Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-02-13 i Sunday Independent

wesley diphoko wesley.@fastcompany.co.za When the Constitutional Court declared that Nkosana Makate should be paid what is due to him, little did we know it would take such a long time to get a final decision on payment. This week Judge Wendy Hughes made it clear the calculations used by Shameel Joosub (Vodacome CEO) earlier in offering Makate R47 million, for what the judge called a brilliant invention, was by far too conservative. The judge declared Vodacom should recalculate what was due to Makate. Judge Hughes indicated Makate was entitled to 5% of the total voice revenue generated from the “Please Call Me” product from March 2001 to March 2021. Now the matter is back at a point of getting Joosub with strict conditions to once again determine the true monetary…

Being a small business owner in South Africa means facing a unique set of challenges, but also provides for a unique set of opportunities. And while archetypal business and leadership books like Stephen Covey's “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, form a good foundation for anyone aspiring to enter the space, it’s just as important to consult local sources of business content to understand the nuances of doing business within the South African context. This list of online resources and reads covers a broad base of topics, and for any small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owner looking to upskill and improve, they are a great place to start. For crunching the numbers: Sars Resources for Small Businesses Filing taxes as an individual can be a challenge, but if you’re…

Laura Brown EVERYONE wants to live longer. And we’re often told that the key to doing this is making healthier lifestyle choices, such as exercising, avoiding smoking and not drinking too much alcohol. Studies have also shown that diet can increase lifespan. A new study has found that eating healthier could extend lifespan by six to seven years in middle-aged adults, and in young adults, could increase lifespan by about 10 years. The researchers brought together data from many studies that looked at diet and longevity, alongside data from the Global Burden of Disease study, which provides a summary of population health from many countries. Combining this data, the authors were able to estimate how life expectancy varied with continuous changes in intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, refined…

Jennifer Hassan Netflix released a new true-crime documentary last Wednesday about a man who film-makers claim scammed dozens of victims, mainly women, for an estimated $10 million (about R156m) after matching with them online. By Friday, Tinder said it had banned the “Tinder Swindler”. Dating app users reportedly can no longer swipe right on Shimon Hayut, also known as Simon Leviev, the man who, as detailed by the documentary, posed as the billionaire son of a Russian-Israeli diamond tycoon and wooed multiple women by showering them with lavish goods, flying them by private jet to luxury hotels around the world and professing his love – then demanding they send him money, frequently claiming his life was in grave danger from his “enemies”. Hayut, who called himself the “Prince of Diamonds”,…

Debashine Thangevelo debashine.thangevelo@inl.co.za After a rather blah kick-off to the first season, The Real Housewives of Durban has returned and the production house has worked their Midas touch to turn things around. And, in doing so, they have certainly got Mzansi invested in being a fly-on-the-wall in the soft lives of the oh-so-glamorous affluent cast. Season two has everything that we’ve come to love about the personality-driven franchise. And, boy oh boy, do the personalities surface, along with those perfectly manicured claws and catty comments, too. This time around, there is a bit of a shake-up with three new members joining the original circle of Nonku Williams, Sorisha Naidoo, Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco and Annie Ludick. So here’s a quick intro for those unfamiliar (where have you been living?) with any…

Taking place at the same time as the debates around the outcomes of the Judicial Service Commission’s interviews for the position of Chief Justice, and the State of the Nation Address, and yet receiving little attention were the public interviews held by Parliament for the important position of Inspector-General of Intelligence. That these interviews are happening in front of a public whose attention is focused elsewhere may be worrying for some observers. It is a well-known fact that those in power often use intelligence services for their own benefit, the difference being that some are clumsy in doing so while others are more astute, discreet, and good at covering their tracks. Central to the operations of intelligence services is the gathering of data on those perceived to be opponents of…

Chad Williams chad.williams@africannewsagency.com The Assembly of African Union (AU) heads of state and government last Saturday commenced its 35th ordinary session – the first to be held in person following a hiatus in 2021 when it met virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening session was marked with calls for continued African solidarity in addressing the impact of Covid-19 on the continent and for urgent action to be taken to address the emerging scourge of coup d’états and the threat of terrorism. In relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, informed the Assembly that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Medicines Agency would play leading roles in promoting Africa’s public health strategy and in leading the implementation…

