Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-07-24 i Sunday Independent

In October, Twitter and Elon Musk are set to go to court over the recent dispute about the takeover bid. The issue has dominated headlines and many who are commenting on the issue are focusing on the craziness of the matter and there’s no shortage of criticism against Elon Musk. What seems to be missing is what Musk has raised about Twitter's users. He has said that some of the users are not authentic and they are bots. Some claim that this is just a way for Musk to find a way out of the deal. Whether this is true or not, Musk has raised an issue that requires serious consideration. The greater issue that needs attention is the true nature of Twitter and other platform users. This is important,…

Eskom is a year shy of a century old. This would have been time to celebrate one of the iconic achievements of South Africa regarding how Eskom under Dr Hendrik Johannes van der Bijl spawned industrialisation in South Africa on a grand scale. The East Asian Tigers would be coming to South Africa to learn. Commemorating the success of Eskom would not mean forgetting the ills of apartheid, but the power utility could be the well from which South Africans could drink the water while they puff a peace pipe. Yet it is not to be. We have desecrated the grave of Van der Bijl and probably tried, but failed dismally, to understand and protect his legacy. Professor Bonke Dumisa, now appointed as the acting judge of the High…

You are what you eat. The more we learn about food and the connection between nutrition and overall health, the more we realise the truth in this old saying. We also start to realise the benefits of putting more plant-based foods into our bodies. Tiger Brands’ Nutritionist Arthur Ramoroka shares some benefits of a plant-based diet. Healthy heart and head According to research, plant-based diets help lower the risk of diabetes, and with that, heart disease, and strokes. A diet of this kind helps in several ways. By replacing unhealthy saturated and trans fats with plant-based fats that contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, this diet helps to reduce cholesterol levels, which is vital to maintaining good heart health. The added soluble fibre found in plants helps by binding with cholesterol…

They are cute – and highly digestible. Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, high in protein and low in calories, rabbit is speedily becoming the it meat in South Africa. So say chefs, rabbit farmers and meat producers. Fresh or frozen, the rabbit meat market in SA is growing steadily. Rabbit meat can be used in most ways that chicken is used. Like other lean meat, poultry, and fish, it is a good source of high-quality protein. The meat is fine-grained and flavourful. Earlier this week, I tasted rabbit meat for the first time, and it was very palatable. It is a lot like chicken but tastier, and has a delicate texture. It has less fat, fewer calories, and more protein than either beef or chicken. What is rabbit meat?…

Perfumes are not just about smelling good. They say a lot about your character and are personal which is why many people find it difficult to share their perfumes with their friends. Geraldine Augustine-Darwood, of perfume brand Gold Series, says there’s no science behind why certain people prefer certain smells but if listening to Zodiac intuition can help with the decision, then she’s all for it. “The consumer, these days, is inundated with fragrances and the choices are endless. Using zodiac insights, you might be able to narrow down the top, middle or base notes that work better with your personality, making the overall decision much easier,” she says. Cape Town astrologer Nicole L Smith says the scent you choose is a reflection of your personality – if…

The Durban International Book Fair (DIBF 2022) will see authors, publishers, promoters, distributors and book lovers unite for seven days of literature, culture, creative learning and networking. The inaugural book fair is set to take place at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom from August 1 to 7. Under the theme “Unlocked & Unleashed”, the fair pays homage to the many local and international storytellers for keeping the “word alive” during the Covid-19 pandemic. DIBF 2022 is hosted by the Durban Book Fair, which is a non-profit organisation established as a civil society initiative in support of Africa’s only Unesco city of literature. It was launched in July 2018 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela and to promote reading among children and the youth. The Durban Book…

Something is rotten in the state of South Africa but this illogical pandemic has spread throughout parts of the continent, too. When education is described as the panacea to poverty and all social ills that grip society, why are schools being destroyed or vandalised? Like places of worship, surely schools ought to be regarded as sacred places of learning? Instead, one is paying witness to the horrific desecration taking place at will and almost without punishment for the thugs perpetuating these misdemeanours. While regularly destroying places of learning is depicted as a crisis in the country, and on the continent, too, it is happening with alarming regularity. According to African Facts Zone on Twitter recently, four schools were burnt by pupils in Uganda recently in Kasokosa in the Kira Municipality…

