Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-01-21 i Pretoria News Weekend

Harry Styles, pictured, is set to perform at the 2023 BRIT Awards. The former One Direction singer is in joint place with Wet Leg for the most nominations at the February 11 ceremony at London’s O2 arena, with four apiece. The Late Night Talking singer is up for the Artist of the Year prize, alongside Central Cee, George Ezra, Stormzy and Fred Again, and is also shortlisted for Mastercard Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Pop/R+B Act. Indie stars Wet Leg, who received nods for Mastercard Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Best New Artist and Alternative/Rock Act, were already confirmed to perform on the night, along with Sam Smith and Kim Petras. Wet Leg, comprising Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, said of their nominations:…

On Saturday, January 28, one of South Africa’s biggest horse racing events will take place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town – the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. The event attracts visitors from all over South Africa as it caters for everyone, from the punter out to win big on the main race to the partygoer who is there to check out their favourite music artists, and the fashionistas who dress up to impress or simply watch the outrageous outfits go by. Every year fashionistas are challenged to step up their style game as they are encouraged to dress according to a theme. This year’s Cape Town Met theme is “Mardi Gras”. Mardi Gras, otherwise known as “Fat Tuesday”, is a traditional carnival held in New Orleans. The…

JANUARY 24 was designated by the UN in 2018 as the International Day of Education – underlining the important role of education in the empowerment and development of our children and youth. Access to education is a basic human right. Education and training of every child, their personality, mental and physical abilities and spiritual qualities to their fullest potential, is the right of every child. However, globally millions of children and youth still do not attend school and their right to education is violated. According to a statement of the Baháí International Community: “Future generations will be better able to govern the affairs of humankind and guarantee that the rights of all are respected if the rights of today’s children are protected and their full development assured”. Education is central…

While many 2022 matriculants celebrated their achievements this week, Luke Andrews of Cornwall Hill College in Centurion is smiling especially bright – he has accomplished a record 15 matric distinctions. Luke has a reputation for consistently raising the bar, and his exam results are no exception for him. His record 15 matric distinctions is the latest in a string of firsts for this multitalented learner. In addition to being Dux Scholar and recipient of the Servant Leadership trophy, Luke, 18, achieved honours awards across nine disciplines spanning academic, cultural and service spheres. Luke also has the distinction of being the only pupil in the history of the school to have received the Renaissance Award twice – the highest honour a student can achieve. An avid innovator focused on helping people…

HIGHER Education, Science and Technology Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has assured prospective students the post-schooling sector was ready to usher them into the next phase of their studying ambitions. Speaking on the eve of the release of the national matric results yesterday, Nzimande assured current and prospective students the announcement and release of the results would not affect the state of readiness for the cohort planning to venture into the post-schooling education and training sector in the 2023 academic year. Concerns were raised by education stakeholders, prior to a briefing by Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi on Monday, that although the quality assurance would not need an extension for the release of the results, the reason the 2022 matric results would be late was the Covid-19 pandemic. “The schools started…

Amid the current euphoria of finishing matric with distinction for many, the stigma of those who scraped through with a 30% pass in one or two subjects remains a blight on an education system that continues to fail South Africans. Amid the pomp, it begs whether there is any merit in celebrating an education system that makes it acceptable for you to pass even if you get 30% in two subjects. Many will agree that South Africa is in a mess because the bar is set so low. Accepting a 30% pass in two subjects remains a contested decision. To leave schools with a sense of pride and an attitude that one will take on the world, surely one should finish matric with a minimum of a 50% pass in…

WELCOME to your 2023 financial year! The first step in the right direction? Meeting your trusted financial planner. After all, how can you plan and execute astutely and holistically without an objective expert guiding the way? With your annual review set up, consider the following points before you go, and ensure you leave with peace of mind about the road ahead, having accounted for them in your financial plan. Does your will need an update? The world had to adjust to so much change last year on a macro level. The war in Ukraine, for example, had a significant impact on the price of fuel and other inflation-sensitive goods. On a micro level, there could have been some major changes in your life that you would have had to accommodate,…

Even though a trust is a unique entity, people often try to make sense of its nature by comparing it to a company, as a company is a well-known entity through which people operate their businesses. Both trustee and company directors have similar fiduciary duties bestowed upon them. A fiduciary duty is an onerous, legal obligation (a duty of loyalty and care) of a person managing property or money belonging to another person to act in the best interests of such a person. These fiduciary duties are manifested either through the acts that govern trusts and companies, or by common law. Common law – also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law – is the body of law developed by judges and courts. Common law stands on equal…

