Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-07-31 i Sunday Independent

The financial technology (fintech) sector is considered the “Wild West” of the tech industry, and the most innovative. The sector is disrupting the financial order and the financial establishment is afraid of the new upstarts. At the same time fintech, through cryptocurrencies, is perceived to be enabling criminality – which gives authorities sleepless nights. To take care of this chaos, the South African fintech ecosystem is getting its house in order. In the past few days the industry launched the Fintech Association of South Africa (Finasa). According to one of the association’s co-founders, Andres Perez, the formation of the association was inspired by the need to understand who’s who in the industry. This is important, considering there are shady characters in the sector. The association is also designed to ensure…

ACCORDING to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegans are less likely than meat eaters to develop heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Vegans get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, including plant protein, fibre and minerals. The earth is a self-sustaining entity that provides us with fresh water to drink, clean air to breathe, and fertile soils to grow nourishing food. But our hyper-consumption generates a great deal of waste, which poses a major threat to the environment. Every piece of food we eat has an impact on the environment, but some foods make much more of an impact than others. Every year, 80 trillion litres of fresh water are used for animal production. It takes 3 000 litres of fresh water to make a…

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to start a fitness programme. When you transition from couches to crunches, you feel revitalised and exhilarated. Physical activity improves brain health and lowers the risk of chronic diseases; it improves balance and co- ordination, strengthens bones and muscles, helps with weight management, and improves sleep quality and the ability to perform daily tasks. Going straight for the bench press on day one will be contrary to your expectation of instant six-pack abs and may lead to an injury. Here’s a guide to help you start a routine and stick to it for the best results without straining yourself: Identify your fitness level To track your progress, you must first assess and record your baseline fitness score to establish…

Marvel Studios unveiled an emotional and stunning teaser trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to the billion-dollar-grossing 2018 film Black Panther, during its Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. Director Ryan Coogler and the cast of the highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe movie were there to help show how the franchise is moving forward in the wake of the 2020 death of its titular star, Chadwick Boseman. The trailer is almost void of dialogue, conveying moments of grief and perseverance alongside a rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry by Nigerian artist Tems, which then transitions into a sliver of Kendrick Lamar’s Alright. The only words spoken are those of Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), who says: “I am queen of the most powerful nation in the…

TWO leaders of the ANC’s biggest-by-branch provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, are at loggerheads on the step-aside rule. The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal wants to see the rule scrapped entirely, while the governing party’s Eastern Cape province is adamant that the rule should be retained, to strengthen the renewal efforts of the organisation. The difference of opinion between Bheki Mtolo, ANC provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Premier and the party’s provincial chairperson Oscar Mabuyane, were shared outside the party’s national policy conference, currently under way in Nasrec, Joburg, where the two leaders spoke to Independent Media. Turn to Page 2…

The ANC has been called on to “oppose ocean plundering” as the party ponders policy proposals that would pave the way for continued oil and gas exploration along South Africa’s coastline. The party has pinned its hopes on resolving the energy crisis on oil and gas exploration with a proposal to “politically confront” any potential opposition. The 6th policy conference at Nasrec saw delegates debate the mining policy and formulate interventions for the energy crisis this weekend. While it is unclear how the ANC would politically confront opposition to oil and gas exploration and subsequently avoid litigation, environmental groups have warned that the move could stifle the ongoing debate around oil and gas exploration. In its discussion documents, a call was made “to continue to encourage increased minerals and gas…

Men once more ruled the roost at the ANC KwaZulu-Natal elective in the race for leadership of the governing party’s largest province. Nomagugu Simelane – the only woman official, was elected deputy chair as South Africa prepares to kick off its annual lip-sync contest (National Women’s Day) showing off how much we love, treat and respect women as equals. But South Africa is not alone when it comes to making noise about putting our faith in women and ensuring that African women play a role as critical problem solvers in the 21st century. In a chapter on African women and girls, a frank assessment by the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative, titled Foresight Africa 2022, confirmed what University World News and many others have reported consistently over the past few years…

THE Banyana Banyana footballers deserve advisory services to manage their cash bonanza. Banyana Banyana made the country proud through their 2-1 victory at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco. The South African team’s undefeated performance earned them $500 000 (R8.2 million) in prize money, and entry into Fifa’s Women’s World Cup which will be hosted jointly in July-August 2023 by Australia and New Zealand. Banyana Banyana midfielder Thalea Smidt said: “It’s a feeling of amazement and gratitude to be able to secure the first-ever Wafcon title for South Africa, and a second qualification to the World Cup.” Their prize money was boosted by both the South African Football Association by a sum of R9.2m and the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, that chipped in…

