Innholdsfortegnelse for 2021-10-03 i Sunday Independent

TikTok hit 1 billion monthly active users globally, the company announced via a blogpost, marking a 45% jump since July 2020. The United States, Europe, Brazil, and Southeast Asia are the biggest markets for the popular short-video app, the company said. TikTok has experienced surges in users around the world in the past few years, despite regulatory scrutiny, it is facing in the United States and other regions. The company previously said it had about 55 million global users by January 2018. That number rose to more than 271 million by December 2018, 508 million by December 2019, and 689 million by July 2020. Facebook reported 2.9 billion monthly active users as of the end of June 2021, according to its latest quarterly report. TikTok previously said it surpassed 2…

Poli Poli: A Memoir by Barbara Masekela (R210 at loot.co.za) This is a memoir about the life of an extraordinary South African poet, educator and activist. It tells a lesser-known social history of people, families, communities and places. Masekela uses her life story to illustrate the features and characteristics that typified life in places like Kwa-Guqa in the 1940s, Johannesburg, Alexandra Township, and Inanda Seminary School (for coloured girls) in Mpumalanga. After the Vows (SABC2 on Sundays at 7.30pm) The reality show is a forum where people share their experiences and perspectives about the realities of married life. Each week, host Mpho “Popps” Modikoane leads and facilitates insightful and candid conversations, in the company of well-known and ordinary guests, experts and community leaders on marriage-related subjects. Anna Faris Is Unqualified…

Sadly there was no public outrage and outcry when, in July, callous gunmen opened fire in a drive-by shooting at Inanda, outside Durban, and took the lives of three innocent young women - Ncami Shange, Beatrice Nzama and Philisiwe Jili. Their only crime was to be delegates at an ANC branch general meeting to discuss the upcoming local government elections. Images of the three bodies lying on the ground oozing blood were circulating on social media and this brought the reality of their killings right into our homes and forced us to see how brazen the criminals in this country have become. Then there was silence again, in August, when Phumeza Nomzazi, who stood as an ANC candidate for the City of Cape Town, was shot dead. Then, in July,…

Roland Mpofu roland.mpofu@inl.co.za Some scientists have cast doubt on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assertions that unvaccinated people will spread variants more than vaccinated people, saying there is no scientific proof so far to back his statement. Ramaphosa said this during his national address on Thursday in which he took the country to lockdown level 1 and used most of his address to encourage South Africans be vaccinated and to launch operation Vuma. The president said being vaccinated was not only about protecting yourself and those around you. ”It is also about preventing new and more dangerous variants from emerging, as the virus is able to spread and mutate in unvaccinated populations.” However, this statement was received with scepticism from social media users as well as by some of the leading health…

From Page 1 Mandla Masilela from Tembisa Ward 6 said the party also removed their preferred candidate. “We told the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) through spokesperson Pule Mabe. They said we must come here today (Thursday) to meet the leadership committee and we have been here since this morning, but no one came and addressed us,” he said. Jabulani Sithole from Tsakane Ward 83 said his branch wanted to know what happened to the two candidates who were not elected. “There was an outcome from the provincial local committee to rerun the process, but this never happened. We don’t know why there was no rerun. They appointed their candidates instead.” Various ANC branches, nationally, have been marching to their provincial headquarters and others marched to Luthuli House to lodge complaints about…

Tshepiso Tshabalala South Africa is facing a water shortage crisis and some utilities are resorting to scheduled water cuts to cope with the demand for the scarce resource. According to a statement by Rand Water this week, South Africa is ranked as one of the driest countries in the world and its inhabitants continue to be among the highest consumers of clean water despite its limited availability. This has put immense strain on the water systems and prompted Rand Water to implement water reductions to slow the high consumption levels. “Rand Water has over the years communicated with its customers the need to reduce consumption and water wastages. The hot summer months present a persisting challenge where usage of water goes up due to behavioural patterns inconsistent with the…

