Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-04-03 i Sunday Independent

South African-born Elon Musk is one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, however his business has brought nothing to his country of birth. In his defence many have argued that had Musk built his business in South Africa he would not have reached the billionaire status and his level of success. Sadly South Africa is likely to see more South African-born entrepreneurs building their businesses in the US. Musk had different reasons (one of them being to avoid participating in the military) for immigrating to the US when he was younger. Today South African-born tech founders are registering their businesses in Delaware, US, to access international investments. This scenario has prompted a group of concerned technology entrepreneurs to propose a Startup Act to stop the intellectual property leak from South…

In a new dance production presented by Flatfoot Dance Company, audiences will learn about issues affecting the planet. The Cleansing journeys into the heartland of Earth issues using this performance moment to negotiate the true meaning of ecology – the connectedness of human existence to all existence. Artistic director Dr Lliane Loots said the play was a ritual for humans and the Earth. “It’s a cultural enactment of the sacred bond between the dancers and the ground they move on as they ‘cleanse’ themselves ready for a deeper connection to one another and to the Earth,” said Loots. The Cleansing is set to take place at the Durban Botanic Gardens from April 20 to 24 at 6pm. “What better site than Durban’s Botanic Gardens to open up this exploration of…

Before delving into Shondaland’s second outing with Bridgerton, where I got to be part of a press panel interviewing leads Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) and Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran, who are cast as the Sharma sisters, Kate and Edwina, respectively, let me address the elephant in the room. This past week, there has been some noise about there not being “Indian representation” at Netflix’s recently-held Bridgerton soirée. I was even tagged on social media for corroboration of this false narrative. I was invited, but due to me being in Cape Town for another work engagement, I declined. And if you didn’t crack the guest list, deal with it. Stop making it about race as it takes away from the casting of two great actresses, who are helping pave the way…

Winning the fourth season of Master- Chef South Africa was no easy feat. Contestants, present and past, will attest to the heat in that kitchen being something else. That said, Shawn Godfrey, 34, can be proud of his skillset seeing him to the finish line where he was able to clinch that sought-after trophy, the bragging rights and the R1 million prize money. The entrepreneur, along with Andriette De la Harpe (33), also an entrepreneur who lost her job during Covid, and senior researcher Tarryn De Kock (28), who lost the second spot in a cookoff with Andrietta, received a range of kitchen appliances and a double-door fridge in the penultimate episode. Andrietta, who needs little excuse to get those waterworks going on the show, was moved to tears by…

FORMER Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, convicted of perjury, is convinced that she is a victim of a political witch-hunt. Dlamini, who is the president of the ANC Women’s League, was found guilty of lying under oath during her testimony at an inquiry into a scandal involving the payment of social grants to millions of people. On Friday, Judge Betty Khumalo sentenced Dlamini to four years’ imprisonment or a R200 000 fine after the court last month found she had committed perjury during the 2018 Ngoepe Inquiry. It had emerged at the inquiry presided over by Judge Bernard Ngoepe that at the time of the crisis there was no contingency plan in place to continue with the payment of grants after the contract with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), which had…

The 1888 election tale is told of Lord Lionel Sackville-West, the then British Minister to the US, who received a letter from what was purported to be an ordinary US citizen, Charles Murchison. The citizen wanted to solicit the opinion of the British ambassador on the presidential candidates that year, and in particular that of the Democrat candidate and presidential incumbent, Grover Cleveland. Sackville expressed how the president who once had a “favourable” attitude towards the “motherland”, had now adopted positions and policies that were of growing concern. But Murchison was a fake name for George Osgoodby, a friend of Cleveland’s, and the response by the ambassador soon found its way into the New York Tribune with the headline: “The British Lion’s paw thrust into American Politics to help Cleveland.”…

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s term is nearing its end, and it doesn’t look like she will exit with a bouquet of roses as she faces impeachment – a first for that office in the history of South Africa. Mkhwebane has had her leadership skills, capabilities and integrity questioned and scrutinised since she became public protector in October 2016. Mkhwebane said she poked a hornet’s nest in 2017 when she proposed a remedy for the South African Reserve Bank after probing the Ciex report. From then on, she has received backlash after backlash, she says, adding that things took a turn for the worse when she tried to unseal the CR17 bank records. “My problem started when I issued the Ciex report. You don’t touch the Reserve Bank in any other…

