Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-05-13 i Pretoria News Weekend

Fans of the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Durban are finally getting the closure they have been waiting for with the airing of part one of the reunion special. This season has been considered the most explosive and dramatic, with production receiving praise from avid viewers. In the third instalment, friendships were made and some grew in strength and others ended in tears. Annie Mthembu and Sorisha Naidoo, who have been a part of The Real Housewives of Durban since season one, have become allies. This season they made a new friend with newcomer Slee Ndlovu and formed a strong bond. Naidoo took to her official Instagram account and penned a special note to the housewives, who have been her “ride or dies” this season. “My beauties, from…

THE DA is calling on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to probe Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s suitability to hold a practising licence, with an endeavour to revoke it. It was revealed in March that Magudumana, a celebrity doctor and girlfriend of recaptured convict Thabo Bester had been suspended from practising as a doctor since April 2021, as she had not paid her annual membership fee which allows her to practice medicine in the country. However, the DA wants Magudumana to face consequences. “The Health Professions Council of South Africa recently revealed that Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s licence to practise was suspended due to her failure to pay annual fees. “However, this issue pales in comparison to the more concerning allegations that she helped convicted rapist and murderer Thabo…

SPEAKING to Kelvin van Baalen you might think that he sounds just like any other young man, working, studying and busy building a future. But Van Baalen’s story is very different to that of most – he is a burn survivor whose journey of recovery is testament to the power of the human spirit. Next month will mark five years since the event that forever changed Van Baalen life when, just weeks after celebrating his 21st birthday, he was competing in a paragliding competition and collided with power lines. After the impact Kelvin lost consciousness. When he awoke, he was lying on the ground surrounded by flames and on fire. Still strapped into his paragliding harness, Van Baalen managed to unbuckle himself and crawl out of the wreckage. By…

UNISA scientist, Professor Vhahangwele Masindi, was recently bestowed the Award of the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This was for his exceptional contribution to the field of environmental sciences, focusing on water issues in South Africa and globally. Masindi, a research associate at Unisa’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, is ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world, according to scientific reports. He is also the subject editor for the Water SA journal. This award is named after the Mapungubwe ancient African nation that existed a thousand years ago in the northern part of the Limpopo Province. It is bestowed to notable South Africans for achievements that confidently impact the local and global communities. The late former president and Unisa alumnus, Nelson Mandela,…

One of the greatest achievements of the government since 1994 was the establishment of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). Its primary aim is the provision of nutritious meals to hundreds of thousands of learners countrywide, particularly learners from poor schools. It is worth noting that the provision of meals has not been without challenges. Over the past years, we received reports of theft of food meant for vulnerable learners and, in some cases, the vandalism of schools. During the July 2021 unrest, more than 32 schools were vandalised and learners were left hungry. We surpassed the challenges until the recent collapse of a centralised tender process in KwaZulu-Natal where only one supplier was given a tender to supply all the schools in the province. The collapse of the centralised…

Voters in the conservative West African state of Mauritania head to the polls today for legislative and local elections that will serve as a key test before presidential elections are held next year. Twenty-five parties are vying for the backing of some 1.8 million voters in the first election since President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani took over the vast, arid West African country in 2019, one of the few poles of stability in the troubled Sahel. A second round is scheduled for May 27, for half of the 176 seats in the National Assembly. |…

Maritzburg United’s chances of PSL survival have dropped with each passing week, and they are now staring at relegation with their fate out of their hands. The Team of Choice heads into the final two games of the season at the foot of the DStv Premiership standings, three points behind Chippa United in 15th place. Coach Fadlu Davids’ men can only accumulate up to 32 points this campaign, with the two outstanding matches against Stellenbosch and Mamelodi Sundowns. This 32 points is also the current total reached by TS Galaxy and Richards Bay FC in the 12th and 13th spots respectively, making for one of the most intense relegation battles in recent years. Maritzburg’s head is currently on the chopping block ahead of their penultimate match against Stellies at the…

Saudi Arabian football, for now, is on the rise. The national team proved they can be competitive on a global scale by inflicting a 2-1 group stage defeat over eventual champions Argentina at the World Cup last year. By doing so, they became the first nation to defeat the South Americans since Brazil in 2019. Since then, the domestic league in the Gulf nation has risen, notably due to the addition of one Cristiano Ronaldo. The salary was no doubt a big reason why the Portugal captain decided to join Al Nassr. In addition to Ronaldo, some of the other notable stars in the Saudi Pro League are David Ospina (Al Nassr), Odion Ighalo (Al Hilal) and Felipe Caicedo (Abha). It must be noted the conservative kingdom has been accused…

A travel adventure company called Explore believes any destination worth visiting is worth experiencing on foot, which is why they have compiled a list of 35 of the finest hiking trails accessible to almost everyone. The Western Cape is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes and hiking trails in the world, and it’s no wonder two of its hiking trails have made it onto its list of the best hikes in the world. The trails were evaluated based on: Length (distance), elevation, duration, weather conditions, and Instagrammability. Robberg Peninsula trail Plettenberg This trail is 27th on the list and runs along a beautiful and rough coastline with views for days of the Indian Ocean and hills nearby. The Robberg Peninsula trail is a moderate hike that takes about…