Ashfak Mohamed ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za WHILE he feels that the current squad is very experienced and not old, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has stated that there is a “blank canvas” for new players to force their way into the mix for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Nienaber laid out his plans for the 2022 season on a SA Rugby podcast released on Friday, after the governing body announced the fixtures for the year earlier in the week. The Boks will begin their campaign against Wales in a three-Test series in July, followed by the Rugby Championship, which kicks off against the All Blacks on August 6 in Mbombela. The world champions are also reportedly set to face Ireland, France, Italy and England on their trip up north. Nienaber was criticised last year…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za DAY five of the CSA T20 Challenges was about two young players, one aged 21, the other 18. The one played like a bona fide superstar, the other came with a superstar reputation, and went for superstar money in the richest competition in cricket. Forty minutes after Dewald Brevis was dismissed in his debut as a senior professional cricketer for the Titans for a scratchy 23 off 25 balls, the bidding for him started at the Indian Premier League auction in Bangalore. It didn’t last long, with the Mumbai Indians paying R6 million for his talents. Brevis, with all that talk about ‘AB 2.0’, went to the under-19 World Cup and became the highest scorer in that tournament’s history, eclipsing a mark held by Shikhar Dhawan ‒…

Ashfak Mohamed ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za WHEN Kevin Lerena speaks about boxing, he refers to the sport as a “fistic art”. That description tells you a lot about the 29-year-old southpaw. You get boxers who are looking for a quick pay day, or that one-punch knockout, and they quickly surrender when they feel the heat in the ring. Not Lerena. He is a true student of the sport. He quickly rattles off the biggest names in the heavyweight division, where he will enter a whole new world when he takes on Romania’s Bogdan Dinu in a WBA Intercontinental Championship bout at Emperors Palace on March 26. “The pinnacle of boxing is heavyweight boxing. When people speak about (boxing) – fine, if you take away Floyd and Canelo – they speak about Mike Tyson,…

Fast Company AMID Samsung’s new line-up of flagship tablets for 2022, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra stands out for an obvious reason. With a 14.6-inch screen, it’s Samsung’s largest Android tablet and one that dwarfs even Apple’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro. (Both are 7.7 inches tall in landscape mode, but the Tab S8 Ultra is 2.6 inches wider.) For all Apple’s talk of tablets replacing laptops, Samsung’s is large enough to stand in for a mid-sized notebook. (The larger iPad Pro’s screen is a skosh smaller than the one on a 13-inch MacBook Air.) The announcement is part of a broader launch for Samsung that also includes the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S8, the 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S8+, and a trio of Galaxy S22 phones. (The largest of the phones, Samsung’s Galaxy…

Pali Lehohla Lehohla on behalf of Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) alumni, gave this speech on Thursday. Chairperson of the proceedings and chairperson of RIPS Jubilee organising committee, Medamfo Dr Grace Bediako, permit me to bring greetings from South Africa to the vice-president of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; to the vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo; and to the acting director of RIPS, Professor Ayaga Agula Bawah. I feel like Jonah in the Bible and like Shakespeare’s Malvolio in the “Twelfth Night”. I am burdened by the trust that my 1 500 colleagues have conferred on me, that of representing them truthfully on this monumental occasion. Some of the alumni have departed from this world, and I am terrified by their ominous watching…

Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi viwe.ndongeni@inl.co.za ATHLEISURE is arguably the fastest growing clothing category in fashion, driven by wellness aspirations and celebrity endorsement on social media. The distinction between activewear and daywear is eroding, opening the door to new streetwear fashion trends as the lines between the two are further blurred. Wellness is often seen as the new status symbol and increasingly, wellness-minded people are showcasing their healthy lifestyles on social media, posting photos of themselves wearing athleisure apparel for all kinds of activities. If you want to be active and fashionable in 2022, here are the trends to look out for in the world of athleisure: Versatile athleisure The pandemic created a whole new functional need which is now a staple in your fitness closet. Think multi functional clothing for everyday wear.…