In my opinion piece in the Isolezwe newspaper of Thursday, July 21, 2022, I wrote that the 9th KwaZulu-Natal ANC conference would produce a surprise election result. I went on to speculate that businessman Sandile Zungu might be the surprise winner of the coveted provincial chairperson position, following his endorsement by former president Jacob Zuma. I was hopelessly wrong in one respect and closer to the correct outcome in another. Zungu was forced to decline a nomination on the floor, seeing that numbers were not adding up for him. His rival within the RET faction, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, then provincial treasurer and current Finance MEC, was seen by many as the favourite to topple then provincial chairperson and sitting premier, Sihle Zikalala. Even in his own RET-aligned “Taliban” slate, Siboniso Duma…

BOTH men have interesting hairstyles, like to get in the ears of the opposition and the referee, and wear the No 9 on their backs. But that is where the similarities between Jaden Hendrikse and Faf de Klerk probably end. The Sharks half-back has the funky hairstyle and a beard that is unusual for a 22-year-old, while De Klerk – who recently joined Japanese club Canon Eagles – has long blonde locks befitting a model. But though they play in the same position, there are vast differences in their physical dimensions as well. Hendrikse is 1.84m and 86kg, while De Klerk is 1.72m and 80kg. Their battle for a Springbok starting berth for next weekend’s Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks at Mbombela Stadium (5.05pm kick-off) is increasing in…

BAFANA Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has reportedly been appointed to a first team coaching position by English Premiership giants Manchester United. According to reports from UK publications yesterday, the 44-year-old will be tasked to improve the performances of the United forwards who, bar Cristiano Ronaldo, misfired in front of goal last season. With the 37-year-old Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford currently the subject of speculation, it will be vital for McCarthy to get more out of players such as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. McCarthy most recently worked as head coach of AmaZulu. He made history with South Africa’s oldest professional football club by leading them to a first ever CAF Champions League berth after finishing a historic high second place in the South African top flight during the 2020/21…

MULTIPLE Sunshine Tour winner Jean Hugo and Wynand Dingle got to within a stroke at times, but Jaco Prinsloo held his nerve to stay in front and complete a wire-to-wire three-stroke victory in the FNB Eswatini Nkonyeni Challenge at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate yesterday. Prinsloo shot a three-under-par 69 in yesterday’s third and final round to finish on 12-under-par in the R1 million tournament, with Hugo posting a 68 to finish on nine-under-par. A bogey on the par-three 18th hole saw Dingle sign for a 68 as well, but slipping back into a tie for third with Keegan Thomas (68) and Martin Rohwer (69) on eight-under. The 32-year-old Prinsloo, who counts big titles such as the 2017 Vodacom Origins of Golf Final and last year’s Players Championship among…

Maybe you wore out both discs of Life After Death. Perhaps you couldn’t get enough of Sean Combs and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tribute at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction. Or you might even own several pieces of clothing with an image of that famous crown. No matter how deep your connection to The Notorious B.I.G., the people in charge of the pioneering rapper’s estate think it can go even deeper. “Wait on a digital line to drop $100 on a piece of AI-generated art” deeper. On Tuesday afternoon the estate made available – first to a list of fans who have demonstrated their devotion and then to the general public – a 3 000-piece NFT collection that uses algorithms to resurrect the late icon’s signature looks. The Notorious…

Chief executive Derby, credited with turning the fortunes of the state-owned freight logistics group which, in its annual results this week reflected a R5 billion profit, has a plan to put Transnet on the growth track Fresh off the back of announcing a better set of financial results for the 2021/22 year this week, Transnet chief executive Portia Derby says the national logistics entity is spreading itself thin in several sectors. The state-owned firm is trying to shrug off the shackles of state capture and deal with decaying infrastructure and vandalism, among other woes. But Derby, credited with turning the fortunes of the state-owned freight logistics group which, in its annual results earlier this week, reflected a R5 billion profit and an unqualified audit report for the first time…