To celebrate the memory of the late South African rapper Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, Legends Barbershop relaunched its Waterfall store on what would have been the rapper’s 35th birthday this past Wednesday (July 20). Riky Rick died on February 23. Adding a twist to the relaunch, Legends promised to give the first 35 customers free haircuts, provided they bring a blanket on their visit to donate to an orphanage of the barbershop franchise’s choosing. Sheldon Tatchell, Legends Barbershop founder and Riky Rick’s close friend, said they chose to relaunch the Waterfall store to honour the Boss Zonke (2015) and Ungazincishi (2020) hitmaker because he played a significant role in the establishment of the Midrand-based branch. Tatchell said the role Riky Rick played in the branch paved the way for…

Money’s too tight to mention, load shedding is a pain, and the times are getting tougher. But there’s some cheer in the form of a one-off musical from Daniel Mphilo Richards, an award-winning actor from Cape Town, who will be taking to the stage featuring his own musical compositions with friend and award-winning star Tankiso Mamabolo in a show called What’s your Budget? on at the Theatre On The Square in Sandton next Sunday. Richards, 30, is a writer, producer and director who has performed in the UK, US, the Czech Republic, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and across South Africa doing a series of one-man shows written by the legendary Mike van Graan. What’s your Budget? is a humorous, heart-warming musical production in which they both share stories about money during their…

With your words you roused our emotions. Everywhere. Regina Mundi, Atteridgeville, St Peter’s Seminary, Cape Town. “Bra Don is here!” someone would shout. We knew, yes, we knew, that the griot was in the house. The troubadour of Azania was in the area. Making poetry everywhere. To educate, liberate, radicalise. And you did not fail. Where do I start, punching on this keyboard, to reconcile paper and ink in paying a tribute to you? How I wish I was gifted with the lyricism of one of your many sons, my homeboy, Bongs; I mean Bongani Madondo of “Sigh, the Beloved Country” fame. I wish I could only write about you as a man of letters. To look back at your books. I can’t. You were more than a writer. Yes,…

Let’s cut straight to the chase: Should Pieter-Steph du Toit start for the Springboks against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship opener? Normally, that wouldn’t even be a question. At his best, Du Toit is one of the best rugby players in the world, as he proved in 2019 when he played an integral part in the Boks’ march to the Rugby World Cup and Rugby Championship titles, and was named World Player of the Year. But blindside flank Du Toit is far from that kind of form at the moment. Having first battled back from a career-threatening leg injury in 2020, the 29-year-old from Riebeek-Kasteel in the Western Cape worked hard to regain his fitness and was able to face the British and Irish Lions last year. Disaster…

South Africa not only lost the second ODI at Old Trafford, but they may also have waved a red flag at world champions England. Speaking after the first ODI that South Africa won by 62 runs in Durham, Rassie van der Dussen felt they “may not have been up for it”. England not only came back roaring at Old Trafford to level the series at 1-1, with a resounding 118-run victory in a rain-reduced encounter, but they also seemed to have their mongrel back. This was partly incited by Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen, who admitted afterwards to partaking in a bit of “old-school gamesmanship” to delay the game during South Africa’s innings. With the Proteas reeling at 39/5 in pursuit of England’s 201 in the 10th over, the Lancastrian sky…

It’s almost that time of the year when a riot of colourful indigenous blooms will cover the landscape along the Cape West Coast and inland up to Namaqualand. The spectacle draws visitors from across the globe hoping to catch a glimpse of Mother Nature’s work. Here are some special spots to visit in August and September which offer wonderful flower sightings in the Berg- rivier district. It’s on Cape Town’s doorstep with some of the most pristine and untouched nature reserves, wetlands and lagoons. Velddrif Velddrif hugs the banks of the Berg River a few kilometres from where the river enters the ocean at St Helena Bay. Visitors can look forward to a profusion of flowers while soaking up the welcoming lifestyle of this coastal village, with eateries to suit…