Jamal Grootboom jamald.grootboom@inl.co.za Euphoria has become another hit show for HBO, which streams on Showmax in South Africa, and has gained the type of viewership and online attention we experienced last during the Game of Thrones frenzy a couple of years ago The show has been lauded for its spectator cinematography and compelling storytelling but a part of the show that doesn’t get the most coverage is the music. When it comes to creating a memorable series, the music score and soundtrack can be just as important as the acting and directing. Think of how Grey’s Anatomy put artists on the map at its peak, with songs often used as the emotional apex of the show. I still remember Izzie (Katherine Heigl) in that purple dress after Denny (Jeffrey Dean…

Ann Hornaday | The Washington Post This year’s Oscar nominations made the “art versus popularity” divide murkier than ever “Movie lovers, unite!” Those were the words with which David Rubin, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, began Tuesday’s announcement of nominees for the 94th Oscars. After a year in which filmgoers seemed more fragmented than ever, what was intended as a stirring call to arms couldn’t help but sound like someone whistling past a graveyard. It’s not that the best-picture nominees weren’t popular with audiences: The Power of the Dog, Jane Campion’s Western-tinged psychological thriller that earned 12 nominations (including Campion’s second for best director), drew viewers from more than 1.2 million households during its first week on Netflix in December; Don't Look Up, a…

Don Makatile don.makatile@inl.co.za If information is power or, as often likened, gold, then the Department of Basic Education (DBE) sits with vast deposits of the precious gem. It has all the information it may possibly need to steer the path of the learner to success from start to finish of the school journey. An organisation called the New Leaders Foundation runs what is termed the Data Driven Districts (DDD) programme whose sole aim is to make the necessary data available to the whole family of basic education – from the department, the school district officials and the teachers on a dashboard accessible to all. The foundation has been doing this for almost a decade now and before you ask how Minister Angie Motshekga is not getting things right, as her…

Tshepiso Tshabalala Tshepiso.Tshabalala@inl.co.za For the community of Phola near Ogies in Mpumalanga, the Siriti Mine was a beacon of hope that would bring employment opportunities and prosperity. But their hope has been replaced by pain, anguish and ill health. The residents this week told the Sunday Independent that the mine had brought cracks to their houses, respiratory and other illnesses and sinking graves – but no opportunities for the locals. The inhabitants allege the mine’s blasting process causes the cracks. They accuse the mine of not checking the wind direction when blasting because the dust infiltrates their houses, leaving a black residue. The community also claim that their numerous complaints have fallen on deaf ears. “We are frustrated as a community. We need assistance in pushing these mining houses to…

Lesego Makgatho lesego.makgatho@inl.co.za The self-publishing industry is growing rapidly, with new authors entering the game and changing the status quo. Some of the books published are good enough for the bookshelf and could be best sellers for weeks in mainstream book retailers. An author who was added to the list of self-published authors is Kelebogile Tshesebe, who is also an entrepreneur, blogger and podcast host who found herself penning her book – Had I Known – after leaving her job as a recruitment agent. The heartbreaking story of a girl who had everything and ended up in a world of people who destroyed her life is a story that Tshesebe tells in her book that portrays “a beautiful journey to hell”, said Tshesebe, who admits she found her passion in…

We are fresh from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) delivered on Thursday. Divergent reflections from many commentators have been made. For me, the address clearly served to confirm that this country is at the crossroads. Critical areas of concern in this regard include security, immigration, corruption, unemployment and governance generally. The matter of the appointment of the chief justice of the Constitutional Court is critical in this scenario. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews for this position certainly preoccupied our minds last week. Their robustness will remain a highly commendable feature that has contributed to the quality thereof, at least from a nonconformist perspective. The plus in this respect has been the rare opportunity afforded us to see what lies behind and beyond those judges’ robes.…

Dr Klaus Kotzé South Africa faces serious and innumerable challenges. Poverty, unemployment and inequality are at extreme and unacceptable levels, while corruption and poor governance are directly stalling and subverting the nation’s promise. To address our varied crises and restore decisive national direction, we must engage in robust and critical discussion. As part of its mandate, the Inclusive Society Institute organises dialogue events that bring together civil society, policy experts and the broader public to discuss policy and national development. Recognising the need for social democratic solutions in local and global politics, the Institute recently hosted the first in its two-part international dialogue on social democracy. The aim of these discussions, as highlighted by the institute’s chair- person, Vusi Khanyile, is to gain clarity on the conditions and policies needed…

