Innholdsfortegnelse for Sunday, October 25, 2020 i Sunday Independent

CONTRACTS SANDF is ‘rotten to the core’ Retired major-general claims SANDF tender corruption in a dossier sent to Zondo Commission MZILIKAZI WA AFRIKA and KARABO NGOEPE A RETIRED SANDF major-general has claimed in a dossier sent to the Zondo Commission that the army had “fraudulently” and “questionably” awarded a litany of contracts worth millions of rand. Sunday Independent can today reveal that Major-General Sandile Sizani has officially asked the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture to investigate tender corruption, fraud, and irregularities within the SANDF, alleging that the institution was “rotten to the core”. Sizani retired from the SANDF in November 2018 but officially left the force in early 2019 after being asked to extend his stay by a few months. The contracts flagged by Sizani’s dossier, which has been…

The Brief EGYPT BEGINS VOTING TO ELECT NEW PARLIAMENT Polls opened in Egypt on Saturday for parliamentary elections that will stretch over several weeks and are set to be dominated by supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. A first round of voting will end on Sunday, with a second round on Nov. 7-8. Run-offs will take place in late November and early December. The polls are being held under a new electoral law under which 50% of 568 contested seats will be allocated to pre-selected lists, a system critics say benefits Sisi’s backers. The remaining contested seats will be allocated to individual candidates, and Sisi can appoint up to 28 legislators directly. | Reuters…

ICYMI | IOL.CO.ZA ARNOLD’S HEART SURGERY Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave upTHOMAS EDISONAmerican inventor Arnold Schwarzenegger feels “fantastic” after undergoing heart surgery. The “Terminator” star feels “fantastic” after having a new aortic valve put into his heart. He wrote on Twitter: “I feel fantastic and have already been walking the streets of Cleveland enjoying your amazing statues. Thank you to every doc and nurse on my team!” | IOL…

COVID-19 Rugby clash called off MORGAN BOLTON The SuperRugby Unlocked encounter between the Emirates Lions and Free State Cheetahs at Emirates Airline Park was called off yesterday, in line with Covid-19 protocols, a statement from SA Rugby revealed. “The cancellation was triggered on Saturday morning following the receipt of results from a second batch of tests on the Lions senior squad playing and coaching personnel, which revealed two further positive cases,” the statement read. Earlier this week, four Lions players tested positive for the virus and were in self-isolation. At the time, the union revealed that they were all asymptomatic, but it later transpired that at least two of those players had indeed shown symptoms of the disease, but had already begun recovery. A further five players were withdrawn from…

CONTRACT North West’s R30m headache Developer seeking payment following dubious agreement on top up KARABO NGOEPE AND MZILIKAZI WA AFRIKA THE North West Province’s Department of Human Settlements is sitting with a headache of more than R30 million following a contract that was entered into without following proper procedures. The department is being dragged to court by a property developer that is demanding payment for a variation/top-up on a housing contract. According to sources in the department, Tigane Developers is seeking payment following an agreement that was signed in March between the company’s Theo Masie and department’s head of housing, Vusi Bidi. But the agreement was flagged for not following proper procedures. “The agreement was entered into, signed and approved without it being accompanied by a report from a team of…

E-LEARNING Pupils exposed to risk online Threats of cyberbullying and sexting heightened in the new normal AMBER COURT amber.court@inl.co.za AP As dependence on e-learning grew this year amid the pandemic, so did the threat of cyberbullying and sexting children. The new normal of e-learning made its impact across South Africa which had pupils spending even more time online. Google learned that cyber ills such as cyberbullying and sexting were a present danger in children’s lives and can have real-life implications with some youngsters resorting to self-harm. Recently, a school in Joburg had the unfortunate incident of a 17-year-old pupil being a victim of child sexual abuse material. A video was taken of the individual in a very compromising position and published on social media platforms, said director of government affairs…

EULOGY ‘Ditshego loved Africa’ THE sudden death of Mr Samuel Mosalagae “Bra Sam” Ditshego upset a good part of Azania. It was so unexpected or worse it was not expected at all. Now or even later. But what can we say; “when a man is great any death is untimely, even if he dies at the age 102”. I count myself among the truly blessed for I have had the opportunity and great privilege of engaging with Bra Sam, dean of African politics and history, prolific writer and scholar of note. It even feels like an honour to have had the opportunity to walk the planet with him in this day and time. A very committed and loving father, grandfather and husband the man was, Bra Sam loved his family…