Roland Mpofu roland.mpofu@inl.co.za The image of the South African medical aid sector has been tainted by claims of racial profiling against black medical service providers by major players. In 2019, the Council for Medical Schemes launched a Section 59 investigation into allegations of racial discrimination by medical schemes which was chaired by advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC. The investigation found that medical schemes’ profiling of black doctors was “degrading, humiliating and distressing”. The newly-merged Sizwe and Hosmed medical scheme has described the investigation as “an unfortunate period for SA private healthcare” and promised to sustain a culture of fair treatment of service providers. The merger of Hosmed Medical Scheme and Sizwe Medical Fund was approved by the Council for Medical Schemes last month, creating the country’s eighth-largest open medical scheme. During…

Don Makatile don.makatile@inl.co.za Among the bugbears of being on social media is the relentless onslaught by Bitcoin traders, or scammers parading as such, to woo you to their schemes. They are a menace. Since the advent of the cryptocurrency, many unsuspecting investors have either been scammed or turned against trading in virtual money. The traditionalists insist on counting their rands and cents and depositing them into their conventional bank accounts. Self-help books on finances are now as ubiquitous as the social media charlatans with fake names posing with flashy cars and homes. Picking up a copy to read requires biblical courage and zest. I was not going to read Warren Ingram’s latest offering, Global Investing Made Easy, Your wealth-creating guide to the international markets but my Achilles heel, but being…

The global opinions on the new Aukus security pact between Australia, the US and the UK have been mixed. China and France blasted the deal, while others, such as Japan and the Philippines, were more welcoming. Russia, one of the other few nations armed with nuclear- powered submarines, was more low-key and cautious in its initial reaction. The Kremlin limited its commentary to: “Before forming a position, we must understand the goals, objectives, means. These questions need to be answered first. There is little information so far.” Some Russian diplomatic officials joined their Chinese counterparts in expressing their concerns that Australia’s development of nuclear-powered submarines (with American and British help) would undermine Nato and “speed up an arms race” in the region. They suggested the construction of the fleet would…

Herman Gibbs herman.gibbs@africannewsagency.com THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Football Association (Safa) yesterday resolved that football will play a major role in the country’s vaccination drive. The vaccination drive was one of the major discussion points at the NEC meeting at Safa House, Nasrec, Johannesburg. The meeting came up with initiatives to bolster its efforts. In future, NEC members will have to be vaccinated and show vaccination certificates before entering meetings. In the absence of certificates, members will have to provide proof of recent negative Covid-19 tests. The good news for local fans is that vaccinated fans will get free entry into the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia at the FNB Stadium on October 12. The NEC showed strong interest in…

WESLEY DIPHOKO wesley@fastcompany.co.za The technology for vaccinating people against diseases is almost the same as it was 50 years ago – a freeze-dried powder vaccine that requires continuous refrigerated storage, liquid reconstitution before use, and a needle-and- syringe injection. But thanks to researchers at Stanford University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, all that could change. They have produced a 3D printed vaccine patch which they claim provides greater protection than a typical vaccine shot. Applied directly to the skin, the microneedle patch reportedly delivered an immune response 10 times greater than a vaccine delivered into an arm muscle via a needle jab. The microneedle patch also has other advantages, including easy and painless delivery, and the potential to be self-administered. The patches are typically formed of…

Pali Lehohla AUGUST was a bad month in which I mourned the loss of comrade Muvhango Muravha. A call came and I thought it was him calling but it was the daughter informing me he was no more. Muravha worked in the Venda Statistics Office and we had constant run-ins with him shortly after 1994. A witty trade unionist, knowledgeable in conditions of service law and an ardent negotiator. The amalgamation of South Africa into one unitary state away from what was homelands, self-governing territories, townships including a white homeland appropriated to white establishment was daunting. Whilst one had to read this through a measurement lens, but it also had to be confronted from the shear moving of individuals from physical spaces, job descriptions and making sure all work together.…

