Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-05-31 i Star

INEPT government decision-making was there for all to see in a High Court judgment that set aside a Gauteng gambling regulation amendment that would have stripped horse racing totaliser Phumelela Gaming and Leisure of the levy it requires to fund horse races. Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, Judge Stuart Wilson ordered yesterday that Phumelela be repaid the levies. “Taking a step back, it is hard to imagine a process more festooned with the rituals of fairness and rationality, while being so obviously devoid of their content,” the judge commented. He wrote in his judgment that he was not able to decide on the fairness of the amendment, because the procedure that Gauteng’s then MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, had adopted in the amendment of regulation 276, “was plainly unfair and…

American singer and songwriter Doja Cat, real name Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, is always making a noise on social media. If she’s not wearing questionable fashion, she’s dragging her South African dad, Dumisani Dlamini, for being a “deadbeat”. She recently had a meltdown on social media. She took to Instagram to shame her father for not having the looks he did in his youth and said he needed some make-up. “Dad, let me know when/if you need me to re-up your make-up cabinet cuz (because) you’re a b****,” she wrote. She continued: “I got Urban Decay, I got Pat McGrath Labs, I got Fenty, I got Scott Barnes, let me know, I got your back, sis.” While her followers are used to her controversy, some called her out for disrespecting…

As South Africans headed to the polls for the general elections this week, it was also a time for reflection, especially with it being 30 years of democracy. At the recent Comedy Central and Nandos DemoCrazy: A Roast of South Africa, IOL Entertainment caught up with local entertainers Rob van Vuuren and Siv Ngesi to unpack what this milestone means to them. Thirty years of democracy is the buzz phrase on everyone’s lips and one thing that has become evident is it has a different meaning for each citizen. For Ngesi, there have been many failures, mixed in with a lot of positive aspects during the past three decades. “There’s been positive things, there's been negative things,” he said. “I’m very proud to be a South African and I really…

Police in Gauteng have arrested at least 20 people in connection with election-related crimes, as the law enforcement agents seek to maintain peace after the voting and throughout the collating of the votes. On Wednesday night, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) was forced to rope in thousands of counting officers to help mitigate long queues at some voting stations. There were snaking queues late last night at metros in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape which forced the IEC to request counting officers, who were due to work later, to come in earlier. A day after the voting process, Gauteng police provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni said the number of people arrested for election-related crimes had increased to 20 – from the time President Cyril…

UNISA will confer an honorary doctorate on the distinguished general secretary of the Council for World Mission and a staunch proponent of social justice, the Reverend Professor Dr Jooseop Keum during a graduation ceremony to be held at its Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria today. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (Honoris Causa) will be conferred on Keum in recognition of his immense contributions to global peace, economic and ecological justice, his centering of people in the margins through mission theology, his efforts at empowering youth and women in the ecumenical movements as well as his efforts in promoting justice and human rights through mission work. Keum has not only been a staunch proponent of social justice, but also of liberation movements, the anti-colonial and anti-Apartheid movement globally. His…

South Africa’s biggest culinary extravaganza, the Mzansi Food & Drink Show, is set to take place at the Kyalami International Convention Centre from June 15 to 17. The mega festival will incorporate previous shows, including the Fire & Feast Meat Festival and the Coffee & Chocolate Expo, as well as new additions such as the Fine Food & Wine Show, the Bar & Good Spirits Showcase and the Mzansi Food Market. Visitors will be able to enjoy food and drink tastings, cooking demos, masterclasses, braai competitions, exclusive offers and a marketplace filled with gastronomic delights. It promises to be a fun-filled event, catering for the whole family, over a long weekend that includes Youth Day on June 16 and Father’s Day on June 17. Hanli Goncalves, portfolio director of the…

Over the past three decades, the ANC has presided over South Africa with the promise of uplifting the marginalised and providing a better future for all. Yet, for millions living in informal settlements and townships, the reality is in stark contrast to the lofty promises. The conditions in these areas remain deplorable, reminiscent of the hardships faced by the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. The parallel underscores the ANC’s hypocrisy: while vocally supporting the Palestinian cause, it has neglected its own citizens’ plight, failing to deliver on the basic tenets of human dignity and development. In the shadow of South Africa’s urban centres lies a harsh reality. Informal settlements and townships are plagued by inadequate housing, lack of sanitation, limited access to clean water and insufficient health care. The education…

