Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-16 i Sunday Independent

Well known South African trail runner Stuart McConnachie broke down the growing business of endurance sport, in particular trail running, in an interview with Business Report. McConnachie said that research indicates that trail running has become a driver of local economic growth that comes as the Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Ultra-trail Cape Town (RMB UTCT) is expected to take place next weekend. McConnachie has completed ultra-distance races such as the Comrades Marathon, the 2024 Two Oceans Marathon, and endurance races such as the Western States 100 and Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) and now serves as Race Director of RMB UTCT. McConnachie said that research published in the Journal of Sport & Tourism indicates that trail running in South Africa has become a potential driver of local economic growth, particularly in…

Every year on November 14, the world observes World Diabetes Day, a global health campaign dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most pressing chronic conditions of our time. Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation in partnership with the World Health Organisation, the day was later recognised by the UN in 2006. The goal of World Diabetes Day is to encourage prevention, improve access to care and foster education about diabetes. The focus also includes promoting early diagnosis and healthy living to prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage. The campaign also offers a platform to talk about access to care, affordability of medication and lifestyle education – issues that continue to challenge communities across the country. While medical research, awareness campaigns…

The Big Mac Index suggests that the South African rand is about 52% undervalued. The measure of purchasing power highlights how inexpensive South African goods appear in dollar terms, but does this necessarily mean the currency is being deliberately weakened? That question lies at the heart of the rand manipulation case now before the Constitutional Court, where the Competition Commission has appealed a ruling that cleared 13 international banks of fixing the rand’s value. The apex court must now decide whether foreign financial institutions can be held accountable for conduct that allegedly distorted South Africa’s markets. A ruling in the Commission’s favour would mark a major victory for accountability and market integrity, reaffirming that no institution operates above the law. For most South Africans, justice in the markets matters…

THE discovery of oil in Somalia is back in the news, and not for the first time. The geological structures that host the abnormalities signifying the presence of hydrocarbons, both onshore and offshore, were confirmed in the 1950s. Recently, Turkiye has announced the certification of large quantities of crude oil reserves in one oil well off the coast of the Somali mainland. The implications of the hydrocarbon reserve reassessment for Somalia are so significant that the country may be ranked alongside Kuwait or, indeed, even fourth in the world. It is not what the discovery of oil is going to do for Somalia. The consequences of such discovery could be determined by what the fate of a declining US hegemony turns out to be in the long-drawn battle of tariff…

ON November 21 — just 24 hours before the momentous G20 Summit — South Africa will come to a near-complete halt. The G20 Women’s Shutdown will see people from across the nation and beyond band together to pull their labour, their presence, and their spending, and send a message that cannot be softened or ignored: that this country only runs because women do. And the relentless violence against women is intolerable and will certainly cost us our future. Organised by non-profit organisation Women For Change, the #G20WomenShutdown will be a collective widespread movement that will spotlight what our society has for far too long taken for granted: that no one should be expected to serve a society that ignores their suffering. And for decades now, this has been the tune…

The families of the 15 alleged murder victims of Sbonelo "Madanon" Wiseman Shangase, 32, and Thalente Mkhize, 36, have expressed anger and frustration over the four-year delay in their relatives' murder cases. They specifically blame Shangase and his lawyer, Sithembiso Nkatha, for the hold-up. The trial, scheduled to proceed in July, was postponed because Nkatha failed to appear to represent his client. The families, who remain anonymous due to an attempt on the lives of relatives set to testify, are furious that the case cannot move forward. The accused face 28 counts, which include 15 murders, armed robbery, attempted murder, kidnapping, and multiple violations of the Firearms Control Act. The alleged victims include Overport businessman Zeyn Moideen, who was shot in 2022 on Brickfield Road. Also among the victims are…

This week, the National Department of Transport made headlines with its announcement to delay the expanded implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act until July 2026. The decision, attributed to concerns regarding municipalities' readiness and the potential implications for road safety, has ignited a fiery debate across the nation regarding the Act's viability and necessity. The AARTO system, which threatens to revoke drivers' licences for accumulated infringement points, was initially scheduled to be fully operational by December. However, Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, alongside Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, decided to defer the rollout amid increasing criticism. The Public Servants Association (PSA) welcomed the announcement, stating that it has consistently raised concerns about the practicality and fairness of the AARTO system. "The repeated delays since its inception…

