Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-05-14 i Pretoria News Weekend

IF SOMEONE had put the words “fashion”, “cryptocurrency” and “metaverse” in one sentence 10 years ago, people would simply have assumed they were talking about something based on a science fiction novel. However, if we had to break it down today, most people would have heard words like cryptocurrency and the metaverse but not many might know how they relate. Unless you’re living completely off the grid, people know what crypto- currency is. While they might not fully understand the ins and outs of it, everybody is familiar with Bitcoin – the most popular cryptocurrency. The movement towards using crypto currency as a way of a form of actual payment is steadily increasing. You can now own a physical card linked to your cryptocurrency to be used in the same…

When the news broke that Disney+ will be available for South African consumers, we were relieved because we will finally be able to catch up on all the shows people were talking about when the platform initially launched. We missed out on The Mandalorian (and Baby Yoda!) hype in 2020, and also could not watch WandaVision (at least legally), which was quite important for the Dr Strange sequel to make sense to us. Of course there’s also Moon Knight and Loki, which we are all looking forward to watching. Disney+ is launching in South Africa on Wednesday, and we can finally be fully part of the zeitgeist in real time. While many are looking forward to the aforementioned shows and other Marvel shows like What If?, there’s more to the…

SKIN lightening is one of the most dangerous things in the beauty industry. It is common among people who want their skin to be a shade lighter than it already is. Those who can’t afford to bleach their skin at well-known skin clinics, resort to cheap skin-lightening creams which, in the long run, can be harmful to the skin. Last year, IOL Lifestyle visited the shooting set of Savage Beauty, the Netflix original series that premiered on Thursday. Speaking to the director of the series Rea Rangaka, at Nelson Mandela Bridge, where they were shooting the final scenes of the show, he took us through what the series was about – and no, it has nothing to do with Rihanna’s beauty line. Savage Beauty follows a young woman who discovers…

NEW president of the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco), Abner Tsebe, has already set his sights on defusing conflict and strengthening relations in the taxi industry. Tsebe has been the joint chairperson of the Tshwane taxi industry, executing the roles and responsibilities of the position with Piet Mahlangu before his election at Santaco’s 6th annual conference held in Sun City on Monday. Tsebe has been a much-loved leader in the Tshwane taxi industry for years, and has demonstrated leadership, working with Mahlangu and politicians, such as former Tshwane MMC for roads and transport Sheila-Lynn Senkubuge, to combat tensions in the sector. He knew he had big shoes to fill coming in to replace two-time president Phillip Taiibosch, who was crucial in elevating the organisation and advancing the interests of the…

THE principal of Etwatwa Secondary School in Benoni, Farirayi Rufetu, could not believe his eyes when an entourage led by well-known businessman and philanthropist Given Muhlarhi arrived at his underprivileged school. The man popularly referred to as Given the Giver on social media was bearing school shoes for more than 100 pupils on Tuesday. Rufetu told IOL that his institution in the Etwatwa section of Benoni was “a no-fee public school” which indicates the economic situation of parents of children at the school, which is surrounded by informal settlements. “We have lots of parents that are not working. Most of the children we have here are close to destitution. We have an enrolment of about 1 100 learners and we are feeding all those learners,” said Rufetu. “Most of these…

The majority of young South African job seekers are spending up to R1 000 a month looking for employment and most of the time they are not successful. This was revealed in a research report by the youth-led advocacy campaign Youth Capital. An amount of R500 is spent on data and up to R500 on transport. There are also photocopy and printing fees which can vary around R250. The survey had 2 200 respondents, most of whom were looking for work at the time it was conducted. Most of the respondents said they were assisted financially by family members and sometimes friends. Forty-four percent said they spent over a year looking for employment – 33% less than six months and 23% more than six months. The pandemic and lockdowns lead…

If you ever watched a Trevor Noah stand-up comedy show, you’d know how much his grandmother Frances Noah meant to him and how prominently she featured in his life. Recently The Daily Show host bid farewell to his gogo, who died a few days ago. She was 95-years-old. Noah took to social media to pay her a fitting tribute after “crying all week”. In true comedian style, Noah posted a cute video of his adorable gogo along with a fun but lengthy caption that hit hard. “How can I smile for a photo when I don’t have teeth? This morning our family laid to rest the oldest member of our clan, Frances Noah, or as most of us referred to her, Gogo.” He reminisced about spending time with her in…

