Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-04-30 i Sunday Independent

The US has moved to block China's access to the most advanced semiconductors and the equipment and talent needed to make them in recent months, citing national security. China has dismissed those concerns, accusing the US of “technological terrorism” and unfairly hindering its economic growth. It has sought to counter the US containment measures. Here’s a look at the key issues in the so-called “semiconductor wars”: Why are chips important? Microchips are the lifeblood of the modern global economy: the tiny slices of silicon are found in all types of electronics – from LED light bulbs and washing machines to cars and smartphones. They are also critical to core services such as health care, law and order and utilities. Globally, semiconductors are forecast to become a $1 trillion industry by…

While small businesses might well be the unsung heroes of the economy, their contribution to national development is unmistakable. Creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship is, therefore, good for business and necessary to build a more equitable and prosperous economy. Let’s explore some of the most significant contributions small businesses make to the state of the nation: The cornerstones of SA’s economy A recent report, published by the International Finance Corporation, estimates that small businesses contribute up to 34% of the total gross domestic product. Often referred to as the engines of the economy, small businesses provide much-needed economic stimulus. Small businesses and job creation South African small businesses employ an estimated 50% to 60% of the workforce. In light of the record-high unemployment rate, it is evident that small…

AS A toddler in the early 2000s, almost every baby girl wanted a Barbie doll with straight blonde hair and blue eyes despite the misrepresentation. It was because it was deemed the most beautiful doll. All thanks to the European beauty standards that made us believe that’s how every beautiful woman should look. Now that we are grown, we understand that every person is beautiful despite their body shape, hair texture and skin colour. It’s good to see Mattel, a toy company that produces Barbie dolls, is keeping up with the times and has taken a more inclusive approach. Last year saw the brand introduce a wide range of diverse Barbie dolls: Barbie dolls with hearing aids, Ken dolls with vitiligo, a new fashionista doll with a prosthetic leg and…

Over the years, businesswoman, reality TV star and football boss, Dr Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, has grabbed the headlines with her lavish lifestyle and, in spite of all the controversies around her, she’s managed to stay at the top of her game. Now, MaMkhize is changing the narrative as she tells her own story in the anticipated memoir, My World, My Rules. While MaMhkize gives readers a fly-on-the-wall experience of her own colourful life, she also details her childhood traumas, which include the brutal assassination of her father, Sipho Mkhize, and the callous murder of her brother, Sbu Mkhize. According to IOL News, MaMkhize’s father was allegedly killed by a policeman (for political reasons) in 1991. A year later, her brother, Sbu Mkhize, was killed in a shoot-out with police in…

BUSINESS Leadership SA (BLSA) has remained mum on allegations that an apartheid spy was involved in an investigation dubbed Project Ostrich, for which it provided R18 million in funding, to expose criminal activities at Eskom. The investigation, which was commissioned by the power utility’s former CEO, André de Ruyter, produced a report that implicated certain senior government leaders in the alleged sabotage that caused Eskom to fail to deliver electricity consistently to the nation. News24 this week reported that BLSA coughed up R18m to fund an investigation conducted by George Fivaz Forensic and Risk (GFFR) that included former apartheid spy Tony Oosthuizen in the team. According to News24, Oosthuizen was a key member of an apartheid-era secret military intelligence spy unit. Asked to comment on Oosthuizen’s involvement in the investigation,…

It is no secret that persons with disabilities are some of the most disadvantaged in society, especially those with intellectual disabilities. These athletes are seldom recognised. In the hope of creating awareness and having these athletes recognised for their talents and contributions, Bryan Habana’s sports organisation, MatchKit, has joined hands with Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA.) The two organisations launched the Adopt an Athlete initiative in February to help raise money for the national team before the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games taking place in Berlin, Germany, in June. The campaign intends to raise funds by getting individuals and corporate companies to donate or crowdfund the athletes. CEO of SOSA, Ancilla Smith, spoke about how the organisation’s partnership with MatchKit greatly benefits its athletes. “Our biggest problem is awareness.…

AN EXPLOSION, suspected to have originated from a generator, sparked a fire that quickly spread through at least four stores and a surgery at Palm Springs Mall in the Vaal Triangle. The generator is reported to have detonated in one of the establishments on Wednesday morning, allegedly during load shedding. The Lewis furniture store, Nizams, Chicken Licken, and Dr Mabasa’s surgery were all destroyed in the ensuing fire. The shops were completely destroyed, with parts of the walls and ceilings crashing to the ground. As a result of the fire, businesses had no option but to close their doors for the remainder of the day while emergency services worked diligently to put out the blaze. Emfuleni Local Municipality fire and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene and were assisted…

