Innholdsfortegnelse for Saturday, April 24, 2021 i Pretoria News Weekend

SUBMISSIONS Take extra care with children’s RAF claims ZELDA VENTER THE CENTRE for Child Law is of the view that in cases where the Road Accident Fund (RAF) reached agreements with lawyers to pay claims towards the maintenance of children, checks and balances should be in place. Lawyer Morgan Courtenay argued on behalf of the centre the court should be provided with evidence as to whether the remaining caregiver or parent has the ability to manage the money on behalf of the children or whether the money should rather be kept in a trust to ensure that the children are taken care of. The centre recently made submissions as a friend of the court in two matters which came under the spotlight in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.…

AWARDS SA writer Deon Meyer honoured by France Embassy VAL BOJE THE Embassy of France has honoured prolific South African writer Deon Meyer for his contribution to the arts and literature in France. Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier bestowed the award of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron at an event in Stellenbosch. Meyer has published 15 novels and three collections of short stories. His work has been translated into many languages and is available in more than 40 countries with two books made into international TV series. Meyer has written screenplays and produced and directed films, receiving numerous awards over the years. He is a friend of France and the country is reflected in some of his books, said Lechevallier. A part of his latest…

COMMENT The true value of having good friendships WE OFTEN reflect on how to have genuine friendships, the kind that last and do not end after a couple of arguments. We also wonder whether we can trust people of other backgrounds enough to become their friends. True and lasting friendships must be all-embracing and founded on sincerity and trust. They should be based on a strong spiritual bond, rather than physical and material attractions. The Baháí Writings state: “Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only”, and “Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path”. In order to create a better world, many patterns of behaviour that characterise our world need to be re-examined.…

ISLAM App allows worshippers to stay connected JANINE MOODLEY FARHAD Omar, an app developer, has come up with a solution to ensure people stay connected to their local mosques, while still complying with lockdown regulations. Omar, of Durban, has created a free online tool named Smart Bilal. The app gives users live-stream access and notifications to Islamic sermons or lectures from any mosque in the country.Since its inception, the app has garnered more than 34 000 users in about 173 countries, including Botswana, New Zealand, the UK, Australia, India and the US. Omar said he came up with the idea shortly after South Africa entered into a hard lockdown last year. “It was a difficult time for all of us. We found ourselves isolated at a time when we needed…

REGULATION Public servants perform other remunerative work MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA THOUSANDS of public servants have been performing remunerative work outside their normal public service over the past seven years. This emerged from responses from 18 ministers when they were responding to parliamentary questions from DA MPs. The ministers revealed that nearly 5 000 employees have undertaken remunerative work outside their normal government duties. There were more than 5 000 that made requests to perform the extra work with more than 50 applications rejected. However, more than 200 did not obtain authorisation. The public service regulations make it an offence for a civil servant to perform remunerative work outside his or her official employment. All employees are expected to obtain written approval before engaging in such other remunerative work, which may include…

OLYMPICS ’IOC can’t stop athletes taking a knee in Tokyo’ BRITAIN’S Olympic track cycling gold medallist Callum Skinner said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would not be able to stop athletes protesting during this year's Tokyo Games. IOC Rule 50 forbids any kind of "demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" in venues and any other Olympic area. On Wednesday, the Games body concluded the rule should be maintained following a consultation process that started in June 2020 and involved over 3500 athletes. IOC Athletes' Commission chief Kirsty Coventry, who led the review of Rule 50, said the majority of athletes they spoke to in the consultation process supported it. Against the backdrop of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement protesting racial injustice, however, there have been growing calls for a…

COMMENT Ryan Mason is clearly a name to watch ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za AT the age of 29, Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason became the youngest manager in Premier League history, and did so in style by leading the Lilywhites to a 2-1 Premier League win over Southampton last Wednesday. Mason’s rise to the Spurs throne has been interesting, especially as he is younger than some of the players in his squad and a product of the Lilywhites youth development system. A midfielder in his playing days, Mason had a modest professional career though it was far from extraordinary. After graduating to the Spurs first-team in 2008, he spent the majority of his playing career with his boyhood club. However, much of it was spent out on loan before he spent…

