Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-03-04 i Pretoria News Weekend

It’s been announced that South African opera star Pretty Yende will sing at King Charles III’s coronation in Westminster Abbey, London, on May 6. The 37-year-old soprano was elated. The invitation is reminiscent of when Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, were married in 1981. For this occasion, the New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa’s beautiful voice beguiled the royal couple. Te Kanawa, being Maori, represented her indigenous community who were the victims of imperialism and colonialism. Te Kanawa was the same age as Yende is when she gave her royal performance, and Yende carries with her this colonial history too. Considering the previous British coronation was that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, with white males dominating the music programme, it will now, to the best of…

Prince Harry believes in reincarnation. The now 38-year-old prince – who has children Archie, 3, and Lili, 20 months, with wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – was quizzed on what he believes happens after death during a surprise appearance on The Late Show and expressed his hope he'd one day return to Earth as an elephant. Asked what he believes happens when we die, Harry told host Stephen Colbert: “I think we become animals.” Agreeing that he meant reincarnation, Harry was then asked what he hoped to come back as and replied: “An elephant.” During the “Colbert Questionert” segment, the Duke of Sussex was also asked to give five words he hoped would describe his future. He replied: “Freedom, happiness, clarity, space, love.” Harry declared Finley Quaye’s Your Love…

Former paralympian Oscar Pistorius might be released on parole soon. His parole hearing will be held on March 31, having been convicted of murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013. As with other parole hearings, this will be a closed session. Tania Koen, the lawyer acting for Steenkamp’s parents, June and Barry Steenkamp, told the Pretoria News they were aware of the hearing. June, however, did not want to comment further. Koen said they had been notified about it by the Department of Correctional Services. “Oscar Pistorius is like any other offender, in terms of our law, entitled to be considered for parole when they have served their time. We are entitled to attend the parole hearing if we wanted to, or to deliver written submissions if we wanted…

In a landmark move which could result in millions of people across the globe having access to advanced cancer care, Indian experts visited South Africa this week. The delegation from the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) in India were in the country this week to enhance access to their revolutionary Proton Beam Therapy, hailed as the “future of cancer care” globally. The centre, the only proton therapy centre of its kind in South Asia and the Middle East, says its treatment is one of the most precise and advanced forms of cancer treatment. Proton beam therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons, which are positively charged particles, to treat cancer. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which uses X-rays or gamma rays, proton beam therapy delivers a precise dose…

Following the reveal of the facelifted BMW X5 and X6 earlier last month, the Bavarian carmaker has whipped the covers off the M versions. The updated BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition models get a fresh look that takes some inspiration from the controversial XM, as well as updated cabin tech and a revised mild-hybrid powertrain. They’re fitted with M Division’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 pairing with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which includes a small electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox. While the motor, which also functions as a crankshaft-mounted starter generator, adds 9kW and 200Nm to the tally, the overall outputs for the two performance models remain as before. This means you can expect 460kW of power at 6 000rpm as well as 750Nm…

AS the Proteas departed SuperSport Park late on Thursday evening after a few celebratory drinks for wiping away the West Indies in the first Test, one of their members would have been slightly less jovial than others. Keegan Petersen would almost certainly have pondered over the week ahead, returning to the ground of one of his most crucial Test innings, where he first showed his value as a quality Test batter after an indifferent start. But such is his current circumstance that this upcoming Test at the Wanderers, starting next Wednesday, is equally crucial for Petersen. Petersen’s plight has as much to do with rotten luck as with rotten form. Since his Player of the Series performance against India, where he followed up his Wanderers half-century with two more at…

BONNIE Smith, general manager at Corporate Traveller, says the company looked at traveller behaviour, booking patterns, airfares and popular destinations in January for an indication of what the rest of the year will bring us. For example, advance booking behaviour has very much remained on par with 2022. “Businesses are booking on average 15 days before travelling. What has changed, however, is the top 5 international and regional business destinations and the airfares to get to these destinations,” Smith says. London, UK London is a popular destination for South African business travellers and will remain so for 2023. Smith says Heathrow is one of the top international airports for corporate traffic originating from South Africa, with many South African businesses having headquarters in the UK or being listed on…

