Innholdsfortegnelse for Sunday, May 9, 2021 i Sunday Independent

ECONOMY Consumers continue to bleed as price hikes bite TSHEGO LEPULE tshego.lepule@inl.co.za DESPITE petrol prices having dropped by 9c per litre and diesel going down by 31c a litre this week, consumers are not expected to feel much relief with the price of a basic food basket said to be the highest since September last year. According to the latest figures from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity’s household affordability index, the average cost of a food basket for the country stood at R4 198.93 for April. This was an increase of R159.37, or 3.9% from March. And for Cape Town households, the price of food rose by R161.31 from the previous month’s figure of R3 960.44. “All household food baskets in April are at the highest level since September…

PANDEMIC Covid models are not always 100% correct, say experts ROLAND MPOFU roland.mpofu@inl.co.za SOUTH African Medical Association (SAMA) chairperson Dr Angelique Coetzee says the Covid-19 third wave is not likely to come this month as earlier projected. “Most probably next month or maybe July … it depends on behaviour mostly. Even the latest modelling has hesitated to give a time frame – it all comes down to how well individuals and groups adhere to social distancing rules,” said Coetzee, adding that the latest modelling does not give a time frame due to inaccurate data available despite a notably steady increase in the number of new infections across the country. The South African Covid-19 Modelling Consortium had earlier warned of a potential third wave this month, adding that in the absence…

NARRATIVE Debut novel a story for women of today LESEGO MAKGATHO lesego.makgatho@inl.co.za IF YOU are in for a read that explores complicated generational conversations within black families on a varying range of issues such as womanhood, parenting, sexuality, sexual abuse, addiction, loss and most importantly, mental health, then Thenjiwe Mswane’s debut novel, All Gomorrahs Are The Same may be just the book for you. Layered in 30 chapters, divided into three parts, the book is narrated through the eyes of three women. Makhosi who seems to be angry with the world, and is unable to find the language to make her mother and sister understand her “anger”. Duduzile, Makhosi’s mother, is a working-class woman, who feels she’s losing touch with her daughter. The book brings the reader into the lives…

‘AMAZING VOICES’ Mzansi musicians come to the party ROLAND MPOFU roland.mpofu@inl.co.za “WHEN opportunity comes knocking, you’d better be ready to work hard and be creative about overcoming obstacles.” That’s what musical group Southern Six from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) discovered soon after their first performance last week during the second season of the Old Mutual Amazing Voices competition. Southern Six’s story began last November when two friends, Thando Nombewu and Mihlali Tyatya, saw the Amazing Voices competition announcement for online audition entries. Together they selected and invited four of their most musically talented friends to join them and enter as a group. They were overjoyed to be invited to the closed audition, but immediately faced a hurdle. The auditions were in Joburg. Determined not to let it block their path to…

WHAT THIRD WAVE? ’Covid-free zones’ fuel mask apathy LESEGO MAKGATHO lesego.makgatho@inl.co.za AP WARNINGS of a looming third wave of Covid-19 infections seem to have fallen on deaf ears in some communities. When Sunday Independent visited some parts of Soweto this week, it was business as usual. While some residents had their masks on, others either wore them incorrectly or didn’t have them at all as they went about their daily business. We caught up with Smangele Masindi, 28, as she was walking to the local shops in Protea Glen. She had her mask placed under her chin. Asked if this was the norm, she said many people in the area tend to walk around without masks on. “People have become lax compared to last year. In malls, and shops, they…

SHARING A FEAST Celebrating Eid with Cape Malay cuisine KESHIA AFRICA Keshia.Africa@inl.co.za TURHAAN SAMODIEN EID, is a few days away and Muslims around the world will take part in the celebration of breaking the fast with friends and family. Last year, the religious holiday was in hard lockdown, so many are looking forward to sharing a feast with more loved ones around the table. Popular local chefs shared what they were preparing for the auspicious occasion, with old favourites from traditional Cape Malay cuisine. Food writer and chef Cariema Isaacs recently launched her cookbook titled Curried. Born and raised in Bo-Kaap, she has so many special memories of Eid, growing up. She fondly remembers shopping for clothes for the day, wishing neighbours and receiving money, then coming home to enjoy…

BOOK CAPTURES EX-OFFENDERS AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME What pushed Pakkies over the edge? EDWIN NAIDU CINDY WAXA African News Agency (ANA) ELLEN Pakkies returned to the scene of the crime where she had strangled her son. Her story, as relayed to legendary South African lensman David Goldblatt, was just as sorrowful as understanding the reasons why she killed her child. Photographed on the same bed where Pakkies strangled her son Abie in 2007 in Lavender Hill, Cape Town, she shared her soul-destroying story on what pushed her over the edge during a photo-shoot and interview with Goldblatt. Several Capetonians are featured in Goldblatt’s book Ex-Offenders at the Scene of the Crime, which was launched in Johannesburg last month. Goldblatt was fascinated with the psyche of criminals, wanted to…

EDITORIAL Covid-19 and the fear factor AS SOUTH Africans brace themselves for the “3rd Wave of Covid-19 infections” with the onset of the cold winter days - our government’s obsession with the big numbers does nothing but create a culture of fear among coronavirus-beaten citizens. This phenomenon of putting the number of Covid-19 infections at the top of the chart on SABC TV everyday is curious, because what it says to the millions of viewers, is that, infections are rising and about to reach the 2-million mark, and there is no winning against the onslaught of the pandemic. Yet, in essence, this is far from the reality. The truth is, yes, there is death and gloom. But, the recovery rate of infections in South Africa is more than 95% of…