Shining Simelane MORGAN BOLTON CHRISTIAAN KOTZE BackpagePix IT feels like this is the season, this is the year, this is the time that Wandisile Simelane will finally achieve his greatest transformation – yes, the stage is set for the young wing to finally go – and excuse the analogy – Super Saiyan. Simelane had an excellent season during Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup and was honestly one of the standout performers for the Lions in their run to the semi-finals of a disrupted domestic campaign. Previously, he had been on the fringes of selection at the Lions, playing here and there, but always second fiddle to more experienced players. Up until last season, he had played only in a handful of Super Rugby matches, but he can no…

C O M M E N T This fiasco has carried on for too long STUART HESS stuart.hess@inl.co.za FARHAAN Behardien tweeted the following yesterday afternoon: “The decisions of 8 people has potentially cost 100’s if not 1000’s of people their jobs within cricket in our country. From ground staff, coaches, administrators, cleaners, security and the players. I am shocked, perplexed, angry, all of the emotions!!” Behardien has been among the most criticised players to have donned a Proteas shirt. He batted in a very unenviable spot in the limited overs teams – the ‘finisher’. It’s a position where the margins are fine, where the difference between being a hero and a villain is very narrow. Behardien accepted the torrent of criticism that came his way, with enormous grace. He never…

LUXURY Why lotus silk is among the most expensive fabrics THOBILE MAZIBUKO thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za THE lotus flower is symbolic in several cultures, especially those entrenched in eastern religion. It’s also a symbol of pride in Asia. Beyond it being synonymous with purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth, the lotus seeds are known for their medicinal value and have been used by the culinary world, too. But its uses don’t end there. The fashion industry has also found ways to make use of Vietnam’s national flower. By using the thread found in the stem, they’ve created one of the rarest fabrics in the world – lotus silk. Now this development, while incorporated by fashion designers of today, has been around for some time and is synonymous with the history of Myanmar. In fact,…

QUICK READ X-TRAIL ALTHOUGH its Rogue-badged equivalent was launched in the US last year, the X-Trail model is taking its sweet time to reach international markets. But now we have something resembling a timeline, with Nissan’s European division releasing the first official picture of the new-generation X-Trail. Although we’re only seeing it from the front for now, it does look identical to the Rogue from this angle so it’s probably safe to assume that the same applies to the rest of the vehicle. Nissan SA tells us that it is also looking set to hit our shores next year. FUTURE TOYOTA is planning to introduce 15 electric vehicles globally by 2025, bringing the Japanese carmaker a step closer to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. The bZ4X Concept, revealed at the…

QUICK READ Inflation STATISTICS South Africa reported that consumer price inflation increased from 2.9% year-on-year in February to 3.2% y-o-y last month. PwC Strategy& says this is slightly below expectations (3.3%) and continues to reflect a favourable retail price environment for consumers. The biggest driver of inflation in March was increased prices in the transport category: petrol and diesel cost 65 cents and 56c per litre more from March 3, and there was a 4.5% y-o-y increase in public transport costs. The SA Reserve Bank has warned that the next change in interest rates would be upward. PwC believes this is unlikely until early next year. Payments NEDBANK, in collaboration with Mastercard and Ukheshe, has launched Money Message, a new payment platform that lets small and microbusinesses conveniently receive secure…

WORDS ON WEALTH Old Mutual launches ESG rating system for unit trust funds MARTIN HESSE ESG INVESTING – focusing on environmental, social and governance criteria – is gaining momentum worldwide, with huge implications for how companies, and even governments, operate. As I have mentioned before in writing on ESG, the movement is especially strong among younger investors, who tend to blame their parents’ generation for global warming, environmental destruction and the alarming rise of inequality in developed nations. Over and above the moral incentive, there is convincing evidence that investing in sustainable, environmentally friendly, socially responsible companies gives you better long-term returns than investing in companies that have low ESG scores. The financial services industry is at the centre of the ESG movement, and when some of the world’s biggest…

27 YEARS INTO DEMOCRACY: SA LAGS BEHIND OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES Women’s struggle for highest office NONI MOKATI noni.mokati@inl.co.za IN 2005, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was sworn in as South Africa’s first female deputy president post-1994 – a position she would hold until 2007 when the ANC, at its national elective conference in Polokwane elected new leaders. A year later, former National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete served in the same position for several months under then-president Kgalema Motlanthe. Former Free State premier and communications minister, the late Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, also had a temporary stint where she was announced as acting president in 2005 for a few months when then-president Thabo Mbeki was travelling abroad. For South African female politicians, that era signalled new opportunities. It meant they could take up bigger and better…

