Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-05-06 i Pretoria News Weekend

Because childhood is such a vibrant time of participation and discovery, we all want our children to lead active, fulfilling lives. However, there are both healthy and unhealthy ways to make sure this happens. In the diets of far too many kids and teenagers, caffeine has assumed a very harmful role. According to Lila Bruk, a qualified dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA), there is a concern with some energy drinks that go over the daily maximum suggested for children. Energy drinks, as defined by the Cleveland Clinic in the US, are liquids with high concentrations of caffeine and other stimulants, such as sugar, sweeteners, herbal supplements, vitamins and taurine. They are not governed as foods because they are sold as nutritional supplements and…

The British royal family are preparing for a historical moment and so, too, is the rest of the world. BBC Lifestyle is cashing in on the excitement with a raft of royal programming this weekend, starting with a special coverage of the coronation of King Charles and the Queen Consort (Camilla Parker Bowles) at London’s Westminster Abbey today. From 8.30am the channel will cover all the ceremonial events as they unfold throughout the day in The Coronation – Live. Thousands of guests are set to gather at Westminster Abbey for the momentous occasion and the BBC will capture them and the unique service in all its majesty. The day will continue with the return procession to Buckingham Palace. As the royal family are received at The Mall, viewers will have…

Residential financing for private individuals is in its early stages but is more readily available from various banks and financing institutions, says Christiaan Hattingh, the managing director of AWPower. “From our experience, our clients mostly pay cash.” Praven Subramoney, the chief executive of FNB home and structured lending solutions, says the cheapest form of financing the alternate energy solutions is by using available savings instead of credit. But customers may not always have immediate access to the large initial capital outlay required. They could then use their home loans instead. The options include: Making use of the available funds in your home loan flexi facility or secured facility (prepaid funds). Applying for a re-advance on your home loan, at no extra cost. Adding a 20% future-use loan onto your…

A first of its kind in surgery, robotic-assisted surgery using the latest da Vinci Xi surgical system has been introduced at the Netcare Pretoria East Hospital. The system is the first of its kind to be installed in the private sector in the country. The hospital is the fourth in the Netcare Group to use da Vinci technology for a range of surgical procedures. “With the introduction of robotic-assisted general and urological surgery at our hospital, and with plans to also offer robotic assisted procedures in more disciplines in future, more patients will now benefit from this sophisticated technology,” Pieter Louw, general manager of Netcare Pretoria East Hospital, said. The da Vinci Xi system was installed at the hospital in April and the initial robotic surgical team comprising urologists Johan…

Iconic South African band Ladysmith Black Mambazo (LBM) have announced their SA Legacy Tour, which kicks off on May 24. The group formed in the early 1960s and have recorded and performed with global music icons including Burna Boy, Josh Groban, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Winans and Dolly Parton. The legendary group will start their tour at the Joburg Theatre and end the Johannesburg run on May 28. The five-time Grammy Award a cappella choral-singing group start their show this month in celebration of “Africa Month”, with May 25 signalling Africa Day. LBM will perform at Durban’s Playhouse Theatre from September 26 until October 1. Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre hosts the group from November 14 to 19, and they will be at Pretoria’s State…

MERCEDES-BENZ describes its all-new E-Class sedan, revealed this week, as a bridge between tradition and digitalisation. It also seems to be building a bridge between internal combustion and electric, as half of the engine variants set to be available when it goes on sale in Europe later this year, will be plug-in hybrids. Furthermore, the new sedan aims to offer users a “comprehensive” digital experience thanks to brand new electronics architecture. The exterior design of the new Mercedes E-Class honours its past with classic rear wheel drive proportions, but there’s also a salute to the future in places, such as the black grille surround that mimics the firm’s battery-powered EQ models. Buyers can opt for an illuminated grille surround that has two optical fibres behind the chrome strips. For the…

A retirement fund, such as an annuity, a pension or provident fund, is a common way and a great starting point for many people to save for their retirement years. While having a retirement fund is certainly a good step towards achieving financial independence, it is not a guaranteed path to financial freedom. There are several reasons why relying solely on the fact that you are contributing to a retirement fund may not be sufficient to achieve financial independence. How much are you contributing? We advise that you aim to provide for 75% of your salary, adjusted for inflation over time. For a young professional, your retirement fund contribution needs to be set at 17% of your salary and adjusted for inflation over time. For a person closer to retirement,…