Lutho Pasiya lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za Is vegan alcohol a thing? This is one of the common questions from those looking to enjoy their favourite beer, wine, spirit, or any other alcoholic drink while pursuing a plant-based diet. The answer is unfortunately complicated. As a vegan, you don’t have to give up all alcohol but you do need to be careful of certain alcoholic production techniques, and hidden ingredients that might not be so vegan-friendly. Below, the barman at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Melrick Harrison, explains how you can find out if your favourite beverage is vegan or not vegan. Q: What makes a wine vegan? A: When wine is made, one of the processes used is a filtering and or a fining process. This process is there to remove any particles or…

From Page 1 Without any formal training, Qwali set about making a couch. The results, however, were not what she had expected and so Lady Q Designs – her label – was founded. “I made my first one, but I was not happy with how it turned out. It didn’t look like anything that I was watching on YouTube. I dismantled it and started again until it was something I was happy with,” she said. Her first satisfactory product now sits in her workshop, and she has no desire to sell it. It has, however, attracted new clients. She then received her first order to create a two-seater couch that she calls her pride and joy and something that has put her on the map. Qwali, who was raised by…

Edwin Naidu edwin.naidu@live.co.za Women cannot break through the glass ceiling in ivory towers of learning where the top jobs are still held in a vice-like grip by men at universities throughout South Africa – and on the African continent. South Africa has only six women in the vice-chancellor’s hot seat. They are Professor Thoko Mayekiso at the University of Mpumalanga, Professor Sibongile Muthwa at Nelson Mandela University, Professor Rushiella Songca at Walter Sisulu University, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng of UCT, Professor Puleng LenkaBula at Unisa, and Professor Xoliswa Mtose of the University of Zululand. In Kenya, out of 29 public universities, only six are led by women. According to Chioma Blaise Chikere, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Science at the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria – the most…

Amanda Maliba amanda.maliba@inl.co.za The family of Pule Kgaratsi wants to probe into the failure of Moroka police to make arrests in the case that has gone cold, four years after the Sandown High School principal was murdered in Soweto. Kgaratsi was shot dead in July 2017 in White City, Soweto, and since then the family have been sent “from pillar to post”, according to his elder sister, Queen Molefe, 68, who blamed the lack of progress on the police. “Whenever I drive past Moroka police station, I look away because of the anger and detestation I have for that station. Since 2017 to date, nothing has materialised on my younger brother’s case, nor have we received anything concrete so we can find closure. My brother was killed like…

Mark Ainsworth The Delta variant of Covid-19 is key to understanding the current trends around the reopening of the global economy, and what we can expect in the next phase of the pandemic. Countries that were aiming for so-called “Zero Covid” have found that this strategy does not work so well against a virus that spreads much faster and further than the original strain. South Africa, as well as other countries, such as India and the US, where the previous variants appeared to have become endemic, were then hit with a new wave of infections through the spring and summer. However, it now looks like we’re at the end of that wave. Although some economies are reopening, mobility and socialising have not yet returned to pre-March 2020 levels. This…

On July 9 the government of Rwanda said it deployed 1 000 troops to Mozambique to battle al-Shabaab fighters, who seized the northern province of Cabo Delgado. A month later, on August 8, Rwandan troops captured the port city of Mocímboa da Praia, where just off the coast sits a massive natural gas concession held by the French energy company TotalEnergies SE and the US energy company ExxonMobil. These new developments in the region led to the African Development Bank’s president Akinwumi Adesina announcing on August 27, that TotalEnergies SE will restart the Cabo Delgado liquefied natural gas project by the end of next year. Militants from al-Shabaab (or Isis-Mozambique, as the US State Department prefers to call it) did not fight to the last man; they disappeared across the…