Three employees of the Tourism Department who complained against Director-General Victor Tharage have refused to co-operate with the investigation into his alleged misconduct. This was revealed by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille when she was responding to written parliamentary questions from DA MP Haseena Ismail. Ismail wrote to De Lille asking whether she has initiated a full investigation against Tharage after President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated last December that, though he was the appointing authority of directors-general, a minister should probe misconduct and make recommendations to him. At the time, Ramaphosa confirmed that De Lille had reported the allegations and/or grievances of workplace bullying against women that were levelled against Tharage to him with supporting documents. “After analysis of the documents provided, I concluded that the matter, as it currently stands,…

IN line with celebrating the heroes and heroines who won South Africa's maiden men's (Afcon 1996) and women's (Wafcon 2002) and only continental crowns, respectively, the SA Hall of Fame inducted several greats from the two eras on Friday night at Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp. Bafana Bafana (Afcon) and Banyana Banyana (Wafcon) will return to the biggest continental events next month and in March respectively. Both events will be hosted in Morocco. Below, we look at the recent footballing inductees who have hoisted the country’s flag with pride during their respective careers. Janine van Wyk Van Wyk made history with Banyana in the 2022 continental showpiece in Morocco, becoming the first captain to lift the nation’s continental crown. And that’s not all. Van Wyk was also the first captain to…

Two wins may have steadied Kaizer Chiefs, but they should not overshadow the structural mistake made weeks earlier — failing to release Nasreddine Nabi’s entire technical team when they dismissed him. Chiefs have shown improvement. They’ve secured a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, sharpened performances and put themselves in position for a realistic top-five finish. But even with those positives, the rebuild is incomplete — because the club tried to move on from Nabi without fully stepping away from him. This becomes even more glaring when remembering that Nabi only agreed to join Chiefs on the condition that he bring his entire technical team with him. That was his non-negotiable. Chiefs agreed. The club built its tactical, physical and analytical structure around his people. Then they fired…

It’s been nine seasons - and counting - since the PSL last enjoyed continental success in inter-club football. Mamelodi Sundowns were responsible for that previous success. The Brazilians ascended to the throne of African football when they were crowned kings of the continent for the first time in their history. They became only the second South African team to achieve that milestone, with Orlando Pirates having been crowned African champions in 1995. That’s why the Sea Robbers would have celebrated their 30-year anniversary in style had they gone all the way last season instead of falling short at the second-last hurdle. But a new season has arrived with yet another chance of redemption for South Africa through Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Stellenbosch. All three have reached the group stages of…

Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker yesterday denied taking a prohibited substance after learning he had failed a drug test on the day of his shock loss to Fabio Wardley. The 33-year-old New Zealander said on social media it was a “real surprise” to learn of an adverse finding from an anti-doping test taken on 25 October. Parker suffered an 11th-round stoppage defeat by British boxer Wardley and lost his status as WBO mandatory challenger for undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. “The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) last night informed all required parties that Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted on October 25 in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley,” promoters Queensberry said in a statement. “While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment…

When Thobile Skhosana founded Itoro Group, she set out to change how South Africa viewed safety. What began as a deeply personal mission to protect workers in high-risk industries grew into a powerful movement built on protection, productivity, and pride. “Itoro was born from lived experience,” Skhosana said. “Working at the mines, I saw how safety was often treated as a tick-box rather than a human need. I witnessed drivers, warehouse staff, engineers, and miners returning home injured or exhausted because their gear was not designed for them, especially women. I wanted to change that. Itoro became my way of saying protection is personal, and every worker deserves to feel safe, valued, and seen.” That vision has evolved into one of South Africa’s most promising safety-focused enterprises. Itoro Group, headquartered…

IN South Africa’s public administration, the concept of truth has become elastic, stretched, reshaped, and often conveniently redefined. The recent tension between suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and his chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, is not a technical dispute. It is a mirror reflecting the fragility of our governance system and how easily political power can bend procedure until the very foundations of accountability crack. Mchunu, the appointing authority, told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that interviews were conducted before Nkabinde’s appointment. This statement was meant to affirm that due process was followed. Yet in his testimony, Nkabinde claimed that government guidelines did not require interviews for his position. Now, the ad hoc committee is left to determine a fundamental question: Was the appointment of the chief of staff properly conducted,…

