Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-05-07 i Pretoria News Weekend

IT WOULDN’T be far-fetched to think that Khanyi Mbau will one day be a case study or the subjct of a doctoral thesis. You might be rolling your eyes, wondering why anyone would think that. However, her longevity and the manner she has managed to reinvent herself over the nearly two decades of her fame is no small feat. The culture of celebrity in South Africa is short-lived. Few people in the public eye have the staying power that is needed to have a successful career that comes with the financial perks. While we do love the arts and fame, we are also a country that is quick to bash and ultimately destroy the people we were obsessed with just five years ago. And yet, Khanyi Mbau has managed to…

FASHION is something you can’t use to please everyone. It’s like art, everyone interprets it differently. Lately, we’ve been seeing a rise in celebrities wearing caps to red carpet events. While this may be a growing trend, the people who’ve done it have not convinced us that it actually works. Sarah Langa was ahead of the game when she wore a cap at the Real Housewives of Lagos premiere in Joburg last month. While the all-white Rich Mnisi outfit she wore looked cute, it still landed her on the worst dressed list of that event. Mainly because of the cap. Perhaps it could’ve worked for a different occasion. Again this week, we saw some caps on the Met Gala red carpet when Kylie Jenner and Nicki Minaj both wore caps.…

HUBBLY (hookah) smokers have been urged not to believe myths that this alternative to cigarettes was less harmful and not addictive. In addition, the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) warned that smoking a hubbly increased the risk of cancer. Cansa said it was concerned about the increased use of the water pipes, hubbly bubbly or hookah smoking among young people whose lungs were still developing and could be damaged permanently. It said the smoke that emerged from a water pipe contains several toxins known to cause lung cancer, heart disease and other diseases. The other deadly factor is the charcoal burnt in the pipes, that often produces its own toxins, including high levels of carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals. According to the association, one typical session of smoking a…

YOU could rightfully argue the current 992-generation Porsche 911 already does enough to honour its past. The new 911 Sport Classic model, however, takes things to another level. Not only does this new edition sport a unique exterior and interior design package that harks back to some of Porsche’s legendary models from the past, but it also happens to be the company’s most powerful manual model to date. Instead of settling for the Carrera’s 3.0-litre engine, the new 911 Sport classic employs a detuned version of the 3.7-litre twin-turbo flat six that you find in the 911 Turbo models. In this guise it produces 405kW and 600Nm, versus 427kW in the Turbo and 478kW in the Turbo S. However, the new edition’s power is delivered the old-fashioned way, to the…

Sunday's inaugural Miami Grand Prix already feels like Formula One's version of Super Bowl with a huge buzz and celebrities clamouring for the hottest tickets in town, says McLaren boss Zak Brown. "It's going to be awesome. I've been here six years and I've never seen demand or buzz for a grand prix like I've seen for Miami," Brown said. "We can easily double our hospitality and we're already the largest hospitality buyer in Miami... it rivals the Super Bowl. I've been around F1 for 20 years but I've never seen anything like it."…

One of the most basic and intuitive features expected of any legal system is to treat similar cases in a similar way. Sadly, when it comes to the law of negligence, Israel is not consistent in its treatment of Palestinians and other (often Jewish) citizens. In the recent case of Plonim v The Palestinian Authority that was handed down by the Supreme Court of Israel – its highest court – this liability gap was further widened. The court ordered the Palestinian Authority to compensate Israeli victims of terrorist activities, due to the fact that the Palestinian Authority provides support payments for individuals that Israel convicts of security offences. This ruling, which comes at a time of growing tensions and clashes between Israel and Palestine, is a step further in creating…

On the last day of a recent Airbnb stay in Costa Rica, my friends and I did a quick clean-up before leaving the rental. But before we walked out the door, I wondered if I was forgetting something. If this were a hotel, I would leave a tip for housekeeping. We had paid more than $100 (R1 609) for a cleaning fee – and a $150 service fee, which is set by Airbnb. Does that mean a tip is still expected? I talked to etiquette experts to find out. Tipping brings the same confusion and anxiety as doing my taxes: I’m never 100% sure I’m paying the precise amount. Part of that is because I’m terrible at maths. The other part is because the perfect tip can be a moving…