Sergio Perez won yesterday’s sprint race in Baku to maintain Red Bull’s perfect start to the season, but teammate Max Verstappen was in no mood to celebrate. Red Bull’s double world champion was seething over a first-lap incident in which he was muscled out of third place by the Mercedes of George Russell. Perez won from pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, with Verstappen, whose car picked up some damage, eventually getting his third place back from Russell. The British driver apologised to Verstappen, saying his car had no grip, but the Dutch driver snapped back: “Mate, we all have no grip, we all need to leave space!” Verstappen added later: “I just don’t understand why you need to take so much risk in lap 1, understeer in my side pod…

The pursuit of sleep is big business. According to Statista forecasts, the global sleep industry will be worth $585 billion (R10.7 trillion) by 2024. This includes mattresses, luxury bedding, pillows, block-out blinds, soundproofing, supplements and apps. In a world where people are increasingly dissatisfied with both the quantity and quality of the sleep they’re getting, sleep tourism is one of the hottest trends of the year. Sleep tourism covers everything from sleep retreats (where people travel to destinations specifically to rest and catch up on sleep) to hotels investing heavily in a guest’s sleep experience. But it’s not just tourists hoping to catch up on some much-needed sleep. The concept of sleep tourism is gaining traction in corporate travel too, with “strange bed syndrome” and erratic sleep patterns no longer…

A Canadian TikTok user, @kennedyallegedly, has taken to the platform to share her experience on allegedly finding out that she and her group of friends were being monitored by cameras at an Airbnb. According to the user, Kennedy, 15 girls were staying at the house for her friend’s 30th birthday when one of the friends said that she felt like there were cameras in the house. “We were like, girl, you watch way too much TikTok. There are no cameras in this house, you’re just being dramatic,” said Kennedy. In the video titled Hidden cameras in our Airbnb, Kennedy reveals that her friend took out her torch and began investigating. “She looked in like every single shower head, all the picture frames, door knobs, everywhere in the house for a…

Technology innovation has spawned the birth of new devices that connect everyday living. But just how far has the world come in the health industry, and how far is humanity from consuming a single pill a day to take care of all one’s nutritional necessities? What are the pros? What are the cons? And how many would actually do it? The food we consume in the future will likely vary, with technology predestined to play a role in the development of these kinds of foods or their replacements. Despite this, the steps to the future of food have already begun, with numerous feats being made in previous years, and in some cases, to tackle more critical world issues. With food security a threat to those stricken by poverty around the…

As South Africa celebrates Workers’ Day with a public holiday on Monday, consumers are set to scramble again with another hefty fuel price increase on Wednesday. With the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources set to announce adjustments to the fuel prices this week, early data from the Central Energy Fund suggest an increase of between 40 and 50c per litre for petrol, with diesel showing a possible decrease of between 40 and 65c. A 50c petrol price increase will raise the cost of 95 Unleaded to R22.82 at the coast and R23.47 inland, where 93 Unleaded will rise to around R23.14. Illuminated paraffin prices are set to come down by around 32c or more. The price of a litre of 95 Unleaded has increased by more than R5.50 in…

Yes, there was a fair amount of frustration in having to wait a whole week for an episode but we did. One of the shows I followed religiously was Monk, which aired circa 2002 for eight seasons, with Tony Shalhoub as the eponymous lead of the crime drama. Adrian Monk’s obsessive-compulsive disorder and a litany of phobias heightened the appeal of the crime-solving character. So when I stumbled across Will Trent, which is based on Karin Slaughter's series of novels of the same title, on Disney+, I couldn’t help but hark back to Monk. Will Trent, played by a very easy on the eye Ramón Rodríguez, is a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Abandoned by his parents, he grew up in the foster care system. He’s…

Nomzamo Mbatha and Thuso Mbedu, freshly minted as South Africa’s most exciting new international stars, are setting the tone for local entertainment talent on the global scene. Over the past few weeks, the prominent actresses and media personalities have flown the South African flag high with some major moves. It started with Mbatha continuing on her ascension to international stardom by starring in Assassin, a thriller/fantasy film about a private military operation engaging in deadly cover missions. The film, which hit screens on March 31, sees Mbatha star alongside famed US actor Bruce Willis. It’s a particularly eye-catching project as it marks Willis’s final film ahead of his retirement due to his being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition which his family recently announced has now progressed into frontotemporal dementia. This…

