Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-03-12 i Sunday Independent

New artificial intelligence tools promise to unleash a wave of innovation. Unchecked, the same tools threaten to swamp us with misinformation and falsehoods. ChatGPT, the most popular of the Generative AI tools, automates creation of human-level writing. It does so by predicting the most likely thing that a human being would have written next in an any given situation. The results, as numerous breathless commentators will attest, are impressive, from credible-sounding academic texts to Shakespearean sonnets generated from just short prompts written in plain English. But they’re only as good as the material they work with. The platforms extrapolate from the huge corpus of text that has been uploaded to the internet over the past few decades. Given what humanity has been writing about in those years, the input data…

Whatever happens in the world, somewhere, star-crossed lovers will enter into new agreements to spend their lives together. Whether you’re planning to do it on one knee, shouting from the hilltops or under a starlit canopy, make sure that your engagement experience is unique and most importantly, thoughtful. A relaxed approach This day can be rather nerve-racking and exciting for both parties, that’s why the relaxed approach could be the best option. At the top of the list are couples’ spa experiences. A half-day package could include a welcome drink and snack, and a couples massage. Taking into account what you can afford, feel free to spoil your soon-to-be life partner. At-home trend Some people are choosing an even more relaxed experience by staying in, cooking a meal and popping…

Have you ever felt a sense of joy because you knew you were missing out on an invitation to a party, shiny new opportunities or the latest social media posts and influencer trends when you were “unplugged”? If so, then you have probably experienced “jomo” – the joy of missing out. Jomo is a rather unusual form of joy because it involves positive feelings due to the absence of an event or experience rather than the presence of a positive event. But that doesn’t make it any less valuable for supporting well-being. In many ways, jomo can be considered the opposite of “fomo” – the fear of missing out. Fomo involves experiencing anxiety and other negative emotions because of a concern that somehow other people are having more fun, living…

During former President Donald Trump’s campaign and presidency, the word narcissism became something of a buzzword. And in recent years the word has been popularised on social media and in the press. As a result, social media and other online platforms are now rife with insights, tips, stories and theories from life coaches, therapists, psychologists and self-proclaimed narcissists about navigating relationships with narcissists or managing one’s own symptoms. The term “narcissism” is commonly used to describe anyone who is egotistical and self-absorbed. Someone who exhibits narcissistic traits may have a personality disorder known as narcissistic personality disorder. Over the past decade, the rapid development of social networking sites has caused profound changes in the way people communicate and interact. Social media websites such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram can feel…

GREAT Britain’s dehumanising history of colonialism has been too cruel, and its scars – physical and emotional – linger on to this day. However, like the rest of the global north, the less attention is given to their collective history of imperialism, the lesser the guilt they feel about their heinous past in Africa, Asia and Latin America and virtually everywhere on the planet. Continents and countries have been destabilised by self-serving foreign policy objectives of imperialist colonial masters such as the UK. Languages, traditions and cultures of subjugated smaller and weaker nations across the global south had been all but obliterated and replaced by the philosophy of life of the conquerors. This heinous history hurts too deeply in the soul and mind. Men, women and children died at the…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet reshuffle this past week was an act of “patronage to his supporters and punishment to his enemies” and “it wasn’t done in the best interests of the people”. Opposition party members and political commentators have questioned why Ramaphosa failed to fire Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Speaking to the Sunday Independent this week, the former standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) chairperson, Themba Godi, said: “Gordhan should have long been fired. He has not achieved anything progressive as a minister. He is responsible for André de Ruyter and the destruction of Eskom, through neglect and IPPs (independent power producers). There can be no better minister implementing neo-liberal policies that are anti-people.” Godi’s sentiments were echoed by ATM leader…