The Proteas have been blessed with an abundance of talent over the years, but they have only come as close as the penultimate round of any ICC World Cup event. Now the US and West Indies offer another opportunity for glory when coach Rob Walter and his team kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on Monday (4.30pm SA time start). History and reputation will be thrown out ofthe window as execution under pressure take centre stage, with a lot at stake. A Graeme Smith-led Proteas side suffocated a strong Indian team in a 12-run defeat, chasing 131 for victory at the 2009 T20 World Cup. India were given a taste of their own medicine as five of the eight wickets were picked up by spin as…

The Lions are currently ninth in the United Rugby Championship standings on 49 points, with Benetton in eighth and Edinburgh in seventh. Despite having a superior points difference of +133 – with Benetton on -14 and Edinburgh on +44 – captain Marius Louw’s team will be judged by matches won. Benetton, who host Edinburgh in Treviso tomorrow (2pm kick-off), have won 10 matches and the Scottish franchise 11. Ulster start the weekend in sixth on 53 points and a points difference of 33, but crucially have won 11 matches, too. They play Munster away tomorrow (6.15pm). The Lions can finish as high as sixth, which will ensure Champions Cup rugby next season, with as much as 54 points and 10 wins. Finishing seventh also ensures Champions Cup qualification. Due to…

Springbok Sevens interim head coach Philip Snyman wants to see his side return to winning six games at a tournament to triumph – like it was in the past with him as a player. A struggling season, in which they replaced their former coach Sandile Ngcobo after winning only one regular season SVNS tournament, will come to a close in Madrid this weekend, where the Blitzboks will look to have one last hurray. Snyman knows all too well the feeling of winning six games in a row to claim gold at a tournament, so he will be the perfect person to motivate the side as they navigate a tough pool. Ireland will be up first this afternoon (2.37pm kick-off, SA time) as the Blitzboks strive to win the Grand Final…

With threats across the park, the South African derby between the Stormers and Lions tomorrow (1.45pm kick-off) in Cape Town promises to be an exciting end for both sides to the United Rugby Championship round-robin season. The hosts will be looking to play their typical Stormers running rugby that is built on a solid set-piece foundation. The Lions will want to front up with their heavyweights to allow their talented back line to counter the Cape side. We looked at five key battle points that could determine the result... Scrum war It will all begin here for both sides. The Stormers and Lions possess some of the strongest scrummagers in the URC, and the sparks could fly between the front-rankers as they try to push each other off the ball.…

MORE THAN 300 politicians, health experts and celebrities yesterday called for US pharmaceutical giant Gilead to allow cheap, generic versions of a promising new HIV drug to be produced, so it can reach people in developing countries most affected by the deadly disease. The drug Lenacapavir could be a “real game-changer” in the fight against HIV, according to an open letter to Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day signed by a range of former world leaders, Aids groups, activists, actors and others. Lenacapavir, which was approved for use in the US and the EU in 2022, only needs to be injected twice a year, making it particularly suited for people normally “excluded from high-quality health care”, the open letter said. “We urge Gilead to ensure that people in the Global South living…

THE SOUTH African Reserve Bank (SARB) has delivered hope that the cost of borrowing could soon be eased for financially constrained consumers as it remained bullish that consumer inflation will slow towards the midpoint of its 3% to 6% target range earlier than expected. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago yesterday said the bank was now seeing inflation – which is currently at 5.3% – stabilising at its 4.5% objective in the second quarter of next year. This is an improvement on the SARB’s forecast made in March, which only reached this milestone at the end of 2025. The inflation projection for this year was left unchanged at 5.1%, but Kga-nyago said the changes to the outlook were not large when compared to the March forecast. “Average inflation for 2025 is only…

ARCELORMITTAL South Africa (Amsa), which was recently caught up in a global strike action regarding emissions from its operations, is under- taking efforts to minimise its climate risks, although some lobby groups allege the company was struggling to attain this. Last month the Fair Steel Coalition, representing South African communities where Amsa has steel manufacturing operations in South Africa, staged protests against the alleged environmental pollution by the steel producer. The protests were staged at the Luxembourg head office of Arcelor- Mittal, the parent company for Amsa. Following Amsa’s annual general meeting (AGM) last week, Just Share – a shareholder activist group – said Amsa was South Africa’s third-largest carbon emitter. However, Amsa told Business Report yesterday that it had put in place a robust set of mitigation actions…

