Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-04-10 i Sunday Independent

“First full day as Twitter COO tomorrow. Task #1: undermine CEO, consolidate power” tweeted Dick Costolo on his first day as the chief operations officer at Twitter in 2009. The joke became a reality just after a year it was tweeted as he became the CEO to replace Ev Williams. When Elon Musk bought 9.2% of Twitter shares he became the majority shareholder, the de facto CEO and possibly the leader of the most important revolution on the internet. All that might sound bizarre until you understand what has been happening at Twitter. The CEO at Twitter, Parag Agrawal, replaced someone who was a co-founder at Twitter, Jack Dorsey. Dorsey was also the CEO of his other start-up, Stripe, now known as Block, a fintech company that also needed his…

Market estimates and currency exchange rate comparisons fail to provide an appropriate measure in economic terms to understand the scale of destruction in the Russia-Ukraine war. This is besides the significant loss of life and trauma that those directly impacted suffer, including those watching from afar. The supply chains in commodities such as oil, gas and wheat are topsy turvy. What kind of measures will we use during and post the conflict in order to understand the turmoil? Economic measures are backward-looking. National bean-counters measure the current and the future through the rear-view mirror and can easily head into an iceberg that shatter both them and their instruments. While the International Comparisons Program (ICP) has the same qualities of a rear-view mirror measurement defect, it still provides a better…

Easter is a holiday where many families have an Easter tradition, as they usually go hunting for eggs either in the backyard or if they don’t have one, in the living room – then have a good Easter meal. The Easter holiday is also an opportunity for a special gathering with family and friends. So to delight your loved ones and guests during Easter dinner or brunch, think of an interesting and creative Easter table setting. You can think outside of the box when it comes to your Easter table with these ideas by cookbook author Chantal Lascaris. For Lascaris, one of the most important parts of any family gathering like Easter is the food. And with a husband who’s half Greek, she’s always been inspired to base the dishes…

With the trial of the five suspects accused of the murder of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa set to start tomorrow, Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star couldn’t have been more timeous with its release. Knowing that this would be a huge talking point, I binge-watched the five-part Netflix documentary when it started streaming on Thursday. My curiosity, shared by millions of fans plagued by unanswered questions and conspiracy theories, centred on how respected director Sara Blecher, and executive producers Thandi Davids, Neil Brandt and Tendeka Matatu, tackled the narrative around the high-profile case. Senzo was at the pinnacle of his career when he died from a fatal gunshot on October 26, 2014. The 27-year-old soccer star, who was an ace goalkeeper and, later, captained Orlando Pirates, was expected to…

Harrison Mkhize- A Strangers Love EP The Durban-based musician and radio DJ is one of those artists who surprise you. Surprise you because with everyone doing amapiano and other genres, him deciding to venture into R&B, a criminally under-appreciated genre in the country, is brave. But he has taken a chance and has put together a solid EP that showcases his voice, versatility and penmanship. He is definitely one to watch. Imbewu Season 5 (Weekdays on e.tv at 9pm) The discovery of natural gas on Bhengu family land in Umbumbulu starts divisions between the family, with Zithulele, and Nkululeko forcing the Bhengu matriarchs, Mandlovu and Mazulu to choose a side. This life-changing discovery threatens to destroy something the Bhengu family has long sought to protect – its unity. You're Not…

FORMER eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has been cleared by the Kwazulu-Natal ANC to run for the regional chairperson position, in what has been seen as a “rebellious” decision aimed at consolidating the province before the December national conference. The move has been described by one political analyst as a sign that the provincial ANC leadership was showing the national executive committee (NEC) the “middle finger”. It was also mobilising support in the wake of pending criminal cases against leaders such as former president Jacob Zuma and former health minister Zweli Mkhize, who hail from KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhize, who was forced to resign after the Digital Vibes tender saga, is believed to be challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC leader at the national conference as part of a slate comprising Zuma’s supporters.…

THE ANC’s North West provincial conference hangs in the balance as branches fail to make up the required quorums. Sources in the province have lifted the lid on a litany of issues the organisation faces. They have also indicated that the party’s head of organising, membership and campaigns, Nomvula Mokonyane, has ordered at least 30 branches in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region to rerun their branch general meetings (BGMs). The meetings are used to elect delegates to the provincial conference and nominate new leaders. This comes after they were disqualified due to too few or no members pitching. According to documents seen by Sunday Independent, in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region there are 84 potential ANC branches, which must be verified and need to meet the 70% threshold, or at…

