Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-11-20 i Sunday Independent

The benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) have come into the spotlight after a series of government and private sector efforts to usher in a digital era was witnessed across the country. Despite the scores of projects and programmes seen by stakeholders, industry experts believe an investment in fintech has the potential to alleviate hindrances facing greater and wider adoption of the 4IR while offering another avenue of study for pupils in the digital sphere. Fintech firm Signature Business Solutions chief operating officer (COO) told IOL the fintech industry had evolved rapidly in the last decade, which resulted in a benefit to the end consumer and highlighted the importance of data and data security in the industry. COO Shikar Ajodiah believes enhancements in infrastructure and technology, together with…

RETAILERS which have seen profit margins, footfall and trading hours shortened from load shedding and an increasingly financially strapped consumer, are banking on good Black Friday sales to help meet their financial targets for the year. With more than R4 billion of discount deals being offered to local consumers on the day, t has become bigger than Christmas for retailers. As an example of just how important the day has become to retailers, listed clothing group The Foschini Group had this to say in its last results: “As always, the second half of the financial year is heavily dependent on Black Friday and Christmas trade, which will largely determine performance for the full year.” The group said it expects the trading environment and consumer confidence to remain under…

No festive party is complete without a special holiday dessert. And the good news is that there are many amazing sweet treats to choose from, including classic, modern, chocolate, and sugary desserts, and everything in between. The dessert ideas below contain basic instructions for how to make them. Pumpkin pie When it comes to festive dining, our eyes go right to the dessert table, searching for homemade pumpkin pie. With a flaky crust, smooth pumpkin filling, and sweetened whipped cream, what is not to love about pumpkin pie? No holiday is complete without this traditional food for the soul. Pavlova Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It is a meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft and light inside, usually topped with fruit…

If you live in a city, you are probably aware of the rising pollution levels. Exposure to high levels of air pollutants for an extended period or repeatedly may cause serious harm to your skin. As cities continue to get engulfed in smog with the air quality approaching a hazardous level, the harmful pollutants in the air may hamper your skin if appropriate care is not taken. To rescue your skin from harsh pollutants, a team of sensitive skin experts from Cetaphil shares a few tips to ensure our skin doesn't lose its nourishment. Air purifier: Invest in a good air purifier for yourself. Since most allergies stem from dust, a good quality air purifier is ideal to help clean the home environment and remove dust and other harmful particles.…

At the heart of Amenio, one of the most impactful hip hop collaborations of the past decade, is the unbridled joy of a few black kids realising their dreams are finally coming true. On it, the genre’s first true superstar female DJ, Miss Pru, plays host to the supremely gifted roster of fresh talent expertly assembled by the newly founded independent record label, Ambitiouz Entertainment. Emtee, Fifi Cooper, Sjava, A-Reece, B3nchmarq and Saudi all featured on the single, each maximising their limited time to fire off their best lines in a bid to showcase their promise on the biggest stage. They came out of nowhere. Emtee was the early star of this new, jubilant clique thanks to his anthemic debut, Roll Up, and its subsequent remix featuring Wizkid and AKA.…

In an article on cultural appropriation, visual culture scholar Rina Arya writes: “Integral to the definition of cultural appropriation is an asymmetry of power between two cultures that involves the majority/dominant culture taking from the marginalised culture.” So, it’s more productive to think about cultural appropriation in terms of relations of power. For example, in South Africa, Afrikaner nationalists appropriated the local Kaaps language to produce the Afrikaans language, a version that stripped Kaaps of its creolised Khoi San, Arabic and south-east Asian roots to favour its Dutch origins because it could do so. Cultural appropriation is both enabled by power and is an expression of power. How is Die Antwoord a good example of this? Die Antwoord means “the answer” in Afrikaans, the language associated with the dominant white…

UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky almost achieved his wish this week to drag the reluctant Nato onto the battlefield with Russia. A Ukrainian-operated, Russian-made S-300 air defence system missed its target and landed in Poland – a Nato member – killing two people. The incident caused a moment of panic, unprecedented since the outbreak of the war on February 24. Never has tension been so thick in the air that it could be cut with a knife. Although Ukraine is only “an ally” of Nato – the biggest war alliance in human history – and not a member, the military organisation has been involved in the conflict primarily as Ukraine’s backers and bankrollers. Zelensky was quick to sound the alarm, following the unexpected blast on Polish soil, bluntly accusing Russia…

PUBLIC Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has struck again following the suspension of Denel Dynamics CEO Sello Ntsihlele. He has been placed on suspension pending investigation under circumstances described as “strange”. Contrary to legal prescripts, the specific allegations against Ntsihlele will only be disclosed “after the investigations against him are completed”. Ntsihlele was informed of this at a meeting in Pretoria on Friday morning, where he was served with the precautionary suspension letter. The suspension – with immediate effect – was based on suspicions that he had committed various acts of “ill-discipline and gross insubordination”. The case is likely to further fuel allegations that Gordhan has targeted black executives “to build a narrative that blacks are incompetent”. Ntsihlele told the Sunday Independent earlier this month that Gordhan had placed him firmly…

THE safety of South African children is at major risk. It is a painful reality that the country is facing, amid rising reports of child deaths. The country has not had time to grieve the loss of young lives as children continue to go missing or fall prey to violence. As communities pray and work hard to protect their children from predators, they sometimes overlook a danger so much closer to home. The act of filicide refers to a parent killing their child. Child murders across the country involving a biological parent or parental-figure as the perpetrator have seen an increase between 2021 and 2022. Save The Children CEO Steve Miller said: “Violence against children must not, and cannot be tolerated. We need to ensure that no children are murdered…

Having already suffered his “New Dawn”, which has turned out to be a “New Dusk” with warnings of Stage 8 load shedding courtesy of Eskom, do we really need more of the same? Ramaphosa’s New Dawn has been an old disaster dressed in new garb, underpinned by what I call the “New Dithering” – the president’s indecisiveness and fence-sitting approach, which has bee n the hallmark of his regime. This has also communicated itself to the foreign press and diplomatic corps as his dithering and lack of taking the bull by the horns undermine confidence in him and his abilities and, in fact, South Africa itself. South Africa is classified by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income country. Yet, with a dithering head of government, continued load shedding impacting industry…

FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused critics of World Cup host Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers of hypocrisy yesterday, adding that engagement was the only way to improve human rights. In lengthy, and sometimes angry, opening remarks at a news conference on the eve of the start of the tournament, Infantino rounded on European critics of the host nation over the issues of migrant workers and LGBT rights. “I am European. For what we have been doing for 3 000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3 000 years before giving moral lessons,” he said. “I have difficulties understanding the criticism. We have to invest in helping these people, in education and to give them a better future and more hope. We should all educate ourselves.…

HAVING a clear understanding of how to prevent, detect and control diabetes is crucial to curbing its development and utilising appropriate, effective techniques to combat it. Some people get confused between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The primary distinction between type 1 and 2 is that type 1 is a genetic condition that frequently develops early in life, whereas type 2 is primarily a result of lifestyle choices and progresses over time. For Monday’s World Diabetes Day, Nicholas Caracandas, a trainer and the owner of Diabetic Athletic, who has had type 1 diabetes since the age of five, shared his experience of how his love of physical activity helped him better manage his condition. “I typically view diabetes from a pretty standard lifestyle perspective as that one day everything…

The broad factual contours of the story related in She Said are well known: In 2017, New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor published an explosive series of articles about film producer Harvey Weinstein, raising credible allegations that he engaged in serial sexual abuse and assault of actresses and employees over decades. Coming on the heels of Donald Trump’s election, the articles sparked a global movement of similar investigations, reckonings and calls for systemic change. Weinstein was convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020; he’s on trial in Los Angeles and faces similar charges in London. With the outcomes so well-known, the value of an on-screen dramatisation might be questionable. But She Said, adapted from Twohey and Kantor’s book of the same name by…

