Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-15 i Saturday Star

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi yesterday survived his first vote of no confidence in the provincial legislature, which was tabled by Democratic Alliance (DA) in a bid to remove him over the Gauteng crime wardens, widely known as “Amapanyaza.” The DA filed the motion three weeks ago. It was the first time Lesufi has faced such an attempt since the formation of his minority government last year. The motion followed a finding by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka that Lesufi had established an unlawful policing structure through the deployment of the Amapanyaza. After their disbandment, Lesufi said the wardens would be “repurposed”, with some to be sent for full training as Gauteng traffic wardens. DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga previously said the party had engaged other parties in the legislature to back…

The ongoing alleged gang and drug-related shootings in Wentworth, Durban, and surrounding communities have instilled fear among residents, who worry about becoming the next victim. They are urgently calling for the police to implement a long-term strategy to address the crisis in the area. This comes after two people were killed while seven others were injured during a shooting incident on Major Calvert Street yesterday morning. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said two men in a grey Mazda 3 opened fire on a group seated outside a flat. As the victims scattered, the assailants pursued them, continuing to shoot. Netshiunda said the victims were aged 15 to 22, and the motive is unclear, but gang and drug-related turf wars are being investigated. Police have launched a manhunt for at…

An international team of geologists and paleontologists led by Dr Ryan Tucker from Stellenbosch University is revolutionising the field of paleontology with a novel methodology that directly dates fossilised dinosaur eggshells. This breakthrough, detailed in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, could reshape the understanding of how different species and ecosystems correlate across millions of years. Traditionally, fossil sites worldwide have been only coarsely dated, leaving paleontologists in a quandary when trying to interpret the complex relationships between ancient species. Researchers have historically depended on dating surrounding minerals such as zircon or apatite, but these key indicators are not always available. Efforts to date the fossils directly have also frequently yielded imprecise results, particularly for bones and teeth. Dr Tucker's innovative team, which includes MSc student Kira Venter and Prof…

Triston Fortune, a Grade 10 learner at Bergvliet High School, is already making an impact beyond his years. He was recently sworn in as the Western Cape Child Ambassador and Deputy President of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. He is also a member of the Junior City Council and the chairperson of his school’s Representative Council of Learners (RCL). Triston comes from Westridge, Mitchells Plain. He attended Westville Primary School, which he described as “like a second home.” He said attending a non-fee-paying school motivated him because he got to see firsthand the struggles of children who couldn’t afford certain opportunities and how one would need to work towards your dreams. Triston spoke about the influence of his mother and great-grandmother. “The kids in the area would always come to…

“We did not know what was going on at any time. It was awful... I felt powerless and vulnerable,” said Glentin Huisamen, Eastern Cape Deaf Rugby vice president, recalling the chaotic experience that left him and two fellow players stranded during a FlySafair flight delay from Johannesburg. The national Deaf rugby players were left in the dark after their flight on Sunday was diverted to Cape Town due to a technical outage at Gqeberha’s airport. With no announcements they could hear, the players spent the night on the floor at OR Tambo International Airport, taking turns to stay awake and guard their belongings while unsure of when they would continue their journey. Huisamen described the ordeal in detail: “Since we could not hear any announcements, and they did not have…

You may have seen the social media posts around the life-sized Lego Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 car doing the rounds, and not to be outdone, Lego South Africa has pulled off its most ambitious project to date. The company has shipped a detailed, up-scaled Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build from Singa- pore to South Africa, making the largest life-size Lego build ever brought into the country, shown at the Mercedes-Benz AMG Experience Centre at Zwartkops Raceway. “The reveal forms part of Lego South Africa’s ongoing commitment to celebrating creativity and innovation through play,” said Valery Kasimov, the newly appointed country manager for Lego South Africa. By the numbers Based on the 1 642-piece Lego set available in stores, the scaled-up |Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build took a…

“Who will get your vote?” asked the email from Fifa. Soccer’s governing body wanted me to help select the world’s outstanding male and female outfield players and goalkeepers for the Best Fifa Football Awards. Fifa, however, did not ask me who should win the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize. This newly created honour will be awarded by Fifa boss Gianni Infantino in December at the World Cup draw, which will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington. We don’t know who will win, but here’s a hint: if you don’t live in a partially demolished dwelling with golden bathroom fixtures at 1 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you are probably not in the running. Asking who will win the Fifa Peace Prize seems a bit like asking who will win the Russian…

