Innholdsfortegnelse for 22 January 2026 i You South Africa

I LOVE coming back to YOU in the fresh weeks of a new year. Yes, it’s back to work and back to the office and traffic and admin and all the things of everyday life and adulting, but it’s also a return to the special magic of storytelling and my colleagues who love working on these pages. Somehow, when I’ve been away on leave, it’s as if I rediscover the heart of journalism. The pictures are astonishing and the stories either delicious, intriguing, fascinating or heartbreaking. It feels like I’m reconnecting to the world around me. Working on this issue made me remember why I love journalism so much, and why it remains such a privilege to write about people’s joys and sorrows, and about their cleverness, creativity, courage and…

IT’S hard sometimes to remember the person she used to be – the one who loved to shock, who snogged her brother at the Oscars, who had a thing for knives, who carried some of ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton’s blood in a locket around her neck. She came across as so tough she almost seemed scary in an impossibly glamorous way. But look at how Angelina Jolie has changed over the years. She’s taken everything she had – rage, rebellion, exhibitionism – and channelled it into motherhood, humanitarianism and awareness. She’s called for kindness and inclusivity. She’s ventured into some of the most godforsaken places in the world. She’s weathered a bruising divorce and shielded her traumatised kids as best she could. And she continues to remind people that, money…

HE WASN’T among the candidates for one of the most important jobs in the South African justice system. There were six names on the list and each one went through an interview process led by an advisory panel – but none was deemed suited to the role. So President Cyril Ramaphosa did what he’s entitled to do: offer the job to someone else. And when the president calls, you don’t say no. Enter Lekgoa Jan Andy Mothibi, the 63-year-old advocate who will now lead the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as the new director of public prosecutions. He takes over from Shamila Batohi (65), who’s retiring after seven often turbulent years in the hot seat. Some eyebrows were raised when Mothibi was appointed without going through the interview process but Ramaphosa…

THERE was much hype about them at first – people imagined being able to sneakily surf the internet via their specs while stuck in a boring meeting or snapping photos on the go using their sunglasses instead of their phones. But the hype didn’t match the reality. With most smart glasses looking more like something you’d use for snorkelling, they were ultimately dismissed as awkward, intrusive and faintly ridiculous. Yet as the years have passed, ever-advancing technology has enabled designers to streamline tech-driven eyewear into something far sleeker and trendier. From stylish Ray-Ban frames powered by Meta to experimental AI-driven lenses unveiled at the world’s biggest tech shows, smart glasses are back in the spotlight, with tech giants like Google and Apple racing to take the lead in what’s being…

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For daily horoscopes, go to you.co.za AQUARIUS 21 JAN – 18 FEB A MAJOR COSMIC TRANSFORMATION You are currently the main star of the cosmic show with no fewer than five planets moving through your sign right now. The latest planet to arrive is assertive Mars, which settles into your sign on the 23rd, bringing with it a sense of urgency. A deep dive is needed under Pluto’s powerful influence, and complete openness will absolutely be required. Think of yourself as going through a cocoon stage and undergoing a major transformation. YOUR LUCKY NUMBERS 7, 29, 36, 37, 33, 21 PISCES 19 FEB – 20 MAR It may feel like you are living in strange times this week. Neptune, the great illusionist, leaves your sign on the 26th, ending a…

THE SCHOOL OF NIGHT By KARL OVE KNAUSGAARD Penguin Kristian Hadeland is a young Norwegian who arrives in London in the mid-1980s to study photography. He’s self-important, selfish (he treats his family abominably) and hilariously deluded about his own talent. His teachers see through him, however, leaving lukewarm critiques of his work. Angry and adrift, he periodically encounters the enigmatic Hans, a Dutch artist with an interest in the occult. In an effort to be “original”, he performs a shocking experiment with a dead cat. The resulting photograph of the hapless creature’s boiled skeleton marks a turning point in his artistic career. Then one evening on his way to a romantic liaison with Vivian, the director of a theatre production of Doctor Faustus, he has an altercation with a homeless…

WE EAT first with our eyes, the ancient saying goes – and the goodies contained in these delectable pics are truly a feast for the senses. Vibrant parfaits, silky puddings, glasses of melon cream soda, glossy cheeses, teetering burgers, scrumptious sushi, to-sink-your-teeth-into sausages . . . all this and more are laid out in an exhibition guaranteed to make your mouth water and your tummy rumble. But alas: as palate-pleasing as the food looks, none of it is real. Every dish is made of wax, PVC and silicone and is more about satisfying an appetite for art than for eating. The dishes form part of an exhibition aptly called Looks Delicious!, which was housed at Japan House Los Angeles, a cultural centre in the heart of the City of Angels.…