After decades of development and many trials and frustrations along the way, the James Webb telescope has finally started to deliver what it came for. On July 12, Nasa released the first scientific observations made by the suite of instruments carried on board the mission, marking what we eagerly anticipate will be the beginning of a new era in astronomy. After the nail-biting launch on Christmas Day, a series of critical deployments followed to open the telescope and its sunshade. If any of the operations had failed, James Webb would have been an unusable disaster. But the programme was perfectly executed, a process that ran more smoothly and successfully than any one of us had dared hope, let alone expect. This is not just a testament to the skill of…

It should come as no surprise that spending eight to nine hours a day sitting at a desk can be harmful to your health. The practice can put a lot of strain and pressure on your lumbar spine, shorten your hips and chest, and overstretch your upper to mid-back, resulting in shoulder, lower back, and neck pain. However, even if you are unable to attend a yoga class or establish a home routine, there are various yoga poses you can practise at your desk to alleviate such issues and instil a sense of calm and inner peace. A few minutes of daily practice can do wonders for your body and mind. So, here are 10 yoga poses that you can do at your desk. Chair Pigeon Pose How to do:…

This week, Netflix announced its first Afrikaans series, Ludik, which drops on August 26. Arnold Vosloo will be helming the six-part action series. The South African-born Hollywood actor has been making his presence felt on the small screen for the past two years. He first appeared in the movie Griekwastad as Colonel Dick de Waal in 2020. It was based on Jacques Steenkamp’s best-selling true-crime novel on the 2012 murder of a family on their farm in the Northern Cape. He has also appeared in Netflix’s Silverton Siege. Now, he will be appearing in Ludik as Daan Ludik, who, at face value, comes across as a salt-of-the-earth person. He runs a successful furniture business and has an idyllic family life. But sometimes looks can be deceiving. When he crosses some…

Reflecting on her early-aughts romance with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez told a magazine reporter that the times have changed. It was “worse then”, she noted, referring to the intense media scrutiny said to have contributed to their initial breakup. “You just believed anything you read on the cover of a tabloid.” Lopez gave the interview to InStyle magazine in late 2018, when she was dating former baseball star, Alex Rodriguez. Nearly four years later, she’s back with Affleck and, as of last weekend, they’re married. The couple’s comeback grabbed hold of celebrity news outlets but with a looser grip this time. Affleck and Lopez got their happy ending in the absence of frenzied tabloid culture. The original run of stories began after the actors met on the set of the…

After months of silent campaigns, late-night caucuses and the criss-crossing of chief lobbyists, branch members and their preferred candidates in an attempt to garner support for top ANC KZN positions, only a few names made it to the ballot. Emotions ran high yesterday as the nominations for preferred candidates for the top five leadership positions of the ANC conference in KwaZulu-Natal took place at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban. The nomination process led by the independent “elexions” committee saw current KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala and member of the legislature Siboniso Duma receiving overwhelming support from the floor as they both received the threshold, qualifying them for the chairperson position of the party in KZN. In a surprise move, the “game changer” Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s wish to lead the…

FOUR years after an R800-million housing project took off, it is still lying fallow, with the units in various stages of completion in Tarlton, west of Mogale City. The city fathers blame everything, from the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown to delays in payment for the completion of the 2018 project, while the intended beneficiaries express ambivalence towards the new houses. The common thread is that the residents of Kwa Norman – formerly a brick factory which falls under Ward 26 of the Mogale City local municipality, and on whose land the sod was turned for the Brick Valley RDP project – were not consulted. “I was there from day one, when the plans were drawn and the foundations subsequently dug,” says community leader Bongani Mabasa. “The first complaint was that the…

As Wayde van Niekerk stormed out of the blocks in the 400m final at the world athletics championships, it brought back memories of his epic run at the 2016 Rio Olympics. On that occasion, the South African star had been drawn in lane eight, and he blasted to the front from the start and never relinquished his lead. In fact, Van Niekerk had a ‘second kick’ in the final 100m to break Michael Johnson’s long-standing world record with a time of 43.03 seconds. Six years later, after several injury problems, Van Niekerk was in his first major final since the 2017 world championships when he lined up at Hayward Field in Eugene, US on Friday night (Saturday morning 4.35am SA time). Having received lane seven, the 30-year-old adopted similar tactics…

