUICK READ CHRISSY TEIGEN UNVEILS NEW CARE LINE CHRISSY Teigen and Kris Jenner have teamed up on a cleaning and self-care line called Safely. The 35-year-old TV star and the 65-year-old momager have unveiled their new venture which they have partnered with Good American CEO and co-founder Emma Grede on. The collection includes plant-based cleaning products such as hand cream, soap, hand sanitiser and glass cleaner. It launches via the GetSafely.com website. A press release says the line is “dedicated to clean cleaning with natural aromatherapy scents”. Kris added in a post on Instagram: “SAFELY is here! I am so excited @ ChrissyTeigen asked me to join her on this new venture in time for spring. You’re going to love our @getsafely cleaning products! Everything is plant-powered, scented with aromatherapy…

EDITOR’S CHOICE MO’ MONEY! JAY-Z CARD SOLD FOR RECORD AMOUNT JAY-Z has set a record after his autographed trading card sold for more than $105 000 (R1.5 million). The item is believed to be the most expensive non-sports card ever sold, and the rare collector’s item – which was serial numbered 1/1 and graded 9 Mint – sold for $105 780 after Goldin Auctions received 49 bids. The Instagram account for SlabStox Sports Card Trading broke news of the record-breaking sale. The company wrote on the social media site: “This is a public service announcement... a Jay-Z Topps Chrome Supefractor RC Auto 1/1 just sold for $105 780 via @ goldinauctions.” The record comes amid a surge of interest in cards, with the company having had six-figure auctions for cards…

QUICK READ MINI TO GO ALL ELECTRIC MINI has become the latest car brand to announce an all-electric future. The British marque says it intends to offer a fully electric line-up by the early 2030s. But here’s the scary part for fans of traditional, fume-producing cars – Mini says it will launch its last combustion-engined vehicle in 2025, after which all new model introductions will be electric-only. Mini expects battery cars to account for at least half of its sales by 2027. CAMERA PRIVACY ISSUES TESLA’S use of in-car cameras to record and transmit video footage of passengers to develop self-driving technology raises privacy concerns, influential US magazine Consumer Reports said this week. The magazine said it could undermine the safety benefits of driver monitoring. The Chinese mililtary has banned…

ANIMAL CRUELTY China’s hotel with live polar bears slammed TRAVEL REPORTER A HOTEL in China claiming to be the “polar bear hotel” has received much criticism days after opening. The hotel, part of Harbin Polar-land in Heilongjiang, has been fully booked since its opening. However, it has drawn criticism, with many saying “polar bears do not belong in hotels”. Judging by pictures that went viral, all 21 rooms offer 24/7 viewings of the polar bears. The polar bears seem to be housed in a small space. According to Vice, Chinese social media users have slammed the hotel for “cruelty” and exploiting the polar bears for profit. The co-chief executive of wildlife organisation Acres Singapore, Anbarasi Boopal, told the publication: “It’s shocking and heartbreaking to see an enclosure like this, that…

QUICK READ Inflation STATISTICS South Africa reported this week that consumer price inflation had declined from 3.2% year-on-year in January to 2.9% y-o-y in February. Financial group PwC says this is the lowest reading in eight months, and the third time in the past year that inflation fell below the target range of between 3% and 6% set by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). “February’s inflation report continued to reflect a very favourable retail price environment for consumers hard hit by an economic recession,” PwC says. Inflation is expected to rise in the near term, with the SARB predicting an average of 4.5% in the second quarter. Awards THE winners of the South African Listed Tracker Funds Awards (Salta) were announced this week, with Satrix dominating the field. Mike…

RANDS & SENSE Long-term investors need shares in their portfolios KHWEZI JACKSON YOU will hear people talking about “safe” investments versus “risky” ones as if it were a binary choice. It is not quite that simple. Investment risk depends very much on your investment time horizon: for short-term investors (typically less than five years), the risk lies in volatile returns and losing some of their money just before they need it; for long-term investors, the risk lies in earning too low a return and missing their financial goal. A “safe” or low-risk investment is generally an investment that provides an almost guaranteed return with close to no risk that you lose any of your capital (because you make a poor investment, or someone steals your money). Low-risk investments (which usually…

