Sunday Tribune 2025-11-23

As more than 900 000 South African learners sit down for their final matric exams this year, households across the country are feeling the weight of preparation, late nights, high pressure and too often, poor eating habits that creep in when stress takes over. Research shows there’s more that goes into exam readiness than late night cramming and stress, more often than not, it’s a revision of nutritional values at home that fuels success. As the South African 2025 Matric class, a contingent totalling 903 561 National School Curriculum (NSC) exam candidates, the highest number since the inception of public examinations in 1996, continues with final exams, it’s also the season when stress-related poor habits tend to take root. Exam-related stress, whether young or old, is universal and stems from…

South Africans were given some relief ahead of the festive season that is about to kick off after the South African Reserve Bank dropped the repurchase rate for the country by 25 basis points (BPS), taking it from 7.00% to 6.75% per annum This translates to the prime lending rate in South Africa decreasing from 10.50% to 10.25%. This comes after the SARB’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on Thursday, with consumer inflation rising to its highest level in more than a year. The governor said that the MPC’s decision was unanimous. “Members agreed there was scope now to make the policy stance less restrictive, in the context of an improved inflation outlook,” SARB governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Thursday. Kganyago highlighted a global economic context defined by uncertainty and…

In the heart of Kriel, Mpumalanga, a new wave of branding innovation is emerging, driven by the passionate vision of Sanele Makhato, founder of Mandeza Kathu (Pty) Ltd. Inspired by the legacy of his grandmother, Annah Mandeza Makhato, a skilled knitter and embroiderer, Sanele's journey is more than a business venture, it is a heartfelt tribute to a familial artistic heritage. “I founded Mandeza Kathu to honour my late grandmother. Her passion for crafting ignited my desire to create a company that merges artistry and professionalism,” Sanele said. This commitment to creativity and detail runs through the fabric of his company, which is dedicated to producing branded apparel that resonates with the stories and values of their clients. The creative process for Sanele is an intricate dance of collaboration and…

As the holiday season draws closer, it’s time to get into the festive spirit, and I’ve already started the annual holiday binge with Netflix’s A Merry Little Ex-Mas. The story follows the iconic Alicia Silverstone in the lead role of Kate, a mother of two who put her career on hold for her husband Everett (Oliver Hudson) to live out his dreams as a doctor in his small town, Winterlight. Kate is a people-pleasing, eco-conscious handywoman who can fix anything, but underneath her cheerful exterior, she struggles with resentment for what she has given up. She feels like she missed her chance to make a positive impact on the planet. All that changes when Kate and Everett decide to get a divorce, or in their words, “conscious uncoupling”. Despite the…

When you take two top-tier actors like Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys and pit them against each other in a taut psychological thriller, it’s going to attract eyeballs. So, of course, I was drawn to The Beast in Me from the moment it dropped on Netflix. I’ve been an ardent follower of Danes since she made waves in the award-winning series My So-Called Life. She continued impressing me with Homeland, which ran for several seasons. Although she’s done an insane amount of work, especially in Hollywood movies, there’s an intensity and conviction that she brings to her characters in a series that, for me, remains unparalleled. Then, there’s Rhys. Showing my age here, again, but he landed his big TV break as Kevin Walker in Brothers & Sisters. Since then,…

It’s that time of year when festive or fun family-friendly offerings are on the radar of viewers. And Freakier Friday, which is directed by Nisha Ganatra, certainly ticks the boxes for holiday viewing. It’s silly fun. Nothing more. Of course, having Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, who is also credited as producer on the film, reprise their mother and daughter roles as Anna and Tess Coleman, respectively, heightens the appeal. Honestly, since her return to acting in Netflix’s Falling for Christmas, Lohan has been lauded by critics and fans alike. Hollywood’s notorious bad girl has cleaned up her act, and I can’t help but feel like marriage and motherhood have played a key role in this. The fantasy comedy sequel expands on the original body-switching premise, escalating the trope…