Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-03-13 i Sunday Independent

THE NATIONAL lockdown that followed the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic had a profound effect on education. Schools were forced to shut their doors, postpone exams and adjust school terms. Those who had the capacity and resources to move into the online learning space, did so – teachers conducted lessons via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, used Seesaw or their emails for the submission of projects and messenger apps to stay connected to learners and parents. The result, on a global scale as well as locally, is that a new contender entered the business realm and catalysed an industry boom that is changing the way South Africa sees education – edtech. While digital technology has been finding its way into the contemporary classroom, as well as workplaces and universities over several…

Xolisa Guzula and Athambile Masola A NEW series of books called Imbokodo: Women Who Shape Us explores the neglected histories of South African women. Geared at younger readers, there are three books in the series: 10 Extraordinary Leaders, Activists & Protesters; 10 Inspiring Singers, Writers & Artists; and 10 Curious Inventors, Healers & Educators. The authors are Xolisa Guzula, an early literacy specialist and children’s author, and Athambile Masola, a historian and poet. We asked them about the project. What does Imbokodo mean? Xolisa Guzula: Imbokodo is an isiZulu word that means “rock”. It’s often used in the saying, “Wathint’abafazi, wathint’imbokodo, uzakufa! Ubobhasopa!” (“You strike women, you strike a rock, you will be crushed! You should be careful!”) This was a chant used by women during the struggle for liberation…

Buhle Mbonambi buhle.mbonambi@inl.co.za When I first heard of the theme of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, I thought about the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013 collection. It was a celebration of all things bees. It brought a wave of trypophobia, and yet it is one of my favourite collections from Sarah Burton, the custodian of the iconic British brand. If any of the attendees at this year’s Durban July would wear the collection, they would be spot-on with the theme, Show Me The Honey. There are many ways to interpret it, from the fluidity of honey, the colour, the texture of a bee and its hive. I am thinking of the Zac Posen-designed 3D dress Nina Dobrev wore to the 2019 Met Gala. It was a 3D printed dress that looked like…

Grimes has clarified that she and Elon Musk “broke up” before it was revealed that they had secretly welcomed their second child. The singer confirmed that she and the Tesla founder had become parents again in an interview with the new issue of Vanity Fair magazine this week. Grimes – who also shares 22-month-old son X Æ A-Xii, with Elon – announced that the pair welcomed a daughter in December 2021 via surrogate. The baby’s name is Exa Dark Sideræl, though the pair are said to have nicknamed her Y. However, as well as confirming they are no longer in a relationship, Grimes has clarified that her newborn daughter’s name is likely to change. Grimes, who intended to keep the birth of her daughter a secret, won’t be revealing…

The news last Thursday that President Cyril Ramaphosa had appointed Justice Raymond Zondo, the current Deputy Chief Justice, as the next Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, was met with mixed feelings. Zondo, who has been serving as Acting Chief Justice for several months now, is expected to assume the new role in two weeks’ time (April 1, 2022 to be specific). This means that Ramaphosa ignored the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that had found the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), Judge President Mandisa Maya, the most appropriate successor to the former Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng. Lest one forgets, there has been a profound outcry from progressive sectors of the society for Ramaphosa to turn the pages of history and obliterate the patriarchal patterns…

Edwin Naidu A senior official from global academic forum Scholars at Risk has expressed concern over an alleged attempt by an official from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to silence scientists under its authority commenting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Daniel Munier, a senior programme officer on the advocacy team at Scholars at Risk, told University World News that members of the academic community had important roles to play in response to human rights and humanitarian crises, from studying the scope and impact of such events to devising and supporting efforts that can save lives and bring peace. “The message out of South Africa is concerning,” he said. Scholars at Risk is an international network of 850 members across 47 countries made up of institutions and individuals…

From Page 1 The MPs claimed the North Gauteng High Court had dismissed DNG’s challenge, but failed to mention the company had filed papers challenging the ruling. DNG director Aldworth Mbalati claims in his supplemental founding affidavit that the process to appoint Karpowership SA as a preferred bidder was rigged and corrupt, and that a local businessman with ties to Karpowership SA allegedly financed the construction of Mokoena’s house. The RMIPPPP tender to procure up to 2 000MW of electricity was issued by the Mineral Resources and Energy Despartment. Mbalati, whose company is the losing bidder for the contract, claims in court papers that the process in which Karpowership SA was appointed as preferred bidder is rigged with corruption and malfeasance. Mbalati questions how Mokoena can build a multimillion-rand house…