Talk in THE run-up to the elections about the introduction of “prescribed assets” generated angry rumblings from the investment industry. But what exact- ly are prescribed assets and how would their adoption affect consumers? Prescribed assets refer to laws requiring that a portion of one’s investments be allocated to certain types of assets. The requirement would apply to pension funds, but could include retail investments, such as unit trust funds. The funds would be forced by law to invest in government-backed social and infrastructure projects and State-owned enterprises in the form of government bonds. In other words, if the laws regulating pension funds were amended to allow for prescribed assets, funds might be required to apportion, say, 15% of their capital to bonds for specific government initiatives. The issue was…

A 7% DIP IN Woolworths’ stock on the JSE yesterday characterised the South African retailer’s expected 20% plunge in full-year earnings, as the consumer market remains depressed amid challenging conditions. Woolworths’ share price dived 7.24% on the JSE to close at R55.75 as investors digested its bleak earnings forecast. The retailer cautioned yesterday that its headline earnings per share for the 53 weeks to the end of June is expected to be 20% lower compared to earnings for the year 2023 period. This was due, in part, to the inclusion of the David Jones business, as well as the profit on disposal realised for the 2023. Woolworths had anticipated the outlook for January to June 2024 period to remain challenging “considering the continued pressure on consumer disposable income from high…

PRIDDY Ugly’s last album, Dust, has reached a significant milestone with 4 million streams on Spotify. In 2023, after 15 years in the music industry, the South African rapper announced that he was retiring from music. He took to social media to share his thoughts, stating that Dust would be his final album. He wrote: “It’s been 15 years. That’s 3 albums and 3 mixtapes. That’s 5 EPs, 500 features and thousands of verses, millions of minds blown (that’s word to my pen). “That’s a whole wife and daughter, some homies gained, some homies lost, some bruised egos and a whole lot of love, some wins, some losses, some horns, some crosses. “This last stretch of making music has been completely daunting and it’s not coming from the audience. “Creating…

A new documentary, which details the incredible story of Nolo Letele, the former MultiChoice group executive chairperson, is set to air on DStv. Yes, to the Impossible: The Nolo Letele Story, encapsulates Letele’s pursuit to empower Africa’s narrative in the global broadcasting landscape. Growing up amid the fervour of Africa’s quest for independence, Letele’s upbringing ignited a vision for the continent to carve its unique voice in the broadcasting arena. The documentary chronicles his dedication to realising this vision, showcasing his role in shaping the African broadcast media industry. After completing his studies in electronic engineering at the University of Southampton in the UK, Letele encountered the stark reality of limited opportunities for black electronics graduates in South Africa. Undeterred, he ventured into Lesotho’s broadcasting sphere where he spearheaded the…

Thai cuisine is renowned worldwide for its bold flavours, aromatic herbs, and vibrant colours. Mastering Thai cooking techniques allows you to recreate the authentic flavours of this rich culinary tradition in your own kitchen. According to experts, the key to cooking any Thai dish is balancing the five key flavours – sour, bitter, salty, sweet and spicy. Here are the best tips and tricks for cooking authentic Thai food at home. Use coconut milk to make soups, stews and curries Coconut milk is a great base cooking liquid for soups and stews. In a large pot with a little bit of oil, sauté onions, garlic, and whatever other aromatic vegetables you are using for about five minutes, then add spices and salt (and meat if you are using it), then…

An undisclosed amount of money was stolen at the KwaThema licence renewal drive-through centre in Ekurhuleni during a break-in at the government premises. Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Lieutenant-Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, said the break-in was believed to have happened over the weekend, but was only discovered when staff reported for duty. “On Monday at 8am, the EMPD’s licence division members who reported for duty noticed that the official building was ransacked and an undisclosed amount of cash was missing, (including) the safe which was mounted securely on the wall,” said Thepa. “As the staff members entered the municipal premises, they could pick up that the place was robbed, and the EMPD’s security and loss control unit, and SAPS members were summoned. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the break-in…

Post-election day, the DA took an early lead in Gauteng, with a 33.8% share of the vote. However, the provincial results took a turn yesterday, with the ANC in top position with 138 104 votes and the blue party in second position with 126 683 votes around 3pm. Speaking to The Star, the DA noted it was optimistic about the final round of results, explaining that securing second position as the official opposition party meant its provincial caucus had a good and clean track record. “It is too early to make any accurate predictions for Gauteng. We are optimistic about our final results, and believe that any growth is a result of various factors. This includes a good record in government, especially in the Western Cape and Midvaal. Our…

