Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-22 i Saturday Star

With rising rates of obesity and diabetes in South Africa driven by diet, urbanisation, and sedentary lifestyles, fatty liver disease is no longer a “silent” or rare condition. It’s a growing public-health concern that can quietly damage the liver over the years. Often symptomless in its early stages, this condition, where fat accumulates in the liver, is increasingly common in people with metabolic disorders. If left unchecked, it can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) or even liver cancer. Awareness is key: knowing the risk factors, understanding the symptoms, and making lifestyle changes can all help people protect their liver before irreversible damage occurs. What is fatty liver disease, and why is it so common now? Fatty liver disease (also known as hepatic steatosis) occurs when excess fat builds up inside liver…

I’ve always been fascinated by Selena, full name Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. My first real introduction was the movie Selena with Jennifer Lopez (who did an amazing job, by the way). However, the Netflix documentary Selena y Los Dinos, produced by her brother A.B. Quintanilla and sister Suzette Quintanilla, hits differently. Watching it felt like peeking through someone’s personal scrapbook, only this one was full of music, family chaos, and pure magic. I was equal parts in awe and heartbroken. How does someone so insanely talented, funny, and beautiful get snatched away so young? It’s just … unfair. What grabbed me first wasn’t just her voice, which, let’s be honest, could literally make you stop breathing; it was her raw, effortless beauty. Even as a kid, shy and barely aware of her…

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday warned that conflicts, climate chaos, economic uncertainty, mounting debt, inequality and a collapse in global aid were inflicting massive suffering around the world. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s two-day G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, Guterres said among the world’s largest economies, the G20 can hold enormous influence to ease suffering and ensure that economic growth is widely shared as well as set the world on a better, more peaceful course for the future. “Developing countries – in particular in Africa – are suffering from a perfect storm of shrinking fiscal space, crushing debt burden, and a global financial architecture that is failing to support – or even represent – them adequately,” Guterres stated. He said Africa must have a fair seat in…

Three people, including two Department of Labour registration supervisors, have appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding the department of more than R53 000 in an Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claim. Simphiwe Dube, 22, Fekeza Mathe, 36, and Mathews Pitse, 48, were arrested earlier this week by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the case relates to a fraudulent UIF application submitted in October 2019. “Our investigation found that the claimant was never an employee of the company he claimed to have worked for, yet the application was processed and paid out,” he said. Mathebula said investigators discovered irregularities in how the claim was processed. “It was established that Mr Pitse, who is a registration supervisor at the Department of Labour…

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi defended the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) handling of racketeering certificates relating to former police officers during her testimony at the Nkhabinde Inquiry. She was led by Evidence Leader Advocate David Mohlamonyane and provided a detailed account of the litigation and internal processes surrounding the review of these certificates. Batohi said that Major-General Johan Booysen, in early 2013, launched an application to review and set aside racketeering certificates issued by acting National Director Nomgcobo Jiba. She explained that Booysen had “requested Jiba to make available all documents on which the state had intended to rely,” and that in response, 23 docket files were provided. Of these, Booysen focused on two, claiming that statements in the dockets indicated he had arrived on the scene…

The government has officially classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster, following intensifying nationwide protests and growing concern over the abuse of women and children ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit. The official classification comes after Women for Change led a nationwide shutdown on Friday November 21, the day before the summit, demanding stronger action against GBVF. Minister of Co-operative Governance Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed that the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has formalised the classification. He welcomed the decision by NDMC head Dr Bongani Elias Sithole, who invoked Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). “This decisive action follows a thorough reassessment of previous reports and updated submissions from organs of state as well as civil organisations,” Hlabisa said. “After evaluating…

AMID steep cuts to US foreign assistance, the Trump administration is touting a new plan to provide a powerful HIV prevention drug to countries most affected by the disease in an ambitious push to end the spread of the virus that causes AIDS. But the programme, which saw the first donated doses of lenacapavir delivered to Eswatini and Zambia last week, is already facing criticism from patient advocacy groups because the Trump administration refuses to provide the lifesaving antiretroviral medication free to South Africa, the country with the world’s largest HIV-positive population. Critics say the move appears politically motivated. “The United States will not be contributing doses to South Africa,” Jeremy Lewin, a senior State Department official, told reporters on Monday, adding that the administration instead would encourage countries…

