Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-03 i Sunday Independent

In a bold leap for South African fintech innovation, a new app is reimagining the way we give and invest. Squirrel Away, a first-of-its-kind platform in the local market, offers a simple yet powerful alternative to traditional gifting: instead of toys or gift cards, friends and family can now contribute directly to a child’s financial future. Launched in May 2025, Squirrel Away has quickly gained traction on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, drawing in hundreds of users within its first few weeks. At its core, the app enables anyone to gift investments, without any minimum deposit requirement, through a user-friendly interface. More than just a convenient tool, it’s a platform with a powerful purpose: fostering long-term wealth and financial literacy, starting from childhood. A vision born…

THE tide is turning – and at a blistering pace – for the recognition of the Palestinian statehood by a growing majority of the nations of the world. As of this year, 147 out of the 193 UN member-states officially recognize the State of Palestine. At the end of a widely publicised conference on the Middle East held in New York this week, 15 predominantly Western nations undertook to recognize the Palestinian statehood. Represented by their ministers of foreign affairs, the following countries nailed their colours to the mast, once and for all. They are: Canada, France, Australia, Ireland, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, San Marino, Andorra, and Luxembourg. Why does this matter? It matters the most because, for far too long, the plight of the…

Analysts warn that the path ahead is fraught with challenges, including potential irreversible damage to sectors already under pressure following the recent imposition of a 30% tariff by the United States on key South African exports. They raised concerns about long-term economic stability, job security, and export revenue. Effective August 1, the new tariffs target key industries, including citrus, macadamia nuts, automotive components, steel, and aluminum. South Africa’s citrus industry, which supports over 35 000 jobs and contributes more than R38 billion annually, faces disproportionate risk. Speaking to the Sunday Independent on Friday, Dr Iraj Abedian, Chief Economist at Pan-African Investments Research Services, highlighted the severity of the situation. “The tariffs will have a dire impact on our automotive and citrus industries. We’re looking at an initial loss of around…

This past week, I walked through the carefully curated spaces of Decorex Africa’s Johannesburg showcase, taking in a multitude of vibrant displays of South African designs. Decorex, an annual exhibition highlighting the ingenuity and craftsmanship of South African creatives, reminded me that design is never just surface level - behind each design and installation lies a deeper narrative about heritage, innovation, and who we uniquely are as a nation. Throughout the history of indigenous African societies, arts and culture have always been placed at the forefront. From trade and industry to artistic expression, arts and culture amongst indigenous Africans (and beyond) is not only indicative of a deeply embedded worldview, but also of a sophisticated system of knowledge, identity, and exchange. The artistic expression of a people is reflected in…

Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni stated that he has not personally encountered political interference in investigations, emphasising that his role is to oversee crime investigations rather than conduct them. His comments follow the explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused senior police officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on leave, of obstructing politically sensitive investigations and dismantling a task team that was probing political killings in the province. He alleged that the disbanded unit had uncovered links between a powerful drug cartel and high-ranking politicians, police officers, and prosecutors. The top cop also claimed Mchunu arranged a private meeting with himself, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, and Mkhwanazi to “clear the bad blood” between them.…

As the world marks eight decades since the triumph of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the broader fight against fascism, the Chinese Consul in Johannesburg has called for remembrance and reflection as the world grows more divisive. On Wednesday evening, the Chinese Consul hosted a commemorative event featuring a film and photography exhibition to unveil the often-overlooked brutalities of war, foster peace dialogue, and strengthen international bonds. At the opening ceremony, Pan Qingjiang, Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg, stated the significance of remembering history’s darkest chapters to prevent their recurrence. “It gives me great pleasure to join you today at the China Film and Photography Exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the…

Just days after US President Donald Trump said he will likely not attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, citing “very bad policies,” Democratic Alliance Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga says the City of Joburg is not ready to host the high-profile event. Msimanga, who briefed the media on Thursday outside the Johannesburg City Council, blamed what he described as a “lack of leadership” in the city, saying Johannesburg is far from prepared. The event will be held in Johannesburg in November. “Why is it that they cannot even appoint a city manager?” he asked. “As we're sitting here, the city doesn't have a city manager. They've seconded someone from the province - from Cogta. Why is that the case?“ In January, the city appointed Tshepo Makola as acting city manager…