LETTERS Email: scribe@inl.co.za (no attachments). All letters must contain the writer’s full name, physical address and telephone number. No pen names. ANC fighting is a bad example for leaders THE theatrics in the ANC leave much to be desired. All of this is due to character flaw and scandals that have become commonplace, setting a bad precedent for the second layer leadership. Sadly, the infighting and divisions have made a mess of the hegemony of our glorious movement on every level of society. Not only is this tragic and is posing a real threat to its unity, but also it would paralyse efforts to breathe confidence into both the ANC women and youth leagues. The actors don’t even realise that their role and contribution to the mess will cancel out…

FEATURE The Olympics: A celebration or a d isaster waiting to happen? STUART HESS stuart.hess@inl.co.za FRIKKIE KAPP BackpagePix AN Olympic Games is very different from any other major sporting event. The scale is truly immense, and there needs to be genuine support for it from the citizens of the host city. Japan’s citizens, if reports are to be believed, don’t want the Games of the 32nd Olympiad to take place in Tokyo this year. Already postponed by a year, the Summer Olympics are due to start on July 23. But Japan is battling through a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The country’s vaccine roll-out has been slow, it hasn’t finished providing all its medical workers with a jab, while elderly citizens have barely had access to inoculation.…

BOUT Boxing doesn’t deserve Youtubers’ circus clowns MARK KEOHANE EVA MARIE ZCATEGUI AFP WHEN boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez fights, lovers of the sport tune in. When he speaks, those who govern professional boxing should also tune in. Alvarez justifiably has been scathing of the ‘Showbiz Boxing Circus’ that is being sold as professional boxing involving the You-Tube influencers Jake and Logan Paul. Both brothers have in excess of 20 million followers and both brothers are promoting and selling themselves as professional boxers, despite having never fought a professional boxer. Both brothers are maxing millions from pay per view fights as a global audience actually pays to watch them fight handpicked opponents, who had previously never laced up a boxing glove. The closest any opponent got to a glove was…

Last-gasp O'Connor’s hoot of a try earns Reds AU crown SKIPPER James O'Connor scored the winning try five minutes after the final hooter as the Queensland Reds beat the ACT Brumbies 19-16 to win the Super Rugby AU final in front of more than 40 000 fans at Lang Park in Brisbane yesterday. The biggest crowd for a rugby match in the world this year gathered anticipating the coronation of Brad Thorn's young side but the Brumbies almost spoiled the party with a mature display of percentage rugby. Leading 16-12 but reduced to 13 men with two players in the sin bin, the reigning champions resisted surge after surge at their line in the final 10 minutes before the Reds finally moved the ball wide for flyhalf O'Connor to score.…

PRESS FREEDOM Maintaining credibility and trust TAWENI GONDWE XABA DAVID RITCHIE African News Agency/ANA WHAT’S the big deal, you might ask, dear reader? What fetters could there possibly be on the press in South Africa in this glorious age of “democracy”? Is Press Freedom Day just an attention-seeking concept devised by those who are tired of waiting backstage (read computer hacks) and desirous for a moment in the spotlight (read headlines) themselves? After all, the bad old apartheid days when government used to play their favourite game of “disappearing journalists” are over, right? Weeeeeelll … the answer is not the straightforward NO you might expect, I’m afraid. Journalists disappear a different way now and the culprits are not the most obvious. But I’ll get to that in a few paragraphs,…

QUICK READ Mount Everest THE Nepali government denies recording Covid-19 infections in the Mount Everest region although reports suggest that even the world's highest mountain is not safe from the spread of coronavirus, CNN reported this week. The US broadcaster said some climbers in the mountains have reported testing positive for the virus. Prem Subedi, the under-secretary at Nepal’s ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation, told the BBC that the ministry was not aware of any coronavirus cases at base camp. | African News Agency (ANA) Vaccine THE main challenge to raising production of Covid-19 vaccines is how to quickly and effectively transfer technology, Germany’s health minister said on Friday, reiterating Berlin’s opposition to a US proposal to waive patent protection. “The main issue is not patent protection but…

QUICK READ INVESTIGATE ‘WAR CRIMES’ HUMAN Rights Watch has said that Niger’s new government should investigate alleged war crimes in armed conflict since October 2019. The organisation said this was the perfect opportunity for President Mohamed Bazoum’s new administration to prioritise accountability so that the country could move forward. More than 310 people have been killed in Niger since January this year in massacres perpetrated by alleged armed Islamist groups, according to reports. | African News Agency (ANA) EGYPT BRACES FOR 3RD WAVE EGYPTIAN authorities have imposed stricter Covid-19 rules as the country approaches its third wave of infections. News website eTurbo News reported that the country has banned large gatherings and reduced retail operating hours to combat the spread of the coronavirus as the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches and…

Two recipes you need to try LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za AFRICAN foods and flavours are as diverse and colourful as the continent, yet African cuisine is celebrated more in other parts of the world than here at home. Generally, South Africans are not adventurous eaters. Though West African cuisine may remain somewhat of an enigma to many of us, historically it is one of the world’s most influential food cultures. Here are two recipes to help you appreciate it. KENKEY Kenkey is a Ghanaian bread. Ingredients 450 g white cornmeal 1 tbs cornstarch 800 ml warm water (at 37ºC) 1 tsp salt Dried corn leaves Method Pour the cornmeal and the cornstarch into a large bowl. Add warm water and stir to form a smooth dough. Cover with a cloth and…