South African-born opera singer Zandile is set to make a celebrated return to the stage with a Solo Recital on November 23, at The Linder Auditorium, Johannesburg. The performance carries special significance, marking her return to the very stage where she first performed alongside the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. She explains that the upcoming recital aims to foster empowerment and diversity within the arts, addressing the limited exposure of classical music in South Africa. For this recital, she will be accompanied by Peter Valentovich, the distinguished Slovakian conductor and song accompanist. Committed to nurturing the next generation, Zandile also uses her platform to mentor young artists and expose youth to classical music and fine arts. “Fine arts and classical music share networks and there’s no reason we can’t work together to…

The energy will be palpable at rAge 2025 as Monster Energy sets up a dynamic zone at Fourways Mall on December 5 to 7, combining gaming, competition and interactive experiences for attendees. At Level 8, the Monster zone will feature racing simulators, MMA challenges, a photo booth, and music, giving visitors a space to compete, connect, and enjoy live events. “Monster treats rAge like a meet-up. It’s an invitation to show up exactly as you are, whether you’re a core gamer, weekend button-masher, F1 nerd, fight-fanatic, or just here to see what the fuss is about and plug into the energy that only live events bring,” the company said in a statement. The MMA machine, a highlight from last year, returns for attendees to test their strikes and combos. UFC…

World-renowned American economist and public policy expert, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, delivered a critique of United States President Donald Trump on Thursday, describing his initial decision to boycott the G20 Summit in South Africa as the result of a "tantrum" and a "four-year-old mentality". The remarks, delivered during the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) 2025 Founder’s Lecture in Pretoria on Thursday, provided a pointed analysis of fading Western dominance and the geopolitical context surrounding the anticipated summit in Johannesburg. Professor Sachs, widely regarded as one of the most influential economists of the modern era, slammed US President Donald Trump’s snubbing of the G20 Summit. Addressing the question of why Mr Trump was not attending the event, Sachs stated: "because he has a four-year-old mentality and he is having a tantrum".…

The haunting echoes of colonial history have been brought into sharp focus across Europe with the recent premiere of a powerful new documentary, UnRest. Directed by Professor Siona O’Connell from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Humanities, the film compels audiences to confront the fundamental struggle for dignity and recognition embedded within post-apartheid archaeology. The documentary, which had its European premiere at Charles University in Prague, revisits a pivotal, contentious moment from 2003 when human remains – believed to belong to enslaved and displaced individuals from the 18th and 19th centuries – were unearthed at Prestwich Street in Green Point, Cape Town. Ancestors or artefacts?: the Prestwich Street struggle The discovery ignited a fierce debate, pitting institutional archaeologists against local community groups. The latter argued passionately for the remains to…

When Customs and Border Protection Officers asked Jesse Agus Martinez about the suspicious bulge in his pants, he claimed that the protrusion was natural – using a Spanish word for a male appendage. But on further inspection, officers say they found two heavily sedated parakeets in his underwear. Martinez, a 35-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Tijuana, Mexico, was indicted Friday after authorities say he attempted to smuggle a protected species – orange-fronted parakeets – into the United States last month without following proper quarantine and clearance procedures. Border agents found the two juvenile birds “breathing but heavily sedated” inside brown sacks that were then tucked into Martinez’s crotch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California said. Martinez repeatedly claimed that the bulge was his “pirrin,” which is…

Nissan has pulled the covers off its new-generation Navara bakkie, and for the first time, it’s not an in-house product. The newcomer is very closely based on the Mitsubishi Triton. Rebadging bakkies is not a new phenomenon. For many years, the Mazda BT-50 was a close relative of the Ford Ranger, and today it’s built by Isuzu on D-Max underpinnings. The latest Volkswagen Amarok is built by Ford, carrying much of the Ranger’s DNA. The Peugeot Landtrek is essentially a Changan Hunter. Built alongside the Triton by Mitsubishi in Thailand through Nissan’s Alliance ties, the new Navara shares its middle and rear sections with the vehicle that it’s based on, right down to the body side creases and outer tail- light contours. The interior is also a close clone of…