The search is on for the world’s Best Tourism Villages (BTV), those in which tourism serves to promote natural and cultural diversity as well as local values and activities. The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced that applications for the 2022 BTV are now open. Last year, over 40 villages from more than 30 countries (from over 170 applications) were recognised as BTV. The UNWTO said member countries are again invited to present candidates through their national tourism administrations (NTAs). Launched in 2021, the UNWTO initiative seeks to establish itself as the world’s leading network focused on tourism for rural development. Applications will be evaluated by an external independent advisory board comprising experts in the different fields, based on the nine evaluation areas covering natural and cultural resources as…

FORMER public protector (PP) Thulisile ‘Thuli’ Madonsela had become a thorn in the flesh of former president Jacob Zuma and some among his key ‘clientelistic’ supporters over administrative corruption and other self-enriching crimes. On the eve of the 2014 general election, she released a report entitled ‘Secure in Comfort’. Madonsela, whose term of office ended in October 2016, found that Zuma and his family “unduly benefited” from non-security features, such a chicken run, a kraal, and a swimming pool (“fire pool”), at his homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, and recommended that he should pay for a portion of their costs. Arguing that he had not asked for the security upgrades to the tune of R246 million, Zuma disregarded her remedial order. The matter ended up in the Constitutional Court, thanks to…

Social media platforms are undoubtedly inundated with content about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Yet aside from startling videos and images, a full-scale information war is unfolding on the digital front, with only one “initiator-in-chief” – the United States. Under the hegemony of Western discourse, Washington is clearly not interested in spreading facts or truth. The following are common US tactics employed to mislead the global public on the Ukrainian crisis. First, stir up unrest and encourage hostility. At the end of last year, when tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border were ratcheting up, the US chose to fan the flames of discord.From the White House to paparazzi in the US tabloid press, self- proclaimed intelligence reports and spicy hearsay kept emerging, spreading “the fog of war”. They preached words…

For those privileged enough to access it (and while there was electricity to power it), consumer technology and the internet have been a saving grace for many in the last two years since Covid-19 and lockdowns began. From social connection to getting food on the table, online services have been invaluable to the economy and people’s everyday quality of life. As physical workplaces and schools were closed down, digital chat and meeting services prevented the education sector and non-essential economy from grinding to a halt. Windows of awkwardly-framed faces replaced office spaces and classrooms, and words like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom quickly pushed their way into our daily vocabulary. However, one of the standout platforms in South Africa was already a household name. WhatsApp, its Groups feature in…

With just three weeks to go until Splashy Fen fans return to the mountains, the festival organisers have released more tickets in keeping with the Covid-19 alert level 1 regulations. Festival fans were disappointed when tickets were quickly sold out, but festival organisers have released more for the much-anticipated music and lifestyle event held in Underberg, thanks to the latest Covid-19 regulation which allows 50% of the venue capacity. The festival’s full line-up now includes over 150 acts performing across four stages. From local Underberg legends to South African favourites like Mango Groove, Jeremy Loops, Mi Casa, and Good Luck, as well as up-and-coming musos and local hot shots. Festival director Stu Berry said this year’s festival is going to be an emotional return for many. “We couldn’t think of…

For the longest time, I’ve been a huge fan of the 90 Day Fiancé franchise and its various iterations. It was immensely entertaining watching people from different walks of life, cultural standing, age barriers and geographic locations fall in love and plan a future. Think of it as a social experiment gone wrong. And boy oh boy, do these scenarios spiral into Jerry Springer territory. Of late, I’m starting to question whether viewers are being played for fools like some of the cast. In every show, there is always one match where the person is either ghosted or catfished. It used to be entertaining. But now it’s become awkward to watch. Ed Brown, aka “Big Ed”, is one of the most ridiculed cast members to date. His hapless pursuits of…

In recent weeks there has been an uproar after Netflix announced that their consumers sharing their password with friends and family in other households may soon pay an extra fee. The move comes as Netflix has stated that account sharing between households affects the company’s ability to invest in new TV shows and movies. DStv also caught fire from subscribers when they announced a new policy, which came in effect last month, and will allow only one device to stream on DStv Now at a time. With these changes happening with streaming services and prices increases, it’s time to check which service provides the best value for money. Netflix There was a time not so long ago when the online streaming service Netflix seemed like the automatic choice. Netflix…

Imagine being out for a drive or stroll, and the road before you suddenly caves in. For the residents of Khutsong township in Carletonville, a mining town far west of Joburg, this is not a reel scene out of a movie on Armageddon. It is real, their lived experience. There is a gaping hole in the middle of Sompane Street in Khutsong, which has gradually opened even wider, swallowing street poles and nearby houses. It is not the only such gorge in the township, which has suffered mushrooming sinkholes throughout the years. The Methodist Church on Sompane has had to halt its renovation plans because of the uncertainty around the stability of the ground around it. A resident, who lives opposite the church and too agitated to give her name,…

