Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-07-30 i Pretoria News Weekend

Circa 1977 is when Fantasy Island first aired. In the original fantasy drama, Ricardo Montalbán played the mysterious Mr Roarke with Hervé Villechaize as his assistant, Tattoo. The series centred on guests having their ultimate fantasy come true – for a price, of course – at a luxury resort. Since then, it has been reimagined twice as a TV series, in 1998 and 2021 (the show’s release was delayed until now). And it was adapted for the big screen as a fantasy horror in 2020 with Michael Peña cast as Mr Roarke. In the latest iteration, Roselyn Sánchez plays Elena Roarke, the grand-niece of Mr Roarke from the original series. In a recent Zoom interview, the seasoned actress – celebrated for her roles in Without a Trace, Devious Maids, Rush…

Many women dream about owning a luxury fashion item. Whether it’s the popular Speedy Louis Vuitton bag with its famous LV monogram or an iconic Chanel Boy Bag, having an authentic piece in your wardrobe is more than just an accessory, it’s a statement. A Hermès Birkin is not just a bag, it’s a status symbol. Before major brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Versace opened walk-in stores in South Africa, these brands were out of reach of those who were not international travellers. Now all you have to do is take a walk down Sandton City’s Diamond Walk or the V&A Waterfront’s golden lane to pop into these stores and pick out what your heart desires. While most women desire them, not everyone can afford to buy them…

FORMER SA Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus has been found wanting by retired judge Willem Heath, who reviewed the Mpati Commission Report into alleged impropriety at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Justice Heath was commissioned by Sekunjalo Investment Holdings (SIH) to review the report on the proceedings and findings of the PIC Commission of Inquiry, which has produced significant negative press for Sekunjalo and entities associated with it – loosely called the Sekunjalo Group. President Cyril Ramaphosa named former Supreme Court of Appeal Justice Lex Mpati to lead the investigation into allegations of impropriety at the PIC, with Marcus and Emmanuel Lediga as assistant commissioners. Justice Heath found there was good cause for Marcus to have recused herself. In his report, seen by Independent Media, but which is yet to…

Dr Dan Matjila, former chief executive of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), has lamented the damage black-owned businesses have suffered. Reacting to Justice Willem Heath’s report of the findings of the Mpati Commission of Inquiry into impropriety at the PIC, he said he was relieved no evidence was found to substantiate allegations he had a close relationship with Sekunjalo Group chairman, Dr Iqbal Survé. “A lot of black businesses and professionals’ reputations have been damaged by the findings and recommendations that were not supported by credible evidence,” he said. Matjila said his legal team was submitting a supplemetary affidavit challenging the commission, which found the board of Africa’s largest asset manager was “a rubber stamp for the decisions driven by Matjila”. The Mpati commission’s findings are back in the spotlight…

Whether one is looking to retire, raise a family or have the convenience of lock-up-and-go living as a young professional, the community and security elements of modern estate developments are undoubtedly alluring. The trend to move to secure retirement environments is on the up, says developer of Knysna Lifestyle Estates Ian Raubenheimer. And if the developments take factors such as space, privacy, health care and support into consideration, demand will be good. There will also be “high demand” in the Western Cape and Garden Route particularly, as retired city folk feel the need to escape their urban lifestyles and retire to destinations where these factors, and security, are provided. “Smaller towns such as Knysna are in a position to offer all these factors to retirees along with the beautiful surroundings…

“Rev it!” demanded the security guard at my local recycling centre, who had his cupped hand and ear wedged against the bonnet of my battery-powered Volvo test car, his body language depicting utter curiosity. It’s clear that for the average South African, electric cars are still no more than an odd curiosity. It’s also quite telling that you have to go out of your way to ensure that your recyclables don’t end up cluttering yet another landfill, but then I guess we probably have bigger fish to fry in this country. And that’s a story for another day. The subject of this test, the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge, doesn’t exactly further the cause for more affordable electric motoring in Mzansi, with its price tag of R1 260 000, but it’s…

AFTER a disastrous start to their inaugural United Rugby Championship campaign, there is no doubt that the Bulls will enjoy a more favourable draw for the 2022/23 season. Coach Jake White’s team had to fight back from losing five out of their first six matches – where the first five were away from home – to reach the quarter-finals after finishing fourth on the overall log. The Bulls managed to beat the Sharks 30-27 in that quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld, and then managed the almost impossible when they toppled the mighty Leinster 27-26 in Dublin a week later. Perhaps the travelling took some of the sharpness off their game for the final, though, as they flew back to South Africa and took on the Stormers in Cape Town, going down…