With the unabated rise of the SUV, it’s no surprise that the Volkswagen T-Roc is currently outselling its Golf hatchback sibling in Europe. With this in mind, it would be foolish for Volkswagen to ignore the prospect that many fans of its performance models will be making the migration too. Although we have yet to hear about a GTI version of the compact crossover, the Wolfsburg-based carmaker has confirmed that there will be an R version of its second-generation T-Roc, which was revealed in late August. UK media were recently given a sneak preview of the performance model, although the wait will be long, with sales only expected to commence in 2027. According to Autocar, the new T-Roc R will share its Golf R sibling’s highly developed 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine,…

The outlook for consumers seems to be looking up, with inflation set to stabilise towards the end of the year, interest rates coming down, and a rand that has settled within a more predictable range. On Thursday, much as expected, South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Lesetja Kganyago announced that the interest rate would decline by 0.25 percentage points, dropping prime to 10.25%. After holding rates steady at the previous meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee’s unanimous decision takes the total decline in rates between last September and now to 1.25 percentage points. “This will lower the repayments on all sorts of debts, from credit cards and personal loans to car finance and mortgage bonds,” says Stephen Whitombe, MD of the FIRZT Realty group. According to Thys van Zyl, CEO of…

Allan Donald shares a special relationship with India. It was at Eden Gardens, in South Africa’s emotional return to international cricket, where Donald snared the Proteas’ first-ever ODI five-wicket haul. Donald also enjoyed many epic battles with India’s “Little Master” Sachin Tendulkar throughout their glorious careers, earning “White Lightning” the adulation of the Indian public, and was part of the last - and only - Proteas team to win a Test series in India. Twenty-five years later, Temba Bavuma’s Proteas side have the opportunity to carve out their own bit of history this weekend in Guwahati in the second and final Test, which started this morning. Bavuma’s side claimed a famous victory over their hosts last week at the very ground in Kolkata where it all started back in 1991,…

Islam Makhachev and his brother Kurban grew up poor in a remote village in Dagestan, a Russian republic tucked into the mountains between Georgia and the Caspian Sea. Their father farmed and drove a truck. Like many in Dagestan, both boys wanted to become great fighters, perhaps someday in the UFC, which they had seen on television. Both had promise and hoped to train with the great Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, a legendary Dagestani sambo and judo coach who was then preparing his son Khabib to become one of the UFC’s top champions. There was no way Islam and Kurban could afford to train together under Nurmagomedov. Kurban was older than Islam. If either of them was going to train to fight, it would be him. But Kurban had a feeling about…

Form, not sentiment, was the driving force behind the decision to welcome former national captain Dané van Niekerk back into the fold for the upcoming Proteas Women’s home white-ball series against Ireland, head coach Mandla Mashimbyi revealed. On Thursday morning, Cricket South Africa announced the squad for the series, which will be played in Cape Town, Paarl, Benoni, East London, Gqeberha and Johannesburg between 5 and 19 December. Van Niekerk has been selected for the national squad for the first time since September 2021, following the reversal of her international retirement, with the 32-year-old included in both formats after impressing for Western Province. Western Province all-rounder and captain Leah Jones has earned her maiden international call-up for the ODI series. Mashimbyi said her inclusion was a reward for strong all-round…

Declaring gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis in South Africa is big news for the country, and it is great that it has finally been acknowledged. However, it is now time to turn that acknowledgement into action with a clear plan. That was the reaction of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who has led the fight against GBV from within the South African sporting fraternity. Kolisi will lead the world champions into battle against Ireland tonight (7.40pm kick-off) at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in a crucial Test for the Boks. While there will be discussions with his teammates on how they can throw their support behind the cause ahead of the match, Kolisi has urged South Africans to stand up against GBV. Although there are plenty of organisations leading…