COMMENT AFRICA’S OPEN ACCESS RESEARCH GAINS EDWIN NAIDU AFRICAN institutions are already leading on aspects of open access to research, but key questions remain about how this leadership could be harnessed to support a central future for African researchers, according to open access research expert Professor Cameron Neylon from Curtin University, Australia. Neylon questioned how capacity and infrastructure would be maintained, sustained and grown to support future leadership to advance African scholarship, during a webinar as part of Open Access Week organised by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). Open Access Week started in 2008 and has been observed globally this year from October 19 to 25, with the theme: “Open with Purpose: Taking action to build structural equity and inclusion”. According to Neylon, an overview of the…

COMMENT WHITE PRIVILEGE HATES DISRUPTIVE BLACK AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS ZINGISA MKHUMA zingisa.mkhuma@inl.co.za THE words by Katijah Khoza-Shangase, the first and only black African woman to earn a PhD in speech pathology and audiology at the time, are inspiring, indeed. Khoza-Shangase penned a chapter in Black Academic Voices: The South African Experience (2019), in which she makes a cogently potent appraisal of “Intellectual and emotional toxicity”. She reveals how a white professor tried to discourage and thus dissuade her determined pursuit of a PhD. This professor snarled that “not everyone is cut out for research” which she interpreted as his way of telling her to stay in her lane, as no black person had ever enrolled for a PhD in that profession at the time. Khoza-Shangase talks about being labelled an…

UNITED STATES Trump votes in Florida Biden heads to Pennsylvania PRESIDENT Donald Trump voted in his adopted home of Florida before hitting the campaign trail for rallies in three swing states yesterday, joining more than 54 million Americans who have cast early ballots at a record-setting pace ahead of the November3 election. Trump voted at a library in West Palm Beach, near his Mar-a-Lago estate, after switching his permanent residence and voter registration last year from New York to Florida, a must-win battleground for his re-election bid. “I voted for a guy named Trump,” he told reporters after casting his ballot. Democratic rival Joe Biden and his wife Jill also hit the campaign trail yesterday, travelling to the battleground of Pennsylvania for two events. Former President Barack Obama will campaign…

Attack at Kabul education centre KABUL: At least 13 people were killed in a suicide bombing at an education centre in Kabul yesteday, Afghan officials said. Saeed Jami, a health ministry spokesman, said 13 bodies had been recovered and while 30 injured people were taken to hospital, the number of casualties might rise. The interior ministry said the target was the Kawsar-e Danish educational centre. A Taliban spokesman on Twitter denied responsibility for the attack, which came at a sensitive time as teams for the insurgents and government meet in Qatar to seek a peace deal even as violence rises and the US withdraws troops. Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack, the group said on Telegram, without providing evidence. Reuters…

5 bodies found in fertiliser shipment ASUNCION: Paraguayan authorities have said they had found at least five badly-decomposed bodies inside a container shipment of fertiliser that left Serbia three months ago and arrived last week at a river port on the outskirts of the capital Asuncion. The bodies were discovered with sufficent food and bags with clothes on Friday when the managers of the company that bought the product opened it, said prosecutor Marcelo Saldivar. He suggested the victims could have been stowaways. “We are working on the basis that these people broke in to the container to gain passage from there to here.” The Paraguayan authorities would make contact with their Serbian counterparts to seek to identify each of the victims, Saldivar said. Reuters…

LOCAL ART Zeitz MOCCA is ‘where the art is’ SAM SPILLER sam.spiller@inl.co.za INSIDE and Outside. Time and Relations. These are the themes from the experience of lockdown that Cape Town artists are exploring as Zeitz MOCAA reopened its doors. In this case, anyone from Cape Town can be an artist. After being closed for more seven months, the internationally-acclaimed venue resumed accepting visitors on Thursday and to celebrate, it offers a new exhibition titled Home is Where the Art Is, aimed at highlighting local artworks. After putting out a call to the public, the museum received more than 2000 submissions including paintings, sculptures, and performance art recordings. The submissions included a collection of prints created by students of the Langa Printmaking Workshop, a Saturday-morning group of young painters organised by…

