Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-06-26 i Sunday Independent

“This is where the writers are, Of past, Present, And Future”. This was Elon Musk’s answer to the question: Why Twitter? In a matter of days after the tweet, the social media platform launched Twitter Notes (in pilot form in Canada, Ghana, the UK and the US) which is the platform's answer to long-form content. Twitter is trialling a new feature allowing users to share "notes" as long as 2 500 words. Currently, Twitter limits posts to 280 characters. Twitter Notes is the first sign that Musk is wielding his influence over the social media platform. This is not to say that Twitter was not working on some form of long-form tweets before the intervention by its majority shareholder. An instruction has been issued to unleash the most lethal part…

Cash flow ranks high among the top concerns for small businesses. And because business comes down to rand and cents, balancing the inflow of revenue with the outflow of expenses, and ensuring that your business remains liquid to deal with unexpected events, can be a make-or-break factor. The way you manage your business’s cash flow has implications for whether your small and medium enterprise (SME) remains financially viable in the long-term and will affect your business’s ability to obtain credit. These four strategies are simple ways of managing your cash flow efficiently. Use bundled deals to add value For small businesses, offering discounted deals is not always a financially viable way of moving stock faster to increase profitability, particularly during slower periods. An alternative is to create bundled deals on…

Less than a week ago, American singer and rapper Lizzo set a new bar for celebrity apologies. Lizzo re-released her latest single GRRRLS after receiving criticism online, due to the first verse in the song containing an ableist slur. Fans and disability advocates shared their disappointment and hurt over the lyric. On Twitter and TikTok the use of the term and its history as offensive was discussed and dissected. Lizzo tweeted an apologetic statement three days later, receiving high praise. A celebrity apology acts as a turning point, influencing if and how fans will continue to support them. Done well, a celebrity apology allows their fans to see behind the constructed persona, understand their motivations and view them as genuine. From Ariana Grande licking a doughnut and claiming she “hated…

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks. Like alcohol, it’s been around for centuries. It’s still enjoyed by various cultures across the world. For those who love coffee, there’s Robusta, Arabica, Liberica and Excelsa. Coffee lovers know how to tell them apart and for mere mortals like us, it's just a filter coffee or a cappuccino. I’m keeping things simple because for the gods, this is more like coffee 101 or coffee for dummies. Brazil is the world’s top coffee producer, followed by Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. South Africa is not on this list, although we can grow coffee in provinces like Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. So let me get straight to the point because I’m actually excited to share what the world’s most expensive coffee is derived…

Television and theatre practitioner James Ngcobo is leaving the Market Theatre after nearly a decade to join the Joburg Theatres (JCT) as the newly appointed artistic director. Ngcobo will be responsible for developing and implementing an artistic vision for JCT’s 10 spaces at the Joburg Theatre, Roodepoort Theatre and Soweto Theatre, including the newly refurbished Jabulani Amphitheatre. In a recent conversation, Ngcobo said this new role will afford him opportunities to continue his vision of producing indigenous productions for audiences that wouldn't normally go to the theatre. “The thing is, for me, when I curate work in these spaces, I am very cognisant first of all of the fact that it can never be about James. It’s never about me, it’s about: Who are we programming for? It’s about the…

After two years of hybrid and online events, the National Arts Festival is back, boasting an array of full live performances from local and international artists. Currently on until July 3, we have selected the top 10 shows to watch at the 48th National Arts Festival. Bloke & His American Bantu Written by the prolific author and literary critic Siphiwo Mahala, Bloke & His American Bantu, directed by Sello Maake KaNcube, follows the tale of two prominent intellectuals, Bloke Modisane and Langston Hughes, played by Anele Nene and Josias Dos Moleele, respectively. The Drowning Eye The Drowning Eye is a play by Frantz Fanon, written in 1949. A part love poem, part surrealist narrative, and part philosophical treatise, the play reads like a testimony to the power and possibilities of…