FABRICS OF OUR LIVES Menswear looks from SA Fashion Week SS21 digital collections THOBILE MAZIBUKO thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za MALEÉNE FRANCHÉ HINRICHSEN Eunice Driver Eunice Driver Eunice Driver Eunice Driver Eunice Driver Eunice Driver SOUTH African Fashion Week is one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar. The longest running fashion collection event in the continent, SA Fashion Week has been where trends are cemented and new fashion houses born. It also attracts an audience of fashion lovers, who would decamp to Joburg every six months to see what to expect in fashion. In the before times, fashionistas would dress to the nines and put their best foot forward in order to catch the media’s eye. While many called it peacocking, others used it as a way to showcase interesting style choices.…

TOWNSHIP GLORIES A glimpse at the unexplored side of Cape Town VUYOLWETHU FUNDAM Vuyolwethu.Fundam@africannewsagency.com THE Mother City, as it is fondly called, is traditionally known and loved for its beaches and natural landmarks, but that’s not all there is to the beautiful city. Visitors, both foreign and local, are exposed to only a few activities, such as hiking up Lion’s Head or Table Mountain, visiting Robben Island, or eating a Gatsby, thus missing out on the abundant experiences that the city’s townships have to offer. Here we share some of the few activities that provide a glimpse of township life and cultures: Rands, situated in the heart of Khayelitsha, Cape Town’s largest township, is a multifaceted venue and a haven of good music, food, and quality entertainment. Rands has its…

REAL NUMBERS Is New Dawn bus too late? PALI LEHOHLA SCHOOL trips for sports and music competitions brought a lot of joy. Not so for my father who was a teacher in the school. His gripe was about the failure to keep time. What irritated him most were the ululations and song that welcomed the bus that had arrived hours late. Then the trip began under a shower of song with no accountability for coming late. The post-mortem of the competition invariably focused on the sporting or music event. The possible impact of the late arrival of the bus and having not enough time for preparation was forgotten. Finally, after almost a decade of repeated oaths for renewal, and three years from adopting the step-aside rule, the ANC bus has…

BIZ 101 Getting to grips with automation for your small business STAFF REPORTER AUTOMATION within a business is a contentious topic and often perceived negatively, as it is associated with replacing people with machines and rendering certain skills obsolete. The unease with automation is heightened within the context of South Africa’s high unemployment rate. The perception of human redundancy, coupled with the perceived high cost of automating one’s business processes, is one of the biggest barriers to South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) taking the leap. Perceptions aside, the truth is that automation streamlines one’s business operations and frees up valuable time. Much unnecessary time and effort is wasted on repetitive tasks, such as administration, generating reports, cash flow tracking and account management – tasks that do not require…

SOCIAL MEDIA The Trump ban effect and future of social media WESLEY DIPHOKO wesley@fastcompany.co.za AFP THE former President of the United States, Donald Trump, has delivered on the promise to launch his own social media platform – except that it’s just a WordPress blog. Due to his misconduct and breaking of social media platform rules Trump was booted out of Twitter and Facebook. In response to this, he promised to develop his platform. On Tuesday, he launched a website that is styled like a generic version of Twitter but hosted as a running blog of commentary. People can sign up for post alerts on the platform through their email and phone numbers. People can supposedly like posts, but that function does not appear to work at this stage. Users were…

RULING Patel dealt a blow for control of Lotteries Commission KARABO NGOEPE karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za TRADE and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel this week was dealt another blow in his attempt to take control of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The High Court in Pretoria this week ruled that Patel’s appointment of Zandile Brown as acting chairperson was flawed and should be reversed. In his ruling, Judge Norman Davis said: “The decision of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition to appoint Ms Zandile Brown as acting chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission board with effect from 1 December 2020, and all extensions of the appointment are declared invalid and are hereby reviewed and set aside." Judge Davis further added that the NLC, which has a budget of R1.6 billion, should “continue to…

Tail Piece TOP U.S. FUEL PIPELINE OPERATOR SHUTS NETWORK AFTER CYBER ATTACK Top U.S. fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has shut its entire network, which supplies fuel from U.S refiners on the Gulf Coast to the eastern and southern United States, after a cyber attack that industry sources said was caused by ransomware software. The company transports 2.5 million barrels per day of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products through 5,500 miles (8,850 km) of pipelines, and transports 45% of East Coast fuel supply. Colonial shut down systems to contain the threat after learning of the attack on Friday, it said in a statement. That action has temporarily halted operations and affected some of its IT systems, the company said. The malicious software used in the attack was…

HEALTH No word on hospital reopening date LESEGO MAKGATHO lesego.makgatho@inl.co.za THERE is still no sign of reopening the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital three weeks after a fire gutted several sections of the Johannesburg facility. Meanwhile, patients have experienced difficulty with getting their medication following the closure of the hospital after a fire engulfed it last month. Annatjie van Loggerenberg, a Johannesburg resident, said her husband could not get his medication as he usually receives his medication from the hospital. “We don’t know what to do. My husband was supposed to get his medication this morning at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. When he got there, they said it was closed. We thought and hoped that the hospital would be open but we are confused as to what is going on.…