The Savanna Comic Choice Awards announced the nominees for their 10th annual awards while celebrating International Women's Day with an electric vibe. The Comic Choice Awards nomination ceremony was hosted at Raddison Red Hotel in the heart of Rosebank on Wednesday afternoon. Three of the four nominated women, some of who were nominated in more than one category, said the South African comedy industry had grown and had become more inclusive of women. Nina Hastie was nominated for the UpLIFTing Comedic Content and Funny Influencer Content awards. Hastie said, for years, the comedy narrative had been from a male perspective, and women had to work extra hard to get their seats at the table. “Women are naturally funnier than men, but for the world to start accepting women’s opinions in…

IT IS illegal for taxi operators to force commuters to use only their mode of transport, which is done out of desperation to keep their “struggling” businesses afloat, national taxi associations’ umbrella bodies have admitted. This conduct has caused havoc and disrupted schooling in some parts of the country. It has led to school governing bodies and scholar transport operators expressing disdain at the behaviour of taxi operators forcing children to use taxis to get to and from school. While claiming ignorance of operators’ “thuggery”, the National Taxi Alliance (NTA), which has 13 affiliated taxi associations, says the country’s biggest, multi-billion-rand transport industry has been infiltrated by hooligans masquerading as operators. NTA national spokesperson Theo Malele said there was little the alliance could do to control the behaviour of taxi…

Her shirt embroidered with an FMCG company logo, Nokuthula’s violated body, neck marked with strangle imprints, was discovered in a veld by a passer-by heading the same route, not long after her murder. Nokuthula was on her usual 5km to 7km course from home to the main taxi rank in Katlehong, heading to her place of employment. Just over two weeks ago, she made her last trip when she did not reach her employment destination. Nokuthula belongs to the most economically vulnerable group in South Africa. Her tragic collision with death comes just two weeks prior to the release of bleak figures from Statistics SA on unemployment preceded by the release of crime stats by the South African Police Service, confirming an increase in all contact crimes by 11.6%, including…

MAMELODI Sundowns marched on relentlessly as they handed Africa’s “Team of the Century” Al Ahly a 5-2 defeat in their CAF Champions League Group B clash at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium yesterday. After this defeat, Al Ahly, the 10-time Champions League title-holders are in danger of failing to reach the knockout stages of CAF’s premier club competition. Sundowns head Group B with 10 points. Al Ahly are in third place with four points after both teams played four matches. The outcome also meant the Egyptians have failed to win a match over the past 22 years in Mzansi. Three goals were scored in the opening 24 minutes after both teams showed great attacking intent. Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende launched an early attacking sortie out wide for Sundowns. Skipper Themba Zwane…

Cruise Vacations has been awarded the ‘Best Luxury & Expedition Cruise Travel Experts – Gauteng’ title. The announcement was made recently in London by the MEA Business Awards team. Last year, the agency earned the title of Africa’s Best Cruise Travel Agency at the World Cruise Awards. The MEA Business Awards programme, running for six years, aims to showcase a fine selection of companies that are staying ahead of the curve. MEA Awards co-ordinator Laura O’Carroll said: “The professionalism and strength of these businesses ensures their adaptability, growth and remarkable success. We applaud our winners for making waves in their industries.’’ The agency was established in 2010, and they’ve taken pride in offering Africa some of the world’s best luxurious cruise products. Gaynor Galbraith Neill, managing director of Cruise Vacations,…

MOuNTAiN biking has become a popular sport/activity around the world, and in South Africa, mountain bikers get to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes. Bikers are able able to ride off-road through majestic natural landscapes. The camaraderie that exists among mountain bikers is a drawcard that fuels the growth of this sport. The reason why people choose mountain biking differs. ‘’I enjoy mountain biking because I don’t have to deal with traffic,’’ says Marco Joubert. ‘’But most importantly, the solidarity element is great for mental clarity.’’ Hence, there’s exciting news for cycling enthusiasts – the Bergrivier region, on Cape Town’s doorstep, is a mountain bike Mecca with a variety of stunning trails for beginners, intermediate and experienced riders. Nomonde Ndlangisa, CEO of Bergrivier Tourism, unpacks a few of…

