Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-06-11 i Pretoria News Weekend

In the fundamentally American dystopia of The Boys, the Supes – the chosen few endowed with super-speed, super-strength, laser eyes and the like – are too busy with the obligations of celebrity for much world-saving. Instead, the Superman-like Homelander (Antony Starr) and the Wonder Woman-esque Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) appear in movies based on their exploits and smile toothily from the sides of buses and cooldrink cups, offering scripted romances to increase their Q ratings and anodyne political messaging that works around, rather than addresses, the prejudices of the day. The Supes are people – often devastatingly damaged people, afflicted by the kind of bottomless unhappiness associated with extreme childhood trauma, a severe case of showbiz personality or both. But they’re also products: a moneymaking scheme by the Vought corporation,…

I’ll be the first to admit I made a bigger effort for Mother’s Day than I did for Father’s Day. Even though my dearly departed father was not present for a huge chunk of my life, I still didn’t make an effort when he was. But now that he is gone, I long to get him gifts, particularly the random things I know he liked but would never buy for himself. I recently came across a pair of cuff links with a coffee cup motif and I knew he would have been obsessed with them. Unlike Mother’s Day, shopping for Father’s Day is seen as easy and yet I think it’s tough. There are a few options available for gents. Things are compartmentalised into tech gadgets, outdoor stuff, tools and…

POLICE in Mpumalanga have arrested three people in Malelane following the robbery of cellphones and other valuables from a RAM courier vehicle. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the courier vehicle was intercepted on Thursday after the robbery happened in Komatipoort. “According to the information, it is alleged that a RAM courier vehicle was robbed at or around Mjejane area in Komatipoort. The traffic officials on duty intercepted the vehicle on the N4 next to the RCL Airport Impala, Malelane,” Mohlala said. “They identified the luggage and notified the police at Malelane, who immediately attended to the matter and apprehended three suspects. Upon interrogation, the suspects admitted to have committed the alleged robbery, and one suspect pointed out the crime scene of their alleged robbery.” Fifty-three parcels in boxes…

Skateboarding is the new trend among youngsters, and skateboarders in Mamelodi dream of getting their own skateboard park. The Mamelodi Skate Club recently teamed up with various stakeholders in the sports community to host the “Rep Your Hood” tournament, which took place last Saturday in Mamelodi East. Two youngsters from this community, Junior Rekgowrawana, 13, and Theo Setsetse, 23, won the tournament and they are now set to compete with other skateboarders across the country in a bid to be awarded the “Rep Your Hood” champion title. Poele Mofolo, who works for an NGO in Mamelodi West called Tateni Community Care Services and is closely involved in the skateboarding community, said it was a great opportunity for skateboarders who lived in these forgotten parts of South Africa to showcase…

FOR the first time since a criminal complaint was laid against him just over a week ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa faced the wrath of EFF MPs who, to his face, called him a criminal. Ramaphosa was at Parliament to present the Presidency’s budget vote speech, but the foremost issue preoccupying EFF MPs was the criminal complaint laid against him by former spy boss Arthur Fraser. For over an hour Ramaphosa was harangued by several EFF MPs, including party leader Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu, over a scandal which has engulfed him since last week. Ramaphosa faces a police probe over allegations he had facilitated money laundering, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice after a burglary at his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo in February 2020 which…

THE only internationally recognised pageant hosted and based in Africa, the Miss Heritage Global, will this year take place in Limpopo. The venue will be the Kalahari Waterfront Nandoni, near Thohoyandou, on Heritage Day: September 24. Ronald Tisauke, founder of Miss Heritage Global, said the pageant started in 2013 with the purpose of creating something “uniquely African” instead of participating in other continents’ pageants. “It’s a story of how we always travel out and participate in other people’s things according to their rules, and we wanted to create something that is more relatable to us as Africans; that we feel welcome and don’t feel like outsiders. “We also try to make it balanced so that even those not from Africa can also relate and participate in the pageant.” Tisauke said…

THE third-generation BMW X1 has been revealed, and to keep up with the electrified times it now has a fully electric sibling called the iX1. Both are bound for South Africa, with regular BMW X1 models due in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the iX1 scheduled for the third quarter of 2023. Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch, but with the BMW i3 being discontinued soon the iX1 will inevitably become BMW SA’s most affordable EV product. The iX1 will only be offered in xDrive30 form at launch, with a two-motor all-wheel drive system delivering a combined 230kW and 494Nm to all four wheels, and allowing a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds. BMW estimates a range of 413-438km between charges. As for the internal combustion versions,…