If you are looking for a feel-good novel with an uplifting tale of friendship, Chasing Marian may be the book for you. The highly-anticipated novel of 2022 is written by Amy Heydendryeh, Qarnita Loxton, Pamela Power and Gail Schimmel. Written during the lockdown period in South Africa, the novel was inspired by the friendship shared between the four writers, and that they were not able to see internationally acclaimed, bestselling author Marian Keyes in South Africa, as her 2020 tour was cancelled because of the Covid-19 restrictions. The four writers, who are established authors, got together and decided to channel their disappointment at not seeing one another in real life into writing a book. It quickly became clear to them that they were onto something. Set in 2020, in Johannesburg,…

Statistics from Condor Ferries reveal that “single travellers make up 11% of the overall travel market” and there has been a “42% increase in solo traveller bookings over the last two years”. There are many reasons why solo travel is appealing to more and more people across the globe. For one, it empowers you in reconnecting with yourself and exploring your purpose. You also have free rein to plan your trip without the input of others. You will not be hampered by other conflicting schedules, differences of opinions or other personal constraints. If you’re a first-time solo traveller, there’s a lot to consider. When it comes to the planning part of the trip, there’s no reason to go it alone. We’ve rounded up some handy tips, ranging from activities to…

The movie Encanto is to take over the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disney World. Characters from the Academy Award-winning musical animation – which tells of a family who live hidden in the magical mountains of Colombia which come under attack – will temporarily take over the façade of the water-based boat ride at several Disney theme parks and pay tribute to the movie’s hit song, We Don’t Talk About Bruno. Senior communications manager of Disney Live Entertainment, Shawn Slater, said: “Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto recently won award for best animated feature at this year’s Oscars, and a new sing-along version of the film is streaming on Disney+! And you can gather with your family and friends this spring at Disney parks to celebrate the joy and…

Have “I dos” become “I don’ts”, monogamy becomes monotony or “until death do us part” become “until Ashley does us part?” If your partner is secretive around their smartphone, we have come up with a list of reasons (or apps) that could give you closure through your partner’s exposure. With infidelity rife among couples, the internet and smartphones have undoubtedly played their fair role in couple separations in recent years. Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) showed it wasn’t a “happily ever after” for the more than 23 000 couples who filed for divorce in 2019. But we’re not here to tell you what you already know. We are here to show you how “holy matrimony” can end with sinful thoughts, how WhatsApp chats can turn into pillow talk and most importantly……

The parastatal has also begun the process to sell houses to current qualifying tenants, including its employees LOGISTICS utility Transnet’s aspirations for a robust property portfolio is gaining traction with the conclusion by Transnet Property of R735-million worth of lease deals from 109 lease agreements up to November 2021, despite the headwinds of Covid-19 Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said in an interview this week, “The leases concluded had a weighted average lease term of eight years, which is a significant achievement in the current property market that is marred by high vacancy rates and uncertainty from tenants, who are opting for shorter lease terms of three to five years.” This as Transnet’s chief executive, Portia Derby, in last year’s annual results presentation unveiled a new property strategy paving the…

Greenery can add a breath of fresh air to any home, but it can be hard to dedicate much-needed metres to house-plants if you live in a small space. Plus, living things aren’t exactly a “set it and forget it” accessory. If you care for your plants properly, they’ll grow taller and wider – which is another reason to be strategic when choosing which ones to bring into a small home. Before you buy a plant, think about where you’ll put it, the conditions of that space and the level of care you’re willing and able to provide. “Then, choose a plant that can physically fit and thrive in that space,” says Lily Cox, co-owner of the Washington plant shop Rewild. Here are some options plant experts suggest using in…

Forget about “Young, Famous and African” for a bit. All eyes are on the latest reality show from the continent The Real Housewives of Lagos. When it was announced, we all wondered who will be picked to be on the show. Would it be politician or billionaire wives? Will a former musician or actress trying their luck at fame again? Or will it be private citizens, thirsty for a bit of the limelight? The opening shot is reminiscent of a documentary about Lagos, Nigeria. The voice-over speaks about the things that make Nigeria different from other countries and what drives the people of the country. It then zeroes in on Lagos. “A city only affluence can inspire. Hierarchy over everything. Either you are the bag or you secure the bag.…