THE 45 municipal workers who were dismissed by the City of Tshwane after being accused of serious crimes during last year’s unprotected wage strike want to be reinstated. The group were among more than 100 workers who were fired during the four-month strike led by the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu). The strike was marred by incidents of violence and acts of sabotage on service delivery. During the strike more than 250 municipal vehicles were torched and buildings and infrastructure damaged – allegedly by the strikers. This week, the disgruntled group demonstrated outside the city’s fleet management offices in Pretoria, where mayor Cilliers Brink launched a newly-purchased fleet of 161 vehicles valued at R60 million. Their representative, Isaac Ndalamo, said they would continue to demonstrate in public “until the…

STAFF and students at the North-West University (NWU) who are at the forefront of promoting and enhancing its culture and reputation received recognition during a prestige event at the Three Rivers Lodge in Vereeniging. It was the second year that the institution had presented its Media and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Recognition Awards. Fourteen key influencers received recognition in eight categories for their valued contributions as brand ambassadors. Each received a trophy and a cash prize. The awards are the result of nominations by staff and students, across the university’s three campuses, of their peers who were quoted in the traditional and digital/social media, as well as of those who had promoted and demonstrated the NWU’s values in 2023. A panel consisting of staff and students adjudicated the nominations. Vice-chancellor Professor…

Ingredients Green curry paste: 1 punnet (20g) fresh coriander 3 cloves garlic, peeled 2cm knob fresh ginger, peeled and cut into small chunks 1 stalk fresh lemongrass 3 spring onions 2 green chillies Juice (30ml) and grated peel of 1 lime Generous pinch salt 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 can coconut milk 1 cup vegetable stock 2 tsp fish sauce 1 tsp (5ml) castor sugar 1 packet (230g) PnP tasty Stem broccoli, halved 2-3 fillets (500-750g) salmon (or any firm white fish), skinned A few squeezes of lime juice 1 packet (250g) rice noodles, cooked according to packet instructions For serving: Fresh basil and coriander Red onion, sliced Roasted and chopped peanuts PnP crispy onion sprinkle Lime wedges Method Place curry paste ingredients into a food…

THE South African Music Charts, which provide an overview of the most recent chart-topping tracks, show that multi-award-winning musician Makhadzi is among the local artists whose work is thriving. Her brand-new single, Number 1, featuring Iyanga and Prince Benza, debuts at #9 on the local charts, securing a spot alongside big hits such as Tshwala Bam, which has maintained its grip as number 1. The 27-year-old Limpopo singing sensation is known for her energetic stage presence and is celebrated for using her home language, Tshivenda, in her music. This comes hot on the heels of her securing a nomination at the 2024 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards. The American awards recognise black celebrities and other minorities in music, movies, sports, and philanthropy. Makhadzi took to her Instagram page to express…

Bayern Munich’s new coach Vincent Kompany outlined his playing style for the German champions yesterday, saying he will demand absolute aggression and bravery from his players. Belgian Kompany has signed a deal until 2027 after he parted ways with Burnley following their relegation from the Premier League. Bayern, Bundesliga champions in the previous 11 seasons, finished third behind Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart. They also failed to win domestic or European silverware for the first time in more than a decade, leading to the departure of coach Thomas Tuchel, which was announced in February. “For my side, it is simple. What you coach is who you are as a person,” Kompany told a news conference yesterday. “My personality is I grew up on the streets of Brussels. I was in…

The Sharks will field their strongest possible side against the Bulls in tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship final league clash at Kings Park (4.10pm kick-off) but what shape they will be in remains to be seen. The Sharks have been basking in the afterglow of their Challenge Cup final defeat of Gloucester in London last week, but coach John Plumtree feels the magnitude of the occasion might have taken a toll. “This Bulls game is a massive challenge for us in terms of preparation,” Plumtree said. “We only just got back, and our week has been compromised. We put a lot of energy into winning the Challenge Cup, but yes, we must sign off the season on the right note.” The Bulls travel to Durban with the mission of winning the…

THE RAND PLUNGED more than 1% to temporarily breach the R18.70 mark against the US dollar yesterday, its lowest since early May, after early election results indicated that South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC, might lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years of democracy. Investors were concerned that the ANC’s loss of majority electoral support could result in alliances with populist parties that have threatened to nationalise assets ranging from land to banks. Preliminary numbers showed that the ANC’s support was hovering around 43.4% after more than 20% of votes were counted, a far cry compared with its final vote count of 57.5% in the 2019 national election. Days before the elections, the rand was trading at R18.34 to the greenback. Old Mutual Group chief economist…