Education Africa kicks off a music extravaganza, Sounds of Celebration, running from today until next Sunday. They have a reason to celebrate. Two years after going virtual due to the coronavirus lockdown, the inspiring event brings children from various schools back to the stage to perform popular songs for international audiences via a virtual feed. This ninth instalment will begin with the premiere, viewing at 5pm CAT under the theme, That’s Life! There will be a video available for on-demand viewing 7 days after the premiere. Sounds of Celebration is a showcase by children honouring their cultural diversity and unique musical talents expressed on a range of instruments: marimba, steel pan, penny whistle and Scottish bagpipes. Sounds of Celebration musical director Joan Lithgow said this year’s performers…

SOUTH African rugby has a brand new Currie Cup champion in the Pumas after the men from the Lowveld pulled off an epic raid on the City of Diamonds to beat Griquas 26-19. The sentiment was with Griquas, though, probably because they had last hosted a final in 1970 and they were desperate to add to their three Currie Cup titles of 1899, 1911, and indeed, 1970 when the legendary Mannetjies Roux led them to a famous win over Northern Transvaal. Roux was in the stands but there was nothing the great Springbok could do to prevent the team formerly known as South Eastern Transvaal from at last having their day in the sun after over 100 years of non-achievement. The man most responsible for this stunning success is…

KAIZER Chiefs have shown strong intent to kick-start a new era this off-season. The Amakhosi have released more than 10 players or 30% of their squad from last season while bringing in eight exciting new players. There is no doubt that the changes will restore hope among the Soweto giants’ faithful but the Glamour Boys cannot expect instant results from the new signings and team. Realistically, good results in football hardly come overnight and it is also not a 100% certainty that the players will gel well together instantly. There have been numerous times in the past where football clubs had false new dawns after attempting to kick-start new eras. Some of Chiefs’ new signings will not adjust to life at the club and to Arthur Zwane’s tactics. The…

With this year’s unveiling of the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field, dedicated goers and newbies are starting to plan their weekend at the event. Figuring out where to stay for the weekend can seem overwhelming at first, but we are here to help you. Below we have compiled a list of some of the best things to consider when choosing accommodation. Location is everything Visiting a busy city like Durban will need you to focus your search on hotels that are centrally located, so you can move around freely and easily. Your budget The budget will likely play the largest role in influencing where you stay. Consider the total amount of money you are able and willing to spend during your travels. How much of that do you feel comfortable…

Online platform giants such as Google and Facebook advertise that they do not sell your personal data. This is a technicality – your information is shared, and tech companies are rewarded handsomely in return. More than a decade after Google became the generic trademark synonymous for search engine, the Google brand adorns a suite of apps that can serve all parts of a person’s digital life. From Gmail to Maps to airline ticket booking, the big G has a finger in just about every online pie. But it is advertising that is Google’s real business model, which its wide reach of free apps feeds back into. While Google Search and YouTube ads are obvious, Google ads run across the web, often without overt ties to the Alphabet subsidiary. Websites and…

The last of the six Zondo Commission Reports on State Capture are out and, as President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out earlier at national executive committee meeting, such a report would be littered with representatives of the ANC as accused number one. Joel Khathu Netshitenzhe had sent a salvo about the conduct of the beneficiaries of corruption. He said the beneficiaries of state capture would fight to the end. As the report landed on Wednesday, signs now and before have shown these tendencies. It is difficult to argue that we have not, with precision, predicted these tendencies at least 14 years ago. In 2008, the government, in its Scenarios 2025, provided foresight on three pathways South Africa was poised to traverse. These were given the titles of Not Yet Uhuru, Nkalakatha…

For the majority of us, a face mask and some adorable pyjamas on lazy Sundays spent at home relaxing and preparing for the upcoming week come to mind when we think of self-care. However, self-care doesn’t start and end there. There are a few things you can do to ensure you are your best self. Research shows many people misunderstand what effective self-care is and how they can best benefit from it. We know how demanding adulting is, and that’s putting it mildly. When challenges you face prove difficult to handle, it can tax not only your emotional health but your whole being. Self-care is about allowing yourself to have a nurturing experience of life right now as opposed to waiting for the right time or when you’re on leave…