PEOPLE Celebrities spoil their mothers KESHIA AFRICA Keshia.Africa@inl.co.za LOCAL celebrities shared what they treasured most about their moms and how they planned to spoil them today, on Mother’s Day. Siv Ngesi and his mother Jacqueline, share a close bond – one that the TV star and actor has learnt to appreciate over the years. Ngesi described his mom as “a feisty woman, dominant, assertive, and outspoken”. He said she selflessly made many sacrifices for her children and always encouraged them to push for excellence. “She’s made a difference in my life through her strong character, she’s shown me how empowering it is to be bold and opinionated,” said Ngesi. His fondest memory growing up is them baking together. Whenever Ngesi smells her baking, it’s an instant moment of nostalgia for…

COVID-19 Challenges mount on special needs schools TSHEPISO TSHABALALA TEACHING children with special needs is labelled as one of the hardest jobs in the world. These children require that their schools and teachers cater for their individual challenges. The Covid-19 outbreak has made this task even more of an uphill battle considering that some learners are already vulnerable due to living with comorbidities. Added to the burden are non-pharmaceutical measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus, such as social distancing, wearing of masks and reconfiguration of classes and learning in general. “The pandemic has affected the structure of our classes. Ideally, part of our curriculum includes promoting and working on group work and social interaction. This has had to change significantly. “Also, our therapy sessions have…

‘DIRE IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN’ Heritage landmarks close down MFUNEKO TOYANA SIPHIWE SIBEKO Reuters SIPHIWE SIBEKO Reuters A PAIR of boxing gloves worn by Nelson Mandela at the height of the anti-apartheid Struggle lies under a thick layer of dust in a darkened room, the silence broken only by the thud of moths nose-diving on to the glass display case. The gloves were once one of the most popular exhibits at the Apartheid Museum in Joburg, one of dozens of heritage attractions and art galleries around the country forced to close due to the impact of Covid-19. “We had to let go of all of the staff. About 30 people. There’s no one here to turn the lights on and off,” said Christopher Till, the museum’s director. He used his cellphone…

OBITUARY Your work lives on, Uncle Ronnie PAT PILLAI SUPPLIED “OKAY. Let’s do it!” In about six or seven weeks, Ronnie Govender’s one-man show, At the Edge, was headed for opening night in a town not yet agreed, in a venue not yet secured, on a date not yet confirmed, with no technical staff and no budget in hand. At his memorial service in Cape Town on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote that Dr Ronnie Govender “provided a vibrant and textured addition to the rich tapestry of our national identity” and that he “gave a voice to the oppressed and the marginalised”. Hundreds of thousands of people encountered Govender’s work across South Africa, in the UK, Canada, India, etc. But how did he manage to reach so many, in small…

ICYMI | IOL.CO.ZA HEROIN CONTINUES TO FLOOD STREETS Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.HAILE SELASSIE Emperor of Ethiopia Heroin is being added to numerous different drugs in order to drive addiction, with new drugs coming onto the market daily, flooding South Africa’s streets. And the highly addictive heroin comes in many forms - from twists and straws to stones and now, capsules. | IOL…

CULTURE ‘ History repeated in succession d ispute’ Court action filed to decide king’s successor DON MAKATILE don.makatile@inl.co.za RAJESH JANTILAL AFP THE recent passing of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has exposed a lacuna in the commoner’s understanding of what was previously perceived to be a simple matter of royal succession. The subsequent demise of Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, who was swiftly appointed as regent, has also not helped shed much light as court action soon followed among those in the royal family left to decide the identity of the king’s rightful successor. In his role as the mouthpiece of the royal household, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was soon overwhelmed by questions for clarity. A statement from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) issued this week put paid to any…

INJURY TIME STUART HESS stuart.hess@inl.co.za SUFFER THE South African Foolish Association, eventually named the coach of the senior men’s national football team, which carries the moniker, ‘Boys.’ Anyway, the chap’s from Belgium. And it wasn’t the bloke everyone thought it would be or at least were told it would be. Benni ain’t Belgian, and he wasn’t going to take nonsense off the Foolish Association. It’s certainly asking too much that he appoint his own assistants and analysts and physios. And that he wanted to be remunerated in the manner befitting their status in the national team - which by Benni’s reckoning is supposed to be elite. But not for the Foolish Association. Remember that lot once stuffed up the acquisition of new kit so badly, the national side went into…

TV GUIDE TODAY Cycling: Giro d’Italia, Stage 2: Stupinigi-Novara (173km), 12.30pm, VR1 Golf: LPGA Tour: Honda Thailand, Day 4, 5.30am, GOL, GSD; Sunshine Tour: Dimension Data Pro-Am, Day 4, 11am, GSD, GOL; European Tour: Canary Islands Championship, Day 4, 12.30pm, ACT; PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship, Day 4, Second Feed, 3pm, GOL; PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship, Day 4, 7pm, GOL, GSD (9.30pm); PGA Tour Champions: Regions Tradition, Day 4, 9pm, ACT Motorsport: Supercars Championship: OTR SuperSprint, Race 10, 4.50am, MSP; OTR SuperSprint, Race 11, 7.50am, MSP; Formula 1: Grand Prix, Sunday, Spain, 1.30pm, MSP; Grand Prix, Main Race, 2.55pm, MSP, GSD (3pm); Chequered Flag, Spain, 5pm GSD, MSP; NASCAR Cup Series: Goodyear 400, 9pm, MSP; NASCAR Cup Series: Goodyear 400, 9.25pm, MSP Rugby; Rainbow Cup: Cardiff Blues v Dragons,…

