Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-27 i Sunday Independent

Farmers behind the tomatoes used to make the iconic All Gold Tomato Sauce, a product deeply rooted in South African households and taste traditions, have received a boost from Tiger Brands in the form of irrigation infrastructure. Nine farms that supply South Africa’s “red gold” (tomatoes) to Tiger Brands to make All Gold Tomato Sauce have been provided with irrigation infrastructure in Musina, Limpopo boosting their ability to participate meaningfully in improving food security in the province. Tiger Brands said that the irrigation systems will help the farmers boost production and better navigate the challenges of unpredictable climate change conditions. The investment is the first in Tiger Brand’s newly initiated Hulisani Programme part of the company’s strategic commitment to building sustainable sourcing and to strengthening the country’s resilience to factors…

SOUTH Africa’s century-long tradition of elite pact-making began with the 1910 Union, which forged white unity through excluding black South Africans from political life. In response, black elites — mostly Christianised African professionals and chiefs, collectively known as amazemtiti or ‘Black Englishmen’ — formed the ANC in 1912, hoping to counter this settler compact through petitions and appeals to imperial justice. “Tell England that we are not the barbarians they think we are.” — Sol Plaatje, 1914 formal protest letter to King George V against the Native Land Act, pleading for imperial intervention in the face of racial dispossession. The 1926 Mines and Works Act reserved skilled jobs for whites, fuelling black elite frustration. This blatant economic ceiling, after failed imperial appeals, birthed the ANC’s militancy. It exposed the futility…

IN a fiery parliamentary session, Members of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade launched a blistering assault on the Department of Tourism (DT) and South African Tourism (SAT), demanding hard evidence that its R2.4 billion budget delivers tangible results, not just meetings, marketing campaigns, and bureaucratic bloat. The July 16 hearing, presided over by chairperson Sonja Boshoff from the DA, turned into a scathing interrogation of the Department’s accountability, effectiveness, and strategic coherence, with one question echoing louder than the rest: “How much of the 8.8 million international tourists can be directly attributed to the Department’s efforts?” That question came from the DA’s Nicolaas Pienaar, who refused to back down despite warnings over language and procedural objections. “I pose a critical question: how much of this activity could…

THE appointment of individuals with no policing experience as national police commissioners in South Africa is among the causal factors contributing to the leadership crisis within the South African Police Service (SAPS). This was revealed during a recent webinar that looked at the leadership crisis in the SAPS and what should have been done to rectify the situation. It was co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CIPLO), and the Hanns Seidel Foundation. At the centre of the discussion was the bombshell dropped by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused the police minister and a deputy national commissioner of corruption. The Parliamentary and judicial inquiries, which are about to commence, relate to this crisis and a new police minister who…

THE South African crypto landscape is shifting, slowly but undeniably. While institutional and regulatory frameworks inch forward, what remains most fascinating is the response of the average consumer, particularly those who, just a few years ago, viewed crypto with caution, suspicion, or outright dismissal. From my engagement with clients and retail participants across various income brackets and investment levels, a clear distinction has emerged: those who positioned themselves early — even modestly — into well-selected crypto instruments are enjoying measurable gains, increased financial literacy, and in many cases, the freedom to navigate new economic realities. They did not wait for the chaos to clear. They took the risk and reaped the benefit. By contrast, many who delayed engagement now find themselves playing catch-up in a market that has matured beyond…

On August 1, South Africa will enter a zone of strategic economic pain, engineered not by global market fluctuations, but by the vengeful hands of conservative economic nationalism. The US, under the reins of President Donald Trump, will impose a 30% tariff on all goods and products exported from South Africa to the American markets. This is not a policy of trade readjustment – it is a geo-economic act of hostility. The justification, wrapped in the language of “reciprocity”, is in reality a strategic blow aimed at disciplining South Africa’s geopolitical posture and diplomatic boldness. Trump’s economic nationalism, which sits at the ideological centre of Conservative Republicanism, is not merely inward-looking. It is punitive, retaliatory and profoundly regressive. It has shaken the global trade architecture, not to recalibrate it, but…