AT THE moment, it’s hard to ignore the influx of teen offerings on streaming platforms. While some are new offerings, the rest are favourite shows returning for a new season. That said, these are the offerings worth binge-watching right now. The Umbrella Academy S3 (Netflix) Why am I only just watching this now? Seriously, this series is a stellar superhero series. For starters, the production value is first-rate. The cast is top-notch. And the storytelling is compelling as it intertwines the whole saving the world aspect with the personal struggles of its characters. The third instalment sees The Umbrella Academy return home after averting the whole doomsday scenario back in 1963. But they don’t exactly get the warm welcome that they were hoping for. Instead, they arrive in an alternate…

Some of the Al Ahly legends say Pitso Mosimane has lost the dressing room and that he has done well to leave notwithstanding, but you can bet that Jingles will be revered wherever he gets to coach next. Granted, his premature departure from the Egyptian giants may have tainted his reputation a tad bit, the failure to complete his contract is sure to be seen by some as an inability to handle the pressure that comes with coaching the continent’s most successful club. But, unlike most of his predecessors, Jingles has not been fired from the African Club of the Century, and that alone speaks volumes. The defeat in the CAF Champions League final by Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca may have been his final match at Al Ahly, but he still…

Baz Lurhmann is known for glamorous takes on damaged characters as we have seen on Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby. He is back with a new film – Elvis, which spans three decades of Elvis Presley’s life. You are known for discovering talent or breaking talent out in a way that no one's seen before. What did you spot in Austin Butler that ignited the spark for you? Well, it was one of the most unusual roads to a casting, in that I think Austin found me in a sense. Look, he'll tell you, too, that there are some remarkable sides to his story. I mean, they are almost spiritual. They're almost hard to believe. This is a young man with incredible empathy who was told he should play…

The Basic Education Law Amendment Bill (Bela Bill), if enacted, could see parents who cannot afford to pay school fees and buy uniforms arrested and jailed, while children would be forced to vaccinate when registering in schools, say opponents of the bill, including NGOs. Several concerned organisations have submitted their comments and objections on the Amendment Bill and public input has been solicited through various links on social media. Last week, Solidarity said the bill would significantly impact schools’ independence. It argued that if this bill was accepted into the law, governing bodies would cede almost all their powers to the state, especially regarding learner admission and language. The Institute for Race Relations (IRR) also joined the fray. It said the bill would transfer even more power over education from…

Freshly returned from collecting prestigious international accolades, UCT vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng is launching an initiative for students who have not completed their studies. The UCT Digital Bootcamp was launched on Thursday, with a call to South African and multinational corporations to assist eligible students to get the digital experience they need to either enter the world of work or become digitally savvy entrepreneurs. “As part of the pilot addressing youth unemployment, we are inviting 100 students out of around 1 800 whose studies were interrupted between 2015 and 2019 to become part of the programme,” said Phakeng in a virtual interview after the launch. The sponsored programme is available to students whose studies were interrupted, or UCT graduates who have not been able to find a job since graduating…

A newly-developed programme looks to bring a spark of hope to many young people. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela launched the Tourism Technology Grassroots Innovation Incubator Programme (TTGIIP) at the Hilton Hotel, in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Thursday. The programme will involve young innovators who will introduce ideas to stimulate the growth of the tourism sector through technological advancements. A total of 20 incumbents between the ages of 18 and 35 will be supported to develop technologies to introdce new concepts to revive, sustain and create jobs in the sector. Talita Giqo, 29, an innovator from Ngcobo, in the Eastern Cape, is part of the programme. “I started a company, EmboDGtech. We are developing an app that will help travellers check-in online, and order services online. It will also provide…

As Danny Jordaan emerged once more as SA Football Association (Safa) president yesterday after his re-election, it seems Ria Ledwaba’s spirited attempts to be the first woman to ascend the throne have been finally put to rest. Jordaan was up against vice-president Ledwaba and Safa Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng. He beat them both to retain the position he has held since 2013. Had Ledwaba’s contention been successful, she would’ve become the first woman president to lead the national body. She spoke to the reporter before the fateful meeting in Sandton and she was quite confident that she would prevail. “I am quite confident that my aims and goal for South African football will lead to a presidency,” she said. Confident as she was, from the moment she added her name…