Fiji is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The country has earned a well-deserved reputation as an island paradise. It has no less than 300 islands. They include everything from white-sand beaches to grasslands, secret waterfalls and limestone islands. You can’t go wrong exploring any of the islands in Fiji no matter which one you choose. Each island is unique. This guide will help you find the best islands for your Fiji experience. Viti Levu Viti Levu is Fiji’s largest island and is home to about 80% of Fiji’s citizens. The island has some stunning beaches and attractions. It offers everything from international-calibre resort areas to the mountain village Navala, where locals live in thatched buildings. Viti Levu is best for river rafting, shopping, hiking, dining and…

A lot of movies have a back story. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness comes with a syllabus. Have you seen the 2016 film, to which this is a sequel? Good, you'll need it. (Perhaps consider a refresher. Six years is a long time.) You don’t need to watch – or re-watch – all the Avengers movies, of which only the last two feature the titular superhero/sorcerer/doctor (Benedict Cumberbatch). But it might be helpful to re-familiarise yourself with the events of 2018’s Infinity War, which sets up a critical dynamic involving the new film’s other main character, Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Finally, it is really, really helpful, maybe even vital, to have seen the streaming TV series WandaVision, set in the suburban town of Westview, without…

IT’S the season of chukkas and fine ponies in South Africa and the globe. There have already been a number of polo events in the country and around the globe in recent weeks. There are more equestrian sporting events also happening in the next couple of weeks and months. As one of the world’s most luxurious sports, it’s also not only about horse-racing meets or the polo, but also about the fashion. When attending these events, you have to make sure you look and smell like luxury. Polo outfits are not the kinds you would expect to walk into the office with – they are luxurious, colourful and with a bit of fantasy. Go with vibrant ones and make sure you stay close to the theme. Colours like emerald green,…

ONCE you have been bitten by the magic of Pretoria Boys High School it never leaves you. These are the sentiments of Anthony Richard Wilkes, one of 14 former Pretoria Boys High School pupils who gathered yesterday to reminisce about their time at the institution back in 1952. Wilkes, who was a member of the class of 1946, said he first heard of the school after a primary school teacher told his class of a musical they would be hosting in 1939. He said although the tickets were expensive as they cost 12 shillings each, three of his classmates managed to convince their parents to buy tickets for them to attend. “I was absolutely enthralled and when we came in the gate I couldn’t believe the size of the fields.…

A pressing need to save the lives of those in need of blood transfusions has given rise to a collaboration between the City of Tshwane and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). The two entities have embarked on a campaign to encourage the public to make more donations. In this regard, a blood donation drive by the city and SANBS was taken to Giant Stadium in Soshanguve this week. SANBS medical director Dr Karin van den Berg recently made a clarion call to the public to donate blood owing to blood stocks running critically low across the flood-hit KwaZulu-Natal. Echoing the same sentiment was Tshwane’s Health MMC Rina Marx, who encouraged members of the public to come through for the blood donation campaign “to save the lives of those…

South African jazz musician Nduduzo Makhathini has dropped Amathongo, the second single off his most anticipated new album, In the Spirit of Ntu. This is Makhathini’s 10th studio album, set for release on May 27. It is also his second album to be released with Blue Note Records, in partnership with Universal Music Group Africa, and the very first release on the newly formed imprint Blue Note Africa. Commenting on the album, Makathini said: “Nguni people or even Bantu tribes take dreams seriously. “This is of course due to their Ntu cosmology that views the world in a triangle: the living, the living-dead (ancestors) and the ones not yet born. “Thus dreams and rituals become a site for parallel existence in all three planes all at once. A great Zulu…