While we might still be enjoying a few sunny days, there’s a definite chill in the air. A sure indication that winter has set in. Summer frocks, cheeky shorts, sandals and strappy heels are no longer a part of our wardrobe as the cold weather forces us to unpack our winter wear. Winter basics like chunky neutral knits, woollen slacks and thick denim will continue to be wardrobe essentials, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a few trendy pieces here and there to update your looks. It’s the start of winter, so now is the perfect time to make those changes.The right pair of shoes is a sure way to upgrade a dated look. Here’s a look at the hottest winter footwear trends to shop for this season to…

IN what could be a groundbreaking case for affordable access to medicines in South Africa, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and Doctors Without Borders Southern Africa (MSF), have intervened as friends of the court in a legal challenge relating to access to a lifesaving drug to treat cystic fibrosis (CF), called Trikafta. CF is a severe multi-system illness that can cause serious lung infections, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, liver and pancreatic damage, and lung failure, and necessitate a lung transplant. Cheri Nel, a South African patient with CF, has launched a Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, application against Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, an American pharmaceutical company that patented Trikafta. This is said to be an effective new drug that changes the trajectory and impact of CF for patients diagnosed with the illness.…

May 15, celebrated as the International Day of Families, is a reminder of the moments of joy, and of strength, that we have felt whenever the affairs of our family were conducted peacefully. The family forms the basis of both the individual’s material and spiritual development and happiness, as well as of society’s cohesion and advancement. It is the ideal environment in which education for peace and a unified world view can begin. According to the Bahá’í Writings: “The family unit, the nucleus of human society, constitutes a space within which praiseworthy morals and essential capacities must be developed, for the habits and patterns of conduct nurtured in the home are carried into the workplace, into the social and political life of the country, and finally into the arena of…

A Pretoria cocktail mixologist will celebrate his birthday in Scotland later this month, after winning a three-night holiday for mixing-up a top-notch cocktail. Pretoria’s Thabiso Molonyama, 33, the founder of The Everyday Bar, joined bartenders from across the world in getting creative and sharing an Instagram post of their own signature Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktail, explaining why the spirit works perfectly in the serve. With over 200 entries across 47 countries, Molonyama’s cocktail, named Nimbus Moon, was selected as the African winner, with three other winners from Asia and Australasia, South and Central America and Europe. His winning serve is a balanced blend of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Aperol, orange bitters, lemon yuzu and cranberry juice. His trip takes place next week, and will include a behind-the-scenes…

Africa is well equipped with wealth through its natural resources. However, it remains poor and constantly claims the title of being a “dark continent”. Political leaders who come into power constantly give civilians false hope they will bring an end to persisting socio-economic issues such as poverty. However, this is short-lived because as soon as they warm their seats, they succumb to corruption and focus on filling their stomachs. Despite African countries having received their independence from their colonisers, it seems as though that is something that happened in vain. This is because the First World countries continue to take from Africa. African countries have maintained relationships with their former colonisers and continue to eat from the palm of their hands. This happens through the continuous dependence on First World…

Vincent Van Gogh’s feverish final months in a French village, when he churned out masterpieces as he spiralled into despair, are the subject of a one-off exhibition that opened in Amsterdam this week. The show, at the Van Gogh Museum in the Dutch capital, features 50 of the 74 works produced in his frenzied last days in Auvers-sur-Oise, north-west of Paris, before his death at the age of 37. More than 30 drawings on loan from museums and private collectors are also featured among the works. |…

RHULANI Mokwena was at his show-off best in the pre-match press conference for Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Wydad Casablanca. The Brazilians coach – perhaps in a ploy to send a warning to the opposition – rattled off the defending champions’ team, illustrating just how well he knows the team that is hosting them at the Mohamed V Stadium in the Moroccan capital tonight (9pm). The press corps could well have been sitting though a Wydad team talk, such was Mokwena’s description of his opposition’s players and their strengths. He spoke about Wydad’s international players who have participated in the World Cup and the experience they bring to the match; he described how strong they will be defensively and mentioned individual players and their respective strengths.…

The Stormers reinforced their forwards with two hard men for their United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against Connacht today. But the absence of injured Springboks Deon Fourie and Marvin Orie will still be felt in a match where they would’ve been vital cogs in the well-oiled machine of the URC defending champions. The two sides meet in the DHL Stadium at 4pm for a place in the final against one of either Leinster or Munster. Fourie (hamstring) will be missed at the breakdown and as a leader, while Orie (shoulder) has been outstanding this season in the lineouts and on defence. Both are known for their play at the breakdown – an area where Connacht fared exceptionally well in their quarter-final against Ulster – and it’s expected that they will…

Strange things are happening in planes and hotels, and it seems you can never be too safe. Take, for example, Pete Brennan from Texas, who stayed in a hotel while on a business trip to Nashville, Tennessee. What could possibly go wrong, right? Brennan had a rather rude awakening – he woke up in the middle of the night to find the Hilton hotel manager, David Neal, casually sucking his toes. Was he at the wrong hotel? What kind of customer service was that? Seems like some folks just can't resist a good toe-sucking session. Brennan wasn’t having any of it. He filed charges against Neal. The manager had apparently entered Brennan’s room without his permission, a no-no. Although Neal attempted to justify his actions by claiming to be offering…