Only a third of people in the world’s poorest countries can connect to the internet, the UN telecoms agency said, but low-flying satellites could bring hope to millions, especially in remote corners of Africa. Tech giants including Microsoft have pledged to help populations hobbled by poor internet services to “leapfrog” into an era of online connectivity, with satellites set to play a key role as rival firms send thousands of new-generation transmitters into low-level orbit. At the moment, 36% of the 1.25 billion people in the world’s 46 poorest countries can plug into the internet, the International Telecommunication Union said. By comparison, more than 90% have access in the EU. The ITU condemned the “staggering international connectivity gap” that it said had widened over the past decade. The divide has…

IT DOES not rain but pour for South African consumers, as another interest rate hike has been predicted for the next South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (MPC), due to take place at the end of the month. The Ides Of March came quickly for consumers, who had to deal with a massive fuel price increase while businesses contended with the rolling blackouts imposed by ailing state owned power utility Eskom, which has been rocked with corruption allegations made by the outgoing CEO, André de Ruyter. On Tuesday, Statistics South Africa painted a bleak picture as it announced that the country’s economy had contracted 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Analysts further rubbed salt in the wound, as they predict the country would fall into a…

It's tempting to call Scream VI – the latest instalment in the long-running meta-slasher franchise, now set in New York City instead of the fictional Woodsboro, Michigan, and featuring a whole gaggle of Ghostface killers – less of a fresh idea than a cynical exercise in boosting an existing intellectual property to make a buck. But including a line of dialogue in the new screenplay that does exactly that – an allusion to the bad habits of horror franchises, including the fictional Stab series, films-within-these-films that serve as stand-ins for the one you’re watching – doesn’t chapter against accusations of trafficking in a lazy formula. In fact, it only calls attention to it. But that’s the whole gimmick here, and always has been, ever since Scream first landed in theatres…

IN HER preliminary report on the Phala Phala farm robbery scandal, acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka appears to have exonerated President Cyril Ramaphosa. Gcaleka implicates the president’s adviser Bejani Chauke, the head of presidential protection services General Wally Rhoode, and police officer Sergeant Hlulani Rikhotso. In a report Gcaleka sent to the interested parties for consideration, she said Rhoode and Rikhotso contravened SAPS regulations and national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola should take appropriate action against the officers with 60 days. Sars said this week it could not find any record Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa, who allegedly paid $580 000 in cash to buy 20 buffaloes from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, declared the cash when he landed at OR Tambo International Airport on December 23, 2019. Sars was responding to…

ENSafrica’s troubles keep mounting following a request for the High Court to charge its employee with contempt of court in an ongoing battle for mining rights. Transasia Minerals asked the Gauteng North High Court to charge lawyer Senzo Mbatha with contempt of law for violating section 165 (3) of the Constitution. Mbatha, who represents Umsobomvu Coal against Transasia on behalf of ENSafrica, allegedly ordered the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to attend a court hearing and bring confidential documents of Transasia and its directors at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on April 20, 2022. The information allegedly includes books, papers, records and documents, and all correspondences, including electronic communication between Transasia and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The law firm also wanted the Kwazulu-Natal Mineral Resources and Energy…

From selling books and watches and running an online magazine, to developing websites and logos for small businesses, Kabelo Selekolo has had an interesting career. Now he has added shoes and sneakers to the list with Mswenko Footwear. The 32-year-old from Rustenburg in North West who now lives in Halfway Gardens, Midrand, said the idea of Mswenko Footwear began in 2014 when he had his first job. He was raised by his aunt and uncle and his background in entrepreneurship includes selling cold drinks, beers and snacks. “I was born in the village of Molorwe and grew up in an area called Ledig, near Rustenburg, with my aunt and uncle. My aunt was my caretaker and she did an excellent job raising me, but she was strict and made me…