OSCARS FINALLY SHOW WOMEN R.E.S.P.E SOME .C.T NELANDRI NARIANAN ‘NO, I’M not homeless. I’m just houseless. Not the same thing, right?” Poignant words by the protagonist of Nomadland, the film – up for an Oscar tomorrow night – that shook a dying cinematic world awake this year. Frances McDormand, also up for the best actress award, says those words as Fern, a barbed 60-something widow from Empire, a town devastated by the closure of its mining operations as a result of the Great Recession. She packs up her van and travels the US Midwest as a modern-day nomad. This is Fern’s powerful response to a concerned girl who said to her: “My mom says that you are homeless. Is that true?” Picking up gigs as she moves around, Fern experiences…

POLICE SHOOTING SA protesters demand justice for Myeni ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za JACQUES NAUDE African News Agency (ANA) SOUTH Africans want justice for Lindani Myeni and won’t be silenced, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) vowed yesterday. The members of the group were picketing outside the US Embassy in Pretoria. The were holding placards with messages such as “Black Lives Matter”, “Justice for Lindani, “Justice for the World” and “Hawaii Police Department must release all body cam footage, unedited”. ANCYL spokesperson Sizophila Mkhize said: “We came to the US Embassy because we feel justice has not been served in the case of Lindani Myeni who was brutally killed by police in the United States. “We believe the footage which has been released is edited and not showing what truly happened.” The ANCYL…

COMPLAINTS Pretoria Zoo says concerns are unfounded GOITSEMANG TLHABYE goitsemang.tlhabye@inl.co.za THE NATIONAL Zoological Garden, known as Pretoria Zoo, has assured the public that its facilities are receiving attention. The assurance followed a social media post showing empty pens, some with dirty water, and worn-out benches, alleging that the animals did not have clean water. Zebras and rhinoceros had been placed in one enclosure. It was also claimed that there were very few animals that could be spotted for viewing and that there was only one elephant and a monkey, with no bears or lions seen. Others complained that the state of the zoo had been deteriorating for a few years and that it was, in fact, on its last leg. However, zoo spokesperson Craig Allenby dispelled some of the visitor…

#CHOOSEDAY Talks with Dr SAKHILE NDLAZI MISS Supranational South Africa 2020 Thato Mosehle had a fruitful week following the launch of her weekly #ChooseDay Talks with Dr Thato, an online show. Mosehle – who last month completed her medical internship and has been working as a front-line worker during the Covid-19 pandemic – will be taking part in the Miss Supranational pageant in Poland from August 20 to 22, the first person under the official Miss South Africa organisation banner to do so. With #ChooseDay Talks with Dr Thato, Mosehle wants to help people understand the basics of how their bodies work, and what they can do to help keep healthy. She will use these informal online chats to dispel medical myths, while shining a light on diseases and how…

BRAGGING RIGHTS 60 years on, Russia recalls space race achievements VAL BOJE val.boje@inl.co.za SOME 60 years ago this month, Yuri Gagarin – a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut – became the first person to journey into outer space, a milestone in the Cold War space race. His capsule, Voskhod 1, completed an orbit of Earth on April 12, 1961, making him a Hero of the Soviet Union and an international celebrity who brought enormous prestige to the Soviet space programme by beating the first Nasa astronaut into space by a month and American John Glenn’s first orbit by 10 months. Alexander Arefiev, press attaché to the Russian embassy in Pretoria, tells the story that Gagarin was a short man and when, during his pilot training, he failed to land a trainer…

Ruling reserved on Sars ‘rogue unit’ LOYISO SIDIMBA PUBLIC Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and the EFF want the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to have the last word on her report into the so-called SA Revenue Service (Sars) rogue unit. Mkhwebane and the country’s third-largest political party took their challenge to the North Gauteng High Court judgment that reviewed and set aside her July 2019 report. In December last year, a full bench of the high court – Judges Selby Baqwa, Leonie Windell and Annali Basson – declared Mkhwebane’s report unlawful, as well as her decision to entertain the complaints. The Public Protector was ordered to personally pay 15% of the legal costs of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, former acting Sars commissioner Ivan Pillay and another ex-Sars boss, Oupa Magashula.…