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the rebel group, M23, signed a Declaration of Principles in Support of a Pathway to a Comprehensive Peace Agreement on July 19 under the mediation of Qatar. The DRC government forces and the M23 have been locked in an armed conflict in eastern DRC since 2021. The conflict intensified at the beginning of 2025, which saw the M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, go on the offensive and seize huge swathes of territory, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, respectively, including two major airports. About 7 000 people have reportedly lost their lives, and over a million more have suffered displacement as a result of the escalation. The latest agreement…

Ricky Ponting is convinced there is “absolutely no reason" why Joe Root cannot surpass India's Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket's all-time leading run-scorer after the England star leapfrogged the Australian into second place on Friday. Root, during a superb innings of exactly 150 in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, went from fifth to second in the all-time list, overtaking India's Rahul Dravid and South Africa's Jacques Kallis along the way. On another landmark day, the 34-year-old Root then completed his 38th Test hundred to join Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara in fourth place in that line-up. Root then eclipsed former Australia captain Ponting's mark of 13,378 runs when he reached 120 to the audible delight of a packed crowd at Old Trafford who gave him a standing ovation.…

Water polo’s new national franchise tournament is set to make a splash after borrowing from the concept of SA20 cricket’s draft system, and could also tap into the pool of rugby talent in SA. The inaugural event of the new Winter Series, sponsored by leading automation manufacturer Jendamark, will see 112 of the country’s elite senior players drafted into four men’s and four women’s squads that are set to churn up the water of the Newton Park Indoor Pool in Gqeberha from August 8 to 10. Treading water The franchise system is designed to help level the playing field and offer an alternative to the regional dominance of Western Province and Gauteng teams in inter-provincial competition. It also marks the first national tournament run under the auspices of the newly…

Following the announcement yesterday that LIV Golf will be heading to South Africa in 2026, SA Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie did not say what the event will do for the development of golf in the country. The Saudi-funded tournament will be held at the exclusive Steyn City, in Johannesburg, from March 20 to 22 next year. The event will have a strong home contingent representing the nation with Stingers GC featuring Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace. LIV Golf events, as its name is derived from the Roman numerals for 54, have three 18-hole rounds and currently do not carry world rankings points for the tournaments. With tickets well over R500 (US$30 per person), although children under 12 will have free entry, it’s difficult to see…

TODAY’S clash with world champions Spain in the deciding game of the Women’s Euro 2025 will be England’s third consecutive major tournament final, and a fifth for their remarkable coach Sarina Wiegman. “We know we are in good hands and that she is a manager who can take teams to finals,” said midfielder Ella Toone on Friday when asked about the England coach's impressive record. “She is a great manager, someone we all have a lot of belief in. It is an unbelievable achievement for her.” The 55-year-old from the Netherlands took over from Phil Neville in September 2021 and the following year led them to their first ever major title in women’s international football when they beat Germany in the final of the European Championship at Wembley. The Lionesses…

South Africa’s beer industry is more than just a source of refreshment – it’s an economic powerhouse woven into the cultural and economic fabric of our country. In 2023 alone, it contributed R96.4 billion to GDP, generated R56.5bn in tax revenue, and supported over 210 000 jobs, according to Oxford Economics’ “Beer’s Global Economic Footprint” study. As the Beer Association of South Africa (Basa), our mandate is to protect and promote this industry and the livelihoods it sustains. But we cannot do so without fair and forward-looking regulation – particularly when it comes to excise tax policy, which has reached an unsustainable tipping point. Reflect: brewing under pressure Despite its contributions, the beer industry is under increasing strain. In the 2025/26 National Budget, excise tax on alcohol was raised…