ATHLETICS Moloi outsprints Skhosana for ASA top spot MATSHELANE MAMABOLO JAMES Moloi will now have to walk the talk after he was elected as Athletics South Africa's (ASA) new president yesterday. Moloi won the elections by 39 votes to depose Aleck Skhosana who managed only 27 votes as his six-year reign came to an end. The immediate reaction from the athletics fraternity was one of delight with some declaring that "the future is bright". Prior to yesterday's ballot in Kempton Park, many athletes had lamented the lack of action while contact sports such as soccer and rugby resumed following the Covid-19-imposed government regulations. While Skhosana dug his heels in and refused to allow for athletic events to resume, Moloi – in his role as Central Gauteng Athletics boss and ASA…

QUICK READ LINDANI MYENI MEMORIAL KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Sihle Zikalala has called on the American government to ensure that legislation is passed in the US Senate to reform policing and prevent the indiscriminate murder of black people. Zikalala was speaking on Thursday at the memorial service of 29 year-old Lindani Myeni who was shot dead by police in Honolulu, Hawaii, last month. The slain former KZN club rugby player’s body arrived in South Africa from the US, three weeks after his death at the hands of American police. | Political Bureau JUDICIAL CONDUCT APPEAL OUTGOING Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng will have to use part of his long leave to deal with the Judicial Conduct Committee’s sanction that he apologises for his pro-Israel comments. His appeal of retired Gauteng Judge President Phineas…

QUICK READ STOP OLYMPICS PETITION AN ONLINE petition in Japan calling for the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled has garnered more than 200 000 signatures in the past few days, as public concerns mount over holding the Games in a pandemic. There are three months to go before the start of the summer Olympics. Facing a fourth wave of the pandemic and struggling with a slow vaccination rate, residents in Tokyo were sceptical about whether the Olympics should go ahead, and wary about foreign visitors. | Reuters INOCULATION MANDATORY SAUDI Arabia said on Friday that getting vaccinated against Covid-19 would be mandatory for all employees to attend their workplaces in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. The state news agency SPA, citing the Ministry of Human Resources,…

TANZANIA State visit focuses on regional integration CRISPIN ADRIAANSE Crispin.Adriaanse@africannewsagency.com THE first day of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s maiden state visit to neighbouring Kenya centred on strengthening economic co-operation between the two East African countries, with an agreement reached on an interconnecting gas pipeline, as well as others on eliminating trade barriers. In a statement posted on its Twitter account, Kenya’s State House said Samia arrived in the capital Nairobi and was later received by President Uhuru Kenyatta before the two leaders held private talks followed by bilateral discussions with their respective delegations. Day one of the two-day visit focused on reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to fostering a prosperous relationship by facilitating trade and the movement of people. The two leaders reached a memorandum of understanding on a gas…

SPORTING EVENTS Countries have infrastructure but not the faith MICHAEL SHERMAN michael.sherman@africannewsagency.com AS THE the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, especially countries like India, where the Indian Premier League (IPL) was postponed this week, African nations could struggle to host events in the near future. While the infrastructure is in place in many African countries, the ability to welcome sportspeople from a multitude of nations remains the biggest concern. The IPL is one of the biggest money-spinners in world sport, but despite the tournament being held in a bio-secure environment, the incredible spread of Covid-19 in India forced the hand of the organisers. Though India, at 3.4 million active cases as of Tuesday, is more than 10 times the total active cases on the entire African continent, it serves…

EDITOR’S CHOICE 3 things to know about our continent’s cuisine LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za ONE thing is for certain: African food is just as diverse as its people. From the West to the East to the North and South, some foods are so delectable that they’re worth taking a trip for. African cuisine is a mix of ingredients such as cereal grains, vegetables, meat and locally available fruits. The traditional preparation features mostly milk, curd and whey products in some parts of the continent. If you are looking for a food adventure, then let us try to explore more about this cuisine and find out why more people are interested to try it. African cuisine will likely entice your palate because of its colourful presentation, with mixed flavours brought about by…

‘ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS’ Why people in Singapore are buying clothes in swap stores SHIFAAN RYKLIEF ACCORDING to a climate change study conducted by the United Nations, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world and contributes to nearly 10% of global carbon emissions. With around 52 micro-seasons in fast fashion, overproduction and consumption have led to 92 million tons of waste a year. South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported Singapore produces 168000 tons of textile waste. Singapore local Sue-Anne Chng told SCMP she usually wore a new outfit on each of the 15 days of the Lunar New Year. However, this year she opted to wear second-hand clothes and got her new fashion items through a clothes-swapping store. “I’ve been brought up by my parents to have…

EDITOR’S CHOICE READ African Literature in the Digital Age by Shola Adenekan Shola Adenekan explores the trans-formative development in Nigeria and Kenya, both significant countries in African literature and two of the continent's largest digital technology hubs. Adenekan argues that writers are putting their work on cyberspace because communities are emerging from this space, and because increasing numbers of Africans use the internet as part of their day-to-day engagement with their societies and the world. WATCH Samba (Showmax) Samba looks at the resilient role of African women in society today as we follow the lives of two women in positions of power who struggle to cope with the chaos of their domestic lives. Katrine and Noella, two delightful divas in their late twenties obviously married to the wrong men, run…

