Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-04-02 i Pretoria News Weekend

FOR anyone who hasn’t turned on a television (or a computer, or a phone) since Monday morning, a quick recap: Chris Rock was onstage at the Oscars, preparing to present the best-documentary award. He joked that he was looking forward to seeing Jada Pinkett Smith – Will Smith’s wife, who openly suffers from alopecia – in G.I. Jane 2, seeming to reference Pinkett Smith's bald head. Will Smith climbed onstage, steadily walked toward Rock and slapped him across the face. He returned to his seat and twice screamed“ ”Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!“ Later in the ceremony, he won the best-actor Oscar he has chased for two decades. It was an unthinkable hour for one of the world’s biggest celebrities. The man who Eminem once joked “don’t…

Sir Paul McCartney is yet to plan his Glastonbury set. The Beatles legend is set to headline the world-famous music extravaganza’s Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 25, and while he’s yet to decide the set list, the Hey Jude hitmaker teased there would be plenty of surprises. Speaking to Metro Radio, he said: “Yeah, to tell you the truth we don’t know exactly what we’re going to do yet, but we are definitely planning on having a few tricks up our sleeve…” The Band On The Run rocker also recalled performing on that very stage at Worthy Farm back in 2004, and described the view of the masses in the crowd as a “battle scene”. He added: “My best memory was that moment we walked out on stage, when we…

IT WAS not long ago when Bongani Chinkanda attempted to take his own life. Having battled with depression and anxiety for months on end, the 42-year-old saw only one way out. The plan was to overdose. “I tried to commit suicide by taking painkillers,” says Chinkanda. “Fortunately, I was able to expunge them from my system. The thought of my family being without me changed everything in that moment.” The build-up to that moment was a result of depression and anxiety that the Malawian-born entrepreneur faced for several months as a result of a failed business. He says life was unbearable, and each day felt like a struggle. “After my business failed, I suffered from depression and anxiety for a period of 10 months. It was quite a dark time…

SOUTH African personalities and organisations ushered in the month of April with their own April Fool’s Day jokes yesterday. Chief among them was that Mmusi Maimane had “returned home” to the ANC and that the OneSA Movement leader would even be running for deputy president in the upcoming elective conference in December. Early yesterday, Maimane was interviewed on Radio 702 where he announced that his blood is “black, green and gold”. This created havoc on social media, with the likes of ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba announcing on Twitter that his fellow politician would be joining the governing party. Radio 702 host Bongani Bingwa also chimed in on the April Fool’s joke when he tweeted: “Former DA leader Mmusi Maimane joins us for an exclusive announcement about his political future. He…

NOT only does the Lotus Eletre claim to be the world’s first electric hyper SUV, it also ushers in numerous firsts for the British brand that until now has focused entirely on lightweight sportscars. It’s the first Lotus with five doors, the first lifestyle electric car and, for that matter, the first non-sportscar. Over and above all that it also has the most ‘connected’ interior that we’ve seen so far in a Lotus. But let’s start with the exciting stuff. Lotus isn’t mentioning how powerful the brawniest versions of its new SUV will be, but the company is mentioning outputs that start at the 600 horsepower (447kW) mark. It also aims to join the ‘two-second club’ with a projected 0-100km/h time of under three seconds. The Lotus Eletre also claims…

Israel this past week voiced support for Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara after the countries’ foreign ministers met at an Israel-Arab summit on Sunday. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hosted counterparts from four Arab countries in southern Israel. Following his meeting with Nasser Bourita from Morocco, Lapid issued a statement that the countries would work together to counter “attempts to weaken Moroccan sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Morocco considers the Western Sahara its own but an Algeria-backed independence movement demands a sovereign state. Rabat says its 2007 proposal to offer Western Sahara autonomy within Morocco is the most it can propose as a political solution to the conflict. Morocco’s foreign minister said on Monday his presence alongside three Arab counterparts at an Israeli-hosted summit was the “best response” to attacks…

I VISITED a few weeks ago, but still dream of beautiful views, peaceful water and luxurious accommodation. There are so many lovely hotels to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to choose. Below are two great options. Acajou Beach Resort The Acajou Beach Resort is a Seychellois-owned business that was formed in 1996 by experienced travel professionals who have been involved in the country’s tourism industry from its beginning. Years later, the resort remains just as committed to offering an authentic experience for its guests, while operating in a sustainable way that safeguards the environment, and at the same time promotes and protects Seychelles’ Creole culture and values. The owners believe Seychelles, its islands, and its people are a collective treasure to be shared with…

