Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-08 i Sunday Independent

There have been mixed reactions from the automotive industry to the 25 basis points interest rate cut announced by the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) last week. Renai Moothilal, CEO of the National Association of Automotive Components and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM), said that they welcomed the recent interest rate cut announced by Sarb, as this will likely provide impetus to consumer uptake in the automotive market. “There will be greater motivation for the purchase of new vehicles, and if these are of the type assembled locally, then component producing companies in SA will benefit from greater volumes, from which greater localisation can be unlocked.” Moothilal added that ultimately it is the components manufacturing part of the value chain where the greatest economic benefits come from employment, skills and technology transfer,…

Before the pandemic, wellness often felt like a luxury or, worse, an afterthought. Burnout was glorified as a sign of ambition, therapy was whispered about in secrecy, and “doing it all” was the unspoken standard. For many South Africans, wellness was something you turned to only in a crisis. But five years after Covid-19 upended the world, something has shifted. While the world remains tough, rising living costs, load-shedding fatigue, and escalating mental health challenges affect people, especially younger generations, who are softer. And that softness isn’t weakness; it’s a quiet rebellion against survival mode. Younger South Africans, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are leading this charge. A 2023 survey found that 55% of these generations have sought therapy, with 40% actively pursuing it in 2024. Compared to Baby Boomers,…

Giant digital communication network service provider, MTN, whose chairperson is South Africa’s special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, has expressed support for Starlink being licensed to operate in the country. However, this is only if one of the world’s richest men, Elon Musk's satellite internet service licence, complies with black economic empowerment regulations. The company, which is originally from South Africa but operates in various countries across the continent, described US-based Starlink as one of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication providers that could significantly accelerate connectivity, “particularly in rural and underserved areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or costly to deploy”. “By providing high-speed, low-latency internet, leveraging LEO capabilities could bridge the digital divide, supporting South Africa’s national goals of broader digital inclusion, economic development, and innovation,” said…

Suspended Road Accident Fund (RAF) chief executive Collins Letsoalo has launched an urgent “life and death” high court application challenging the troubled entity’s board, demanding reinstatement and stopping the advertising of his position. In papers filed at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on Friday, Letsoalo seeks an order declaring that the RAF Board’s decision to suspend him earlier this week be set aside as it was unlawful, irrational, and unreasonable. He wants to immediately resume his duties as the fund’s boss. He also wants to interdict and restrain the RAF and its board from advertising the position of chief executive pending the finalisation of the process to re-appoint him to the position. Letsoalo has been RAF chief executive since 2020, with his five-year contract due to end on August 6,…

THE Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) recently briefed Parliament on the results of its five-year Innovation Fund pilot phase, revealing that 96 startups had been supported since 2020 — but with glaring disparities in provincial representation and private-sector hesitancy threatening its scalability. Acting director-general Gugulethu Zwane, leading the DSTI delegation, framed the Innovation Fund as a response to the White Paper on Science, Technology, and Innovation, implemented through the Decadal Plan. Mlungisi Cele, the newly appointed director-general and former chief executive of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (Naci), emphasised the Fund’s role in commercialising innovation. “The Fund includes interventions aligned with the Decadal Plan’s objectives, with measurable indicators to track progress,” he said. Konanani Rashamuse, DSTI chief technocrat, detailed the “Fund on Funds” (FOFs) model, where government…

In a field of paprika plants in the heart of Zimbabwe, fourth-generation farmer Daniel Burger and relative newcomer Miriam Mupambawashe discuss the quality of the crop. Burger, 36, and Mupambawashe, 59, are neighbours and partners in efforts to revive the country's once-flourishing agriculture sector cut down by a ruinous land reform drive in the 2000s. Mupambawashe was among thousands who received land. Though she initially knew little about farming, her small subsistence plot now thrives. Other farms failed or were abandoned, with some new tenants unschooled in agriculture and others - including politicians who were handed land - uninterested. There were food shortages and Zimbabwe soon required international aid. "There was a bit of a tough period through the 2000s and, unfortunately, I think it sort of refuelled racial tensions…