VERDICT Sacked premier’s spokesperson dismissal now official MASHUDU SADIKE SACKED Limpopo government spin doctor Phuthi Seloba has failed in his bid to be reinstated in his job, the General Public Sector Bargaining Council said this week. In the arbitration award document, presiding commissioner Seth Mavhungu dismissed Seloba’s appeal to be allowed back to his position as director of communication in the office of the premier. He said: “I find that the dismissal of the applicant was procedurally and substantively fair. On that premise, I make the order that the case of the appeal against the respondent (Seloba) is dismissed.” Seloba was sacked in March last year, for leaking “sensitive information” about Premier Stan Mathabatha to the opposition party. Seloba was suspended and a disciplinary hearing was instituted against him, where…

CRICKET Padikkal a great talent, says Kohli DEVDUTT Padikkal seems to have impressed two of the most important figures in Indian cricket after the opener's whirlwind century powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to their fourth successive win in the Indian Premier League on Thursday. Virat Kohli, captain of both India and Bangalore, and national coach Ravi Shastri were blown away by the lanky opener as he stroked an unbeaten 101 off 52 balls to fire his side to a 10-wicket victory against former champions Rajasthan Royals. The left-hander dominated his unbeaten 181-run stand with Kohli, who made 72 not out and marvelled at the "outstanding innings" of his opening partner. "The pitch was great to bat on but he did pick the right areas to hit and once he got going…

SOCCER Arsenal owners have no plans to sell after backlash ARSENAL’S owners do not plan to sell the Premier League club despite the intense backlash following their involvement in the breakaway European Super League, director Josh Kroenke said. Arsenal were one of six English clubs who signed up for the project before withdrawing amid a storm of protest from fans, players and the British government, alongside threats of bans and sanctions from the game's European and world governing bodies. Kroenke, whose father Stan Kroenke struck a deal to take full control of Arsenal in 2018, said they had "no intention of selling" and that they believed they were fit to "carry on in our position as custodians" of the club. "I might be met with mistrust and scepticism, but over…

SOCCER Redemption on the table for Chiefs, Sundowns MIHLALI BALEKA @MIHLALIBALEKA THE two rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, might be sitting on either end of the DStv Premiership standings ahead of their clash in Hatfield tomorrow, but they’ll be hoping to restore some redemption after a difficult week. With this match, arguably one of the biggest fixtures in the local footballing calendar, Sundowns and Chiefs would have been expected to be battling it out for a superior spot on the log standings given their stature in the top-flight. But far from it. In fact, it’s been Sundowns who have been among the title chasers in the last five seasons. Currently they lead the pile with 47 points after an unbeaten run of 21 league matches this season, while Chiefs…

YOUR STARS Barbara Kiselev If today is your birthday: All you need this new year is a belief yourself. The rest will follow. So you can look forward to a good time, good friends, good outcomes. So take the good with the bad, you can do more, and you will. Aries (21 March-20 April) Wow! What a week! You’re getting it all right. Everything is going your way. But then it all turns. So approach with caution, and maybe you can come through in one piece. Of course you thrive on adversity. So, no problem. Taurus (21 April-21 May) It’s all there for you, just need to take the first step. Risk everything, leave nothing to chance. Change the paradigm, change the game. You’re never going to survive unless you…

CELEBRITIES Jason Momoa’s birthday surprise for The Rock’s daughter BANG SHOWBIZ JASON Momoa surprised Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s daughter Tiana for her birthday. The Rock enlisted the help of the Aquaman star to surprise Tiana with a personalised message to mark her third birthday recently. Johnson – who shares Tiana and Jasmine, 5, with wife Lauren Hashian, filmed his daughter’s “priceless” reaction to the clip and uploaded it to Instagram. Momoa says in the video: “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there but I love you and tell your papa that I love him too. “I’ll see you soon, happy 3rd birthday. Bye Jazzy, bye Tia, love you.” The Rock captioned the clip: “I had to make the call ... it’s what daddys do. “I can’t thank my brother @prideofgypsies enough…