Heather Armstrong, a pioneering blogger who transformed women’s media and altered the public perception of motherhood, died this week at the age of 47. Armstrong, who also went by her maiden name, Heather Hamilton, died by suicide, her boyfriend, Pete Ashdown, said. He told the Associated Press that he found her at their Salt Lake City home on Tuesday night. Ashdown said Armstrong had recently relapsed into alcoholism after remaining sober for more than 18 months. Armstrong was born on July 19, 1975, and grew up in Memphis, before majoring in English at Brigham Young University in Utah. She graduated in 1997 and moved to Los Angeles for work before marrying web designer Jon Armstrong and returning to Salt Lake City. She founded the blog Dooce in 2001. It…

DEFAULTING on maintenance had a costly effect on a father who has not paid any maintenance in the more than 28 years since a divorce for the former couple’s only child. He now faces a bill of more than R2 million. The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, once again proved that the courts will not tolerate parents who simply ignore a maintenance order. The court placed the man under final sequestration. To make matters worse, the man entered into a settlement agreement during the divorce in 1995, when their only child was 34 months old. The settlement was, at the time, made an order of the court and now came to haunt the father. The parties were married to each other out of community of property. When they divorced in September…

Air pollution levels across the world decreased during the early lockdowns of 2020 but not as much as expected, according to a study led by scientists from the University of Birmingham in the UK. The study measured levels of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and fine particle concentrations in 11 cities last year, among them Beijing, Wuhan, Milan, Rome, Madrid, London, Paris, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles and Delhi. The results were published in Science Advances in January. The researchers found that, after adjusting for weather effects, the reduction in nitrogen dioxide was less than they had expected, while lockdowns caused concentrations of ozone to increase. Fine particle concentrations decreased in all the cities except London and Paris. Zongbo Shi, a professor of atmospheric biogeochemistry at the university and lead author…

Four young scientists from South Africa will have the opportunity to showcase their scientific projects at the Indonesia International Science Technology and Engineering Competition (ISTEC) in Bali. This student research competition seeks to identify innovative solutions to global problems. The learners are Luke Boswell, in Grade 9 at Pearson High School in Port Elizabeth; Ndzhaka Mukela Siweya, Grade 12, of Khanyisa Learning Centre in Limpopo; Zariah Parker, Grade 10, of Star College Cape Town; and Matthew Crouch, Grade 10 of Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) in Stellenbosch. They won the opportunity to present their research at the ISTEC while competing at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair which was held in December 2022. Research projects are being showcased at the competition from May 10 to 14. Annami van Rooyen, the subject…

THE world is currently battling to deal with inflation pressures that can be traced back to various factors, which are mostly external in nature, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year. How did the Russian invasion of Ukraine worsen global inflationary pressures? When Russia invaded Ukraine, the US and its allies quickly advocated for the total boycott of any type of trade with Russia, including oil and gas. This created global jitters about a lower global supply of crude oil, which saw the Brent crude oil price moving from an opening price of $97.14 per barrel on February 23, 2022, to a closing price of 102.37 per barrel by the following day. These sharp increases in Brent crude prices escalated as high as $140 per barrel within two weeks.…

A year after Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead during an Israeli army raid in the West Bank, likely by an Israeli soldier, no one has been charged, disciplined or otherwise held responsible. And no one is likely to be, according to a new analysis of the killings of journalists covering Israel and the West Bank over the past two decades. Despite the international uproar it provoked, Abu Akleh’s slaying has settled into a case study of Israel’s ability to sidestep accountability. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) focused on the cases of 20 reporters whose deaths it attributed to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) since 2001. The group found systemic similarities in Israel’s response, including the most fundamental one: no one has been charged or…

Taxpayers can no longer just send R10 million overseas per year on a no-questions-asked basis. Complicated application processes now await such requests for money to leave SA. In an unexpected move, the National Treasury introduced a new regime for South African residents who are either considering financially emigrating or just making use of the R10m allowance for investment purposes. The authorities now consider the two scenarios the same thing. Exchange Control has a long history in South Africa. We started with the Currency and Exchanges Act, of 1933, which was amended with the addition of the Regulations in 1961, which was only amended on June 8, 2012. Exchange controls have been loosened over the years, so the sudden change in policy is an opposite tact. Exchange controls are measures put…

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille recently delivered tourism statistics at the Africa Travel Indaba 2023, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. The data was sourced from the Department of Home Affairs, which collects information from all ports of entry on a monthly basis, and then refined in line with international standards and classifications by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The minister said South Africa is back on track and as the world re-awakens, tourists are flocking back to South Africa. “The pandemic undoubtedly left a dent in the tourism industry, but we’re back, stronger than ever, and geared to catapult our inbound tourism numbers beyond pre-Covid levels,” De Lille said. She said 2022 heralded a resurgence, with nearly 5.8 million people visiting the country’s shores…