South Africa, like all developing countries, should use its membership of the G20 to untangle itself from the chains of imperialism so that it can enjoy economic emancipation, said the South African Communist Party (SACP). Through its national spokesperson, Mbulelo Mandlana, the SACP said South Africa’s participation in the G20 was a positive sign for the poorer nations. African countries are represented by the African Union in the G20, which has 19 countries that are independently represented. As the G20 president, President Cyril Ramaphosa has been seen as the representative of the Global South, which is made up of emerging nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Mandlana said South Africa’s participation was a positive reflection of its international relations policy. “From a country that used to be a pariah…

IF Arabic from Syria to Mauritania and from Morocco to the Comoros can be treated as one language, then the present classification of African languages needs serious revision. The current framework that separates Nguni, Sotho, Shona and other clusters does not capture how these languages relate to one another. It ignores the broad continuities that stretch across regions and creates false linguistic boundaries that never existed in lived experience. This discrepancy exposes a systemic bias in how linguistic boundaries are drawn. Arabic demonstrates how a language can function as a single linguistic system despite its internal diversity. When scholars first documented Arabic, they classified it as one language with many varieties. Later, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) defined it as a macro language comprising 28 distinct but related languages.…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) was launched on December 16, 2023. Named after the military wing of the ANC and the South African Communist Party, its founding message promised to advance the total liberation of the historically oppressed through electoral means. For many, this message spoke to a long-held yearning for transformation that had been repeatedly deferred. Many South Africans are experiencing extreme socio-economic strain. Nearly half of the population lives in conditions of chronic poverty, with unemployment levels among the highest in the world. Inequality remains structurally entrenched, and corruption scandals have eroded confidence in traditional political institutions. In this atmosphere of widespread disenchantment, the MKP presented itself as a vessel of hope. In the general election of May 2024, held five months after its formation, the party…

When Zohran Nkrumah Mamdani won the mayoralty of New York City at the age of 34, it was more than a political victory – it was the triumph of an idea. The son of Africa, born in Kampala, Uganda, to parents of Indian origin, Mamdani embodies the very fusion of histories that define our times: migration, resilience and plural identity. In him converge the moral inheritance of Africa, the intellectual heritage of South Asia, and the cosmopolitan energy of the world’s most diverse city. His ascent is therefore not only an American event. It is an African, Asian and global affirmation – a triumph of belonging over exclusion, courage over fear, and moral clarity over cynicism. Mamdani’s middle name, Nkrumah, is not incidental. It was bestowed by his father…

For several reasons, the Springboks’ 32-14 defeat of Italy in Turin must rank among Rassie Erasmus’ top 10 most gratifying wins, given this was a performance of the highest standards in the face of rank adversity. I can picture Erasmus in the Bok change room saying, “The officials can throw whatever they want at us, but we will suck it up and show them the middle finger.” This unbelievably dramatic game will sadly be recalled for the ridiculous red card given to Franco Mostert, but it should equally be revered as a match where the Springboks confirmed they are one of the greatest teams to grace the game, as they once more found a way to win against the odds. The wonderful Schalk Burger in the SuperSport studio best summed…

In a bold declaration that resonates throughout the corridors of South African football, David Thidiela, the controversial owner of Black Leopards FC, has issued a resounding call for accountability within the Premier Soccer League (PSL). He has painted a stark picture of conflict of interest involving PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza and longtime acting CEO Mato Madlala, the owners of Orlando Pirates and Lamontville Golden Arrows, respectively. Thidiela argues that their dual roles undermine the integrity of the league and violate the principles of corporate governance. The accusations Thidiela has made on more than one occasion hinge on several crucial points; Khoza and Madlala, as owners of their clubs, are directly involved in critical discussions regarding sponsorships, fixture decisions, and more, which can severely disadvantage other clubs within the league. By…

In a Springbok environment where milestones have become almost routine – Siya Kolisi’s 100th, Eben Etzebeth fast closing in on 150 Tests – RG Snyman’s looming 50th cap carries a resonance all of its own. He ran out for the 49th time in the cherished green and gold in Saturday’s clash against Italy in Turin, and the fates have kindly conspired to hand him the opportunity to mark his 50th in next weekend’s blockbuster against Ireland at the home of his current club, Leinster. For the towering lock, the landmark represents not just longevity, but survival, renewal and a deeper connection to the Springbok jersey forged through hardship few could have predicted — and many would not have survived. Forged in fire Snyman’s Springbok story is already decorated: two Rugby…