Mzilikazi Wa Afrika mzeetheicon@gmail.com A TASK team appointed by former Department of Correctional Services commissioner Zack Modise established that one of the companies operating two of South Africa’s private prisons couldn’t account for workers’ pension funds collected from 2001 to 2004. Modise, in a memorandum seen by the Sunday Independent, ordered that South African Custodial Management (SACM), the company operating the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre in Makhado, Limpopo, “institute a forensic audit since 2001 into the pension fund” of the company. This comes after the task team, composed of SACM management, the workers’ union and departmental officials, concluded that the money was never invested and that the company’s contributions to the fund were almost half of the required amount. The company wrote to Modise promising that they were “committed to…

LEKGANTSHI CONSOLE TLEANE Many people were shocked to listen to some claims by European commentators and leaders arguing that the war in Ukraine was depressing if only because, in their words, “Ukraine is a civilised European country” and therefore what is happening can only be expected on the African continent. For these commentators, the war does not correspond with the civility that Europe has arrogated to itself. The barbarity of war is something that has in later years got to be associated exclusively, and of course wrongly so, with Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Many have pointed out that the notion of Europe being a continent of civility is delusional at best, and a lie at worst. The simple reminder pointed out to these commentators is that the…

Don Makatile don.makatile@inl.co.za Other than burning and looting their stores, perhaps there is a more civilised manner of running the foreign nationals out of business and returning the spaza shop to the local township entrepreneur. “My Friend”, as the Pakistani, Somali, Bangladeshi or Ethiopian who runs a spaza shop is affectionately known, has taken advantage of the very business ethics that the black township entrepreneur used to practise but threw out the window when trade started booming. The customer is king and needs to be treated with respect. The township trader had lost respect for the customer. The township trader will open and close his business at whim. The foreign national stays open virtually 24 hours. Spaza shop owners in the township will never consider buying in bulk from the…

Democracy found us as South Africans unprepared. When the ANC launched its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1961, the resolve was to take power from the apartheid regime by force. As years passed by and as the ruthless apartheid government launched attacks in neighbouring countries as evidenced by the Matola massacre in Mozambique and other countries like Zambia, Lesotho, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, any hope of getting the much-yearned for freedom dwindled. FW de Klerk’s ascension to power following the victory of the National Party (NP) victory in 1989 reconfigured the country’s political landscape. Unlike his stubborn predecessor, PW Botha, De Klerk acknowledged the pressure exerted on his minority government – from within South Africa, from Africa in general and from the international community. By this time, South Africa had…

One wonders why peace is evading Libya ever since the assassination of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. We all know the problems that Libya finds itself in were created by the imperialist Western countries fooling the world they had a plan to fix Libya, a development which has proven to be false. The adventures by the US-led Nato warmongers have caused many problems the world over. Everywhere they have put their fingers, seems to burn. There have been seven UN Special Envoys since the assassination of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and none of them have proven or managed to solve the Libyan crises. The question now is whether a change in UN personnel is required or indeed a change in the UN’s approach and strategy? Looking back at previous…

A flurry of diplomatic calls between Beijing and European capitals shows how President Xi Jinping is trying to keep Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from dragging China into the centre of another struggle for global supremacy reminiscent of the Cold War. Xi spoke via video link on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suggesting that China would be willing to work with the two countries to mediate a solution. The summit follows Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s calls with top regional diplomats including Josep Borrell of the EU and Peter Szijjarto of Hungary. The outreach to Brussels was consistent with China’s approach before the war of courting stronger European ties to balance Washington’s efforts to build a more united front against Beijing and Moscow. Russian President Vladimir…

SEVEN times world champion Lewis Hamilton played down his chances of starting the Formula One season with a win and said yesterday his Mercedes lacked a ‘considerable amount’ of pace. The season begins in Bahrain next week and Hamilton, hoping to win back the title from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after a controversial end to the 2021 season, took the underdog position. “At the moment, I’m sure everyone can figure that out, we are not the quickest,” the 37-year-old Briton told reporters on the final day of pre-season testing at the Sakhir circuit. “I think Ferrari look to be the quickest and perhaps Red Bull and then maybe us or McLaren. We’re currently not at the top.” Asked whether he had any concerns about his ability to fight for the…

