Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-08-27 i Pretoria News Weekend

For almost two decades, no one has occupied and thrived in more diverse spaces in the local music industry than Zakhele Madida, the artist popularly known as Zakes Bantwini. He’s helmed the A&R department of a major label, he’s unearthed and propelled various award-winning artists through his own independent label, and he’s picked up the microphone to occupy the position of superstar artist when called upon. Now, at 42, with the KwaZulu-Natal native at the height of his career and enjoying the acclaim afforded one of dance music’s most enduring voices, he recently announced that he’s decided to call it quits. He doesn’t want to call it retirement, though, and prefers to say he’s taking a back seat. “I’m not gonna be putting up music under my name. “I’m still…

WITH the cost of living soaring, mounting levels of student debt are causing concern. Already high, total student debt is predicted to rise by R1.2 billion this year. This comes after Universities South Africa revealed that, based on trends observed over the past years, student debt from 2018 to 2020 increased from R11.3bn to R13.162bn, before rocketing to R16.5bn in 2020/2021. The director for operations and sector support at Universities South Africa, Linda Meyer, said the percentage debt ratio owed by students to universities was increasing annually, with about half of the fee-paying students (excluding National Student Financial Aid Scheme-sponsored students) facing some form of financial difficulty in meeting their obligations. “About 50% of students in public universities are NSFAS beneficiary students that the government financially supports and who come…

THE outgoing Jeep Grand Cherokee range didn’t age too badly in our opinion, but after 11 years on the market, it was time to move aside. Its replacement comes in the form of the new Grand Cherokee L. The long-wheelbase version, which now seats up to seven occupants, is being launched first in South Africa. Although the new standard-wheelbase version is in the planning for our market, it won’t arrive this year, Jeep says. Jeep is offering the new Grand Cherokee L in three versions, with the Limited starting at R1 299 900, the midrange Overland coming in at R1 479 900 and the Summit Reserve listed at R1 679 900. All are powered by the 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar normally aspirated engine, which produces 210kW and 344Nm. The engine is…

THE significance of ukungena esibayeni (entering the sacred kraal) by the King of AmaZulu is one of the most important rituals as well as customs and traditions because it is the occasion when a king is introduced to the ancestors of the nation as the person succeeding the late king, in this case, Zwelithini. The whole process of ukungena esibayeni is the final sacred ritual that prepares the king to lead the nation because soon after that the king will have to pledge to the nation as to how he is going to lead them and what he is expecting from his people, and will also pledge with amakhosi (chiefs) to work with them, omama (mothers), amabutho (regiments) and maidens. They also pledge loyalty to the king when they…

In December, Uganda launched a campaign around the prevention of teenage pregnancy and child marriages dubbed “Protect the girl, Save the Nation” spearheaded by the First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni, and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. The campaign calls on all the stakeholders and communities to take action to protect the girl child and to empower them with information, knowledge and skills to enable them to make informed decisions and choices to delay childbearing and build their potential. The intervention came against the backdrop that teenage pregnancies in Uganda, the currently highest in sub-Saharan Africa, turned out to be a major health, social and economic issue in Uganda. With the national prevalence rate standing at 25%, in the Teso sub- region, for example, teenage pregnancy rates are much…

In these turbulent times, where one global crisis follows another and our local economy is struggling, for many South Africans a comfortable and certain future seems out of reach. With consumer confidence crashing to its lowest level in three decades in the second quarter of 2022, there is a pressing need to reassure and reignite hope for a more sustainable and resilient future. But how can we unlock the collective financial, intellectual and developmental resources of our Rainbow Nation to facilitate this? Boasting a young population compared to developed countries, with an average age of just 28, South Africa is a country of big thinkers who have performed well on the global stage. Companies such as Naspers, Rembrandt and SA Breweries, and individuals like Mark Shuttleworth and Patrice Motsepe, to…

The first episode of Archetypes features Serena Williams, who recently announced her plans to retire from pro tennis, talking with Meghan Markle about the double standards women face when they are labelled “ambitious”. The Duchess of Sussex’s weekly podcast is available on Spotify worldwide. Archetypes is the first series to land on Spotify under the streaming service’s exclusive deal with Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Audio. In the series, Markle will have “uncensored conversations” with guests, uncover the origin of stereotypes about women and how they shape narratives in the culture. Markle revealed to Williams a horrifying incident during her and Prince Harry’s official visit to South Africa. A blaze occurred in 2019 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Nyanga township for an official talk while Archie,…