ON the stroke of half-time, a dejected Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s best player of the half, hopped towards Bafana Bafana’s goalpost to give their goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams a high-five. Williams had put in a master-class act in denying the hosts an equaliser after Lyle Foster had put them ahead. But Williams couldn’t do it alone in the second half. And so, when Yousseff En-Nesyri finally beat him, before Ayoub El Kaabi volleyed the winner, it was not a surprise. A draw would have given Bafana a decent start in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers away to the higher ranked Morocco. Williams was the hero, yet again – familiar sight. That a goalkeeper on the losing end gets lauded proves just how porous Bafana’s defence is. Lyle Lakay was…

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are near to reaching an agreement for Zinedine Zidane to replace Mauricio Pochettino as coach, French media reported yesterday. According to radio station Europe 1, an agreement in principle is in place between the club and 49-year-old Zidane for the former Real Madrid boss to join ahead of the new season. Contacted by AFP, a PSG source refused to confirm or deny the reports. Pochettino has a year left on his contract and led the Qatari-backed side to the Ligue 1 title last term but they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the last 16. The club’s Qatari owners are desperate to win European club football’s premier competition and Zidane guided the Spanish giants to the trophy three seasons in a…

AUSTRIAN-German actor Christoph Waltz is to lead the cast of Billy Wilder and Me. The James Bond star will play one of the icons of Hollywood’s golden age in the new film from director Stephen Frears. The movie was announced by legendary producer Jeremy Thomas and is based on Jonathan Coe’s 2020 book Mr Wilder and Me, with Christopher Hampton adapting the story for the big screen. The film is set during the summer of 1977 and is a part coming-of-age story, part true-life portrait of the beloved director. An innocent young woman begins working for the famed filmmaker on a Greek island during the filming of Fedora and, when she follows Wilder to Germany to continue the shoot, she finds herself joining him on a journey of memory into…

It is a well-known fact that our planet has reached a tipping point and there is an urgent need to re-evaluate our lifestyle choices so they have a lesser impact on the environment. This, of course, requires large-scale change, but if we all do our bit then progress can be made in the right direction. In the current scenario, sustainability drivers when renovating bathrooms have become critical given the context of global warming and the extinction of natural resources. This has led to a shift in design curation and makeovers of bathrooms. Going green does not mean you have to compromise on wellness, comfort or luxury. In fact, the opposite is closer to the truth. A greener, more eco-conscious space exudes comfort, calm and simplistic luxury. Changing your habits and…

WHETHER you’re deeply passionate about all things fashion or simply looking to find out more about the latest beauty products, you’re always on the lookout for new sources to gain insight into these topics of interest. However, we don’t always have the time to sit down with a magazine or leisurely browse the internet for information. Hence, the steady growth in the popularity of podcasts. All you have to do is listen. Anywhere, and while you’re doing just about anything. They have become a great source of news, tips and inspiration to avid fashion and beauty lovers. Finding the perfect podcast for you obviously depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. Whether you’re looking for industry news, product reviews, fashion tips or celebrity interviews we’ve found a…

THE youth of today have been urged to get out of the bedroom and clubs and continue building and growing the young democracy of the country with the sticks and stones used by the class of 1976. This plea was made by one of the leaders of the 1976 Soweto uprising, Seth Mazibuko, while addressing learners attending the Youth in Intergenerational Society dialogue at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria yesterday. Mazibuko, a representative of the June 16 Development Foundation, said he was part of the action committee that planned and led the march on that historic day. An emotional Mazibuko recalled how he was sent to Robben Island at the age of 16 and served seven years, as well as being placed in solitary confinement for…

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has said that its members are shocked, angry and feel betrayed after Comair’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) announced that the company would be liquidated. Numsa met with members of the shop stewards council at Comair to brief them on the announcement by the BRPs that they do not believe Comair can be rescued, and therefore, they have started the process to liquidate the company. Numsa said: “They feel betrayed because they fought with all they had to keep the airline in the sky. For more than two years, they were not paid their salaries in full because they were told this would ensure the airline’s survival. Comair was founded in 1943. It is a viable business which has over 40% share…