Shannon Ebrahim shannon.ebrahim@inl.co.za ALL those Britons who thought Brexit was the way to go, are eating humble pie. Brexit has made it particularly difficult for the UK to hire workers from the EU, and now the country finds itself in dire straits with a labour shortage in sectors across the country from the trucking industry to care homes, the National Health System, agriculture, food processing, fast food, construction, and hospitality. There is no one in the UK who has not been affected by the shortage of workers. The post-Brexit shortage of truck drivers has led to chaos throughout supply chains in everything from food to fuel, which will probably lead to price increases. Those who trumpeted the benefits of Brexit probably never imagined that the result would be supermarket shelves…

Ashfak Mohamed ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za THE Springboks ended their three-match losing streak with a blood-and-guts 31-29 victory over the All Blacks at the Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast yesterday. Here’s how we rated the Bok match-23… Willie le Roux: 2 A nightmare for the full-back. Dropped ball from a kick-off after Handre Pollard converted a penalty, which led to Sevu Reece’s try. Another poor tackle attempt on Rieko Ioane, and Ardie Savea scored. Replaced at half-time by Frans Steyn. Sbu Nkosi: 6 Did superbly well to draw the last defender and put Damian de Allende over in the corner. Chased the kick-offs and box-kicks with his usual energy. Lukhanyo Am: 9 Made a behind-the-back offload to Sbu Nkosi that led to Damian de Allende’s try. Used classy footwork to unsettle…

WESLEY DIPHOKO wesley@fastcompany.co.za You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that there’s something deeply wrong with the South African education system. As a result of this, there are numerous initiatives that are designed to fix it. One of them is the UCT Online High School, modelled after Stanford University Online High school. At a surface level, it might be difficult to understand how a technology-driven institution can form part of solving an education challenge in a country with a digital divide challenge. An interview with the school Principal, Yandiswa Xhakaza, by Fast Company magazine, has revealed that there’s more value to this online high school in SA than first meets the eye. One of the major challenges facing universities is getting learners who are not ready for…

ben bierman “Sustainable business”, and “responsible profit-making” were once industry buzzwords, but today, they represent a new frontier for businesses across all sectors. In South Africa, we’re seeing big corporates and listed companies take on the sustainability agenda, allowing every facet of their operations to be driven by ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) policies. In a recent media statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa affirmed that the move towards a “low-carbon, ecologically friendly and socially sustainable” economy has the ability to drive job-creation, inclusion and growth in sectors including: renewable energy, grid construction, manufacturing of renewable components, battery storage, green vehicles and green hydrogen. At first glance these sectors may appear to comprise of larger companies in terms of capital value, however, the production, manufacturing and distribution of the parts of these…

Nosipho Nyide nosipho.nyide@iinl.co.za By simply taking some time out to engage in self-care, it can relieve some of the pressures of everyday life and help reset the mind and body to a healthy point. In the past couple of years, different forms of self-care have become popular. Some people love meditation, others like yoga, running, reading books, therapy, drawing or simply enjoying some Netflix. These have come in handy during the Covid-19 pandemic which has not only affected millions of people physically but also affected their mental health. According to a study published by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March, there has been a rise in adults reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression since the Covid-19 outbreak. More than two in five adults (42%) reported symptoms…

Gerry Cupido geraldine.cupido@inl.co.za AS The world’s latest woman billionaire, Rihanna, is seldom seen with a hair out of place - until this week at least. Hair was the bone of contention as the singer’s the third Savage X Fenty fashion show aired on Amazon on Heritage Day, after weeks of sizzling teaser campaigns. Since the launch of the lingerie label in 2018, the shows have carved a niche as daring, provocative and unique in the world of fashion. Besides the exquisite lingerie designs, the brand prides itself in being all-inclusive and celebrating all body shapes and sizes, race and gender. While Riri’s loyal fans raved about the latest collection and the spectacular show, which as always included celebrities and supermodels, many were left wondering why some of the non-black women…