US ELECTIONS Mute buttons, Lincoln and a watch: Six takeaways from US debate TRAILING in opinion polls with the November 3 election just 10 days away, President Donald Trump was under pressure during Thursday’s final debate to revive his flagging campaign against Democratic rival Joe Biden. Here are six takeaways from the debate: A more civilised evening After the first Trump-Biden debate last month devolved into a chaotic shouting match, moderators said they would mute each candidate’s microphone to allow the other to speak without interruption for two minutes at the outset of each 15-minute debate segment. The mute button did not much come into play, and even during the remaining free debate segments, the candidates maintained a more civil demeanour than at their last meeting. Trump seemed to be…

KZN food security in state of disaster – Zikalala GIVEN MAJOLA given.majola@inl.co.za KWAZULU-NATAL (KZN), which is the main provider of South Africa’s agricultural produce, was on the brink of a severe food crisis due to a drought that has ravaged the region in the past five years as well as Covid-19 disruption, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala warned on Friday. Zikalala said while harvests and the outlook for staple crops were promising prior to the pandemic, Covid-19 and the national lockdown had turned the already fragile food security state of the province into disaster. “Unless immediate action is taken, it is increasingly clear that the impending worst food emergency could have a long-term severe impact on thousands of children and adults already impoverished in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said. Zikalala was speaking at…

TV HIGHLIGHTS HOME OF THE YEAR TUESDAYS AT 6.30PM, THE HOME CHANNEL (DSTV 176) CHAMPIONING individuality, flair and commitment to design, Home of the Year features owners around Ireland who have done something extraordinary to the place they call home. From radical renovations to gentle restorations and brave new builds, 21 compete over eight weeks for the Home of the Year title. ENSLAVED WEDNESDAYS AT 8.30PM, 1MAGIC (DSV 103) ENSLAVED takes a look at 400 years of human trafficking from Africa, from the perspective of three different story lines. Based on a DNA test identifying his ancestral tribe, the series traces actor Samuel L Jackson’s personal journey from the US to Gabon for his induction into the Benga tribe, with rare access to secret ceremonies and local customs.…

STARS TANYA OBREZA Aries (March 21 - April 20) There’s no shame in moments of weakness. You feel vulnerable, as you’ve been so trusting. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Aries. Life’s been tough lately, and despite all, you’re standing strong. By week’s end, the planets push for spiritual and intellectual growth. This could mean learning new disciplines, and then applying them to daily life. Taurus (April 21 - May 20) Don’t let life get to you, Taurus. Sometimes things just go awry. Hot topics include intimacy and trust. Mars also introduces unwelcome rivals. Add a suspicious Saturn, and the result brings a feisty quality to relationships. Perhaps a partnership has become one sided. It’s time for new ground rules. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) A plodding Mercury is…

TV GUIDE SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER Boxing: WBA Super Featherweight Title: Gervonta Davis v Leo Santa Cruz (12 Rounds), 3am, VR1 Cricket: Indian Premier League T20: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings, 11.50am, CRI; Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians, 3.50pm, GSD, CRI; Women’s Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat, 1.15am, CRI; Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder, 4.40am, CRI Cycling: La Vuelta a Espana, Stage 6: Biescas-Col du Tourmalet (136.6km), 4pm, VR2; Giro d’Italia, Stage 21: Cernusco sul Naviglio-Milano ITT (15.7km), 2pm, VR1 Golf: European Tour: Italian Open, Day 4, 1pm, GOL; LPGA Tour: DriveOn Championship, Day 4, 7pm, GOL; PGA Tour: The Zozo Championship, Day 4, 11pm, GOL, GSD Motorsport: MotoGP: Grand Prix de Teruel, Moto3, 11.45am, ACT, SSM; Moto2, 1.15pm, SSM, ACT; MotoGP, 2.30pm, ACT; Formula 1:…

SOCCER Ramos finishes off running out of steam Barca REAL Madrid captain Sergio Ramos once again proved to be the man for the big occasion as he converted a fiercely debated penalty to help his side to a 3-1 win over rivals Barcelona at an empty Camp Nou in La Liga yesterday. Ramos, making a record 45th appearance in the ‘Clasico’ fixture, was awarded the spot-kick following a VAR review, after falling in the area when his shirt was tugged by Barca’s Clement Lenglet as the pair contested a corner. The defender showed his customary calm to score from the spot in the 63rd minute and restore the champions’ lead, after Federico Valverde had opened the scoring in the fifth minute only for Barca’s 17-year-old forward Ansu Fati to equalise…