CHRISTIE’S has announced The Rock, a 228.31 carat pear-shaped diamond that will lead the Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on May 11, as part of Christie’s Luxury Week. This rare gem was mined and polished in South Africa over two decades ago and is the largest white diamond ever to be auctioned. Rahul Kadakia, Christie's International head of jewellery, said: “The Rock will join the very best of legendary gemstones which have passed through Christie’s global salerooms since 1766. The market for diamonds is particularly vibrant and we are confident that this sensational gemstone will capture the attention of collectors across the globe this year.” The Rock is certified by the Gemological Institute of America (Gia) as G colour, VS1 clarity, and comes with a letter from the Gia stating that…

During hard lockdown, my son, in a moment of boredom, wrote out report cards for everyone in our family. In them, he described what he liked and didn’t like about each of us. While I thought I was the model parent, he mentioned that I was too protective of him and cackled like a witch when I found something funny. My daughter concurred and added that when I fell off my broomstick chortling, there was nothing cute or adorable about it. They found it annoying and embarrassing. And I thought I was the hip and woke parent. It’s crazy how kids can humble you. With their brutal honesty, they choose violence over and over again. Never mind that you suckled and cared for them in their precious first years. But…

DUANE Vermeulen is coming home. Or is he? In fact, where is home for Duane Vermeulen? It’s a question the Springbok stalwart and now Ulster kingpin laughs about himself as he returns to South Africa for the away leg – or in his case maybe even the home leg – of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. First up was a return to Cape Town for a match against the DHL Stormers – and today he returns to Loftus Versfeld to face the Vodacom Bulls. Vermeulen obviously has history with both these teams. “I think for the first match in Cape Town, the fans reminded me about where my mother came from and her Cape roots, and then in Pretoria I may just get a brandy and Coke thrown at me,”…

TRANSPORT Minister Fikile Mbalula yesterday granted motorists with expired driver’s licence cards another 15-day grace period to extend them. However, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) called on the minister to use this time to arrange a long-term solution to the problem. “As there may be as many as a million motorists now with expired licence cards, it seems unlikely that the two-week extension will be sufficient,” Outa said. “We are pleased the minister has changed his mind and heeded the call from civil society to provide an extension,” said Wayne Duvenage, Outa CEO. He has repeatedly called for the minister to extend the deadline and provide a permanent solution by extending the validity of cards from five years to 10 years. The minister’s notice was gazetted late on March…

THE Rolls-Royce Wraith coupé and Dawn convertible are riding into the sunset, with the company no longer taking orders for the two-door models. This has been confirmed by Rolls-Royce boss Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Autocar reports. Although production of the two-door models is set to continue until 2023, these units have already been allocated to customers. According to the British publication, the Wraith and Dawn will not be directly replaced with internal combustion models, although the coming Spectre coupé will serve as something of a spiritual successor to the Wraith. Silent electric propulsion and Rolls-Royce refinement are naturally a match made in heaven, and the British carmaker aims to have its entire line-up fully battery-powered by 2030. It all starts with the Spectre, which is expected to be released in 2023. Rolls-Royce…

LIVERPOOL and Manchester City resume their quest for historic trophy hauls today at the start of a season-defining month for both Premier League title contenders. City, chasing a treble, are one point clear at the top of the table but Liverpool, with an unprecedented quadruple in their sights, are the form team after narrowing a 14-point gap between the sides in recent weeks. Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will face off twice this month, first in a potential title decider at the Etihad on April 10 before an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley the following week. Watford’s visit to Anfield and City’s trip to Burnley should on paper be gentle openers to a week that includes Champions League quarter-final action for both sides. “In the years that I have been…

NAOMI Osaka cried tears of joy after reaching the Miami Open final for the first time before her mind turned towards something else. The Japanese star has ridden an emotional roller-coaster recently and after a heckler upset her in Indian Wells, on Thursday night in south Florida Osaka couldn’t keep the smile off her face. A 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Olympic champion Belinda Bencic took the four-time Grand Slam champion into today’s final where she will meet the in-form, new world number one Iga Swiatek – although picking up dinner rather than lifting her first trophy since the 2021 Australian Open was occupying her thoughts more than anything. “Unprofessional answer and professional answer, what I’m honestly thinking now is like how to get Korean food Uber Eats to my…