This column is not for everyone. The majority of South Africans exist hand to mouth, with far too many households living below the breadline. “All this talk of saving,” they will say, “when we don’t even earn enough to feed our families.” Let’s consider their situation for a moment. The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group publishes a monthly Household Affordability Index, which calculates the cost of a basic basket of groceries in different parts of the country and compares it with wages. For October, the average basket of essential foods for a household of four costs R5 441. A worker earning the minimum wage, working 23 days in the month at just R28.79 per hour, brings in R5 297. Add two Child Support Grants of R560 each and a…

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor’s life story is one of literal miracles and staggering perseverance, beginning in a setting of abject poverty that few can truly comprehend. He recounts his harrowing childhood: “If I told you all this, you will be amazed. I was born in a house without electricity.” “I was born in a house without a toilet. We didn’t have a toilet, so you couldn’t even bathe. So, you can imagine. And it was difficult... my parents couldn’t afford to pay school fees anymore.” He further emphasises the severity of their poverty by detailing the school fees: “I’m not talking about £1 000 or £2 000. I’m talking about maybe £7 or £10, because then it was a government school, a public school, which cost them maybe £5…

Lando Norris’ charge toward a maiden Formula One world championship has been one of the defining stories of the 2025 season, but as the final stretch approaches, one thing has become increasingly clear: there will be no early coronation. Despite his consistent podiums, sprint victories, and moments of sheer brilliance, the McLaren star cannot seal the title ahead of schedule. Every remaining point on the table will matter, and the final three race weekends promise to be a high-pressure test of composure, execution, and raw pace. For much of the year, Norris appeared to be building an unstoppable rhythm. His early-season win tally, combined with McLaren’s impressive development rate, placed him firmly in control of the championship picture. But the margins in modern Formula One are razor thin, and the…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ladies team are exactly the outfit they believe themselves to be, and that’s why they deserve to be given their flowers while they can still smell them. Sundowns are yet to be officially crowned the Hollywoodbets Super League champions this season, but I think we can all agree that it’s just a matter of time. Their position at the top of the log with a five-point lead and a game in hand is no fluke. And that’s not all. They know how to raise the stakes and hit top gear during crunch time. After all, they are the undisputed champions of the land, having won the title every season since the league was launched in 2019/20. Of course, it’s well documented that their success is partly due to…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has hinted at a strong alignment between the squad he will field today in Gqeberha and the one expected to represent South Africa in next month’s AFCON. Broos disclosed that at least 80% of the players selected for the crucial match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo will likely form a significant part of next month’s AFCON contingent. This assertion leaves a slim margin for talents on the periphery to make their case for selection. Broos has expressed confidence in a core group of players which he believes will deliver the performance needed to carry the team forward into AFCON. He can depend on a trio of standout foreign-based talents: Lyle Foster, who has been making waves at Burnley in England; Siphephelo Sithole, currently showcasing his skills…

Few cities in the world are more exciting to visit than Tokyo. Japan’s capital city is vast, vibrant, energetic and a shopper’s paradise. It’s a sensory overload of skyscrapers, bright lights and traffic, with myriad train lines weaving their way over the metropolis. It’s a city where technological innovation is juxtaposed with age-old traditions. It’s also strangely calming in how everything is so clean and controlled – its services run like clockwork, its people are polite and respectful. “Oh, but it must be so expensive!” I hear you say. You might be surprised. Mid-range hotels start at under R1 800 per night, and more affordable options are available, too, if you don’t mind roughing it a bit. Granted, it can be a very costly city if you follow the well-heeled…

Unless you have been living under a rock, you must have seen people change their profile pictures to purple on social media, even the random acquaintance on WhatsApp you haven’t seen in ages. But what is up with all the profile picture changes? Women’s rights advocacy group Women For Change is urgently calling for gender-based violence (GBV) to be declared a national disaster. They also urged social media users to put up purple profile pictures in solidarity. On November 21, South African women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are being urged to stage a nationwide shutdown in protest against GBV and femicide. But what if you changed the picture and want to do more? Or what if you haven’t but want to participate in other ways? Several ways you…