INTEREST RATES AT 25/03/2021 *One-month rate applies to fixed deposits only, not to notice deposits. Senior citizens may qualify for an extra 0.5% at certain banks on 12-month investments. Rates quoted are nominal, not effective. Rates are for interest paid monthly, apply to investments from R50 000 to R100 000, and are correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change. Source: Personal Trust (independent agents for deposit-taking institutions). Telephone 021 689 8975. While all care is taken to ensure that these figures are accurate, Personal Trust cannot accept responsibility for errors at source.…

QUICK READ LIBYA FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron said this week that Paris would reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Monday to show its support for the new authorities. A new national unity government formally took power this week, replacing a failed UN-backed administration and a competing regime in the eastern part of the country. Speaking alongside Mohammed al-Menfi, the head of the Libyan presidency council, pictured above, Macron said France and its European partners would back Libya’s political efforts and called for Turkish and Russian forces to leave the country as soon as possible. | Reuters UNITED STATES US President Joe Biden called for a ban on assault weapons and tighter gun control measures this week as he stepped into the role of grief counsellor for a…

JUSTICE ON MENU Divided ANC begins NEC meeting LOYISO SIDIMBA Loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za THE ANC National Executive Committee began its three-day meeting yesterday with the party caught up in divisions. The meeting comes against the backdrop of former President Jacob Zuma launching an attack on the judiciary, with his supporters backing him and his detractors calling for action. Zuma’s staunchest allies, the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), backed the former head of state over his latest anti-judiciary comments. Zuma yesterday hit back at the country’s judiciary following the Constitutional Court’s hearing of an urgent application by the commission of inquiry into state capture to have him jailed for two years for contempt of court. MKMVA president and ANC MP Kebby Maphatsoe told Independent Media that Zuma’s position was informed by his…

Net is tightening around Boko Haram POLICE have urged Mamelodi residents to continue assisting them if they want to see an end to the reign of terror of the notorious Boko Haram gang. The police announced that they were closing the net on the gang following the recent arrests of two more members believed to be part of Boko Haram. The arrests took place on March 18. According to the police, through a prosecutorial-led investigation, they were able to build a solid preliminary case on which the pair made their first appearance in court on Tuesday. The accused were arrested on charges of robbery, contravening of security legislation, and racketeering, after business people in and around Mamelodi alleged that they were forced to pay monies to the suspects in exchange…

‘Let the dating games begin’ MPILETSO MOTUMI BEFORE Lawrence Maleka’s face became a household acting gem, he stole the hearts of many South Africans as the presenter on a popular choir contest. The actor has now gone back to his presenting roots to host SABC1’s latest dating show Too Hot To Be Single after a four-year presenting hiatus. Too Hot to Be Single is a modern dating game show designed to find a match for people who rate themselves as hot property; using recognisable methods from dating apps and social media. SABC1 brand manager Phuthi Moloto said they were excited to have Maleka join the family. “The show requires a host that is suave, charming, and can think on his feet. Lawrence is the perfect fit for this fun and…

HISTORY Jaffer hopes to inspire through publishing house VAL BOJE val.boje@inl.co.za ACTIVIST, journalist and author Zubeida Jaffer and her daughter Rushka have launched their own publishing house. Named Number10Publishers after the family home in Wynberg, Cape Town, it is a private company that takes ownership of Jaffer’s 40 years of journalism and published works, and will look broadly to support a new national narrative and build confidence among the previously oppressed to share their stories. During the online launch, Rushka said they had developed a business model with the writer at its centre and hoped to inspire others to do the same. Number10 would work to make Jaffer’s legacy available to benefit journalism and encourage South Africans to know the whole story of the country’s brutal past. Jaffer, who has…

PREMIER LEAGUE Plans underway to improve VAR in Premier League REFEREE chiefs are working on an action plan to improve the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Premier League and any changes to the system will be passed on to match officials ahead of the new season, the Times reported yesterday. VAR was brought into the league last season, but it is unpopular with many English top-flight managers following a number of contentious calls, with growing concern about the time to make decisions and the precision with which offsides are judged. Fans also feel it goes far beyond its original remit — to review the most glaring mistakes. The VAR action plan, which follows a survey of managers, captains and sporting directors, will focus on two issues - improving consistency…