IN just over a year’s time, the Springboks will head to Paris to defend the Webb Ellis Cup and coach Jacques Nienaber is quite right when he says the road to France starts on Saturday in Pretoria, when the first of three Tests against Wales gets under way. Nienaber argues that the first half of 2023 is written off to polishing up your preparations before you get to the actual event, and that the real hard graft is done the year before – problem areas are addressed, and depth is grown in each position so you know exactly what the pecking order is, and all of this is done while engendering momentum and belief by winning your games. With this in mind, the month of July is significant for…

CHANGE! What change? South African football is alright as it is. And it will be for the next four years. At least that was the message from most delegates at the elective congress of the South African Football Association (Safa) at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg yesterday. In re-electing Danny Jordaan to the presidency of the association for a third term running, 186 members proclaimed that they are content with the status quo of the local game, and are happy with the direction it is going. A mere 35 felt otherwise, with 27 voting for Ria Ledwaba and eight casting their ballot in Solly Mohlabeng’s favour as Jordaan retained the position he has held since 2013. The 70-year-old from Gqeberha had generally held his peace amid heavy campaigning by…

A passport is an important factor when it comes to travelling. The freedom that comes with your passport can vary depending on where you live. This includes the costs of applying for one. A passport can prove to be much more valuable for some countries in comparison to others. Taking both the “power” of a passport in terms of the number of countries you can visit, as well as the cost to buy one, Park Sleep and Fly revealed the world’s best value for money passports. Best value United Arab Emirates takes the number 1 spot with a passport mobility score of 162 and passport cost at $13.61 (about R218). Emirati passport holders have the greatest freedom where you able to travel to 110 countries. Get this: it is also…

My Contacts: Your last seen profile photo, about, or status will be available to your contacts from your address book only. My Contacts Except…: Your last seen profile photo, about, or status will be available to your contacts from your address book, except those you exclude. Nobody: Your last seen profile photo, about, or status won’t be available to anyone. The new privacy features will also build off other existing settings, such as read receipts, which, if turned off, removes the double blue tick from the sent and received messages, indicating that a text has been read on both sides of the conversation. Snapchat may soon offer a paid, premium version of its service, off the tail-end of intentions by Twitter and other social media platforms. The photo and video…

The business industry in South Africa has called for introspection in the private sector in a bid to restore good corporate governance practices following the completion of the Zondo Commission, a move that could possibly restore the declining investor confidence. Business also warned that the real work against corruption and state capture was only just beginning as genuine investor confidence can be cemented by the successful prosecution of those implicated in graft and patronage. Business Unity South Africa chief executive Cas Coovadia said the Zondo Commission had laid bare the depth and breadth of state capture and corruption, both in the public sector and among those in the private sector that are alleged to have collaborated with public officials. Coovadia said the final report came at a time when the…

In the world of politics, a sex scandal is unsurprising. We’ve seen this manifested in shows like The Good Wife, House of Cards and The Fixer. Intimacy on Netflix offers a more thought-provoking perspective on the subject as mayoral candidate Malen Zubiri (Itziar Ituño) finds herself in the eye of the storm when a video of her steamy encounter with a stranger goes viral. As anticipated, especially those behind the leaked video, it uproots Malen’s personal and professional life. Her husband, while acknowledging that their marriage has reached a stalemate, cannot handle the shame and walks out. Her teenage daughter lashes out at her as she is ostracised at school and her boyfriend breaks up with her. Malen’s political ambitions are stymied by her indiscretion. Her party refuses to back…

A FORMER DA member, now in the ActionSA camp, has been fighting for justice for seven years for an alleged attempted rape by a man who is now a City of Cape Town councillor. The alleged perpetrator, Unathi Lasithi, is a DA member who serves on Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’s team. Complainant Zintle Khobeni sent a strongly-worded letter to former Western Cape DA leader Albert Fritz late last year. Nothing came of it and four months later Fritz was embroiled in a sex scandal himself. According to the letter, seen by Independent Media, the incident allegedly occurred when Khobeni was employed as a fund-raiser by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Johannesburg. The alleged incident occurred after she was transferred from Johannesburg to Cape Town in 2015. “On February 14, 2015, I…