THE man who was wrongfully arrested and detained for 13 days in connection with the murder of former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain, Senzo Mewiya, has been given the green light to sue the state. Zamokuhle Innocent Mbatha is suing the National Prosecutor Authority (NPA), Police Minister Bheki Cele, and two other officers for more than R21-million. And the matter has been put on the court roll for July next year. Although Cele was not the minister at the time when Mbatha was arrested, he has been included in the lawsuit because he is the current police minister. Mbatha’s lawyer, Mxolisi Ndwandwe, confirmed to Sunday Independent this week that the matter had finally been put on the roll for July 18 next year. “We are finally going to court…

WHEN he joined his former employer as a young IT guy, he was ready to change the world but one particular director took one look at him and told him he could do even better in the media department. The executive, Peter Monaisa, told the wet-behind-the-ears intern Zali Nxabi that, though he held a lot of promise in his chosen career, he had the personality of a media practitioner. “I told him I wasn’t trained in media,” Nxabi recalls, “but he said he’d teach me everything I needed to know.” It was Nxabi’s lively personality that bowled Monaisa over. In no time, the inexperienced media recruit was making waves, winning major accounts for Mineshare, the multinational media agency that Nxabi best describes as “they own everything, including Ogilvy”. He would…

ALL IS not gold for influencer-turned-momfluencer Tali Shapiro. That is how she sees her new chapter. In her new season of Tali’s Joburg Diary, the zany aspiring A-list influencer finds herself leaving Cape Town and returning to her parents’ pool room in Joburg in a bid to cope with the Covid-19 lockdown. The reality star (played by Julia Anastasopoulos) was brought to our screens when she announced her impending nuptials to husband (and property devil) Darren (played by Anton Taylor). Comedian Glen Biderman-Pam is back as Tali’s cousin Rael Rosen, who begrudgingly returns to Joburg to be with the family. Other faces include Safta Award-winning actress Kate Normington, who plays mother Michelle, newcomer Troy Davy as Tali’s son, Jayden, and Naledi Award nominee Sharon Spiegel Wagner (Bedford Wives) as (class…

THE lawyers representing Prince Simakade in his bid to dethrone his younger brother, Zulu King Misuzulu, have accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of failing to provide their client with his record of decision. Before tomorrow’s case management meeting, Hamman Moosa Incorporated, Simakade’s legal representatives, said Ramaphosa had failed to file the record of his decision to recognise Misuzulu. Prince Simakade is suing Ramaphosa; Misuzulu; Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, in his capacity as the traditional prime minister of the Zulus; Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube; the national and provincial houses of traditional leaders; and the Zulu royal family. In his application to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, Simakade, who is the eldest son of late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, says he wants…

Camping has been a part of many people’s lives; it’s a time for families to spend quality time, creating a space to bond. This can be done by pitching the tent together and overcoming challenges away from day-to-day life. No matter the season, SA has camping sites for you and your family to enjoy. Tietiesbaai Beach Camp, West Coast The West Coast is one of South Africa’s treasures; if you’re eager to camp by the sea, it is the perfect spot for you to pitch that tent. The campsite allows campers to choose how and where they’d like to set up; for example, there are campsites for those who prefer a little more privacy away from the crowd. There are 60 caravanning and tenting sites available, giving you the opportunity…

The West Coast is a beautiful part of South Africa, and really brings a sense of peace and tranquillity when you are there – the calm waters, white sand, and peaceful environment might just be the perfect place to enjoy time away to de-stress. Not only did Langebaan Lagoon make it to the global list of the world’s most underrated places, but the Drakensberg is second on the list where experts revealed the world’s hidden gems. They’ve noted that the Drakensberg Mountains, the highest mountains in southern Africa, offer a hiking and camping experience unlike any other, and often go unnoticed. Those who enjoy a challenging experience while hiking will find joy in the Drakensberg. Top 3 of Africa’s most underrated travel experiences Gishora Drum sanctuary in Burundi Gishora Drum…