BREAKTHROUGH Police nab Senzo Meyiwa’s ‘killers’ MZILIKAZI WA AFRIKA and KARABO NGOEPE SIX years after former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead at the house of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in Ekurhuleni, police have made a breakthrough and arrested five men believed to have been the hitmen. Sunday Independent can exclusively reveal that the arrest warrants of the five alleged hitmen, whose names are known to this newspaper, were obtained on Wednesday. They were signed by advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi, the director of public prosecutions in the Gauteng division of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). “A succinct summary of the facts and reasons for this decision are set out in the attached memorandum by the team that was assigned the matter. The investigating officer will be…

DEFAMATION PPE Tender Court case dismissed PIET MAHASHA RAMPEDI THE Limpopo High Court has struck off the roll on a punitive scale an urgent defamation case brought against Sunday Independent by a man implicated in the province’s R932m personal protective equipment (PPE) scandal. Judge George Phatudi said Justice Nepfumbada’s application was “ill-fated” and unprocedural because it was “unheard of” for a motion court to be expected to entertain a defamation case on an urgent basis. This came after Nepfumbada’s lawyer, Advocate Sydwell Sikhwari, failed to convince the court that his client’s case was urgent, and that it was legally justifiable for the R1m sought in damages to be entertained without any oral evidence. Sikhwari also battled to explain why Nepfumbada waited for almost four weeks to file his application if…

FOR THE RECORD IN an article by Don Makatile headlined “White genocide” rings false alarm, published on Sunday October 18, 2020, the paper reported that “Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum has been to the mountain top to sound false alarm bells about what they initially described as a ‘white genocide’ unfolding in South Africa”. It has since been brought to our attention that in a December 2018 ruling, the Press Ombudsman had ruled against another newspaper in a similar matter. The Press Ombudsman found that by reporting that AfriForum was canvassing support to fight “white genocide”, the said newspaper was in breach of Sections 1.1 and 3.3 of the Press Code, respectively, which says that 1, The media shall take care to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly and 2, The…

SANDF ‘Our lives are hell in the military’ ROLAND MPOFU SOME of the 1300 SANDF soldiers who took part in a demonstration 12 years ago contrary to orders and were temporary dismissed, say the army is in contempt of court for refusing to pay them their technical allowances, which will cost the taxpayers more than R1.3 billion. The 2008 march to the Union Buildings, in which the soldiers were demanding pay increases of up to 30%, ended in violence when the police fired rubber bullets at the soldiers, who had tried to climb over the fence surrounding the government complex. After the incident, they were dismissed, but the court ordered that their dismissal was unlawful and said all benefits due to them should be paid. This was further confirmed by…

BOOK Writer takes on SAPS ‘shucks’ AMANDA MALIBA ANDY Kawa is finally telling her story of how she took on the SAPS for failing to investigate her abduction and assault case, and how she didn’t give up, even though the case dragged on for eight years. At first Kawa won the civil case against the minister of police at the Port Elizabeth High Court in November 2018. But the SAPS appealed the ruling and the Supreme Court of Appeal found in favour of the SAPS, saying they were not negligent in the handling of her case. This is all detailed in her book – Kwanele, Enough: My Battle with the South African Police Service – which takes us through her abduction, right up to the Supreme Court of Appeal. Refusing…

NATION Economy needs overhaul Finance Minister Tito Mboweni must use Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement to create inclusive economy FLOYD SHIVAMBU BONGANI MBATHA African News Agency (ANA) PHANDO JIKELO African News Agency(ANA) ON October 28, Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni will present the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). The MTBPS is a mid-year budget policy statement that revises the state budget presented earlier in the year by either increasing or decreasing budget allocations and commitments made to different sectors and spheres of the state inclusive of all government departments, provinces, municipalities, entities, legislatures and the judiciary. If Mboweni continues with the neoliberal folly and gullibility that has underpinned the National Treasury approach to macroeconomic policy in the past 40 years, he will predictably impose further budget cuts and austerity measures in the…