TWO of the biggest teams in the country, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs will do battle for the second time this season when they meet at FNB Stadium tonight at 8pm. Encounters between the two have produced some of the most outstanding performances over the years with a few stars making their name. IOL Sport’s Football Writer Smiso Msomi looks at five players who produced outstanding performances in previous clashes: Peter Shalulile The Sundowns forward has been a stand-out performer in matches between the two teams since his arrival at Chloorkop, scoring five goals in the four matches he’s played against Chiefs in the colours of the Brazilians. The Namibian international scored twice the last time these teams met. His power and goalscoring instincts have been a nightmare for…

FOR the first and only time in his life, Frik du Preez was at a loss for words. He stood before his teammates in the dressing room at the Sydney Cricket Ground and twiddled a beer can in his giant paws as he contemplated the end of his spectacular Springbok career, one that would later earn him the title of Springbok Player of the 20th Century. But words would not come and he slowly sat down again. It was 1971 and, fittingly, Hannes Marais’ “Unbeatables” had just won the third Test against the Wallabies to complete a 15-match tour of Australia without defeat to give Frik the perfect send-off. Kim Shippey, the renowned radio commentator, was with the Boks and he said: “This giant of Springbok rugby rose to say…

THE Nigerian consulate in Joburg has condemned the “invasion” of its premises by City of Joburg’s power utility, City Power, to disconnect electricity at the diplomatic mission. This week, City Power visited multiple premises around Joburg’s region E, disconnecting electricity to recoup more than R360 million it is owed by entities in the region. The Nigerian diplomatic mission in Illovo was visited on Wednesday. City Power said the consulate owed more than R400 000. Following the visit, the Consulate General of Nigeria in South Africa issued a statement expressing displeasure, adding the South African government had to investigate the conduct of the City of Joburg officials. “The invasion squad, which comprised officials of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and City Power, as well as members of the press, arrived at…

Visiting an airport as a primary- school pupil and seeing an aircraft land and take off was all it took to convince 21-year-old Lethabo Malesa to dream of soaring the skies. The story of this young woman captured the hearts of South Africans and inspired many. Even EFF leader Julius Malema tweeted about her obtaining a commercial pilot licence in December. The country jumped to her praises, noting her humble beginnings in Seshego, Limpopo. She went on to accept financial support from the EFF pilot programme and used it to earn her place in the aviation industry. Malesa is so determined to make a name for herself in South Africa aviation that all she thinks about is soaring through the skies, exploring things on her own before she even starts…

Most of the municipalities in the country do not have properly accredited officials in the fields of electrical, civil, mechanical and chemical engineering in their employ. This shocking detail was revealed by Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in her written reply to questions in parliament from the FF Plus’s Michael Groenewald. Groenewald asked Dlamini Zuma to provide the FF Plus with details of the number of engineers in the different fields in each of the nine provinces that was supported by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent. The party also wanted details of whether any of the specified engineers were registered with recognised professional bodies, as well as the total number in each of the municipalities. Groenewald also wanted details of engineers working in the municipalities,…

THIS year is a significant year for several democracies in Africa. Countries, including Nigeria, will be taking to the polling stations for their presidential elections. With the Nigerian elections just a few weeks away, there is much attention on the country. The elections have been described as crucial for Nigeria’s democratic history. They are the first elections under the new electoral legislation, which was signed into law in February last year. The elections also come at a time when Nigerians are dissatisfied with the socio-economic standing of the country, and the government’s failure to remedy the issues. A poll showed that 77% of the population were dissatisfied with how the government has been failing to improve livelihoods, which have been deteriorating, and failing to curb corruption. Hence the hope that…

The “Oscars” of the unit trust industry, the annual Raging Bull Awards, hosted by Personal Finance, will take place on Tuesday, February 28. Reverting to tradition, after two years of being a virtual presentation owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event takes the form of a lavish black-tie gala dinner, to be held this year at Pigalle restaurant in Green Point, Cape Town. The special guest speaker at this year’s ceremony, which celebrates the top-performing unit trust funds of 2022, is Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the SA Revenue Service (Sars). Kieswetter has headed Sars since 2019, before which his roles included group chief executive for the Alexander Forbes Group, group executive of the Sars Large Business Centre and High Nett Worth Unit, Sars chief operating officer and deputy commissioner, and…