In playgrounds, WhatsApp groups and school corridors across South Africa, bullying isn’t just a playground drama; it’s a silent crisis reshaping children’s mental health, social life and future relationships. Once brushed off as a “rite of passage”, bullying now affects an estimated 40% of school-going children, according to research from the Department of Basic Education. Even more alarming is that one in three South African teenagers is a victim of cyberbullying, where group chats, doctored photos and social media shaming extend humiliation far beyond the school gates, leaving no safe space. “We’re not just dealing with bruises anymore,” warns Dr Alicia Porter, psychiatrist and board member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). Porter adds, “Children become anxious, depressed and sometimes even suicidal. The psychological wounds often last far…

“Concentrate on polishing your own lantern so that others may follow its light.” – A common Zen Buddhist principle WHAT kind of teacher do you want to be? What kind of leader do you want to be? We often default to teaching the way we were taught, especially if that model was positive and passionate. The analogy Peter Boonshaft draws between a music teacher and an airplane pilot resonates with me: both must be calm in a storm, act rather than react, assess circumstances swiftly, constantly monitor surroundings, and sometimes respond in ways that seem counterintuitive. Crucially, we must control a powerful entity capable of causing disaster or creating feelings of awesome beauty. It has been said that only three things happen naturally in organisations: friction, confusion, and underperformance. Everything…

THE kingdom of eSwatini has become the focus of regional scrutiny following the arrival of five foreign nationals deported from the United States and transferred to its correctional system — individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child rape. Held in isolated prison units, these inmates — citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Laos, and Yemen — were reportedly rejected by their home countries. The eSwatini government confirmed the transfer in a statement released by spokesperson Thabile Mdluli: “Indeed, five inmates are currently housed in our correctional facilities in isolated units, where similar offenders are kept. The government acknowledges the widespread concern regarding the deportation of third-country prisoners from the US into eSwatini.” When reached for further comments, Mdluli revealed that the government could accommodate additional deportees beyond the initial…

AFRICA’S most pressing governance crisis today, which the African Union (AU) does not fully want to confront, is the mass displacement of Africans due to systemic leadership failures and the consequent erosion of Pan-African solidarity. South Africa’s experience as the continent’s primary receiving nation illustrates the unsustainable nature of this crisis. For three decades, South Africa has absorbed millions of people fleeing collapsed economies across the continent, creating untenable pressures on its working class and the poor. The data about migration reveals an alarming trend. Post-liberation governments have overseen the largest outmigration in African history, with economic refugees outnumbering those who fled apartheid’s political persecution. Porous borders serve as pressure valves for failing states, allowing negligent regimes to export their governance failures rather than address them. In some cases, migration…

THE buildings of Parliament were not insured when they were gutted by fire three years ago, Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said on Friday. “The State does not insure immovable property to a large extent as we know, including movable property. There is no insurance. It covers that by placing funds to rebuild whenever there are issues or replaces those assets,” he said. George was responding to questions from MPs when implementing agent, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and Parliament briefed the Joint Standing Committee of Financial Management of Parliament on the rebuilding and restoration work. George also said the National Treasury had issued an instruction note in 2007 that clearly stated departments not to insure immovable properties. “These buildings were not insured at the time of the…

Instead of uniting in their legal challenge against eThekwini Municipality’s failure to repair the city’s health hazard sewage infrastructure, the DA and ActionSA, who are joined court applicants, were at each other's throats. The two parties took the city to the Durban High Court over the sewage problem. The matter was heard at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday and Friday and was adjourned after the full bench reserved the judgment. In its 2022 affidavit, ActionSA alleged that the municipality had failed to maintain and repair its sewage infrastructure, which would have prevented untreated effluent from spilling into rivers, the ocean, and beaches. DA councillor Thabani Mthethwa said his party used the court action to expose the municipality's failure to deal with sewerage challenges. "It was only after court papers…