When meeting new people, speaking in front of a group, or taking an important test, most people feel nervous or uncomfortable. This is normal and usually disappears once the situation has passed. However, for some people, anxiety is more than a passing feeling; it is chronic and can significantly interfere with daily life. This is known as social anxiety disorder (Sad). People with Sad frequently experience intense fear and anxiety in social situations, even when there is no obvious cause for this. They may be overly concerned with being judged or evaluated by others, and as a result, avoid social activities entirely. In severe cases, Sad can have a significant impact on work, school and personal relationships. Social anxiety disorder can be a crippling condition that affects every aspect of…

There are times when you can’t help but question the prudence of networks. Two weeks ago, M-Net launched season 9 of Survivor South Africa. The drawcard is that it sees a “Return of the Outcasts”.Also, it features fan favourites who never got to fulfil their dream to outwit, outplay and outlast. Now viewers understandably get giddy in such moments. They are here for the drama and the entertainment, knowing the personalities. Before I share my two cents on this season (so far), I can’t help but wonder why M-Net would schedule this four times a week. First, the screening of the previous season on a Thursday night was not the smartest move from a rating point of view. Also, shows like this get more traction in a Sunday slot.…

Six young creatives from across the continent have been selected for the 2022 Realness African Screenwriters’ Residency, set to take place in South Africa and Switzerland. The eight-week-long incubator programme combines scriptwriting seminars, research master classes and finance workshops. Founded in 1946, the annual Locarno Film Festival screens films in competitive and non-competitive sections, including feature-length narrative, documentary, short, avant-garde, and retrospective programmes. This year, Realness Institute has collaborated with the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, to allow the participants to attend the creative incubation programme called “Basecamp” from August 3 – 13. We caught up with the local film-makers, Jabu Nadia Newman and Asanda Sandulela, before they jet off to Switzerland. “I’m so honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to just spend eight weeks focusing on my writing…

Beyoncé officially released her seventh solo studio album, Renaissance, on Friday. The title boldly calls up Europe’s centuries-long cultural rebirth, the sparks that yanked an entire continent out of the Dark Ages and into enlightenment. Can one album – 16 tracks, to be exact – do all that for a world still blinking against the light of normalcy after years of a pandemic? The short answer is: Beyoncé’s can. In her practically lifelong career, the 40-year-old singer has proven herself time and again to be bigger than the stage, the arena, the screen or the catwalk she struts on. Beyoncé is always on beat, delivering the right steps at the right time no matter the music. She’s given us bootyliciousness at the height of the bubble gum aughts, viral dance…

Nelson Mandela loved children. His legacy to the children of South Africa is a deep commitment to improving their lives led by tertiary institutions, international organisations and business. On 18 July, his birthday, the country was awash with Madiba magic – for children. One of the many initiatives involved children from four local early childhood development (ECD) centres in Pretoria. They were treated to Lego games and practical food and nutrition tips as part of a “fun skills development” outreach event to celebrate the birthday of iconic leader Mandela at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Mamelodi Campus on Mandela Day. The event was hosted by the Department of Business Management at UP in partnership with UNICEF and PwC in honour of the former South African president, who always held children…

The common refrain in the ANC circles, forums and platforms has been the catchphrase of “unity and renewal”. It has almost become a passcode for any leader’s speech in search of relevance, in whatever platform; be it in the flimsy “public lectures”, conferences of the organisation and those of its so-called Alliance partners, and of course, during meetings. However, there’s so much said or written about the “once-glorious” organisation of the Afrikan people, on matters of disunity, chaos, crises, fractures, and corruption. This is the situation even as they went to the national policy conference this weekend. Frankly, the organisation has, through many phases of history, transmogrified into an inglorious movement which has become a vehicle for pursuance of personal agendas, rather than the principled project of liberating the natives…

THE sky looked gloomy for the better part of the afternoon, only starting to clear when the visionary who made the day possible took the stage. There wouldn’t have been a Kaizer Chiefs opening day at the FNB Stadium yesterday were it not for Kaizer Motaung, the founder of the biggest club in the land. So having the heavens co-operate as Motaung started speaking to supporters attending the family day was only befitting. Chiefs are looking to reclaim their glory days in South African football following a seven-year drought, a process that started with the appointment of stalwart Arthur Zwane as the new coach. His appointment was backed by a signing spree this past winter – ahead of the new season – with a host of youngsters added…