THERE was enough grind for the victory, but the Bulls will rue missing out on a bonus point in their 29-24 United Rugby Championship win over Munster at Loftus Versfeld yesterday. The four log points now puts them an additional point behind the Sharks, who claimed a bonus-point triumph over the Scarlets on Durban on Friday night. And the fact that the Bulls were leading 26-3 after 34 minutes and were still unable to score two more tries in the second half will hurt even more for coach Jake White. A late red card to replacement hooker Bismarck du Plessis gave Munster real hope of pulling off an improbable victory, but it was not to be for the men from Limerick. The Pretoria side were well in control in…

Wesley Diphoko wesley@fastcompany.co.za THE ride-hailing community is going through turmoil. From bad drivers (in the system) who are attacking women to petrol hikes that are affecting driver revenues, it must be the worst time to be in the business. As the challenges unfold, there’s a blame game under way and the most responsible parties, the owners of e-hailing apps, are not bothered. Users of the apps don’t know where to take their concerns. The drivers are taking their concerns to the government. The reality, however, is that the challenges experienced with the apps are part of their DNA and design. When Travis Kalanick was designing Uber, which is one of the first successful e-hailing apps, he created a unique business. The Uber design is one of the reasons why…

Karabo Ngoepe karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za THE battle for control of the ANC in the North West is intensifying as more and more names are being hurled around as the province aims to clean itself following its turbulent past. The province was led by an interim structure with Hlomani Chauke as the head after the Provincial Executive Committee was disbanded following massive factional battles. The conference, which is scheduled for this month, will result in Premier Bushy Maape going against Supra Mahumapelo, Motlalepula Rosho and Nono Maloyi. Their names appear as branches are busy with nomination processes. MEC of finance, Rosho, was coy about her plans, but said she wouldn’t raise her hand to lead if the branches didn’t want her. “Nominations are part of the organisational process to elect leaders. “One can’t…

Manyane Manyane and Lesego Makgatho In not appointing Judge President Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to turn the pages of history and to obliterate the patriarchal patterns of leadership positioning in South Africa. This is according to Legal academic David Letsoalo, who laments the missed opportunity for South Africa as a whole, because in its history, we have never had a female judicial figurehead, he said. ““I am not apologetic about the fact that we had the opportunity to have a capable woman. Not because she is a woman, but because she is an extremely competent woman,” he said. “This country has never had a female judicial figurehead, not only as a 28-year-old, so-called, democracy, but since the…

From Page 1 “We must be able to look each other in the eye and say this is wrong and let’s correct (it). “We must also accept where we have wronged and try to rectify that. “We need to find a process that will direct and remind us why we became leaders of society,” she said. Rosho said members had to remember that they represented the ANC in the streets, and doing wrong things dented the organisation’s image. “We can’t be hurling insults at communities and people. I’m a brand ambassador of the ANC. Therefore, everything I do then becomes associated with the organisation,” she said. She admitted that the image took a beating in recent years. Rosho believes the only way things can turn around is with a united…

Karabo Ngoepe and Manyane Manyane THE extension period of a short-term insurance contract has embattled Emfuleni Local Municipality in a tailspin, with questions being asked over the time frame. According to sources within the municipality, a decision was taken by the Bid Adjudication Committee regarding the extension period but this was allegedly disregarded when a communique was sent to the company, Opulentia Financial Services JV Fezi Auditors and Consultants, which had the tender. According to the minutes of the Bid Adjudication Committee meeting held on October 29, 2021, “it was resolved that the accounting officer approve the deviation to appoint Opulentia Financial Services JV Fezi Auditors and Consultants to provide short-term insurance brokerage services to the value of R3.6 million, VAT included, per month from October 1, 2021 to December…

Russia’s veteran Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov was visibly exasperated this week during a media conference in Turkey following a face-to-face meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba. Although there was no breakthrough at the top-level diplomatic talks between the two neighbours – whose conflict has brought the world to the brink – the international community has expressed cautious optimism over the direction of future engagements. Russian President Vladimir Putin also appeared to inject a much-needed sense of hope when he said the Kremlin has noticed “a positive shift” in Kyiv’s posture during their sporadic and complex bilateral discussions. But there can be no doubt that one of the past week’s biggest stories was the “discovery” by Russian forces that Ukraine had been secretly developing a biological weapons programme –…

“FORWARD with healthy living”, screamed a headline in one of the country’s mainstream newspapers sometime in February 2018. This was in support of the newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa who, as part of his post-inauguration national tour, was leading communities in long early morning walks as part of the drive to encourage healthy living among South Africans. Unfortunately, like many other government initiatives, Ramaphosa’s long walk to healthiness turned out to be another public relations ploy – aimed at a South African public largely driven by the usually click-baiting media. How unfortunate, because if indeed that was a deliberate plan by the Ramaphosa-led government to promote healthy living, it would have gone a long way in addressing one of the key challenges that our highly socio-economically unequal society faces –…