BARCELONA president Joan Laporta said the club will try to bring seven times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi back to the Camp Nou as they have a “moral debt” to ensure the Argentina forward can finish his career with the LaLiga club. Barca were forced to let their talisman and record scorer Messi, who is now 35, leave last year because his high wages coupled with strict LaLiga financial rules could have jeopardised the club’s future. Messi, who joined Barcelona’s youth set-up aged 13, moved to Paris St Germain as a free agent on a two-year contract. But Barca have gone on a spending spree in the close season to sign top players such as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha after selling a stake in their income from TV rights and…

SEBASTIAN Vettel has backed friend and fellow German Mick Schumacher to replace him at Aston Martin when the four times Formula One world champion retires at the end of the season. Vettel, 35, announced his retirement on Thursday, with immediate speculation about who might be his successor alongside Canadian Lance Stroll at the British-based team. “I do have my opinion. I mean, I think very highly of Mick,” Vettel told reporters at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the August break. “I’m obviously not entirely objective because I’m very close to him. But I do think he’s a great driver. And he’s a learner, he keeps learning when others sort of stall, or stop making progress,” he said of the 23-year-old. “So he does have a lot of…

In the latest episode of who did what, Canadian rapper Drake has come under fire from climate activists for taking short trips on his private jet. The Hotline Bling singer is in hot water after a Twitter account, Celebrity Jets, tracked a 14-minute flight by his private jet from Toronto to Hamilton. The account calculated the 70km flight had used up 1 522 litres of fuel. According to Celebrity Jets, Drake’s jet put out roughly 4 tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, which has negative implications for the environment. His huge Boeing 767 jet also recently logged two other flights from Toronto to Hamilton, coming in at 18 minutes and 16 minutes duration. The outrage comes as climate change has been in the spotlight with parts of Europe and…

England international soccer star Jesse Lingard might have just secured a move to Nottingham Forest this week, but what’s really on his mind is getting Mzansi’s very own international DJ star Uncle Waffles to perform at his birthday party. Taking to his Instagram Stories recently, Lingard posted a video of Uncle Waffles’ recent reel – which featured a delirious crowd – from a performance in Amsterdam. He captioned his story, “Need @unclewaffles_ at my birthday fr fr (for real, for real)”. Clearly taken aback, Waffles responded a few hours later by reposting his post on her stories, with a crying face emoji and the comment, “yo, WHAT?” Lingard is a known fan of amapiano and has previously posted videos jamming to AmaNeighbour by the late Killer Kau and Mr JazziQ,…

Despite the harm it brings to our planet, leather is in, and it has been for decades – it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. This is perhaps why designers and luxury brands are attempting to find more sustainable alternatives to the beauty and elegance of leather. Vegan handbags and clothing are making their place in prominent fashion lines for their eco-friendly and affordable characteristics. However, many remain confused as to the making, process, and benefits. Vegan handbags – the process Now there are plenty of raw materials from which vegan bags can be made – cork, pineapple leaves, apple peels, recycled plastic, other fruit waste, and of course, polyurethane. The processes, depending on the source material, are distinct and yet easy to execute. For example, in the case of…

AYO Technology Solutions (AYO) has been cleared of wrongdoing in its investment deal with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Retired judge Willem Heath found the Mpati Commission failed to do a proper investigation before making its findings. Heath, a former head of the Special Investigating Unit, also found that the PIC, Africa’s largest asset manager, was biased against AYO. He this week released his report, commissioned by Sekunjalo Investment Holdings (SIH) and some companies associated with SIH, on the findings of the PIC Commission of Inquiry into allegations of impropriety at the state asset manager. The Mpati Commission, said Heath, unfairly tainted SIH, its Executive Chairman Dr Iqbal Survé, and associated firms, including AYO. In exonerating AYO and Sekunjalo, Heath rebuked Mpati’s investigation, punching holes in the report. He found…

THE growing factional battles in the ANC are not due to ideological differences among members, but about access to resources in government and municipalities. ANC leader and State President Cyril Ramaphosa made the admission while opening the party’s sixth national policy conference in Nasrec, Joburg, yesterday. Ramaphosa said he agreed with the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma that failures of service delivery were caused by ANC members. The president said this was the same in government where a few ANC comrades were desperately wanting to access public funds for their personal interests. Commenting on the divisions and factionalism in the party, which grew more after the six provincial elective conferences, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa said: “These are not divisions about policies or ideology, but…