After two years of turmoil, the country’s tourism and hospitality industry is now showing strong signs of recovery. Proof of this is the decision by Sojern, a leading provider of digital marketing solutions for the travel industry, to announce its expansion into South Africa. A recent travel trends report shows that domestic flights are booked for immediate travel, while many overseas visitors are booking their December holiday trips to South Africa already. Interestingly, international travellers are booking further in advance in 2022 than they did in 2019, whereas domestic travellers are booking closer to their departure dates than they did pre-pandemic. Stewart Smith, Sojern’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, said the company was expanding into South Africa to better serve partners and capitalise on the growing post-pandemic…

NETFLIX’S recommendation system tries its best to be all-seeing in an eager attempt to show you what you want to watch. Or, at least whatever will keep you sitting in front of the app for another episode. How about another finale of a Netflix Original that’s been dropped after two seasons? That’s great when you’re waiting for the new episode of your favourite show or looking for something to scratch the same itch as that True Crime binge, but there are plenty of times that an over-zealous recommender can be annoying. Maybe your watch history was clogged up with cartoons after a babysitting weekend. Or maybe you and that ex who still uses your account don’t see eye to eye on film taste. So now Netflix is trying desperately to…

Perhaps Banyana Banyana have pointed out to us, in the moment of our darkness, that there is not just a lot more to gender but also a lot more to gender for the national agenda. And it is something to bear in mind as we celebrate Women’s Month in August. We can see this in history. Manthatisi, the Batlokwa Queen (1784-1847), acted as the regent for her son, Sekonyela, and led the Batlokoa who were retreating and surrendering on the line of battle. The Likonyela went back and re- turned victorious. Woman power might just be what we need in leadership. The ANC holds its Sixth Policy Conference over the weekend, and South Africa is all eyes. Indlulamithi, an institution established in 2016 at the height of state capture, focuses…

Consumers are making conscious decisions to avoid processed foods containing emulsifiers, stabilisers, and chemicals, realising that lower-cost food alternatives lead to a path with significant health consequences. While on the path to eating clean, consumers are also concerned about the environmental impact of processed foods. Organic food, which focuses on localisation, health, and environmental friendliness, is something consumers are becoming more interested in. According to the FiBL and IFOAM Organics International Report 2021, India ranks first in Asia (fifth in the world) with 23 000 hectares under organic farming. The report also predicts that India’s organic business will grow at a faster rate as a result of increased demand for organic products during the outbreak. The Indian organic food industry has grown significantly, reaching $820 million in 2020 from just…

On the back of The Tinder Swindler, Netflix returns with another compelling documentary, The Most Hated Man on the Internet. I must confess, I was most intrigued by the title. And when I started watching it, I understood it better. This three-part series is told from the point of view of Charlotte Laws, a revenge-porn activist who took on Hunter Moore, the mastermind behind the revenge-porn website, Is Anyone Up? It was circa 2010 – 2012, a time when the internet was starting to get traction, and mobile phones were becoming the rage as the proliferation of social media accounts continued with images and personal information making their way onto the web. Moore was a sort of celebrity influencer. He was popular for his rock ’n’ roll kind of lifestyle.…

In 2012, a year after the release of his classic debut album Motswakoriginator, Khuli Chana rapped like he had a chip on his shoulder. Despite its relative success, he wanted to prove beyond doubt that he was the best. And so when his sophomore album Lost in Time came out that year, there was a steely intent on the fierce opening songs HazzadazMove and Tswa Daar. The latter went on to be the biggest radio hit of his career. “It was important to show my level of skill in rap. I had to show my lyricism and versatility,” he says. “We changed the game and cemented ourselves as revolutionaries when I dropped Tswa Daar.” He went on to dominate the South African Music Awards (Samas) the following year with…

The erstwhile apartheid regime saw a communist behind every bush. Much earlier in the US of the early 1940s and 50s, their authorities saw a lot of Communists behind a lot of bushes too. Under a governor called Joseph McCarthy, who made it his hobby to bounty hunt so-called Communists, this led to even a lot of non-Communists being caught in the broad fishing nets and suffering the consequences. It is stated that McCarthyism focused on people of power including entertainers and government workers. Even in the absence of any material evidence, the allegation was enough to ruin the accused’s reputation. People lost jobs, their societal status giving rise to some suffering serious psychological effects such as alcoholism, often leading to suicides. All this without any tangible evidence. It was…