BHP WALKED away from its nearly $50 billion (R925bn) offer for Anglo American as it was not willing to overpay and compromise on what it believed to be the right strategy and structure of the London- and Johannesburg-listed resources group. This comes as Anglo American on Wednesday rejected BHP’s request for a further extension to the May 29 deadline for it to make a firm offer, resulting in BHP walking away from making a firm offer as required by London listing rules. “BHP Group Ltd confirms that it does not intend to make a firm offer for Anglo American plc,” BHP said in a statement shortly before the 5pm London deadline. “BHP walks away from Anglo deal. (It is) not prepared to overpay,” said Wayne McCurrie, FNB wealth and…

INSURER Old Mutual says it is in the process of testing OM Bank with partner banks in the industry. It said this yesterday in an operating update for the quarter ended March 31 as it announced that it had delivered double digit sales growth. In April 2024, Old Mutual said the Prudential Authority had granted the group approval to establish OM Bank subject to certain licence conditions. “The substantive pro- gress on both the perimeter review and the bank-build are concrete proof-points of our focus on strategic execution to accelerate value creation,” it said. The insurer said: “Overall, we expect our diver-sified business to remain well positioned for growth and we delivered double digit sales growth across our business for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.” This was as the…

IN A bold and unwavering move, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has intensified its compliance focus on both small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and high wealth individuals (HWIs), showcasing its non-discriminatory approach to ensuring tax compliance across the spectrum and collecting tax revenues due. The reinvigorated targeting of HWIs is fuelled by Sars’ use of data-driven insights, derived from both South African and international sources, to detect any degree of non-compliance and hold the perpetrating taxpayer accountable. In line with Sars’ strategic objective of making compliance easy, an “SMME Compliance Programme” was created, which is at 80% completion on pilot testing, with the goal of correcting non-compliant behaviour among SMMEs proactively. The saga of Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize offers a vivid real-life example of the consequences of tax evasion.…

Ryan Reynolds, pictured, said that he “loves” having anxiety. The 47-year-old actor has spoken openly about his struggles in the past. But he recently explained that he is also “grateful” as he can also see the positives of suffering from the mental health condition, such as being able to help and advise his and wife Blake Lively’s four children – James, 9, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4, as well as a 15-month-old whose name and sex have not been publicly revealed – when they are navigating their own difficulties. Speaking in conversation with Hugh Jackman for People magazine, he said: “Now I love that I have anxiety, I love that I've had anxiety. “Because when I see my kids experiencing some of that, which is probably genetic, I know how…

CULTURE, food and an array of family- friendly festivities are set to take centre stage at the Portuguese Festival, which will be held in Johannesburg this weekend. “Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a food enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun day out, this event has something for everyone,” the event organisers said. The three-day gathering will feature a range of musical acts, which are sure to have attendees grooving the day and night away. Dr Victor and Rasta Rebels will be the headline act tomorrow, while Kurt Darren will perform on Sunday. The event, which has been dubbed “The Original Portuguese Festival”, will also see the likes of rapper Biggie taking to the stage, together with Portuguese dancers and other live acts. “Join them as they celebrate Portuguese culture over…

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are likely set for a new lease on life. There are expectations that coalition politics at national level in the next administration would likely curb privatisation and stronger coalitions would help investor confidence. This is as election results are trickling in as the ballots are counted. Indications are that the governing ANC is on the backfoot on gains made by the DA, EFF and upstart uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). Professor Sandilwe Swana of Wits Business School yesterday said there were many bones of contention that would even determine the extent of privatisation of SOEs. “There will not be the mass privatisation that the ANC and those that voted it to power were likely to see happening,” Swana said. “The emergence of the MKP, for example, signals that…

The Electoral Commission (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal said 17% of votes in the province had been audited by yesterday just before midday. The IEC’s provincial Electoral Officer in KwaZulu-Natal, Ntombifuthi Masinga, provided an update on the elections at the Durban ICC. Masinga said at least 2% of voting stations were still counting votes. The areas included the likes of eThekwini metro, District 22, District 29, Dundee, Newcastle and Kokstad, areas that carried the highest numbers of voters. Masinga said there were some incidents reported in KZN, including where an IEC official was allegedly assaulted by a voter because their name did not appear on the voters roll. Masinga said they sadly heard of two incidents where two people lost their lives. “In the first instance, a voter fell off a bakkie…