THE Easter holiday is upon us and that means plenty of South Africans are eagerly awaiting some much-needed time off and the delicious traditional pickled fish with hot cross buns. In Mzansi, we have the world in one country, so there are plenty of options to recreate your seat at the table. Here are a few stunning lunch locations you could try out. On a mountain If you live in Gauteng or the North West then you have heard that Hartbeespoort Dam is the place to be. Towering over the dam are the magnificent Magaliesberg Mountains, which you can travel to the top of in a glorious cable car ride with the Harties Cableway. Once up there, you have four restaurants to choose from, which gives you plenty of…

Just like smartphone technologies have been around for years and are always developing and improving, home tech products also utilise computers and other futuristic gadgets to perform a variety of automated tasks that are generally focused on one goal, making our life simpler. This trend has picked up in the wake of the pandemic wherein home buyers are now looking for smarter technology such as no-touch features, home automation, and applications that lessen the number of high touch points in homes. Smart faucets Equipped with features such as temperature gauges and efficiency sensors, smart faucets are slowly making their way into homes. They make it easier for people to be careful about how much water is used in their homes, and it is possible to design faucets that can save…

SIX law firms which challenged Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s appointment of Collins Letsoalo as head of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) lost their legal bid to have him axed from his position. Gauteng High Court, Pretoria Judge Brenda Neukircher found that the lawyers and their firms did not have the legal standing to launch the application. She turned it down on this technicality and said it was thus not necessary for her to decide on the merits of the application. The attorneys from the law firms which include K Malao Inc, Senne Company Inc and Mabuse Attorneys, were all former RAF panel attorneys who were ousted more than a year ago. At the time Letsoalo decided that the RAF was no longer going to make use of a panel of…

FROM its ugly-duckling origins nearly 20 years ago, the BMW X3 has evolved through three generations into something far closer to a swan. While the original X3 pretty much had the midsize premium SUV (sorry, SAV) market to itself back in 2003, the latest incarnation has rivals like the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and Jaguar F-Pace to fend off, so it’s vital that it keeps evolving in a desirable way. It seems that’s exactly what BMW has done with the latest evolution, a facelift of the third-generation (G01) model, which was also the first to be built in South Africa as it took over from the 3 Series as BMW SA’s export hero. While not radical, the recent design changes are certainly purposeful and that larger kidney grille, which fits…

WITH South African fuel prices spiralling out of control, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is said to be considering a fuel tax holiday. According to BusinessTech, the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy has called for an immediate response to this crisis, which could mean that the current levies are partially or fully scrapped for this month and May as a temporary relief measure. Fuel taxes currently account for R6.11 of every litre of petrol and diesel sold in South Africa, with the general fuel levy amounting to R3.91 and the Road Accident Fund swallowing R2.18. While it’s not clear whether the proposed fuel tax holiday will be implemented – even if it is South Africans are still facing steep petrol and diesel prices this month.…

The ancient Timbuktu manuscripts of Mali are back in the headlines following Google’s initiative to host a collection of them at an online gallery. The images of the documents, text in Arabic, can be found at a page called Mali Magic. No place in west Africa has attracted more attention and resources than the city that has always captivated the imagination of the outside world, Timbuktu. There have been documentaries and books, academic studies and a renewed public interest since some of Timbuktu’s world heritage status buildings were damaged in attacks in 2012. The manuscripts, themselves, some reputed to date as early as the 1400s, were threatened and the international community responded. While the Mali Magic displays 45 very photogenic manuscripts from one private library, the site doesn’t begin to…

MAMELODI Sundowns defender Mosa Lebusa says they won’t be complacent against Al Merrikh SC in their last CAF Champions League group stage game as they are chasing a club record after qualifying for the quarter-final. The 2016 champions will top Group A after bagging 13 points in the last five matches, following four wins and a draw. That means the Brazilians have an advantage of playing the first leg of the quarter-final away from home. Today they’ll host the Sudanese side with a point to prove. Downs finished with an undefeated record only once in the group stage, two seasons ago under then coach Pitso Mosimane. They could repeat that feat if they avoid defeat against Merrikh at the FNB Stadium at 3pm today. Last season, Downs were in a…

Nothing says holiday and relaxation like a bathtub with a spectacular view. It’s a winning combination. While many travellers are looking for the perfect room or location, there are a few who seek to find bathtubs with magical, scientific and iconic views when travelling. Hotels are now recognising the draw of an ultra-luxurious bathroom and are offering guests ample space. We’ve rounded up the best of staycations with a dreamy bathtub to satisfy your travel itch, so you can book now and travel later, or simply store for future inspo. Fairies Nature Lodge: In the Eastern Cape, in a one-street town in Hogsback, you will find the Fairies Nature Lodge. And there you will find the “Famous Bath” perched precariously on the edge of a cliff. The special part…