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit South Africa, no one could have predicted the damage that subsequent regulations and lockdowns would have on the country’s historical landmarks. Under two years of lockdowns, cultural and heritage institutions couldn’t keep their doors open as people stopped going out to public places altogether. The first to go were privately owned landmarks such as the Apartheid Museum and Lilliesleaf that were forced to shut down, as did the renowned Fugard Theatre in Cape Town. Some heritage sites, like Freedom Park, managed to weather the storm and are staying afloat thanks to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) which provided much-needed funds. The DSAC said that the allocation of funding to various heritage sites and cultural institutions was based on the funding all cultural…

Last month the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution demanding Russia immediately stop its military operations in Ukraine. Out of 193 member states, 141 voted in support of the resolution, five voted against, 35 abstained and 12 didn’t vote at all. Of the 54 African member states, Eritrea voted against the resolution, 16 African countries including South Africa abstained, while nine other countries did not vote at all. In all about half, 26, of the 54 member states in Africa chose the path of neutrality in some form. So why did African countries not vote overwhelmingly to support the resolution? I believe that the decision of several African countries to stay neutral and avoid condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine was made on issues relating directly to the…

The pandemic brought a lot of questions around health – individual, social and even planetary – to the fore. The result? As business travel gains momentum, travel bookers are turning to tools which enable them to remove pain points which have traditionally affected travellers physically or mentally by causing fatigue and stress. “This has become a significant issue for the travel industry, since we have come to recognise that addressing these challenges actually saves money in the long term. “Simply put, the smoother and more efficient the journey, the more productive your employee,” said Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM Travel. Smith adds that the new technologies available are making it possible to entrench steps that promote well- being at every step of the travel booking journey. New technologies The aim…

Museums don’t often feature on holiday itineraries. That’s probably because people think of these spaces as dull houses of antiquities. But there are few better ways to learn about a country’s history, its people and their cultures than by visiting a museum. Maybe I am biased: as an archaeo- zoologist – an archaeologist who studies animal fossils (mostly rodents) – I like digging in the past. And I’ve worked as a museum tour guide at Wits University’s Origins Centre Museum in Johannesburg. So I love museums, because they archive, preserve and display objects of significant importance. They allow you to delve deep into the past with eye-catching displays of artefacts, ancient textiles, high-quality images and short films that narrate how our ancestors lived. In recent years, virtual reality has added…

With the exponential rate at which the digital economy in South Africa is growing, more brands are looking for ways to attract their share of the market by leveraging the power of digital marketing. One of the newer strategies that is being adopted by some of South Africa’s biggest brands is influencer marketing, which has come a long way since its inception in 2014. According to a report by Insider Intelligence, brands across the globe are set to spend more than R15 billion on influencer marketing strategies this year. This highly targeted form of marketing has proven so effective that some of the most popular influencers in South Africa charge upwards from R15 000 per post on social media, with one of the most expensive influencers reportedly charging a minimum…

Simon de Haast says his latest thought-provoking exhibition, Vujà Dé – The stories we tell ourselves, is more than just simply putting art on a wall. “It’s about taming the inner critic and having creative confidence. Where this exhibition takes me is uncertain but after many years, I’m ready,” says De Haast. Vujà Dé – The stories: A colour field photographic is set to take place at Ground Art Caffe in Cape Town from April 7 to May 31. His photography is of everyday objects and scenes where he plays with motion, curiosity, light, and colour in a way that triggers an exploration of one’s own story, using pixels, computational photography, and rule-breaking. “A few months ago I did some large test prints of some of my favourite digital images,…

For many of our parents, uncles and grandparents, Wednesday, April 27, 1994, marked the new era for the nation that was devastated by the monster called apartheid, or so they hoped. Many black people woke up to a new dawn as they took to the polls for the very first time to cast their votes for “a better South Africa”. Almost three decades later, black creatives from across South Africa have gathered at the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria to share with the world their ideas, thoughts and experiences of apartheid, using the powerful medium of art. The Yakhal’ Inkomo exhibition is the first curatorial iteration from the Bongi Dhlomo-Mautloa collection, currently showcasing Mzansi’s finest artworks exclusively by black creatives. The collection features pieces by some of…

Not sure how to prepare a vegetable garden for winter? Autumn is a great time to learn, before the cold weather sets in. That way, you can ensure that when spring rolls around, everything will bounce back quickly. Unlike many parts of the world, most of South Africa doesn’t get snow or heavy frost in the winter, so it’s still relatively easy to grow vegetables in the colder months. You can’t, of course, just grow anything. Focus on veggies that do well in colder months. Below, chef Norman Heath of Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront shares his top tips for keeping your vegetable garden growing at this time. Plant what you eat and use This is an important one. If you don’t eat beetroot, don’t grow it. You’ll find you let…