The government has welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the interest rate by 25 basis points, saying it will ease pressure on households and support small businesses. This comes after the Reserve Bank announced that the repo rate is now 6.75% and the prime lending rate has been lowered to 10.25%. The government said the move aligns with its efforts to reduce the cost of living, create jobs, and strengthen economic stability, particularly for vulnerable communities. The move has also been welcomed by business leaders and economists, who said the rate cut is likely to ease borrowing costs, support small businesses, and boost consumer and investor confidence. "Government welcomes the decision by the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee to cut the interest rate by 25 basis points,…

In a groundbreaking study that shines a light on the complex pathology of long COVID, researchers have uncovered a significant structural association between microclots and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the blood of affected patients. This finding not only elucidates the underlying physiological interactions at play but also hints at potential therapeutic avenues for managing long COVID symptoms. Microclots, a term gaining traction in medical literature, refer to abnormal aggregations of blood-clotting proteins found circulating in the bloodstream. The concept emerged in 2021, introduced by Prof Resia Pretorius from Stellenbosch University when her team detected these clots in the blood samples of COVID-19 patients. As studies during the pandemic explored their implications for various coagulopathies, microclots captured attention amid fears of prolonged illnesses associated with COVID-19. On the other hand,…

SOUTH Africa is facing a sharp rise in measles cases, leaving thousands of children vulnerable as declining vaccination coverage creates gaps the virus can exploit. Multiple outbreaks have been reported across Gauteng, the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, the Northern Cape, and the Cape Town Metro. The National Department of Health (NDoH) confirmed the flare-ups this week but emphasised that people who completed their childhood vaccination schedule do not need to be revaccinated. Foster Mohale, the department's spokesperson, said children in the public sector should receive two doses of the measles vaccine, delivered as the Measles Rubella (MR) shot at six months and again at 12 months. “The outbreaks are due to sub-optimal vaccine coverage rates and possibly some waning of immunity in vaccinated children,” Mohale said. The National…

Stuart Taylor's latest show lands in Joburg with the kind of easy charm that reminds you why live comedy still feels like a small luxury. Odd Man Out, running at Theatre on the Square, Sandton, until Sunday, November 23, 2025, sees Taylor settling into his 40s with a mix of playful self-awareness and a knack for taking everyday contradictions and turning them into something sharp and instantly familiar. What makes the evening so enjoyable is not a string of punchlines you can predict or retell - quite the opposite. Taylor's quick thinking and impromptu skills add another layer - and while it is hard to tell what's planned and what isn't, he finds a way to weave it seamlessly into the show. He draws you in by sharing slices of…

The Nasrec Memorial Park will be closed due to the G20 Leaders’ Summit this weekend. The company managing the facility announced that the private cemetery will be closed. “Nasrec Memorial Park will be closed on 21 and 22 November due to the G20 Summit,” Calgro M3 Holdings, the owners of the cemetery, said ahead of the two-day gathering. Calgro M3 Holdings did not respond for comment on Friday. Meanwhile, several government departments and entities have indicated the role they will play in the event. The Border Management Authority (BMA) stated that they will operate across all designated ports of entry and that they have remained stable and incident-free. According to the BMA, this is as various heads of state and government, as well as high-level delegations, continue to arrive for…

Colleen McHenry was leading a yoga class when a chicken named Turkey walked behind her and under a window curtain. McHenry soon learned the reason behind Turkey’s strange behaviour: The chicken had laid an egg in her brightly coloured diaper while roughly 50 yogis held their poses. This is an example of what you might find at chicken yoga, a class at a Tampa hotel that allows people to perform downward dog and child’s pose among rescued chickens in diapers. Yoga with animals - goats, dogs and cats - has become popular in recent years. But chicken yoga is another version, offered in a neighbourhood where dozens of wild chickens roam the streets, courtyards and pavements. “Sometimes it’s just so much silly fun that, yeah, people completely forget that they’re…

Whether it’s carting garden refuse, moving house, going away for a long weekend or an extended holiday or a black-tie social event, there’s no doubt that we’re a bakkie nation as the monthly sales constantly remind us. No longer viewed merely as utilitarian bakkies, they have morphed into full-on lifestyle vehicles that we can’t seem to get enough of. I’ve used them for all of the above over the years, and the latest bakkie to join our long-term test fleet is the Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 double cab. The Ranger XLT is the company’s mid-specced offering, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the one to have. At R766 000, it has everything you need, and while models like the Ranger Wildtrak and Platinum offer an extensive range of…