Where do we even start with the ninth season of Selling Sunset? The show, which started off as a glossy peek into high-end real estate, has slowly morphed into a metaphorical blood bath. Put a bunch of competitive, high-maintenance “Barbies” in one office and, well, chaos happens. The original focus on property is barely hanging on, as drama now seems to be the main product. Sure, I enjoyed the earlier seasons when it was about real estate and majestic homes, where i could watch gorgeous landscapes, jaw-dropping interiors, and the crazy amounts people will pay for their dream pad, even if it’s just being rented. This season? Maybe four houses got a proper showing, but most of the screen time is devoted to back‑stabbing, gossip and passive‑aggressive theatrics. Chrishell Stause…

A TEACHER’S post asking parents to stop buying mugs, glasses and “oh so heavenly sets” as gifts has caused an uproar in a popular parenting Facebook group, proving that one person’s overflowing cupboard is another’s crime scene. The anonymous teacher wrote: “Please stop buying your kids’ teachers mugs, cups, glasses, oh so heavenly sets. Our cupboards are overflowing! My favourite gift was a Canal Walk voucher, that way I could buy whatever I wanted during festive.” The post, shared on the Mamahood group, quickly brewed a storm, with parents and fellow teachers debating whether honesty is refreshing or just plain rude. One parent accused the teacher of being “tone-deaf” while another joked about building an entire cupboard just to store mugs that never came their way. One commenter wrote: “You…

A GROUP of 153 Palestinian travellers who arrived in South Africa on Thursday morning have now been received, following an initial delay at OR Tambo International Airport due to immigration concerns. The Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed that 130 of the passengers have been released into the care of humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, while the remaining 23 had already been transferred to their final destinations. The group landed on a Global Airways flight from Kenya, but their arrival was met with procedural challenges. BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato explained that the travellers did not provide details about their intended duration of stay or accommodation in South Africa. "The travellers also did not have the customary departure stamps in their passports," Masiapato said. "Following their failure to pass the…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana yesterday hit back at critics of the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) and the proposed 3% inflation target. Godongwana said there was a mistaken assumption that an inflation target will necessarily generate high interest and higher costs. Godongwana was responding to questions when the National Treasury was briefing the parliamentary committees on finance and appropriation on the revised and proposed fiscal framework. Tabling the MTBPS on Wednesday, the minister lowered the inflation target to 3% with a one percentage point tolerance band. However, EFF MP Omphile Maotwe accused Godongwana of lowering the inflation target after he had gone to meet with international markets and investors, JP Morgan and Golden Sachs, without making consultations in the country. “The social partners and democratic structures have not been…

Women in Johannesburg are joining a nationwide shutdown on November 21, demanding urgent action on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The campaign, led by Women For Change, calls on women and members of the LGBTQI+ community to make their absence felt both socially and economically. Tensions over gender-based violence erupted at Wits University this week after students learned that a Student Representative Council member allegedly raped a fellow student over the weekend. Protesters demanded the immediate removal of the accused. On Thursday, the demonstration escalated at the busy intersection of Yale and Empire roads when a motorist allegedly fired live rounds into the air during a confrontation with the crowd, forcing students to scatter. Two were treated for minor injuries after falling. The university later placed the SRC member…

Little Leaf has been to 41 states. She’s hiked iconic trails, canoed rivers and taken a hot-air balloon ride. She is a goat – but to her owner, she’s a trusted travel companion. At night, they share a bed. “She’s done more travel than most people in an entire lifetime,” said Kate Cramer, who saved Little Leaf when the goat was a sick newborn rejected by her mother. Cramer, 44, rescued Little Leaf a few days after the goat was born in 2020. At the time, Cramer was living on a goat farm in Duvall, Washington. She rented a room from a farmer just before the pandemic, after a few years of traveling and hiking around the United States. “I grew up on and off farms,” Cramer said. “Animals were…