IN Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, a structure has risen that embodies more than just memory: It symbolises vision, renewal, and resistance. It is the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum. The Thomas Sankara Mausoleum, designed by the internationally acclaimed Pritzker Prize-winning Kéré Architecture, is not merely a tribute to a distinctly revolutionary icon. It is a declaration: that the spirit of Sankara is alive, and under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the President of Burkina Faso’s transition. One thing is clear: Burkina Faso is once again positioning itself at the vanguard of Africa’s liberation project. The mausoleum — sleek, dignified, and rooted in African architectural identity — honours the legacy of Thomas Sankara, the pan-Africanist leader assassinated in 1987 (after just four transformative years in power), as well as twelve…

The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila, returned to the country last week after spending two years in self-imposed exile in South Africa. Kabila ruled the vast central African country from 2001 after taking over from his father, Laurent Kabila, until 2019 when he handed over the reins to the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi. Kabila’s relationship with President Tshisekedi has deteriorated further since the collapse of their coalition government in 2020. Tshisekedi’s government has repeatedly accused Kabila of collaborating with the M23 rebels to overthrow the government and charged him with committing treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Kabila has denied these accusations. A few days before Kabila arrived in the DRC, the country’s Senate, which is controlled by the ruling Sacred Union coalition,…

As Europe approaches Nato’s summit in The Hague later this month, its 750 million people face a decisive strategic choice that will affect their lives for years to come – and one with a far wider global impact. The policies implemented in Europe in recent years have been disastrous socially, economically, politically, and militarily. Europe is experiencing worsening social conditions, its largest war since 1945 in Ukraine, and the biggest rise of far-right authoritarian, racist, and xenophobic forces since the Nazis in the 1930s. The proposals to the Nato summit would worsen that situation. The key question is therefore, whether Europe will continue down this destructive, disastrous path or adopt policies that offer a way out. Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte has proposed to the 32 Nato members that “the Nato…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has applauded 21-year-old Khulumani Ndamane for his standout performance during his international debut against Tanzania in Polokwane on Friday. Despite the youthful side being held to a goalless draw by the Taifa Stars, Ndamane's contributions on the pitch did not go unnoticed, earning him the coveted 'Player of the Match' award. Ndamane was in the news earlier this year when he was named in the squad to play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin in March. However, a hiccup arose when it was discovered that the TS Galaxy defender did not possess a valid passport, and he was dropped. Fast forward a few months, and the 21-year-old Ndamane made his national team debut on Friday, showcasing his determination and talent. Broos…

IN a world where we are quick to move on to the next big thing, the next Kagiso Rabada, the next Quinton de Kock, it is hard to imagine how a seemingly ordinary cricketer such as Dane Paterson has kept his fire burning to keep playing at 36 years of age. These days, the coaches, fans around the world, the lucrative T20 leagues, are in search of the youngest batting prodigies. Similarly, the world is currently in a never-ending search for the youngest, tallest, fastest bowlers, a set of traits that Paterson just doesn't meet. As a result, we have seen an 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka earn his Test debut earlier this year after becoming the youngest Proteas when he debuted in the West Indies last year. When you are an…

Nike and the LEGO Group announced that their global multi-year partnership kicks off this June with a series of immersive experiences and co-branded products designed to inspire kids everywhere to embrace the joy of active and creative play. The partnership brings together the “Just Do It” spirit of Nike with the imaginative power of LEGO® bricks to invite all kids into sport and play. Over the upcoming months kids can enjoy the opportunity to engage in immersive experiences across different cities around the world, as well as a full collection of products, including LEGO sets and Nike footwear, apparel and accessories. In addition, three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson will support the partnership by helping to engage kids through a reimagined world of play that will come to life across digital…

IN a much-anticipated telephone call this week, US President Donald Trump was at pains explaining to his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, that Washington absolutely had nothing to do with Ukraine’s astoundingly provocative drone attacks on five Russian airbases. The airbases, attacked simultaneously, house Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. The attacks appear to put a spanner in the works for Trump’s strenuous efforts to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. The timing is also curious. The well-orchestrated drone attacks took place at a time when the light at the end of the tunnel was beginning to beam with brightness. Despite the deep-seated mistrust and tension between the two next-door neighbours who’ve been at war since February 2022, the latest round of rare face-to-face talks between the two nations has…

Outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi is facing mounting pressure to provide details of her claims that there is political interference in the work of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). In an interview this week, Batohi had said: “The NPA has been infiltrated by people who do not have the rule of law at heart. “We are having internal challenges; some prosecutors may not be aligned with the vision of really fighting for the rule of law in this country.” Calls for Batohi to be summoned to Parliament to provide explanations follow a difficult period for the NPA during which the authority has bungled a number of high-profile cases. The latest was the Free State High Court declaring the extradition of former Free State premier and ex-ANC…

A 62-year-old man who had absconded from court after getting bail in 2019 has been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment by the Skukuza Regional Court for killing two rhinos. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, on February 17, 2019, Philip Mfana Masuku from Bhekiswayo Trust in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga, was apprehended after field rangers detected the movement of three suspects near the Pretoriuskop Section of the Kruger National Park. She said the rangers responded with the aid of sniffer dogs, and Masuku was apprehended; however, his accomplices managed to escape and were never found. “A search of the crime scene led to the discovery of two knives and a bag containing fresh rhino horns,” Nyuswa added. She said that after Masuku was arrested, he got bail but…

IN 2025, South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20, becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to lead the world’s most influential economic forum. This milestone comes at a critical juncture for both the global economy and the African continent. Against the backdrop of widening inequality, climate instability, and calls for more equitable global governance, South Africa’s leadership offers an opportunity to reshape international economic priorities through a lens of inclusivity, resilience, and long-term development. Under the theme Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, South Africa has used its presidency to elevate issues that have long defined the Global South — access to infrastructure finance, food security, digital transformation, and institutional reform. With the G20 representing 85% of global gross domestic product (GDP), 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of the global…

It was only a matter of time until the tide turned violently against Floyd Shivambu in the uMkhonto weSizwe Party. The official stance from the MK Party is that Shivambu violated the MK Party Constitution, ironically, a document he is credited for penning. However, his tumultuous relationship with Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the sweetheart daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, cannot be ignored. Of course, Zuma-Sambudla publicly admonished Shivambu with expletives, describing him as the "worst thing that has happened to the MK Party". She later, reluctantly, apologised, only after being publicly lashed by her dad. But, since that day, the daggers have been out for Shivambu. What followed, despite the apology, were attacks aimed at the SG, from MK Party Youth leaders and factions seen as sympathetic to Dudu, as she…

ON July 26, 2013, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was established as a new political party. It promised to reshape South African politics by breathing life into Parliament. This was not a voluntary decision. The party was formed following the expulsion of Julius Malema by the ANC and the subsequent exodus of other then and former ANC Youth League members who sympathized with Malema. Some of the youth who did not belong to any political party at the time saw the EFF as their political home thus giving hope about the future of this party. After the 2014 general election, the EFF emerged as one of the high performers with 25 seats in the National Assembly. It came third following the ANC and the DA which obtained 249 and 89…

SA sprint sensation Zakithi Nene was pipped at the line by Olympic champion Quincy Hall in a 400m showdown at the Rome Diamond League on Friday night, finishing in a time of 44.23 seconds. American Hall had stopped the clock at a season’s best 44.22, just 0.01 seconds ahead of Nene. Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana was third, in a season’s best time of 44.51. Nene was hoping to replicate his heroics at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya last weekend, where he set a world lead and personal best of 43.76. However, it was never going to be easy against a strong field that also included former world and Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada. After a slow start, Nene was left with work to do over the final 100m…

The Mamelodi Sundowns CAF Champions League final discard Themba Zwane has been named in the squad for the Fifa Club World Cup in the United States later this month. The 35-year-old Zwane was an unused substitute in both legs of the recent CAF showpiece, and the Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, was singled out for stinging criticism on his decision not to field the club's captain. Former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena was recently pressed for comment on Sundowns snubbing Zwane for the final. He refused to criticise the decision except to say: “Zwane is special". There is a line of thought that says Cardoso might think the ageing Zwane is not up for the rigours of international football. He did not want the team to suffer due to pressure to select…

Novak Djokovic suggested he may well have bidden adieu to Roland Garros after the 38-year-old was defeated in the semi-finals by Jannik Sinner on Friday. Following his 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) loss to world number one Sinner, Djokovic stopped briefly on his way off Court Philippe Chatrier and took a moment to "show his gratitude" to the Paris crowd. "This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know. That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end," said three-time champion Djokovic. "But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd. Get your news on the go, click here…