EDITOR’S CHOICE 5 influencers to follow on BookTok NOSIPHO NYIDE BOOKTOK, a subcategory on the video-sharing app, TikTok, has helped reignite people’s love for literature. Yesterday was World Book Day and there isn’t a better time to hop on to this side of TikTok and find new reads. Here are five book influencers that will help you fall in love with reading and find books that you will enjoy. Moon Girl Reads (Selene) All readers who enjoy young adult novels will feel at home on Selene’s TikTok as she posts recommendations frequently and includes plenty of videos focusing on inclusive books. The Ones About Books Perfect for those currently struggling with getting their flow when it comes to reading. @the.ones.about. books will offer tips and tricks to help you…

PREMIUM ITALIAN CARMAKER GOING FOR THE BATTERY Maserati’s new Levante Hybrid confirmed for SA JASON WOOSEY FOLLOWING in the footsteps of the Ghibli Hybrid that was announced last year, Maserati has revealed the Hybrid version of the Levante SUV. Like its Ghibli sibling, the Levante Hybrid has been confirmed for South Africa, although final timing has yet to be released. Despite their names, these new models are actually “mild hybrids” but they do help to kickstart the Italian premium carmaker’s electrification plans. Fully electric cars are also in the pipeline, starting with the replacements for the GranTurismo and Gran-Cabrio, which are due later this year. The Levante Hybrid follows the same recipe as the Ghibli, with power coming from a 2-litre, four-cylinder direct injection turbopetrol engine that’s paired with a…

SPLASH OUT 3 underwater hotel experiences to add to your post-pandemic travel list CLINTON MOODLEY OCEAN lover? Here are three extravagant underwater hotel experiences that will allow you to marvel at marine life without disturbing it: The Underwater Room, Manta Resort, Pemba Island, Tanzania This is a three-level accommodation venue hidden 250m from shore. The Swedish-engineered floating structure lies in what the resort describes as the “blue hole”, home to an abundance of marine life. Guests who book the underwater room will embark on a short boat ride there. They are shown the ins and outs of their private floating island and given a kayak, snorkel and fins to enjoy at leisure. There’s a lounge area, bathroom facilities and a soft double bed, surrounded by glass with views of octopuses…

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED THIS FEATURE IS SPONSORED BY PSG WEALTH Email your queries to martin.hesse@inl.co.za or fax them to 021 488 4119 Important aspects of estate planning What is the most important aspect of estate planning for my wife and children? Name withheld Gerhardt Meyer, a financial adviser and the head of technical support at PSG Wealth, responds: Consideration should be given to the maintenance of your spouse, adequately providing for your children, and the overall liquidity of your estate to ensure that your wishes can be carried out as intended. If you have minor children, it is important to protect their inheritance to avoid it being held by the Guardian’s Fund until they reach the age of majority, if you and your spouse pass away at the same time.…

QUICK READ ZUMA DUMPS HIS LAWYERS FORMER president Jacob Zuma has dumped his legal team, opting to face his corruption trial and other legal challenges on his own. The split affects advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC, his instructing and attorney of records, Eric Mabuza, advocate Thabani Masuku SC, advocate Mpilo Sikhakhane and Rudolph Baloyi. The lawyers have been on Zuma’s side since 2018. The decision was reportedly communicated to the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday through a letter sent from Mabuza’s law firm. | Political Bureau IS JUDGE BEING PUNISHED? A “JUDICIAL scoundrel”, a “blight to the judiciary”, “an embarrassment”, “dishonest” and “incompetent”. These demeaning and neurotic expletives have been used by some public commentators to describe Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe. He is among the few jurists to publicly…

MAKING AMENDS Free surgeries or jail sentence for tax evader ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za THE CASE of a doctor who had to perform 12 operations for free because he failed to submit his tax returns has provided the opportunity for taxpayers in the wrong to make amends to society in a fitting manner. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), non-taxpaying citizens harm the poorest in society. “This sentence allowed the doctor to give back to the community which he had deprived,” said NPA spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila. Dr Nisar Ahmed Moosa, 71, was ordered by the Specialised Tax Unit in the Western Cape to perform the 12 operations on selected patients from Groote Schuur Hospital as part of his diversion programme. Failure to do so would have…