SAFE ESCAPES 5 winter travel trends during the pandemic REGIONAL Director Africa at Radisson Hotel Group William McIntyre shares 5 winter travel trends for 2021: Budget-friendly travel Due to the impact of the virus, many households tightened their budgets. This means many travellers opt for destinations closer to home to keep travel costs low. Staycations cut the expense of fuel or flight tickets, allowing travellers to spend money on activities and meals instead. Workations With remote working, employees can work anywhere. Workcations give them the power to enjoy a destination while staying productive. Isolated destinations With Covid-19 known to spread in confined, crowded spaces, travellers seek more remote, less populated destinations. They’re venturing away from travel hot spots and heading out of town to lesser-known areas, making this an ideal…

QUICK READ SOCIAL MEDIA SOUTH AFRICANS ARE LIKELY TO QUIT SOCIAL MEDIA ACCORDING to a report from Reboot Online, South Africans are among the global internet users most likely to quit social media. This study was based on key online searches indicating their clear intention to quit social media. The report found that Americans are the most likely to quit social media with an average of 1 134 400 online searches per month indicating their intention to leave social media forever. South Africa was in ninth place as there was a reported average of 31 340 online searches every month from South Africans demonstrating their desire to exit social media permanently. | IOL Tech TECH BRAIN-READING HEADPHONES DESIGNED TO HELP YOU CONCENTRATE BETTER The US-based software company, Neurable has developed…

Tail Piece INDIAN STATES IMPOSE STRICTER LOCKDOWNS AS COVID DEATHS HIT RECORD HIGH India on Saturday reported its highest ever single-day COVID-19 death toll, as cases continued to rise and states imposed stricter lockdowns. India’s health ministry reported 4,187 fatalities over the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll close to 240,000. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that India will see 1 million COVID deaths by August. Cases rose by 401,078 on Saturday, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 21.9 million. Medical experts say the real numbers of COVID-19 cases and fatalities are likely to be far higher than official tallies. Neighbouring Karnataka state extended a total shutdown late on Friday. The state capital Bengaluru is a major tech hub, home to…

CONCOURT APPEAL Lawyers dump Zuma ahead of personal costs order challenge LOYISO SIDIMBA loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za ANOTHER law firm has dumped former president Jacob Zuma ahead of his Constitutional Court appeal against the personal costs order granted against him by the North Gauteng High Court in December 2017. A full Bench of the high court – Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, judges Phillip Boruchowitz and Wendy Hughes – ordered Zuma to pay, in his personal capacity, the legal costs incurred during his unsuccessful bid to have ex-public protector Thuli Madonsela’s “State of Capture” report reviewed and set aside. Johannesburg-based Kgoroeadira Mudau Inc, which Zuma appointed only in December, has informed the apex court that it is withdrawing from representing the former president. At the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which dismissed Zuma’s…

ENTREPRENEURS PR guru is black excellence personified Hackneyed as it may sound, ‘to be young, gifted and black’ fits snugly by way of defining Tebogo Ditshego, a phenomenal young achiever whose rise can only be described with another cliché – meteoric. DON MAKATILE don.makatile@inl.co.za HE IS chief executive officer of Ditshego Media, which he founded in 2011. Three years later, he was listed as one of Forbes Magazine's top 30 African Entrepreneurs under the age of 30. The accolades have never stopped coming. Last year he was appointed by Gauteng Premier David Makhura to be the Chairperson of the Gauteng Premier’s Service Excellence Awards. The latest feather in his cap is his appointment as President of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA). This is the same PRISA that…

ICYMI | IOL.CO.ZA DIGITAL PAYMENTS IN SA ARE TAKING OFF - MASTERCARD The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doingWALT DISNEY Entrepreneur, animator, writer, voice actor, and film producer THE MASTERCARD New Payments Index, released yesterday, showed that 95 percent of South African consumers will consider using at least one emerging payment method, as Covid-19 altered their spending habits away from traditional avenues to embrace contactless tap-and-go payments and online shopping. | IOL…

ASBESTOS Anger over revamp delay at schools MANYANE MANYANE manyane.manyane@inl.co.za ABOUT 25 schools in Gauteng still have asbestos roof seven years after Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga signed regulations stipulating the minimum infrastructure norms and standards for all schools across the country. Motshekga, who signed regulations in November 2013, set a deadline for November 2016, for all schools made of inappropriate material such as mud, wood, metal or asbestos, to be revamped. About 29 schools in the province were at the time said to have structures with a predominance of asbestos. The provincial Education Department has renewed only four schools, to date. The sluggish movement saw the DA’s spokesperson on education, Khume Ramulifho, accusing Gauteng MEC Panyaza Lesufi of not being serious about eradicating asbestos in the schools within…

POLITICS PAC bears brunt of factionalism DON MAKATILE don.makatile@inl.co.za INDEPENDENT MEDIA ARCHIVES AS THE battle for the soul of the PAC rages on, the party has been barred from participating in the upcoming 2021 Local Government Elections as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) “is unable to recognise any of the groupings contending to be the legitimate leadership of the PAC”. The contest for the leadership of the party founded by the late Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe gets murkier with each court appearance by the warring factions. They were back in court again on Monday and the judge reserved her ruling in the virtual sitting after hearing the heads of argument by the respective legal counsel, says one of the parties, Narius Moloto. Moloto leads one faction that includes Bennett…