Taxpayers are coughing up the legal costs for the 12 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members who are facing multiple charges, including the murder of Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI) senior investigator, Lieutenant-Colonel Frans Mathipa. Mathipa was killed while he was investigating the abduction of two Ethiopian men, Abdella Hussein Abadiga and his bodyguard, Kadir Jemal Abotese, who were abducted and allegedly taken to Zwartkop Military Base, and their whereabouts are still unknown. This was disclosed by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga when she was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Chris Hattingh and Maliyakhe Shelembe. Motshekga said the legal costs were paid on the basis of the Defence Act which provides for legal representation for SANDF members. “The SANDF has the authority to provide legal assistance to…

IN a significant move towards financial inclusivity, leading crypto platform Luno has announced the launch of international tokenised stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will be available for investment from early August 2025. This groundbreaking offering allows South Africans to gain seamless access to over sixty of the world's most valuable US-listed companies and indices, including tech giants like Apple, Alphabet, and NVIDIA—all without the hassles of transferring funds offshore or waiting for US trading hours. "Until now, access to global financial markets has been locked behind red tape and legacy systems," said Christo de Wit, country manager for South Africa at Luno. "With tokenised stocks, we're offering South African investors easy access to global investments any time of the day or night." This pioneering initiative not only positions Luno…

July 2025 marks the fourth anniversary of the July 2021 unrest. On the evening of July 9, 2021, riots broke out across KwaZulu-Natal. In the evening of July 11, 2021, these riots had spread to Gauteng. By the time this civil unrest ended, more than 350 people had lost their lives. Some were injured while others lost their property, businesses and jobs. Racial tensions rose in KZN. This untenable situation aggravated the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. By August 12, 2022, over 5 500 people had been arrested in connection with these riots – some cases are still active. But how did we get here? Could the riots have been prevented? Who should be held responsible for acting recklessly, thereby leading the country into this chaos? More importantly, did our…

In 2025, the scale, scope and velocity of Trumpism are so disruptive that new forms of partnerships are evolving in ensuring the global governance consensus and saving UN multilateralism. The Global South nations, especially G77, desperately need multilateralism to function and for fair World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to work in order to broaden the benefits of trade, financial reforms and any hope for UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Brics Rio communique in July is significant. The 130-point plus final declaration – not only thoroughly detailing every major issue, with calculated moderation, but resolutely setting a trademark Brics group of developing nations tone and a clear set of humanistic values focused in three strategic pillars: economy-finance, designing a new global security framework, and cultural and people-to-people…

OVER the past three seasons, the SA20 has grown in leaps and bounds, and the upcoming fourth edition promises to be even bigger with some of the biggest names in franchise T20 cricket having committed to the league already. This season, the SA20 barely clashes with any T20 leagues, meaning the world's top T20 cricketers are available to grace the South African cricket with their presence and skills. Among the players who have been pre-signed for the upcoming season are West Indies all-rounders Andre Russell (Pretoria Capitals) and Sunil Narine (Durban's Super Giants), both who have sparkling T20 careers. Allah Ghazanfar, the latest addition to the long list of Afghanistan's mystery spinners, also joins the SA20 for the first time. He has signed with last season's runners-up Sunrisers Eastern Cape…

Max Verstappen welcomed new Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies to the race team yesterday with an immaculate gift-wrapped triumph in the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Dutchman, who started from second on the grid, seized the lead on the opening lap and then resisted all threats from series leader Oscar Piastri who had to defend attacks from McLaren team-mate Lando Norris who finished third. It was a consummate performance from Verstappen who ran with a low downforce set-up to give him a straight-line speed advantage – for which he was congratulated by Mekies, appointed on July 9 to replace Red Bull's former boss Christian Horner who was dismissed unexpectedly after 20 years at the helm. “That worked out really well," said a delighted Verstappen after thanking…

Top footballers are afraid to speak out against playing too many matches for fear of the impact it could have on their careers, the general secretary of global players’ union FIFPro said on Friday. Alex Phillips was speaking after FIFPro held a meeting in Amsterdam with 58 national player unions from around the world to discuss concerns over the way the sport’s world governing body FIFA is managing global football. The meeting came less than two weeks after the end of the first 32-team Club World Cup in the US, a tournament hailed as a huge success by Fifa president Gianni Infantino but criticised by FIFPro for the demands it has placed on players already faced with a crowded schedule. “Before the Club World Cup, I was speaking to some…