Sacha van Niekerk sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za One of the most important demographic segments in today’s world is Generation Z. Discovering and understanding their behavioural patterns is key if travel agencies and tourism industries across the globe want to thrive. According to Hotel Mize, “Businesses in the travel and hospitality sectors often disregard this big group of travellers, thinking it is less opportune. However, for 43% of Gen Z travellers, travelling remains a top priority.” While many avoided crowds, hotels and airports during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to statistics shared by Hotel Mize, “40% of Gen Z travellers travelled abroad in 2020. That’s the highest share of all generational cohorts”. So what is spurring their longing to travel? Having grown up in a world where technological innovations defied distance,…

Alyssia Birjalal alyssia.birjalal@inl.co.za Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and hopefully the love of your life will pop the question. But if you’re already engaged, high on love and looking for the perfect venue for your big day, pay attention. We’ve put together the ultimate romantic venues for your celebration. You’re welcome. western cape Lanzerac Wedding Venue, Stellenbosch Winelands For the most romantic and memorable wedding, there is Lanzerac. It’s set in the foothills of the idyllic Jonkers- hoek Valley, and your ceremony and reception can be conducted against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, lush vineyards and hectares of gardens shaded by giant oak trees. One of Stellenbosch’s leading wedding venues, Lanzerac has over 300 years behind it and offers hand-crafted wedding celebrations with style. A banqueting team provides professional and individual…

Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) is driving opportunity for brands across Africa, enabling them to directly engage with millions of Huawei smart device and app users. The new Huawei Ads platform is a real-time advertising exchange through which media companies can bid for ad impressions, app downloads, app installs, search ads and display ads, using programmatic technology.Through the programme publishers, developers can begin to enjoy a new revenue stream from in-app advertising through Huawei ads kit integration. On Wednesday, Microsoft announced principles intended to promote competition in its app stores, as the company tries to stay a step ahead of policymakers across the world, weighing new regulations to prevent large tech companies from abusing their smaller rivals. Microsoft is looking to bring LinkedIn profiles to Teams. The tech giant has confirmed…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za South African legislation should allow drones to fly as the industry’s wings are clipped by regulations dating from 2015, which aside from inhibiting progress are standing in the way of demand created by the mining industry, Eskom, Transnet, the medical business and a host of industries favouring unmanned aerial surveillance over the traditional boots on the ground. Industry experts have told Business Report the current regulatory environment to a greater extent does not support the rate of growth of the industry while across the globe, the biggest challenge regulators have been battling with is finding the perfect regulatory balance between “under regulation”, and “over regulation”. “Even though this is not a problem unique to South Africa, we could be doing better. We were the first country in…

Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi viwe.ndongeni@inl.co.za For a smartwatch to be considered a smartwatch, the minimum requirement is that it must be able to show you the time – this might sound obvious, but in the age of modern technology it’s often the most logical aspects of tech that we overlook. Although features and designs vary, smartwatches can help to save you time and keep better tabs on your health. Most have built-in fitness metrics, such as a heart rate sensor. Some can act as an extension of your phone, while others are marketed as health-focused devices. Top-tier smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit are essentially miniature phones that wrap around your wrist. They run pint-size apps, let you control your smartphone remotely, and are capable of phone-like tasks such as tracking your…

Debashine Thangevelo debashine.thangevelo@inl.co.za How many times have you had that “what if” thought cross your mind during those retrospective moments? When it comes to relationships and life choices, those niggling bouts of regret are bound to surface every now and again. And that’s exactly what drew me to Ordinary Joe – which harks back to Sliding Doors … the premise is so relatable. The series opens with Joe Kimbreau (James Wolk) at his graduation from Syracuse University. Panic-stricken due to his late arrival, he accidentally bumps into Amy Kindelán (Natalie Martinez). They have a moment but Joe, while drawn to her, doesn’t act on it. His best friend Eric Payne (Charlie Barnett) rags him about his perplexing state of indecision with Amy as well as with Jenny Banks (Elizabeth Lail),…