AS the end-of-year holidays draw near, it’s a good time to review your short-term insurance policies to be certain that you are adequately protected and correctly insured. You may even consider shopping around for a better deal or, if you have remained claim-free for an extended period, renegotiate your premiums with your current insurer. You also need to check that insured assets such as your car and home have been properly maintained and that your car is in roadworthy condition. Maintenance failure or vehicle unroadworthiness can result in a claim being rejected. Although you should strive for getting good value for money from an insurer, it is advisable not to skimp on premiums by under-insuring or forgoing insurance altogether. Zanele Gigaba, transformation manager at the South African Insurance Association and…

Mamelodi Sundowns have vowed to stay focused and composed when they face FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the opening match of the CAF Champions League group stages at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The encounter promises to be challenging, mainly because the Congolese visitors have a reputation for employing gamesmanship, as witnessed during their recent clash against Orlando Pirates. Two weeks ago, Lupopo defeated Pirates in a game marred by controversial antics. Notable confrontations led by defender Dieumerci Mukoko later earned him a two-match CAF suspension. Now Pirates’ PSL Big Brother Sundowns are well prepared for Lupopo’s tactical treachery and won’t fall for devious strategies. Sundowns coach Cardoso has emphasised the need for composure on the pitch. “We always make a big effort to make sure players understand that if you have any…

The Proteas are fast becoming an Old Boys Club that has a reunion dinner ahead of every tour to welcome back a long lost member. Last month it was Quinton de Kock that made a sensational comeback in Pakistan, and now Anrich Nortje is back in the Proteas fold after being named in the T20I squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India. Both De Kock and Nortje had not played for the Proteas since last year’s T20 World Cup final defeat to India in Barbados. Nortje’s belated return to international cricket has been more fitness related though as a fractured toe ruled him out of the home T20Is against Pakistan before a back injury sidelined him from the Champions Trophy earlier this year. The 32-year-old speedster was not…

Mamelodi Sundowns have mastered the art of reaching the final hurdle of the CAF Champions League, but they know that, in order to overcome that stumbling block, they need consistency from start to finish. Sundowns reached the continental showpiece semi-final two seasons ago and improved on that last term by reaching the final. That’s why they are eager to be third-time lucky this season. But that’s easier said than done. Sundowns can’t get carried away and think about conquering the continent at this early stage. They need to lay the perfect foundation, where they can build a solid continental campaign, starting in the group stage. The Brazilians will host St. Eloi Lupopo – who eliminated domestic rivals Orlando Pirates in the final round of the preliminary qualifiers – in their…

Travel can be exhilarating, but it often comes with the challenge of disrupted sleep. Whether you’re navigating a cramped airplane at 30 000 feet or enduring the long hours of a road trip, fatigue can take a toll on your body and mind. According to Dr Charlene Gamaldo, medical director at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep, every individual has an optimal sleep window, generally from 11pm to 7am. This is known as your “circadian window”, and travel – especially across time zones – can wreak havoc on your internal clock. With the festive season approaching, when many South Africans will be travelling, it's essential to maintain a healthy sleep routine. Here are some expert tips for sleeping better during your travels: Adjust your sleep schedule before departure: Do this…

Travelling vlogs are all the rage these days, and that has a lot to do with the fact that you probably have most of the gear before you start. The main thing you need is a good camera, and with any smartphone from the last five or so years, the quality is good enough to start a travel channel on your platform of choice. In fact, most phones these days have excellent cameras and record in 4K, which is still cutting edge in 2025. At the core of any travel vlog, filming interesting or pretty scenery is the starting point, and capturing those scenes with decent equipment is paramount. However, there are a few pieces of equipment that can help ensure you get the best footage possible. Microphone: Most travel…