EDITORIAL Reporters, don’t lose sight of the enemy THERE was a time in the not-so-distant past when “hot off the press” and “read all about it” were not just empty platitudes to sell newspapers but a sworn promise from the newsrooms to the reader of a product of cutting-edge journalism. On Monday, South Africa marked 43 years since October 19, 1977, the day now known as Black Wednesday. The media – especially the press – need to remind themselves of the task thrust upon them to be the mouthpiece of society, not the lapdog of the mighty and powerful. On that day in 1977, the apartheid regime swooped on the newsroom of World newspaper to arrest its irrepressible editor Percy Qoboza and a few other journalists, including Aggrey Klaaste, who…

The People Conde wins presidency with 59.5% of vote CONAKRY: Guinea’s President Alpha Conde won the October 18 election with 59.5% of the vote, according to the election commission yesterday. The victory, which needs to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, gives a third term in office to Conde, 82, pictured, after a bitterly fought election in which the opposition said he had no right to participate. | Reuters Algerian president enters quarantine ALGIERS: Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, pictured, is to go into “voluntary quarantine” after several of his aides showed symptoms of the novel coronavirus, according to a statement by the presidency yesterday. “The medical team at the presidency has advised the president to go into voluntary quarantine for five days starting from October 24,” the presidency said, according…

PAKISTAN Journalist disappears after report on politician A JOURNALIST in Pakistan has gone missing after his report on the involvement of paramilitary troops in the controversial arrest of a relative of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Ali Imran Syed, a reporter for top-rated Geo Television, went to a grocery store near his home in the southern city of Karachi on Friday and never returned, his family said. Syed disappeared a day after he uncovered a video in which paramilitary soldiers were seen accompanying police to arrest Safdar Awan, son-in-law of Sharif, at a Karachi hotel last week. Awan was later released, although the reason why he was taken into custody was not explained. He is a member of parliament and heads the youth wing of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz…

Sri Lanka harbours closed in Covid surge COLOMBO: Authorities in Sri Lanka closed at least two fishery harbours and many stalls yesterday after a surge of 609 Covid-19 cases linked to the country’s main fish market. The government also widened the curfew in parts of Colombo. At least 11 villages were isolated in the densely populated Western Province, which includes the capital. Health authorities on Wednesday temporarily closed the fish market on Colombo’s outskirts after 49 traders tested positive for the coronavirus. By yesterday, the number of cases rocketed to 609. The authorities said the outbreak was related to a cluster in a garment factory early this month, which has grown to 3426 cases, almost half of the country’s total of 6287. It broke a two-month lull in infections. Sri…

WOMEN Celebrate self-love, strength AMANDA MALIBA BRUTAL Fruit launched its #YouBelong campaign that encourages women, “superwomen”, to affirm and celebrate their innate power while also appreciating their worth. Women gathered at the Munro Hotel in Houghton to not only celebrate womanhood but to discuss the idea of self-love. The conversation was led by award winning doctor and philanthropist Dr Patience “Pashy” Ntshani and actress Kamo Modisakeng among others, and moderated by media personality Thando Thabethe. Dr Ntshani, who is also the co-founder of an international brand PowerWomen, said her brand was about the development, empowerment and upliftment of women globally. Here she responds to questions by The Sunday independent about self-love and owning one’s space. TSI: When did you realise the importance of self-love and how did you teach yourself…

AFRICA THIS WEEK DEBT CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST VICTOR KGOMOESWANA @VictorAfrica MY FATHER hated debt, and the indebtedness of several African countries helps me appreciate why. In his eyes, creditors owned debtors. His African pride could not stomach that. He was not against debt in itself, but consumption debt. As opposed to productive debt – whose end is to buy or build assets, consumption debt is often about splurging on champagne, fancy cars and face masks. The many resource-rich African countries on the brink of defaulting on their debts is more worrisome than the threat of a second Covid-19 wave. National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani of East Africa’s largest economy, Kenya, expects his fiscal deficit to reach 8.9% of the gross domestic product – against the budgeted 7.9%…