Singleholic (Cinemas on Friday) It’s rom-com season, so why not try to watch Singleholic? It’s about a woman who moves to Mauritius to complete her PhD after a painful break-up with her boyfriend. While there, she embarks on a series of dates. Some good, some bad and some that come with the realisation that the key to happiness is that one has to first be comfortable in one’s own skin. Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes (R225 on Loot.co.za) Marian Keyes is back with Rachel Walsh, the subject of her 2022 book, Rachel’s Holiday. After a spell in rehab transformed everything about her, Rachel has love, family, a great job as an addiction counsellor. She even gardens. Her only bad habit is a fondness for expensive trainers. But with…

Manyane Manyane manyane.manyane@inl.co.za SECURITY experts believe the recent attacks on and spate of fires around government buildings and other structures could be linked to the current political climate in the country. Several incidents point to serious security breaches at buildings that house some of the country’s most critical and confidential information. It is believed that setting fire to the institutions was an attempt to hide evidence of corruption or gain political powerJust this year alone, there have been fires at Parliament, the Department of Justice in Cape Town, Waterkloof Air Force Base, and the Komani Town Hall in the Eastern Cape, to mention just a few. Experts said the growing numbers of attacks on government buildings might be more than just casual incidents, and could have some political intent. They…

Manyane Manyane manyane.manyane@inl.co.za IMPLEMENTING the hard lockdown during the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 exacerbated unemployment and poverty in South Africa. The lockdown resulted in many companies being shut down as they were not regarded as essential services. That also led to companies closing down, downscaling or reducing wages. This was believed to be the reason that led to the July unrest that brought KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng to their knees. The arrest of former president Jacob Zuma was the trigger that set off the time bomb that has been ticking since the dawn of democracy. This week the report of a panel of experts appointed to probe the unrest stated that the violence should be viewed in the context of multiple crises and challenges facing South Africa. Among them are:…

Karabo Ngoepe karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za UNIVERSITY is viewed by many in society as the springboard to changing one’s life. But thousands of people have found the going tough after graduating and obtaining their qualifications. They spend months and, in some instances, years languishing at their homes with the qualifications gathering dust while hoping that employment will come one day. But that is the wrong mentality, according to the new Vice-Chancellor of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Professor Tinyiko Maluleke. In outlining his vision for the people’s university, Maluleke said the institution wants to produce what he calls “hustler graduates”. He says these are graduates who will leave the university fully equipped with the qualities that will allow them to thrive and not sit idle due to a lack of opportunities. Maluleke…

Shifaan Ryklief shifaan.ryklief@africannewsagency.com Civil disobedience has been constant in Sudan since the October 25 coup as thousands of demonstrators regularly take to the streets demanding a civilian-led government. According to The New York Times, there are hundreds of “resistance committees” across the nation of 43 million which are all loosely connected. These committees are said to meet regularly to discuss political manifestos and issues surrounding economic policy, and at the same time, plan non-violent protests. The movement has no single leader, instead, the various communities arrange their own events which are organised by young people who use social media as well as the use of graffiti on walls to announce their respective protest dates and demands. However, the struggle for democracy through peaceful protest since the coup led by military…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za What an interesting time for New Zealand and South Africa’s cricket sides to be meeting in a Test series. It is a pity the schedule doesn’t allow for an extra match, because these two teams are both at intriguing points on their respective journeys. South Africa’s performances in the West Indies, in the T20 World Cup and of course at home to India, reflect a team on an upward curve. New Zealand made the final of the T20 World Cup, but as a Test side they’re showing signs that perhaps, their best days are in the past. Dean Elgar was being kind when he said the following on Thursday: “It’s a great test for us to match ourselves and compare ourselves to a team that is playing…

Sacha van Niekerk sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za Big 7 Travel has officially revealed The 50 Most Romantic Hotels for 2022, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The hotels were ranked based on a variety of variables, including properties with excellent Tripadvisor review scores from couples, distinctive “romantic” experiences, location, room facilities, and opulence. With the likes of coral-fringed beaches and rambling castles on the list, having two South African destinations ranked on the list is quite the achievement. In 29th place is LaResidence in Franschhoek. Majestic mountains, rolling hills and crisp countryside air with a charming European atmosphere, the quaint town is hailed for being one of the oldest in the country. About 75km from Cape Town, it is the perfect distance for a day trip or weekend away. La Residence, on a…