Federer: I feel like the story's not over yet AS professional tennis emerges haltingly from the pandemic, tournaments continue to be cancelled, postponed or staged with diminished fields and sparse grandstands, raising questions about when this year's season will reach full swing. The narrative is much the same for 39-year-old Roger Federer as he negotiates his competitive return after being sidelined 13 months by two right knee surgeries amid the sport's coronavirus shutdown. In his first tournament back, the Qatar Open earlier this month in Doha, Federer won his opening-round match and lost the next. The following day, he withdrew from an upcoming tournament in Dubai. Federer's goal for 2021 is to peak at Wimbledon. " I am driven by the belief that I have more to achieve and experience.…

RAINBOW CUP FIXTURES (KICK-OFF TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED) April 24: Bulls v Lions, Stormers v Sharks, Ulster v Connacht, Leinster v Munster, Benetton v Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh v Zebre Rugby Club, Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, Dragons v Scarlets. May 1: Stormers v Bulls, Sharks v Lions May 8: Bulls v Sharks, Lions v Stormers, Connacht v Leinster, Munster v Ulster, Zebre v Benetton, Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh, Cardiff Blues v Dragons, Scarlets v Ospreys May 15: Munster v Connacht, Leinster v Ulster, Benetton v Zebre, Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors, Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, Dragons v Ospreys Round 4: Weekend of May 29 Round 5: Weekend of June 5 Round 6: Weekend of June 12 Final: Weekend of June 19…

TV GUIDE TODAY Cricket: CSA 4Day Domestic Series, Final: Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Momentum Multiply Titans, Day 3, 9.45am, CRI Cycling: Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, Stage 6: Tarragona-Mataro (193.9km), 4.15pm, VR1 Golf: LPGA Tour: Kia Classic, Day 2, 12 mid-night, VR1; Sunshine Tour: Serengeti Pro-Am Invitational, Day 4, GOL; PGA Tour: WGC Dell Technologies Matchplay, Day 4, 4pm, GOL; PGA Tour: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Day 3, 8pm, VR1 Motorsport: MotoGP: Grand Prix Qatar, Qualifying, 6.20pm, VR1; FIA Formula 2 Championship, Round 1: Race 1, 12.15pm, MSP; Race 2, 6.30pm, MSP; Formula 1: Bahrain Grand Prix, Practice 3, 1.45pm, SSM, MSP; Qualifying, 4pm, MSP, SSM (4.55pm) Netball: SPAR Challenge International Series: South Africa Under-21 v Uganda, 3.45pm, VR4; South Africa v Namibia, 5.45pm, VR4 Rugby: Aotearoa: Chiefs v Blues,…

TELEVISION Modern-day women’s emancipation saga DEBASHINE THANGEVELO debashine.thangevelo@inl.co.za Netflix WHEN it comes to pushing the envelope beyond the family-friendly fare Bollywood is celebrated for, Bombay Begums does so in leaps and bounds. This six-part character-driven series has a powerful narrative that shines a spotlight on feminism in the face of patriarchy. It also tackles pertinent issues such as corruption, gender-based violence, infidelity and sexual orientation, too. While critics in India are having a field day slating the series over its subject matter and even execution, I salute the makers and cast for delivering a series that holds a mirror up to the pervading antiquated societal values as well as hypocrisy in society. And Pooja Bhatt, who returned to acting last year, delivers a performance par excellence. Set in Mumbai, this…

FASHION Nigerian fabrics hit the luxury market WEAVING contemporary designs into a traditional West African fabric, Nigerian Tsemaye Binitie is creating fashion he hopes can also bridge the gap between luxury and the everyday. His material of choice is aso-oke, a hand-woven cloth indigenous to the Yoruba people and historically used on special occasions. Binitie, who cut his teeth as a design assistant with Stella McCartney in 2005, began using the fabric in 2017, and he infuses the yellow dresses that are his signature creations with cottons and silks to give them a post-modern feel. “We started to use contemporary African art and culture within the threads of the collection so you see hints of it or very obvious (signs),” said Binitie, who divides his time between Lagos and London.…

QUICK READ POWER FORD SA and Neil Woolridge Motorsport have teamed up to create an all-new FIA-spec Ranger for the SA Cross Country Series. Powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 and featuring advanced BOS suspension, the brutish new racing bakkies will be driven by two-time Class T champion Lance Woolridge, paired with Elvéne Vonk, as well as regular front-runner Gareth Woolridge, with Boyd Dreyer. Ford SA is also backing a new development and empowerment team, with NWM delivery driver Wiseman Gumede and navigator Fanifani Meyiwa competing in a Class T V8 Ranger. | IOL MUSTANG PERFORMANCE Centre says it expects to welcome the first 2021 Roush Mustangs to its Pretoria showroom in the second quarter, with pricing set to be announced upon arrival. As we have come to expect from…