BEFORE we became slaves to smartphones there was this addictive little thing – a handheld digital pet you had to feed, clean and care for to keep alive and it spawned the first generation of kids obsessively checking a screen every few minutes. At first it was written off as a fad, a gimmick, a flash-in-the-pan – but although it has had its ups and downs, the Tamagotchi is still going strong 30 years later and has earned a place alongside Lego, the yo-yo and the Rubik’s Cube as one of history’s most enduring playthings. Events are being held around the world to celebrate the toy’s 30th birthday – and nobody is more surprised at its success than its Japanese creators, Akihiro Yokoi and Aki Maita. Maita says the fact…

MAKING friends is tough at the best of times, especially for new mothers looking to connect with other women over pregnancy and parenthood. In 2020, when High School Musical star ASHLEY TISDALE found a group of women she could connect with after she fell pregnant during the pandemic, she felt understood. Fast-forward five years, however, and Ashley (40) has now publicly shamed her former mommy friends in an essay she wrote for The Cut titled Breaking Up with My Toxic Mom Group. What has got everyone talking is the fact that the group of women includes a couple of familiar faces – actresses Mandy Moore (41) and Hilary Duff (38) as well as singer Meghan Trainor (32). “Why, I wondered, is it so scary to talk about this? Motherhood has…

LILY ALLEN With a hit album born from the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour (50), Lily has a reason to look happy and content. The 40-year-old singer recently celebrated her career comeback and new singleton status in the Cayman Islands.. JESSICA ALBA Around last year this time Jessica (44) announced she and her husband, Cash Warren (47), were parting ways. This year the actress looked rejuvenated and in love while on holiday in Mexico with her new beau, Danny Ramirez (33). NATALIE PORTMAN The actress looked sensational and delighted during a recent holiday in St Barts with her family. Natalie (44) split from Benjamin Millepied (48) back in 2024 after he was caught kissing another woman. NICOLE KIDMAN There’s nothing like spending time with your…

Keeping your brain healthy and your memory sharp are important, so finding ways to flex your mental muscle is a good way to start 2026! The second edition of YOU Brain Games is packed with expert-approved puzzles that will sharpen your focus, increase your concentration and improve your thinking speed. Puzzles and crosswords aren’t just fun – they’re one of the best ways to keep cognitive decline at bay. Get your copy in stores or online at media24shop.com. Or contact Johan Terblanche at 021-406-4962 or johan.terblanche@media24.com to order. See your writing or news tips in print! Here are the email addresses you need for submitting material for publication. News ideas news@you.co.za Personal stories web@you.co.za Original jokes chuckles@you.co.za Recipes recipes@you.co.za…

SHE’D seen that look on his face so many times she knew it meant something bad was about to happen. And then it did – only this time it was worse than anything she’d ever expected. Ryland Nyman, the man she’d shared her life with for more than 20 years, poured a flammable liquid over her. Then he grabbed her and set her on fire with a cigarette lighter. It happened so quickly that it took Danielle Ephraim a moment to register what he’d done. “I just knew this was it – I was going to die.” Fortunately, however, her dad, Johan, who’d been sitting on the back porch came running. As the flames engulfed her, Danielle was aware of a physical altercation between the men. And then she heard…

LIKE many twins, they can regale you for hours with stories of their special bond – the private language they shared as kids, the pranks they played on their teachers, how they finish each other’s sentences. But identical twins Theandi Esterhuizen and Karla van der Linde (32) have taken things to the next level now: they became pregnant at the same time and gave birth to baby girls on the same day – the twins’ birthday to boot – in the same hospital. “Becoming a mom at the same time as my sister is what I looked forward to most,” Karla tells us. “We dreamed of experiencing everything together – we went to university together, we got our first waitressing jobs together and now here we are, moms together.” Turn…

MY STEPFATHER IS THREATENING AND ABUSING ME Q I’m 16 and my parents are divorced. My mother remarried six years ago and thinks my stepfather is perfect. I know he has an inappropriate roving eye – he’s touched my friends inappropriately, and they’ve told me about it. He constantly watches me and tries to get me to swim so he can “accidentally” touch my breasts. Last year, when my mother went away for work, he came to my room and raped me. He blamed me, saying I was “provoking him with my body”. He threatened that if I told my mother, he’d divorce her, which would devastate her. Since then, he regularly demands sex from me and has even suggested bringing friends to watch and participate. His demands are becoming…

FOR generations, the journey to Hermanus had been special for the Havenga family. The December pilgrimage to their beloved beach house was an annual summer ritual where they’d watch whales glide through the waters and celebrate Christmas enjoying the ocean breeze. But what should have been another chapter in their cherished tradition this festive season became the darkest nightmare Irene Havenga could ever have imagined. On 13 December the 51-year-old accountant lost everything in a few devastating moments. Her husband, Riaan (62), and all three daughters – twins Ilani and Anri (25) and Christelle (23) – were killed in a horrific head-on collision on the N12 near Carletonville as they travelled to join Irene for their yearly holiday. While Irene sat on the beach that Saturday tracking their journey on…