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is digging in his heels in providing answers in connection with the appointment of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) board members. This comes after Tau told DA MP Toby Chance and EFF MP Sinawo Thambo that his reply to specific questions will be provided at the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition. He stated that he had been invited to brief the portfolio committee on the appointment of the IDC board on July 22, but the meeting was postponed. “Upon the rescheduling of the meeting, specific questions will be directly responded to during the meeting or after if there is still a need,” he said in his standard response. On Thursday, Chance accused Tau of being evasive and deviating…

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said his department has managed to reduce to R20 million outstanding rentals owed to landlords that dated back three months ago. Macpherson said the department has put controls that are monitored daily and is looking at systems to improve the functioning of its payment systems. “As at 6 June 2025, the outstanding rental amount is R2 540 382.42 (0.5%) and R19 897 707.26 (4.1%) for April and May, respectively,” he said. Macpherson was responding to parliamentary questions from Build One South African leader Mmusi Maimane, who enquired about the Information and Communication Technology outages that affected the ability of the Property Management Trading Entity to process rental payments to landlords in April. Maimane enquired about the current status of rental payments, the total…

Generation Z is entering the workforce in numbers too large to ignore. By 2030, they’ll make up nearly 40% of South Africa’s working population. They are young, ambitious, tech-savvy, and largely uninsured. In a country where private medical aid remains unaffordable for many, a worrying number of Gen Z employees are going without any form of health cover. This isn’t due to negligence. It’s economics. The average Gen Z worker, either fresh out of university or early in their career, simply doesn’t earn enough to justify paying thousands of rands a month for traditional medical aid schemes. As a result, many are walking a tightrope without a safety net. The high cost of poor cover The implications for employers are bigger than they may realise. A generation under financial pressure…

If you’ve been scrolling through #FitTok lately, you’ve probably seen people raving about “Japanese Walking”. It’s not exactly new; this clever twist on interval walking has been around for years, but the trend has found fresh legs on TikTok. It promises a simple, free way to lose weight, boost heart health, and spice up your daily walk, no fancy gym needed. At its core, Japanese walking is just interval walking alternating between three minutes of brisk, heart-pumping strides and three minutes of slower recovery walking. Repeat this for 30 minutes, about four times a week, and you’ve got yourself a routine that researchers say can transform your body and mind. Why is everyone suddenly obsessed? One reason is how doable it is. “Exercise matters and intensity matters,” explains Laura Richardson,…

HISTORY, as CV Wedgwood observed, is written backwards but lived forwards. In the fog of war, the path ahead is obscured by ambiguity and risk. Kierkegaard put it well: “We can only understand life backwards, but life must be lived forwards.” This lens helps make sense of the Russia-Ukraine war — not as a sudden crisis, but as the unfolding of long-standing ideological and geopolitical currents. In 1921, Vladimir Lenin presciently wrote that Western capitalists would willingly supply the Soviet Union with the technology and credit it needed to eventually overthrow them. “They will work hard,” he said, “in order to prepare their own suicide.” This vision was not mere rhetoric. OC Boileau argued in 1976 that Soviet leaders saw themselves not just as national rulers, but as stewards of…

JEFF Radebe, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Convenor, this week, issued a warning to South Africa’s political landscape, explicitly challenging entrenched power structures, political opponents, and high-profile figures undermining the nation’s constitutional progress. In his Freedom Charter Lecture delivered at Unisa on Thursday, Radebe made a call to resist those seeking to dismantle the gains of decades of struggle for justice, and a clarion for radical reform rooted in the ideals of the Freedom Charter. “These formations, which mushroomed in the aftermath of the 2024 electoral outcomes, seek to construct a society that is the antithesis of the Freedom Charter,” Radebe said, criticising emerging political entities that “mobilise on the basis of racial exclusion and chauvinism”. He cautioned that these groups aimed to “reverse the gains of constitutional democracy” and “restore elements…

THE South African Communist Party (SACP) and ANC in KwaZulu-Natal have made peace following the formation of the latter’s interim structures. The truce, which was announced at the SACP’s media briefing in Durban on Wednesday, came after the ANC appointed some of the SACP leaders to its interim structures. The SACP provincial executive committee (PEC) had last year expressed dissatisfaction with its ANC provincial counterpart, which was led by its now demoted chairperson, Siboniso Duma, for allegedly sidelining Tripartite Alliance partners in making key decisions. The sour relationship between the two alliance members at the national level caused the SACP to announce that it would contest future elections, including next year's local government elections, on its own. SACP provincial secretary Themba Mthembu told this reporter after the media briefing that…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has threatened to take to the streets following the ruling made by the Constitutional Court, which has unanimously dismissed the party's case challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to put police minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence, appoint Prof Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister and establish the Madlanga commission of inquiry. The decision of the court, which has denied Zuma and the party direct access, after the party approached the apex court to challenge the appointment of Cachalia as acting police minister and Mchunu’s being placed on a leave of absence, has not been welcomed with its spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela saying the party will let South Africans determine their next cause of action. Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave after serious allegations by KwaZulu-Natal…