COMMENT Queen Mantfombi: a revolutionary unifier UNDER what conditions do we invoke the spirit of the dead? In Africa it is often when we seek guidance, light and blessings in our lives. It is therefore quite clear that for us black people, death means something totally different. A transition instead of an end. It is, therefore, important that I begin this tribute to the queen consort by stating that even though we are weeping as a nation, we have gained an important ancestor. Indlovukazi Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu shocked the entire continent when she passed on, just after the passing of her husband Isilo Goodwill Zwelithini. She was appointed as the interim leader of the Zulu nation as a regent on March 24, 2021. She had been on the throne…

' Rome Special celebrates One' ice cream with JOSE Mourinho's appointment as AS Roma coach has been commemorated in true Italian style - with his own flavour of ice cream. The Portuguese, named as Paulo Fonseca's successor on Tuesday, will take charge of the Italian capital club at the end of the season. To mark his arrival, a Rome ice cream parlour has created a "Special One" flavour, described as a "breath of fresh air, joy and energy". It is a citrus flavour mixed with white chocolate. Mourinho's return to Italy, where he last coached Inter Milan to an unprecedented treble 11 years ago, was also greeted with a mural on the walls of the Testaccio neighbourhood showing the coach riding a Vespa wearing a Roma scarf. | Reuters KIRSTY…

RUGBY Crusaders’ fortress stops Chiefs counting coup THE Canterbury Crusaders had to fight hard to overcome Waikato Chiefs 24-13 in a thrilling final and retain the Super Rugby Aotearoa title at their Christchurch Stadium fortress yesterday. Winger Sevu Reece and fullback Will Jordan scored tries in the first 16 minutes but thereafter the Crusaders - reduced to 13 men in the second half with two men in the sin bin - had to rely on the boot of Richie Mo'unga to keep the Chiefs at bay. The flyhalf kicked a conversion, three penalties and a drop goal and, just as importantly, banged the ball into the corners to keep the Chiefs in their own half late in the game. "Tonight was an awesome effort, so proud of the boys," said…

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Leeds derail Spurs’ top-four hopes TOTTENHAM Hotspur's slim hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four faded as goals from Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo condemned them to a 3-1 defeat at Leeds United in a lively game yesterday. Spurs stayed sixth on 56 points from 35 games, five behind fourth-placed Chelsea who played runaway leaders Manchester City in a later game. Leeds moved two places up to ninth on 50 points. Tottenham's interim coach Ryan Mason, who suffered his first league defeat since taking over from Jose Mourinho last month, rued Harry Kane's goal being ruled out after a VAR check when the score was 1-1. "I get it if it is an inch offside," Mason told the BBC. "It is a tight decision…

STARS TANYA OBREZA Aries (March 21 - April 20) It’s difficult to please everyone, and sometimes you just can’t please anyone. Tensions may make you tetchy, and right now you need to keep a cool head. If you’re feeling crowded, break away for a while – a supportive cosmos encourages a few days of rest or solitude. Soon enough, you should emerge revitalised, and knowing your own worth. Taurus (April 21 - May 20) This week you have more time to help others. But don’t let anyone convince you that it’s simply a case of parting with cash. Your wisdom will provide better guidance than just swiping your credit card. At work, the more you do, the more you get to do. For some, an unexpected inheritance or cash bonus…

Ramphele on democracy, white supremacy and leadership Dr Mamphela Ramphele has been co-president of the “Club of Rome” since 2018. The 73-year-old South African medical doctor and anti-apartheid activist has always been a formidable champion of human rights. She was managing director of the World Bank before founding the South African party Agang South Africa in 2013. Sven Lilienström, the founder of Faces of Democracy, spoke to Ramphele about democracy, white supremacy and about why women are better leaders. SL: You grew up in the years of apartheid and experienced racial discrimination first hand. How important are democracy and democratic values? MR: There is a sense in which having lived without democracy and experienced the humiliation, marginalisation and total disregard of one’s human rights and opportunities, as well as the…

CABO DELGADO Focus on terrorism ignores humanitarian needs JONATHAN WHITTALL THREE important developments took place in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province in less than six weeks, all of which will have a significant future impact on human lives. First, in mid-March the US government designated an armed opposition group operating in Cabo Delgado as a “terrorist” organisation and sent military advisers to train the Mozambique army on counterterrorism measures. A fortnight later, the town of Palma – close to a multibillion dollar gas project run by the French company Total – was attacked by an armed group in a high-profile and brutal assault that killed and displaced an unknown number of people. Last month, the Southern African Development Community condemned the terrorist attacks and affirmed that they could not be allowed…

CO-OPERATION: MAKING A CASE FOR A PEACE ENGINEERING CORPS ‘Time for Africa to pull together’ ERNEST BAI KOROMA MARTINE PERRET UNMEER WHEN the devastating Ebola virus broke out in Guinea in 2013, it did not only spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia; it also threatened the world. By the time the outbreak ended in 2016, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, had lost more than 11 000 people and $2.8 billion in GDP, according to the World Bank. Cases were reported in Nigeria, in several other African countries and in countries as far as the US and in Europe. At the time, I was the president of Sierra Leone and had the difficult task of dealing with an extremely infectious disease unknown to us and many across the world. The…