IOL.CO.ZA JOINTS FOR JOBS New Yorkers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 were able to get an unlikely freebie: a marijuana joint. Activists celebrating the recent legalization of recreational pot in New York state handed out free doobies in Manhattan to anyone with proof they had received at least one vaccine shot. “This is the first time we can sit around and legally hand people joints,” said Michael O’Malley, one of the organizers of the “Joints for Jabs” giveaway in Union Square. “We’re supporting the federal effort to roll out vaccinations. And we’re also trying to get them to federally legalize weed,” he said. Organizers chose April 20 as the date as a way to mark 4/20, an annual day of celebration amongst cannabis fans. AFP…

SOCIAL MEDIA Nothing gets Lamiez down SAKHILE NDLAZI sakhile.ndlazi@inl.co.za Facebook JUST as no one will tell her what to play during a gig, how to style her hair or tattoos she is allowed to have, body shaming is the last thing that is going to deter DJ Lamiez Holworthy. Critics have been poking fun at her weight gain on social media, while throwing cheap shots at her knees and thighs. Some have even gone as far as calling her “Senatla”, a Sotho word for strong and masculine. But for the Pretoria-born star it is nothing new. Holworthy, 28, opened up about dealing with colourism, saying she grew up around people who made her feel like there was something wrong with her dark skin. “I was the darkest among…

ENTERTAINMENT Kgomotso ventures from reality to business MPILETSO MOTUMI mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za KGOMOTSO Ndungane isn’t surprised that the reality show she was on has been quite the hit with fans. The Real Housewives of Durban on Showmax has been a series that had viewers glued to their seats every week. Featuring housewives and businesswomen from different parts of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, the show highlighted their ventures, lifestyles and drama. Ndungane was one of the more talked-about housewives during the first few episodes of the show, as fans were getting to know the characters. “I think there was an expectation that the show would be very big. The production company is really excellent and, by the time they got the slot on Showmax, it showed that they had done an amazing job. It’s always so…

COSMETIC Botox: smile without a frown ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za DESPITE its multitude of references in pop culture, Botox injections do more than keep ageing at bay. While Botox does primarily reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, it also treats a myriad of other conditions and can uplift the self-esteem of its recipient,. This is according to Joha-Nel van Zyl, founder of Eximia Belle, an aesthetic boutique clinic in Waterkloof, Pretoria. “Mainstream media make Botox seem like it’s only for people who fear showing the signs of ageing. And while this may be true in some instances, what is seldom touched on are the other benefits Botox offers, such as treating conditions like neck spasms, excessive sweating, a lazy eye, and relieving twitching of muscles around the eye. “Botox…

SOCIAL MEDIA Empowering people to act against cyberbulling NTANDO MAKHUBU ntando.makhubu@inl.co.za EMPOWERING adults on the front-line as well as children to act against cyberbulling was the ultimate solution towards eradicating the scourge. This emerged from a discussion hosted by the Government Communication Information System in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the National Press Club in Pretoria yesterday. Speakers explained that while cyberbullying took a slightly different form to that which is manifested on social media, it was an extension of bullying. “It needs to be viewed in the wider context of violence,” UN Children’s Fund’s deputy representative in South Africa Muriel Mafico said. She emphasised the psychological impact of cyberbullying was wide ranging and stemmed from violence, as one in three children admitted to having…

SPORTS SA cricket on the brink of collapse STUART HESS SOUTH African cricket is on the brink of collapse following Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s decision to invoke Section 13 of the National Sports and Recreation Act. Doing so, will remove recognition of Cricket South Africa (CSA) as the ruling authority for cricket in the country and also halt government funding of the organisation. Because the latter figure is relatively small – understood to be in the region of R500 000 – that sanction won’t hurt CSA. However removing recognition, could do real damage to the organisation and the sport in general. It will mean the Proteas won’t be recognised as the representative team of South Africa, and the knock-on effects of that could lead to sponsors withdrawing, which would…

TV GUIDE SATURDAY 24 APRIL  Boxing: IBF Elimination Junior-flyweight: Sivenathi Nontshinga v Christian Araneta (12 Rounds), 6pm, VR4 Cricket: Test Series: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, First Test, Day 4, 6.15pm, CRI; Indian Premier League T20: Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders, 3.50pm, CRI Golf: LPGA Tour: Hugel-Air Premia LA Open, Day 3, 12.30am, GOL; Sunshine Tour: Limpopo Championship, Day 3, 12 noon, GOL; European Tour: Gran Canaria Open, Day 3, 2.30pm, ACT; PGA Tour: Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Day 3, 7pm, GOL Motorsport: FIA Formula E Championship, Qualifying Round 5: Valencia, 10.45am, MSP; FIA Formula E Championship, Round 5: Valencia, 2.30pm, MSP; FIA Formula E Championship Wrap, Round 5: Valencia, 4pm, MSP; IndyCar Series: Streets of St Petersburg, Qualifying, 8.30pm, MSP Rugby: Rugby Australia: Waratahs v Rebels, 11.40am, RUG;…