Johannesburg’s The Centre for the Less Good Idea is set to host Season 11, a five-day festival of visual art, dance, theatre, site-specific installations, pop-up performances and talks from November 26-30. Curated by the centre’s impresario Neo Muyanga and supported by the core team, Season 11 features works made by and in collaboration with Johannesburg’s artists, theatremakers, musicians, writers, film-makers and thinkers, alongside a selection of invited international artists. “The Centre for the Less Good Idea is invested in giving the idea the benefit of the doubt,” says Muyanga. “We are all in the room when the idea is explored and we give input from our own vantage point as practitioners and audience members alike. We pull on those threads and ways of seeing together to make the idea come…

South African influencer and style icon Sarah Langa is at the centre of a heated social media debate for her relationship with Springboks fly-half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The couple, who have been romantically linked since 2024, are facing intense scrutiny due to their nine-year age difference - Langa is 32 and Feinberg-Mngomezulu is 23. The couple grabbed attention when they were spotted together in Cape Town, sharing affectionate moments. Langa was also seen in Paris during the Springboks’ recent match against France on November 8, where they won 32-17. Pictures of them hugging and Langa wearing what appeared to be a diamond ring sparked widespread rumours that the couple might even be engaged. Netizens have accused Langa of being a “predator”, suggesting that she is taking advantage of the younger athlete.…

The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum’s China-Africa partnership conference yesterday heard calls for trade between the continent and the Asian country to be conducted using its currency, the yuan. Zimbabwe Now managing partner, Monica Mpambawashe, told delegates at the two-day conference held at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg that there were already a few countries that were on track to do so. “Currently, most of our trade is in US dollar denominations, and this is a burden on the people, and there are also a few left out. “We need to advocate for trade that is direct between the African countries. “I think Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Tanzania are already making strides in converting. Kenya, as well, I believe, is converting their debts to China into yuan,” she said.…

Dr John Kani received the Living Planet Award in the individual category for his work as the longest-serving trustee of the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, and for his donation of time and famous voice (whom many will remember as the voice of Rafiki in the remake of the Lion King) in support of WWF’s work. This is the first time that Dr Kani’s contribution to the environmental cause has been acknowledged. Over the course of a long and prestigious career, Dr Kani has received many awards, more recently an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2023 for his services to drama and theatre. Alongside his service with the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, he generously contributed audio and visual material to several WWF campaigns. These include Earth Hour, a global…

CAPE TOWN has welcomed home a fleet of intrepid sailors, marking the triumphant arrival of the Clipper Race at the V&A Waterfront. After battling the treacherous South Atlantic, the teams have docked, giving locals a glimpse into the thrilling, yet brutal, reality of life at sea. Hailed as one of the planet’s toughest endurance challenges, the Clipper Race sees 10 teams of non-professional sailors push themselves to their limits. The fleet arrived in Cape Town following a 3 500-nautical-mile journey, Stage 3: the Musto South Atlantic Challenge, after earlier stops in Spain and Uruguay. Race director Dale Smyth described it as “a race that was nothing short of phenomenal.” Local heroes drew the loudest cheers. Marcus Dayton, 46, of Cape Town, who sailed from Portsmouth with Team London Business School,…

Ford South Africa are phasing out their 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine in the Ranger and Everest as they “optimise” their powertrains for the future. Its replacement is set to be the 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. The company says a tweaked single turbo 2.0-litre motor will remain, while the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel will be expanded into more derivatives. EcoBoost engine According to Ford, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine provides customers with a compelling new powertrain, delivering a blend of strong performance, advanced technology, and enhanced driving refinement. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, a proven performer in other Ford vehicles globally, is specifically tuned for the Ranger and Everest. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost is a turbocharged, direct-injection, inline 4-cylinder engine, with a lightweight aluminium block and turbocharger that delivers 222kW of power and…

The excitement that greeted Zohran Mamdani this weekend at an annual gathering of New York lawmakers and power brokers in San Juan, Puerto Rico was effusive. But that excitement at the Somos el Futuro conference couldn’t mask the fault lines that his decisive win in last week’s mayoral election exposed within the state’s Democratic party. Divisions over taxation, immigration and Israel will be tested in almost every major political contest next year. A growing list of Democratic incumbents will face challenges from the Left, where Mamdani’s improbable win is emboldening progressive candidates. In San Juan, Governor Kathy Hochul – who has to win her own primary before she can compete for re-election against Republican Elise Stefanik – struggled to juggle the enthusiasm for Mamdani’s policies with their fiscal reality.…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's decision to lower South Africa's inflation target to 3% – ending a 25-year framework of targeting a 3% to 6% range – has bolstered the rand and will bring relief to millions of South Africans. Godongwana announced during Wednesday's presentation of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). While conceding that the move will make life harder in the near term, especially for economic growth, the minister says the new target, which takes effect immediately and will be phased in over the next two years, will “enhance price stability”. Aligning fiscal and monetary policy Clarity on the move towards the lower inflation target of 3% was something on Anchor Capital economist Casey Sprake's wish list. She says Godongwana's endorsement aligns fiscal and monetary policy. “While the South…