Breathtaking landscapes, tall green cedars and a fascinating riverside surrounded by majestic mountain peaks make Parvati Valley a natural wonder. But it also has a dark side. Several young foreign and Indian tourists go missing in this area, known for its seedy drug culture. The figures are shocking. The latest case in point is that of a 27-year-old tourist from Ghaziabad near Delhi. He went missing on December 31 after a New Year’s Eve party. After a 35-day search, his body was recovered, after police director-general Sanjay Kundu set up a special investigation team. He had arrived in Kasol to celebrate the New Year. Thereafter, he lost contact with his family members. His father announced a reward for a person who could provide the whereabouts of his son. Then came…

Statistics SA’s December 2022 tourist accommodation report has revealed that hotels are the driving force behind the accommodation sector’s post-pandemic recovery. The report found that accommodation income increased by 46.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, and hotels were the biggest contributors. According to the report, hotels contributed 63.3% (R3.5 billion) to this figure, while other accommodation providers contributed 33.4% (R2.8bn). The figures for December 2022 are equally positive. The first festive season since the start of the pandemic without Covid-19 restrictions in place, the report shows a strong recovery of 43.5% compared to the year before. Income was derived from a 19.9% increase in the number of stay unit nights sold and an increase of 19.7% in the average income per stay unit night sold. Here, the biggest…

Christoph Waltz’s face deserved a series. The breakout star of Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 film Inglourious Basterds has long excelled at playing the finicky, penetrating villain. Observant, charismatic, he brings a physicality to his roles that intimidates precisely because it is neither imposing nor muscle-bound. Prime Video’s The Consultant spins a psychological thriller with comic overtones around that trademark malevolent courtesy. The result is deliciously creepy and not entirely coherent. It feels like a ghost story you hear around the campfire; uncanny and under-explained, but pleasing nevertheless. The eight-episode series, created and written by Tony Basgallop, is an extremely loose adaptation of Bentley Little’s 2015 novel of the same name. In both, a sinister consultant named Regus Patoff shows up to assess and advise a company in crisis called CompWare. His…

THE Department of Education is working on addressing overcrowding, fraud and financial mismanagement, and lack of furniture as well as ablution facilities in Soshanguve public schools. Parents and members of school governing bodies highlighted the plight of the pupils when the academic year commenced in January. This prompted DA spokesperson for Education Khume Ramulifho to visit Thorntree Primary School, Botse Botse Secondary and MJ Ngidi Secondary. This was soon after visiting the former Model C schools in Pretoria North with DA leader in Gauteng, Solly Msimanga, which made him encourage township public schools to follow suit and start being firm with their demands from the department. He wanted school governing bodies in Pretoria townships to start sending their list of demands to the department before they accepted more pupils. Often…

A PRETORIA family have discovered a family treasure among their late mother’s belongings, a one-of-a-kind pocket watch that has taken them on a journey back in time. The relic was the engraved pocket watch of the first editor and founder of the Pretoria News, Leo Weinthal. The pocket watch, according to the family, is an eight-day manual winder, that although was not working, remained in mint condition. “We don’t have much information as we found it among my mother's possessions after her death. We think it might have been connected to where she worked in the 1930s and during World War II, as she worked for the Jewish publisher, Victor Gollancz, in London,” the family said. The family have no connection to the Weinthal family, and are willing to hand…

A 44-year-old entrepreneur has not only ticked off a major bucket list item by climbing Kilimanjaro, but he has also done it for a great cause. Tiisetjo Tleane, who runs a small IT business in Yeoville, Johannesburg called GaMaja, summited Kilimanjaro last week Friday after commencing the gruelling 5 895m climb six days earlier. And to stand out from all scores of other climbers who summited Mount Kilimanjaro before him, the self-employed businessman reached the top of the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world wearing only a purple speedo. Having run two Hollard Daredevil Runs already, Tleane joined the group climbing Kilimanjaro to raise awareness about cancer, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. He explained that his choice of attire was the only clothing item…

The Toyota Fortuner is getting a new look for 2023, and the facelifted model, while not launched yet, has been listed on the manufacturer’s website, along with pricing. The model range remains identical, with Toyota offering a selection of 2.4-litre (110kW, 400Nm) and 2.8-litre turbodiesel (150kW, 500Nm) models in 4x2 and 4x4 guises. The 2.4 GD6 4x2 manual kicks things off at R653 500, while the six-speed automatic version will set you back by R677 500 and the 4x4 auto is priced at R677 500. In the 2.8-litre range, the 4x2 auto goes for R794 800 and the higher-spec VX auto, is R837 800. The 4x4 versions of the aforementioned pair cost R873 500 and R915 400. What’s new for 2023? The changes are purely cosmetic, with the Toyota Fortuner…