People have recently started to pay more attention to the cosmetics they choose to use on their skin. Everyone’s perception of beauty is and always will be subjective. Brands are raising their standards in response to the changing demands of their customers as the cosmetics business experiences a rise in recent years. Choosing personal care and wellness goods has become a top priority for modern beauty consumers, and this trend towards clean beauty is evidence of this. Consumers nowadays will choose products that are “natural”, “eco-friendly”, “toxin-free”, and “clean” over those that are packed with chemicals. The tide has undoubtedly shifted in favour of sustainable beauty. Nearly half of the 1 000 women surveyed by the prestigious Harper’s Bazaar have already included clean, ingredient-focused selections in their regimen, and more…

In a rape case with a twist, a man described as either being gay or transgender who was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a then 12-year-old boy, received a reprieve on appeal when the court reduced his sentence to a 12-year jail term. It emerged during the trial that the accused, who was 19 at the time, and the victim actually had consensual sex. However, since the “victim” was too young in terms of the law to consent to sex, the accused was convicted and sentenced by a magistrate’s court in the Eastern Cape. On appeal to the high court in that province, two judges found the magistrate erred in handling the matter as if a “man” had committed the act of rape. The court also rejected the findings…

CONSUMERS have seen a sharp increase in staple foods such as sunflower oil and bread and they are being overcharged by retailers. According to the Competition Commission, South Africans may be facing opportunistic price increases of sunflower oil as processor prices have increased far more than sunflower seed prices this year. It has also expressed concern that retailers have not passed on wholesale cost reductions for bread (700g loaf) in the past, resulting in widening retail margins. This is detailed in the Competition Commission’s latest monitoring report on essential food pricing, released this week. The Pietermaritzburg Economic, Justice and Dignity group, which has been monitoring food prices for low income groups for years, also issued its household affordability index for August this week. It monitors the same basic food products…

August – designated as Women’s Month – is an opportune period to reflect on how to create a culture in which all members of our human family, whether women or men, can advance together, to build a better world. According to the Baháí Writings: “The happiness of mankind will be realised when women and men co-ordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the other”. Considering that women and men complement each other in their roles and functions, the happiness and stability of humanity cannot be assured unless both are given the same rights and opportunities in their families and their communities. The well-being and prosperity of the human family depends on the development of the potential abilities and virtues of everyone, regardless of gender, race,…

AFROPOP singer Sbahle has ditched Umuthi Records for Ambitiouz Entertainment label. Deeply rooted and cultural, Sbahle had signed for Umuthi Records in June 2020. The songstress celebrated her move to Ambitiouz Entertainment with a hip hop single. She said the switch was easy because Ambitiouz Entertainment had looked after her from day one, and joining the label was just a formality. “It’s a place where I can freely explore all my musical talent. Having felt like part of the family from the beginning I feel my pace will increase, and the world will see more of me.” Sbahle said fans could expect more music from her as she was working on both hip hop and Afropop projects. Asked why she turned to hip hop, Sbahle said she always loved the…

It is difficult to try and describe in a few words a resilient man of many talents who beat cancers when doctors lost hope and continues to juggle full-time careers as an advocate, a stand-up comedian and a soul and Afro pop DJ. Themba Eustace Nhlapo, affectionately known as Jazzbuda, 46, does so much with his body that it would make the average person collapse if they had to put on his shoes. His demanding schedule sees him win cases in the courtrooms, crack a joke behind the mic and make people dance as a DJ. Jazzbuda spoke about his humble upbringing which made him the hard-working man he is today. He doesn’t believe in taking it easy, but manages his time wisely to give his body enough time to…

As we reach the end of this year’s Women’s Month, it is important to reflect on the progress towards the achievement of gender equality in the workplace with special reference to the representation of women in top leadership positions. According to the PwC South Africa Executive Directors report 2022, only seven of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed companies are led by women chief executives. At the slow rate of gender transformation, it could take more than 50 years to achieve gender equality in the leadership of these JSE-listed companies. The 2019/20 annual report of the Commission for Employment Equity presents a slightly better picture in terms of women’s representation at the top management level, which was 24.4% compared with the 2001 figure of 13%. It is also encouraging…