From a company chaired by the 11th richest person in the world, a mass media corporation that runs over 30 TV channels, to one of the world’s largest steel companies and even Rupert Murdoch’s son, the owners of South Africa’s latest attempt at a T20 League are a diverse bunch. What they do have in common is that they are rich – in some cases very rich. They are not afraid to take a gamble, but they’re not reckless. As far as South African cricket is concerned they’re the sport’s saviours. Reliance Industries, owners of the Mumbai Indians who successfully bid to run the Cape Town franchise, were the first Indian company to cross $100-billion in revenue in the financial year that ended in March this year. The company is…

NEW Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag demanded his team take heed of their “unacceptable” second half lapse after a 2-2 friendly draw against Aston Villa yesterday. United let slip a two-goal advantage to end Ten Hag’s winning run in the final game of their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia. United, wearing their white away shirts, exhibited their newfound attacking flair in a dominant first half, but conceded a header to Villa’s Calum Chambers in the dying seconds, amid heavy rain and a soggy pitch at Perth’s Optus Stadium. “The drop of focus is unacceptable. That cannot happen,” Ten Hag told reporters. “We have to learn from the second half that it is not possible just to be comfortable being two goals up.” United wrapped up their tour with…

The Rwandan government on Monday unveiled a recreational centre that was created after the restoration of a degraded wetland area in the capital city of Kigali. The Nyandungu Eco-Tourism Park, the first recreational centre which opened in Kigali, represents the value of restoring urban ecosystems and will serve as a blueprint for other wetlands in Kigali and across the country, said Juliet Kabera, director general of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, at the launch event. “The restoration of the wetland and creation of an eco-tourism park promoted the sustainable management of natural resources and created approximately 4 000 green jobs, mainly for women and young Rwandans,” she said. The restoration of the wetland and creation of an eco-tourism park saw the planting of 17 000 trees made up of 55…

Fans of Jupiter will recognise some familiar features of our solar system’s enormous planet in these images seen through Webb’s infrared gaze. A view from the NIRCam instrument’s short-wavelength filter shows distinct bands that encircle the planet as well as the Great Red Spot, a storm big enough to swallow the Earth. The iconic spot appears white in this image because of the way Webb’s infrared image was processed. “Combined with the deep field images released (earlier), these images of Jupiter demonstrate the full grasp of what Webb can observe, from the faintest, most distant observable galaxies to planets in our own cosmic backyard that you can see with the naked eye from your actual backyard,” said Bryan Holler, a scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, who…

As inflation is forecast to surge further for the remainder of the year, economists have warned South African consumers could face a further rise in the cost of borrowing. This comes as elevated supply-driven inflation has pushed major central banks across the world to adopt tighter monetary policy decisions and aggressively hike interest rates. The European Central Bank last week raised its three key interest rates by 50 basis points each for the first time since 2011 in a bid to release the inflationary pressures brought on by Covid-19 supply constraints, which were then exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The US Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates by another 75 basis points this week after pushing back against expectations of a bigger 100 basis point increase.…

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything,” George Bernard Shaw said. Nowhere does this statement ring truer than the current scenario of India’s pivotal plastic ban. From July 1, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has prohibited the manufacturing, importing, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic items. A long time coming, this new rule could usher in an era of environmentally equitable and responsible thinking from many stakeholders, including the beauty industry. There are beauty brands that had the foresight to weave sustainability into their core ethos long before this ban came into effect. For them, this step won’t impact their operations as much as strengthen their belief in driving business through sustainable processes. From brands that have…