Dubti Hospital is the only national referral hospital in the Afar region, one of the regions in northern Ethiopia. And here, because of the conflict, many hospitals or small health centres have been destroyed. Because of that, many people have to come to Dubti Hospital for treatment, and one of the major things they handle is malnutrition. According to the doctors here, malnutrition is one of the most significant disease burdens that they have currently. And this is not just within Afar alone. This is actually around the whole of Ethiopia. The rise in cases of hunger caused by the worst drought in 40 years has hit agriculture and livestock in eastern and southern Ethiopia. Around 8 million people have been affected, including half a million people who have been…

SAFTA award-winning veteran Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha stars in yet another emotional short film, titled The Deal. The film addresses issues such as GBV, mental illness, lack of father figures and other social challenges faced by young people. The film, funded by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and written by Paul Modjadji, focuses on the life of an 18-year-old girl, Thandeka, portrayed by poet and actress Botlhale Boikanyo. It examines transgenerational relationships in South Africa. In the movie, Thandeka finds herself in a transactional sexual affair with a wealthy man. The fine line between coercion and consent is delved into; and the toll young girls pay when they pursue higher education. The film premiered on June 14 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation before Father’s Day and June 16…

A prisoners rights organisation has called for an intensified focus on rehabilitating young offenders who have a higher chance of re-offending. The SA National Institute for Crime Prevention (Nicro) has also raised concerns over the number of young inmates awaiting trial. According to the organisation, while there are no official re-offending rates available for South African prisons, the only statistics available come from small-scale civil society studies, which placed the re-offending rate between 50% and 94% for offenders of all ages. Nicro’s operational manager Betzi Pierce said research showed that younger individuals were at the onset of crime and at the greater risk of having offending behaviour being entrenched. “Offenders that are left untreated, also tend to get more violent over time. “In addition, youth do not have needed support…

THERE are many flaws with the 2022 World Cup. It has created an erratic calendar with the World Cup due to start in November for the first time compared to its usual June-July period. Some have also questioned the ethics of staging the event in Qatar due to alleged human rights violations in the Gulf nation. Nevertheless, one of the progressive aspects is Stadium 974, a temporary venue made from 974 recycled shipping containers that will be dismantled after the World Cup. This will be the first time in history that a temporary venue is used for a World Cup and hopefully not the last. “Our original idea was actually inspired by a lego set and we eventually decided to use shipping containers and recycled steel for the stadium.…

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its position that it is up to each international sports body to set their own rules for transgender athletes’ inclusion, despite criticism from tennis great Martina Navratilova. Navratilova, a gay rights trailblazer, had slammed the IOC earlier this week for what she said was a lack of leadership on the issue of the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport. The issue was brought into focus by last weekend's decision by swimming's governing body, FINA, to ban athletes who have been through any part of male puberty from elite women’s competition. “This is a very divisive, a very difficult situation, a very difficult topic where we have to try to balance fairness with inclusivity,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a virtual news conference on…

In December, the world’s longest river voyage, an epic 51-day cruise along the Ganges and Brahmaputra, will be launched by Antara Luxury River Cruises. From Kashi (Uttar Pradesh) to Dibrugarh (Assam) via the Sunderbans and Bangladesh, you can sail on 27 small rivers, five states and two countries. The 51-day cruise aboard Antara’s newest Art Deco boutique ship, Antara Ganga Vilas, is a fantastic opportunity for those wishing to explore South Asian culture in some of its oldest regions and systems. Ideal for those on vacation, history buffs, culture buffs and nature lovers, the cruise also offers a hop-on, hop-off option for those who only wish to travel on certain segments. Commenting on this unique itinerary, Raj Singh, founding president of Antara Luxury River Cruises, said: “Each experience has been…