THE long-awaited manual version of the BMW-based Toyota GR Supra has finally been revealed, as part of a revised line-up that includes numerous subtle tweaks. The good news, for those few who like to change gears themselves, is the manual version has been confirmed for South African introduction later this year, as previously reported. “On local tarmac, the revised Supra model line-up will debut at The Festival of Motoring, taking place at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in August 2022,” Toyota Motors South Africa said. “Dealer ordering will open in May, with sales commencing in Q3. Both Auto and Manual 3.0T variants will be offered with pricing announced at launch timing.” The newly available manual gearbox is available with the familiar turbocharged six-cylinder engine, which produces 285kW. The new manual transmission…

PORSCHE is reportedly close to a deal to enter Formula One while Audi's separate push is less advanced for now. Porsche's plans are "quite concrete," VW Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess said. While Diess didn't provide further details, the maker of the 911 sports car has reportedly been in talks with Red Bull Racing about a partnership. Sister brand Audi's plan for Formula 1, which has included discussions with British sports-car maker McLaren Group, hasn't advanced to decisions on parameters for such a venture, he said.…

Jan-Hendrik Wessels has such an impressive junior pedigree that Jake White once said that the youngster reminds him of Os du Randt. He has almost done it all coming through the youth ranks, and is now trying to find his way in the big bad world of professional rugby. It hasn’t quite gone according to plan for him at senior level just yet. After completing his schooling at Grey College in Bloemfontein, Wessels joined the Bulls as a powerhouse loosehead prop. Then there were ideas of turning him into a tighthead, and the latest mission is hooker. He hasn’t really been given a series of consecutive games to settle in one position, and injuries have affected his progress as well. But as Wessels will turn 21 tomorrow, this afternoon’s Currie…

All FULLY vaccinated visitors to Fiji will no longer be required to produce a pre-arrival negative Covid-19 test prior to entry, a move that reduces costs and lends greater convenience to those travelling to the country, a government statement said last week Friday. The change applies to all visitors entering Fiji by air or sea who were previously required to take a polymerase chain reaction test or rapid antigen test (RAT) prior to their arrival, reports Xinhua news agency. The Fijian government said this step is in line with best practice for entry requirements among highly vaccinated societies and follows countries such as Australia and Singapore, which have also removed Covid-19 testing as an entry prerequisite. The requirement to book an in-country pre-Covid RAT test prior to departing for Fiji…

SOUTH African visual artist Trevor Stuurman is launching his first solo exhibition at the Doyle Wham gallery, London, this Africa Month. Stuurman is set to showcase his latest body of work, Life Through the Lens, from May 13 until July 2. Dubbed the UK’s first contemporary African photography gallery, Doyle Wham aims to connect African creatives with the rest of the world. In a recent interview with The Observer, Stuurman, one of the first artists to showcase at Doyle Wham, said the gallery is a much-needed platform for African artists. He said: “I feel like so much was stolen from Africa, and it’s about reclaiming that. That’s why I think photography is such a powerful medium. It allows us to retell the story and show what (the continent) looks like…

THE trial of EFF leader Julius Malema and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has once again been postponed before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court because a scheduled witness, identified as a General Zulu, was not available to take the stand. The EFF duo were in court for their common assault case. The court highlighted that the matter had been dragging on since 2019 and the numerous appearances were prejudicing the accused, Malema and Ndlozi. “With regards to the delay, the court is aware that the case emanated from 2019 up until today. It is a mere fact that this is an assault common case. The court has listened to the complainant’s evidence, the police officers who have also testified also with regards to the control and access to the gate itself, and (regarding)…