Rory Darge has been recalled at openside flanker in the only change to the Scotland starting side for today's clash with Argentina at Murrayfield. Darge, who came off the bench in last weekend's agonising 25-17 loss to New Zealand, returns to the back row in place of the benched Matt Fagerson as Scotland look to get their Autumn Nations Series campaign back on track against the in-form Pumas. Inspirational playmaker Finn Russell keeps his place at fly-half after being substituted with knee and ankle issues in the closing stages of the defeat by the All Blacks. There is still no place in the squad for influential prop Zander Fagerson, who has been working his way back to full fitness after being sidelined since early April by a combination of calf…

The Springbok Women’s Sevens team got off to a flyer in their two group games at the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, thrashing Mauritius 68-0 in their opener before dispatching Zimbabwe 45-0. The defending champions maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament and advanced to Sunday’s crucial knockout rounds. They will have to win the tournament to be guaranteed the single available place in the SVNS Division Three Challenger tournament in January. A place in Sunday’s final will also be good enough to progress if Kenya also reach the decider, having already guaranteed their place in Division Two next season. There were braces from Maria Tshiremba, Simamkele Namba, Vianca Boer and Patience Mokone in the 10-try rout of Mauritius. Their smothering…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) delivered on Wednesday outlined government’s plans to drive growth, stabilise debt and strengthen service delivery. Yet for millions of South Africans struggling to make ends meet, the message was clear: relief is not coming any time soon. The Minister said that South Africa’s main budget primary balance for 2025/26 was expected to outperform previous estimates, with revenues R19.3 billion higher than projected earlier in the year. “There are clear signs that consistent fiscal discipline is paying off in improved investor confidence. This has been aided by sound monetary policy, which has reduced inflation and inflation expectations, enabling lower interest rates,” Godongwana said. A key announcement was the formal adoption of a 3% inflation target, replacing the previous 3–6% range. Godongwana said…

VERY little has been said about the holistic reasons behind this week’s cabinet reshuffle within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Although many across various media platforms have described the occurrence as a consequence of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s prerogative, the hand of the DA leader John Steenhuisen loomed ever so large over the reshuffle. In fact, the cabinet changes affected only the DA. For the uninitiated, Ramaphosa appointed the DA’s Alexandra Abrahams to the position of deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. She was replacing Andrew Whitfield, whom the president sacked in June for undertaking an unauthorised trip to the US. But the eye-catching appointment was that of the DA’s Willie Aucamp. He replaced Dion George, another DA appointee, as minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. According to Steenhuisen,…

This week, a humanitarian crisis unfolded at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng, as 153 Palestinian refugees landed in the country, stripped of their possessions and fleeing from the devastating conflict in Gaza. The group, which included children and a pregnant woman, had reportedly paid US$2000 each for the promise of safe transport and settlement in a host country, only to realise that their journey was fraught with uncertainty. Sarah Oosthuizen, a volunteer with humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers said they arrived with nothing but their passport, some cash and phone. She said they were unsure where their end destination would be until they received boarding passes in Nairobi via Global Airways Lift to OR Tambo. "Most are in family groups. They are malnourished, traumatised and have untended…

Suspended Matlosana Local Municipality chief financial officer (CFO) Mercy Phetla and her co-accused will face fraud, corruption, and money laundering charges after losing three luxury cars worth millions of rand linked to their alleged crimes. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) North West spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said Phetla and her accused will be appearing on Wednesday, November 19, for trial in the Klerksdorp Specialised Commercial Crime Court. In September, Acting Judge Tebogo Maodi ordered that two of Phetla’s co-accused, Anga Ludidi Shongwe and Tiisetso Letlhogonolo Sebetlele, may forfeit three luxury cars – a Black Maserati Levante S M156, a red Mercedes-Benz CLA200, and a silver/grey Land Rover Range Rover – in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). According to the NPA and the Hawks, the cars are worth millions…

A critical shortage of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in South Africa's public healthcare system is producing tragic consequences, with citizens facing death and deteriorating health as a result. This alarming situation has been underscored by research from Professor Fathima Paruk, revealing that the nation has a mere five ICU beds per 100,000 people — a stark contrast to Germany's 39. In some provinces, the situation is even dire, with reports indicating as few as one ICU bed available. The implications of this bed scarcity are deeply personal for many, including Yolanda Dyantyi, who is mourning the loss of a close friend from Gauteng. Dyantyi alleges that her friend’s death was exacerbated by the critical shortage of ICU beds, a plight she attributes in part to what she terms “corruption…