The regulator for the medical aid industry, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), has intervened to help beleaguered members of Health Squared Medical Scheme, which has applied to the High Court for voluntary liquidation. Health Squared, a small open scheme with about 48 000 members, is expected to cease business on August 31, leaving members without cover. This week, the CMS released a statement saying it would try to help members transfer to other schemes. “In protecting members’ interests, the CMS has engaged seven medical schemes to move current Health Squared Medical Scheme members to other schemes. These medical schemes are in discussions with CMS to consider options for Health Squared Medical Scheme members while ensuring their members are not unduly disadvantaged.” The CMS cautions members of the scheme not…

I am a young female interested in investing but feel unsure of how to get started on the process. Can you provide guidance on how to go about this new journey? Name withheld Chrisley Botha, wealth adviser at PSG Wealth, responds: Wondering how to start this process is normal when you’re new to investing. Although sometimes the financial world can be confusing, it is important to make use of a good financial strategy. I would suggest you prioritise the following tips for successful investing. Goals: Identify what your goals are. Are you saving toward retirement, or are you looking to invest your money for other needs? Bear in mind that your priorities and goals might change over time, and your financial plan needs to adapt accordingly. That’s why it’s best…

CARLOS Sainz topped the times ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc as Ferrari delivered a one-two ahead of Red Bull’s world champion and series leader Max Verstappen in yesterday’s opening practice at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Spaniard clocked a best lap in one minute and 46.538 seconds to outpace his Monegasque partner by nearly a 10th of a second. Verstappen, who leads the title race by 80 points, was adrift by 1.2 seconds in an intriguing session run in dry conditions until a late downpour. George Russell was fourth for Mercedes in 1:47.396 ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Alex Albon of Williams and Daniel Ricciardo who was seventh for McLaren, two days after announcing his early exit from the team later this year. Yuki Tsunoda was eighth for Alpha…

THIS season promises to be an interesting one. Quite a few so-called “top six” clubs are currently in a spot of bother, and one such example is Liverpool. The Reds looked strong in pre-season and were widely expected to challenge for the top four major trophies on offer; they still can, as the season is in its infancy. However, it is safe to say the Reds have had a disastrous start to the season. Liverpool are currently not defending well or attacking with confidence. Something appears to be off with their chemistry, and Mohamed Salah may be struggling to find that same level of chemistry he shared with Sadio Mane with his new attacking teammates. The Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat against a crisis-laden Manchester United side this week.…

Kim Kardashian is reportedly wishing to date “someone older” after her split from Pete Davidson. The 41-year-old Skims founder had a 13-year age gap between her and the Bodies Bodies Bodies star – who she dated for nine months until this month – and it’s claimed she is ready to get back on the dating scene and would like to find a man older than her. An insider told E! News: “Kim’s expressed she’s ready to date someone older but it has to be the right person who understands her life. She isn’t compromising her freedom right now.” They added: “She enjoys dating and is definitely open to putting herself out there again.” Meanwhile, the Kardashians star is said to be “very supportive” of Davidson’s decision to attend therapy. Following…

YOU cannot hide from the taxman, and you cannot run from your maintenance obligations. A husband now stands to lose his home as he fell into arrears. He had entered into a maintenance agreement with his former wife 23 years ago. She issued a warrant of execution against her husband’s property on the basis of a divorce settlement entered into between them during September 1995, which settlement agreement was made an order of this court at the time. According to the warrant and the documents in support of it handed to the high court in Johannesburg, an amount of R2 154 461.81 is due and payable by the husband to his ex-wife in respect of arrears maintenance for their daughter. When the sheriff attempted to execute the writ,…