THE National Black Consumer Council (NBCC) is calling for a national defiance campaign against all Covid-19 protocols, including the wearing of masks, the use of hand-sanitisers, social distancing and the limit to the number of people who can gather in open and closed venues. The move follows the lifting of the National State of Disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week. On Monday Ramaphosa said in future the pandemic would be managed in terms of the National Health Act and that the draft health regulations had been published for public comment, ending 750 days of the national state of disaster that has been in place since March 2020. However, the move has angered the NBCC which has called for a nationwide defiance campaign against the plans to manage the pandemic…

FORMER president Kgalema Motlanthe believes none of the country’s existing political parties belong to the future and that new ones will emerge. Motlanthe, who was in conversation with Centre for Development and Enterprise executive director Ann Bernstein on South Africa in the next five years, said this week that political parties of the future were still to be formed. “I don’t think the current political parties represent the future,” he said. According to Motlanthe, the country’s polity is in a state of flux. He said the ANC, of which he was secretary-general and later deputy president, is within its rights to embark on efforts to renew itself but South Africa should move on. “South Africans should not be bound by those efforts (of renewing the ANC),” Motlanthe said. He also…

Naked discrimination against Africans challenges social sciences scholars GLOBAL social scientists would be disingenuous if, in their next development of academic modules, they do not include “apartheid” as part of their course material on “Race, Power and Politics”. The naked discrimination against people of African origin who were captured in the Ukraine conflict when it broke out in February blatantly challenges social sciences scholars and academics to rethink race relations from a long-lived lie of camaraderie to naked racial prejudice. In the study of race, power and politics, scholars draw attention to the intersections between race as a determinant factor in the aspiration for power that influences the nature and direction of politics. Within that vein, “identity” and “value system” also play a role, particularly of racial solidarity and cultural…

DON’T count her out yet. But don’t hold your breath either. Marine le Pen, the firebrand far-right leader of the Rassemblement National Party, is breathing down incumbent President Emmanuel Macron’s neck in the run-off to the French presidential election today. So say the recent opinion polls. Strangely, you would not have a clue if you visited the French embassy website in Pretoria or checked our local news media. There is hardly any mention of this year’s French presidential election. Rightly so, swamped in the global media headlines, the heightened international attention on the war in Ukraine overshadows it. So, what’s at stake? Today the French are heading to the ballots to elect their president. This is the first round. And should no candidate win a majority of the vote, a…

Heading out into the world on a new adventure is incredible but not always possible – whether it’s due to lockdowns, budget or simply because your body needs a break . Here are five ways to indulge your wanderlust and excite you even more for the day you can finally travel again. Create a vision board Vision boards, also known as dream boards, improve your creativity, provide motivation and focus, enhance productivity, clarify your goals and can make you happier. It is a fun and creative way to set out your goals and help you achieve them. In addition, in a Huffpost report, it states that visualisation is one of the most powerful mind exercises you can do. Many believe that, including some celebrities and athletes, what you feed your…

Easter is the principal festival of the Christian year. Both Easter and its long prelude Lent have traditions associated with food. Lent is a time of giving up food, especially meat and dairy. Easter is, by contrast, a feast. Versions of simnels (high-quality bread), decorated eggs, pancakes and roast lamb can all be found in medieval European culture. Whether hot cross buns come from the same period is open to question. Some argue that hot cross buns come from St Albans buns, apparently invented by the monk of St Albans, Thomas Rockcliffe, in the mid-14th century. From around the seventh century, prayers in the north Italian monastery of Bobbio, founded by the Irish monk Columbanus, blessed lamb eaten for Easter lunch. Two centuries later, roast lamb at Easter had been…