From Page 1 She is also accused of smuggling “through the back door” a former colleague from Gauteng community safety with “a known criminal record” into the DPSA. “Yoliswa has turned DPSA into an employment agency where her friends and cronies get employed without following proper procedures. One of the allegations that were levelled against Yoliswa at Public Enterprises was corruption in recruitment and appointment of officials and she is doing the same thing now at DPSA.” Another staff member yesterday alleged that Makhasi and Dlodlo came into collision when the minister allegedly instructed that a senior official be reinstated who has been suspended for more than a year with full pay. “The minister believes that Yoliswa failed to charge the official within the 60 days prescribed within the law…

Lesego Makgatho lesego.makgatho@inl.co.za If you’re looking for a book that seeks to question patriarchy and other challenges that women face, then Wild Imperfections could be the one for you. Forty black women from the African continent and its diaspora have come together in this anthology of poems. Contributors include poets such as Nikki Giovanni, Diana Ferrus, Miriam Alves, Jackie Kay, NourbeSe Philip, Cheryl Clarke, Staceyann Chin, Olumide Popoola, Makhosazana Xaba, Safia Elhillo, Gabeba Baderoon, Warsan Shire, Ladan Osman, Anni Domingo, Elizandra Souza and Jumoke Verissimo. The book is edited by Natalia Molebatsi. Whatever the theme each poem in the collection featuring the work of Black women poets reflects the lives of most, if not all women, womyn and womxn – particularly those born Black and poor by design in…

The arrival of Covid-19 has aggravated pre-existing problems and challenges faced by elderly people in our communities. The pandemic has not only had a negative economic and social impact on the country, but also posed a serious threat to the well-being of the elderly, with older people not only at risk of catching Covid-19, but unable to meet their basic needs. The pandemic has increased the exposure of older people to violence, abuse and neglect due to isolation, restrictive measures and lack of access to services. It is important to acknowledge that our elderly have contributed immensely to many changes and developments in our country. The older person who is 75-years-old today has seen so much change in our country, including the advent of independence and democracy, development and digital…

Aymen Jamli Najla Bouden was this week named as Tunisia’s first ever female prime minister – also in a first for the Arab world. Bouden, a university lecturer and political unknown, will take office after President Kais Saied sacked the government of Hichem Mechichi on July 25, suspended parliament, lifted the immunity of MP’s and took over the judiciary. His actions followed months of political deadlock in the face of a pressing economic crisis and mounting coronavirus deaths. While some Tunisians have supported his decisions against a reviled political class, he has faced repeated calls to name a government. Last week, Saied extended the suspension of parliament and moved to rule by decree, suspending parts of the country’s post-revolution constitution. Saied’s office on Wednesday published a video of him…

Hundreds of young people led by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg marched in Milan on Friday to demand swift climate action a month ahead of the crucial COP26 environmental summit in Glasgow. The Fridays for Future marches that brought large crowds of youth together in cities across the globe were interrupted by two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Last week it was Berlin that played host to Thunberg, the unofficial leader of a movement that brought millions to the streets across the world in 2019.…

WYNONA LOUW wynona.louw@inl.co.za NEVER mind the three defeats they took in the Rugby Championship prior to this game. Never mind the setbacks. With this one performance, the Springboks stamped their authority as world champions. After suffering an agonising 17-19 defeat against New Zealand in their 100th Test in Townsville last week, the Springboks hit back to pull off a stunner of a victory against the All Blacks, winning the game 31-29. There was no shortage of things that stood out in this battle. For one, the way the Boks fought back to win this classic was incredible. After being 11-20 down just before half time, they ran in 20 points in the second half to come out on top in a thriller of a contest. Last week, the Boks…

Clinton Moodley clinton.moodley@inl.co.za I did not like the person staring back at me five years ago. Struggling with my weight (I was either too fat or too ghostly thin), I compared myself to those insanely fit Instagram male models and my successful peers. Combined with exhaustion and a need for change, I was at my lowest point. I hastily booked a trip for three days with no plans other than to consume junk food and stare at incredible views. Little did I know that the trip would change my life forever. As I watched the sun ascend over the horizon on my second day of travel, I had an epiphany. Here I was, feeling sorry for myself and in deep self-loathing, while there was this extraordinary view in front of…