POLITICAL analyst Goodenough Mashigo says the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) needs to be properly funded as it is the bedrock of South Africa’s democracy. Mashigo said the reduced funding for the IEC hampered its work. “The IEC needs to be understood not as just a voting institution but also as an educational institution that teaches people about elections, and holds elections every five years and by-elections,” he said. Mashigo said newly established parties had a right to lodge complaints against the IEC. However, he scolded the parties that had representatives in Parliament already, saying they should have pushed for the IEC to get more funding. “This should serve as reminder to them that they didn’t do their job over the past five years,” he added. On the issue…

THE statement that the service supply interruption in the City of Tshwane on election day was a form of sabotage is disingenuous, dangerous, misleading and irresponsible. This was according to the municipal spokesperson Selby Bokaba, who shot down the statement made by former ANC regional chairperson Kgosi Maepa on X that the DA-led coalition deliberately switched off electricity and water in Soshanguve township during Wednesday’s general elections. Maepa’s post on X read: “DA coalition controlled City of Tshwane switches off water and electricity in Soshanguve on election day! It is alleged that the City of Tshwane has switched off water and electricity in Soshanguve from morning.” He further inquired if the interruption of services on election day was not sabotage on the part of the municipality. Reacting to Maepa on…

THE Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa) has donated R120 000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) that raise awareness of the disease. Martlé Keyter, Misa’s CEO: Operations, says R60 000 was raised through the annual Golf Day, while the union donated another R60 000. “We are the majority trade union in the retail motor industry representing more than 65 000 members. The union encourages all its members do undergo regular cancer screenings.” Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, says this cancer accounts for 13% of male deaths from cancer in South Africa. The lifetime risk for prostate cancer in men here is 1 in 15. Early detection is key in the fight against any cancer. “This donation will help the foundation tremendously to continue…

Renowned broadcaster and musician Unathi Nkayi returns as the vibrant host of the upcoming Basadi in Music Awards (Bima) set to take place on August 10. This will take place during Women’s Month, casting a spotlight on women and recognising women’s achievements in music. The theme will be “Girl in the Mirror: Our Re.Flexion”. Think metallics and sequins, but remember the signature Bima footwear twist: sneakers. Speaking about the occasion, Nkayi said women will reflect this year on their journeys and appreciate the strength that they have found in each other. With her dedication to perfection, Nkayi is set on elevating the Bima ceremony, celebrating women’s achievements in music in a style that will be remembered. “There’s magic that happens when you surround yourself with women chasing their dreams and…

Like any scrumhalf, Morné van den Berg takes an almost perverse pleasure in watching his forwards do their business at scrum time. Indeed, the degree of his delight could be a solid indicator as to who will come out tops when the Lions travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers tomorrow (1.45pm kick-off) in their final round and season-defining United Rugby Championship clash. “It is nice when you dominate somebody,” said “Krappie” with a smile this week. “If you see your pack going forward, it’s such a big pressure release while you gain momentum. If there is dominance, you know it is going to be a good day to launch from, to play from and to set up opportunities.” The margins that could decide the outcome between the Lions…

England captain Jos Buttler believes his squad will be better equipped to retain their T20 World Cup title after a miserable defence of their 50-over crown in India last year. England will be one of the favourites for the 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean and the US after beating Pakistan in the final in Australia two years ago. But it was a similar story when many of the same players, Buttler included, travelled to India for the 50-over World Cup – only for England to lose six of their first seven matches. Those reverses included a nine-wicket defeat by New Zealand in their tournament opener, a historic maiden loss to Afghanistan and a record 229-run thrashing by South Africa. Buttler, one of the outstanding white-ball batsmen of his generation,…

That is largely what the Bulls have done this season, and it is totally understandable when your back-three alone is made up of Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Add more Boks – with Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen at scrumhalf and flyhalf. and the outstanding David Kriel at centre – and you quickly realise why the Pretoria side have scored the most tries (81) and most points (613) in the United Rugby Championship this season. It is highly commendable that Jake White and his team have adopted an all-out attacking mindset, but the nagging doubts about their defence persist, especially as they conceded 34 and 35 points respectively in their last two matches against Glasgow and Benetton. So, while White and the players feel that their defence…