It is hardly debatable that retirement fund members who employ the services of skilled and experienced financial advisers to assist them with their retirement planning have a higher probability of achieving better outcomes than members who decide to take on the retirement planning battle on their own. There has however always been a debate in the financial services industry about who “owns the client” and by extension, the client information. One argument is that the client and all information in relation to the client are owned by the financial services provider (FSP) who has a contractual relationship with the client. Another might argue that the representative (financial adviser) of the FSP who is assigned the responsibility to provide the advice and intermediary service to the client is the true owner…

The 5-star hotel in the heart of Zanzibar City is set to welcome its first guests in July. Families, adventurers and business travellers can now reserve a luxury escape at The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town, the first of two new offerings from The Neela Collection in Zanzibar’s historic city and the Fumba Peninsula. Gene Redelinghuys, marketing and PR manager for The Neela Collection, said the boutique hotel will welcome its first guests on July 15. “The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town has prioritised comfort and relaxation in 14 Deluxe and Superior rooms conceptualised by renowned interior designer Nelly Levin. “Seamlessly marrying vintage and new elements, the hotel draws from Stone Town’s rich cultural history and African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European influences to offer guests a warm and welcoming…

It’s possible to lose your job if you make a sick call to work when you’re actually going to an event. You are essentially breaking established company policy and lying to the corporation. A sick day is a day off from work taken to recover from a physical or mental illness, a medical condition, or an injury. Without a doctor’s note, employees are entitled to one to two paid sick days per year. It’s not for those times, according to Nicol Myburgh, head of CRS Technologies’ HCM Business Unit, when you’d rather attend a party, event, or sporting activity than go to work. In the expanding human capital planning market, CRS Technologies is a top supplier of products and services. The Johannesburg-based business discovered its place in the human resources,…

Trevor Noah is set to executive produce a US version of Mock the Week. The 39-year-old comedian – who left The Daily Show last year – has agreed to become an executive producer of the satirical panel show, which has aired in the UK since 2005. Noah said: “Two things I’m most passionate about in life are paying my landlord and making people laugh. We could all use a little bit more laughter as we continue to navigate today’s crazy world. By bringing Mock the Week to America with the talented Dan Patterson, I’m looking forward to doing just that.” Patterson, who co-created the British show, added: “After 21 successful seasons on the BBC, we can’t wait to bring the format to the US and work with America’s deep pool…

Load shedding is, more often than not, on Stage 6 and it is affecting our daily lives. The unreliable electricity and water supply means more South Africans are considering going off the grid. However, the costs, which can run to well over R100 000, are often the deterring factor. Below are some things you should know as you weigh the pros and cons of saying goodbye to Eskom: How much electricity are you using? Begin by knowing what you use and when, so that you pay for a system that is correctly sized to your needs, says Christiaan Hattingh, the managing director of AWPower. Georgina Smit, the technical head at the Green Building Council of South Africa agrees that knowing your consumption throughout the year is essential in order to…

TREASURES have always been traded at auction; some in the form of art, antiques, collectable cars or luxury real estate while others are just downright bizarre. Joff van Reenen, founder and CEO of auction technology company Chant Laboratory, said some of the obscure items for sale include the likes of pre-owned dentures, guinea pig armour and celebrity jockstraps. Van Reenen, who has been South Africa’s most-renowned auctioneer for three decades, said bidder appetites ceased to shock him years ago. “Someone buying used dentures was weird but, surprisingly not the strangest part of that day,” he said. “Weird spiralled into complete insanity a few minutes later, when other bidders had to take radical evasive action after the proud owner popped in his new chompers and tried to bite them. True story.”…

Singer, songwriter, playwright and musical director David Kramer has been spending time at Kearsney College, coaching and directing the school’s music and drama pupils for next week’s production of Kat and the Kings. It’s the first time he has granted permission for the award-winning musical, written in 1996, to be produced by a school or amateur theatre company. The fast-paced show is full of humour and laughter, coupled with toe-tapping songs composed by the late Taliep Petersen and Kramer’s own witty rock-n-roll style lyrics. Kearsney is proud to have been granted permission and to have had Kramer’s intimate involvement in the staging of this production, which runs from May 9 to 12. The five leading male roles are played by Grade 10 and 11 Kearsney boys studying music and drama…

Visual artist and street illustrator Karabo Poppy Moletsane recently became the youngest person to bag a Charlotte Maxeke Leadership Award. Moletsane won the Women in Arts and Culture award at the recently held awards hosted by Department of International Relations and Co-operation minster Dr Naledi Pando. The event is aimed at “recognising and honouring exceptional African women leaders whose achievements, influence, and contributions have advanced Africa’s development in various sectors of society.” It also recognises contributions to the advancement of gender equality and women empowerment. Maxeke was a South African religious leader, and social and political activist. She was also the first black woman to graduate with a university degree in South Africa with a BSc from Wilberforce University Ohio in 1903, as well as the first black African woman…