GETTING to grips with electric vehicles isn’t easy if all you’ve done before is turn a key or push a button and watch a rev counter settle down at idle. It’s a whole new world and by the time our grandchildren become mobile that’s probably all they’ll know. The silence will be deafening. But I suppose like generations before that went from four-legged transport to four and two wheels, people will simply adapt and move on. It’s a discussion we had around a braai while I was testing the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 300kW quattro S. When I arrived, the host asked what I was driving and when I mentioned that it was an electric Audi, his response was that it looked just like a regular Audi. And that’s the…

LAST month’s tragic floods in KwaZulu-Natal have left a trail of destruction that’s set to affect the local motor industry for quite some time. Apart from port-related disruptions, the flooding also forced Toyota to temporarily shut its local plant in Prospecton, south of Durban, following extensive damages to the facility. And while Toyota South Africa still managed to sell 8 952 vehicles in April, the company’s Sales and Marketing Vice President Leon Theron has warned of stock shortages in the months ahead. “We are anticipating stock challenges with regards to our locally-built models such as Hilux, Fortuner, Corolla Cross and Quest, Hiace Ses’fikile and some Hino models,” Theron said. The carmaker has not yet announced a timeline for reopening the plant, but TSAM CEO Andrew Kirby told Moneyweb that the…

THE Bulls will get a bit of their own medicine as they will face the virtual United Rugby Championship side of the Lions in today’s Currie Cup derby at Loftus Versfeld (5pm kick-off). But coach Gert Smal, who is back in the saddle after missing last week’s Griquas game with an illness, believes that his young team can prove a point against a star-studded Lions outfit. Whereas Smal picked just one regular URC player in lock Janko Swanepoel yesterday, Lions mentor Mziwakhe Nkosi had the luxury of calling on all the big guns from Ivan van Rooyen’s URC side in an attempt to end their run of nine consecutive defeats. It will also be a last hurrah in a Lions jersey on South African soil for the likes of centre…

Content creator and podcast host Lelo Boyana has been leaving all her followers with hectic wanderlust pangs as she shared her recent trip to Mombasa, Kenya. She and her friends, who are also regarded as some of the best travel content creators on the continent, booked an Airbnb in Diani Beach, where they reconnected after not seeing each other for some time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Boyana, who is an avid traveller and uses her Chica Travel podcast to enlighten listeners and makes travel accessible, her trip to Lamu, Kenya, influenced many to visit the secluded Kenyan island. So, with Africa Month, here are the must-visit destinations on the continent. Malindi, Kenya It’s the favoured island of many well-heeled people. It’s where Naomi Campbell’s Kenyan villa is situated. I…

Dave Chappelle’s Hollywood Bowl show won’t be included in Netflix’s upcoming comedy specials. The 48-year-old comedian appeared to be tackled to the ground as he performed as part of the Netflix Is A Joke festival, with LAPD officers later confirming they were holding 23-year-old Isaiah Lee in custody in connection with the incident. The controversial performance isn’t set to appear on the streaming platform, although The Hollywood Reporter notes this isn’t because of the alleged attack. Before the festival, the company explained that the four sold-out shows wouldn’t be filmed for a special. However, Chappelle did have his own cameras there to shoot the set, which comedians often do when it comes to testing new material, so it’s probable that professionally shot footage of the incident does exist. On Thursday,…

African cuisine is splashed with a complex array of influences, ingredients, and inspirations. But, as with much of history, the contributions of some groups are under-appreciated, or overlooked. In honour of Africa Month, we look at some of the chefs who are shaping the narrative of African cuisine. Africa’s contemporary chefs need no wordy introduction. You have probably heard of Bertus Basson or Zola Nene, but here are six other chefs you may not know, and definitely should – big names in the game that help shape African cuisine. Mokgadi Itsweng Raised in Mamelodi in Pretoria, Itsweng studied law, then advertising. But it was while working a catering job, as a side hustle, that she realised her true passion. Following her dreams, Itsweng packed her bags and escaped to New…

WHILE evidence shows that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking, this does not mean it safe and healthy. CEO of Vapour Products Association Asanda Gcoyi said from the available information it was evident that vaping was more successful at helping smokers quit than other aids such as nicotine replacement therapy. “Similarly, although not risk-free, vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking, which allows smokers access to the nicotine they crave with less harm to their health. “Thus, potentially less harmful alternatives to smoking have become critical in the fight against smoking related harms, requiring a policy approach which embeds harm reduction at its very core,” she said. As harm reduction awareness month is commemorated, the aim is to inform and educate smokers about reducing their…