CRICKET Jansen can flourish in the IPL, says Parnell ZAAHIER ADAMS PROTEAS all-rounder Wayne Parnell believes Indian Premier League rookie Marco Jansen is “in good hands with all those cricket brains at Mumbai Indians”. Parnell, 31, speaking exclusively on the IOL Sports Show, has played 111 international matches for the Proteas across formats. He also began his IPL career as a 20-year-old just like Jansen has done this season. Picked up initially at the 2010 IPL auction by the Delhi Daredevils for $610 000 on the basis of his spectacular form shown at the preceding ICC T20 World Cup in England, Parnell spent five seasons in IPL playing for various teams. Jansen, though, is even less experienced as the beanpole left-arm seam bowler has played precious little domestic franchise cricket…

QUICK READ ‘AIR-CONDITIONING GIVES ME WRINKLES’ NAOMI Campbell refuses to sleep in air-conditioned rooms because she thinks they give her “wrinkles”. The 50-year-old model is convinced the cooling systems can cause unflattering lines to appear on her face while she sleeps so she always makes sure it’s switched off when she goes to bed. During a tour of her luxury villa in Malindi, Kenya, Naomi explained: “I just love this room, it’s just chilled. We have air conditioning. I don’t personally sleep in air conditioning. I don’t like it, it gives wrinkles, I believe.” Naomi also revealed she’s a big advocate of hydrotherapy treatments. She shared: “So this is hydrotherapy. You’re getting like the bath for like 30 minutes. And then after they wrap you, they cover you with mud…

TRENDS Pop the bubbly, posh picnics are in SACHA VAN NIEKERK sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za HEAD to the hilltops, beach or a lush garden for a day of picnicking – no special occasion necessary. From checked blankets spread over manicured lawns to foraged flowers, pitchers of icy pink lemonade, and a feast of artisanal breads, charcuterie and fruits – people have been setting up the most gorgeous picnics. Seen all over social media in the past few weeks, the whole aesthetic is so enchanting, you’ll want to message the group chat to plan your very own. The rise in posh picnics could be attributed to the video sharing app, TikTok. Gen-Z have coined the term “cottagecore”, which encompasses a very whimsical, fairytale style of dress, interior design and even lifestyle habits. The aesthetic…

CONSUMER Amazon to cut real-world hairstyle data AMAZON is opening a hair salon in London, its latest push from online to brick-and-mortar – and a move that allows it to collect more real-world consumer data in the meantime. The e-commerce giant is opening a new tech-heavy hair salon in partnership with a prominent UK stylist. The salon will include tablets at every chair, a screen to virtually “try on” hair colours and a station to display information about different products when a customer physically points at them, Amazon said. The salon is only open to employees to start – a traditional Amazon strategy. This endeavour is a bit “baffling”, said Sucharita Kodali, a principal analyst at Forrester. Hair styling is highly personal – not Amazon’s strength, she said. And artisan…

QUICK READ NEW ELECTRIC MERC SUV FOLLOWING hot on the heels of the EQS flagship sedan that was unveiled last week, Mercedes-Benz has pulled the covers off yet another electric car and this one slots in at the lower end of the range. As its name implies, the GLB is closely related to the current combustion engined GLB compact SUV. The GLB seen here is a China-specific flagship version in AMG Line trim and with 215 kW on tap. Several derivatives are likely to be offered. | IOL Motoring MAGNITE HERE SOON NISSAN has entered South Africa’s budget crossover segment with its much-anticipated Magnite and it’s set to go up against the likes of Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza and its Toyota Urban Cruiser sibling. Pricing for the Magnite starts at R256…