The genocide in Gaza is being conducted by killers without conscience. That much is obvious. But only a few of them fire the guns, drop the bombs, or aim the missiles. Most are government officials in the US, Germany, the European community, and elsewhere. They’re the politicians and apparatchiks who provide weapons and diplomatic support, without which the killings would be impossible. Although these “leaders” and “diplomats” look civilised, their inward selves conjure the torturing demons in Dante’s Inferno: "Monsters more fierce offended Heav’n ne’er sent from hell’s abyss, for human punishment." But these monsters preside over a hell for the innocent. They’re only able to keep going because the people in their countries allow it. How is that possible, especially after so long? It’s one thing to whip people…

Parliament has named the MPs that will serve on the Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This comes almost a week after the National Assembly unanimously resolved to establish the committee after adopting the report from the portfolio committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development, which made the recommendation. The committee will be constituted by 11 members, with four members from the ANC, two each from the DA and the MK Party, one member from the EFF, and two representatives to be recommended by other parties. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Thursday that parties have nominated MPs who will serve on the committee. The ANC has nominated its chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, Soviet Lekganyane, Xola…

The ruling ANC convened a landmark Liberation Movements Summit from July 25 to 27, gathering six southern African liberation parties including MPLA (Angola), Swapo (Namibia), Frelimo (Mozambique), Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe) and CCM (Tanzania) to deliberate on the theme: “Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa”. Conspicuously absent, however, was Zambia’s United National Independence Party (UNIP), the liberation movement led by the late president Kenneth Kaunda. This party offered refuge to the exiled leadership of the ANC and embraced thousands of young South Africans who crossed borders to join the national liberation Struggle against apartheid. The ANC, as a liberation movement, had its headquarters in Lusaka under the protection of UNIP, and the Zambian people sustained its operational lifeline. The organisers of the summit have…

Across Africa, a new political wave is capturing public and media attention, the rise of what can be termed Traorism Fever. Named after Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the military leader of Burkina Faso who seized power in 2022 through a coup d’état, this phenomenon reflects growing public admiration for his unconventional leadership style. Traoré has emerged as a central figure in Africa’s ongoing struggle for economic justice and sovereignty. He champions beneficiation – the local processing of Africa’s raw materials – as a key strategy for reclaiming control over national wealth. Under his leadership, Burkina Faso has begun to assert greater authority over its natural resources, insisting that the benefits of extraction stay within the continent and serve African populations first. By challenging exploitative mining contracts and resisting external influence, Traoré…

For decades, countless US officials have proclaimed that the bonds between the US and Israel were unbreakable. Now, the ties that bind are laced with genocide. The two countries function as accomplices while methodical killing continues in Gaza, with both societies directly, and differently, making it all possible. The policies of Israel’s government are aligned with the attitudes of most Jewish Israelis. In a recent survey, three-quarters of them (and 64% of all Israelis) said they largely agreed with the statement that “there are no innocent people in Gaza” – nearly half of whom are children. “There is no more ‘permitted’ and ‘forbidden’ with regard to Israel's evilness toward the Palestinians,” dissident columnist Gideon Levy wrote three months ago in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The biggest Israeli media outlets echo…

South African consumers were given some reprieve this past week as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) lowered interest rates in the country. SARB Governor Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced that the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to cut the repurchase rate (repo rate) by 25 basis points (BPS). This means the repo rate will decrease from 7.25% to 7%, effectively taking the prime lending rate in the country to 10.50% from 10.75%. Kganyago said that the decision was unanimous among the MPC members. “For policy, as we showed last time, lower inflation allows for lower interest rates. In our Quarterly Projection Model, for a 4.5% objective, rates bottom out around 7%. “By contrast, the forecast for a 3% objective has roughly five more cuts, over the medium term,…

Whether it’s scrolling on our phones, working on laptops, or watching our favourite shows, constant exposure to blue light has become part of daily life. Blue light, also known as High-Energy Visible (HEV) light, is part of the light spectrum that our eyes can see. The sun is by far the most significant natural source of blue light, which plays a role in regulating our sleep cycles and boosting our mood. However, the artificial blue light emitted from our digital devices has significantly increased our daily exposure, leading to modern skin concerns. Research is shedding light on how this pervasive blue glow might be doing more than just straining our eyes. Here’s how this digital light can impact your complexion: Accelerated ageing Just like too much sun can lead to…