TSHWANE mayor Randall Williams was forced to eat humble pie by apologising for prematurely issuing a media statement endorsing the appointment of a city manager during a council sitting on Thursday night. Williams was taken to task by the EFF for publicly announcing former Nelson Mandela Bay city manager Johann Mettler as Tshwane’s administration head while council was still in session to consider the appointment. Williams went public about the appointment after a multiparty coalition supported the passing of the report while the ANC, EFF and the Republican Conference of Tshwane registered their dissenting votes. However, that council procedure was followed by a recommendation from the EFF calling for the restarting of a recruitment process for the appointment. Councilspeaker Dr Murunwa Makwarela had accepted the recommendation and was about to…

AFRO Tech producer, DJ, and recording artist TorQue MuziQ has teamed up with the legendary Themba (or Euphonik) on a remix of the 2002 Harrison Crump dance classic, Stomp Your Feet. It is always said “do not touch a classic unless you are going to make it better that the original” – and TorQue MuziQ gives the 2022 version of the iconic jam a “10 out of 10 rating”. “Nothing less than,” said the TorQue MuziQ of the modern-day version of the iconic track which topped the music charts and hit dance floors exactly 20 years ago. The remix was released worldwide digitally yesterday on all music platforms. “It feels great to have worked on the song. It’s always been my dream to have a song that will shake the…

FOR Jeep in South Africa, 2022 will be a year of forging new territory. Back in June, its parent company, Stellantis, entered the bakkie market with the capable Gladiator double cab. And now the American 4x4 brand is expanding deeper into premium territory with the new Grand Cherokee L. Set to launch in South Africa in August, the Grand Cherokee L is a larger and more premium product than today’s Grand Cherokee, and the newcomer will probably have large seven-seaters like the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS in its crosshairs. With its larger external dimensions, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L has morphed into a seven-seater for the first time, and Jeep is also offering a more plush six-seater layout as an option. With its 3091mm wheelbase being 176mm longer than…

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza says it is in the league’s interest to cater for the needs of all 16 of South Africa’s top football clubs, not just Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Yesterday, the PSL – together with SA Breweries – announced details of a revamped Carling Black Label Cup, set for November 12. Having only catered for Soweto giants Pirates and Chiefs in the past, the Carling Cup will now include all 16 top-flight football clubs. The clubs names will be put in a pot for a draw where only the top four teams will get to play in the one-day competition. Before the pre-season Carling Cup, there was the Iwisa Maize Meal Cup and Telkom Charity Cup, both played in the same format as the…

IF the Proteas needed a template for the standards that will be required to be successful at the Commonwealth Games, then they need only have watched the competition’s opening match between India and Australia yesterday. Those two teams have developed an intense rivalry in the past five years, and produced another thrilling match in which the current T20 and 50-over World Cup holders eventually emerged triumphant. Over 300 runs were scored, with Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur making 52, which was matched by Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, who helped rescue her side from a tricky position in the run-chase, finally seeing them home with an over to spare. Australia is very much a benchmark in the women’s game, transforming themselves into a more aggressive unit with their success at the T20 World…

When you visit some places, their beauty, sound and smell are forever etched in your memory. Travelling is not just an experience for the eyes, but an experience for all your senses. Here are some of the most unforgettable luxury destinations on Earth. Chalet l’Orchidée If you’re looking for a spa resort in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes of France, Chalet l’Orchidée is one of the best. Prepare yourself for a chilly ski day at Les Deux Alpes if you love the feel of the cold as you glide down one of the most picturesque backdrops. Whatever you prefer, from skiing down the Alps to a cabin escape or country hotel, this winter wonderland will give you a magical experience. South Lodge Hotel and Spa A quaint place for those longing for the…

Serums are the hottest trend, and rightly so with the brilliant results they can showcase when used properly and regularly. With the market filled with an array of products, finding that diamond in the rough that magically takes care of your skincare concerns can be a challenge. Fortunately, there is a way to figure out which serum is right for you – by choosing one with actives specifically designed to target your skin type and skincare concerns. Malini Adapureddy, founder, Deconstruct Skincare offers tips. Dark spots Serum combination – Vitamin C + ferulic Acid. If your skin has discolouration, dullness, dark spots, or even sun damage, Vitamin C is right for you. It can help brighten your skin. It can also help improve your skin’s hydration, reducing redness and the…

