Sunday Tribune 2025-07-20

Thirty years ago, if you told someone you were optimistic about the future of South Africa, they would lecture you about being a ‘realist’. Well, now that we’re in the future, it’s time for this unrepentant optimist to engage in a little lecturing. The reality of 2025 is that South Africa is today an upper middle income country. Our gross domestic product (GDP) has doubled in 20 years and is similar to that of Bulgaria, Hungary and Serbia combined. Our national debt to GDP ratio is heading towards a manageable 75%. The richest nation on earth, conversely, is very good at dropping bombs but clearly hasn’t figured out how to pay for them as it heads towards a debt to GDP ratio of 125%. While attention on mining fixates like…

In an age where digital fatigue is the norm and isolation a creeping epidemic, a South African-born app is striking a powerful counterbalance. The Sociable App, launched in Durban in late 2022, is quickly becoming the go-to platform for people craving real-world connection, community, and meaningful experiences, not just more screen time. From artists and entrepreneurs to students and fitness trainers, over 16,500 users across the country have embraced Sociable’s premise: that being together should feel effortless. Whether it’s hosting a micro-event or finding a spontaneous night out nearby, Sociable says it simplifies the way people meet, plan, and engage in real life. “At a time when everyone is focusing on making life simpler, we aspired to build a platform that made life more meaningful,” says Jason van Dyk, founder…

As South Africa’s economic landscape shifts with increasing complexity, all eyes are on the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as it prepares for its pivotal interest rate decision at the end of July. If the MPC bases its decision purely on data, the country could enjoy a rate cut, however, many other factors are at play which could see interest rates remaining unchanged at the end of the month, offering no financial relief for consumers battling the cost of living crisis in the country. The current repo rate sits at 7.25%, following a slight reduction of 25 basis points earlier in May. Despite the central bank's move, Governor Lesetja Kganyago has continued to adopt a hawkish stance, underscoring the significance of maintaining price stability and addressing…

Oprah Winfrey doesn’t miss her talk show. The veteran broadcaster helmed the Oprah Winfrey Show from 1986 until 2011, and while she loved being able to connect with the audience, she admitted that making the programme and delving into hard-hitting topics became very “hard”. Speaking on the Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa podcast, she said: “I miss the everyday conversation. I miss the conversations afterwards. “As much as I loved the audience, I’m telling you, the nature of what we were doing every day became just so hard.” And Oprah admitted her producers would get “overwhelmed” if the programme didn’t win awards so she eventually stopped submitting herself for the major prizes so her team could focus on “doing the best work possible and she could focus on…

In the same way that money can’t buy happiness, it doesn’t buy class either. This has never been more apparent than on season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban, including the two-part reunion episode. I wanted to reserve all comments until I’ve watched every episode. But before I could pen my thoughts (harsh as they might be), I found myself drawn to all the off-screen drama post the show. Seriously, what in the world is going on? If you have been living under a rock, here’s what you need to know. Londie London, who made a surprise guest appearance on the show, took legal action against Minnie Ntuli, who was a fresh face on the show. There was clearly more to the beef than was witnessed on the show.…

Tyler Perry needs to consider retiring the Madea franchise now. I recall him saying he was going to do so a while back, but he clearly couldn’t kill his ratings magnet. However, after watching Madea’s Destination Wedding, the 11th film in the franchise, cameos in other offerings notwithstanding, I can confidently say it has lost its appeal. Mabel “Madea” Simmons has been a hit for being a tell-it-like-it-is grandmother. She’s unfiltered with her comments and isn’t afraid to tackle family dramas while also instilling important values. This championing of societal issues struck a chord with viewers. Madea is also inherently funny, as are the regular characters in the franchise, where Perry, aside from playing the titular role, also slips into the skin of Joe and Brian Simmons. The film centres…