The enduring image of the 1995 Rugby World Cup is of Nelson Mandela, dressed in Francois Pienaar’s No 6 jersey, awarding the Webb Ellis Cup to the Springbok captain, but also etched into immortality is the scene of utter destruction when Jonah Lomu scored against England in the semi-final. Lomu scored four that day, but the one the world will never forget was when he ran over Mike Catt, rendering the fullback a mangle of spread-eagled arms and legs, while behind them, bulldozed into the Newlands turf, were fellow casualties, Will Carling and Tony Underwood. No wonder Carling called the juggernaut “a freak”. Freakish the 20-year-old was. The rugby world had never seen the like of him before, and there hasn’t been anyone quite like him since. At a towering…

Tourism and hospitality industry and economists believe that the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday will provide an economic boost to the KZN and South African economies. Brett Tungay, East coast chairperson for the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa), said that the Comrades marathon has a huge impact on the KZN hospitality and tourism and the KZN economy. “In Pietermaritzburg, most of the occupancies have been reported as fully booked, which is great news. We all expect a great turnout for Durban with both local and international arrivals. Comrades is not just a KZN event; it really impacts people from across South Africa.” Tungay added this is great news for sports and events tourism. “This is something that we have been pushing for as events and…

In the world of health and wellness, chia seed water is gaining serious attention. This simple drink packs a powerful nutritional punch and offers a wide range of health benefits. Whether you’re looking to boost hydration, support digestion, or manage your appetite, chia seed water might be the natural solution you’ve been looking for. Top benefits Supports digestive health Chia seeds are a great source of soluble fibre, which absorbs water and forms a gel that can help improve digestion. This gel-like substance can move slowly through the digestive tract, helping to promote regularity and prevent constipation. Promotes hydration When soaked, chia seeds absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, making chia seed water an excellent way to stay hydrated. The gel-like consistency helps the body retain fluids,…

A disturbing display of arrogance “Politicians are like monkeys in that ‘the higher they climb, the more revolting are the parts they expose’.” — Gwilym Lloyd George, 1st Viscount Tenby Tebogo Letsi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education: “Question: In your own view, Minister, what makes a person credible?” Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education and Training: “What makes a person credible chair is exactly how it is defined when you goggle… eh… encyclopedia. You will see what it means, exactly that.” Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee: “You are not going to answer us, Minister.” Minister (unashamedly chewing food in her mouth and disdainfully looking to another direction): “I have responded, chairperson.” “It is an old tale, as old as the conduct of human affairs, which was…

IT must be said with a lot of painful helplessness that the tale of SpaceX’s Starlink and its connection to South Africa is a story that could not be told with the confidence of full fact. It has many layers of obfuscation that started long before Elon Musk became a Special Government Employee of DOGE. The many theatrical layers lined in its ineligible pages run from December of 2023 to the 21st of May of this year, on that pitiful night of melodrama in the Oval Office. To be sure, the entire evening was dedicated to justifying why South Africa should have a CIA-controlled satellite system in South Africa. The places where it is alleged it is needed most, are the two places that could not justify a profitably sustainable…

Dear Chairperson, Honourable Tebogo Letsie India, a fellow BRICS nation with socio-economic challenges comparable (if not greater) to South Africa, is expected to reach its 1 million demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) professionals by 2026. If India can aggressively reposition its education system to meet the demands of AI and automation, surely we can join this race. This recent development from India, compounded by a global demand for Indian AI professionals, presents a critical avenue for South Africa. South Africa faces similar inequality; the country's Gini coefficient is forecast to amount to 0.60 in 2025, while India's Gini coefficient is forecast to be 0.35. (Statista, Global data and business intelligence platform). What is evident is that India’s trajectory proves that technological transformation can occur alongside, and even help mitigate,…

GAZA has been transformed into the largest open-air concentration camp ever known to humanity. An unimaginable “death row” where the Palestinian people, more than half of whom are children, await their sentence without reprieve, dictated by the frighteningly belligerent and perverse Luciferian enemy. And, to the same extent, cowardly. For months, the Zionist government of Israel has been promoting, under the blind eyes of the cynical international community, an open ethnic cleansing. In this true “concentration and extermination camp,” the wretches do not walk on their own two feet to the gas chambers to which the victims of Nazism were condemned: they are torn apart by the bombs of the ultra-modern army of the State of Israel, founded in 1947 under the auspices of the UN precisely to guarantee a…