FOOD EXPLORATION The world is ready to appreciate African cuisine BUHLE MBONAMBI buhle.mbonambi@inl.co.za Pexels THERE was a time when we read about African cuisine in food publications and glossy travel magazines, it was about food from North Africa. They would wax lyrical about the tagines of Morocco, the falafel and shawarma Egypt is famous for. The flat bread and cous cous of Libya and the lablabi enjoyed in Tunisia. Rarely has there been attention paid to other parts of the continent, until recent years. We have seen food writers, chefs and cooks highlight cuisine from West, East and Southern Africa. Yewande Komolafe, had a major spread in the New York Times, where she spoke and shared West African recipes. For the past two years, West African cuisine has been…

QUCIK READ I don’t mind Will Smith’s real dad-bod, but I miss his movie-bod GERRY CUPIDO geraldine.cupido@inl.co.za JORDAN SAMUELS AP WHEN Will Smith recently revealed what the lockdown had done to his body, I was devastated. Where has his six-pack gone? What’s up with the all the jelly rolls? What happened to his pecs? Of course I can’t fault the 52-year-old father of three for keeping it real. Admitting that he’s in the worst shape of his life and showing us just how bad things have gotten, is admirable. It’s normal. It’s exactly what happens when any one stops working out and doesn’t watch what they eat. One could hear all the other 50-plus dads out there collectively sighing in relief and letting their bellies hang loose knowing that even…

EDITOR’S CHOICE Expect more Kelly Khumalo drama in S2 DEBASHINE THANGEVELO IT’S not often we get to see sequels to celeb-anchored reality shows. When that happens, best you remember it’s because the subject matter resonates with viewers. And they do wonders for ratings. It also explains why Living the Dream with Somizi has been renewed for several seasons. I loved the first season of Life with Kelly Khumalo. Much of the appeal also lies with The BarLeader for their first-rate production value. They ensured the narrative was aligned with public curiosity. After all, the questions around the untimely passing of Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, who is the baby daddy of her daughter, Thingo, remains a talking point. The first season was shot in lockdown. There were…

Revenge travel destinations South Africans can visit CLINTON MOODLEY the rollout of the campaign has been announced. Namibia Travellers from South Africa have the option to fly or drive to Namibia, both of which are easy to navigate. With its fantastic landscapes and adventure activities, Namibia makes the perfect revenge travel escape. From the rich history and culture in Windhoek to ocean journeys at Walvis Bay, Namibia doesn’t disappoint on the experience front. Be sure to add The Moon Landscape, about 30km from Swakopmund, to your bucket list. Curaçao Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island, is home to hidden beaches, watersport and natural sites. The island is positioned 64km off the coast of Venezuela and 12o north of the Equator. Once a bustling trade hub for merchants in the Dutch West India…

EDITOR’S CHOICE Stay Nkomazi Private Game Reserve is above the banks of the Komati River in Mpumalanga, with 14 900ha of protected habitat under conservation. Travellers can try to spot 300 bird species, four of the Big Five game, and learn about the endangered cheetah. There are 14 hand-crafted luxury tents with river or reserve views. Amenities include king or twin size beds, luxury 300-thread count cotton linen, an outside bath and shower and a private sun deck with a plunge pool. Activities include birding safaris, guided nature walks, stargazing, fly fishing, and spa treatments at the River Retreat Spa. See www.newmarkhotels.com/ places/reserves/nkomazi-private-gamereserve/ Dine Muse Restaurant in Gqeberha is owned and run by Allan and Simone Bezuidenhout. Muse offers Nouvelle cuisine. The restaurant is all about relaxed fine dining with…

QUICK READ FSCA WARNS AGAINST FX TRADE BITCOIN THE Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has warned the public to be cautious when conducting financial services business with FX Trade Bitcoin. Last week, it said FX Trade Bitcoin was not authorised to give financial advice or render intermediary services under the financial act. It had received information that FX Trade Bitcoin was soliciting investments from the public and had received complaints from investors who seemed to be unable to recover their funds from the firm. “The warning is made against the background of an ever-increasing number of fraudulent activities in the crypto asset and on-line trading environment. It is also of concern that the website of FX Trade Bitcoin has no contact details,” it said. | Philippa Larkin GAUTENG MALLS ACHIEVE…

QUICK READ AFRICAN MONEY GATEWAY LAUNCHES IN SA NIGERIAN fintech start-up Paystack, a company that provides payment gateways for businesses, has announced the launch of its offering in South Africa. The official launch follows a six-month pilot project conducted by Paystack in South Africa. South Africa becomes the third country to host the company after Nigeria and Ghana. | IOL Tech SAMSUNG DEVELOPS ADVANCED CHIPS Samsung Electronics on Thursday, said that it has developed an advanced chip packaging technology for high-performance applications as the South Korean tech giant eyes to expand its leadership in semiconductor solutions. | IOL Tech VIRGIN ACTIVE HACKED Virgin Active has been the latest victim of a cyber attack, which saw the company having to suspend all online activities for its members.The company confirmed in a…

WAGE DEAL DEADLOCK Strike still on the cards over public servants’ salary increase LOYISO SIDIMBA loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za Reuters SIMPHIWE MBOKAZI AfricanNews Agency ANA COSATU’S biggest affiliate is not backing down from its refusal to campaign for the ANC ahead of this year’s local government elections due to the government’s failure to increase public servants’ salaries. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) will stick to its resolution despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plea on Workers’ Day to the country’s leading trade union federation that among the tripartite alliance’s immediate tasks was developing a common platform around mobilising and winning the municipal polls set for October 27. Ramaphosa also indicated that another task for the alliance was to resolve the public service wage negotiations impasse. The ANC’s national working committee this…