THE first state capture trial has been withdrawn after acting Bloemfontein High Court Judge Nompumelelo Gusha ruled last Friday that the accused in the high-profile case linked to the R24.9 million Nulane Investments case be acquitted. The ruling was based on a Section 174 discharge, which is granted when the accused proved that the State has failed to make its case. According to the judgment, the National Prosecuting Authority’s prosecution failed to meet even the barest of thresholds and could not supply sufficient (prima facie) evidence for all three counts, namely contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, the intentional commitment of fraud, and the commitment of collusion. Judge Gusha criticised the manner in which the investigation was hand-led. She called lead investigator Mandla Mtolo’s mismanagement of case documents a…

ANC MP Faiez Jacobs has accused the governing party of abandoning coloured, Indian and white voters and warned that it could lose out on their electoral support in next year’s crucial national and provincial polls. The former ANC Western Cape provincial secretary said the party could miss out on up to 1% of votes from what he described as “non-African” voters – coloureds, Indians and whites – if it did not return to the non-racialism that characterised it in the 1980s and 1990s. “It may be argued that diversity and inclusivity are the defining characters of the ANC as a ‘broad church’ and that the dilution and departure from this over the past three decades of democracy is as inimical to its character as the loss of values, corruption and…

WITH Uganda having recently passed its anti-homosexuality bill, a memoir like Unbreakable could not have come at a better time. Written by Limpho Seeiso, it questions the legality of homosexuality in South Africa and sheds light on the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community. The book is a call to action to implement the Constitution better and to review it. The book also shares the love that the writer experiences with her partner, despite everything else going on between family, friends and the workspace. It touches on the challenges of parenting, too. “Being a woman who loves another woman, my existence is oftentimes not acknowledged – not legally or culturally,” she writes. In Unbreakable, Seeiso shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced growing up as a queer person…

What does progress mean to you? TV and social media would have us believe, progress is about watches and cars, but for most of us, it is about the little things. These are the moments that Amstel Lager seeks to celebrate in its campaign, “I Amstel”. It pays tribute to the everyday hustle and the individual progress journeys of South Africans. Boipelo Malao, senior brand manager at Amstel, said that the reality is that each of us wants to be the elite version of ourselves, but we all face different obstacles as we try to realised that aspiration. “‘I Amstel’ is about the feeling that comes with taking a step forward whether big or small,” Malao said. In line with the ‘I Amstel’ campaign the brand has launched “The Entrepreneur,…

METAL and chrome producer Eastern Platinum Limited’s (Eastplats) boss has been accused of corruption over the sale of chrome concentrate. This was after the minority shareholders accused Chinese businessman Liu Changyu, who holds a 32% stake, of selling 100 000 tons of chrome concentrate at a discounted price without the approval of the company’s board of directors. It has been alleged that it has been sold to a company connected to Liu’s sister, Liu Dijun. Liu acquired a controlling stake in Eastplats in 2016. The shareholders, who hold a 20% stake in the company, said Liu sold the chrome concentrate at $105.11 (R1 900) per dry metric ton. They said the price was substantially lower than the market-related price of around $123 per dry metric ton at the time of…

April 18 marked two years since the Jagger Library at UCT devastatingly burned down. The iconic library housed invaluable collections, galleries and, most importantly, the African Studies collection that had been built over decades, beginning in 1953. In the blink of an eye, all of this pertinent history was eradicated. In the digital age, the loss of a library means more than just losing books, but the loss of immeasurable discoveries and community histories, with a wealth of information, cultures, knowledge and histories. The archival and published print collections that were also consumed by the flames are irretrievable and priceless, and will never again be returned. What is truly lost in this instance is a piece of our identity as African people. Human history has proved that the eradication of…

Mamelodi Sundowns tormented and teased their hapless Algerian opponents CR Belouizdad, who suffered a 2-1 defeat in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon. After scores were tied at 1-all at the break, the classy Sundowns outfit added a second-half goal to highlight their entry into the semi-final of the continent’s blue riband club competition. It was the first time in three seasons that the SA Premiership champs have reached the semi-finals of the competition they won in 2016. The visiting Algerians surprisingly opted for a five-man defence in their 5-3-2 playing pattern, considering they should have been chasing the goals after they suffered a 4-1 thrashing in Algiers last week. Belouizdad’s five-man defence did force Sundowns to shoot from range when…