Fast-fashion heiress asks shoppers to buy less Veronica Chou’s fashion brand backs eco-friendly innovations in green push WHEN she ran a company that sold American clothing labels in China, textile heiress Veronica Chou was a globe-trotting executive who made headlines for her socialite lifestyle and lavish 2012 wedding in Hong Kong. Now, she’s trying to clean up the fashion industry. A member of the $2.7 billion (R43bn) family empire built by her father Silas Chou, the 36-year-old said she’s now devoting her time and money to start-ups that make one of the world’s most wasteful industries more sustainable. After selling the family stake in a Chinese joint venture with New York-listed Iconix Brand Group Inc for $56 million in 2015, she started her own eco-friendly label, backing suppliers that are…

TRENDY The rise of the canned wine trend Bonang’s label releases her latest range writes Buhle Mbonambi EARLIER this week, media personality Bonang Matheba and her wine label the House of BNG’s social media accounts posted what a lot of people thought was a House of BNG branded cross-body handbag. But on closer inspection, we realised that there could only be two things being launched – wine in a can or mini bubbly bottles. And as it turns out, we were right – it’s wine in a can. Announcing the new product on her Instagram, Bonang wrote: “Introducing, my new baby – BNG Nectar! One of SA’s first true sparkling wines in a can … Get ready to turn ANY location, into an occasion!” The launch of the BNG Nectar…

SOCCER Gunners boss Arteta believes Aubameyang will soon be firing ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta said he is not surprised that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is facing questions over his form and believes the Gabon international must deal with the pressure that comes from being a “big player”. Aubameyang ended a run of four matches without a goal by striking late to help Arsenal seal a 2-1 Europa League win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday, and Arteta said the 31-year-old must create other opportunities for himself to silence the critics. “Expectations for him are that he has to score a goal every game so this comes with the nature of the big player he is, what he has done in the past,” Arteta told reporters. “People expect that from him in the…

SIX NATIONS Ireland win sets up Six Nations final day showdown IRELAND overwhelmed Italy 50-17 in an empty Aviva Stadium yesterday to bring the long-delayed 2020 Six Nations championship back with a late rush of tries that set up a “Super Saturday” last-day shootout with title rivals France and England. The originally scheduled clash in March was one of the first major Covid-19 sporting casualties and with the country under tough restrictions again, Ireland secured the bonus point win needed to give their fans hope of a fourth title in seven years. Hugo Keenan and Will Connors marked their debuts with tries – winger Keenan grabbing two of them in the first half – with four more from CJ Stander, Johnny Sexton, Bundee Aki and Dave Heffernan piling potentially much…

INVESTIGATION Former MEC Masuku heads to court KARABO NGOEPE and MZILIKAZI WA AFRIKA FORMER Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku has filed papers in court challenging the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report handed to Premier David Makhura which recommended that he be fired. Masuku is requesting the court to set aside the findings of the SIU. In his affidavit, Masuku said he wants the findings declared unlawful and unconstitutional, and set aside. “As I fully set out below, there was no factual or legal basis for the findings and recommendations made,” he said. Masuku went on to question the finding that he had instructed the provincial government to centralise the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE). He said the decision was taken by the government following directives from the National…

COMMENT CORPORATE SA MUST ACT TO ELIMINATE GBV - THE courageous act, on August 15, 2020, to post pictures of her battered and bruised face on social media by a Cape Town-based ex-model who was a victim of a gender-based violence (GBV) incident, which occurred in June last year, was the right call on her part, to achieve progress on two fronts. To expose GBV perpetrators to eventually end the scourge. And, which I guess she did inadvertently, to drag the corporate sector kicking and screaming into the centre of the issue to umask the reluctance of corporate SA to invest in GBV-prevention initiatives. Dayle Reynolds, 25, who was brutally attacked on June 22, 2019 by an estate agent, Jarryd Phillips, who has since been suspended by RE/MAX Living in…

FINANCE All eyes, ears on Medium-Term budget SIYABONGA MKHWANAZI FINANCE Minister Tito Mboweni, has been urged by political parties to present a fiscally sustainable budget and one that will not erode the public purse but rather accelerate growth. The parties and economists also warned yesterday that the country’s economy was in deep financial crisis and is unlikely to recover soon. They said the immediate priority for Mboweni was to trim the fat in the budget and push for recovery. The DA, UDM and Cope said the country was in a crisis and that the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday, would give indications on the outlook for the country. DA MP Geordin Hill-Lewis said in his supplementary budget tabled in June, Mboweni spoke about the active scenario where debt…