The Council for the Built Environment (CBE), a state entity, has warned of its intention to use its constitutional powers to make it a criminal offence for unregistered people to lead infrastructure development projects. The national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s schedule 3A public entity made this announcement recently as part of a campaign to clamp down on impropriety in the construction industry, some of which was exposed in the Zondo Commission’s state capture report. The CBE announced it intended “to make it illegal for a non-registered person to administer and lead infrastructure projects in South Africa”. “(The) CBE, with professional bodies, will engage with law enforcement agencies to ensure that people practising (construction without being registered) are held liable for wrongdoing. “The CBE will be engaging the Construction…

This past week saw students of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) protesting over fees and accommodation. The strike is in demand for the university to provide accommodation to those who are homeless or cannot afford the residence fees, as well as for students with R150 000 in historical debt to be allowed to register for the current academic calendar. During the protests, students gathered to be addressed by the Wits SRC president but Aphiwe Mnyamana was forcibly removed from campus. Following extensive engagements with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), the Senior Executive Team (SET) met to consider the demands put forward by the SRC. The SET said it noted the commitment from both parties to resolve the impasse but was concerned that new demands were added to the list…

DURING his State of the Nation Address (Sona) before a joint sitting of Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa set out bold plans and made an undertaking to promote investment and develop master plans in sectors of the economy such as automotive, clothing and textile, poultry, sugar, agriculture and global business services. As the African Panel-Beaters and Motor Mechanics Association (APMMA), we duly welcome President Ramaphosa’s announcement of these bold initiatives to tackle the country’s urgent needs. We, however, expect nothing but drastic action from the government to implement these initiatives, particularly in the after-market automotive industry. In total, the automotive after-market industry contributes at least 7.5% to South Africa’s GDP and directly employs just over 110 000 people in the vehicle assembly and components supply industry. The automotive after-market remains an…

HAVING endured a roller-coaster season, Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to bag some redemption via winning the country’s premier club knock-out competition. But that’s easier said than done. They’ll face a potential banana peel in Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup last 16 this afternoon. Historical statistics suggest a massive psychological battle for Amakhosi, having lost to the minnows in this competition before. IOL sports writer Mihlali Baleka profiles three players who need to step up to the plate and take the game by the scruff of its neck to ensure the Soweto Giants walk away winners at the Calabash and reach the quarter-final. Keagan Dolly With his experience and skill, Dolly has blown hot and cold this season. It’s been disappointing given the fact he’s…

JOHN Plumtree was a spectator at last year’s rugby Murray Cup final at the Crusaders ground in Durban and I asked him if (then Sharks CEO) John Smit had done him a favour by ‘letting him go’ from the Sharks at the end of 2012. There was a broad grin from the big Kiwi and he answered: “I’m a different coach now, I have a lot more to offer.” Plumtree’s presence at that club rugby day was a signpost of things to come and it is indeed coming to pass that he is returning to the Shark Tank for a second stint as head coach. He is effectively replacing Sean Everitt, who became a scapegoat when the Sharks lost heavily to Cardiff in a URC match last October. Plumtree would…

A traveller has shared their shock and dismay at allegedly being served just one banana for their paid-for in-flight meal. The passenger, known online as Kris Chari – who is vegan – said they were left hungry after receiving only the fruit while flying out of Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on a Japan Airlines plane. Taking to the travel forum Flyer Talk, Chari said they placed an order for breakfast while flying and were taken aback when the dish arrived at their seat – a single banana and chopsticks. “Before take-off today my flight attendant confirmed that I ordered VGML (Vegetarian Vegan Meal) and that my breakfast was a banana, by which I mistakenly assumed she meant that breakfast included a banana,” he said. “When she served the banana after…

