Sunday Tribune 2025-10-05

As the festive season approaches, South Africans are grappling with an ever-increasing strain on their finances, exacerbated by soaring living costs and high interest rates. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, expressed grave concern about the ongoing financial struggles faced by households across the nation. “With inflation remaining stubbornly high, the economic outlook for South African consumers in the final quarter of this year is daunting,” Roets said, pointing to looming economic challenges. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources recently announced an increase in petrol prices, adding to the sense of desperation among consumers. While a decrease in diesel prices offers a sliver of hope, many South Africans were left disheartened by the petrol price hikes of 1 cent per litre for petrol 93 and 8 cents per litre…

The mother-city is buzzing as South Africa concluded hosting the G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting and the AI for Africa Summit, drawing ministers from G20 member states, guest countries, and African Union dignitaries. As part of the South African delegation, I had the privilege of contributing to bilateral discussions that revealed an undeniable truth: Africa’s economic future hinges on the growth of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), the vibrancy of our innovation ecosystems, and the equitable deployment of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Economic backbone: SMMEs are the lifeblood of our economies, though their contribution is often understated. In South Africa, they contribute close to 40% of GDP, and provide about a third of formal employment. Across the African continent, they represent around 95% of all registered…

When the lockdown hit in June 2020, many South Africans faced deep uncertainty. For Conny Gwai, it became the unlikely spark that transformed her kitchen table into the foundation of a thriving business. What began as a way to cope with the silence of lockdown soon grew into KayGee’s Confections, a bakery rooted in heritage, resilience, and community empowerment. “Instead of being consumed by the silence, I turned to what I knew best: baking. My kitchen table became my starting point, not just to make ends meet, but to bring a sense of comfort and hope. I realised that if I could bring even a little joy through something as simple as a scone or a cake, then perhaps this passion could grow into something bigger,” Gwai told Business Report.…

Reality TV is everywhere, but Inside: USA has managed to stand out in a crowded field of competition. Imagine a group of 12 contestants, each one trying their hardest to win a $1 million prize, starting with nothing but the clothes on their backs. All the things they might need to survive are sold within the house itself, but there’s a twist: everything costs money ... a lot of money, that comes directly from the prize pot. Want a hot shower? That will set you back $100 (around R1 700) per minute. Want a can of soda? That will be $500. Fancy a meal upgrade? Be prepared to cough up $1000. This sets the stage for some nail-biting decisions as contestants must balance their wants against the dwindling funds. The…

I don’t know about you, but now and again, I like to watch something that inspires or casts a positive light on life. Aside from the year-end burnout, many seek out hope, especially when grappling with mental health struggles. Tyler Perry’s modern retelling of a biblical love story, Ruth & Boaz, recently ticked the box. Directed by Alanna Brown and co-written by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, it is a story of second chances as well as keeping the faith. Ruth (Serayah McNeill ) is a struggling singer with a powerful voice that could move mountains. Tag teaming with her vocalist best friend and roommate, Breana (Nijah Brenea), they are on the cusp of a career breakthrough. However, the direction their manager, Syrus (James Lee Thomas), has taken when they…

Nepotism is practically a rite of passage in Bollywood. To the outside world, the bias towards celebrity kids has been a longstanding point of contention. That said, the industry isn’t impenetrable for talented actors. Or those wanting to break into the different facets away from the camera. This brings me to The Ba***ds of Bollywood, a seven-part Netflix series created, written and directed by Aryan Khan. Of course, being the son of Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), a billionaire actor and film producer, his foray into the film industry isn’t surprising. But unlike other star kids, he never wanted to follow his father’s footsteps in front of the camera. Aryan’s interest has always been behind the scenes, and his father, who is also hailed as the “Baadshah of Bollywood” and…