What started as a side hustle and a love for smelling good has blossomed into a thriving fragrance brand gaining traction both locally and beyond. Pretoria-based Maca Scents, founded by Siya and Trycia Simelane, is quietly but confidently disrupting South Africa’s perfume industry, offering high-quality, affordable fragrances with a personal touch. At its core, Maca Scents is rooted in an inspiring entrepreneurial journey, a clear sense of purpose, and a deep understanding of what customers really want from their scent experience: authenticity, inclusivity, and lasting power. From distributor to brand builder Before launching his own brand, Siya Simelane spent years distributing perfumes for other companies. But a persistent thought lingered. Why build someone else’s legacy when you can build your own? “As a distributor, it always felt like I was…

We’ve all had those weeks at work where we feel a bit “off” like we’re treading through sinking sand just to answer e-mails or make it to meetings. But when that sense of dread, disconnection or exhaustion quietly lingers, it might be more than just a rough patch. You could be experiencing what’s now being called “quiet cracking” – the slow emotional unravelling that often goes unnoticed until it becomes too overwhelming to ignore. For many South African workers navigating tight budgets, heavy workloads and limited career growth, the struggle is all too real. Unlike full-blown burnout, quiet cracking is harder to spot, both in yourself and others, because you’re still showing up and going through the motions until one day, you just can’t anymore. Imagine a plate with…

THE silence, nay, collaboration of the Western mainstream media with Israel’s genocidal military onslaught against Gaza and the Palestinian people in general have been mind- boggling. Since October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise violent attack in Southern Israel that resulted in some 1 200 people killed, life for Palestinian men, women and children has been akin to hell on earth. Israel’s fury, vengeance and retribution against the people of Gaza have been brutal, ferocious and limitless. In a relentless wave of reprisals, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has killed, maimed and arbitrarily detained largely powerless Palestinians, many without charge. The IDF’s reign of terror in every corner of Palestine has known no bounds. Since October 2023, Israelis have killed no less than 60 000 Palestinians amid a systematic annihilation…

SOUTH Africa stands at yet another crossroads where political expediency challenges institutional integrity, as the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) assumes an unprecedented role in funding a job creation programme traditionally financed by the National Treasury. The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) initiative under the Presidency, has turned to the UIF for R4 billion to fund the Teacher Assistant Programme — a short-term intervention aimed primarily at unemployed youth. According to the DBE’s April 2025 CareersPortal document, the Teacher Assistant Programme, now in its fifth phase, aims to create about 200 000 positions for young unemployed people aged between 18 and 34. Participants receive monthly stipends of R4 000, plus R30 airtime, for six months of practical work experience in schools across South…

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI, alias Hawks) were forced to defend their credibility, competence, and commitment to justice in a nail-biting parliamentary grilling, as parliamentarians accused them of dragging their feet, losing high-profile cases, and failing the public’s trust. At a Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) meeting chaired by RISE Mzansi’s Songezo Zibi, the legislators delivered a scathing assessment of the state of the country’s criminal justice system, demanding answers on why so many corruption cases referred by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) were not resulting in convictions. “To the public and the parliamentarians, it seems there are a myriad of issues in cases lost, the lengthy conclusion of cases, postponements made,” Zibi said in his opening. “It is important for…

THE man accused of starting the fire that gutted Parliament, Zandile Christmas Mafe, will receive a second periodical assessment in September. This is according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) when it briefed the Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament on the status of its investigation. Brigadier Mushavhaduvha Ramovha said Mafe continued to be a state patient at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital. Mafe was admitted to the hospital in February 2024 for a psychiatric evaluation after the Western Cape High Court declared he was unfit to stand trial in December 2023. Ramovha said the first evaluation on Mafe was conducted in September 2024, following his admission in February 2024. He also said his diagnosis at this stage included severe Schizophrenia with early remission. “Mr Mafe is scheduled…