ERIK ten Hag says Manchester United are prepared to “suffer” and “sacrifice” at a hostile Anfield as they seek a win against Liverpool that would keep them on the fringes of the Premier League title race. Victory tomorrow would keep alive United’s slim hopes of catching leaders Arsenal while defeat would bolster Liverpool’s hopes of a late push for the top four. “I’m looking forward to it, the ambience, the atmosphere,” said Ten Hag, fresh from winning the League Cup last weekend to end the club’s six-year trophy drought. “It will be great, it will be hostile against us, but we like that. “I know these players, my squad, my team, will be prepared to go there and fight and to go there with confidence. We know it’s going to…

IT’S no secret the Kruger National Park (KNP) is one of South Africa’s most-loved destinations. So it comes as no surprise that Hollywood actor Eugene Levy attributes the beautiful safari destination as one of the places that made him fall in love with South Africa. The successful Schitt’s Creek actor, who has also been in the American Pie franchise and Madea’s Witness Protection, recently began filming a new travel docu-series which brought him to South Africa. The series, called The Reluctant Traveler, places Levy in some of the world’s most beautiful and intriguing destinations including Finland, Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, the Maldives, Portugal and South Africa. The actor and reluctant traveller told Condé Nast Traveler that although he has been around the world and seen “every animal in the jungles…

Strongly rooted in her home country, Zahirah Marty focused much of her content on the US-based travel show, Great Getaways, on the first year of visiting South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. When it comes to travelling the continent, the South African-born presenter said South Africa is her favourite African destination. “Home is where my heart is, but if I was to exclude South Africa it would be Rwanda,” said Marty. Marty said creating a travel show was a team effort and “I have the best one”. “I’m really proud of our team; from the crew (who are South African too), to our wonderful executive director and producer, Lisa-Renee Ramirez, who manages everything from the US,” said Marty. Born in Westville, Durban, she started out in television with SABC’s…

ANEW Hotels & Resorts is in celebratory mode after it announced that it will be welcoming guests to its 16th property, ANEW Resort White River Mbombela in Mpumalanga. Currently known as The Ingwenyama Resort, this impressive and tranquil conferencing and sports resort in the Lowveld is an incredible feather to add to the group’s proverbial cap in a prime strategic location. The hotel asset management company said it had soldiered on through the pandemic and grown its portfolio from three properties in March 2020 to 16 properties in three years. ANEW Hotels & Resorts CEO Clinton Armour said they were thrilled to work with the owners of the property and had an extensive ongoing refurbishment plan in place. ANEW Resort White River is a great location for sports teams and…

Chris Rock will finally strike back at Will Smith over his Oscars slap – a week before this year’s Academy Awards. The comic, 58, who has only made brief jokes about being assaulted on stage by Smith at the 2022 awards ceremony, has had his upcoming live Netflix special scheduled for broadcast on March 4, with insiders saying it will be packed with jibes at Smith. An insider told Page Six: “If you were waiting to see Rock on tour address the infamous Will Smith slap situation ... the comedian is waiting to spill his humorous take on it on his live Netflix stand-up special.” Another source added: “People need to tune in till the last joke, they will not be disappointed.” Rock is said to have teamed up with…

NEW Year’s Resolutions can be overrated, but these are the things that make us want to be better. However, 90% of the time they just fizzle out: the Journal of Clinical Psychology says only 46% of people who made New Year’s resolutions were successful. Exercising more, losing weight, spending less money, or simply learning a new skill or hobby are just a few of the most common resolutions. Making time to focus on your fitness journey can be a slow start, but at least it’s a start – even if it’s two months later. March is the ideal time to revamp your exercise regimen and make any required adjustments to keep your body fit and strong for the remainder of 2023. Stacey Holland, a “wellness architect”, yoga teacher and…

The concept of a learning academy to train and upskill members of the Department of Correctional Services and those seeking to build careers in the public service should be realised in three years. Much like the Department of Defence trains its staff as well as young recruits for various careers in their wings, like the SA Air Force, Military Health and the Navy, the department is set to integrate its available facilities, institutions, and those of its partners, like universities, to establish a Corrections Academy. Yesterday, discussions about the mission attracted commitment and delegation from numerous universities across the country, including Unisa, Tshwane University of Technology, National School of Government, and multiple others outside Tshwane, such as University of Limpopo and University of Zululand. They met at the Kgosi Mampuru…