WHETHER it was Aeschylus who wrote in the Greek tragedy Agamemnon some 2 470 years ago, “In war, truth is the first casualty”, repeated during the first European war by US Senator Hiram Johnson as “The first casualty, when war comes, is truth”, Putin’s invasion of “EUkraine” (essentially how the EU and US left Ukraine in the lurch, after loudly egging the war-torn country on with unkept promises) has thrown up an infodemic of facts and fiction that are intended to confuse us into taking mindless positions on what could easily become the third European war. Most of the countries that are members of the UN, were colonies during the two European wars from 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945. Even the 605 brave men of the South African…

It’s a commonly held view that Russian president Vladimir Putin’s objective for invading Ukraine is to install a puppet regime that is pliable to Moscow’s interests. If so, this would be consistent with the approach Russia has taken with its forays into Africa in recent years. Drawing from its Syria play book, Russia has propped up proxies in Libya, the Central African Republic, Mali and Sudan. Moscow also has its sights on another half dozen African leaders facing varying degrees of vulnerability. In the process, African citizen and sovereign interests have given way to Russian priorities. This elite co-option strategy effectively serves Russia’s strategic objectives in Africa. These include, first, to gain a foothold in the southern Mediterranean and the Red Sea, putting Russia in a position to threaten Nato’s…

Mihlali Baleka mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za WHEN the final whistle rang, Al Ahly’s coach Pitso Mosimane turned to his bench with disappointment. But a few seconds later, he was drawn by a loud chant: “Pitso, Pitso!” He responded to the roar to give thanks and love. Mosimane wasn’t dreaming. His Al Ahly side had just been beaten 1-0 twice in a row by his former employers Mamelodi Sundowns. It seemed a paradox that a handful of the Downs faithful still lauded him as one of their own. He was yet to get a befitting homecoming, both on and off the pitch in the CAF Champions League. On his last trip home, he received a distasteful welcome from the fans of the team that he had given so much to. Insults were hurled at…

ON Monday, March 7 Allan Wolman, responded with the title “Tell us more about the ghost of apartheid” to my article of February 25 titled “A caring SA government would invest in CPI data to gauge poverty”. He published his unprovoked provocation in The Sunday Independent. His concern is that I did not illustrate well enough why the government did not care, and he felt I left him high and dry. I reread my article and I adequately demonstrated that by not funding the Consumer Price Index (CPI) the government will not know who the poor are and how poor they are, so the much spoken about inflation targeting will have no relevance and effect on the poor when decisions on subsidies on food become a matter for consideration. This…

Mzilikazi Wa Afrika A South African energy company claims in High Court papers that Mineral Resources and Energy director-general Thabo Mokoena has a corrupt relationship with Turkish energy-supply company Karpowership SA, a preferred bidder in an estimated R45 billion Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme contract. Among other things, DNG Power Holdings wants Mokoena to explain how he bought land for R850 000 in cash to build a R6 million house – in Silver Stone Country Estate, Centurion, Pretoria – without needing a mortgage. Mokoena has not responded to questions the Sunday Independent sent him more than a week ago about the construction of the house. A reminder sent on Friday, ahead of deadline, also went unanswered. In another twist, in the National Assembly last Tuesday, six ANC MPs…

Mayibongwe Maqhina mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za POLITICAL analysts have expressed mixed views on the politicisation of commissions of inquiry and their implications for the reputation of implicated individuals and institutions. Speaking to Independent Media, independent political analyst Protas Madlala said commissions that were not used for political purposes were far and few between. “Some commissions are gullible to being used to settle political scores. I don’t think they are in the majority,” Madlala said. He made an example of the Zondo commission, which was set up by former president Jacob Zuma. “The one started by the previous president, who was it to get? Umkhonto ugwaze ekhaya (It was an own goal),” said Madlala. But University of KwaZulu-Natal political science lecturer Zakhele Ndlovu said there was a perception that commissions were used to settle…

From Page 1 “In fact, we're naive to think that a woman would get that position because when we look at South Africa, we've got a long road to transformation. Black women are still being prejudiced. In terms of black transformation, 50% of the judiciary is black, but on the issue of women representation, more work needs to be done because it’s still behind,” Heller said. “It would have been a symbol of a black woman in a significant position. If ever there was a time for that symbol in our society, this was it. Having Maya as chief justice would have been a beautiful thing and it would have presented an opportunity for a young black girl or the young black law student to dream big. “She would've been…

Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za MEANT to remember the longest-reigning king of the Zulu nation, the March 12 commemorative prayer to mark a year since the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini proved to be another divisive affair for the royal family. And veiled swipes were exchanged in the process. However, de facto king Misuzulu KaZwelithini stayed clear of the conflict, asking the people to pray for the divided royal house and said “all shall be fine”. Yesterday two palaces of the Zulu monarch hosted rival prayers. The first was held at KwaKhethomthandayo palace in Nongoma, led by Prince Mbonisi Zulu, Prince Thokozani and Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu of the so-called royal rebels. A few kilometres away, a similar prayer was held at KwaKhangalemankengane palace, attended by King Misuzulu, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi and senior…

Mpho Rantao mpho.rantao@inl.co.za Listening to stories from one of South Africa’s super sleuths can either be hair-raising experience or a riveting tale of catching and locking away some of the most brutal criminals in this country, even during the dark days of apartheid when policemen were seen as the enemies of society. But retired Soweto top cop Amos Maneta was and is still revered by folks in the township and is proud to be associated with being a policeman and the hard work he put into going after criminals and ensuring that people sleep peacefully at night. He explains why. “I joined the police service while police officials were not accepted by the community [Soweto]. At that time, police were burned. If you were in the police service, you had…

Halima Athumani Societies expect men to achieve, but women need support to overcome systemic barriers, says the first female vice-chancellor at the University of Ghana. Linguist Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, 51, who took up the lead role late last year, says that when women and men support each other, they can reach their highest potential. Identifying opportunities is key to career progress. The new vice-chancellor is passionate about mentoring young women. She believes that community support is integral to success. You are the University of Ghana’s first female vice-chancellor. What does it take to make it to such a senior position? It’s a combination of hard work, identifying opportunities and taking advantage of those opportunities, and some favour from God. Because I do believe I’m not the only one who…

March 8 marked the umpteenth International Women’s Day (IWD), a global event aimed at uplifting women by acknowledging and celebrating their achievements. The United Nations-designed theme for this year is: “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”. The aim is to focus on women and girls worldwide who participate in promoting climate change, adaptation and mitigation, as a response to build a more sustainable future for all. As regards the history of IWD, the UN states on its website that the first milestone, related to women’s rights activism in the United States, was in 1848, when indignant white women were barred from speaking at an anti-slavery convention. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) and Lucretia Mott (1793-1880) gathered a few hundred people at their nation’s first women’s rights convention in New York.…

Peggy McGlone As museums everywhere wrestle with what to do about artworks of questionable provenance in their possession, the Smithsonian is leading by example by agreeing to return its entire collection of Benin Kingdom Court Style artworks to their homeland in Nigeria. The groundbreaking move by the world’s largest cultural organisation could set a new bar for how museums respond to changing attitudes about cultural heritage and the legacy of colonial violence. The repatriation of the 39 priceless artworks is the cornerstone of an agreement that could be signed as early as next month, the head of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments said. It includes provisions for long-term loans, shared exhibitions and education programmes in Nigeria. The deal reflects a fundamental change in the Smithsonian’s collecting practices. The…

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month has already caused two million refugees to flee the country. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees predicts that another four million will be displaced if the conflict continues. Although all neighbouring EU countries have pledged to accept refugees from Ukraine, as people flee across borders, a complicated story emerges of who are perceived and received as good, bad and ideal refugees in modern Europe. Take Poland – a country that is being praised globally for accepting over one million refugees from Ukraine. Only months ago it was condemned for serious human rights violations after engaging in pushing back and firing tear gas at asylum seekers and migrants from the Middle East and Africa, driven to the border by Belarusian forces. How can we address…

Matshelane Mamabolo @Tshiliboy THIS is not how it is supposed to be. Orlando Pirates’ standing is such that they should be dominating local football. Going without silverware for seasons on end should not be happening to the Buccaneers. After all, the club whose followers swear by the skull and crossbones insignia is synonymous with success. They have been trendsetters in the local game, the first outfit to get a sponsor and most remarkably the maiden continental club champions from sub-Saharan Africa. That they are to go yet another season without domestic silverware must hurt like crazy for their many loyal supporters. And the older ones among The Ghost must be wondering just what has happened to their club’s fearless leader, football’s Iron Duke ‒ Irvin Khoza. How is it, they…