To say that 2022 was a nightmare for cryptocurrency investors and the crypto industry as a whole may be regarded as an understatement by the many thousands who lost heavily. First, we had a sharp fall in the prices of cryptocurrencies, which more or less coincided with the decline in the global tech stocks. This precipitated a series of collapses of various tokens and platforms culminating in the fall of the second-largest crypto exchange on the planet, FTX, which turned out to be a gigantic Ponzi scheme. The result was an abrupt reversal in any credibility crypto had acquired as an investment and a newfound determination by regulators to clamp down on the industry. This when crypto was slowly beginning to gain some respectability. In a column back in August…

DANIIL Medvedev yesterday became the latest title contender to crash out of the men’s draw at the Australian Open, but Iga Swiatek led a charge of the women’s seeds into the last 16. Russia’s Medvedev was runner-up at the last two Grand Slams in Melbourne but his tournament ended with a whimper in round three at the hands of Sebastian Korda. The American, son of 1998 Australian Open champion Petr Korda, won 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) as seventh seed Medvedev followed defending champion Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud in exiting in the first week. Korda, who faces 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland next, told Rod Laver Arena: “An unbelievable match. “I sort of knew what I had to do and I stuck with it even when I was…

LOAD shedding is not only crippling the economy and frustrating South Africans; it is also threatening lives and leaving those dependent on oxygen, such as Renae Botha, in total angst. She shared her anxiety this week on social media, directing her post to Brent Lindeque, known as The Good Things Guy, asking for advice on whether she could get a small solar panel for one plug to keep her oxygen going. Botha did not ask for hand-outs but said she was stressing that when the grid collapsed, how would she keep her oxygen flow going? Speaking to the Pretoria News, this KwaZulu-Natal resident said she went out with an appeal on social media to find the best way to power an oxygen machine during load shedding. “I was asking if…

Driven by a love of art and the freedom it gives, Lesego Thierry Kutumela, best known as Black Money, began his hip hop music journey at a young age. He started rapping when he was 12 and is still navigating his way through the music industry. He envisions himself collaborating with the biggest artists in the hip-hop industry, such as Nasty C and Jessie Smallest. Born and raised in Soshanguve, the 19-year-old wants his music to speak to everyone, but mostly people around his age. Kutumela said he knows how much music can affect and change one’s life for the better and that is why he dedicated his songs to his peers. He highlighted the difficulties they face in life while trying to find and understand themselves. He said it…

The past two weeks in South Africa have left millions of people in the dark, literally and figuratively. As the costs mount, it is concerning that no one who is formally in power seems to have any control. And amid all the chaos, the inequalities between the rich and the rest are growing. Recent days have been replete with concerns about the impact of the last quarter’s load shedding on the economy. Rational reasons for the drastic load shedding are not forthcoming from the Cabinet. Stories of poisoning and sabotage are great obfuscations to what must be one of the greatest mismanagements of a public utility. Retailers have lost trading hours and had to incur diesel costs to keep the power on. But the crisis turns structural when the production…

It is always a problem when public- policy positions freeze into an orthodoxy. Orthodoxies presume that we know the answer to difficult questions, which is seldom the case. Orthodoxies also fire up the prosecutorial instincts of zealots and, worse, bureaucrats, which are morally repugnant. Orthodoxies are particularly dangerous when they infect policies that shape not just the rules of society but also its overall tenor. This is exactly what has happened to the broad subject of race relations in Britain. An orthodoxy that was hatched by US academics and activists has taken over the discussion of race, not only in British universities but in the civil service and the corporate sector. The orthodoxy rests on several fixed assumptions: that disparity in outcomes is evidence of discrimination; racism is an all-pervasive…

Homeowner’s cover continues to be an important and valuable topic. If you own a home it is crucial that you understand the various aspects involving this type of insurance, since it protects your valuable asset when unexpected events happen like the 2022 floods in Kwazulu-Natal and the recent gas tanker explosion in Boksburg. Our hearts go out to the families and individuals affected by these devastating events. If you have homeowner’s insurance, or you’re in the process of applying for it, you may have come across the term “replacement value”. And you may be wondering what it is and why it’s important. Let’s take a closer look. What is meant by the replacement value of your home? Replacement value refers to the current cost to rebuild your home if it’s…