Sadly, this show will feel some of the sting of that Oscar saga. In this modern reboot, they have tweaked some of the characters. Hilary Banks (played by singer-songwriter Coco Jones) is no longer an air-headed bombshell. In this world, she is a woke social media influencer and an aspiring chef. Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman) straddles that fine line between being a supportive wife, mother, and aunt as well as someone who wants to retain her identity as an artist. Adrian Holmes slips into the shoes of Uncle Phil, who is running for District Attorney. He’s more on the ruthlessly ambitious side. Olly Sholotan’s portrayal of Carlton is poles apart from the awkward teen. This time he goes toe-to-toe with Will (played by Jabari Banks) as the popular kid at…

One of the most vivid red carpet moments, one that is etched in my mind, is Sharon Stone wearing a crisp white button-down shirt with a lilac taffeta skirt by Vera Wang. Beyond it being one of the best examples of how to wear both high and “low” fashion (the shirt was from The Gap), it was the effortless nature of it all. That she wore a shirt and a skirt to the 1998 Oscars, was an even bigger deal. Decades later, it’s a look that many still go to. It was evident that Stone was the inspiration at the 2022 Oscars as Zendaya and Uma Thurman went with shirt-and-skirt outfits, while Kristen Stewart took it even further by wearing an unbuttoned shirt, with short shorts and a blazer by…

FILM: Ambulance STARRING: Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II DIRECTOR: Michael Bay REVIEWER: Pat Padua THERE are certain movies that require more than a critic’s recommendation. Some, such as Ambulance, demand a doctor’s approval. Director Michael Bay isn’t satisfied with making a movie that merely raises your pulse. He wants to inject pure cinema into your veins – and drive it all the way to your heart, which he then proceeds to tug at like a Victorian novelist (assuming, say, Charles Dickens revelled in shoot-outs and explosions). If you think your blood pressure can take it, sit back, relax and set your great expectations for action. Based on a 2005 film by Danish director Laurits Munch-Petersen, Ambulance careens fast and furiously, with two brothers in the…

ONE of the men who was allegedly involved in the murder of former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa was sentenced to 12 years in jail this week after he shot his then girlfriend more than 10 times in a fit of rage. Muzi Sibiya, who is accused number one in the Meyiwa murder case, was sentenced in the Vosloorus Regional Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after he shot Ntombenhle Ndaba at a Vosloorus hotel on July 9, 2017, almost three years after Meyiwa was killed. Ndaba was a cashier working at a spaza shop owned by Sibiya’s father at the same hotel. Ironically, Sibiya was sentenced on the same day that a five-part documentary series about Meyiwa’s murder, titled Senzo: Murder of A Soccer Star, was released worldwide…

THE community of Diepsloot, a township in the north of Joburg, is gripped by a crime scourge that has sent tensions between locals and foreigners to heightened levels. Violent clashes rocked the community this week owing to ongoing criminal activities. The death of Khulekani Nzima, 27, who was stabbed to death last Sunday, was a catalyst for the violent protests that resulted in the killing and burning of Zimbabwean national Elvis Nyathi. Their deaths have brought to the fore the daily struggles of residents who are now fed up with the high levels of crime. According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, at least 11 South Africans have been killed in the township at the hands of a gang of criminals since October 2021. No arrests have been made in connection…

I HAVE consistently lamented our habitual practice of commemorating or celebrating our heroes only on the anniversaries of their deaths or births. I argue that these reflective moments or events should be solidly ingrained in our psyche and our everyday way of life as the natives of this land who remain oppressed. This tendency has proven to lead to distortions, erasures and ultimately engender amnesia. Knowledge and consciousness of our history will ensure that we remember that the liberation struggle is not over. The rallying cries of “not yet uhuru” and “aluta continua” remain relevant. Importantly, this is a constant reminder of what the struggle was all about in historical perspective. Marcus Garvey aptly summed up this sentiment with these timeless words: “A people without the knowledge of their past…

Living in South Africa, you can hop in the car and within a few hours you’re in the mountains, on a beach, exploring a forest or sun-seeking in the savannah. The options are endless, and so many of these places are pet friendly too. Planning a trip takes a lot of patience. When you’re taking your pet with you, the checklist is a little different. The good news is, if you plan ahead and you’re sure of the steps, the journey can be plain sailing for all members of the family. Gavin Miller, managing director of Marltons, shares his top 5 tips to consider before you go on your holiday with your pet. Check, check, double-check It goes without saying that the most important thing to do before taking your…