THINGS are about to get a lot more exciting for SABC viewers as Katlego Maboe gears up to host a hot new television show, Deal or No Deal South Africa. The game show, which has been a worldwide sensation, will be part of the SABC’s offering from this month. It has been described as a “game show match of nerves, instincts and raw intuition”, adding intense suspense with loads of money ready for the taking. Deal or No Deal, which has entertained and enchanted audiences across more than 50 countries, will be broadcast on SABC 1, Monday to Friday, in prime time from 7.30pm to 8pm and then again the following day on SABC 3, Monday to Friday, at 5.30pm. It will launch on SABC 1 this Monday. Maboe hopes…

pupilS at Refitlhile Primary School at Phake Village in Mpumalanga, 47km from Hammanskraal, have received almost a 100 pairs of brand new school shoes. The donation was made possible through the initiative championed by Mmulutsi and Partners Projects in partnership with the Young Men Movement. In a country of so many inequalities, a high unemployment rate, and relatively low returns in business, Mmulutsi and Partners Projects understands the importance of charity beginning at home. Moreover, the company is not waiting for the business to make millions before giving back to those in need. With the little profits they are making, they are ready to share with those that are in need, according to the management. Many of these pupils at the school had never owned a brand new pair of…

In an era of rapid electrification and engine downsizing, 12-cylinder engines are on a fast-track to extinction, and the latest we have to bid farewell to is Bentley’s iconic W12. The British carmaker has announced that it will end production of its 12-cylinder petrol engine in April 2024, by which time more than 100 000 examples would have been produced in the company’s Dream Factory in Crewe, England. The decision comes as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy, which will see the company’s entire model line fully electrified by the start of the next decade. This journey has already begun, with the introduction of the Bentayga and Flying Spur Hybrid models for which demand is reportedly exceeding the company’s expectations. When production of the W12 ceases next year, Bentley’s entire model…

THE Bulls have had an extra week to ponder on how they can improve their finishing, but coach Jake White feels that nothing much needs to change for today’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions. The Pretoria side had several opportunities to dispatch the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld a few weeks ago, but wasted several chances in the Cape side’s 22 and lost 23-19. They return to Loftus this afternoon (4.45pm kick-off) to take on a Lions side high on confidence following their 35-24 victory over Glasgow at Ellis Park last week. White stated yesterday – after selecting a new-look backline that sees veteran Morné Steyn at flyhalf – that the Bulls are “desperate” to turn things around after losing six out of their last eight matches. “If I…

WITH nine games left before the DStv Premiership season ends, Kaizer Chiefs will know that it’s no longer about how they started, but how they’ll finish in May. Chiefs, like they’ve done in the last seven years, are set to end the season without the league’s gold medal hanging on their necks. And that’s not an appealing report for a club that’s expected to compete for every trophy season in and season out. A lot of things, on and off the pitch, have factored into Chiefs’ struggles, including assembling a new squad and losing regulars to long and short term injures. Instead of sulking, though, Chiefs must fight for the No.2 spot on the log given that’s their only realistic chance of playing Champions League football next season. Their quest…

When anti-government protests erupted and turned violent in Lima and Cusco in January, Peru's tourism industry had just begun recovering from nearly two years of pandemic shutdowns, after suffering one of the highest death tolls in the world. News of tourists stranded at Machu Picchu spread – they were either helicoptered out or had to walk for seven hours along the train tracks down to Aguas Calientes, the small city in the valley below. A wave of trip cancellations to the country followed. A month later, Peru is trying to put it all behind and bring visitors back. Machu Picchu, which was indefinitely closed on January 21, reopened to visitors on February 15, the national government confirmed. Ticket sales have resumed, and the few tourists who waited it out were…

There is more of Japan to explore now that the island nation has discovered it has more islands in its territorial waters. According to Japanese media outlet Kyodo News, the Japanese government conducted a recount of its islands and found its territory more than doubled. “The number of listed Japanese islands is expected to more than double from 6 852 to 14 125 after the government recounted them for the first time in 35 years,” said Kyodo News. The report said the decision to reassess the number of listed islands came amid criticism that the data was old. This new discovery is likely to affect entries in educational and other materials. “The government has been using the figure released in 1987 by the Japan Coast Guard. At the time, the…