AFTER eight gruelling hours of rope skipping, Pretoria man, SD Heijns believes that he broke the Guinness World Record at Time Square, Menlyn. Heijns, 21, started at 6am yesterday and he did not miss a beat until he eventually completed 71 185 skips. The previous world record was 70 031 skips in eight hours – thus Heijns beat the record by 1 155 skips. While it was plain sailing physically for this very fit man, it did take its emotional toll. Heijns said he started off too fast, but later found his pace and slowed down a bit, which proved to be the winning recipe. To have broken the record, Heijns only had to successfully complete 70 031 skips – a record currently held by the US. But he went…

SPRINGBOK rugby legend Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira has been appointed by Unicef as its regional ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa. Mtawarira had previously travelled with Unicef to Mukuru, an informal settlement in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. During the visit he spoke with young girls and boys about challenges with learning in the Covid-19 era, accessing clean drinking water and the significant hurdles families continue to face. Mtawarira also met with Unicef regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa Mohamed Fall to discuss his new, important position in advocating for some of the region’s most vulnerable children. Fall said they were deeply honoured to have the World Cup winner as regional ambassador and such a powerful voice for children. “His strong commitment to education and wider children’s rights make…

IN a country where youth employment is high and the government does not have enough money to fix and maintain all the roads, some young people in the townships have looked at potholes as means to earn a living. While motorists see potholes as a headache because of the damage they inflict on their cars, to these young people, the potholes are what waste is to a recycler. They now live in most townships in Tshwane and earn their living from donations they receive from motorists and residents. Mothosi Nkosi, 33, Tshiemo Matjila, 36, Thapelo Ntjaro, 25 and siblings Sipho, 29 and Kabelo, 30, Masango said their struggle to find formal employment pushed them into the streets with nothing but spades and buckets they needed to fill potholes. They do…

NOW this is what you call first class cruising. Brabus describes its latest creation, which is based on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic, as an “Exceptional Mega-Liner” that combines the brute force you’d expect from Brabus with an exclusive and luxurious interior. The new Maybach-based Brabus 900, as its name implies, is fitted with the German tuner’s bored-out version of the Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8. With its capacity increased to 4.5-litres, the motor pushes out 662kW and 1250Nm, although the latter is electronically limited to 1050Nm. That’s still a huge increase from the “standard” Maybach 600’s 412kW and 730Nm. In addition to its increased displacement, the engine benefits from larger turbochargers, a redesigned cooling system and Brabus stainless steel sports exhaust system which has adjustable flaps. According to Brabus, this large…

GENERAL Motors has announced that it is developing an electric version of its Chevrolet Corvette. "We will offer an electrified Corvette as early as next year," said the Detroit-based car manufacturer in a statement. "Details and names to come at a later date." "Yes, in addition to the amazing new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and other petrol-powered variants coming, we will offer an electrified and a fully electric" Corvette in the future, Mark Reuss, GM president said on LinkedIn. GM has set a goal of overtaking Tesla in electric vehicle sales.…

All African countries have the potential for domestic tourism growth despite the problems they face, like the natural disaster that has left parts of South Africa devastated by flash floods recently, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on Tuesday at the opening of the 2022 Africa Travel Indaba, which was hosted in Durban. Sisulu said KwaZulu-Natal was making good progress in recovering from the devastation of the recent torrential rain and flooding that had disabled the city. The minister opened the trade floor giving various exhibitors an opportunity to showcase their offerings to the tourism sector at this 2022 edition of the indaba. The event is Africa’s biggest tourism trade show where countries on the continent showcase their destinations to global tourism buyers, and it is estimated that this year’s indaba…

Many of us remember the spectacular love story of Moulin Rouge: the music, the outfits and the setting had us glued to our screens. Now, for the first time ever, the legendary Parisian landmark will be available to book for an overnight stay in its historic red windmill. A secret room inside the windmill of the Moulin Rouge brings to life the art and romance of the Belle Époque era for an experience through time. Three one-night stays, for only €1 (about R16.62) per night, will offer a peek behind the velvet curtains of the world-renowned cabaret and a glimpse into the spectacular world of French opulence and glamour. Few are aware of the space inside the windmill, which has never been open for public access, but is now bookable…