There is no shortage of coaches who can take over the unforgiving job as Springbok coach when Jacques Nienaber eventually departs after this year’s Rugby World Cup in France. SA Rugby recently announced that Nienaber would leave the Boks for Leinster after France 2023, after opting not to continue his coaching journey with the national rugby team. While Nienaber is leaving, his assistants in Mzwandile Stick (backline) and Deon Davids (forwards), along with scrum coach Daan Human and Andy Edwards (head of athletic performance) will all stay on until after the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Their contract extensions are probably a strong indication that the appointment of the new Springboks head coach, hopefully later this year, will in all likelihood come from within SA Rugby’s ranks, and not from…

Whatever type of holiday appeals to your family, there are many resorts that cater to families and offer a variety of activities such as beach days, water sports, hiking, and horse riding, so everyone can find something they enjoy without leaving the resort according to Shaun Lamont, managing director of First Group Hotels and Resorts. For those seeking relaxation in the countryside, exploring the Midlands Meander, or enjoying family entertainment facilities, Midlands Saddle and Trout horse riding is the perfect place to enjoy horse riding or hiking. He explains that “one-stop” holidays offer the ideal blend of relaxation and entertainment while ensuring that almost everything you require is readily available. He provides six reasons why resorts are a good option for families. No need to leave Resorts typically offer a…

Artificially intelligent systems having human-type consciousness is no longer the stuff of science fiction, dozens of global academics have said in an open letter. The Association for Mathematical Consciousness Science (AMCS) compiled the message to AI developers – titled The responsible development of AI agenda needs to include consciousness research – as applications such as ChatGPT continue to boom, but added it did not have a view on whether AI development in general should be paused. It says: “It is no longer in the realm of science fiction to imagine AI systems having feelings and even human-level consciousness.” Urging a greater scientific understanding of consciousness, how it could apply to AI and how society might live alongside it, the academics added: “The rapid development of AI is exposing the urgent…

May His Soul Rest In Peace, and may his widow and children and the Amahlubi be consoled for this sad loss. The Amahlubi leader is no more. Chief Madoda Zibi was planted on April 14 at his seat of power in Khayakhulu in the North West province. The Amahlubi and the nation mourned. My journey to meet him was not a straight road, but once he was in my life, he stayed. More than 40 years ago, on September 30, 1982, I escaped from Lesotho and ended up in Mmabatho, Bophuthatswana, which became the home for my family for the next 13 years. After a month without a job, I secured one at the Statistics Office under Economic Affairs. My immediate task was to plan for a population census of…

Okay, I have to admit it, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Indian Matchmaking. During the Covid-19 hard lockdown of 2020, this show wooed me out of a melancholy state. In fact, I think it did that for most streamers around the globe. Everyone lapped up the cultural idiosyncrasies of “finding the one” in the modern-day world of dating. Of course, the hook of the series has been – and continues to be – Sima Taparia, aka Sima Aunty. This jet-setting matchmaker juggles a large number of clients in India and abroad. And they come with a list of checkboxes, which doesn’t make Sima Aunty’s job easy. But, bless her, she tries with her list of potential matches for her professional clients. Of course, she advises…

Getting a tattoo is a personal decision and not one to be taken lightly. It IS permanent, after all, and no one wants to look at a mistake for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that this bridesmaid is uncomfortable getting a tattoo just because the bride wants her to. In fact, the bride wants all of her bridesmaids to get a tattoo to commemorate her hen’s night. Sounds like a scene from the movie The Hangover where one of the characters wakes up with a tattoo on his face! While in that instance he was drunk and can’t remember having it done, these bridesmaids have been told in advance. The 33-year-old bridesmaid has taken to Reddit to find out if she’s an a**hole for…

Mayhem, chaos, murder of the innocent and wanton criminality – from the highest echelons of government down to the prison warders who are opening the gates so the prisoners, including jailed former president Omar al-Bashir, can walk free. This, sadly, is a reality that confronts not only the beleaguered Sudan. All of Africa – from Cape to Cairo, Morocco to Madagascar – is but equally engulfed in this unfolding ferocious conflict. This episode brings shame to Mother Africa, a kind of a shame we thought was past the realms of latter- day’s African children as it belongs to the dustbin of history. Unforeseen in scale, form and shape, the Sudan military confrontation between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is a stark reminder…