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced the introduction of park entry fees for visitors to the Dune 7 facilities in the Dorob National Park. The approved park entry fees will assist in ensuring the standards of the popular recreational facility are maintained and the experience of the visitors enhanced, the ministry's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said on Sunday. Muyunda said the management of the recreational area has been difficult for the ministry, with vandalism and litter the main problems. “Dune 7 is a popular attraction area to visitors, but the ablution facilities and other infrastructure have been vandalised to the point where they are non-functional, costing significant amounts to repair. “The ministry, with co-funding from the Game Product Trust Fund, is renovating the existing ablution facilities and constructing…

SAM Nujoma, the former president of Namibia, once told Namibians on national television that children did not come from the internet and encouraged Namibians to follow the prescripts to multiply and fill the world. After all, Namibia’s almost 1 million population then was, and still remains, far from filling Namibia’s vast lands, even at more than a million today. I was last in Namibia on the invitation of their Statistics Office and being a known quantity as a bean counter in the region, I am often asked the unfortunate question to which I have no answer, which is, “Why is our population so small?” However, as a bean counter my job has only been to count the people and nothing more. In their musical career, Jeff Barry and The Archies…

THE growing number of robberies that target delivery courier vans and scooters could harm the reputation and finances of the nascent e-commerce industry. While the South African shutdown caused online sales to peak in 2020, up 66% from 2018, industry participants have raised concern over the rise in thefts targeting scooters and courier trucks. Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, the Gauteng police commissioner, updated the public on vehicle and truck hijackings in the province in March last year. He pointed out that whereas truck hijackings had grown by 31.8%, vehicle hijackings had increased by 5.9%. He said in recent weeks, courier van robberies have drawn attention. According to the E-commerce Forum South Africa (ECFSA), the lockdown caused a larger reliance on online delivery services, with the growing number of attacks on delivery…

Silicon Valley is synonymous with the billionaires club as it houses the biggest names in the tech world: Apple, Google, Meta, LinkedIn and Zoom Video Communications, to mention a few. Of course, we are in the era of tech disruptors and whether, consciously or subconsciously, we’ve all become coverts, in some way. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve switched from conventional TV to streaming platforms, or if you have gone from using regular taxis to now e-hailing services, or from listening to the radio to podcasts, change has come and it has been welcomed. This acceptance has also been accompanied by curiosity and high praise for the faces behind the startups that have become unicorns for venture capitalist investors. Of course, Hollywood wastes little time in bankrolling the stories about the…

Placenta encapsulation is no longer a strange custom. In several Western nations, it is becoming more common. Most of the evidence backing up this rise in popularity is drawn from the subjective accounts of users of placenta pills. Placenta encapsulation is the process of heating, dehydrating and crushing the placenta before converting the resulting powder into tablets or capsules. According to a study by the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), people have also been known to consume the placenta raw, boiled, in smoothies, or as a liquid extract. It is believed that this consumption, which often occurs by a mother after childbirth, may have some health benefits, although this is not supported by science. You should seek the advice of a placenta encapsulation specialist since there are…

The Menu (Cinemas nationwide) A dark comedy horror film directed by Mark Mylod, written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, and produced by Adam McKay, Betsy Koch and Will Ferrell. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor- Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light and John Leguizamo. It tells the story of a young couple and a group of wealthy guests who visit an exclusive restaurant. SPARE by Prince Harry (R399 on loot.co.za) It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched in sorrow – and horror. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling – and how their lives…

THE ANC national executive committee (NEC) has endorsed sweeping changes to the party’s constitution, lending its support to at least 32 areas that needed to be reviewed, including the expansion of the top six officials into the top seven. The party also received further proposals for constitutional amendments from its grass-roots structures, but some were deemed to be “potentially legally, and/or constitutionally defective”. From the grass roots, the party received proposals that ANC members be obliged to reapply for membership after the conference next month. Pensioners aged 65 and above and foreigners could be barred from leadership positions. The proposals that the NEC identified as problematic include that only 30% of NEC members could serve in the Cabinet, “that the concept of policy conferences must be abolished”, and “issues of…