South Africa’s latest Mid-term Budget Speech tabled on Wednesday has drawn a cautiously optimistic response from key voices in finance, youth development, and energy. Jurgen Eckmann, wealth manager at Consult by Momentum, says: “The Minister’s upbeat tone today reflects what many investors have been hoping to hear for years: that South Africa’s finances are finally on a stronger footing.” The country’s removal from the FATF grey list has helped restore investor confidence, though it remains uncertain whether this will translate into a surge in foreign direct investment. More notably, for the first time since 2008, government debt is expected to stabilise and South Africa will post a primary budget surplus, meaning core spending is being funded through tax revenue rather than new borrowing. Eckmann called this “an important shift, showing…

Star Victor Osimhen scored twice in extra time to seal a 4-1 victory for Nigeria over Gabon on Thursday and set up an African 2026 World Cup qualifying final against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Captain Chancel Mbemba was the Congolese hero in the later semi-final, scoring in the first minute of added time to beat eight-time World Cup qualifiers Cameroon 1-0 in torrential rain in Rabat. Nigeria will face DR Congo tomorrow in the Moroccan capital, with the winners qualifying for a six-nation inter-continental tournament in March. The African play-offs involve the best four group runners-up. Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured slots in the play-offs, Iraq or the UAE will represent Asia, and there will be two qualifiers from the Central America/Caribbean region. Europe are excluded. After…

As summer arrives, it brings with it a wealth of opportunities to embrace the great outdoors, and one of the most enjoyable ways to do so is through camping. This season is ideal for gathering friends and family to explore nature together, as the warm weather and extended daylight hours create the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. With an abundance of activities available, from swimming in rivers to hiking along scenic trails, summer camping allows families to reconnect and create lasting memories. Camping not only fosters teamwork – whether it’s setting up a tent or preparing meals together – but also invites families to experience the vibrant wildlife and lush plant life that summer has to offer. With the nights warming up, there’s no better excuse to cool down and…

If there’s one thing South Africans love, it’s a good gathering, whether it’s a Christmas lunch under the jacarandas, a New Year’s braai by the pool or a Sunday spread that stretches well into the evening. But as the festive season creeps closer, even the most seasoned hosts know that “the season of joy” can quickly turn into “the season of chaos”. Enter the queen of calm, Martha Stewart. In a recent interview with E! News, the lifestyle icon shared her tried-and-tested tips for surviving the holiday madness with grace, style, and a touch of organisation. “Be careful about being organised for your holiday entertaining,” Stewart advised. “If you’re going to have a party, start working on it now, making your list, figuring out when and where things can be…

Earlier in the week, I got to chat with Thabang Molaba. Of course, fans know him better as KB in the hit Netflix teen series Blood & Water. A few TV shows into his career, the 30-year-old actor clocked a significant milestone by making his Hollywood debut in Ruben Fleischer’s Now You See Me, Now You Don’t 3. And if you’ve been a fan of this star-studded heist film franchise, you know how big a deal this is for Molaba. During our chat, he unpacked how he landed this role. “I obviously had the audition, and then had a callback, where the director was in the meeting as well. He was giving me pointers on what to do, what to change and all of that. This character was being searched…

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has strongly criticised the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), saying that if it were up to him, he would even close the institution tomorrow with his "eyes closed.” Godongwana’s comments come as the financial aid scheme continues to face reports of mismanagement, said to have severely affected its ability to effectively distribute funds to students. The minister said that NSFAS has become an unnecessary intermediary, as universities are capable of managing student funding directly. “If I had the option to close the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, I would do it with my eyes closed. It will be gone tomorrow.” Godongwana said. He added that the scheme’s management has been problematic, pointing out that the CEO reportedly earns R4 million annually and that NSFAS…