The first time I noticed Maya Rudolph was in the 2009 movie, Away We Go. Of course, fans of Saturday Night Live, a show she joined in 2000, were au fait with her prowess as an entertainer. I remember marvelling over how effortlessly she played her role in the comedy-drama by Sam Mendes. Over the years since, the Emmy award-winning actress embedded herself firmly in comedy with Bridesmaids, the Grown Ups franchise, CHiPs, Life of the Party and more. She’s an absolute riot. Beyond that, she makes it look so effortless, even though it is probably one of the hardest genres to nail. Of course, when I saw she was the protagonist in Loot, the new comedy series on Apple TV+, I couldn’t resist. It’s like a cross between…

OVER 1 500 entries have been received for the inaugural DStv Content Creator Awards, making the selection process quite the task for judges. After watching hours of creative, hilarious and heartfelt content, the nominations for the first-of-their-kind awards were announced at The Hallmark House in Johannesburg. Content creators, brands, agencies and partners of the awards came out in their numbers to find out who made the nominees’ list. The event was hosted by award-winning digital content creator Paballo Kgware. The categories for the awards are diverse and touch on most aspects of content creating, motoring, alter ego and even social commentary. A number of Mzansi celebrities such as Siv Ngesi, The Kiffness, Donovan Goliath and Nina Hastie received nods in their respective categories. Here is a full list of the…

AFTER putting up a strong campaign and sounding optimistic about victory, businessman Sandile Zungu withdrew from the KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson race at the last minute. The AmaZulu FC owner had failed to reach the 20% branch nomination threshold and was expected to be nominated from the floor. In that case, he had to get 25% among 1 607 delegates, which amounts to 402 votes. Just before nominations closed, a delegate from Nokuhamba Nyawo region, previously known as Far North in Umkhanyakude district, nominated him but he declined the nomination. Before announcing his withdrawal from the race, Zungu shouted the AmaZulu FC war cry, and the house responded positively and shouted Usuthu! He did not give his reason for declining the nomination but political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said Zungu had…

The Kasi Angels Foundation contributed close to 400 pairs of school shoes to pupils at Edward Primary School in Elsies River. The foundation is on a mission to collect and donate 1 million pairs across the country by 2025, through its #1MillionPairs campaign. According to founder Gerald Nomlala, in the four years since he started the campaign 42 000 shoes have been donated. Nomlala, 51, said the project was inspired by his experience of spending three years without shoes in his primary school days in the 1970s, which led to bullying by fellow pupils. “To me, this is therapeutic. When I think about my upbringing, it’s very sad because (fellow pupils used to bully me). So that is why I focus on helping children with shoes for free,” he said.…

The Great Duane is back! And so is another great Bok battler in Frans Steyn, as Bok coach Jacques Nienaber adds some tungsten steel to his 41-man squad for the imminent Rugby Championship. In comes the fit-again pair of Duane Vermeulen and Steyn, and out go Marcell Coetzee and Aphelele Fassi as Nienaber keeps his tally of players at 41. Vermeulen missed the Wales series after surgery to a knee injury, and he will jump the long queue of talented No 8s to the very front for the two-Test series against the All Blacks. Steyn is over a thigh complaint and will take up his position in the Bomb Squad, where he covers every position bar scrum-half. With these being the summary of the changes, it means the newcomers blooded…

Although some of us are waiting for the hot summer days, others are enjoying the crispy winter days. South Africa’s winter is usually between June and August and, let’s face it, it has been a chilly winter so far. According to a statement in Does it snow in, it snows in various regions of South Africa, including Pretoria, the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape. Underberg Snowfalls in the Underberg area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) can occur anywhere from May to October. The highest recorded snowfall, and so possibly the best time to go in search of snow, is in August. A mere 40km from Underberg, the Sani Pass is a great snow spot to explore, with the first winter snowfall having fallen there in late May this…

The Pakistani passport continues to be the fourth worst in the world, not changing its position from a year ago and providing access to only 32 destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index for 2022. The Henley Passport Index is a ranking of all the world’s 199 passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest database of travel information, along with extensive, ongoing research by the Henley & Partners Research Department. In the newly-unveiled ranking, Pakistan is ranked only higher than conflict-ravaged Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, which occupies the bottom spot, Dawn reported. The top spot has been taken by Japan, with the country’s passport providing…