IT’S rare these days that you get to drive a car that’s unashamedly manufactured with performance, handling and driving pleasure as its guiding principles rather than tons of tech and connectivity as its selling point. Such a car is the new Honda Type R, with only 60 of the new sixth generation having been allocated to South Africa. With an incredibly slick six-speed manual transmission powering the front wheels it’s been a while since we’ve climbed out of a car with a Cheshire Cat grin. Under the vented aluminium bonnet sits a 2.0-litre turbo-charged engine producing 235kW and 420Nm, an improvement of 7kW and 20Nm over the outgoing model as a result of a redesigned turbo, increased air intake and a more efficient exhaust system. The transmission is also unlike…

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT bring powerful capabilities to the man on the street and have the potential to revolutionise everything from the way we walk to the way we talk. But the underlying infrastructure behind disruptive technology in financial planning is nothing new. Adaptive online platforms powered by AI, commonly referred to as robo-advice, have steadily increased their market share over the years. According to a Market Insights Report from Statista, the robo-adviser market in South Africa is experiencing significant growth, with an increasing number of consumers turning to automated investment advice platforms. One of the key factors driving the demand is the option of lower-cost investment advice, as traditional advisers can be expensive and often require high minimum investment amounts. Another factor is the rise…

Whether you’re a seasoned jet-setter or a first-time traveller, we’ve got you covered with our top picks of destinations to inspire your next adventure to escape SA’s winter. Seychelles This country is known for its stunning natural beauty, with pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and tropical forests. With tourist-friendly weather all year round, Seychelles offers an escape from winter blues. The archipelago is home to beaches like Anse Lazio, Beau Vallon, and Anse Source d’Argent, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and soaking up the sun. The country is also known for its luxurious resorts and spas, which offer visitors a chance to relax and unwind. Marbella, Spain The city is beside the Mediterranean Sea, and its pristine beaches are an attraction for visitors from around the world. Marbella has long been a…

MOTHER’S Day is coming up, and many of us are already going through the middle-of-the-month blues. Yes, that time of the month when you start to spend carefully to make your salary stretch to the next payday. While times are tough for everyone, we still want to spoil our mothers on Mother’s Day. Of course, you can buy her a box of chocolates or her favourite lotion, but those are things that she can buy herself. On Mother’s Day, you should be doing something really special. Create a special memory or give her a gift that will last and make her smile every time she looks at it. Here is how you can spoil your mother this Mother’s Day without breaking the bank. Make her feel like the queen that…

More than 11 000 unionised television and movie writers declared a strike in a move that could bring Hollywood studios and networks to a stop and will immediately disrupt late-night TV. Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert are among the shows that will immediately start airing reruns, while Real Time With Bill Maher and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver will be replaced with other programming. If the strike stretches for months, as the last one did 15 years ago, it could push back autumn TV shows and jam the queue of films and streaming content scheduled to release in future years. The Writers Guild of America’s decision to carry out the first industry- wide strike since 2007 comes after the collapse of weeks-long negotiations…

THE proceedings at the late footballer Senzo Meyiwa’s murder trial case were yesterday cut short, and the case was postponed to Monday after advocate Sipho Ramosepele, the legal representative for two of the five accused, reported that he was not feeling well. Ramosepele broke out in a sweat as he cross-examined Meyiwa’s long-time friend Mthokozisi Thwala, who took the stand at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Thwala was testifying about the circumstances linked to Meyiwa’s fatal shooting at his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus on October 26, 2014. During cross-examination Ramosepele kept wiping his face; he notified Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela just before tea break that he was unwell. Judge Maumela announced the postponement with the agreement of the other defence lawyers and State counsel George Baloyi. Ramosepele is…

The hotel and hospitality sector continues to show signs of resilience and growth, with positive prospects ahead. According to the 2023 Hotel and Hospitality Industry Confidence Index 1, participants across the continent are optimistic about the future of the industry. Projections from Statista confirm a projected average annual growth Rate of 8.68% for the sector over the next five years, with hotel market revenue in Africa predicted to reach $13.80 billion (R251.70bn) by 2027. “This positive outlook on growth in the sector is high on the agenda at the upcoming Hotel & Hospitality Show,” says Evan Schiff, portfolio director at dmg events. The show takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from from May 18 to 20. “Registrations are open to attend and there are many exciting features…