Witness D, a man with the bakkie, alleged that suspended EMPD acting chief Brig. Julius Mkhwanazi ordered him to dump the body of a suspect killed by EMPD officers in a bid to cover up a murder. Witness D testified partially in-camera at the Madlanga Commission on Friday about how the incident played out. Witness D said the ordeal began on April 15, 2022, when security firm boss Kobus Janse van Rensburg repeatedly phoned him about joining a joint operation at the home of a Brakpan robbery suspect. He was caring for his sick son but eventually agreed. At the scene, he found a disturbing mix: EMPD officers linked to Mkhwanazi, two suspicious SAPS members, and Jaco Hanekom, whom he labelled “a SAPS informer of ill repute.” He said he…

Empowered beauty platform, AMAZI has partnered with the advocacy organisation Women For Change to launch the Safety is Power campaign aimed at addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV). It is explained that the campaign is about honouring victims, amplifying survivors’ voices, and uniting communities to confront GBV without turning away. As part of the campaign, the beauty brand reveals that it will donate R10 from every product sold to support Women For Change’s digital emergency response platform. According to Divya Vasant, CEO and co-founder of AMAZI, the campaign reflects the brand’s deep commitment to women’s empowerment and safety. Vasant says it is also a vital service that connects survivors of gender-based violence to trauma counselling, legal support, and crisis assistance in real time. What inspired AMAZI and Women For Change to…

A Frenchman earlier this year discovered a gold treasure worth $800 000 (R16.8 million) while digging a swimming pool in his garden, local officials have said. The man informed the local authorities after he made the discovery in May, and they allowed him to keep the gold as it did not come from an archeological site, the council in the eastern town of Neuville-sur-Saone said on Wednesday. He found "five gold bars and many coins" buried in plastic bags, local newspaper Le Progres reported. Police found the gold had been acquired legally and had been melted down some "15 or 20 years ago" at a nearby refinery, it said. The previous owner of the garden has died, the town hall said, and how the gold ended up there remains a…

A scientist was observing a critically endangered wildflower in Australia when she first spotted the bee, sprouting something that closer inspection revealed to be a pair of “demon-like horns.” She later decided there was only one suitable name for the newly identified species: Megachile Lucifer. “I was super excited to find it,” said Kit Prendergast, a native bee scientist who discovered the insect in 2019 as she conducted a survey in the Bremer Ranges in Western Australia’s Goldfields region. Prendergast is the lead author of a report on the species of native bee, which was published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research on Monday. Prendergast collected the bee using an entomological sweep net - a tool used to collect insects - during a survey to sample pollinators around populations of…

After years of battling censorship under its former name, The Sex Expo, the adult-themed exhibition has undergone a bold transformation, reintroducing itself as LOVE EXPO. The event, which has positioned itself as an ultimate celebration of sex, love, confidence and connection, is set to happen on November 28-30 at SunBet Arena Times Square, Pretoria. Sarah Dean, the spokesperson, tells the Saturday Star the previous name attracted censors, banned ads, blocked social posts and digital shutdowns, which hindered the exhibition’s growth and limited its reach. Dean says the rebrand signals not just a name change but an evolution in purpose, attitude and inclusivity. “After years of being called The Sex Expo and constantly fighting censorship - from banned adverts to social media shutdowns - it became clear that the name was…

South African media powerhouse Bonang Matheba (pictured) is stepping onto one of the biggest global stages of her career as she prepares to host the prestigious B20 Summit. She announced the news across her social media platforms with her signature elegance, posting, “Exciting times”. The announcement was met with instant excitement, with fans and industry peers celebrating yet another milestone for the star. The B20, formally known as the Business 20, is one of the official engagement groups within the G20 framework, representing the global business community. Since its establishment in 2010, the B20 has brought together CEOs, policymakers and economic leaders to shape economic priorities and influence decisions made by G20 heads of state. It focuses on issues such as trade, investment, digital transformation, sustainable development and women’s economic…