VERY few people can boast about teaching in the same school where they used to work as a cleaner. But Thembi Jele, 52, is living proof that you can be anything you want to be if you set your mind to it. Jele is proud to say she worked hard to ascend from being a cleaner who struggled to make ends meet to become a Grade R teacher at Windmill Park Primary School. Jele has qualified as a teacher at Sants Private Higher Institution, after studying since 2016, interrupted by breaks imposed by difficulties with fees. With probably a decade left before Jele goes on pension, she still fought and pushed to ensure that she exchanged her tools of the trade from the mop to the chalk. She admits the…

It has been nearly two decades since the Blacks Only festival was pioneered and it continues to showcase new and talented comedians doing what they are passionate about. This much-anticipated comedy special makes a return with a three-day extravaganza running from tonight until Sunday, presented by Kaya 959. It is being performed at the Centre Court at Emperors Palace for two nights and a Super Sunday Chill Out at the Red Shed at Emperors Palace this weekend. People can look forward to being hosted by the highly acclaimed, long-standing comedian David Kau. The Star had a chat with Kau to find out more about what the extravaganza is all about. “It is about the careers that have come out of it. Comedians who were completely unknown have come out of…

LEXUS has announced pricing and opened the order books for its all-new LX 500 and LX 600 flagship SUV models. While customers can now place orders at their nearest dealer, Lexus isn’t saying exactly when they’ll be able to get hold of one as, like most brands, it is experiencing “acute supply constraints”. The Lexus LX is based on the new-generation Toyota Land Cruiser 300, but lures its more upscale clients with a bolder design and more luxurious interior. As with the LC300, buyers can choose between petrol and diesel engines, within a five-model range that is priced from R2 206 600 to R2 627 500. The new 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine produces 225kW and 700Nm, while the 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol is good for 305kW and 650Nm. Both…

WOMEN’S road-running in South Africa have been given a boost on two fronts with the continuation of the Spar Women’s Grand Prix Series and the 10km Virtual Challenge in September. The Grand Prix Series takes in six races, starting later this month in Gqeberha and ending in Cape Town in October. The other five stops are Durban, Mbombela, Tshwane and Johannesburg. The new host is Mbombela which has replaced Pietermaritzburg. Since the country is still battling Covid-19 and the rise in infections appears to be driven by Omicron sub-variants, entries for each of the six legs will be restricted to 500 invited athletes. Social runners will miss out, but they can still participate in the 10km Virtual Challenge. Women across the country can enter the race on Saturday, September…

FIGHT fans will be relieved to know that Masefi Ngoma is breathing on his own post EFC Fight Night 2. The Middelburg athlete (0-2) who fights out of XKT was taken to hospital following his loss to Apex South and Johannesburg’s Robert Swanepoel (1-5) at the Extreme Fighting Championship Performance Institute last Saturday. Swanepoel walked out of the fight victorious after finishing Ngoma early in the second round via technical knockout due to strikes. It is unclear what transpired or what condition Ngoma was in immediately after the fight. However, Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA) confirms that following a call by the EFC medical staff, Ngoma was immediately taken to the Netcare Milpark hospital in Johannesburg. “Masefi Ngoma was swiftly dealt with by the EFC medical team on site…

Food is an essential part of any trip. A restaurant that combines unique tastes and flavours with stunning decor creates an unforgettable experience, and becomes a key component of the destination. Here are some of the most luxurious restaurants in the world to bookmark for your travel this year, as a treat for both your eyes and taste buds. Epicure at Le Bristol Paris Celebrity chef Eric Frechon, who has four Michelin stars, has created a temple of French gastronomy at Epicure at the iconic Le Bristol Paris. Chef Frechon has called Le Bristol home for the past two decades, resulting in one of the most prestigious signatures in contemporary fine dining. Epicure was awarded three Michelin stars in 2009, which it has kept every year since. Frechon’s cooking is…

ANDY Taylor will perform with Duran Duran at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The Wild Boys hitmakers are set to be honoured alongside Dolly Parton, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Judas Priest and Carly Simon at the induction ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 5. And frontman Simon Le Bon – who is joined by Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor in the current line-up of the new wave band – has revealed that Andy and former guitarist and bassist Warren Cuccurullo have been asked to reunite with them for their performance at the induction. Le Bon said: “I’ve already had a definite yes from Andy. “He’s definitely up for it. I’m pretty sure Warren will want to do it … We’ve always maintained…