WITH petrol hovering around the R24 a litre mark following June’s massive fuel price increase, South African fuel prices are no longer a problem, they’re a full blown crisis. But is there a feasible way to save fuel? Unfortunately, apart from buying a more economical car, there is no silver bullet, but by developing the right driving and car maintenance habits you can certainly soften the blow. Here’s our pick of the 10 most practical fuel-saving tips, things you can do in your daily driving. 1. Keep it smooth Fast pull-offs from a standstill will dramatically increase your consumption, while a light right foot is your budget’s best friend. Keep your speed as steady as possible while cruising and lift your foot early for stops rather than braking as late…

THE global semiconductor shortage that’s bogged down the automotive industry for almost two years is showing signs of easing, at least for now. Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Truck Holding, and BMW are among carmakers now getting enough of the high-tech components to produce at full capacity after experiencing crippling outages for months. The breakthrough marks a bright spot for an industry facing a deteriorating economy and inflation while managing an historic transition to electric-vehicle production. Manufacturers are cheering the chip-supply improvement but aren’t declaring victory yet. "We're still monitoring it week to week, but up to now basically worldwide, we had no issues running production," said Joerg Burzer, Mercedes’ head of production and supply-chain management. Supply issues occur “here and there”, he said, “but nothing compared to what it was like last…

Cape Town All Stars welcome Swallows FC to the Danie Craven Stadium in a promotion-relegation play-off match this afternoon, 3pm. Swallows were the most pleased with the University of Pretoria’s failure to beat All Stars in midweek as this drew them closer to retaining their DStv Premiership status. A win for Swallows will lift them above Tuks and place them in the driving seat going into their crunch encounter on the final day. Swallows are second with four points, trailing Tuks in first by a single point with a game in hand. All Stars, still mired in controversy after being charged for improper conduct last time against Swallows, have an opportunity to get one back at the Dube Birds and salvage a bit of pride seeing as there is no…

For the Bulls to top the Currie Cup log and earn a home final the task against the Cheetahs is simple – get a losing bonus point and prevent the Cheetahs from scoring four tries. But for coach Gert Smal, it doesn’t mean that the Pretoria side will deviate from their attacking style of play at the Free State Stadium today (5.45pm kick-off). The Bulls lead the standings on 47 points, with the Cheetahs second on 43 after losing to Griquas and the Pumas in their last two games. The points difference is 122 to 123 in the Cheetahs’ favour, so it’s all to play for ahead of next week’s semi-finals. “What we wa nt to do is be the best that we can be and play the type of…

CHARLES Leclerc planted his Ferrari at the top of the times after practice yesterday for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Red Bull's in-form Sergio Perez best of the rest. Perez, the winner on the streets of Baku 12 months ago, arrived fresh from victory at Monaco which ignited talk of him as a viable title contender ahead of this eighth round of the season. Mexico's most successful Formula One driver, only 15 points behind his world champion teammate Max Verstappen, was quick out of the blocks dominating first practice. But in the later session he had to settle for second on the time sheets, 0.248sec behind Leclerc who today will be favourite to nail his sixth pole out of eight this term. Verstappen, who has yet to even make a…

With increased awareness of the environmental impact of travel, sustainability and conservation have become increasingly important among travellers. New Zealand invites visitors to become “kaitiakitanga”, or “place guardians”. Assuring that it is maintained and treated in such a way that future generations can enjoy it, the Tiaki Promise, an initiative launched by Tourism New Zealand and close partners, invites and encourages visitors to care for the country alongside Kiwis. Many businesses in New Zealand’s tourism sector are already implementing sustainable practises. Here are the top four New Zealand tourism businesses with conservation at their core, whether they are carbon- neutral, carbon-positive, or simply doing amazing things for the environment: Carino Wildlife Cruises, Northland The World Cetacean Alliance (the world’s largest marine conservation partnership) has awarded Carino the only Responsible Whale…

BRETT Goldstein, who serves as a writer on Ted Lasso and stars as Roy Kent, has said that the show’s third season is being written as its last. “We are writing it like that,” he said when asked if season 3 would be the end, reports Variety. “It was planned as three. Spoiler alert – everyone dies.” Goldstein’s comments are consistent with what other members of the Ted Lasso crew have said in the past. Last year, co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis also said he saw the show ending after three seasons, though he hinted that he may be open to take it further if others had ideas and the opportunity presented itself. “The story I know is the one I wanted to tell, so that’s the one we’re telling…

Did you know that, like dining and other lifestyle etiquettes, there are some rules to wearing perfume? When choosing perfumes, we frequently consider our personality, tastes, and age. However, some people continue to use the same fragrance all year, which may not be the best practice. So, here are some pointers to help you choose. Why do you need a seasonal change of perfume? Each season has its own distinct notes and scents. Whether warm and seductive or fresh and fruity, each fragrance reveals a different side that not only reflects changes in external circumstances, but may also reflect changes in your mood, depending on the season. How to choose a perfume If you’re new to this concept of choosing perfumes as per season, and want to pick something that…