DISBARRED advocate Malesela Teffo allegedly tried to “bribe” the Senzo Meyiwa family with cash on the eve of the resumption of the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper’s murder trial at the Pretoria High Court this week. The trial of the five men accused of killing Meyiwa is expected to resume on Tuesday when a new witness, Mthokozisi Thwala, one of the slain soccer star’s friends, is expected to testify. Teffo represented three of the accused until he withdrew from the case and was subsequently struck off the roll of advocates after the Legal Practice Council (LPC) received numerous complaints about his conduct. The Sunday Independent can today reveal that Teffo approached the Meyiwa family early this month and had planned to visit them at uMlazi in KwaZulu-Natal to give them R50…

In the closing of Earth Month, one cannot stress enough the importance of environmental issues and how they should take centre stage. South Africa is fighting many battles, including gender-based violence, crime, corruption and gender inequalities. However, environmental issues cannot be disregarded. Miss Earth South Africa is a leadership programme that works towards creating environmental awareness. It aims to empower young South African women with the knowledge and platform to create a sustainable difference. The programme helps to create an awareness of sustainable development, our environment, wildlife, the conservation of our natural heritage in South Africa and, ultimately, the preservation of Mother Earth. Duties undertaken include addressing issues concerning the environment and other global challenges through school tours, tree-planting activities, street campaigns, clean-ups and more. The executive director, Catherine Constantinides,…

THE mining industry in Africa has long been criticised for simply extracting resources without benefiting the country, its citizens and the communities in which it operates. If a sustainable future is to be created for the mining industry – and, specifically, for the diamond mining industry in South Africa – this has to change. In recent years, there has been significant transformation within the diamond mining sector, with efforts to share the benefits of diamond mining. According to the De Beers Group, beneficiation is the key to unlocking a sustainable future for the diamond industry. A year ago, De Beers Group partnered with several key industry players – including the SA Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator, the SA Diamond Manufacturers Association, the SA Diamond Dealers Club and the State Diamond…

There are more than 13 nations that have formally shown interest in joining BRICS ahead of the August summit in South Africa. Some of those nations have reportedly submitted formal applications to join the economic bloc. The increase in international interest could have substantial effects on both the geopolitical environment as a whole and the group’s future. Since the bloc’s establishment in 2006, it has worked to expand its influence in international politics while fostering economic co-operation and commerce among its member states. International relations and foreign policy expert Dr David Monyae said that the growth in interest by other nations is a reflection of the continued exclusion by the dominant nations. He said these discussions are akin to the G77 coalition formed in 1964 by developing countries through the…

Following the disbandment of the Scorpions in 2007, Sars set out to establish its own intelligence-gathering unit, purportedly to counter illicit financial flows. This unit assumed many names as it sought to legitimise its existence. Sars managed to persuade the courts there was nothing sinister about this unit, established with the best interests of South Africa’s socio-economic development trajectory at heart. Several employees at that time believed the unit had been established with ultra vires intentions of disturbing the developing political discourse of the time. Consequently, they blew the whistle on the unit. The battle to legitimise the unit became a 14-year protracted, messy affair that was finally laid to rest last year with a Constitutional Court judgment. While some people were fired for activities related to the unit, others…

The modern definition of luxury – and freedom – increasingly includes being able to disconnect from the everyday rush, our devices and from load shedding. For those seeking a much-needed escape, Airbnb offers a range of off-the-grid listings in South Africa that promises to be the perfect retreat from the demands of modern living. Whether you’re looking for a riverside lodge to spend quality time with your family, or a secluded hut in the mountains to immerse yourself in some self-care, there’s something for everyone. These unique accommodations provide an opportunity to unwind, recharge, and reconnect with nature, away from the distractions of technology and the stresses of urban living. So pack your bags, switch off your phones, and indulge in some well-deserved serenity on your next long weekend getaway.…

Airlink is spreading its wings and adding a new route to its roster. The airline will now be offering flights between Mbombela’s Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and Livingstone, Zambia Victoria Falls is a well known tourist attraction, it is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, with a width of more than 1.7km and a height of about 100m. Visitors can witness this natural wonder up close. By offering direct flights to Victoria Falls, South Africa can attract more tourists making it easier and convenient for travellers to visit the tourist hub. This can lead to increased tourism revenue for South Africa and the surrounding region, including the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Airlink CEO and managing director Rodger Foster said: “The new service to Victoria Falls expands…