The Western Cape is grappling with a mounting crime crisis, with nearly 30 murders recorded in Cape Town alone over just 72 hours, according to South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). The organisation says the figures reveal a province where fear has become a permanent reality. “The Western Cape is not merely experiencing high crime. It is living through a human catastrophe,” SANCO said. "Children grow up recognising the sound of gunfire more than they recognise hope, while women are hunted by predators as the system meant to protect them continues to fail" SANCO highlighted the alarming levels of gender-based violence in the province. “Women are murdered inside taxis, assaulted in homes, raped on their way to work, and terrorised in areas where policing is thin and help arrives too…

The parliamentary inquiry probing serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is set to resume next week, with a line-up of significant witnesses taking the stand, including University of KwaZulu-Natal Professor Mary de Haas and four senior police officials. The inquiry halted its proceedings on Thursday after Cedrick Nkabinde, the chief of staff of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, gave conflicting evidence during his testimony. The Ad Hoc Committee announced that De Haas will kick off the testimonies on Tuesday. This will be followed by Deputy National Commissioner Tebello Mosikili on Wednesday, Head of Procurement General Molefe Fani on Thursday, and CFO Puleng Dimpane on Friday. Lieutenant-General Khosi Senthumule will provide his testimony on November 25, while Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who stands accused of attempted murder, is scheduled…

In May, President Cyril Ramaphosa invoked Section 84(f) of the Constitution of South Africa, which states that a sitting president is responsible for “appointing commissions of inquiry”. This is the section that empowered the president to sign a proclamation for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to determine whether any attempts were made to prevent the investigation and subsequent prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. Retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe was appointed to chair this commission. Her assistants were retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and advocate Andrea Gabriel SC. All three individuals are grounded in law and thus do qualify to serve in this commission. But the question arises: Was the appointment of this commission justifiable? Were there no other mechanisms to establish the facts through normal…

Climate adaptation failure the next debt crisis for Global South As deadly storms ripped through the Caribbean, a new UN report delivered a sobering warning: the world is failing to prepare for the climate it has already created. The UN Environment Programme’s Adaptation Gap Report 2025, aptly titled Running on Empty, finds that developing nations will need between $310 billion (R5.2trillion) and $365bn annually by 2035 to cope with intensifying climate impacts. Yet, international public finance for adaptation fell to just $26bn in 2023, down from $28bn the previous year. The result: only one-twelfth of what’s needed is being delivered. This gap is not an abstract number. It’s visible in the wreckage of homes, farms and economies across our region. Last month, Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to hit Jamaica,…

MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena has spoken openly about the profound impact Pitso Mosimane has had on his coaching career and on how North African football has come to view South African coaches. Mokwena and Mosimane worked together during a highly successful era at Mamelodi Sundowns, where they helped build one of the most dominant teams on the African continent. After leaving Sundowns in 2024, Mokwena moved up North himself, first joining Wydad Casablanca in Morocco before taking charge of MC Alger, and he believes the path had already been cleared by Mosimane’s achievements. In an interview with SAFJA, Mokwena said Mosimane’s success during his spell at Al Ahly, particularly his CAF Champions League triumph, played a decisive role in shifting long-standing perceptions in North Africa about the quality…

Bafana Bafana set the tone for their upcoming African Cup of Nations (Afcon) campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Zambia in an international friendly held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. The game not only showcased South Africa’s potential but also highlighted their resounding display of skill and determination. It also served as a crucial warm-up for both teams ahead of their participation in the tournament set to kick off next month in Morocco. Bafana Bafana, currently ranked 87th globally, asserted themselves from the very first whistle against 59th-ranked Zambia, who are the 2012 African champions. With a notable possession advantage (67%) in the opening 30 minutes, Bafana made an early impression that they were prepared to dominate the encounter with attacking play. During this…

About a year ago, former Ireland and Munster wing Simon Zebo caused a stir when he told a podcast that “Rassie Erasmus hates the Irish. He really doesn’t like us.” It just so happened that this eyebrow-raising story broke on the day Erasmus was holding a press conference ahead of the Boks’ Test against Ireland in Pretoria. Just before the coach walked into the room, I showed him the Zebo story on my phone. Rassie knitted his eyebrows and then burst into laughter. “No, this is a piss-take,” he laughed. “I talk to Simon all the time on WhatsApp. I coached him at Munster. We are good mates. He is a naughty bloke, and someone has taken him seriously. He will think it hysterical that he has caused a drama.”…