With South Africa’s economy having suffered heavy blows and the cost of living becoming unaffordable, domestic workers are among the vulnerable who can no longer afford the basics because of low salaries. The 2022 minimum wage, assuming one has worked at least 160 hours a month, amounts to R3 710. However, most take home between R2 651 and R2 810. These workers are mainly women who are single caregivers and sole breadwinners with multiple dependants. Their cupboards are bare, school fees and rent remain unpaid for many, while getting to work is a challenge because of increased public transport costs. A pay and working conditions survey conducted by SweepSouth, a home services company, revealed that workers were being forced into taking on debt as life was becoming expensive. An increase…

Cape Town-born Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis’ latest win at the Women’s African Cup of Nations (Wafcon), is as much a victory for the community she comes from as it is for the country. Ellis made history last weekend when she became the first coach to lead South Africa to Wafcon success against Morocco. Ellis grew up in Salt River and it was there she was exposed to the sport she would later devote her life to. Over the years, she dedicated time to meeting and encouraging the young women who are a part of the Blackpool Football Club in Salt River. Razia Maarman and Basheerah Esmael are two young soccer players who are grateful for the motivation Ellis has given them. Maarman, 15, is from Mitchells Plain and has…

Thandi and Pat Mkhize are young parents who are committed to instilling Christian values and discipline in their two children – both boys – aged 14 and 10. Their growing concern, like many parents of schoolgoing-age children, is the type of curriculum that their youngsters are exposed to, especially when it comes to teachings that they are not necessarily comfortable with. The two years of Covid-19 also exposed them to new ways of schooling for their offspring, where they were introduced to online tuition, and the children didn’t have to necessarily be physically in the classroom, as opposed to attending classes. This has made them realise that online learning offers tuition in an environment where the parents get to control what their children learn, and who they associate with. A…

IT appears increasingly likely that All Blacks coach Ian Foster will be sacked if his team does not beat the Springboks in their two-match expedition to South Africa. This was the subtext when New Zealand Rugby chief Mark Robinson at last broke his silence after the defeats to Ireland and told the media that the team’s performances would be under the microscope. Robinson had been missing in action in terms of media comment for a fortnight after Ireland famously beat New Zealand 2-1 earlier this month, the home country’s first home series defeat since 1994. Robinson stopped short, though, of confirming that Foster will definitely be fired if his team fails against the Boks in the two Rugby Championship matches — in Nelspruit on August 6 and in Johannesburg a…

SOUTH Africa’s football planners who conceived Vision 2022 hit the jackpot when Banyana Banyana won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. In 2014, the SA Football Association (Safa) leadership mapped out a plan they dubbed Vision 2022. It involved the fundamental rebuilding of Safa’s structures at all levels to create conditions that would bring about the sustained international success of its national teams. Safa set its sights on a long-term development plan to achieve the goal of always being in the top three of the African rankings, and in the top 20 of the world rankings. Back then, South African football had flopped on several occasions in the international arena, and basic structures were not in place for the domestic game to grow. Some of…

Everything about Seychelles is captivating and enthralling. The island nation offers unforgettable experiences to tourists who flock there from all across the globe. The unmistakable features, such as lush tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches, and a wide variety of marine life in this republic, result in a range of things to do and places to visit. Celebrity chef Siba Mtongana was recently in Seychelles on holiday with her husband, Brian. The couple stayed at the new eco-chic Exclusive Collection Resort, Club Med Seychelles, in a protected reserve: a 220-hectare slice of paradise just a five-hour direct flight from South Africa with Air Seychelles. Mtongana shared her island food discoveries and took us on a culinary journey that exposed us to indigenous items such as soursop, rambutans, and jackfruit. Here’s a menu…

A RECENT survey found that 65% of people plan to ‘go big’ with their travel plans this year, with many wanting to make up for lost time after Covid. Alongside this, 40% of travellers are willing to spend more on trips, splurging on treats for their getaway. However, for many, the price of a first-class plane ticket is out of reach. Therefore, Forbes Advisor travel experts have offered advice on how to increase your chances of being upgraded on a flight, from knowing when to check in, and how to ask for an upgrade. 1. Check in early When heading to the airport, most people simply try to arrive with enough time to check in their bags, clear security and relax before taking off. What you don’t know is that…