REVIEW Book lacks depth LESEGO MAKGATHO lesego.makgatho@inl.co.za NEVER judge a book by its cover. That’s one thing Charlie Masala and Gail Vermueulen’s book is likely to teach you. By looking at Black Son, White Mother, one would think it follows the tale of a white woman adopting a young black boy and both navigating their lives at the height of apartheid. You couldn’t be more wrong. This 132-paged book explores the importance of managing cultural diversity in the workplace. Layered in simple, easy-to-read 22 chapters, the book puts a spotlight on diversity in the workplace, which already is an issue in South Africa. Masala (Black Son) and Vermeulen (White Mother) met in 1997 when he walked into an interview room full of white panellists at the Auditor General’s office for…

ACTIVIST Mainstream media mutes Pan-Africanist voices SANDILE MEMELA A PAN-Africanist voice in the media is taboo. There is no large anthology of serial letter writer Sam Ditshego today. There will not be any in the future – unless he left manuscripts of his writing. When a black columnist and journalist writes about South Africa today, they usually situate the discussions within a positive Rainbow Nation building framework. To do this effectively, they must neither promote Pan-Africanism nor mention the thorny land question. However, as a columnist or writer, you are encouraged and given space to write and speak about the Pan African Congress disunity and or the infighting in the ANC. You can add to that the death and irrelevance of Black Consciousness. Whatever is negative about the black world…

AUDITOR-GENERAL Maluleka is inspiration for SA MOTLALEPULA ROSHO NOKUTHULA MBATHA THE appointment of Tsakani Maluleke is a boost for women empowerment, it will inspire the country to do better for its people. Chapter 9 institutions are critical vehicles that keep South Africa’s democracy on track and the office of the auditor-general (AG) is especially critical for ensuring that at a municipal, provincial and national levels, public spending and adherence to governance principles are prioritised. While it has taken 26 years since the dawn of democracy for a female to be appointed AG, it is encouraging that Tsakani Maluleke will enable continuity – and her appointment will inspire the next generation of women leaders to continue striving to reach exciting heights in all facets of South Africa. For us as leaders…

NATION Freedom of expression a right Having a right does not equal being able to practically exercise the right THE historic Black Wednesday, commemorated on October 19 every year to mark the day on which the apartheid regime banned black organisations, including the media, in 1977 continues to be observed as such even in the post-1994 dispensation. This new order, under the ANC-led government for 26 years now, is different from the erstwhile regime in that media freedom is a right enshrined in the Constitution, which is considered the supreme law of the land. However, it would be naive to look at the question of media freedom from the same angle and perspective as if we were still in the times of the Broederbond and apartheid (although they are still…

AFRICA Trump wades into dam dispute ETHIOPIA summoned the US Ambassador to Addis Ababa Mike Raynor yesterday over what it called an “incitement of war” between Ethiopia and Egypt from US President Donald Trump over their dispute about the filling and operation of a massive hydropower dam. Trump waded into a dispute between three African countries over a hydroelectric dam project on Friday, following his brokering of a rapprochement between Sudan and Israel. The dam, which Ethiopia has been building since 2010 on the Blue Nile, has caused animosity with Egypt, which is concerned about the control of water flow. Trump accused Ethiopia of breaking a deal he worked on to resolve the dispute and said he has since cut off millions of dollars in aid to Addis Ababa. “You…

INDIA Engineers make tech blingy with glitzy diamond app IF THERE are three things that most Indians today are fascinated by, they are – engineers, technology, and shiny diamonds. Somewhere in Surat, an Indian city situated on the banks of the river Tapi, four engineers got together and amalgamated technology with diamonds to make for a success story. Chintan Gujrati, Manoj Miyani, Riken Gabani, and Chintan Goplani – four 28-year-old friends, all engineers, have recently made it to the headlines after launching India’s first platform dedicated to people associated with the country’s lustrous diamond industry. The app named “Diamond Merchant”, that launched last month, aims to connect traders selling diamonds to jewellers – with no national or international barriers restricting the flow of business. Sputnik spoke to the quartet from…