JEANS hanging below his waist, a bandaged finger, a battered cowboy hat over a badly fitting wig – it’s hard to believe this is Mickey Rourke, the heartthrob once considered one of Hollywood’s hottest stars. For years the Oscar-nominated actor’s life has been a nonstop catalogue of woe as he’s lurched from one disaster to the next – and he hit a new low recently when he found himself homeless after being evicted for failing to pay his rent. Mickey (73) cut a sad figure as he left his modest Los Angeles bungalow, clutching one of his beloved dogs while movers carried his possessions in black plastic bags. For months the owner of the three-bedroom home had been struggling to get the former A-lister to cough up the almost $60…

IN A softly lit New York City hair salon, time seems to slow down as she takes her seat. All eyes are on her – or rather, her incredible mane of hair: at nearly 30cm high, stretching wider than her shoulders, her regal halo of curls commands the room. Jessica L Martinez takes in the moment with quiet pride. She’s about to receive the crown for the largest Afro on a living person (female) – and presenting it to her is Aevin Dugas, who’s passing on the big-hair baton after holding the record for the past 15 years. The symbolic passing of the title marks the end of an era and the beginning of another, and Jessica (29) described the moment to her Instagram followers. “I am beyond grateful to…

FRENCH TOAST with CHEESE & ROASTED TOMATOES SERVES 4 / PREPARATION: 15 MINS / COOKING: 20 MINS CREAM CHEESE ◗ 125g soft plain cream cheese◗ 15ml (1T) chopped chives◗ 30ml (2T) chopped fresh parsley◗ finely grated zest of 1 lemon◗ freshly ground black pepper FRENCH TOAST ◗ 1 unsliced farm-style bread◗ 4 eggs◗ 125ml (½c) cream◗ 60ml (¼c) milk◗ 15ml (1T) chopped chives ◗ a pinch of salt◗ olive oil as needed◗ a knob of butter◗ 125ml (½c) grated hard Italian cheese OR mature cheddar TO FINISH ◗ 15ml (1T) olive oil◗ 250-300g cherry tomatoes◗ 5ml (1t) balsamic vinegar◗ fresh rocket leaves 1 Cream cheese Mix the cream cheese, chives, parsley and lemon zest together until well combined. Season with the pepper. 2 French toast Remove the crusts from the…

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Send suggestions for topics and requests for info to yourmoney@you.co.za. We may answer your questions in this column but won’t reply personally. INSTALLING solar energy in your home has many benefits. It can increase the value of your property and reduce your reliance on the electricity grid. Over time, it will help you save on energy bills. However, many people are reluctant because of the high cost. Solar installation is an expensive investment, and most of us will need the help of a loan to afford it. This week we answer five frequently asked questions about solar energy loans. 1 SHOULD I MAKE IT PART OF MY BOND? Yes. It will probably be the loan with the lowest interest rate you can get. There are various options: ● When applying…

PEANUT GALLERY A man walks into an empty bar and orders a drink. He hears someone whisper, “Pssst . . . I like your tie.” He looks around but doesn’t see anyone. “Pssst . . . that colour looks nice on you.” He asks the bartender, “Excuse me, but are you speaking to me?” The bartender says, “No, sorry, it’s the peanuts . . . they’re complimentary.” DART DISASTER I put a giant map of the world up on the wall and gave my wife a dart. I told her wherever it lands is where we go on holiday. I guess we’re spending three weeks behind the fridge. WRONG ANSWER One day Jimmy got home early from school and his mom asked, “Why are you home so early?” He answered,…

IF YOU’VE ever flown through clouds in an airplane, you know what a strange feeling it is to be able to look down on clouds. Now imagine seeing that same view from your lounge or your bedroom. It might sound impossible, but there are apartments in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai that are so incredibly high up that they often sit above the clouds. Officially the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa stretches so high into the sky that it looks almost unreal. It is named after the ruler of Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – who helped finance the building of the tower. Its shiny exterior, shaped a bit like a rocket with long wings, has become one of the most famous icons…

IT’S a drizzly afternoon and I am sitting in a pub in rural England drinking pints of Italian lager with London’s leading snail farmer and his employee, who is a convicted member of the Naples mafia. We’re discussing the best way to stop a mollusc orgy. The farmer, a 79-year-old former shoe salesman named Terry Ball who has made and lost multiple fortunes, has been cheerfully telling me in great detail for several hours about how he was inspired by former Conservative minister Michael Gove to use snails to cheat local councils out of tens of millions of pounds in taxes. His method is simple. First, he sets up shell companies that breed snails in empty office blocks. Then he claims that the office block is legally, against all indications…