An engagemenT or an exchange of rings is that moment – the first step towards a lifetime of togetherness. This moment is worthy of something different, truly exceptional – platinum. Thirty times rarer than gold, platinum is found in select locations across the world, making it much sought after. Another distinctive quality of the metal is its ability to remain unchanged, never losing its natural white lustre or form, much like the love one would aspire for. The PT 950 mark stamped on each piece stands testimony to the purity of the metal, being one of the highest that precious jewellery has to offer. And just like the strength of the love that these couples share, platinum’s high density makes sure that it holds on to precious stones firmly and…

THE public has been encouraged to use water sparingly as dam levels drop across the country owing to the approaching winter season, when there is minimal rainfall. The Department of Water and Sanitation says dam levels are on a continual downswing compared to the same period last week. Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau issued a statement showing that the overall storage capacity of the country’s water level was sitting at 94.4%, a slight decrease from last week’s 95.4%, and a significant improvement from last year’s 84.7%. The Integrated Vaal River System recorded a tiny enhancement from 102.1% last week to 102.4% this week. He said the worrying news was that Algoa, Bloemfontein, Amathole, Orange, Cape Town, Polokwane, Luvuvhu and Umgeni water supply systems had all declined week on week. Ratau said…

WHILE completing its redevelopment during 2015 and 2016, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre decided on a building with sustainability that could last in the long run. The centre has a solar installation, water conservation and electric vehicle charging stations for customers. Marketing manager Andrea Van Schoor said the drive was a continuation of the redevelopment plan for a more sustainable building. “We are a large building and it was very important for us to look at sustainability plans. “Sustainability is the main core for the owner of the building, so it was very important that we aligned with that.” The shopping centre harvests rainwater, practises water-wise landscaping, and has low-flow sanitary fittings in place. With solar installation addition to the sustainability programmes, Van Schoor said it was crucial for the centre…

Renowned South African DJ and record producer Mark Stent has found an innovative solution to address the contentious issue of royalties in South Africa. Through his brand-new platform, the Music Audit Usage System (Maus), Stent now offers a simple way for composers, artists, labels and publishers to track airplay and the proceeds due to them. “There are various royalties that could make for a great financial injection, but the fact is that deserving people in the industry, from those just starting out to highly experienced professionals, lose anything from a couple of hundred rand to thousands, simply because they don’t know, or efficiently track, exactly what is owed to them,” says Stent. Stent, who is also a chartered statistician and mathematician, says he wants to ensure that the local music…

IT’S fairly obvious that a car which once had a famous owner is generally going to be worth more than the equivalent car that didn’t. But just how much of a difference can it make to the asking price? Curious to find an answer to this question, international classic car authority Hagerty did some research and crunched the numbers. The company searched its databases for celebrity owned cars that had been offered for sale. Hagerty’s researchers then compared the sold price (or estimated sale price) with the values for a standard car at that time. When faced with a unique car such as the Popemobile or a Batmobile, Hagerty valued a non-movie equivalent of the vehicle it was based on. Six categories were formulated: Movie Stars: Paul Newman is at…

Guy Stockbridge runs multiple businesses from his headquarters in central California, including landscape companies that ripple across his home state and a utility solar business with operations in 17 states. Flying is a way of life for Stockbridge and others at his company, Elite Team Offices, based in Clovis. For years they flew both privately and on commercial flights out of Fresno, roughly 10 miles from Clovis. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and private jet ownership became more and more attractive. “Buying a jet has been on my mind for years, but Covid-19 definitely added to the equation!” Stockbridge said. He is not alone. A shift toward private flying that many saw as a necessary luxury during Covid-19 is now showing signs of becoming something else: a pricey but sought-after…

With global tourism rebounding and the Middle East offering year-round experiences, Abu Dhabi launches a new destination campaign inspiring travellers to visit the UAE capital during the northern summer season and experience the incredible value across hotels and world-leading attractions. The new campaign puts every traveller’s passion points front and centre, showcasing memorable Abu Dhabi experiences that await visitors. From meeting your favourite superhero at Warner Bros World Yas Island, to racing the Yas Marina Circuit like an F1 driver; enjoying a 23-carat gold ice cream, to floating in water as cool as your drink, there is something for everyone to enjoy – at their own pace. Restore body and soul As the sun rises, unwind with yoga in the iconic surroundings of Louvre Abu Dhabi, or escape to…