Egyptians vote in legislative polls CAIRO: Egyptians began voting yesterday in the first stage of parliamentary polls, which are likely to bring a new legislature that is dominated by supporters of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi. The first stage of the polls is taking place in 14 of Egypt’s 27 provinces, including Giza and the Mediterranean province of Alexandria, over two consecutive days. Egyptians abroad cast their ballots in this first stage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The second stage is scheduled for November 7-8 in the 13 remaining provinces, including the capital Cairo. The final results are not expected until mid-December. Nearly 63 million eligible voters are to cast ballots in the vote’s two stages. dpa…

TALENT A digital fashion affair Designers showcase in virtual three-day FA Fashion Week STAFF REPORTER AS IS the trend during Covid-19, South African Fashion Week (SAFW) had to migrate to the digital space over the three days, featuring some of Mzansi’s prestigious designers. Among the talented designers were Gert Johan Coetzee with his Splash of Blue collection, Helon Melon, Mantsho (Palesa Mokubung), Cindy Mfabe and closing off the three days was Naked Ape showcasing yesterday, while he also celebrated his decade-long reign of producing classy Africa-inspired menswear that carries the epitome of the African spirit. Also showcasing was Rubicon, under their latest classic collection, Myth of Origin. Myth of Origin, is a celebration of the return to self – a collection that pays homage to Rubicon’s founder and creative director,…

Covid-19: Mining companies urged to offer community testing DINEO FAKU dineo.faku@inl.co.za BENCH Marks Foundation, the faith-based organisation which monitors corporate performance in the field of corporate social responsibility, has called on mining companies to open their health facilities to enable Covid-19 testing for mining communities. The call comes as Health Minister Zweli Mkhize warns that the country could still face a second wave in cases. Foundation chairperson Jo Seoka told the annual conference this week that according to the foundation’s records communities were witnessing between three and six unexplained deaths a week. “Often the industry’s response has been to shift responsibility to local government and not itself. This is problematic as mining does not stop at the fence of the mine and migrant labour is a big spreader of infections,”…

BIZ 101 How to refocus your business for the remainder of 2020 This year, many businesses and business owners have faced massive setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, however, it is important to never give up and remember that determination is a key characteristic of any successful business owners. So, with just a little more than two months left of the year, now is the time to not only survive, but thrive, and end 2020 off on a positive note. With this in mind, here are some simple tips to refocus your energy and think positively. But be warned – a positive mindset also requires a positive environment, so be prepared for some potential change along the way. Watch the company you keep The people around you…

REVIEW Pretty, pointless remake FILM: Rebecca STARRING: Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas DIRECTOR: Ben Wheatley REVIEWER: Ann Hornaday REBECCA, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 adaptation of the novel by Daphne du Maurier, is one of the greatest, most influential movies ever made. A master-work of style, tone and technical prowess, the tale of obsession and suspense fused the lush romance associated with “women’s pictures” of the era with the shadow-play of film noir. A textbook example of great direction (Hitchcock edited the movie “in camera”, judiciously choosing his shots and set-ups to prevent producer David O Selznick from fiddling with it in the cutting room) and magnificent performances, Rebecca is a one-movie film school, an artefact of cinematic perfection. Which makes it all the more curious that anyone would think…

SOCCER Round ball rules with Stellies at Craven Stadium ZAAHIER ADAMS THE Danie Craven Stadium may be rich in rugby legacy, but it’s future now lies with football and Stellenbosch FC. After spending their first season in the Premiership moving around the city like a gypsy, the boys in maroon finally now have a place they can call home. It really is a pity that the Stellenbosch faithful will not be present to welcome them home. This is due to Covid-19 with matches still being played behind closed doors for there would surely have been a healthy turnout when they open their 2020/21 season against PSL returnees Moroka Swallows this afternoon (kickoff 3:30pm). Stellenbosch were forced to give up their home ground in Idas Valley after winning the National First…

RUGBY Late charge reveals fight in Stormers WYNONA LOUW BackpagePix STORMERS coach John Dobson says his team was ‘well beaten’ in their Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday night. In their 42-37 victory, the Stormers produced a stunning fightback to score four tries in the last quarter after trailing by 23 points with just 18 minutes remaining in the encounter – an encounter the home side thoroughly deserved to win. The Pumas – who beat the Griquas in impressive style the previous week – was by far the better team on the night. Their kicking game (fullback Devon Williams deserves a special mention for his well-placed kicks) really put the Stormers under pressure and their breakdown was another area in which they were superb. The…