South African health-tech start-up Envisionit Deep AI has raised $1.65 million (about R30m), expected to unlock the company’s next growth phase in AI-driven health care. The company said the financial boost would fund projects to “address critical shortages in the African and emerging market health-care sector and democratise access to diagnostic imaging using AI”. The company was recently named “Best Newcomer” in the southern Africa leg of the African Startup Awards, which has been credited to the success of the company’s Radify AI platform, aimed to assist radiologists using AI-enhanced medical diagnosis of tuberculosis, coronavirus pneumonia, breast cancer, and other diseases. One of the company’s founders, Dr Jaishree Naidoo, said there was a huge demand for health-care services in Africa, particularly in the field of medical diagnostics. “In 2022 alone,…

MY COLUMN today examines the link between level crossings, smoke and potholes and, perhaps, a random cow. I find myself remembering Mr Wentzel, an erstwhile seconded surveyor general to the government of Bophuthatswana, with whom I worked closely from 1982 to 1987. I learnt a lot from him. My task in Bophuthatswana, after being halted from proceeding to Botswana by Lucky Motlamelle, a former senior university colleague in Lesotho, was to plan the 1985 census of Bophuthatswana and for that, I would lean on the surveyor general’s office. Mr Wentzel was a dependable 65-year-old retiree on whose face ran a map of contours, the mark of experience. Around him hung the scent of the smoke from a pipe mixture he used. His thumb had tanned, flattened and hardened from the…

I can’t claim to know much about rugby. And when I do watch a game, it is with fans who school me on what’s happening. That said, I wasn’t ignorant as to who the key figures were or who Siya Kolisi is. Aside from the news headlines around his feats on the field, his appointment as the first black captain of the Springboks in 2018, was a long-overdue victory, in and of itself. And it was welcomed and celebrated by Mzansi, more so when he brought home the World Cup in a glorious defeat of England in the 2019 final in Japan. Off the field, his interracial marriage to Rachel embodied the spirit of what it means to be part of a truly democratic South Africa. Over the years, Siya…

A businesswoman fighting Eskom over the blacklisting of her company has blamed the power utility for her losing out on funding worth millions of rand and the closure of her accounts by some commercial banks. Econ Oil & Energy managing director Nothemba Mlonzi has accused Eskom and its former chief executive officer, André de Ruyter, of conducting a negative media campaign against her company. “Suppliers and banks have read the allegations against Econ Oil in the media. These suppliers have sought to terminate their relationship with Econ Oil based on Eskom’s unfounded allegations,” she told the Competition Tribunal. The Competition Commission has informed her its investigation into her complaint will be finalised in September this year. She complained in September 2021. According to Mlonzi, Investec terminated its relationship with Econ…

A NUMBER of the new members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national executive have dark clouds of serious allegations of past misdemeanours hovering above their heads. Five ministers and their deputies, who were announced in the new national executive this week, have been accused of bribery, corruption, and misuse of state funds and one escaped sequestration a few months ago. These include the new-appointed Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, deputy ministers in the Presidency and public works and infrastructure Pinky Kekana and Bernice Swarts, respectively. Following his appointment as the country’s first electricity minister, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) described Ramokgopa as “basically no more than a project manager.” “This is despite the fact that Dr Ramokgopa was surrounded by…

IN THE cut-throat world of technology, diversity and innovation can be hard to come by. That is why AYO Technology Solutions (AYO) stands out as a true trailblazer in the field. With its majority black ownership and 26-year track record of success, AYO has made waves on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) since going public in 2017. However, despite the technology company’s commitment to digital transformation and customer service, AYO has been unfairly maligned by several media outlets over recent years – causing major setbacks for both the company and its valued customers. The investment in AYO by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) was welcomed by both the JSE and Africa’s largest asset manager. But due to malicious media coverage, the PIC is seemingly suffering from a bout of regret.…

In the South African wine industry, where diversity has traditionally been lacking, African women are cultivating success and living the “grape life”. Lerato Pretorius, the director of Lavo Wines, has long carried the desire to create something that speaks of who she is as a person, and one of those concepts is Lavo Wines. She combined her love for wine with the desire to create generational wealth. Her goal was not only to create a product that would bring joy to those who purchase the wine but also to create opportunities for others to establish themselves and, in turn, create opportunities for others. The name Lavo Wines originates from the name Lerato, which is a South African name that translates to “love”. “The thread that binds the world together is…