Researchers have found that feeling lonely in childhood can accelerate cognitive decline and dramatically increase the risk of dementia later in life. A major international study has revealed that adults aged 50 and older who experienced frequent loneliness or a lack of close friends in childhood face significantly higher rates of cognitive decline. Crucially, the emotional experience of loneliness, rather than the actual absence of friendships, proved to be the most powerful driver of dementia risk. The researchers noted that people who felt lonely as children entered midlife with poorer memory and weaker thinking skills compared to those who did not. Their cognitive abilities also deteriorated more quickly with each passing year. Even if loneliness fades in adulthood, its imprint may persist for decades. The study, conducted by scientists from…

The first trailer for Disney’s live-action Moana has been released, sparking excitement among fans. However, opinions regarding the outcome of the movie production are divided. Although the movie’s development was known after Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced his casting last year, the release date remained a mystery. Now that the trailer has been released, fans are eagerly anticipating the seemingly distant date of July 26, 2026. The first trailer has successfully showcased the representation of Polynesian culture, generating excitement among fans eager to see their beloved movie and character realised in live-action. However, the change to Moana’s hair, alongside the overall character editing, has led to fan concern. Many express dissatisfaction, suggesting the characters now appear AI-generated. Catherine Laga’aia, who will play Moana, has naturally curly hair. Fans were enthusiastic…

In an impressive display of solidarity and urgency ahead of the G20 Summit, thousands gathered across South Africa to draw attention to the pressing issue of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in honour of those who lost their lives as a result. Yesterday at noon, participants dressed in black lay down in silence for 15 minutes. The action formed part of a nationwide campaign led by Women for Change (WFC), whose petition to declare GBVF a national disaster has attracted more than 1.1 million signatures globally. The organisation highlighted South Africa’s alarming statistics, including 5 578 women murdered in the past year, a 33% increase. WFC urged South Africans, particularly women and individuals from the LGBTQI+ community, to withhold all spending and refrain from both paid and unpaid work. This…

A 26-year-old female employee at Inxiweni Primary School has been arrested in connection with the murders of the school principal Ruth Nozibele Tabu, 58, and administrative clerk Nobantu Njombini, 55, who were shot dead inside the school’s administration block on Tuesday evening. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the suspect was arrested on the evening of Wednesday. "On the evening of November 19, 2025, the police arrested a 26-year-old woman in connection to the murder of the school principal and one admin clerk. “The suspect, who is also an employee at the school, was due to appear before the Tembisa Magistrate's Court yesterday, facing a murder charge," said Nevhuhulwi. The arrest follows the deadly attack that shocked the Tembisa community and prompted a visit from Gauteng…

The Department of Transport has warned that South Africa’s e-hailing operators have just 180 days to convert their charter permits and meter taxi licences to official e-hailing operating licences. Earlier this year, the government officially introduced the long-awaited National Land Transport Amendment Act (2009), which provides the legal framework for regulating e-hailing services across the country. The move also aims to bring stability and peace between the e-hailing sector and traditional taxi operators, who have long expressed concerns over competition from app-based services. National Spokesperson Collen Msibi said that the department was committed to ensuring a fair and regulated environment for all public transport operators. "The Department of Transport has urged e-hailing operators to convert their charter permits and meter taxi operating licences to e-hailing operating licences. "This comes in…

Travellers requiring accessibility support needs have voiced frustrations about communication barriers with local airlines, which they reveal can turn a simple travel journey into a stressful and sometimes unsafe experience. The issue was highlighted recently when national deaf rugby players were left in the dark after their FlySafair flight was diverted to Cape Town due to a technical outage at Gqeberha’s airport. The airline later apologised, but for many, the incident underscores persistent accessibility gaps in South Africa’s aviation system. Yuvini Gounden, a deaf professional and representative of Convo South Africa, a company providing communication services for people with hearing and/or speech disabilities, shared her own experiences navigating air travel. “Airlines and airports can take real-time actions to reduce stress, confusion, and safety risks for deaf passengers during disruptions,” Gounden…

As the unmistakable high-pitched gasp associated with pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough”, continues to echo in South Africa, a slight increase in cases has raised significant concern among health professionals. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has reported that while pertussis numbers remain relatively low in 2025, the highly contagious nature of this respiratory infection demands vigilant action. “Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection, and most people recover after a prolonged period of coughing, but for some it can lead to pneumonia and other potentially life-threatening complications – especially for young children, pregnant women, and older people,” explains Dr Rubena Sathar, a general practitioner (GP) at Netcare Medicross Cape Road. The onset of pertussis is often insidious. Initial symptoms can be mistaken for a common cold, with…