How to create a travel bucket list in 5 easy steps CLINTON MOODLEY Pexels BUCKET lists offer many benefits: they keep you motivated, take you out of your comfort zone and allow you to dream bigger. Here’s how you can create a bucket list in five easy steps: 1 Be realistic  When I created my bucket list at the age of 21, it was unrealistic and unachievable at the time. I was an intern at a community newspaper, so funds wouldn’t allow me to travel very far. I wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, snap a selfie at the Statue of Liberty in New York and eat pizza in Italy. I ended up tweaking the list and focused on places that catered to my budget. While I saved…

RANDS & SENSE Seven keys to investing successfully for retirement KHWEZI JACKSON YOUR early working years can be hectic, with long days spent navigating a fast-changing world, and your partner, perhaps even a young family, placing multiple demands on you. How are you supposed to plan for the long term, choose an investment portfolio, select a retirement provider, and so on? Well, from one over-stretched worker to another, stop panicking and listen up. Planning for a dignified retirement is simpler than you think. It used to be the norm for companies to provide pension funds for their employees. It was also usually compulsory for employees to join the employer’s fund. These days, fewer companies offer employees this “perk”, so the responsibility of saving for retirement tends to fall on the…

QUICK READ Elections PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa announced this week that democratic South Africa’s sixth local government elections would take place on October 27. The elections which will see millions of South Africans elect officials to run their cities and towns. The announcement comes amid a calls for the elections to be postponed over fears that they could become a Covid-19 superspreader. Last week, Ramaphosa dismissed those fears while campaigning for the ANC for a by-election in Mpumalanga township, near Cato Ridge. | IOL Public service PUBLIC Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu has revealed that as at last month, nearly 5 000 public servants have taken early retirement since the outbreak of the Covid-19 in March last year. He was responding in writing to parliamentary questions from DA MP Mimmy…

OPINION The fight for decent housing acknowledged S’bu Zikode, president of the shack dwellers’ movement Abahlali base-Mjondolo, received the prestigious Per Anger Prize from the government of Sweden on April 21. This is an edited version of his acceptance speech. “THE price for land, for decent housing and the right to the city is paid in blood. Brutal and unlawful evictions continue to terrorise our communities. “No human being should live in substandard housing conditions, without access to basic services such as water and sanitation, where there is no road access, where there is no electricity and where there is no refuse collection. “I have dedicated my life to the fight for equal rights for all South Africans, and I am deeply honoured and humbled to stand here today and…

QUICK READ FREE ‘JOINTS FOR JABS’ NEW Yorkers who had been vaccinated against Covid-19 were able to get an unlikely freebie this week: a marijuana joint. Activists celebrating the recent legalisation of recreational marijuana in New York state handed out free joints in Manhattan to anyone with proof they had received at least one vaccine shot. Michael O’Malley, one of the organisers in Union Square said: “We’re supporting the federal effort to roll out vaccinations. And we’re also trying to get them to federally legalise weed.” | AFP LESOTHO RULING PARTY SPLITS AFTER barely a year in office, Lesotho Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro’s future hung in the balance this week. His ruling party, All Basotho Convention Nqosa Mahao, has split. Majoro took power in May last year following the departure…

UN SECURITY COUNCIL Co-ordinated multilateral action key to address world’s challenges ANTóNIO GUTERRES ANA Archives I WOULD like to thank the Vietnamese presidency for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on what has been a key priority since taking office: co-operation between the UN and regional and subregional organisations. This co-operation has grown exponentially since 1945. Today, it encompasses preventive diplomacy, mediation, counter-terrorism, preventing violent extremism, peacekeeping, peace building, promoting human rights, advancing the women, peace and security agenda, combating climate change and, since last year, the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As we look to the future, fostering dialogue and building confidence across all these areas is central to our common work. Our investment in institutionalising partnerships has translated to more effective engagements before, during and after crises,…

QUICK READ Chad GENERAL Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, a son of Chad’s slain leader Idriss Deby Itno, 68, is to take over as president in place of his father, according to a charter released this week by the presidency. General Mahamat, 37, was named transitional leader and would serve as head of the armed forces. On Tuesday, the army announced that Deby Sr had died from wounds sustained in a battle. He had been commanding his forces at the weekend as they battled rebels who had launched a major incursion into the north of the country. The shock news came a day after Deby Sr was proclaimed the winner of a presidential election. | AFP Floyd case THE jury in the trial of Derek Chauvin convicted the former Minneapolis police…