Young scientists across South Africa are encouraged to take part in the upcoming District Expos, where they will get the opportunity to speak to and receive feedback from a team of experts. Eskom Expo Academic director, Dr Krishnie Naidoo, said that the valuable input from experts will enable learners in Grades 4 to 12 to refine their research and enhance its quality, in preparation for presentation at regional expos. “A requirement to take part in a District Expo is for learners to have started and completed their research projects, or be close to completing their projects and need further guidance,” said Naidoo. This will help learners to improve the quality of their work and enhance their understanding of the scientific concepts involved. Experts will play an important role at the…

SACS Junior from Newlands scooped the R20 000 prize as the winners of the annual Sustainable Trendsetters. The results of the competition were announced this week, and the school beat eight other schools. These were Kirstenhof Primary School, Zwaanswyk Academy, Sweet Valley Primary, Steenberg Primary, Wynberg Boys’ Primary, Bay Primary, Rustenberg Girls’ Primary and last year’s winners, Muizenberg Junior. They were challenged to create the best recycling initiative, building environmentally friendly sculptures at the event hosted by the Blue Route Mall in partnership with Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages on April 22. “We are over the moon on hearing that all of our efforts earned us first place after careful planning, preparation and teamwork,” said Tahir Mohamed, a learner. “We placed two seats facing away from a whale tail in a plastic-filled…

Melville’s Business and Arts South Africa played host to the first Joburg launch of the National Arts Festival as the official countdown to Africa’s biggest arts festival begins. Set to take place in Makhanda, previously known as Grahamstown, from June 22 until July 2, the National Arts Festival 2023 promises to be an incredible showcase of art and culture. From a diverse range of theatre performances, music concerts and exhibitions, the festival offers something for everyone as audiences experience the magic of the arts first-hand. For 11 days, arts and culture enthusiasts will be entertained, moved and inspired by some of the most innovative and thought-provoking works of art from around the world. Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, artistic director Rucera Seethal said this year’s programme was designed with…

WE haven’t heard much from McLaren for a while, but now it appears that the British supercar maker is back with a vengeance. The new 750 S, revealed this week, is the firm’s lightest and most powerful production supercar ever, boasting a power-to-weight ratio of 432kW per ton. It is based on the 720 S, but about 30% of its components are new and as a result it’s also 30kg lighter, and with all the carbon fibre and lightweight options selected the supercar boasts a dry weight of just 1 277kg. That’s not much more than your average compact hatchback weighs. This makes an easy workload for its 4-litre twin-turbo V8 that now produces 552kW and 800Nm – up 22kW and 30Nm more than the 720 S. Power goes to…

There is an English saying: “You are doomed if you do, and doomed if you don’t.” The national government and some other other government structures usually find themselves in this catch-22 where they are not allowed the space to experiment with ideas that can be used to improve lives. The national government has decided to install solar and retrofit most, if not all, government departments as a way of reducing Eskom’s power cuts by three to four stages. The government is expected to lead by example in demonstrating that it is possible to have electricity without necessarily relying entirely on the Eskom grid. The DA-led Western Cape provincial government, especially the Cape Town Metro, has been publicly announcing bold steps in this direction. We must all accept Eskom is…

MOMS need a chance to rest and reset every now and again. According to the blog, Beaches.com, a “momcation” is a relaxing break from motherhood for a short period. Aside from quickly becoming popular with new moms, let’s be honest, all mothers need a pause from their motherly responsibilities sometimes. As such, momcations provide a number of benefits and are great for her mental health, self-rediscovery, attaining new experiences and a much-needed chance to catch up on sleep. Why not treat your mom to one? If you would like to treat your mom to one, especially this Mother’s Day, here are some perfect, close-to-the-city bespoke boutique hotels. Compass House Boutique Hotel – Cape Town Poised above the Atlantic Ocean in Bantry Bay, Compass House is perfectly located for scenic views…

FlySafair has revealed that it sold out more than 50 000 seats for just R9 apiece when it held its biggest annual sale on Wednesday. Travellers hoping to strike it lucky stayed glued to their screens across the country, with many using several devices at one time all in the hopes of grabbing some tickets for just R9. At the end of the day, Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at Fly- Safair, said they were pleased with how the sale went. “Our website handled record volumes of traffic this year and sales rolled through without hassle,” said Gordon. FlySafair reported that there were more than 1 425 378 people actively trying their luck in the sale. “This was up on last year’s sale where the airline saw 1 225 828…