South Africa’s street dance scene is in full swing as the Red Bull Mzansi Crew Battle returns, showcasing some of the country’s most dynamic and diverse dance styles. From the infectious groove of Amapiano to the sharp footwork of Pantsula and the expressive rhythms of Sbujwa, crews are battling it out for the prestigious title of Mzansi Crew Battle Champions 2025. The competition, which debuted in 2024 to overwhelming excitement, is back with even bigger ambitions this year. With three regional qualifiers leading up to the national final at Constitution Hill on December 7, the event continues to unite dancers, cultural icons and devoted fans in celebration of local talent. Returning judge and renowned dancer Hope Ramafalo tells the Saturday Star that she is thrilled to witness how far…

A wide network of road closures and rolling traffic restrictions will be in place until tomorrow, affecting major highways and urban routes across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni as South Africa is set to host world leaders for the G20 Summit. Road closures will impact key areas of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni. Major routes impacted include national and regional highways such as: N1 (multiple interchanges including Atterbury, Garsfontein, John Vorster, Brakfontein, Allandale, Buccleuch, Rivonia, 14th Avenue, Maraisburg) N3 (north and south flyovers) N12 (Elands, Reading, Comaro, Xavier, Diepkloof) N14 R21 (Voortrekker and Atlas off-ramps) R24/N12 west junction M1 (Woodmead through Glenhove, Jan Smuts, Empire, M2 Crown, Xavier, Golden Highway) Urban arterials Sandton: 5th St, Maude St, Daisy St, Rivonia Rd, Grayston Dr, Katherine St Melrose Arch: Whiteley Rd, Melrose Blvd, Athol…

As South Africa plays host to the first G20 Summit on African soil in Johannesburg this week, the inclusion of the African Union (AU) among the 42 nations and organisations that have confirmed attendance is thanks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and lobbying back in 2023, positing that there is no global growth without Africa. The bold and laudable initiative by Modi to have the AU included in the G20 as a full member confirms India’s standing as a trusted friend and supporter of Africa. Modi’s efforts to deepen relations between his country and our continent must be welcomed, and they also highlight the importance of forming ties with stronger nations to chart Africa’s growth. The inclusion of South Africa as the only country from the African continent…

Two young South African dancers have won the top honours at the inaugural American Academy of Ballet (AAB) Performance Awards Competition, held last Saturday at the Roodepoort Theatre. The American Academy of Ballet, a New York-based organisation established by South African ballet pioneer Mignon Furman, announced the winners of the Grand Prize in both the junior and senior divisions of the South African competition. According to the AAB: “The American Academy of Ballet (AAB) is delighted to announce the two winners of the Grand Prize (junior and senior division) of the inaugural South African Performance Awards Competition that was held last Saturday at the Roodepoort Theatre.” The Performance Awards programme is an international system that allows dancers to perform choreographed routines before a judge and receive a certificate and medal,…

Nairobi dog lovers showed off their four-legged friends in an array of quirky, colourful outfits Sunday as the Kenyan capital’s annual dog show returned with the theme of “Pawchella”. From Mexican-style sombreros to East Africa’s Maasai-inspired shukas – and even coordinated owner-pet outfits – the fashion spectrum was as bold as it was adorable. Dubbed the Shaggy Dog Show, the annual event is organised by the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) for pups rescued from abuse or the street. “We get 6 000 calls a year for immediate, urgent help,” KSPCA’s chief Emma Ngugi said adding that the emergencies arise from car accidents, human cruelty or sickness. With the theme “Adopt, don’t shop!”, many of the rescued dogs stealing the spotlight in full glam are…

Try and get a reservation at South Africa’s most popular caravan parks for next month and you’d be hard-pressed to find one available. We’re a nation that loves to hitch something behind our vehicles and head into the outdoors, and whether it’s a packed campsite next to the ocean, one of our beautiful national parks or a remote park, you’ll find some sort of attachment behind a car ranging in price from a few thousand rand to more than a million rand. Off-road caravans, road caravans, off-road trailers, and small Venter-type boxes bouncing around merrily behind cars are common over the holiday season. And while we place a lot of emphasis on getting our cars ready before a long trip, caravans and trailers tend to be forgotten until it’s…