Ten municipalities have been fingered for failing to pay salaries of municipal employees in at least five provinces since April this year. The implicated municipalities are located in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape. The culprits are Mafube, Kopanong, Mohokare, Impendle, Jozini, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, !Kheis, Ditsobotla, and Mamusa local municipalities. Kopanong, Thaba Chweu, and Ditsobotla local municipalities have a history of non-payment of employee salaries, as they had been experiencing the same issue during the 2024/25 financial year. This was revealed by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, when he responded in writing to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Constance Nonhlanhla Mkhonto. He explained that a municipal manager was responsible for the management of the expenditure of the municipality, and was…

The South African Communist Party's celebration of its 104th anniversary, from 30 July to 1 August, occurs at a groundbreaking moment in its history. Its decision to contest elections independently is not merely a tactical adjustment. This decision reflects a sober assessment of the country's political realities and is a necessary response to the multiple crises affecting it. The original basis of the Alliance – currently comprised of the ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO – rested on the shared understanding that racial oppression, patriarchy and class exploitation were intertwined. National liberation, as envisaged in the Freedom Charter, was viewed as a prerequisite for the socialist transformation of society. The Alliance was a strategic vehicle for mass mobilisation towards this shared vision. But alliances, as Lenin reminded us, are historical constructs…

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a clear message that leadership in the police service would not be compromised amid scandal, adding that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would not be fired until the corruption scandal is resolved. On Friday, Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as the new Police Minister, following damning allegations levelled against Mchunu by KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Speaking from the Union Buildings, the president said he was confident that Cachalia would take over and do the right thing. Mchunu, who is accused by Mkhwanazi of political interference and abuse of power, will not be fired — at least not yet, Ramaphosa said, that is, until the end of investigations. Instead, he has directed a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the matter swiftly, and…

Corruption kingpin Markus Jooste’s Hermanus house is reportedly up for sale, at the price of R105 million. Media reports indicate that the property is in “the prestigious area of Voëlklip, offering a prime position in one of the most exclusive estates on the Whale Coast”. Seeff’s website shows a lavish property listed as “price on application” in “one of Hermanus’s most iconic and private coastal estates”. The Voëlklip property “boasts uninterrupted panoramic views across the vast ocean expanse of Walker Bay, framed by a majestic mountain backdrop — a setting that defines prestige, privacy, and presence,” the site says. The house itself is 2 082 m², with seven bedrooms and three lounges in addition to 10 garages and other rooms and is situated on what seems to be several plots…

Parliament's Ethics Committee has imposed a R10 000 fine on Deputy President Paul Mashatile for failing to declare a diamond gift from businessman Louis Liebenberg to his wife. Mashatile failed to disclose in the confidential part of his financial and registrable interests register. The committee, through the Office of the Registrar, received a formal complaint against Mashatile on March 5, 2025, for an alleged breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members' Interests. Item 13(3)(f) of the code requires Members of Parliament to disclose gifts received by their immediate family in the confidential part of the register. Following consideration of the complaint and perusal of the confidential part of the deputy president's disclosed interests, the committee noted that the gift in question (a diamond from Louis Liebenberg) was not…

Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo recently surprised many South Africans when he miraculously turned his back against President Cyril Ramaphosa on corruption and ethical conduct. His main concern was that it pained him to swear in ministers he had made findings against while he was chairing the State Capture Commission. This was seen as an indictment of both Ramaphosa and the ANC. But was Justice Zondo genuine when he raised this concern, or was he grandstanding so that he could regain public trust following accusations that he was not objective in executing his mandate – something that resulted in the 2021 unrests in KZN and Gauteng? The answer to this question depends on whether one holds Justice Zondo in high regard, or perceives him as someone who used his position…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says the team is in sync with the demands of the club and its fans, which is why they believe they are on the right track. Sundowns are vying for a record-extending ninth Premiership title this season, having dominated the local league for the past eight campaigns. They’ll be confident of going all the way, following an impressive outing at the Fifa Club World Cup, which further endeared them to football fans around the globe. But while winning the league is almost expected of the team, they also need to challenge for trophies both domestically and on the continent. They missed out on the CAF Champions League crown by the narrowest of margins last season, losing to Pyramids in the final. On home soil, they…