ENERGY regulator Nersa has admitted it bowed to pressure from Türkiye company Karpowership to keep secret parts of its R218 billion deal to provide 1 220MW in additional power generation capacity. The National Energy Regulator of SA was responding to the North Gauteng High Court application by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) to force the regulator to provide details of the 20-year agreement. Nersa opposes Outa’s application to access the unredacted record of decision along with power utility Eskom. According to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Karpowership deal is a significant part of its risk mitigation independent power producer procurement programme, which aims to procure 2 000MW in new generation capacity from a range of source technologies to address the country’s rippling electricity capacity supply gap.…

A recent segment on The Touchdown, a Metro FM show hosted by Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe, Morena Mothupi and Lindi Serame, highlighted an issue that plagues modern societies. Their topic was “unethical conduct in churches”. It is not my intention to problematise denominations or the doctrines of churches, but to highlight the negative behaviours of some within churches. Historically, the sacred institution would be central to the upliftment and nourishment of the downtrodden, the weak and the weary. On The Touchdown radio show, the issue of exploitative church members was highlighted. Those in positions of power in churches were singled out as exempt from punishment for unethical practices. Some callers reported of churches that had financially exploited them, emotionally abused them and, at times, sexually violated them. Many victims were…

DANE van Niekerk’s long and winding road with the Proteas Women’s team seems set to have reached a cul-de-sac. Van Niekerk, the former long-term captain of the national team, has not found favour with Cricket SA in recent times after being sensationally overlooked for the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa on the basis of failing a fitness test. It was the latest setback for the 29-year-old after her long-term injury battles that saw her also miss last year’s 50-over World Cup in New Zealand with a freak ankle injury. In fact, Van Niekerk has played only five ODIs and three T20Is for the Proteas since the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia at the SCG. During that intervening period Sune Luus has been…

“HE’S your friend but he’s not your best friend.” Both being ardent Liverpool FC supporters Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad would be well acquainted with former Reds defender Dejan Lovren’s feelings about manager Jurgen Klopp. The significance of the throwaway line from the Croatian would not be lost on the pair for it is close to an accurate assessment of Bavuma and Conrad’s relationship too. The Proteas captain and coach have formed a dynamic connection since being brought together in Bloemfontein just over a month ago now. From the outset there has been a commitment to honesty that has forged the trust within the relationship. The political correctness is correctly being left to the politicians. Conrad has been forthright with Bavuma from the moment they sat down on the Mangaung…

Deutsche Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr said the quiet part out loud last week, telling analysts the German flag carrier wouldn’t rush to add more aircraft capacity despite surging passenger demand, because high yields – industry jargon for average fares – “are just too much fun”. Lufthansa isn’t the only airline executive sounding exuberant about soaring ticket prices helping repair its Covid-hit balance sheets. Leisure travel demand is off the charts, and US and European airlines are either unwilling or unable, to increase capacity sufficiently due to staffing and equipment shortages. The highly advantageous conditions (for them) look set to continue for years. In the past, airlines tended to quickly add more flights whenever demand increased, causing aircraft occupancy to deteriorate and ticket prices to sink, especially in the more competitive…

Visas typically require approval from the destination country’s government, which can take weeks or months, and often cost a lot of money. However, having a passport that has visa-free access to more countries enables citizens to travel with ease. This has great economic and social benefits for citizens and their countries, and governments are always looking to expand their relationships and make travel and business easier for their citizens. Investment migration experts Globalresidenceindex.com have conducted research to discover which passports have had the most improvement over the past 10 years. United Arab Emirates It’s no surprise that the UAE is a destination where everyone wants to either vacay or start a new life. In addition, the UAE is a desert hub for business and travel. It is between East and…