In his review report, retired judge Willem Heath found that the Mpati Commission could be rendered illegal and there were critical documents of public interest missing from the commission’s website, write Sizwe Dlamini and Bongani Hans The Sekunjalo Group had every right to seek to set aside the Mpati Commission report if it believed it damaged its reputation and that of related businesses, according to legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala. Zikalala is the founder and director of Zikalala Pty Ltd, Zikalala Attorneys and Zikalala Corporation and is on the board of the Dube Trade Port Corporation. The Mpati Report, which was rejected by retired judge Willem Heath, made claims of wrongdoing against the group and its related entities and recommended further investigation against it. Justice Heath found that the commission could…

THE proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of impropriety at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) are tainted by illegality, according to retired Judge Willem Heath’s findings, published in the Review Report of the Proceedings and Findings of the PIC Commission of Inquiry. Justice Heath, in the report seen by Independent Media’s investigations unit, makes claims that the evidence leader advocate Jannie Lubbe SC, did not act in good faith and failed to observe and apply the principles of natural justice. “The Mpati commission and its evidence leader ignored its terms of reference and was aware of significant corruption, according to emails that we have seen in relation to several transactions,” said Justice Heath. “The commission’s failure to investigate these transactions should mean that the commission operated with illegality.…

IT LOOKS like a Ford Mustang on steroids, and being twice as powerful as your ‘regular’ GT, this special edition Shelby is ripped and ready to conquer. The Shelby Mustang King of the Road has been confirmed for South Africa, with only four of the 225 units allocated for global consumption set to be made available to local buyers, at an estimated price of R4.4 million. You could say it’s a pretty special nameplate, given that this is only the second new iteration of the Shelby GT500 King of the Road (KR) since the original was unleashed in 1968. Back then, it was powered by a 428 Cobra Jet V8 that produced 250kW, but today’s GT500KR is capable of around 670kW. Upgrading to a new Whipple supercharger, featuring a larger…

Given its wide-scale appeal as South Africa’s most popular football club, it has been said that Kaizer Chiefs is the country’s “happy odometer” – when the club wins, the country is happy. Kaizer Chiefs was founded by Kaizer Motaung, who has become a legend on the African football landscape. In the late 1990s, the Pickard Commission was told by Brian Mahon, the SA Football Association’s marketing agent, that Motaung was the “eyes and ears” of South African football. The commission was tasked with looking into the operations of Safa and the National Soccer League. Recently, the University of Cape Town acknowledged Motaung’s pioneering role in football and his contribution to society, conferring on the managing director of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club an honorary doctorate in Social Science. Motaung was taken…

There have been recent incidents of flight diversions due to technical snags and other scares in the air, however, former Indian aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is a trained pilot, said flying remains the safest mode of travel despite a few cases of technical glitches. “Air travel is still the safest mode of transportation. The Iata World Air Transport Statistics revealed last year that out of 990 000 flights operated across the world, there was only one accident. “Passengers must realise that they are travelling in the safest mode of transportation,” said Rudy, who was the civil aviation minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government between 2003 and 2004. He said the main factor responsible for passenger safety is the training of staff, including engineers, pilots and…

The Residence Portfolio has extended its family with the addition of the Mukwa River Lodge on the riverbanks of the mighty Zambezi in Zambia. The enchanting riverside retreat was built from scratch on an unspoiled stretch of land. It is 28-minutes from Livingstone Airport and 10km from Victoria Falls. The family-owned and managed lodge is a sister property to The Residence at Houghton in Johannesburg and Camp Ndlovu at the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg region of Limpopo. The newly launched finished lodge, which was in development for five years, is exclusive and intimate. It accommodates 14 guests in six spacious, free-standing suites, including one two-bedroom family suite. The lodge blends seamlessly into the natural environment of the river. It’s constructed around steel structures with glass and natural materials.…

Travel during childhood or early years was almost incomplete without a train journey with our parents. The scenic routes, meals, munchies during the journey, and conversations with fellow passengers made the journey even better. It gave us the opportunity to spend time with one another as a family and embrace the value of slow travel. As such, Booking.com presents six global railway stays to resurrect the magic and help inspire travellers looking for a nostalgic trip with their parents. Chanakya BNR Hotel, Odisha, India This is an idyllic getaway just 200 meters from Puri's pristine coastline. Staying at Odisha's only heritage hotel is like going back in time and witnessing India’s magnificent railway legacy. This hotel is a small piece of heaven, with all 37 sea-facing rooms featuring customised artwork…