All the show but what about the go? PRITESH RUTHUN THESE days, when a manufacturer makes an effort to bolt electric motors and batteries to its cars, you can rest assured that you’re in for a treat. Particularly in terms of performance, the latest hybrids (from Mercedes, Volvo and Maserati, for example) you can buy in South Africa offer acceleration that you’d normally only experience in hot hatches and sports cars. That’s not the case with the latest Lexus IS. Launched in 1999 for the global market, the Lexus IS has carved a niche following for itself. It brought a refreshing new take on performance motoring to the D-sedan segment, one that had been dominated by German driving machines. The original IS offered brilliant handling, with smooth-revving engines that loved…

FESTIVITIES 5 cool things to do at Spier this Easter weekend ALYSSIA BIRJALAL SPIER Wine Farm is the perfect backdrop for your Easter festivities. From Easter egg hunts for the kids, family picnics to chocolate tasting and pop-up braais, Spier has a variety of exciting offerings this Easter. Here are 5 cool things to do at Spier this Easter weekend: 1 A leisurely Easter Sunday feast Families can enjoy a freshly prepared three-course lunch on the terrace while the Supernova band and the tinkling Eerste River serenade them. Meals begin with gourmet salads and freshly baked bread before you feast on mains. These include slow-braised brisket, roasted leg of lamb, smoked ocean trout, a cheesy butternut pasta bake, bacon-flecked charred broccoli and aubergine and tomato melanzane. The Spier wine-tasting station…

PLANNING CONVERSATIONS The impact of Covid-19 on financial advice ANNA RICH ALTHOUGH Covid-19 has made it more challenging for financial advisers and their clients to maintain their relationships, it is important to make the effort. This is the view of Roland Gräbe, head of Old Mutual Wealth Tailored Fund Portfolios, who says that although clients might have had “vaguely connected negative news”, such as the initial market response to the pandemic on their own investments, they didn’t have a concrete idea of the extent. “So when advisers updated clients on poor investment performance, this came as a shock to most of them. And that threatens trust,” he says. “The thought process that it sparked is this: if my investments are not performing, does it mean my adviser isn’t any…

FINANCIAL DATA ONLINE • For the current financial market indicators, go to www.iol.co.za/business-report/market-indicators • For daily unit trust and ETF prices and NAV-to-NAV* performance, go to www.fundsdata.co.za/navs • For the latest quarterly unit trust and ETF total-return* performance, go to www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/ > Invest > Collective Investments and click on “Collective Investment Scheme Performance over 30 Years” • To look up the performance of a particular unit trust fund or ETF, go to www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/fund-look-up * Total-return data shows performance when dividend income is reinvested, whereas net asset value (NAV) data records only the difference in the asset price. All data is provided by ProfileData.…

QUICK READ ‘CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY’ IF WE use Madiba’s haunting lament as a yardstick that “freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression”, then women, are far from free! Gender-based violence and Femicide (GBVF) is a violation of human rights. Millions of women continue to be brutalised. Perhaps it’s time to enshrine GBVF as a crime against humanity through an international convention, writes Mushtak Parker. See http://bit.ly/IOLGBVFrights POLICE KILLINGS CONTINUE SIXTY-ONE years after Sharpeville, the list of police killings is getting longer and longer in South Africa. This week the family of Mthokozisi Ntumba had to bury their son who died tragically in Braamfontein recently, at the hands of the police. According to political analyst Dr Metji Makgoba, the killing of black people is…

THE SEISMIC IMPACT OF CELEBRITY DOCUMENTARIES EMILY YAHR FILM-MAKERS Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering knew their documentary series Allen v Farrow would generate a lot of headlines, given that it’s a deep dive into one of the most-discussed Hollywood controversies of all time: the custody battle between actress Mia Farrow and director Woody Allen, and his daughter Dylan Farrow’s allegation that he sexually abused her as a child. But even they didn’t predict the “seismic” response they received once the episodes started airing weekly on HBO. They heard from lawmakers glad to see the film highlighting “parental alienation”, a dubious and sometimes dangerous defence in court that is typically when a father accuses a mother of turning a child against them – a strategy used by Allen’s legal team and…