With entertainment in full swing across South Africa, the Maboneng Music Festival has added to the list of local activities that people can look forward to. This popular festival is set to take place on October 1 at The Hanger in Maboneng, giving new artists a platform to showcase their artistry. Popular radio personality DJ Sabby will be strutting the stage as a host with much-loved artists such as Blaq Diamond, Sizwe Alakine, Halo Yagami to legends like Dalom Kids, and music bands like Rapture90s and many others giving stellar performances. The creative force behind this vibrant festivity, Thomas Aquinas, spoke about its essence and why it is important to local artists. “The event focuses on uplifting the youth through the art of music and bringing music lovers together from…

ONE of the biggest weekends in South African music is upon us and it promises to be jam-packed. The 28th South African Music Awards (Samas) will be broadcast on SABC 1 with TV personality Lawrence Maleka returning as host. Singer and actress Nandi Madida will be his co-host. The Open Mic Official Pre-Party will be broadcast on SABC 1 at 10pm tonight. The Open Mic Pre-Party hosts are Metro FM DJ Sabby and Matt Ell. They will be joined by Zanele Potelwa of “HotSpot Seli”. Potelwa has also been announced as the 2022 Samas red carpet host. The presenter said it was dream come true for her. Tomorrow, the winners will be revealed.…

To mark its first Independence Day since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops to conquer the country, Ukraine is holding a ghost parade. Khreschatyk Street, Kyiv’s grandest boulevard, is lined this week with the carcasses of burned and battered Russian fighting machines, destroyed in Ukraine’s surprisingly robust defence against the invasion launched by Moscow six months ago. The “procession” of more than 70 treadless tanks and crumpled artillery launchers is a bizarre inversion of the triumphant procession Russian commanders had hoped to conduct through a captured capital. “The Russians wanted to drive this parade through Kyiv, but our military has done it for them,” said Vasyl Radchenko, who was visiting from his home on the outskirts of the city and choked back tears as he gazed along a cavalcade…

Covid-19 accelerated the trend locally, but online shopping has been gaining traction for some time now. Retailers, restaurants and ride hailing outfits are scrambling to expand their online offerings and the delivery options that support them. The boom has been good for business and has led to more sales, including for those mom-and-pop shops that suffered most under the pandemic’s pedantic protocols . According to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), which released its annual report for the 2021/2022 financial year on Wednesday, one of the legacies of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the spectacular rise of e-commerce, which saw online sales in South Africa leap by 66% to more than R30 billion between 2019 and 2020. “Consumers have grown accustomed to the convenience and choice that online…

Having the most developed and sophisticated financial sector of any country in Africa, South Africa was poised, some years ago, to be the financial hub for the continent, or at least for the continent south of the Sahara. We even amended our legislation to accommodate shariah-compliant financial products to attract investment from the global Islamic community. That worthwhile goal has sadly receded, and South Africa is now facing the unenviable prospect of being placed on a grey list of countries by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. This would lump us with pariah states such as Pakistan, Myanmar, South Sudan and Syria as an unattractive country with which to do business and, if you did want to do business, would require added…

ORLANDO Pirates are set for their first cup fixture of the season when they travel to Chatsworth Stadium for their MTN8 quarter-final against Royal AM today. League football pauses momentarily, with the Buccaneers top of the pile in the DStv Premiership standings. They now face a different proposition in their first taste of knockout football in this campaign. Having exited early in the previous instalment of the tournament, the 2020 champions will look to reclaim the silverware, which they have hoisted aloft 10 times since the advent of the Top Eight competition in South African football. Pirates head into the fixture having beaten Marumo Gallants 1-0 at Orlando Stadium in midweek. Pirates remain unbeaten away from home, having claimed five out of the available nine points, with three out of…

herman.gibbs@gmail.com THERE are positive signs that Mamelodi Sundowns have shaken off a jittery start to the season, which has seen them suffer a defeat and a draw in their opening five DStv Premiership matches. Last Wednesday, Sundowns produced their best performance to date when they skinned Stellenbosch 3-0 at Loftus Versfeld. Two weeks earlier, Sundowns were equally ruthless when they took Kaizer Chiefs to the cleaners for a 4-0 drubbing, also at Loftus. During the Stellenbosch match, Sundowns unleased new signing Marcelo Allende. After a second-half cameo, the Chilean international added his name to the score sheet after being on the field for only seven minutes. For the rest of the match, he showed some brilliant touches, which did not go unnoticed by the "Yellow Nation". Sundowns fans were…