Ever since the trial of the five men accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa started in April in the North Gauteng High Court, statements and allegations have been made, leaving many wondering who the real killers of the former football star are. Meyiwa was killed in 2014 while visiting his girlfriend and the mother of his child, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus. It was a deadly robbery gone wrong, South Africa was told. Khumalo and the rest of the people were in the house when Meyiwa was shot. Two perpetrators entered the house and shot Meyiwa during a botched robbery. They fled. But as the State tries to prove its case and secure a guilty murder conviction against the five accused, there have been some eye-popping moments in the televised trial.…

WHILE leaders around the globe change often, one who has remained committed and resolved to leading by example for the past 70 years has been Queen Elizabeth II. It is with that commitment in mind that the British Embassy in Pretoria commemorated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at the British Residence in Waterkloof, Pretoria, yesterday. British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson said celebrations held during the past weekend across the UK, the Commonwealth and globally to mark and celebrate the lifetime of public service offered by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, were momentous occasions. Phillipson said modern forms of transport as well as the long time the queen has spent on the throne means she is the most travelled monarch in British history. He said she had visited South…

China and Africa should, along with other developing countries, speak with louder voices on international issues and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. These were some of the ideas and suggestions that emanated from the meeting between South African scholars and His Excellency Wu Peng, the director-general for African Affairs at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. The meeting held at the Chinese embassy in Pretoria under the theme: “New Era China and Africa Co-operation” saw Wu discussing Africa’s future. He spoke alongside Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, the chief executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs; David Monyae, the director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, and other senior researchers. Wu said the Covid-19 pandemic and other global changes meant that China…

POPULAR broadcaster and entertainment personality Percy Mabasa, 28, has once again proven that nothing can separate him from his love for the microphone and broadcasting. After bidding farewell to the airwaves at SMU FM last year when his contract was not extended, the Soshanguve-based star has bounced back with his podcast that generated at least 1 million views on social media. Popularly known as Percy Sleash SA, he has joined many influencers and content creators who give people something to watch on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok through his Culture Spotlight podcast. Mabasa finds it intriguing that he did not plan for his podcast to be warmly received, because it was suggested to him by a friend during a conversation when he was trying to figure out what he could…

THE Mercedes-Benz GLC is essentially the SUV equivalent of the C-Class, and the second-generation model has finally been revealed, bringing it into line, technologically, with the latest generation sedan. Measuring 4 716mm in length, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC is 60mm longer and 4mm lower than the outgoing model, while the track widths have increased by 6mm at the front and 23mm at the back. There is also a larger rear overhang, which increases luggage capacity to 600 litres, which is 50 litres more than before. Although South African specifics have yet to be divulged, internationally the new model comes with a significantly upgraded array of standard equipment, Mercedes says, and the Avantgarde trim grade is now standard. As with its C-Class sibling, the GLC gains the second-generation MBUX infotainment system…

Zaahier Adams considers what the first T20I told us about what lies ahead during the remainder of this five-match series, which promises to be enthralling Is Parney the missing link? A precocious talent that arguably achieved even more in his youth than current wunderkid Dewald Brevis, Wayne Parnell would be the first to admit that he still has unfinished business at international level. A mixture of injuries, lack of sustained opportunities and indifferent form are all reasons, but now, at 32-years-old, with the experience of playing in all the various T20 leagues around the world, coupled with the maturity of fatherhood, the Proteas could yet see the best of the all-rounder. His left-arm seam, which adds great variation to the attack and balances the team on so many levels, was…

Travelling sustainably can and should be the modern traveller’s priority. From trendsetting cities to stunning natural parks and destinations that are making a concerted effort to manage their travel volumes more consciously, there is plenty of inspiration for travellers who say that sustainable travel is important to them, no matter where your sense of adventure and exploration might take you. Hoedspruit, South Africa Beneath the majestic Northern Drakensberg mountains, the scenic Limpopo town of Hoedspruit is surrounded by the largest privately-owned conservation area in the world. Hoedspruit is situated in the heart of the Unesco-registered Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, where the local community takes part in several recycling and conservation initiatives. Hoedspruit also showcases local produce at the Lekker Farmer’s market to support the surrounding area. And it’s known as…