LONG queues stretched along Pama Road on yesterday morning as thousands of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters gathered for the party’s 12th anniversary celebrations at the Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium. Although the main programme was scheduled to start at midday, enthusiastic crowds, youth, elders, and children, had already begun pouring into the venue from the early hours. A dedicated play area for children, complete with jumping castles, plastic tables and chairs, and paramedics on standby, was set up to accommodate families. Outside the stadium, community member Bathandwa Dywili said she hoped party leader Julius Malema would address pressing social challenges. “We hope that the EFF president will address youth unemployment. Underaged drinking is another issue, young people consume a lot of alcohol,” Dywili said. “It would also be nice for…

JEFFREY Epstein is a particularly unique individual. In his rudely interrupted yet controversial life, he has been associated with so many impactful episodes of our contemporary history that have conspiratorially, if not fortuitously, led to the occupancy of the White House by the most divisive political figure, Donald J Trump. And there is no convenient starting point. In 1975, Epstein was looking furtively at His Excellency, Al Hadji, Big Dada Idi Amin Oumee, the Conqueror of all Beasts on Land and in the Seas, at a press briefing at the United Nations (UN) saying things about the illegality of Israel’s creation in 1948, the wholesale murder of Palestinians and a two-state solution. It must have been Jeffrey in the shadows of the pictures or persons who subsequently gave him and…

The need to preserve the existence of Ithala Bank cannot override the rule of law, as Ithala was always required to comply with the Banks Act; this was the argument heard by the three Judges (full bench) at the Durban High Court on Friday. This is because the Ithala’s Repayment Administrator (RA) and the South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority (PA) are appealing the Pietermaritzburg High Court decision that the entity can continue to conduct its business. Ithala held an exemption from the PA, which allowed it to take deposits. That exemption expired in December 2023. In January, the PA filed for Ithala's liquidation, and Johannes Kruger, the RA, instructed Absa Bank Limited to freeze all Ithala's accounts following the expiration of the exemption. However, Ithala continued to accept deposits…

Orlando Pirates’ midfielder Thalente Mbatha says he should be mentally strong and focused next season if he’s to achieve the targets he’s set for himself. Since arriving at Pirates 18 months ago, Mbatha has embodied his name - showcasing his talent and endearing himself to the football fraternity. His skillset was also honed by coach Jose Riveiro who’s since left the club and joined Egyptian Al Ahly club. New coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has also rolled his sleeves and quickly got to work as he led the team when they intensified their preparations for next season with a two-week tour of Spain. Pirates needed the tour as they must be at their best next season and compete for all trophies up for grabs, including the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League.…

NESTLED at the foot of Table Mountain lies the Green Point Track, home of Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC, a significant venue not only in the realm of rugby but as a bastion for non-racial sport in South Africa. This historic ground has witnessed legends, most notably Fagmie "Fluffy" Solomons, whose skills electrified the pitch during the politically charged 1980s when rugby transcended mere sport to become a symbolic platform for change. Solomons, a flyhalf characterised by his vision and creativity, was a beacon for a generation that could only dream of watching their hero parade his skills with the likes of the Du Plessis brothers and Rob Louw in the Currie Cup down at Boundary Road in Newlands. Our generation was deprived of witnessing Solomons in his prime, which forced…

England’s Ella Toone admits Spain may have extra motivation going into today’s final of the Women’s Euro 2025 after their World Cup triumph two years ago was overshadowed by events at the end of the game in Sydney. Spain beat England 1-0 in 2023 to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time, with Olga Carmona scoring the only goal of the game. However, the headlines later were dominated by the forced kiss by former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales on player Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales was eventually fined €10,800 (about R224 000) for sexual assault in February this year. “It was a difficult period for the Spanish players and I think for what they did in the World Cup, for that to then be the main talking point,…