As severe weather settled over Cape Town, a devastating fire in Silvertown, Khayelitsha, left over 140 people displaced and destroyed 45 structures in the early hours of Saturday morning. Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell confirmed the fire broke out late Friday night, with city officials conducting assessments the following morning. “Following an assessment by Disaster Risk Management officials this morning, it was determined that 45 structures were destroyed, impacting 145 individuals,” she said. City departments have been mobilised to clear debris and restore damaged municipal infrastructure. Humanitarian assistance is being provided by The Salvation Army and Gift of the Givers, while the names of affected residents have been submitted to SASSA and the National Department of Human Settlements for additional support. Ward councillor Thando Pimpi said the community suspects…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is probing widespread corruption in several projects across the country funded by the Housing Development Agency (HDA). According to the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the SIU investigation will focus on serious maladministration in the HDA’s affairs in projects for provincial Human Settlements departments in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and the Western Cape. This includes the identification, acquisition, holding, development, and release of state, communal, and privately owned land for residential and community purposes by the agency, in its name, or for and on behalf of the provincial departments or by the departments in their name. The unit will also investigate whether the contracts were awarded in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable,…

When three people found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking 6-year-old Joshlin Smith – including her mother – received life sentences, hopes were raised that the sentence would send a strong warning to the lowest form of criminal life. However, although hundreds of children are reported missing annually, with most never found, kidnapping has become a form of extortion prevalent in many communities, to extract ransom money from parents. Our children are the most vulnerable victims of the broken promises of democracy. Many suffer malnutrition, schooling worse than Bantu education, and horrific abuse and rape. Families and communities do not receive the government support services they should, while far too many girls are having children to access the childcare grants, and neglecting their offspring. The Smith case, like shock- inducing gender-based…

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes his team can put their shocking record in knockout games behind them when they face defending champions Australia in next week's World Test Championship final. The Proteas have won just one International Cricket Council trophy - the ICC Knockout - a forerunner of the Champions Trophy, back in 1998, alongside a list of agonising near-misses. By contrast the top-ranked Australians, who beat India in the 2023 WTC final, have an enviable record at the sharp end of tournaments in the white-ball game. They have won the one-day World Cup a record six times, lifted the Champions Trophy twice and have also triumphed at the T20 World Cup. "It is different," Bavuma said ahead of the WTC final at Lord's starting on Wednesday. "Australia have…

Jannik Sinner said it “doesn't get any bigger” than facing Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final, after ending Novak Djokovic's latest tilt at a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in the last four on Friday. The world number one held off a battling Djokovic with an impressive 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) win on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach his first Roland Garros final. Sinner will face Alcaraz for a Grand Slam title for the first time today, adding another chapter to their already gripping rivalry. “The stage, it doesn't get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it's a special moment for me and for him, too,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion, who is now on a 20-match winning streak in majors. “He won here last year,…

South African wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane reclaimed the French Open doubles title with Japanese partner Yui Kamiji in dramatic fashion at Roland Garros on Friday night. It was a fourth doubles Grand Slam title for the South African ace, who fell short of reaching the singles final in an earlier semi-final. Montjane and Kamiji faced the Chinese pairing of Xiaohui Li and Ziying Wang, the No 2 seeds, in the women’s doubles final. They had to dig deep, fighting back from a set down to secure a 4-6 7-5 (10-7) victory. They reclaimed the trophy they lifted at Roland Garros in 2023. The duo also won the US Open title together in 2023, as well as the Wimbledon crown last year. Montjane and Kamiji beat top seeds Manami Tanaka…

The Springbok Women got their 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener against Uganda in Antananarivo, Madagascar, yesterday off to a flyer with a comprehensive 62-7 victory over the Lady Cranes that featured several try-scoring debuts. Lock Anathi Qolo captained the South African side that boasted a combined 174 caps. And despite being expected to dominate the scrum with their powerful pack, the Ugandans more than held their own in that aspect of play. The swirling wind made line-out throw-ins and clearance kicks difficult for both teams, though. The power of the SA pack was soon on display in the loose, however. Prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo and flank Lerato Makua were prominent, with strong, tackle-busting runs in midfield as the Bok Women kept the ball tight in the early exchanges. It was…