There have been growing calls for intensified cooperation between Africa and China, as well as reform of international organisations, at this week’s two-day Global South Media and Think Tank Forum’s China-Africa partnership conference in Johannesburg. The conference held at the Houghton Hotel was attended by journalists and representatives of think tanks from several countries on the continent and China under the theme, Reforming Global Governance: New Roles and Visions for China-Africa Cooperation. Xinhua News Agency editor-in-chief Lu Yansong told delegates that relations between the northern hemisphere and the Global South were changing. He said the relationship between Africa and China has advanced together and that the Global South was becoming a stabilising force for peace. According to Yansong, China and its enterprises have created over 1.1 million jobs in the…

Since 2004, Conza’s Biscuits, a proudly South African, all women-owned business, has been delighting communities with its handcrafted vanilla biscuits. Founded by entrepreneur Constance Chauke and incorporated in 2017, it is now managed by her daughters Rirhandzu and Rhulani Chauke. The Chauke sisters say the business is rooted in a passion for quality, family, and community. Guided by their inspiring vision “The epitome of handmade goodness, touching the hearts of people worldwide with our delicious vanilla biscuits,” Conza’s Biscuits has become a trusted name in the local baking SMME sector. The business was founded by Constance, a single mother, who started baking to provide for her family. With just five baking pans in her small kitchen, she managed every aspect of the business from baking to packaging and selling. Her…

Omoda is quickly becoming a familiar name on South African roads, and after spending a week with the brand’s latest arrival, the all-new mid-size C7, it’s clear the company is serious about stepping up its game. Slotting between the entry-level C5 X Series and the flagship C9, the C7 aims to blend style, technology and everyday practicality into one compelling mid-size SUV package. Bold design The first thing that struck me about the C7 was its bold, futuristic styling. Up front, Omoda’s signature frameless X-shaped grille gives the SUV an aggressive stance, complemented by slim LED headlights and integrated daytime running lights that make a strong visual statement, especially at night. Red-painted brake calipers and 19-inch wheels on the petrol variant add a touch of sportiness, while the SHS plug-in…

With vehicle hijackings and violent crimes increasingly targeting high-end SUVs in South Africa, SVI Engineering have expanded their range of discreet protection solutions by introducing the SVI Lite bullet-resistant B2 armouring package for the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Level B2 protection is rated to stop 9mm and 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun. Better than smash and grab Earlier this year, the Bashewa-based company in Pretoria introduced the SVI Lite product range, which slots in below its B4 discreet and B6 discreet 360-degree armouring packages but well above smash-and-grab window film. Launched with the Toyota Corolla Cross and Ford Ranger, the SVI Lite treatment has since been extended to several other models, from the Suzuki Jimny through to the Audi Q7 and now the Cayenne Coupe. “In addition to its cost-effectiveness…

Financial abuse is one of the least visible forms of domestic violence – yet one of the most damaging. According to the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) National Gender-Based Violence Study conducted in 2024, one in eight women over the age of 18 has experienced financial abuse, defined as the unreasonable deprivation of financial resources to which a person is legally or rightfully entitled. From 25 November to 10 December each year, the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign reminds us of the importance of protecting independence and security. Momentum’s Science of Success reminds us that success favours the focused; those who make deliberate and well-informed decisions rather than reactive ones. In the context of financial abuse, it means not just responding to…

France reached the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks, while Portugal were made to wait after losing 2-0 in Dublin as Cristiano Ronaldo saw red. Norway must also be patient after Italy struck late in Moldova to prevent them from stamping their ticket to next year’s tournament in North America. France’s victory came in an emotionally charged Parc des Princes, which observed a minute’s silence to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks in and around Paris on Friday, November 13, 2015. Most of the 130 people killed in the attacks lost their lives at the Bataclan concert hall in the capital, where they were attending a concert. But one person died near…

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Melusi Buthelezi has featured so little this season, while also praising the rapid rise of young left-back Nkosikhona Ndaba in his debut campaign. Buthelezi, now 27, has made just one substitute appearance in the current campaign and has featured only six times across all competitions over the past two seasons. His busiest period came in the 2023/24 term when he accumulated 15 appearances in domestic and continental matches. With Sipho Chaine now firmly established as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, Ouaddou said his decisions are rooted in maintaining stability. “I think the daily work with the goalkeepers is very important,” the Moroccan tactician explained. “It’s a special department. “The mentality of goalkeepers is unique. They are in their own world, and we…