Gallo Vault Sessions Podcast This six-part podcast series explores the music produced by the longest-running independent recording label in Africa. Boasting the largest collection of African Heritage music masters in the world and home to legends Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube, Oliver Mtukudzi, Thandiswa Mazwai, Skwatta Kamp. The series is narrated by Kineta Kunutu, and researched, produced and written by artist, researcher and DJ Zara Julius. Umbuso (Sundays at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)) Umbuso is a story about street-smart businessman, Ma E and people’s politician, Tiny, who are old comrades determined to secure a post-Struggle legacy for themselves and their families. However, after a bloody murder that shakes everyone to their core, a long-hidden and dark secret is revealed, cutting to the heart of both families.…

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa faces a daunting task to unite the highly divided Mpumalanga ANC after his supporters were elected to top positions of the provincial party’s leadership. Yesterday, moments before the electoral body announced Ramaphosa’s staunch supporter Mandla Ndlovu as the ANC Mpumalanga provincial chairperson, the party was served with legal notice to challenge the outcome of the elections. In the legal notice, the aggrieved members argue that the conference organisers have allowed bogus ANC branches to participate in the conference despite an undertaking of the national dispute resolution committee chair Mdu Manana to exclude those branches. In the notice, the lawyer for the aggrieved parties, Avela Nontso, wrote: “We are instructed that despite this undertaking, a letter from Cde Mduduzi Manana was circulated in the afternoon on March…

Nine years ago, Uber disrupted the taxi industry in this country, offering customers a new experience and the idea that anybody with a driver’s licence, a car and some spare time could earn extra cash from giving strangers a lift. The metered taxi owners responded violently, accusing Uber of introducing unfair competition. While operating in their space, the e-hailing company claimed not to be a transportation company – but a technology company using an app, to “cheaply bring transportation for everyone everywhere”. For the general public, Uber presented the then much-spoken about disruptive technology offering passengers a convenient and cheaper service than what was then notoriously inefficient metered taxis. From the government’s side, Uber was a welcome development that would create much-needed jobs. But as recent developments show, there was…

The life of a great doctor was tragically cut short. This is the general sentiment held by many people in the community of Diepkloof and the rest of Soweto following the brutal slaying of Dr George Koboka, who was known as an unconventional man who loved his work and his family. Residents of Diepkloof, Zone 6, were left shell-shocked and confused after they heard of the death of Dr Koboka, killed by four gunmen, who allegedly went straight to his office a week ago and opened fire. “He’s had his practice here for so long. He was a people’s person, and was loved by many. What happened here was very sad. We were very fond of Dr Koboka. “The increasing levels of crime have been allowed to fester in our…

Yuan! Can you pronounce the word yuan? It sounds unfamiliar and a bit challenging to say it, doesn’t it? Can you also say renminbi (RMB)? Even trickier, right? Renminbi and yuan, currency denominations, are similar to using the UK sterling and pound. Get used to saying yuan, renminbi as the world changes because money talks. And the Chinese yuan is talking loud and will talk even louder in the coming decades in geopolitics and in global economics on the back of the war in Ukraine. More importantly, if you ever thought about doing business or investing in China, you might need to keep in mind that it is the second largest global economy. Many experts foresee it will overtake the US before the decade ends. Officially known as the renminbi,…

Dubai, one of the world's most diverse gastronomy destinations, has been selected by the Michelin Guide to be the latest addition to the 35 culinary destinations across North America, South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Home to thousands of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from fine dining to street food, headed by talented international and home-grown chefs, the Michelin Guide Dubai will provide a fresh perspective and new insights into the diversity, creativity and multicultural nature of Dubai’s culinary offering – one that is drawn from traditional Emirati cuisine, as well as from the cuisines of more than 200 other nationalities living in the city. Dubai welcomed 7.28 million international overnight visitors in 2021, representing 32 percent year-on-year growth, establishing a momentous marker in the global tourism recovery and…

What happens in aircraft toilet is a mystery most of us would like to leave unsolved. In fact, from going thrice to the loo before boarding to staving off complimentary drinks served by flight attendants, most people try to avoid these dreary cubicles at all costs. However, with hours spent in the air, there’s plenty of time to wonder about what happens once you flush mid-flight. Does it drop through a secret hatch that releases the excrement into the abyss, or is it stored in a tank, and if so, is there some fancy internal plumbing going on? In the average home toilet, a bowl filled with water is the first step in a system that results in whatever is being flushed ending up at the wastewater treatment plant. In…