CRACKS have emerged in the ANC Women’s League national task team (NTT) after its convenor, Baleka Mbete, declared that the structure would not make any pronouncements on its preferred candidates for the ANC top six. The erstwhile ANC national chairperson’s statement is in stark contrast with the NTT’s co-ordinator and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special advisor on international relations Maropene Ramokgopa’s announcement of her boss as the ANCWL’s preferred candidate for ANC president at the party’s national conference next month. In an interview last week, Ramokgopa announced the NTT’s preferred candidates for ANC as Ramaphosa to retain his position, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise as his deputy president, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to remain national chairperson, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to be secretary-general, ANC general manager…

SOUTH Africa is entering a transitional phase in its history. While it faces many challenges that need to be overcome, innovation and creative solutions offer hope. Metropolitan introduced the Metropolitan Collective Shapers programme as part of their drive to walk the journey of financial freedom with all South Africans. This youth empowerment initiative aims to equip youth entrepreneurs with specialised knowledge and technical skills in various sectors. To cultivate these leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, there is a need to provide opportunities and empower the youth to reach their full capabilities. In September 2021, Metropolitan established local economies in towns and cities across South Africa. Their goal was to uplift communities across South Africa by honing in on existing skills and passions driving local economies and developing them further. Polokwane was…

TWENTY-nine-year-old SA Idols winner Thapelo Molomo says he has no plans to leave the SAPS. Molomo said this week that he would continue being dedicated to the police force while pursuing his singing career. Molomo, born and raised in Limpopo, joined the men in blue in 2018 as an intern trauma counsellor in the wellness division at the provincial head office. Last year, he was permanently appointed as warrant officer and stationed at Brits in the North West. The newly crowned Idols winner said he is grateful and honoured that he won the competition. He thanked his family, friends, colleagues and viewers who voted for him throughout the season. Molomo said he would not have made it this far without them. The season 18 winner said he had always been…

In the past few years, South Africa has experienced an increasing interest in men’s health, including well-being and mental health. There is growing recognition of the prevalence and implications of depression among men. Although women have higher overall rates of depression, it is essential to recognise that men’s mental health is frequently unacknowledged, undiagnosed, and untreated. According to the South African Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop), suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally, and the prevalence among men is considerably higher than for women. According to Sasop: “South Africa is ranked number 10 on the list of countries with the most suicides, with 23.5 per 100 000 population. Of the 13 774 suicides reported in South Africa, 10 861 were men while 2 913 were women – translating…

JUST energy transition. This is a concept that continues to permeate debates in governments, corporations and civil societies across world. Project 90 by 2030 defines a just energy transition as “a transition towards a sustainable, low carbon and equitable energy system which is better for people and the planet”. Greenpeace, an organisation campaigning for a cleaner environment, sees a just transition as “moving to a more sustainable economy in a way that’s fair to everyone – including people working in polluting industries”. Eskom and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are of the view that such a transition is about not bringing harm to affected communities, protecting affected workers and a gradual move to a low-carbon future. Eskom believes “‘transition’ is the gradual movement towards lower carbon technologies”, while the…

THESE days it’s difficult to decide whether or not we should drive or fly, because equally, it’s heavy on the pocket, right? There are factors to consider before that long-deserved trip: The time factor Flying allows you to multi-task and manage your time. You can even grab a coffee or stroll in the stores. But take into consideration: finding a parking bay, checking-in, going through security checks, boarding and exiting the plane, as well as waiting for an Uber. You’re at the whim of airlines. The cost factor When you fly, there are factors such as hiring a car or Uber from the airport. Although having a car comes with servicing and wear-and-tear of tyres, it’s still the best option. Going on a road trip with more than one person…

According to stats, local travellers were the heroes for South Africa’s struggling tourism industry as travel began to fully reopen at the end of last year, and this seems to be the trend for this year as well. Mzansi’s holidaymakers are choosing local travel for the second year in a row despite rising inflation, fuel shortages, and high flight prices. When it comes to travel, South Africans are spoiled for choice with the sheer variety of landscapes, activities, and holiday spots across the country. According to Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront general manager Clinton Thom, responsible tourism has taken on a new emphasis as South African travellers turn their attention to the most effective ways to enable their own economy to further recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. “There…