By the time James Watson died earlier this month at the age of 97, he was one of the world’s most famous – and infamous – scientists. In 1953, he and three fellow researchers co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA – a breakthrough that unlocked the secrets of how life works. The discovery revealed how a molecule could store and copy genetic information, providing a chemical mechanism for heredity, evolution and the immense diversity of life that gave rise to what Charles Darwin famously described as “endless forms most beautiful”. But Watson’s legacy is complicated by his later history of bigotry and racism, including years of denigrating comments about people of African descent, women and gay people. His views first gained widespread public notice in a 2007 interview when he…

With housebreaking incidents historically spiking up to 48% in December too many homeowners leave for their well-deserved breaks with a mindset of ‘it will not happen to me’. We believe that being prepared is the difference between celebrating with peace of mind and coming back to loss, stress, and a complex insurance battle. To help homeowners and travellers shield their assets, here is a five-point approach that addresses theft, property damage, and overlooked risks: Document absolutely everything Imagine returning from a week-long break to find your laptop and jewellery gone. Taking five minutes to photograph and note model numbers, serials, and approximate replacement costs can save weeks of stress and thousands in potential claims. Share these records with your insurer to make any future claims seamless. Confirm your coverage Verify…

Charles Leclerc delivered a reminder of Ferrari’s lingering bite under the neon glare of Las Vegas, posting strong times across both practice sessions and signalling that the Scuderia may not be ready to quietly bow out of a disappointing season. While McLaren’s “Papaya power” and Red Bull’s late-season resurgence have dominated the title conversation, Leclerc’s pace suggested Ferrari could still throw a wrench into the championship fight if circumstances swing their way. Leclerc topped FP1 in Vegas with a 1:34.802, edging out Williams’ Alexander Albon by 0.166 seconds. Albon’s impressive 1:34.968 put him second, while Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli took third with a 1:35.015, all on a green, slippery circuit that punished mistakes and rewarded confidence. The session belonged to Leclerc, though; his early pace established a benchmark even the…

Mitchell Starc said yesterday he was always confident in his ability to take wickets after bagging seven on the opening day of the first Ashes Test, with more of the same needed to keep Australia alive. The 35-year-old was a one-man wrecking ball against England at Perth Stadium, taking 7-58 to skittle them for 172. The tourists responded with their own fast-bowling fire, reducing Australia to 123-9 at stumps to leave the match finely poised. Starc began his destruction in the first over by removing Zak Crawley and was at times unplayable. “I mean, it’s always the plan, isn’t it? But it doesn’t always happen that way,” he said of his knack for bagging wickets in the first over. “I’ve just been pretty fortunate to have done it a few…

Building an immediate narrative of aspiration and confidence, Arsenal’s Spanish pair Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi insist that Arsenal’s superb start is not a fluke, but the result of a deep-seated determination to end the club’s wait for major honours. “Hopefully, this is the year, but what Martín says is also very important – that after so long, people haven’t given up… If you’re not here to win titles, I don’t think you’re in the right place,” said Merino. Zubimendi describes the core spirit of the change room as “resilience”, forged by past near misses. “Instead of pressure, that’s become a motivation for everything that’s coming. And honestly, I see the team more eager than ever, the coach, who’s been here for many years, more eager than ever. The ones…

Townships are often seen as places fraught with challenges, yet they represent a vibrant part of South Africa’s cultural and historical tapestry. With approximately 532 townships scattered across the country, these areas are home to nearly half the nation’s population, contributing significantly to its economic landscape. For anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of South African life, nothing beats the authenticity of a township tour. These guided experiences offer a unique window into the past, present and future of communities that endured the oppressive legacy of apartheid but have emerged resilient and dynamic. A journey through the townships allows travellers to engage with a complex history while enjoying a modern cultural experience. Gauteng, with its largest township population, and the Western Cape are prime locations for these tours. Township…